Chris Loehmer Kincaid's Blog, page 68
May 22, 2020
Welcome to Summer
As is often the case, I had several ideas to blog about this morning, but the laziness took over, and I wrote about none. This weekend is the official start of summer, and with it, I would like to think, a time to take advantage of the occasional laziness.
Have a great weekend and a fantastic summer. Get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Take deep breaths, relax. We will all get through this.
May 20, 2020
Spring in my Yard
It’s been a while since I have shared the random pictures of my life. My yard has seen a flurry of activity this month. I suppose that is normal for this time of year.
This year, though, we’ve had a bit more than usual. We lost a pine tree in a storm last year (two storms, actually, the first one knocking him into another tree and the second storm bringing him to the ground). The tree guys finally came out two weeks ago to clean them up.
What a difference it made in our side yard.
I put a fair amount of sweat into that dirt, mixing it with the grass seed.
I can’t wait for grass to come up.
Then there was snow for Mother’s Day. Better, I guess than the foot we got on Easter, but it makes me wonder what Memorial Day will bring.
We get a mallard in our swamp every spring. He doesn’t usually hang around long though, as the swamp usually dries up by summer.
This lady has been hanging around our yard for years now. She and her two-year-old child have been always coming around together, until the last week or two, when she finally sent junior packing.
In anticipation, I’m sure of the baby she’ll be having soon. Ok, never mind. Believe it or not, just as I was typing this, the momma and her two-year-old came through the yard. Too dark out for a picture.
And then there’s this.
Though I am the one to take all the pictures, Hubby called me to the kitchen the other day while he was cutting up cauliflower and asked me to take a picture of this.
He asked, “what does this look like to you?”
Covid cauliflower. We just can't escape it can we?
This year, though, we’ve had a bit more than usual. We lost a pine tree in a storm last year (two storms, actually, the first one knocking him into another tree and the second storm bringing him to the ground). The tree guys finally came out two weeks ago to clean them up.
What a difference it made in our side yard. 
I put a fair amount of sweat into that dirt, mixing it with the grass seed.
I can’t wait for grass to come up.
Then there was snow for Mother’s Day. Better, I guess than the foot we got on Easter, but it makes me wonder what Memorial Day will bring.
We get a mallard in our swamp every spring. He doesn’t usually hang around long though, as the swamp usually dries up by summer. 
This lady has been hanging around our yard for years now. She and her two-year-old child have been always coming around together, until the last week or two, when she finally sent junior packing. 
In anticipation, I’m sure of the baby she’ll be having soon. Ok, never mind. Believe it or not, just as I was typing this, the momma and her two-year-old came through the yard. Too dark out for a picture. 
And then there’s this.Though I am the one to take all the pictures, Hubby called me to the kitchen the other day while he was cutting up cauliflower and asked me to take a picture of this.
He asked, “what does this look like to you?”Covid cauliflower. We just can't escape it can we?
May 17, 2020
Only God has the Answer
Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:23-26, New Living Translation)
This past Wednesday, my state’s supreme court ruled that the extension of our stay-at-home order issued by our governor’s administration was "unlawful" and "unenforceable". With that order overturned, our stores, restaurants, taverns and churches were allowed to open, with recommendations that they follow CDC guidelines as far as social distancing, including only allowing a certain number of patrons into each business and requiring them to wear face masks.
Driving home from work that day, as I passed our area businesses, I noticed that the parking lots of all our bars were full. I don’t think any of them were following CDC guidelines. There was a picture on the internet of a tavern that was packed with customers.
I felt like I was driving away from Sodom and Gomorrah and kept telling myself, with face mask still hanging from my neck, don’t look back, don’t look back.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with going down to the local tavern and throwing back a few brewskis with your friends. But we still are in the middle of a pandemic.
Also, I don’t care what the Republicans or the Democrats are saying. Both parties are filled with more than their share of jerks (ok, I had to say it, sorry, Lord, excuse my sin of badmouthing people who deserve it). And it makes my blood boil that they are turning this into a political war.
