Fisherman on Lake Anita

Ann Graduates

Granddaughter Ann of Georgia/Florida graduated this Spring. I am just a little late!!

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For those few

who asked for more Clay County fair pictures...

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Forgot to mention...

Forgot to mention that we played in a golf tournament this past weekend. Naturally the weather was as crappy as it has been the entire month but we endured. It was a three couple team, alternating shot format so it went fairly quick. We played with Randy, Sherri, Chuck and Corinne and we came in first in the second flight. Not too shabby considering the conditions.

Whew!

My Internet connection has been giving me fits again but I may have made a discovery this AM that helps...we will see. But I have not been able to post pictures or much else web related however email has not been a problem so you can see why I was puzzled. I took this one yesterday afternoon.
We went for a walk yesterday afternoon and I did not have my camera so after returning home I grabbed my camera to try and get some of the shots I had missed. One was of a crane sitting on a dock...well he had moved but it was still a good shot if I could get it. So I went down the hill and he held the pose the entire time it took me to get there. I turned on my camera and he instantly scrunched his head down into his shoulders making one ugly looking bird. So I waited...and waited but the d--- bird stayed scrunched so I took a shot of the geese instead.

Gemstone

At Lake Anita

We are at Lake Anita in our favorite spot (site 109). We are always amazed when it is open for us and it has been the last two times we have been here. The park is fairly full for this time of year but there are lots of wind turbines being installed in the area and I am sure the workers are camping in all of the parks around here. It was raining when we arrived and continued to rain most of the day and evening. I took this picture this morning because I liked the raindrops on the window and the lamplight behind.
We have doctor appts. this next week. Nothing serious. Checkups before we head south is all. We also will be stocking up on favorite items from local stores that we are most familiar. Like Iowa Chops from Fareway. Hyvee brand catfood for Angel. We do the same thing in South Texas before we head north!
I finished an afghan yesterday that has been in the works for perhaps 3 years. I would do a few rows and set it aside, even doing many other projects in between. So now I will have cleaned up all my unfinished projects. This one is a dense pattern and quite spectacular now that it is done. I will post a picture asap.

Another Swedish weaving project finished

Lukas with his blanket

Here is Lukas with his blanket. Lukas is the son of Melinda and Ian Koenig and the first grandchild of our friends Sherri and Randy Clark.

Clay County Fair

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Butch and I went to the Clay County Fair which some people compare to the Iowa State Fair. It is indeed a very nice fair on a grand scale. The most fun, of course, is being with friends. Pictured here are Dale and Norma Cooklin from Spirit Lake Iowa and Dick and Leslie Cleaveland from Oakland Iowa.

Changing Iowa Landscape

The changing face of Iowa's landscape. There are hundreds of these across the state.

Two Different Mornings...

Both of these pictures were taken through the Motorhome window as I sat at my computer in the early morning north of Jefferson Iowa. What a difference a day makes...

Yesterday was...

Yesterday was warm, windy and on the humid side. Leo, Keri, Butch and I rode our bikes to Cooper and back in the cool of early morning. No time taken for picture taking so I will show you one from an earlier more leisurely ride.
It is one of Butch on the trail near Yale IA.

Went to Atlantic IA

Yesterday Jared and Emily Hall were married in a country church near Oakland. They then hosted an Open House at the SF Martin House in Atlantic. It was a very fine party as you might imagine if you know the couple. Butch and I attended.
The last few months my spare time has included working on Swedish weaving projects and an afghan for Emily and Jared was among those projects. Also a baby blanket for Jared's new nephew Lukas.
I didn't think I should post these till after the event...so now I can.

