| It all happened like this. My daughter-in-law called | | | | My daughter-in-law always has called me by my |
| me and told me that my granddaughter was | | | | first name. She has more control over me that |
| getting married in Nauvoo, Illinois on the 22 day of | | | | way. She wouldn't treat Grandpa like that. |
| December. | | | | In a few minutes, I had the tickets. |
| I said, "A wedding in the winter? Just before | | | | They were not refundable so I could not turn |
| Christmas? Well, have a great time and give my | | | | them in for cash. |
| love." | | | | We were going to Illinois via Minneapolis and St. |
| She said, "You're coming!" | | | | Louis. After Christmas, we would be flying back |
| It was in that way of hers that said, "YOU ARE | | | | to Minneapolis from Michigan and then on to Idaho. |
| COMING!" | | | | Well, all that my daughter-in-law said came to |
| I said, "The last time I was out that way at | | | | pass, at least as far as getting here to Michigan. |
| Christmas time in Illinois and Michigan a zillion cars | | | | We are sitting here in this big farmhouse looking |
| and trucks slid off the road . I'm not going to do | | | | at ourselves because my son is in surgery, my |
| that again, ever. Why don't they get married now | | | | granddaughter went off on errands, and my |
| while it is still warm?" | | | | daughter-in-law has not returned from Illinois with |
| She said, "They're getting married in December. | | | | the rest of the heard. |
| You are going to fly out and you won't have to | | | | However, we've had nice weather, the wedding |
| drive." | | | | was great fun, and my granddaughter looked like |
| I said, "You drive about ninety miles an hour and | | | | a princess. Some folks had driven 20 hours to get |
| you don't care what the conditions of the roads | | | | there. |
| are. That terrifies Grandma." | | | | While dancing with my granddaughter, I thought, |
| She said, "We will fly you to St. Louis and Barry | | | | Maybe I shouldn't have fussed so much about |
| can drive you to Nauvoo. After the wedding, | | | | getting here. Especially after this spring when my |
| Mark will drive you to Michigan." | | | | granddaughter had driven 50 miles almost |
| "Michigan!" | | | | everyday to sing to me during the three weeks I |
| "Yes. You are coming up here after the wedding | | | | was in the hospital. |
| for Christmas." | | | | Besides, I learned from an 85-year-old farmer |
| I said, "Maybe Barry will not be able to get off | | | | from Nebraska, during our five-hour layover in |
| work. He has sick kids to watch over. The | | | | Minneapolis, this important tip: Plant turnips with |
| hospital may not let him off. Besides, airline tickets | | | | your corn and oats. After the harvest, when you |
| are expensive. I'll just send the money as a | | | | turn the cows out into the field, they will be able |
| wedding present." | | | | to pull up the turnips, gobble them down, and get |
| She said, "Mark said you would say that. I've | | | | fat with a more nutritious diet than from corn |
| already talked to Barry. I'm sending you tickets | | | | stalks or oat straw. |
| by email." | | | | After a grand wedding, the farm tip was all gravy. |
| I said, "I'm not going out in that country in the | | | | I can hardly wait to get back to Idaho to tell my |
| winter time." | | | | farmer friends. Think of the money they will save |
| She said, "Yes you are, John. You belong to us | | | | not having to buy food supplements for their |
| and you've got to do what we say." | | | | cattle. |