Henkel Family Blog: high-Octane October 2013

Evelyn, Genghis and John

Sunset at the end of the month

It was a golden October here in Wisconsin, warm weather for most of the month, gorgeous colors and final harvests going on in fields and gardens. However, for the first two weeks, Hilde and Mark were not in Rudolph, but in Madison for the long-delayed stray voltage trial. This was an incredibly intense trial with changes to reports, opponents who were reprimanded by the judge and were kind of squirrelly in their approach. Mark worked very, very long hours for this trial, but the result was a speedy and unanimous verdict of no damages, so Mark and everyone was very happy (except for the folks expecting to get millions). The verdict came on Rowan’s first birthday---hard to believe the year has gone so fast!

During the trial, Hilde was able to meet honorable word games opponent Mary G. for lunch, meet nephew Adam for lunch and get a visit in to the World Dairy Expo. She worked diligently on the church annual report, attended two long meetings by phone and got in lots of walking. Monona Terrace with the lake sparkling and gleaming in warm sunshine, and State Street just as the little golden leaflets of locust drift down make for a lovely background for anything. And during the weekend ‘break’ (actually Mark worked and Hilde did lots of laundry and pears), they both got to meet Erich, Heidi’s fiancé—he’ll be a great addition to the family come June, and they glow with happiness when together.

As a sort of reward for all that work and tension, Jim, Kayme and both girls came up to Rudolph for a long weekend. The weather was perfect for Mark, Jim and Mark’s partner Eric to go to the range, while Kayme got a morning off to work on a presentation away from the girls and Hilde had a fantastic morning with both girls outside enjoying the last of the really fine weather, the fresh air and beautiful leaves. Rowan’s walking is getting faster and Rhiannon was able to find and enjoy some of the last raspberries—a happy little girl in the raspberry patch. In the afternoon, Jim and Rhi helped Mark dig carrots, the last crop to bring in. Having Jim assist judging at the taekwondo testing was almost like old times. Some day both Jim and John will be back for a critical mass of senior masters!

Mark took some vacation time to recover from all the long hours earlier: he spent time making fence, disking down the gardens, preparing for winter and really relaxed, going in only a half day out of ten…very long break for him. Hilde baked up a storm, using the last of the fresh pears, tomatoes and peppers…that is relaxing for her. Then Mark took off the 25th for a long weekend of family: first to Sussex to persuade a flagpole to give in and come down while Hilde gathered a few more granddaughter cuddles. Next was a visit to Hilde’s parents in Waukesha. Their adjustment to assisted living has been a bit rocky—Arlene has been vacillating and unhappy, but they are safe and together, so the family hopes it will work out and smooth out soon. It was good to see the lovely place they have there before heading further south to visit John and Evie.

It was four Henkels and a dog named Genghis—sounds like a title somehow—he’s a fun dog and.they are making good progress on training him.. It was wonderful weekend with long walks for everyone: Hilde and Evie had a sparkling fresh morning at the Chicago Botanic and John and Mark nearly wore out the dog on his walk, plus they did some repair and hardware store time. Follow-up to all this activity was a feast of chicken, squash, roasted beets and great rolls with some super local beer. It is always wonderful to get together and hard to leave.

Now in Wisconsin, the seasons have turned: by the 23rd Rudolph had its first snow, followed by much more clouds and rain. The bright colors of leaves are mostly gone, the tamaracks are dropping their golden needles and the deer are running around in their fall frenzy. Winter is just around the corner..