Last Sunday a wonderful person left this world – Jill Olson. Once again due to cancer – that ugly disease that robs us of the people we love and cuts the lives short far too early. No matter about the deadly diagnosis, Jill refused to live in its shadow and kept living her life. Hers was filled with her teaching job, being a housewife, a friend, running a melon stand, painting pumpkins, (I never could master that art) babysitting for friends, quilting, helping the Community Club, being a grandma and most of all loving her hubby, Craig.
Teaching is what first brought Jill to our town of Woonsocket. Her hometown was Britton (way up north.) Jill excelled around children and they loved her back. Even though she herself would never be a mother, she made up for it by mothering hundreds over her long teaching career. Giving up her teaching job due to her illness was one of the hardest decisions for her to make.
I was amazed when Craig said they were married 23 years. A lot of us in this small community watched their life unfold. We were there when they started to date. Craig was a divorced man with three kids. Our generation of cousins worried about him, that he wouldn’t marry again. (If a man with that many kids had asked me out, I’d still be running, after 23 years I might be almost to the tip of South America).
You know when you’re making a recipe and you taste it but it’s still not quite right? Well, Jill was the spice that Craig needed in his life. I would like to believe that Craig was first attracted to her sunny personality, but being a man it could very well have been her chest size. We were all thrilled when marriage was in the air. His dad, Arvid, may have been the wise man who told Craig, “If you love her, you better put a ring on it.” (Sorry Beyonce, you were second). We all breathed a sigh of relief when Craig and Jill settled into their happily ever after.
I guess nobody can begrudge us our moments of sadness for Jill’s passing. Yet, I find myself only thinking of all the fun and happiness that really embodied her. Jill was up for any adventure – kayaking the Niobrara, camping, Deadwood bus trips, flying to Vegas, going to Hawaii with Craig on her tow line.
I was honored to be the one to read Craig’s letter to Jill about their life and daughter-in-law Tara’s appreciation letter at Jill’s memorial service. Jill said she knew there’s a God and heaven but only worried that Craig had never done dishes, cooked or laundry. (She spoiled him.)
Jill would definitely leave us this bit of wisdom, “One day your life will flash before your eyes – make sure it’s worth watching.”
Love,
Dee Baby

By Dee Baysinger

Cousin Janet texted me a quote this week and it came exactly at a time when I was contemplating the act. It said, “Does it count that you saved someone’s life if you decide not to kill them?”
It’s more than that Claude refuses to learn toilet paper etiquette. He continually leaves one or two squares and I march out to the kitchen, wave it in the air and say, “What do you think I was going to do with this?”
His standard reply, “ I’ve got cattle on my mind, I don’t have time to worry about that s—.”
Now after the robbery I feel I’m locked up tighter than Ft. Knox. After 40 years of never a locked door, Claude patrols and attempts to reprimand me. The money clip is hidden in a different spot nightly. (I’m waiting for him to forget.) Now he’s thinking a security camera would be necessary as a safety measure. Really, what would they steal of worth – his long johns? The very best is he’s worried they could squeeze through the dog door (he’s seen it on TV). More power to them if they meet the blue heeler eye-to-eye on the other side.
Now the latest act that raised my ire… Thursday I came home from work, shucked my socks (I love barefoot) and proceeded to start supper. I soon discovered sticky spots on the tile (I surmised Claude had left a trail while cooking). Later I went to the bathroom and when I arose from the toilet seat – it came right along with me, stuck to my skin and when I turned on the faucet it was covered in goo. I thought, “What has Claude done now?!” I marched out to the kitchen and discovered a Spray ‘n Wash bottle on the counter. I knew immediately what he had done.
Another of Claude’s new obsessions is germs after being raised in a cattle yard. He sprays the house down every morning before he leaves. Instead of his anti-bacterial spray he’d used the Spray ‘n Wash! I tried to shame him but he said it was my fault for buying bottles similar in color. I put them side-by-side – his is blue and white. My laundry spray is green.
I’m writing this exposé at 4:30 Monday morning and came downstairs to find the bathroom rugs missing, plus 10 towels off the shelf and small telltale puddles of water on the floor. I can’t wait to see if Noah was building an ark last night.
– Dee Baby

    Just a note to let those who donated to Doc Krog’s rock tribute that all is well. I want to assure you that Georgia and I have not flown to Vegas and lost it gambling. (Gay would never allow that.)
The plaque has been ordered but is delayed due to a backlog. Our rock search was put on hold due to melon season. Everything is put on a back burner until that is over. We’re gearing up now.
Gay, Georgia and I have been rock gazing on hills, through fences and climbing on piles. (Yes, Wayne Feistner, you have a magnificent rock pile.)
We discovered it’s hard to get three women to agree. We want unusual, one side has to be flat and of course, an impressive size for Doc.
We think we’ve settled on a choice and it has a unique wide pink line through the girth of it. I would call it Doc’s humane streak.
Garth,
Bring your payloader.
Dee Baby