March Birthday Party

The birthday celebrants are Dale Cooklin March 1, Bill Stilson March 3rd and Barb Brooker March 6th.



The women at one end and the men at the other...some things never change.

Berwyn isn't shy about wearing his wifes hat!

What does it say on that bottle? Monkey what?

Growing like a weed!!

These babies grow so fast!!! This is good friend Connie Jones grandson Hayden.


"Hey World, I am looking you over!!"

Butch has/had a cold

Butch has/had a cold. You do not see this guy slowed down by much but he said this one was a BAD one. He could not get the faucet shut off. Finally resorted to Nyquil which the doctors tell us no one should ever use. So then he was able to sleep and get the faucet turned off. He missed golf yesterday if that gives you an indication of how bad he felt.
Allergies are bad down here. The humidity is high and the tree pollen is high, making for a bad situation. In northern climes the cold kills off all kinds of tiny bad boys but down here they thrive.
Next season I plan to start the allergy meds when we first arrive. Maybe I can ward it off. AaaaaaCHOO!!!!

Jared Hall and the Governor of Iowa

Jared is the son of my good friend Sherri. Be sure to check out Jared's website below. I love listening to Jared's music while checking out his website.

This is from Jared:
I played at the Heart Ball for the American Heart association last
night and the Guv and his wife danced to our last song "Piano Man"
-he liked the accordion!
www.jaredhallmusic.com

Trivia

Butch sleeps in. If he didn't it would really mess up my routine. I get up at 6 AM and make coffee then get on the computer. I check out the Des Moines Register, the Atlantic News Telegraph, my old YAHOO! email address that I never use anymore and then I go to igoogle which is set as my homepage and look at the headlines and the comics and last but not least I go to the blogs and post stuff. I forgot email...I do check and answer the stuff that requires one.
About 8 or 8:30 Butch gets up and I mess up his routine because he would like to get on the computer and do the jigzone puzzle and then spider solitaire but by then I am ready to go for the first of my required walks.
Last night I had fun setting up someones new computer. I like doing that for some odd reason. I know this gal fairly well and know what she uses and what she likes to do with her computer. It seems it is always easy to forget some little detail and I am sure I have. I plan to get it back to her today and we will find out what I forgot.

So now that I have posted to this blog I will go to the Magnolia Park one and find something to ramble on about. Have a good one!

Picture taking

I have quite a time getting my picture taken. I am never happy with it. I know many people that way. I knew when this picture was taken I wasn't going to like it. The young lady taking it was standing too far away and I could tell she didn't zoom in. The background is too busy etc, etc, etc. I really do need a good picture for the directory. Perhaps I can get one sometime before next January.

Mini-Reunion

Marlene and Bernard, Bill & Jo, and Butch and I are getting together today so we could call it a mini family reunion. We plan to eat out and go to the flea market/fruit and veggie market just up the street.

Butch and Bill Brooker

Butch and his brother Bill participated in the Senior Olympic Golf event in the Rio Grande Valley. They shot a respectable 75 on the Las Lagos Golf Course.

Old Time Photo

I always look at the old time picture on the Des Moines Register website and on Valentines Day I noticed in the upper left hand corner on this picture that it looked like it says Teddy Brooker on that Valentine sack. Cannot be sure though so what do you think? It may be Brooks which is much more common. Anyway I loved the picture. Sure brought back memories.

From 1955: Here is the caption that ran with this photo on Feb. 14, 1955: "Schoolrooms throughout Des Moines Monday - St. Valentine's Day - were decked with paper hearts and lacy paper frills, and into paper sack "mailbags" were stuffed many a finger-smudged envelope and crayoned message of love. These young first-grade romancers at Longfellow School, 820 E. Seventh St., were typical of small patrons of the saint in Des Moines schools. They are Susan Shutt and Jimmy Morgan."

Baby Pictures

Baby Lukas, grandson of friend Sherri Clark is not feeling well. I have a good idea that you will never have to wonder what is on this boys mind


And below we have the grandchildren(Delaney and Hayden) of friend Connie Jones. What is more fun than a grandchild? Two grandchildren!

What has happened?

What has happened to me? I used to be fairly organized, prompt, dependable and a few other adjectives. The days are whizzing by and I am not getting much done it seems. I always have such good intentions but the next thing I know a nap sounds like a good idea and boom it is time to go to bed.
But here I go again trying to turn over a new leaf and set a goal of posting something to the two major blogs for me every day. I suppose my bad habits have earned me a few less loyal readers and if so I fear I deserve it.
Yesterday I was reminded of a photo I took awhile back. We were at Pepe's on the River, a bar,dance hall, loud music, food and drink kind of place and we were there with 10 or 12 people when we look over at the next table and saw a man and woman reading a book! Yup, reading a book!
Here is the proof.