A quiet Saturday

The laundry is done, flowers watered and our little home on wheels is fairly clean so we are having a leisurely Saturday.
Yesterday we watched a Netflix movie. License to Wed with Robin Williams. Don't bother...it just plain irritated me for the first half and the second half was only a tad bit better.
Last night we went to the new Mexican restaurant in Jefferson....don't bother...we were there approximately 2 hours and that was understandable because they were newly opened and extremely busy but then when we were served our CHICKEN Quesadilla Fajita it was a miserable disappointment. The tortilla was like dried out white paste. I am accustomed to bubbly browned almost flaky tortillas which is how they are when properly prepared and my first slice contained NO chicken. There may have been a total of 10 pieces of chicken in the whole thing each the size of a nickel. Butch can go there if he chooses but they have lost me as a customer. I will wait till we go to the land of real Mexican food where they do not disappoint.
Till next time...

Lucille Ball

She is no longer nameless...meet Lucille Ball or Lucy for short.

Nameless Kitten

This kitten needs a name...any suggestions? Email keep.movin.on@gmail.com
She...we think...is very active, likes to tumble,play ball and fight with her Mamas tail. She plays a mean game of soccer too. She is shy preferring her Mama's company to that of big scary human's with big voices.

For Sale

Leo has a car for sale and it is listed on craigslist.
Leo said it ran so well he is tempted to keep it but they do not have a need for an extra vehicle Click on "For Sale"

Tuesday Morning...

Sunday we played golf with Laura and Jason. First time I had played since March or April. Butch said I am disgusting...going that long and then playing well. As long as I do not put pressure on myself things seem to work out okay.
I gave Leo and Keri's hanging baskets a major haircut yesterday. It is a good way to give plants that have started looking a little leggy new life. In two weeks time they will look all perky again. While I was watering I noticed a wormy friend in the parsley so I took his picture. It seems they like parsley too. No, I did not remove him and squash him like a bug!
I let Angel out yesterday while I was grooming the hanging baskets and Stubby decided to come into the motorhome. Angel took exception to his presence and kicked some Stubby butt. The fur flew...mostly Stubby's. I do not think I will leave the door open again.
Today we plan to go to friend Mickey's in Clive. Butch will be doing some electrical stuff for her while we visit. Mickey is a friend from childhood that I have stayed in touch with throughout the years. We always seem to be able to pick up where we left off each time we meet. Yesterday I made some creamy cucumbers from Mickey's aunts recipe and they sure were good. So here is the recipe! I also added some dill weed.

Recipe: Cucumber/Onion Dressing 8/26/2008
Category: Side
Author: Mickey's aunt

1 C. Miracle Whip (I used Mayo)
1/2 C. Sugar or Splenda
4 T Apple Cider vinegar
salt to taste
Cucumbers and onions, sliced

Slice Cucumbers and onions. Layer in a dish and lightly salt each layer. Combine
dressing ingredients and pour over cucumber/onion layers. Refrigerate for
several hours before serving.

Our plans

We will be roaming around Iowa this next month. We plan to go to the Clay County Fair (Spencer Iowa) which some say is bigger and better than the state fair. That is Sept. 6th or so. We have a couple of doctor appts. in Atlantic IA on the 18th and 21st.
October 5th our Missouri kids are having an auction of Susan's mothers belongings and we thought we would help with that if we can. That will be held in Savannah MO. Northwestern part. And then we have an appt. in Carthage MO for a MoHo checkup and the refrigerator recall. Also our satellite dish quit working. We suspended service on DirectTV. No sense in paying for that while we can't see it.
And then we plan to meander down to the Rio Grande Valley.

Deer in Morning Mist

Iowa State Fair 2008

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Sara and Dan Kelley

Parents of the groom

Weekend Pictures

Marie and John Kelley- Bride and Groom

Weekend Pictures

Marlene's Dahlias

Iowa State Fair!

Iowa State Fair!

The tractor pull.


















Friend Mickey's grandaughter, Abby Brown does a 4-H demo
explaining the meaning of the 13 folds in the American Flag.

Iowa Sunrise

At Mozingo Lake-near Maryville MO

I am a little late getting these posted but better late than never. We have pictures of Gary and Susan's RV and ours. And my favorite shot of this bunch is the sumac. I love the swirl of the leaves and the contrast of color.