But whoever you believe, whoever you follow, there are still people being infected with the coronavirus, some are getting really sick and the health care system only has so much capacity to care for them. Yes, I get it, the economy is spiraling downward at a crazy rate and people have to go back to work and businesses have to find a way to stay afloat.
I don’t really have an answer, but how about if everyone sticks to the middle ground for a change instead of swinging so far one way or the other.
I don’t know. I didn’t want to go down this road. I didn’t want to get on my soapbox.
I just picture Lot and his wife and daughters running for their lives, trying to leave the city before God destroys it because the sin had gotten so bad there that destruction was the only solution.
Then I picture myself running as well, running from the news, from social media, from the spitefulness on all sides, but running to where I’m not sure. The safest place is into the arms of my Lord and Savior.
LORD, God, Heavenly Father, be with us all during these trying times. Grant our leaders the wisdom and the humility to make decisions that are in the best interests of all. Help people to see that sometimes the best solution is to compromise. Guide people to realize that they should put others before themselves. Shower this earth with love and understanding, kindness and peace. In Jesus' name. Amen
I have a lot of pictures, but none of a pillar of salt. This picture of a diatomite mine in Kenya,
which my daughter took in 2010, is the closest I have.
This past Wednesday, my state’s supreme court ruled that the extension of our stay-at-home order issued by our governor’s administration was "unlawful" and "unenforceable". With that order overturned, our stores, restaurants, taverns and churches were allowed to open, with recommendations that they follow CDC guidelines as far as social distancing, including only allowing a certain number of patrons into each business and requiring them to wear face masks.
Driving home from work that day, as I passed our area businesses, I noticed that the parking lots of all our bars were full. I don’t think any of them were following CDC guidelines. There was a picture on the internet of a tavern that was packed with customers.
I felt like I was driving away from Sodom and Gomorrah and kept telling myself, with face mask still hanging from my neck, don’t look back, don’t look back.
Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with going down to the local tavern and throwing back a few brewskis with your friends. But we still are in the middle of a pandemic.
Also, I don’t care what the Republicans or the Democrats are saying. Both parties are filled with more than their share of jerks (ok, I had to say it, sorry, Lord, excuse my sin of badmouthing people who deserve it). And it makes my blood boil that they are turning this into a political war.
But whoever you believe, whoever you follow, there are still people being infected with the coronavirus, some are getting really sick and the health care system only has so much capacity to care for them. Yes, I get it, the economy is spiraling downward at a crazy rate and people have to go back to work and businesses have to find a way to stay afloat.
I don’t really have an answer, but how about if everyone sticks to the middle ground for a change instead of swinging so far one way or the other.
I don’t know. I didn’t want to go down this road. I didn’t want to get on my soapbox.
I just picture Lot and his wife and daughters running for their lives, trying to leave the city before God destroys it because the sin had gotten so bad there that destruction was the only solution.
Then I picture myself running as well, running from the news, from social media, from the spitefulness on all sides, but running to where I’m not sure. The safest place is into the arms of my Lord and Savior.
LORD, God, Heavenly Father, be with us all during these trying times. Grant our leaders the wisdom and the humility to make decisions that are in the best interests of all. Help people to see that sometimes the best solution is to compromise. Guide people to realize that they should put others before themselves. Shower this earth with love and understanding, kindness and peace. In Jesus' name. Amen
I have a lot of pictures, but none of a pillar of salt. This picture of a diatomite mine in Kenya, which my daughter took in 2010, is the closest I have.
May 13, 2020
On My Mind This Week . . .
No words needed for you to know what's been on my mind this week . . .
May 10, 2020
Strong Women
You may have heard of Psalm 31 before, the Bible’s description of the Good Wife. I don’t think I’ve posted it here before because I don’t want anyone to think that I come even close to having any of these characteristics. But being as it is Mother’s Day, I thought these would be appropriate verses to read today.