Angel's Doctor featured

Cumberland vet works with area farm critters, pets
by Jo Arn
Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 8:46 AM CST
Dr. Gregory Schmitt, D.V.M., of Cumberland presented a "Veterinary Medicine" video program for residents and guests of Allen House on Thursday afternoon. He recalled treating some of the farm animals and pets of several Allen House residents' through the years, and the audience enjoyed visiting with him about those days.

In fact, Dr. Schmitt took over the Cumberland Vet Clinic from the late Dr. Ray Denham in February 1986. Denham's widow, Helen, is a resident of Allen House and was there to visit with Schmitt.

ISU education

A graduate of Iowa State University in 1979, Schmitt received his DVM degree and was employed from June 1979 to February 1986 by Orange City Veterinary Clinic, P.C. of Orange City. .

He grew up in Marne, the son of Elmer and Shirley Schmitt, and graduated from the Atlantic High School in 1973. Schmitt and his wife, Karen, were married in 1975. They now live in Cumberland, where he has his veterinary office and also owns an acreage near town where he raises a few cattle. The couple has five children: Megan, Teri, Jedediah, Marielle and Levi; and one grandson, Colby.

Schmitt's main patients are cows and calves, but he also works with hogs, sheep, horses, and pets. The friendly vet works out of his office a block off Main street, where Teresa Stender serves as secretary, and Richard Swain is his assistant. The hours are long during calving time which starts in February and lasts until May.

When an auction is held at Massena Livestock Sales, Dr. Schmitt is there to help with the transfer of all the data needed in the identification of the animals being sold. USDA tags are used to identify animals at the sales barn. Brands are not used much in the state of Iowa as they are used in the western states for identification of animals.

The clinic's office numbers include: 712-774-5414, 1-800-497-2597; and after hours, Dr. Schmitt may be reached at 712-774-5618.

Dr. Schmitt remembers one client who brought her dog into his office. The dog was having urinary problems and the client was describing what she had been doing to "help" the dog because it was leaking urine. She put a pair of her undergarments with a sanitary pad on the dog so it wouldn't make a mess all over her house(the client was very sincere about the actions she had taken to help her dog.)You can only imagine the energy it took to keep the outbursts of laughter held in.

Monk's Cloth?

This is a somewhat long story and most likely only of interest to Swedish weavers.

I saw a lady Swedish weaving on a piece of
what she called monk's cloth she had purchased at
Wal-Mart. She said she had shopped at
Wal-Mart, Hancock Fabrics and JoAnns looking for
monks cloth and they told her
that was monks cloth. It looks nothing like any
monks cloth I have ever seen before. The squares
are not distinguishable as squares and if that is
monks cloth of the future my days as a Swedish
weaver are limited. She said she would never do
another afghan with it either. They told her at
Wal-Mart that the manufacturers had changed it.
This lady has done several afghans but was sure
this would be her last unless she could find some
"Real" monks' cloth.

I wrote to my supplier and asked her about it and she doesn't know of any changes other than the selvage being a little funky.
So to see a really good picture of it the best place is this blog as you can click on the picture to get a really good close up.

Click on the picture for a close up. Reva said she had to decide if she was going to weave in the top or the bottom part.

Better

It has been a long road with what people call the "Texas Crud". Sinus drainage, constant tickle cough, sleepless nights etc. But after three long weeks I can finally say it is a past experience and I definitely plan to take more precautions next year.
Feeling such as I was I didn't have the inclination to take many pictures but I have managed a few. It felt rather strange but I didn't spend much time on the computer at all throughout the past 3 weeks...But I AM BACK!!!
We have friends here from the Canyon Lake Texas area and it has been a fun and busy time. Last Friday we went to "Ropa Usada", used clothing in Spanish. It is quite the experience, a local thing that has to be seen to be believed.


Here we have Roxie and Lisa looking over the pile. They enjoyed it so much they plan to go back today.

Friends on Padre

Friends Jan Tallman, Brian Carlson, Jack Tallman and Mary Carlson doing beach talk.

