Portraits

The dear old Franklin sits in rustic non-splendor in the little town of Milford, Indiana. Elv’s brother Tim owns it, sort of. The truth is, this old machine holds a lot of memories for Elv’s beginning years as a logger. It was old and ugly then already. Honestly, we wonder how we even made a living with it. Actually, we don’t wonder. It was very difficult in those days. It would break down every single Wednesday afternoon so that we would once again miss prayer meeting. We probably should have gone to prayer meeting and admitted that we and our machine needed prayer. Elv feels nostalgic about this machine. I think it stands for how much differently logging happens these days. And for how far we’ve come. He remembers different things about those days than I do, so I should probably back away from this discussion.

There is a certain surreal-ness about the boreal forest on a warm summer day that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Dappled sunlight and the little, cool, shade breezes. Logging creates the smell of warm mud or dust mixed with the cloying odor of fuel oil, and the woodsy smells of fresh cut pine, oak and aspen. Elv had a year-around tan in those days. I should mention also that he has never had Lyme’s Disease or any other tick borne illness in forty years of logging.

While I was out in the machinery yard taking this picture; Lewi assured us that he had no nostalgia about his days of ownership of the Franklin. I reckon there are stories to back up both Elv’s and Lewi’s feelings.

Our friend, Herb, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly. This memory is one of many treasured times we spent with Herb and Susan. On this occasion we four took the ferry to visit Isle Royale. Speaking of nostalgia. I remember the lunch that Herb and Susan put together for us to enjoy when we got to the park there. Maybe it was the couple hours of crossing the lake…dazzling blue and sunshine, but we were famished. We spread that meal out on a picnic table and ate and ate. What all we had I don’t remember, except for the fresh, blanched, green beans, which were delicious. I haven’t had them since. Whoever heard of memorable green beans! Afterward the guys took naps in the grass under the trees while us girls meandered through the gift shops. It was truly one of those days that stands out clearly in our collection of good times with Herb and Susan Lattin.

Elv and I get a new picture of us by the cabin every now and again. This time was while we were up there for Herb’s Celebration of Life. The cabin proved useful for a couple of weeks again, as it does now and then for both us and other guests.

These people are ours. Francis said it felt odd to have her in this grouping, with her family at home in Idaho, but to me it was perfect in the moment. She, Brad’s and Gabe’s came, over this time. They were a great comfort and help to everyone.

Meet Brad and Sierra and baby Kade. Francis says that Kade’s middle name ought to be Delight. Yes, I agree. Kade is our twentieth living grandchild and has completely stolen our hearts. He was also, as babies are, a great comfort for our tear-torn hearts in this moment.

My Skrivseth aunties, Rhoda, JoEllen, and Leah. We had a birthday tea for Auntie Jo’s 75th birthday. We enjoyed Lavina’s beautiful lawns and gardens, her cozy farmhouse, and sandwiches and cheesecake, besides tea and coffee. It was such fun with cousins and aunties, visiting and enjoying the day outside under the trees.