Spooner and Hayward

As is wont to happen, most of our former homes exist no more. There were only two exceptions.

This tiny white cottage is one. Mom, Dad, and I lived here for a few months while waiting for Sister Pam to be born. The house was so small I had to be in a crib in my parents' room, where they TELL me I used to stand, shaking the crib rail, and screaming instead of sleeping. I'm sure this is much more rumor than fact!

The other house that still stands is this one.

Actually, my Grandpa Butcher pastored at Spooner when my mom was a girl. He BUILT this house to be the parsonage. So, mom not only lived here as a girl, but returned with dad when they pastored in Spooner. Pam and I had not yet started school when we lived in this house.


I think it is pretty cute.


Look at this detail - northwoods stone steps.


Here we are with the current pastor of the Spooner church, our friend Ron.


Over in Hayward I was anxious to revisit the field where I first was introduced to all things football. Funny thing - - - it's now a grade school playground with nary a goal post in sight.

BUT - - - back in the day, this was the high school football field. It was right across the street from our house, and on various Friday nights dad would bundle us up in warm clothes and walk us over to the football game. We thought it was great fun to sit under the stars, wrapped in a blanket, watching football while snow flakes flew.

I STILL think it was fun.


Even though we have not lived in Hayward for over forty years - - -


Ten people met us for lunch - - -


And for fellowship.


At the head of this table you can see Pastor Mark, AKA "Little Pastor in the Woods."