For those who wonder, my son Brian Unbehaun lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and is no longer employed with MN Energy Resources but, rather, with the Minnesota Department of Transporttion. I can't give out his contact information, but I am most willing to pass yours on to him.
Monday, May 6, 2024
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Morels
My son, Brian Unbehaun, loves to hunt for morels. They're tough to find but worth the effort. I too like those nutty-tasting fungi, but life is crazy busy--so I seldom find them before their season ends.
Midland Co-op Memorabilia
My son, Brian Unbehaun and I collect Midland Co-op memorabilia. My dad worked for Midland Co-operatives for nearly 50 years, retiring around 1976. So, we buy toys, signs, patches, clothing, thermometers, rain gages, glasses, bowls, ashtrays, road maps, gas/oil cans--anything that Midland gave away to it's customers and vendors. If you have something for sale, contact us at unbehaun@gmail.com.
Brian Unbehaun
I'm very proud of my son, Brian Unbehaun. His mother and I helped him move last weekend as he assumed a full-time position with MN Energy Resources--a job which holds promise of financial security and upward mobility. By the way, there's another Brian Unbehaun living in southern Wisconsin whose something like a third cousin, once removed to my son. I've not met him though I've met his parents--real nice people. That's about it for now!
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Boots
I feel good in boots, leather ones that come up over the ankle . . . no higher, no lower. Come to think of it, maybe my love for boots started when I got my first pair of booties.
My first pair were Red Wings, back in my 20's. Lace 'em up, and you're ready for anything including mud puddles and deep snow.
I left my first pair in Texas after visiting my brother. I called to have them sent back to me and was told that they didn't have them anymore. What? Did they spot someone doing yard work across the street and ask him if he wanted a pair of boots? I'll never figure that one out.
So I bought another pair of Red Wings. After they wore out, I went years . . . a lot of years before I bought another pair. I was shopping in Home of Economy in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and they had a boot sale. Bought a pair of Carolina's for around $40.00 (the company was going out of business). It's 10 years later, and the soles are only about 25% spent. I wear them in the winter, walking to work, and only for work projects in the summer. So I expect to get a lot more years out of them.
Whenever I lace them up, I think of my old friend, Chuck Frautschi, who lived in his boots. Chuck was a retired art teacher, and I have little doubt he wore boots to school every day. Sadly, Chuck passed away a couple years ago.
Cowboy boots? Back in the 70's I bought a pair of pseudo-Cowboy boots. But they always hurt the top of my foot (I must have a high instep). Even when I drive long distances, I must loosen the laces on my shoes. Slip-ons help!
I also have a pair of knee-high water boots made by a Canadian company, Kamik. WONDERFUL boots. I used to deer hunt in them. Didn't even need socks, they kept my feet warm. In fact, maybe socks make it worse if you sweat.
If you don't have boots, buy a pair . . . any type . . . they'll make you happy.
My first pair were Red Wings, back in my 20's. Lace 'em up, and you're ready for anything including mud puddles and deep snow.
I left my first pair in Texas after visiting my brother. I called to have them sent back to me and was told that they didn't have them anymore. What? Did they spot someone doing yard work across the street and ask him if he wanted a pair of boots? I'll never figure that one out.
So I bought another pair of Red Wings. After they wore out, I went years . . . a lot of years before I bought another pair. I was shopping in Home of Economy in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and they had a boot sale. Bought a pair of Carolina's for around $40.00 (the company was going out of business). It's 10 years later, and the soles are only about 25% spent. I wear them in the winter, walking to work, and only for work projects in the summer. So I expect to get a lot more years out of them.
Whenever I lace them up, I think of my old friend, Chuck Frautschi, who lived in his boots. Chuck was a retired art teacher, and I have little doubt he wore boots to school every day. Sadly, Chuck passed away a couple years ago.
Cowboy boots? Back in the 70's I bought a pair of pseudo-Cowboy boots. But they always hurt the top of my foot (I must have a high instep). Even when I drive long distances, I must loosen the laces on my shoes. Slip-ons help!
I also have a pair of knee-high water boots made by a Canadian company, Kamik. WONDERFUL boots. I used to deer hunt in them. Didn't even need socks, they kept my feet warm. In fact, maybe socks make it worse if you sweat.
If you don't have boots, buy a pair . . . any type . . . they'll make you happy.
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Retirement
I dream of retirement. Technically, it's slated for July of 2016, but with the way our economy is, and the high cost of health insurance (I thought ObamaCare was going to fix that), I'm not sure I can pull the plug quite that early. Since I work for the State of Minnesota, I'm pretty sure I can cut down to working only three days a week and still get my health insurance paid for. Then I could draw my full retirement without any penalty for earnings (not sure about that, better check it out).