Jack Tallman looks like he is ready for any kind of fun you can think of on South Padre Island

Boone Fire

There was a fire in downtown Boone Iowa yesterday. Michael Morlan who was helping with the firefighters oxygen took several very good photos. They were sent to me and I put together this slide show.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Kite Festival

Sunday we went to the Kite Festival on South Padre. The crowd was light due to the Super Bowl. We understand it was packed the day before.

Under the weather

I have been a bit under the weather lately with a respiratory incident but I am getting better. I could say the posts would be more prolific but we are having friends from the Canyon Lake Texas area come to the park next week so if I have time you will see more posts. Gotta get those excuses in early...wink,wink.

Baby Ethan and his Uncle Mike

Kay's Birthday

We surprised our friend Kay Stilson with a birthday party. Kay was sick and in the hospital on the actual day-January 5th- so we had to delay it a bit.

Nina's Blanket

I finished Nina's blanket and it is on it's way to Georgia. Pink monk's cloth does not photograph well so I think it was much prettier than the photo suggests.

Nina Grace

Look at those bright little eyes taking in her world.

More Awwww!!!

Baby Ethan started out less than 5 pounds and he is now over 8! Proud Grandma Laura is getting some great photos of him too.

AAAAWWWW!!!!!

Beautiful Baby Delaney Jones

Proud Grandpa Jones with not one but two little grandbabies to enjoy. Delaney on the left and Hayden on the right.

Peaches and Hewy

My sister Myrla now has two dogs, Hewy and Peaches. I have posted pictures of them in the past. She also has a cat named Tippy and a many-times-beaten-up outdoor cat named Church. But this is about Peaches.
From Myrla: "When Hewy gets a big treat Peaches will go bark at the window until he comes & takes a look & then she runs & grabs his puppy treat !!

Making Snowmen

My friend Sherri who runs a daycare in Atlantic shared photos of the kids making a snowman. The result was absolutely kissable!

Jefferson Iowa Winter

Click on picture below

Leo's Pics

Pie, Pie, I like Pie

Marlene Brooker Kelley, pie baker extraordinaire, baked us a lemon meringue pie last Sunday. Her pies are always perfectly wonderful. I was half way through with the last piece when I had the thought that it was so perfect and pretty too that I should at least have a picture for posterity. I thoroughly enjoyed every bite! Thanks Marlene!!

Keeping History Alive

Patti Miller was a classmate of mine in Jefferson Iowa. I recently found a picture of her on the Des Moines Register website and in so doing she led me to her website.


Click on:Patti Millers Website

In the midst of a sweltering Mississippi summer, hundreds of passionate and intrepid young activists, many who were white Northern college students, made history by catapulting the Civil Rights movement into the national spotlight during what is now known as Freedom Summer.

Patti Miller, one of those participants in the Freedom Summer project of 1964, arrived in Meridian, Miss. just as the bodies of three civil rights workers were found, slain by members of the Ku Klux Klan a month earlier. After that life-changing summer and graduation from college, she went on to work with Dr. Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in Chicago as part of the Project to End Slums.

Now Patti is Keeping History Alive with her dynamic, inspiring presentations of her unique and personal story. In an era when freedom and individual rights and opportunities are still unrealized for many, Patti's story is relevant to young and old alike. Her presentation challenges us all to take action today to create a more just and diversified society, while creating the history of tomorrow.

The busier I am

The busier I am the less posts you are going to see here. One thing is for sure it is very easy to give up television this time of year. There is nothing on worth watching. It is football or reruns neither of which hold an ounce of appeal.
So I am about to tear into the park directory. It is a labor of love but it does take up a fair amount of time....meanwhile that blanket for baby Nina is sitting there waiting to get finished. So if you see gaps in the blog you can safely chalk it up to the blanket or the directory.
The computer class is growing and since we had about 6 new arrivals in the park the past two days I expect to see some new faces in the morning.
If it has been a while since you have seen a new post you can give me a nudge. I do not mind and I can usually find something to put on the blog. It might be silly and nonsensical but a blog entry nonetheless.
Till next time!!...

Saved Back Photos

These are photos I had to hang onto until after Christmas. One is of Ethan in a Christmas stocking. And I had to hang onto it because Laura was giving it to Nicole as a Christmas gift.
The other is of the ring Jason gave Laura for Christmas. They are going to tie the knot!!

Our Santa

Leo Brooker of Jefferson Iowa equals Santa! Precious Picture

It's raining! It's pouring!...BABIES

From Good Friend Connie who was blessed with new grandson Hayden now has a NEW GRANDDAUGHTER!!!
Here is the stats from Connie: Well our newest one arrived Dec. 24th at 6:41 pm She weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz and was 20 " long. Her name is Delaney MaKenna. She was truly a miracle baby.
Baby Delaney is pictured with her big sister.

