Wisconsin travels

 A small detail of nature that caught my eye as we strolled through a park during our travels. The pine and colors reminded me of Christmas. The thought comes often now that we are only nine weeks away. It's time to think of the traditional year-end later, greeting cards, and the family calendar I put together each year. Or is it time to give up some traditions?

Meanwhile, preparing for our trip to Wisconsin filled the early part of the week and meant rearranging some routines, but most definitely worth the getaway and the good times we had visiting family and even less known relatives.                                                                                                                                                                                

The main purpose of the trip was to visit Mike's older brother and a sister. However, I put out a message on Facebook offering to meet with relatives in the area. Two first-cousins-once-removed responded eagerly. Both were mere acquaintances and felt like we'd never met, but we realized in conversation that we'd attended a couple family funerals ages ago. We truly enjoyed getting acquainted, sharing family stories and common interests.

Wednesday night we spent at the Ohlingers. Jenn is the granddaughter of my 103-year-old Uncle Dan. 

Pete, Jenn, and Eliana

They have an adopted daughter. She and I enjoyed drawing together and later watching her favorite show. I also watched a Zoom math class in progress. They have nine fun pets too.

Thursday morning we proceeded on to Steven's Point to the older of the Koch brothers. Their cute little Riley gave us a very energetic exuberant welcome. It took him quite a while to settle down. Family fellowship was wonderful. The older we grow, the more precious these times become.

Terry, Sandy, and Riley

Friday's family visit was also very special. We were sad to find Nan in a lot of pain, but glad to bring her some hours of cheer and distraction. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy sharing family stories. We pray for relief from the pain and wisdom on how to proceed. 

Nan and Don Rumlow

If it weren't for the back and knee pain, Nan would be up and about caring for her unusual array of plants, shrubs, and blooms, and her beautiful home.

Purple Essence grasses                             

Saturday morning we strolled along the shores of Lake Winnebago, the water was clear and calm. We could see the other side which reminded Michael of his mother and aunt walking along that ridge and other memories. 

The weather was perfect for the installation of many light displays and wooden figures, the early seasonal decoration of the lakeside park.

As we walked along we came to a statue of Chief Oshkosh. Was that who Mike's late sister Carol had painted? Nan made sure we noticed the treasured painting before we left their house. We miss Carol. Many of the shared stories were about her. 

As we left the park I had to get a picture of the former hospital across the street where both Michael and Sam were born. It is now an apartment complex.

Speaking of son Sam, I liked this action pic that showed up this week on Facebook,  and also a paragraph about his skateboard business.

Life skateboards is the culmination of years & years of hard work, trial & error, jig building, tool design and build, testing, low tech engineering, skating, creating. Years and years in limbo between trying to make Life full time or keep relying on my woodworking, cabinetry, construction background. Life skateboards is literally two dudes in a workshop trying to make the best possible skateboard for every rider, every age, ever . . .

We had some time before the meeting with another little known cousin. Michael wanted to look for the house he had lived in for a time when a young boy, 190 Boyd St. The problem is that so much has changed, including the numbers of the houses. We stopped to ask a gentleman working outside. He'd lived there fifty years and was not aware of different numbers. They talked about Oshkosh places and people they might know in common. As a boy, he remembered going to Koch Sales (the family discount store) in Omro where he got his first maple candies! When Michael mentioned being involved in FIRST robotics as a mentor and his acquaintance with Oshkosh's winningest team, Wave Robotics, the conversation really took off. It happens this man is a mentor on that team! 

Finally it was time for our last visit. Heidi's grandfather, my mother's older brother Harlan lived in Neenah. He was the first of the Hirschy to leave us in his early 70s of a heart attack as he was mowing. Her father, Harlan II, my cousin, also passed away at a similar age and circumstances while shoveling snow. 

Needless to say we had much to learn about each other's lives and families. Surprisingly, we could relate to one another in many areas, and the visit proved delightful, hopefully  only a first. 

Heidi Wyn and Dan Milner

 We headed home and arrived after midnight enjoying a good read, No Compromise, the life story of Keith Green. The entire trip I read aloud, even so we are only 70% through the book. It is captivating and convicting. Now we've begun to listen to his music. We were probably out of the country when he became a sought after Christian musician. 

What are your memories of the Keith Green era and his music?