Cold day in May. . .

Warm fire, a double-header and fresh banana bread. . .

The first Twins rain out since 1980 has its silver lining. The cold weather and threat of snow flurries (goodness) means a Saturday indoors, watching a double-header and enjoying fresh banana bread. C'mon over!

. . .and grape walnut salad.

The EchoPress ran this lovely Clara Bartos obit this week. The Rolfsruds grew up a few miles from the Bartos farm near Alexandria. They attended one-room country school with her children.
Clara Katherine (Klimek) Bartos, 90, died Monday, April 26, 2010 at Knute Nelson Home in Alexandria, surrounded by family and friends.
Clara was born November 9, 1919, in Evansville Township, Douglas County to Joseph and Mary (Loeffler) Klimek, the fourth of five children. She attended country school District #32, and graduated from Brandon High School. Clara and her brothers joined 4-H Club. Their leader was none other than “Dad” Erickson, founder of 4-H Clubs of America.
Clara was married to John Bartos on October 16, 1939 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Brandon. The couple lived on a farm in Hudson Township for 43 years before they moved to a house near Highway 29, south of Alexandria.
She is survived by her five children, LuAnn Schrader of Easton, Duane (Barb) Bartos of Roberts, WI, Lorlee Bartos of Dallas, TX, Mary Jo Bartos of Minnetonka, Steve (Doreen) Bartos of rural Alexandria; six grandchildren, Tim Bartos of New Richmond, WI, Tammy (Kent) Bruesewitz of Hammond, WI, Chris Bartos of Baldwin, WI, Bil (Terri) Schrader of Easton, Lyn (Jeff) Thompson of St. Paul, Chuck Schrader of Duluth, GA; four great-granddaughters, Kaitlyn and Mackenzie Bruesewitz, Carol Schrader, Elsie Thompson; Jim (Thelma) Klimek of Evansville, sister-in-law, Rosella (Howard) Oeltjen of Glenwood; numerous nieces and nephews.
Clara was preceded in death by her husband, John, in 1993; son-in-law, Richard Schrader in 1993; three siblings, Johanna Pehan, Katherine Czech and Philip Klimek.
We remember Mom as a great cook who came from a family of great cooks. She loved red velvet cake, cucumber cream cheese open face sandwiches, and grape walnut salad. She loved Harvard beets and even convinced the kitchen at Windmill Ponds to serve Harvard beets while she lived there. Her potato salad was out of this world and her coleslaw dressing recipe was exceptional served on cabbage that was precisely chopped. I remember as I was growing up the wonderful breads, buns and sweet rolls that came from her kitchen. She received many ribbons on her baked goods at the county fair.
Clara was an exceptional seamstress and “patcher.” There were many of Dad’s overalls that survived for years because of patch upon patch. She loved making quilts. All of the kids and grandkids had quilts and throws she had pieced together. I remember little Stevie standing next to the wash line, thumb in mouth, fingering the corner of his blanket when Mother washed his blanket. Mom was an active member of her Homemaker’s Extension Club for many, many years. She was active in the Forada Senior Citizens and Clara and John were named Douglas County Outstanding Senior Citizens in 1986.
She composed witty poems and humorous writings for many occasions throughout the years. She dressed up for Halloween. Who can forget when Mother dressed up as Monica Lewinsky with lamp shades in the right places? She had so much fun with the blue sweater with hula dancers on it. She made a small bra to cover the exposed parts.
Her penmanship was distinctive, neat and legible to the end. Her voice and laugh were distinctive. I remember when Rosemary married Earl, she said, “That laugh!” She loved to play cards… Clara was a kazoo player “extraordinaire,” and belonged to the “Jolly Jokers” kazoo group that entertained in many places. On your birthday she would call you on the phone and play Happy Birthday on her kazoo.
Mother was very direct. You knew exactly where she stood on all issues or situations. She wrote many letters to the editor that expressed her opinion on all political issues. Clara took her Catholic religion very seriously. She prayed for everyone, you included. Two years ago when Lyn and Jeff got married at Lutsen, Mom was listening on Lorlee’s cell phone and praying the rosary. Last Sunday she told her granddaughter, Lyn, this prayer must be included in her obituary: “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us, and the whole world.”
Rest in peace, Mom.
A parish prayer service was held on Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Fred Fink officiating.
Pallbearers were Chris Bartos, Timothy Bartos, Charles Schrader, William Schrader, Lynnae Schrader and Tamara Bruesewitz. Entombment was at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.