It is hard to find an excellent wife. She is worth more than rubies. Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs. She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives. She looks for wool and linen. She likes to work with her hands. She is like a trader’s ship. She goes far to get food. She gets up while it is still dark. She prepares food for her family. She also feeds her servant girls. She looks at a field and buys it. With money she has earned, she plants a vineyard. She does her work with energy. Her arms are strong. She makes sure that what she makes is good. She works by her lamp late into the night. She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth. She welcomes the poor. She helps the needy. She does not worry about her family when it snows. They all have fine clothes to keep them warm. She makes coverings for her bed. Her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material. Her husband is recognized at the city meetings. He makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land. She makes linen clothes and sells them. She provides belts to the merchants. She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy. She speaks wise words. And she teaches others to be kind. She watches over her family. And she is always busy. Her children bless her. Her husband also praises her. He says, “There are many excellent wives, but you are better than all of them.” Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you. But a woman who respects the Lord should be praised. Give her the reward she has earned. She should be openly praised for what she has done.(Proverbs 31:10-31, International Children’s Bible)
Here are just some of the strong women from my family.
My maternal great-grandmother, Anna Wagner Steinbach, with her husband and four oldest children, circa 1902.
My maternal grandmother, Lena Steinbach Jahn, on the far left at the logging camp where she worked as a cook, also where she met my grandfather, circa 1910s.
Grandma Lena Jahn with one of my cousin's, circa 1951.
My paternal grandmother, Emma Buchen Loehmer Segebart, her passport picture from 1924. I'm not gonna lie, if this photo doesn't scream "hard life, strong woman," I don't know what does.
Grandma Segebart with my sister Pat and me, circa 1966.
My mom with her family - my dad, my brother, my two sisters, my oldest niece, and me, 1968.
It is hard to find an excellent wife. She is worth more than rubies. Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs. She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives. She looks for wool and linen. She likes to work with her hands. She is like a trader’s ship. She goes far to get food. She gets up while it is still dark. She prepares food for her family. She also feeds her servant girls. She looks at a field and buys it. With money she has earned, she plants a vineyard. She does her work with energy. Her arms are strong. She makes sure that what she makes is good. She works by her lamp late into the night. She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth. She welcomes the poor. She helps the needy. She does not worry about her family when it snows. They all have fine clothes to keep them warm. She makes coverings for her bed. Her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material. Her husband is recognized at the city meetings. He makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land. She makes linen clothes and sells them. She provides belts to the merchants. She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy. She speaks wise words. And she teaches others to be kind. She watches over her family. And she is always busy. Her children bless her. Her husband also praises her. He says, “There are many excellent wives, but you are better than all of them.” Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you. But a woman who respects the Lord should be praised. Give her the reward she has earned. She should be openly praised for what she has done.(Proverbs 31:10-31, International Children’s Bible)
Here are just some of the strong women from my family.
My maternal great-grandmother, Anna Wagner Steinbach, with her husband and four oldest children, circa 1902. 
My maternal grandmother, Lena Steinbach Jahn, on the far left at the logging camp where she worked as a cook, also where she met my grandfather, circa 1910s.
Grandma Lena Jahn with one of my cousin's, circa 1951.
My paternal grandmother, Emma Buchen Loehmer Segebart, her passport picture from 1924. I'm not gonna lie, if this photo doesn't scream "hard life, strong woman," I don't know what does. 
Grandma Segebart with my sister Pat and me, circa 1966.
My mom with her family - my dad, my brother, my two sisters, my oldest niece, and me, 1968.
May 8, 2020
what we should think about instead
For a while now, I’ve been wanting to write about comparing COVID19 to HIV/AIDS. I know that just writing that might have people going, “What? There’s no comparison.”
So why does an internet search of that topic come up with way more hits than I thought it would? Am I on to something?
I hope not, coz I don’t want to be.
I just remember back in the mid-eighties, when AIDS was starting to make an impact on all of our lives, what an impact it did have. Shoot, before that, back when I first started working in the medical field, we gave injections and drew blood without wearing gloves, without even thinking about being able to get any sort of disease from exposure to someone else’s blood. Man, does that make me feel old.
