November 2015

November was a swirl of feathers, flurries of snow, family time and flew by very very quickly.

Mark and Hilde spent the first day of November butchering roosters, and the feathers really flew due to the Mark 2 Clucker Plucker.  The chickens are tucked into the freezer and the fox and skunks got to feast on the innards down in the woods.

We went down to visit Jim and Kayme the next weekend, which was, as always, fun and busy.  Jim and Mark worked to get replacement sump pump in and wired properly and then Senior Master Jim led a mini class of taekwondo with his little girls.  They are so full of energy, and so enthusiastic!  Hilde got to visit her mom in the new apartment, which was very nice, and the three kids were very good for church, while Kayme was doing the playing.  Grandma melts when Rowan looks up, says “I love you Grandma” and then falls asleep on her.  Rhiannon played her little recital piece very proudly, and Caleb’s cr4awling and standing was a source of great pride to him also.

Mark returned to full time work as he prepared for the trial in Algona Iowa.  That included a trip out to Spencer IA (7 hours), a long set of motions as the snow began piling up and then a slow, slippery drive to return home.  Mark and Hilde were delighted that Jim and Kayme arrived early, made supper,  including pie, and welcomed them home with hot food, warm hugs and happy family.  It was great!  The next morning the guys were out for the opening of deer season and Hilde had play time with three active children.  The girls are really enjoying being read to, so both Grandpa and Grandma had fun with that.  On Sunday,  Jim got a nice buck, which he butchered with Mark and got right into freezer.

Hilde spent a lot of time in meetings again---seems that ad hoc committees are being formed each month!  However, as things are moving forward, some may actually finish up.  She did get to had a brunch with Donna and see her new house…taking one afternoon off felt almost wicked, but was great.  In between meetings, baking and chores, she made several pine cone wreaths as Christmas gifts.  Each was a little different, and despite her incredible sticky condition (she had some pine pitch in her hair when she got it cut!) from wiring and gluing some ten bags of cones, she really enjoyed it.  The pinch came when the large, fragile items had to be shipped.  Mark and Hilde spent considerable time and tape constructing special boxes for the wreaths and discovered that big names like UPS, are not the most cost-effective way to ship things.  Hurray for Speedee Delivery!  They cost 20% of UPS and all arrived in good shape and next day!

The retirement dinner for one of the local judges meant some  good visits with many members of the bar but best was seeing Kelly Benjamin again after many years.  Kelly worked with Mark for the first three years after law school, moved on to assistant DA and then off to Indiana.  She looks great and is running for judge herself in Indiana.  She will be a good judge.

For the first time since 1978 when Jim was born, Mark and Hilde had a very quiet Thanksgiving, just the two of them together.  They were grateful for the invites from others, but staying home and peaceful seemed just right, knowing that December was going to be VERY hectic with the trial.  It was a very good choice.  The only downer was the Packers game.  Mark and Hilde relaxed, fortified themselves for the trial and gave thanks.