Here's To Life!

November 18, 1993 Dear Dad, As we were driving out to Augustana College Mom said she expected one letter a week from me and she would write weekly as well. Her mother had said this to her as she was going off to college. You promised to write also. I've been away from home for almost 20 years now and although we have not corresponded weekly I still do try. Mom’s letters have always been full of what you have done, where you have gone or who you have seen. My letters have been the same and now are also filled with what John and Kristin have been doing and their latest accomplishments. Dad, you never wrote to me on a weekly basis - but you would write and your letters were always more of an inspiration to me and were what I would call “feel good" letters. I have saved every one of those letters you wrote to me in college and since. Your letters are full of your outlook on life - the renewal of the feeling that spring brings every year - the importance of digging in your garden -...

It has been a long time since I have added anything to this blog. It’s not like I have nothing to add - I just haven’t written anything. It’s not like we haven’t been anywhere - because we have taken several trips. I’ve had a few health issues - but nothing to keep me from writing. I just need to motivate myself to sit and write. Perhaps I should make that a goal of mine - to write more - especially more than just a daily diary. Anyway, here goes. We did have a nice trip to Williamsburg, VA in December, 2021. Enjoyed seeing all of the Christmas wreaths and decorations and partaking in some of the holiday events there. Christmas we spent at home - a little low key - it was hard to find a time when everyone could get together with schedules, other family, etc. But we managed to have a Christmas Eve lunch here and exchanged gifts.   Did not venture out too much in January and February. We did celebrate all February birthdays with lunch at Maggiano’s - lots of food (and leftovers) and ...

  Oh God, hear my prayers and thoughts. The world is troubled, there are many who seek to control and suppress, there are many who spread falsehoods and show ill behavior. Help me to see beyond the actions and the lies, to determine why people act as they do, or speak untruths. Be with me, help me to act in defiance of wrong and live to do right and be just. Thank you for your constant presence in my life which is filled with blessings. A writing exercise from our Women's Retreat March 5, 2022

  The Year in Photos 2021 Accomplishments - not in any particular order Created The Swanson-Frost scholarship at Augustana College Got vaccinated and boosted for Covid 19 Celebrated Kristin and Scott getting married for the 2nd time - this time with many family and friends Gathered with Family and friends     For Xochitl's 3rd birthday     Family trip to Brookfield Zoo     Thanksgiving     Christmas Eve Lost 10 lbs. Visited with my mom in March and October Enjoyed the warmth of Edisto, Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in April Explored Pagosa Springs, Colorado, Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico in June and celebrated my 65th      birthday in Santa Fe Visited Joy and Dan in Michigan for a few days in August Explored the Poconos and the Delaware Water Gap area late August Enjoyed pre-Christmas decorations and celebratory fireworks at Colonial Williamsburg as well as attending interesting programs Enjoyed holidays at home c...

Today started out as a windy, rainy day. I was glad I had nowhere I needed to be. Leaves fell more today then they have for the past few weeks. But, while today started out rainy it didn’t stay that way. We have had some marvelous, beautiful fall days and the colors of the leaves has been glorious. Our fall adventures have enabled us to see some great colorful trees from the Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin border area to the Chicago area and southern Wisconsin. We have enjoyed many fall days out and about. We really did get to appreciate fall this year. We went to Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL two different days to experience some color. Augustana College in Rock Island, IL is always at its most beautiful in the fall - and we were fortunate to have a great day for a visit. We took a day trip to Lake Geneva, WI where we wandered a bit around the lake. We had a couple of days in the Galena, IL area where we visited Mississippi Palisades State Park and drove into Wisconsin to overlook the Missi...

  Had an end of the summer trip to Pennsylvania - in the Delaware Water Gap area and finishing up by visiting Gettysburg. It was a pleasant week for the most part, though we felt some of the remnants from Hurricane Ida in the area. It rained all of one day and we ended up losing power in the resort we were staying in for about 12 hours. But we were able to enjoy some wine tasting, both in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and in Ohio on the way home. We enjoyed the outdoor pool and exploring the area. We saw some of the results of all the rain - mostly in high river banks, standing water and some closed roads. We started our trip visiting Mildred, PA and the cemetery there where several Coleman ancestors are buried. We then headed to Shawnee on Delaware, PA for our stay. One of our bucket list items we decided on recently is to visit a winery in as many states as possible. On Monday we had a delightful visit at a winery in New Jersey where we tasted several wines and wine slushies and me...

A visit to Leelaunau Peninsula   Northport Lighthouse A little wine tasting Our hosts for the weekend! The must have Michigan sunset photo!