Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

I have completed my first week in Minnesota tending to grandchildren and hopefully giving my daughter a small break from the difficulty of raising a 23 month old and a 4 month old.

Before I left town, I made sure my husband had food, a menu and a couple checklists for the morning and evening. Our black lab, Maxine, accompanied me as my husband was going to be out of town for the weekend. Maxine does not like to ride in cars; she is not a typical dog in that way. She stands at attention in the front seat for the entire trip, panting the whole time.

On my way, I stopped to visit my daughter, Olivia and granddaughter, Aria. We had lunch together, took a short walk and visited awhile. It also gave Maxine a short break from the car.

I arrived in Brainerd in time for dinner and spent some time with the kiddos. The next morning I began learning the daily routine. Ethan is refusing to take a bottle so we were hoping to remedy that while I was there, but no go. It is causing a bit of stress because Momma has to go back to work soon. Aubree was 90% sweet and 10% acting her approaching two year old status.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience. It was nice to be able to connect with Ethan and learn his personality and be BaBa to Aubree. When I return next month, perhaps Ethan will be loving that bottle??!

We had the awesome opportunity to see a Barnstormers Tour at the Brainerd Airport, and my daughter and son-in-law took a ride in an open cockpit biplane. It was a once in a lifetime experience. BaBa was left on the ground to assure Aubree that her parents would be returning because she freaked out. She loved the airplanes but not when the occupants were Mommy and Daddy. BaBa sort of enjoyed the Clark Gable look alike pilot.

Renter update: We received a check, however, it was half the amount of the monthly rent because he thought we should collect the other half from the jilted lover who was also on the lease. Well, when I am pursuing a dream, don't get in my way! I contacted him with the news that that was his issue, not ours, so he should collect from her. He was told that if a check for the balance did not arrive in a certain amount of time, we would find some one who could honor the lease, and the house would be back on the market pronto. He responded that a check would be coming so the drama continues. I am considering it my new part time job to keep Mr. Renter on his toes.

What did I learn today?

Most barnstorming shows followed a typical pattern. On any
given day, a pilot, or team of pilots, would fly over a small rural town and
attract the attention of the local inhabitants. The pilot or team of aviators
would then land at a local farm (hence the name "barnstorming") and negotiate
with the farmer for the use of one of his fields as a temporary runway from
which to stage an air show and offer airplane rides to customers. After
obtaining a base of operation, the pilot or group of aviators would fly back
over the town, or "buzz" the village, and drop handbills offering airplane rides
for a small fee, usually from one to five dollars. The advertisements would also
tout the daring feats of aerial daredevilry that would be offered. Crowds would
then follow the airplane, or pack of planes, to the field and purchase tickets
for joy rides. The locals, most of whom had never seen an airplane up close,
were thrilled with the experience. For many rural towns, the appearance of a
barnstormer or an aerial troop on the horizon was akin to declaring a national
holiday; almost everything in the town would shut down at the spur of the moment
so that people could purchase plane rides and watch the show.