Jet Setter

Well, last week this time, I was in Iowa, and this time tomorrow I'll be on a flight to SC.  I feel like a real jet setter!!  The temps here have been in the 60s mostly.  SC is experencing HOT temps, in the 100s.  I think I'll be staying close to the house and air conditioning during the hot time of the day.

Ken is off doing some errands this morning.  He needs to unlock the door at church for the cleaning crew.  His car has been acting up and he had to take mine.  His won't start if it hasn't been driven for awhile.  He drives a vanpool van to work every day, so his car only gets driven on weekends mostly.  Guess he'll have some detective work to do to discover the cause.  He got a battery last week, but had to take it back, as it wasn't the correct type for his hybrid Nissan Altima. 

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Iowa.

Matthew, a self portrait.



Ken and me with my brother Randy, wife Kathy and daughter Sarah.  This was snapped by Matthew, Randy's son.



Thirteen of my class of 41 gathered together for the "Class of 65 turns 65".  About  6 of my class members have passed away.





Me, my Aunt Shirley, cousin Carleen Hinegardner, Shirley's daughter, Margaret,  Carleen's sister Linda.  Carleen, Linda, and I are 3 of 20 cousins on my mom's side of the family.






Joanne and Steven Berntson with Ron Rainey

  Ron and Joanne drove from their farm in Paullina, Iowa to meet us.  It was a 5 hour trip, and we certainly appreciated their willingness to make that long drive.  It was wonderful meeting them and hearing stories about the Berntson side of the family. 



Steven Berntson, my 2nd cousin showing Ron Rainey and artifact of his great grandfather, BK Berntson.
Ron is my 1st cousin, once removed. (Don't ask, it's confusing I know).



This mouse trap was used by Steven's great grandfather, and worked really well, Steven said.

A wooden spoon and box carved by BK Berntson, my great uncle and Steven's great grandfather.





 





This house was built by my grandfather, Ole O. Olson at the turn of the last century.  It was in a state of disrepair, but someone bought it and is restoring it.  It is just outside of Gilman, Iowa.



My grandparents home as it appeared in 1903.  My dad Omar was born in 1907.  My grandmother died just 6 weeks after my dad was born, at the age of 37. 
(The tall young man on the right is Jacob Kvinlaug, my cousins Carleen and Linda's grandfather.  He married the young lady in the center, my Aunt Minnie Olson about 4 years after this was taken.  Minnie was 17.  Carleen and Linda's dad, Carl who was Minnie's son, married my mom's sister. That make me doubly related to Linda and Carleen.)
Randy says that it makes Jake the first hired hand to marry the farmer's daughter!