Retirement will not be sitting on the couch watching Netflix movies. I'll continue my three passions: Grandkids, performing my original songs, and genealogy research. I should also be able to shed some pounds as I'll be more active riding bike and walking.
My dad tried to retire from his employer, Midland Co-op, but they kept leaning on him to take assignments. He was an Operational Consultant who covered five states trying to improve the profitability for local co-operatives who had contractual agreements with his company. In simple terms, he was an auditor. Eventually dad retired, and I don't think he missed the job, though I'm sure he missed the camaraderie.
The two bits of advice I can give to young folks is to SAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN and INCUR AS LITTLE DEBT AS YOU CAN. It may not seem a big deal now, but if you can afford to retire at 55 or 60 instead of 66 or 70, it will be worth the sacrifices you made in your younger years. Then you may enjoy a much longer retirement.
Thanks for hearing me out!
Retirement will not be sitting on the couch watching Netflix movies. I'll continue my three passions: Grandkids, performing my original songs, and genealogy research. I should also be able to shed some pounds as I'll be more active riding bike and walking.
My dad tried to retire from his employer, Midland Co-op, but they kept leaning on him to take assignments. He was an Operational Consultant who covered five states trying to improve the profitability for local co-operatives who had contractual agreements with his company. In simple terms, he was an auditor. Eventually dad retired, and I don't think he missed the job, though I'm sure he missed the camaraderie.
The two bits of advice I can give to young folks is to SAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU CAN and INCUR AS LITTLE DEBT AS YOU CAN. It may not seem a big deal now, but if you can afford to retire at 55 or 60 instead of 66 or 70, it will be worth the sacrifices you made in your younger years. Then you may enjoy a much longer retirement.
Thanks for hearing me out!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Ancestry.com
I spoke to a guy a while back who said that family history meant absolutely nothing to him. I was amazed, not because he's not entitled to his opinion, but I have a such a burning desire for the subject. Perhaps it's due to my not having known any of my grandparents (the last one died when I was five months old).
So, I have an Ancestry.com account and continue to build my family tree and share it with those who are interested. In case you didn't know, Ancestry.com is owned by the LDS Church. They take genealogy very seriously as they believe in the "baptism of the dead" whereby the souls of their ancestors can be "saved" after they die. (Please correct me if I'm not right about this).
It is my understanding that Ancestry.com are busy cataloging all sorts of records throughout the world, then making them available on their website. One can pay monthly or annually. The more-expensive World Explorer membership gives one access to records outside the U.S.A. But it's a hit-or-miss situation. I buy a World Explorer membership once or twice a year, then hit it hard.
Of course, when searching, it helps to have the right information. And, for surnames that are often misspelled, one should check the "Soundex" box that results in similar-sounding names being included in the results list. And don't forget that even census enumerators misspelled names and made other mistakes--so be ready to do a lot of interpolating.
A neat feature of Ancestry.com is that you can do a search for a person, then (on the left-hand panel) choose "Family Trees." Here you can review other researchers' family trees, although you won't see info on living people.
I've found so many people and surnames in my family tree--pleasant little surprises. No famous people yet, but that will happen. And the tree grows exponentially with each generation that's added.
In some small way, I think it's nice to know about these folks coz, if we ever meet up, I can say, "Oh, you're my half first cousin, six times removed, who owned a saloon in Chicago and whose wife was run over by a train!" That would be a good conversation starter.
So, I have an Ancestry.com account and continue to build my family tree and share it with those who are interested. In case you didn't know, Ancestry.com is owned by the LDS Church. They take genealogy very seriously as they believe in the "baptism of the dead" whereby the souls of their ancestors can be "saved" after they die. (Please correct me if I'm not right about this).
It is my understanding that Ancestry.com are busy cataloging all sorts of records throughout the world, then making them available on their website. One can pay monthly or annually. The more-expensive World Explorer membership gives one access to records outside the U.S.A. But it's a hit-or-miss situation. I buy a World Explorer membership once or twice a year, then hit it hard.
Of course, when searching, it helps to have the right information. And, for surnames that are often misspelled, one should check the "Soundex" box that results in similar-sounding names being included in the results list. And don't forget that even census enumerators misspelled names and made other mistakes--so be ready to do a lot of interpolating.
A neat feature of Ancestry.com is that you can do a search for a person, then (on the left-hand panel) choose "Family Trees." Here you can review other researchers' family trees, although you won't see info on living people.
I've found so many people and surnames in my family tree--pleasant little surprises. No famous people yet, but that will happen. And the tree grows exponentially with each generation that's added.
In some small way, I think it's nice to know about these folks coz, if we ever meet up, I can say, "Oh, you're my half first cousin, six times removed, who owned a saloon in Chicago and whose wife was run over by a train!" That would be a good conversation starter.
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