We all want to know where we are from
I forgot to mention that when we got back on Hwy 11 to get to Shullsburg mom said of the area between Hazel Green and Benton, "This just looks desolate."

We looked at corn fields picked and waiting for spring planting. I said, "I know that feeling of desolate that's why i orginally got the Nativity Scene for the grave so it wouldn t be desolate for the family visiting it, but this year hasn t been like that for me."

then, we got past the fever river and toward Shullsburg County I pointed to the hills with snow and I said, "Look this isn't desolate."

She said, "This is Indian Country not farm country"

I met a wait staff person at Hubbard who knew Shullsburg because her tribe was going to put a casino here at one time. And I thought at the time, "Oh, the Indians must have loved the land around Shullsburg."

So my mother's declaration touched that part of me.

Then, we got toward my cousin's farm Irish Acres and there were all kinds of Oak Trees. I said, "Oh, look at the Oak Trees. I like that little one it s so full of leaves."

My mother said about the trees, "They look like a village don t they."

I said, Yes.

We drove past the rock where they were growing and my cousins' farm was right there.

My mother and my father gave me a gift of knowing where i am from.

In the midst of the hell with the Novice Master when I was isolated a Clarke friend said ot me, "What has happened to you? One of the things i have always admired about you is that you can go anywhere and entertain yourself."

It's true. My parents taught me. I can travel anywhere without money and that is why they couldn't break me.

I knew how to make soup and I knew how to travel without money.

I am about to type out an e mail from my mother to her classmates. I have the privilege of reading e mails from the class of 1949. These women are fabulous. Great teachers of how to enjoy the pleasures of life. One of them wrote mom and her classmates to read "Dreams from my Father" Mom said with enthusiasm last night as she read the e mail < "oh, i want to read that."

The same person recommended that they go see the new Meryl Streep movie Doubt and mom said, I want to see that too.

I said, So do i, i will take you.

She said, Not to that expensive theatre. (that being the Sundance theatre that Robert Redford built in Madison.)

I told her, you ll love the chairs we ll go for a matinee and not eat anything.

Well, my mom and i have had such a good time today. She's watching a mystery i interupted her. I wanted to save the day to teach her how to record a show and then if someone like me talks and distracts her she can pause or rewind except I didnt tell her my intention i just push the button to surprise her except i pushed the wrong button and lost her show and couldn t get back on the screen and she was flabbergasted with me that i started laughing.

So she got it back to the show herself and I said, "Here let me push the right key to show you."

She said, "No."

I love her spirit.