Boot Prints

I was reading a book by Steve Chapman tonight that dad used to own, and the chapter I was reading was about how when Steve was a little boy he used to step in his dads foot prints that were left in the snow while following him to avoid getting snow in his own shoes.  It reminded me that I used to do this as well while following dad.  I don’t know if it was to keep the snow out of my shoes or just because it was a fun game to play, but I remember doing this when I was a child.  Anyway, Steve goes on to say that he was filled with joy knowing that he had been fortunate enough to have had a father who provided a good set of bootprints to follow through time.  Looking back at the tracks that Steve’s dad had left him through the years made him realize that they were responsible for leading him to know Christ, the best of all destinations.  Also, his dad’s steps guided him to a belief that things like a good name, honesty, and integrity are far more valuable than gold or silver. 

While reading this chapter, I couldn’t help but feel that Steve and I have learned a shared lesson from our fathers, and like Steve, I am confident that if I continue to put my feet where my dad put his, the tracks will lead me to heaven, and I pray that if my children choose to follow in my tracks through their lives that those tracks may lead them to Jesus. 

The steps of a man are established by the Lord (Psalms 37:23)

Black Turkey Dinner

With all the talk about turkeys a memory came to me about the time we decided to deep fry a turkey.  I believe it was on Easter and my whole family was coming over.  I got everything ready and put Rick in charge of dipping the turkey and timing it.   When there was only a few minutes left for it to cook  we gathered around our kitchen table.  We were all sitting there just anxiously awaiting the arrival of the turkey.  A few minutes later Rick walked in with a very black turkey on a pan.  I'll never forget the look on his face. I think he was sort of smiling and I even think he thought it was funny.  At first everyone was quiet but soon we all broke out into laughter.  At first my heart sank, wondering what we would do for meat, but soon I was laughing also.  We decided to peel off the black skin and see how the meat was.  To our surprise, the meat was juicy and tender.  Later we were told that you have to use peanut oil not Wesson oil to fry the turkey. Oh well, all turned out OK and it is a good memory. Carla

Rick Could Fix Anything

As a son in law, we liked Rick very much and got along with him good.  Once, when Rick and Carla were visiting here, I mentioned that my dishwasher wasn't working.  Immediately Rick was on his hands and knees and fixed it within minutes.  One of the things I will always remember about Rick is that he could fix anything!   We miss him.  Mom and Dad Kleinheksel

Christmas

This post goes along with the other post about songs that Dad used to sing,  the holidays are here and I know we all remember the infamous "Let it be Christmas"  song from Alan Jackson.  I'm really hoping there is at least one other person who remembers  Dads version of  Have yourselves a merry little Christmas.......

Have Yourself a Merry Stinkin Christmas,  Let the Yule Log Fly.

Anyone???

Driver's Training

I had just received my learner's permit.  We had the maroon Astro mini-van at the time.  I can remember how excited I was to drive with dad and show him my awesome driving skills.  Dad, of course, was not going to make it easy on me.  He faked being jumpy and scared most of the time (or maybe he really wasn't faking it...who knows).

I remember pulling up to the 4 way stop at 96th & Ottogan.  As I came to a stop, dad flung himself forward, knocking his head on the windshield.  He never missed a beat when he gathered himself and turned to me and said, "Oh, it's okay Tam.  You'll get better."

Next, as I turned the corner, he actually leaned over and fell out of his seat and onto the floor between the two front seats.  He again gathered himself up, turned to me and calmly said, "It's okay Tam.  I'm ok.  Keep working on it."

I don't know if dad did this to the boys when they had their learner's permit or if it was just me.  Of course, he probably didn't have to pretend to be scared with the boys (Bryan), since I do remember following Bry and dad after Bryan first got his permit.  It was at the same stop sign.  First, Bryan waved every single car at the 4 way stop thru before he would finally go (I can only imagine dad's patience being tested there).  Then, when he finally proceeded to go, the Jeep screeched and jerked and jumped a bunch of times and then I truly believe it actually popped a wheelie right there in the intersection.  Mom and I laughed so hard.  If dad fell out of the seat on that one, it wasn't fake!

Anyway, I can't wait to embarrass my kids this way some day!!

Memories of South Dakota with Barb and Gary Peters

As you ALL know - Rick loved to hunt, and what better place to hunt than the prairies of South Dakota. Rick and Carla came along with Ken and Sally Krueze for their first trip in 2008. Oh what a grand time we all had. The pheasant hunting wasn't the greatest because we didn't have a dog at that time --- but, as you can see in the photos, they were successful and very happy. I do believe we ate pheasant and it was delicious. Seeing as how we live on a cattle ranch - you can't leave South Dakota without helping move cattle. Rick and Gary and Ken moved the cattle on 4 wheelers and the girls road along behind in the truck.

We also have a neighbor who raises pheasants and has a game preserve. The men (Rick, Ken and Gary and other neighbors)went and helped move and catch about 500 pheasants. They first have to have the blinders removed and then they are put in the boxes for transporting.

We filled out days as full as we could - watching for deer, calling coyotes, hunting prairie dogs, moving cattle, playing games, and of course, eating. I learned that, Rick doesn't like corn dogs. Rick and Carla became special friends even though we were miles apart - Michigan and South Dakota.

The second time they came was in 2010 and Rick's cancer had arrived. Rick was not a quitter --- we still hunted and played and laughed and worked. This time - along with the hunting - the guys worked on Gary's workshop. Rick helped put in an entrance door.

Ricks sense of humor was wonderful. And we know that just might be one of the things his family misses most. We feel it a wonderful privilege to have gotten to know a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Gary and Barb Peters

DUMONT

I remember heading out to Dumont Lake on Friday evenings (a lot of times with Jim and Corla Kraker and their family).  I have such good memories of tubing, skiing, knee-boarding, etc.  Although, thinking back, I'm not so sure how the memories are so good.

It would seem that our weekly trip would often start out with a short pit stop along the side of the road as we would wait for the Jeep to cool down.  I remember packing gallons of water along for, I believe, the purpose of cooling the Jeep.

I remember many times the boat not starting....

....who forgot the ski ropes.....

.....why is the plug not in the boat?.......

I also remember dad's main goal of pulling us on the tubes was to see if he could get us to fall off (or kill us maybe).  Seriously?!?!  I would have thought he would have at least been gentle on his only daughter, but nope.  I remember a time, being in the boat with him, that  he was so frustrated that Bryan and Mike Becksvoort had figured out a way to balance so well on the tube that he could not get them off.  He said, "Watch this!"  as he proceeded to pull them through a bunch of reeds.  I could hear the reeds whipping their bare backs from in the boat.  Dad even cringed and I think actually regretted that move.

Most of all though, I remember just being in awe of dad as he would slalom ski.  He would hop start from about knee deep in the water, he would yell "Hit It", then he would disappear under the water with a big wake surrounding him for what seemed like forever and suddenly he would emerge.  I remember he could slalom so well.  One time he told me that he could lay so low that his thumb would hit the water.   I don't know if that was true or not, but I certainly remember the massive shield of water that he would disappear behind as he skied around the lake.  I would just watch in awe and amazement, so proud that he was my dad.........and then of course...the infamous soaking!  If you were driving the boat, you knew that you HAD BETTER drop him off close enough to saturate someone with that shield of water.  I always enjoyed watching to see who his victim would be!

I never quite understood it...but dad sure did love that old boat (even though he also hated it), haha!