In reality, at this point, yes, there may be more differences between HIV and coronavirus. I’m not sure how that pans out when you look at the microbiology or virology of them both, but that’s not what I’m thinking of.
What I’m thinking of right now, is that when you hear that someone has tested positive for COVID19, you wonder if that means a death sentence. We knew that was the case initially with HIV, but now people are surviving that diagnosis. The odds of beating a COVID19 infection have always been better than beating AIDS.
We knew early on how to prevent the spread of HIV, yet people remained fearful of it, paranoid of what it meant. For sure, there’s no such stigma attached to COVID19, but the fear and paranoia are still there.
But the bottom line is that fear and paranoia aren’t going to get you anywhere. Just read Matthew chapter 6, verse 27 – “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
No, of course not. Quite the contrary. Worry will only shorten our lives.
So what do we think about instead? Puppies and kitties, sunrises and daffodils, laughter and baby’s toes.
Have a good weekend, everyone, get out there and enjoy your world.
So why does an internet search of that topic come up with way more hits than I thought it would? Am I on to something? I hope not, coz I don’t want to be.
I just remember back in the mid-eighties, when AIDS was starting to make an impact on all of our lives, what an impact it did have. Shoot, before that, back when I first started working in the medical field, we gave injections and drew blood without wearing gloves, without even thinking about being able to get any sort of disease from exposure to someone else’s blood. Man, does that make me feel old.
In reality, at this point, yes, there may be more differences between HIV and coronavirus. I’m not sure how that pans out when you look at the microbiology or virology of them both, but that’s not what I’m thinking of. What I’m thinking of right now, is that when you hear that someone has tested positive for COVID19, you wonder if that means a death sentence. We knew that was the case initially with HIV, but now people are surviving that diagnosis. The odds of beating a COVID19 infection have always been better than beating AIDS.
We knew early on how to prevent the spread of HIV, yet people remained fearful of it, paranoid of what it meant. For sure, there’s no such stigma attached to COVID19, but the fear and paranoia are still there.
But the bottom line is that fear and paranoia aren’t going to get you anywhere. Just read Matthew chapter 6, verse 27 – “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
No, of course not. Quite the contrary. Worry will only shorten our lives.
So what do we think about instead? Puppies and kitties, sunrises and daffodils, laughter and baby’s toes.Have a good weekend, everyone, get out there and enjoy your world.
May 6, 2020
Another Falls and Other Places
Last Friday, Hubby and I took another ride, this one a little further than the week before. We crossed a couple county lines, and actually, while we were two counties from home, Hubby saw on his phone that there had been the first confirmed case of COVID19 in our county. I need to stop letting this take over my life. That’s why I wanted to go for another ride last Friday and look what happened.
Anyway, our first stop was in Manitowish. At this park on Rest Lake.
Across the dam, is Vance Lake.
Pretty place, but I had another body of water in mind. This one in yet another county, Iron.
Where Hubby and I didn’t practice social distancing. Shame on us.
The Falls at Lake of the Falls.
One of the prettiest places in the state, I think. An easy drive and an easy walk to get to. Like, really no walk at all.
I’ve been here a couple times with my sisters. One visit was a long, somewhat melancholy story.
Where I camped one time with both of my sisters,
before they put up this sign.
And no ride is complete without a picture of some wildlife. Even though I have more deer in my own yard, I had to capture these four.
Anyway, our first stop was in Manitowish. At this park on Rest Lake.
Across the dam, is Vance Lake.
Pretty place, but I had another body of water in mind. This one in yet another county, Iron.
Where Hubby and I didn’t practice social distancing. Shame on us. 
The Falls at Lake of the Falls. 
One of the prettiest places in the state, I think. An easy drive and an easy walk to get to. Like, really no walk at all. 
I’ve been here a couple times with my sisters. One visit was a long, somewhat melancholy story.
Where I camped one time with both of my sisters,
before they put up this sign. 
And no ride is complete without a picture of some wildlife. Even though I have more deer in my own yard, I had to capture these four.
