Where in the world is Jeannie?

While I’m not conceited enough to think that too many of you are asking this question, I know that some of my closer friends have been wondering. What have I been up to? Traveling the world? Getting engaged (or at least courting)? Recovering from a brush with death?

No, I’m afraid I was AWOL for a tamer reason than any of those. I’m right where I’ve been for the past fourteen years – in the Town of Lakeside in northwestern Wisconsin. Lakeside is a little rural township that is celebrating its 100^th birthday this year, and that’s part of the reason for my silence.

I’ve been helping write a book on the history of my dear little “hometown” (not that it’s a town at all, but a farming community – no stores, no post office, not even any neighborhoods!).What a fun time I’ve had working on this project! I’ve gotten to know some of our neighbors much better, learn about the history and culture of this area (settled mainly by Finnish immigrants) and eat delicious food at our bi-weekly meetings.

It was great fun, but also a lot of work, especially at the end when I was in charge of all the formatting/layout, photo editing and enhancing, proofreading, and some of the writing. Needless to say, I didn’t have time for much else! But the book is at the printers, praise the Lord, and I should be “around” YLCF more regularly now. Our town picnic/centennial celebration is August 19 – I’ll let you know how it goes, and hopefully share some pictures.

Caption: This is a pic of my brother and I on a load of hay we stacked… we kinda ran out of room at the end!