Birthday flocking

Our neighbors continue to dominate the news. This morning the St. Michael's Youth flamingoed the front lawn in honor of Tom's 63rd birthday. Kathleen and Sandy admired the fine contrasting effect of pinks and greens. No sign of the birthday boy. Cake tonight.

In case you missed it. . .

Last night's highlight during the Minnesota Twins victory over the Detroit Tigers was the national anthem, which featured the vocal stylings of Michael Nelson, the grandson of our neighbors, Tom and Sandy Story. He made his appearance on the field, on the Twins scoreboard (above) and in this photo (below) with his family, who found dry seats in the new ballpark. Tonight we'll join Tom and Sandy at the clubhouse for Abbey Point Night and, no doubt, a reprise of last night's major league event. The photographer is Michael's Mom, Holly. She captured a rainbow during the evening's on-again off-again rain showers. (Click to enlarge it.) Michael is in the light blue Twins shirt and shorts in the center of the picture above.

Radio Days

Years ago, when people actually listened to the radio and our daughter, Missy, was actually a disc jockey, she had a big fan listening in Faribault. The radio days are gone, but Anita and Missy have become good friends, and now it is an interest in children, not so much music, that they share.

What could possibly go wrong here?

What could possibly go wrong here? This is a 4-year-old's party. In moments, the fancy custom-decorated birthday cake, delicately prepared and carefully delivered from Shakopee, will be upside-down on the floor, mired on the carpet. Fortunately, it was a frozen ice cream cake, so damage was limited. (Yes, that is Nemo the Gerbil, who has just released himself from a perch on Emily's shoulder, thus triggering a confusing sequence of events culminating in the dramatic cake spill.)

Missy led the recovery operation, below.

A hammock full of giggles and girls

Emily and her pals, Chloe and Mckenzie, shared a ride Sunday afternoon in Emily's Eden Prairie backyard. Emily is four now. Yes, we've got birthday party photos to share. Stand by.

We have a winner!

Katie boxes Kentucky Derby Exacta
Kathleen won an Exacta box in the 135th Kentucky Derby today, picking Super Saver (1st) and Ice Box (2nd) from a field of 20 horses on a bold $12 wager. It took a while to find out who finished second, what with all the tv excitement over homespun jockey Calvin Burel winning three Kentucky Derbies out of four. Eventually we learned that Katie's $2 Exacta Box paid $152.40. We'll collect it tomorrow morning on the way to Emily's birthday party.
Early this afternoon, Kathleen made a quick visit to nearby Canterbury Park to place a couple of bets: one for her brother and one for herself. She's no stranger, a few years ago she hawked tip sheets there for Stan's newspaper company. Her biggest competitor was the Green Sheet tout, Jake Mauer, -- Joe's grandpa.
After today's win, Katie called her brother immediately to review the excitement.
Again this year, boring Stan placed no bet, but no matter. He'll still enjoy a victory pizza (sausage and bell peppers with extra cheese) at the clubhouse tonight.

St. Paul Katie chats with her brother, Churchill Dan, shortly after today's Kentucky Derby. That's a winner's smile. She also checked with the neighbors, Joe and Mina Daly. The best they did was a $2 horse coming in third.

A note from Grandma and Grandpa Story

We have good news to share.
Lucy Louise Moe was born April 30, 2010 at 12:29 p.m.
5 lbs. 11 oz. 20 " long
We will attach a couple photos so you can see how beautiful she is.
Sandy & Tom

(Parents are Erin and Jason Moe)