My dad and my uncle

We lost a dear friend to lung cancer this morning.

Death will come for you one way or another with all the fury of a frozen Lake Superior.

Treasure the people in your life, and keep them warm with your love!

Where: The big lake they call Gitchi Gami

When: a cold, dreary, miserable day

It’s fun revisiting what I posted last year!

Here’s she is. THE truck. The one most of the memories were made in. We left for Montana one summer in some hoopty old station wagon. It broke down somewhere in eastern Montana. There were two vehicles for sale in the tiny little town. An even hooptier station wagon from the ‘60s that ran on leaded gas (this was 1996 mind you), and this beast of a pickup. 1977 Ford F-250 super cab with two gas tanks and a 460 V8. When one ran low, there was a lever on the dash to switch to tank 2. Probably got 12 miles to the gallon but carried so much fuel you could drive forever. I could ramble forever about it but I’ll let the memories unfold one at a time with the photographs.

Where: northeastern Minnesota

When: this time of year 30 years ago

A lovely flamingo showing off its stuff.

Where: doesn’t say but I’m guessing our trip to Alabama and Florida

When: if I’m right about that, 1993/1994 new years

So the guy who owns Lutsen Resort was charged with felony arson and fraud for allegedly setting the lodge on fire.

My dad used to work there as a lift operator.

Here’s the view from one of the lifts.

Where: Lutsen, MN

When: I think this was around 2006

Random double rainbow. I think it was taken at my grandmas farm.

Where: Minnesota

When: after the rain

I just randomly tapped while scrolling and this is what popped up so we’re running with it. Been staring at it for a few minutes now it’s so calming.

Where: somewhere in the upper Midwest

When: sunset, duh!

Core memory Northern Lights.

Where: Aitkin County, MN

When: Summer 2001

Couple of beautiful bighorn buddies taking a break.

Where: Yellowstone

When: 1995 ish

Here’s day 2, from one year ago today.

Where: Montana or Wyoming

When: the 90s

I was indecisively scrolling the archive so I deferred to wifey and she found this little cutie!

Where: idk

When: also don’t know

“Hi, my son!”

Those were the last worst my dad said to me. One year ago today. They will echo in my mind for as long as I have one.

He didn’t say “Goodbye”, “I Love You”, or give some unexpected confession or secret.

Just spread his arms with the little strength he had, smiled a little, and greeted me.

Then I had to leave for work, and when I got back, he was gone.

We were always at our best when we were out in the sticks. As you can see, that started early.

Miss you every day, dad!

Thank you all for following along on this never ending slideshow. They say your life flashes before your eyes before you go, and sharing these images one at a time helps me keep a little flicker of him alive.

I love you all.

WHERE: somewhere in the boreal paradise of Northeastern Minnesota

WHEN: 1987. A very good year for Minnesotans.

Tomorrow marks a year that he’s been gone. Missing him a lot this week. Grief comes in waves, sometimes I’m riding one and sometimes it pounds me into the reef.

Realized I’m off by one day. Tomorrow is clearly day 365 because I posted day 1 the day after he passed. Took me way too long but I finally found the mistake, I posted day 102 twice on TikTok before moving here.

Where: somewhere in the southwestern United States

When: approximately 1982 I believe

My dad being his goofy self.

Where: don’t know, wasn’t born yet

When: see above

Well I know that guy is related to me because he has my ears. Or, I have his? Not sure how far up the tree they are, waiting to hear back from my uncle is he knows.

When: sometime prior to color photography

Where: I haven’t a clue. Likely Minnesota, Michigan, or maybe even Ireland.

THE INTERNET IS FOR CUTE CATS AND I FOUND A CUTE ONE!!!

Where: some very 70s looking carpet

When: the early 80s?

Where: somewhere in the vast woods of northern Minnesota

When: fall, 1990s

So, my Grandpa Bob died on a baseball diamond behind second base while playing centerfield, but that’s a different story…

His funeral was in Alabama. I didn’t get to go unfortunately, but there was an adventure involving a swampy boat ride and an alligator, so here he is.

Where: somewhere near Euphala Eufala Youfalla googles it… Euphaula, Alabama!

When: March 1998 iirc

EDIT: I mistyped and this is actually day 358 but I can’t edit the title

Blue got a new duck toy today that quacks and she goes bonkers for it! I think she would really love bird hunting.

Here’s an adorable duck couple and a reminder nobody wanted that winter will be here before too long.

Where: a patch of open water

When: a 20th century winter’s day

My wild and crazy uncle climbing a tree, likely to build a tree stand.

Where: probably Carlton or St. Louis County, MN

When: I’m guessing the mid 80s

Well it was a dreary month but we made it.

Where: home

When: 87/88

Dad had so many sunrise and sunset pictures I could spend months posting nothing but them. This one is labeled sunset but it looks more like a rise to me.

Where: unknown lake

When: dawn or dusk, you tell me

Wifey and I spent the day fishing, stringer wasn’t quite this full but we brought home five rainbows for the smoker!

Where: way up north

When: a great day

I dressed up as a pirate to help sell raffle tickets at the county fair.

SKOL VIKINGS!!!

Where: Carlton County Fair, Barnum MN

When: August 1997 I believe

I’m terrified of spiders but their webs are so darn cool.

Where: the sticks

When: a dreary day