May 3, 2020
The Walls in my Way
And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16, New Living Translation)
One night, earlier this week, I had a series of dark dreams, dreams which were like prophetic snapshots of tragic events in the lives of people I know. After each dream, I woke up filled with fear in the bottom of my stomach. You know the feeling – that sense of impending doom.
After lying awake for a few minutes, however, that feeling was replaced by the presence of God. But not only the reassuring, comforting sense of God, but His voice telling me that I can do something about it.
I asked Him, “What can I do to prevent bad things from happening?”
He placed something on my heart like, “When bad things happen, they can only turn out for good if one has faith.”
Hmm? Or more like, “Chris, it’s up to you to share your faith with these people so that they will have an eternal life free of pain and worry.”
I’ve told God before, and I maybe have shared it here, I’m not an evangelist. I can write about my faith, but to tell someone in person? That’s not who I am. But God has answered that declaration with, “If you have faith, you can be anyone.”
Last night I had a dream where I was at a shopping mall which had rock-climbing walls throughout different stores. I climbed the easiest one and had an amazing sense of accomplishment. Just another random dream, or was God trying to tell me something?
At the beginning of the year, I chose the word “strength” as my word for 2020, and so . . .
Lord, God, Heavenly Father, grant me the strength to do Your will. Amen.
Not me at the top of this wall, but, yes, I did climb it while in Kenya in 2017. And had that same sense of accomplishment at reaching the top.
May 1, 2020
Aptly Named Spirit Falls
A week ago, on another beautiful spring day, Hubby and I took a ride to an area just 15 of so miles west of where we live.
I’ve driven past Spirit Falls dozens of times, and sometime in my childhood, we surely stopped. I just can’t remember it clearly. All the rides I went on with my parents kind of blur together.
Anyway, there is also a lot of history about the area, which I should know. I know I’ve heard it or read it, and I’m sure it’s on the internet. Actually, I think there is a book on this topic for sale at a store in town, which is probably closed for now due to COVID19. I should have bought that book when I had the chance.
The reason I should know more of the history of this area is that my mom’s ancestors helped settle the area. Long story, which I will share another time. Today, you just want to see my pictures.
The Spirit River off of Bridge Avenue, looking west. 
The Spirit River off of Bridge Avenue, looking east.
The Spirit River, just west of the Falls.
Here we are, at the Spirit Falls.
I know there had to be a dam and a mill at the Falls at one time.
What's left of some sort of foundation.
But I always come back to running water.
Last look at the Fall.
No trip to the Spirit area is complete without a stop at my great-grandmother's grave.
She was born in Prussia in 1849 and died in Spirit in 1893. I really need to write down her story.
Fascinating old barn.
And equally fascinating old house.
I'd like to know the story of this old church.
And the boots hanging outside its door.
Our ride was made complete by spying this guy ambling down the side of the road.
Best part was when he turned to wander off and I got a view of the bottom of his foot. Doesn't it look so soft???
I know, I'm just weird.
I’ve driven past Spirit Falls dozens of times, and sometime in my childhood, we surely stopped. I just can’t remember it clearly. All the rides I went on with my parents kind of blur together.
Anyway, there is also a lot of history about the area, which I should know. I know I’ve heard it or read it, and I’m sure it’s on the internet. Actually, I think there is a book on this topic for sale at a store in town, which is probably closed for now due to COVID19. I should have bought that book when I had the chance.
The reason I should know more of the history of this area is that my mom’s ancestors helped settle the area. Long story, which I will share another time. Today, you just want to see my pictures.
The Spirit River off of Bridge Avenue, looking west. The Spirit River off of Bridge Avenue, looking east. 
The Spirit River, just west of the Falls. 
Here we are, at the Spirit Falls. 
I know there had to be a dam and a mill at the Falls at one time. 
What's left of some sort of foundation. 
But I always come back to running water. 
Last look at the Fall. 
No trip to the Spirit area is complete without a stop at my great-grandmother's grave. She was born in Prussia in 1849 and died in Spirit in 1893. I really need to write down her story.
