“Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well, or willingness toward enterprises that one is obviously headed for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good.” — Vaclav Havel

 

Mello is currently growling at something out the window. That wasn’t the case minutes ago when I was trying to type this column on my shaky table out back. It was another of those beautiful summer days: The temperature was just right, and those fluffy white clouds floated over then gave way to a gray sky and so we went in.

We celebrated the Vilt/Plevka reunion last Sunday and had a good crowd as well as good food. Jana and Brady and company arrived from Cloquet for the occasion. Jana rode with me on the way out with the crock pot in the back of the car with fresh ithernice. Cousin Ed tells me this is the right spelling. He might be right.

I almost missed a turn and a quick turn tipped the crock pot, so there was less ithernice to go around after tidying up. This was my first iternice production. My brother’s wife, Darla, gave me directions and Jana did most of the cooking. It was very tasty, and the crock pot was empty.

Tom Winkles conducted the closing meeting with a short cost concern pending. The biggest surprise was the rise in the cost. Tom will straighten out.

I was pleased with the response of some folks interested in a copy of “You Much Crazy.” They’re beginning to run low.

It looks like Austin has clouded over a bit. That seems to be a pattern these days. I guess this is better than snow.

Mello and Fred are both sleeping now, and the level of barking is on a recess, a temporary halt and Echo is napping on the round table.

It won’t be long and school bells will be ringing.

Get ready.