visiting home-home.

Home, I learned, can be anywhere you make it. Home is also the place to which you come back again and again. -Margaret Mead

There’s no place like home-home. I made the trek six hours north to mine last Friday for two reasons – my Grandpa Klegstad’s 87th birthday(!) and to see my sweet old weimaraner, Zoey (she’s closing in on 15!), who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma. It was a lovely weekend, celebrating lives so full of love and happiness and family (and of rock and stick chew toys and steal-anything-edible-off-the-counter!).

As the weekend drew to a close on Sunday and Grandma and Grandpa told us stories from their childhood, courtship and raising our dad and aunts and uncles, I was once again reminded about time and to savor every single moment… because the days are long, but the years are short, right?! I drove away with tears and that weird feeling when you’re heart is so full of love, but so sad at the same time ♥ 

Anyway, the weekend highlights…!

Breakfast al fresco (homemade jam!) with this little lady… 

Since I’m gearing back up for Ironman Wisconsin, there was a decent amount of training to get done. As part of my long ride on Saturday, I biked north to Canada (Hallock’s 20 miles south of the border). The road was quiet and the shoulders wide, so perfect for cycling – other than it’s crazy flat. You know you’re in the Red River Valley when your elevation gain is only 177 feet over 81 miles! 

The border crossing on Highway 75 at Emerson is closed, so I sneaked across the barriers. 

Saturday afternoon, we took the little ladies swimming at the Hallock Pool, via golf cart. Seriously, everyone in Hallock has a golf cart, and they drive them everywhere! It was pretty fun to be back at the pool where I pretty much grew up and eventually spent my summers working. I don’t know that I’d been there since college! 

And, such a fun family picnic Saturday night to celebrate Grandpa’s birthday. Eighty-seven years young! As always, he and Grandma shared wonderful stories… so blessed to have them – and all the Klegstads – as my family ♥

And, sweet Zoey. There are no words. She’s been a faithful constant in my life since I was 21, and I cannot imagine her not here. Saying goodbye on Sunday was tough – for her, too, I think… she tried to get in my car right before I left. She’s a fighter, though, and so determined… love her so much! ♥

And, in typical sassy Zoey fashion, she hasn’t lost her bark 🙂 

Photos by my talented sister at Poppy Designs