Catching Up

It’s back to work!

Shaun Friedrichsen allowed me to take some time away from my weekly writing tasks, which was a much-needed break!

So what’s been happening since we last visited?

Plenty.

Here’s a look at the past six weeks in diary style.

December 24, 2022.

Dear Diary,

I attended a wonderful service at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Alliance. Christmas is a spiritual time; the service was the icing on my spiritual cake.

December 25, 2022.

Dear Diary,

Merry Christmas! Due to illness and train service commitments, the Jensen Family Danish soup will be on hold until New Year’s. This means a day of rest and relaxation.

December 26, 2022.

Dear Diary,

Cynthia’s cousin, Theron Jensen, and his beautiful bride, Sherrie, were in town. They treated us to lunch at Pizza Hut. The salad was great.

December 29, 2022.

Dear Diary,

Kacey, Jason, and my wonderful grandson, Noah, arrived in Alliance for a holiday visit. Noah is such a shining light and offers renewed hope for the future.

December 31, 2022.

Dear Diary,

My sons-in-law and I enjoyed thrilling college football playoff games today! TCU’s upset of Ohio State was a classic.

January 1, 2023.

Dear Diary,

All enjoyed the Jensen Family soup at Christa’s house. My Kansas City Chiefs edged the Denver Broncos, 27-24. The threat of an incoming snowstorm forced Kacey and her family to return to Omaha a day early. Bummer.

January 3, 2023.

Dear Diary,

Back to work. More snow and cold.

January 4, 2023.

Dear Diary,

More snow and cold.

January 7, 2023.

Dear Diary,

I woke up at 2 AM and felt the flu coming on. I hope it passes quickly.

January 8, 2023.

Dear Diary,

The second day of battling the flu. However, my KC Chiefs brightened my day by beating the Las Vegas Raiders, 31-13.

January 9, 2023.

Dear Diary,

Still sick.

January 10-16, 2023.

Dear Diary,

Sickness continues. I hate winter.

January 17, 2023.

Dear Diary,

I am finally feeling better. Despite feeling like homemade manure for ten days, I have only missed one day of work.

January 20, 2023.

Dear Diary,

I’m back in good health and traveling to Omaha with Cynthia and her mother to celebrate Noah’s first birthday. The 23 inches of snow that Custer County, Nebraska, received was the only portion of our trip that slowed us down.

January 21, 2023.

Dear Diary,

I went shopping for Noah’s birthday present and found him a cozy Kansas City Chiefs hoodie to wear during today’s AFC playoff game vs. Jacksonville. It brought the Chiefs good fortune as they downed the Jaguars, 27-20.

January 22, 2023.

Dear Diary,

The Horn and Shaneyfelt families celebrated Noah’s first birthday with homemade tacos and the NFL on television. My, how the simple things in life are becoming so enjoyable and rewarding!

January 25, 2023.

Dear Diary,

Birthday prayers for my friend Jason Wentworth, who has been hospitalized in Fort Collins since January 15 with a multitude of health issues. Jason is the poster child for retaining a youthful spirit. He is also the poster child as to why a man needs a good wife to care for him. Prayers for a full recovery and a nurturing soulmate.

January 27, 2023.

Dear Diary,

I was finally able to attend an Alliance High girls’ basketball game. The Lady Bulldogs and my favorite player, Catherine Bryner, beat Gering by five points!

January 28, 2024.

Dear Diary,

Cynthia and I enjoyed a date night. Supper at Dairy Queen, and then we were entertained by the motion picture “A Man Called Otto.” It was the best movie I have seen in years. I hope to see it again. I found many aspects of Otto, portrayed by Tom Hanks, relatable.

January 29, 2023.

Dear Diary,

What a great day to be a Kansas City Chiefs fan! The Chiefs won the AFC Championship game over Cincinnati, 23-20! On to Super Bowl LVII on February 12.

February 1, 2023.

Dear Diary,

I am so happy that January is over. Our daylight is increasing. And that offers the promise of warmer days.