Fascinating old barn. 
And equally fascinating old house. 
I'd like to know the story of this old church. 
And the boots hanging outside its door. 
Our ride was made complete by spying this guy ambling down the side of the road. 
Best part was when he turned to wander off and I got a view of the bottom of his foot. Doesn't it look so soft???I know, I'm just weird.
April 29, 2020
The Living Years
I’m sure that I’ve blogged here as much about Dad as I have about Mom. I guess, though, since she only passed away three years ago, she seems to have gotten a bit more press.
It’s hard to believe, but 27 years ago today, Dad breathed his last on this earth and passed into eternal life. I see that I did blog about that day in detail several years ago. So, let’s get back to the living years.
It reminds me of the song by Mike and the Mechanics from 1988.
I know that I'm a prisonerTo all my Father held so dearI know that I'm a hostageTo all his hopes and fearsI just wish I could have told him in the living years . . .
I wasn't there that morningWhen my Father passed awayI didn't get to tell himAll the things I had to say
And even though I was there the night he passed away, there was still so much I didn’t get to say, but even more sadly, there was so much he didn’t get to tell me.
Dad was born in 1915, in Germany, just a few years before the flu pandemic of that time hit. Add to that World War I, and I can’t imagine how horrible those years were. He lived through a lot, they all did back then. I think we best not complain about what we have going on now.
His confirmation class, in the 1945, the year he married Mom. He's the short guy in the middle behind the larger woman in the flowered dress. His face reminds me of Scott Caan, who plays Danny on Hawaii Five-Oh.
Hard to see his smile here in front of his school bus, but he's got the same half-smile. 
Here too, with Mom on their wedding day.
That smirky-smile would be his signature look, I guess. 
Not sure why I included this picture in our kitchen. He did read a lot, but I don't remember he ever drinking much beer.
His bowling team, he's in the back right. 
That face is just for show. He could be a character.
Not sure if Dad, me or Mac has the craziest face here.
One of my favorite pictures of Dad, while camping in 1977
My very favorite picture, Dad with my son Nick crossing the road in front of their house, when Nick spent a month with them when he was only 18 months old. 
I'm pretty sad that I couldn't find a decent picture of Dad with my daughter Val. She was only three when he died. I do have lots of pictures with Nick, though.
It’s hard to believe, but 27 years ago today, Dad breathed his last on this earth and passed into eternal life. I see that I did blog about that day in detail several years ago. So, let’s get back to the living years.
It reminds me of the song by Mike and the Mechanics from 1988.
I know that I'm a prisonerTo all my Father held so dearI know that I'm a hostageTo all his hopes and fearsI just wish I could have told him in the living years . . .
I wasn't there that morningWhen my Father passed awayI didn't get to tell himAll the things I had to say
And even though I was there the night he passed away, there was still so much I didn’t get to say, but even more sadly, there was so much he didn’t get to tell me.
Dad was born in 1915, in Germany, just a few years before the flu pandemic of that time hit. Add to that World War I, and I can’t imagine how horrible those years were. He lived through a lot, they all did back then. I think we best not complain about what we have going on now.
His confirmation class, in the 1945, the year he married Mom. He's the short guy in the middle behind the larger woman in the flowered dress. His face reminds me of Scott Caan, who plays Danny on Hawaii Five-Oh.
Hard to see his smile here in front of his school bus, but he's got the same half-smile. Here too, with Mom on their wedding day.
That smirky-smile would be his signature look, I guess. Not sure why I included this picture in our kitchen. He did read a lot, but I don't remember he ever drinking much beer. 
His bowling team, he's in the back right. That face is just for show. He could be a character. 
Not sure if Dad, me or Mac has the craziest face here.
One of my favorite pictures of Dad, while camping in 1977My very favorite picture, Dad with my son Nick crossing the road in front of their house, when Nick spent a month with them when he was only 18 months old. I'm pretty sad that I couldn't find a decent picture of Dad with my daughter Val. She was only three when he died. I do have lots of pictures with Nick, though.