The Story of Rudolph's Secret Friends
By Amy Friedman

You all know the story of Rudolph's red nose
And the way that great reindeer led Santa through snows,
Through fog, sleet and cold on one dark Christmas night.
Oh, yes, Rudolph's nose gave off just enough light.

You know that the other deer taunted and teased
Poor Rudolph, who was not one tiny bit pleased.
You know that when Santa could not find his way,
It was Rudolph's red nose that saved the whole day!

You know that the reindeer were tangled and lost,
And that it was Santa who knew the great cost
Of losing his way in the fog and the cold,
And the story of Rudolph...oh that you've been told.

But you don't know the story of a dog so kind,
And of a swell chipmunk with a very quick mind.
Their names were Sweet Nell and Wonderful Godfrey.
And this is the story that they told to me.

See, none of the reindeer would play or converse
With our Rudolph, who thought he lived with a curse.
He cried, for he had not a single comrade.
Poor Rudolph, he was a sad lonely lad.

Then one day that chipmunk named Godfrey
Was scurrying along when he stopped at a tree.
He met up with Nell, with her wiggling tail,
And off those two trotted, when they spotted a trail.

They followed that trail – it was soaked with wet tears, And there was poor Rudolph alone with his fears.
"What's this?" Nell asked Godfrey.
"A sad deer at Christmas? We can't have this, Godfrey, We simply can't have this!"

"What's wrong?" Godfrey asked, tickling Rudolph's nose.
Nell wiggled her tail, then straightened Rudolph's bows.
"Don't cry little deer, for you know you will shine.
"It's Christmastime and you should feel fine!"

Well, Rudolph told those two the tale of his woes.
Blaming all of his troubles on his big bright red nose.
“I've no friends, no allies! I am far too weird.
"I've even tried growing a bushy red beard!

"Alas nothing works." Rudolph wept more and more tears, And Nell tried to comfort him, rubbing his ears..
Godfrey kept saying "There's nothing wrong here
“That two friends can't fix with a little good cheer."

"We'll be your friends, Rudolph. We love your red nose.
"We love your sweet eyes and your festive red bows.
"We love you because you are kind and you're smart. "You're just like a reindeer should be – you have heart!"

"I'm a strange kind of reindeer with a peculiar hue.
"Just look at my nose – it's so red that I'm blue!
"Yet you say you like me?" And to Rudolph's surprise
Nell took a hanky and wiped her friends eyes.

And beginning on that cold day in December
--Now you listen closely, for you must remember –-
Rudolph learned exactly what most of you know:
That friends are the best things to have, rain or snow.

When Christmas came that year, all dense with thick fog, There right beside Rudolph were the chipmunk and dog.
But Santa did not see those two friends on that night,
For Nell and Godfrey chose to stay out of sight.

They were cuddled up just under Rudolph's red bed
When they peeked out and all they could see
Was that red nose of Rudolph's as he flew up into the sky, And they only had time to call out. "Friend goodbye!"

"Go, Rudolph! You're brave and you're strong, they both cheered.
As they saw that it was dear Rudolph who steered
Santa's sleigh through the darkness, around every cloud. While the bells on the sleigh jingle-jangled aloud.

They waved and they called out and then fell asleep.
And then the next morning they were piled in a heap
When Santa and Rudolph returned after dawn.
"Wake up!" Rudolph said "It's now Christmas morn!"

Then those two awakened and smiled at the sight
Of Rudolph so happy! "Oh, what a delight!
"He's smiling," Nell cried. "Santa knows what we knew! "He's a reindeer with heart. He is good strong and true!"

Rudolph grinned and said,"Yes, yes, I guided the way!
"My nose was a beacon! I saved Christmas Day!
"And you, with your friendship, inspired me to do this. "So you Nell and Godfrey, helped Santa save Christmas!"

Now later that morning when you were awake. Busy opening your gifts, busy eating sweet cake.
Dear Santa was flying way up through the skies
With his three new friends , the three famous allies!

But up until now, Nell and Godfrey were a mystery.
Their friendship a secret in Christmastime history.
For both Nell and Godfrey are very shy creatures.
And never in pictures. Have you seen their features?

Except if you squint up at Santa's bright sleigh,
You'll see Nell and Godfrey calling, "Hip Hip Hooray!" Cheering on their friend Rudolph, while Santa brings toys
To all the good girls and to all the good boys!
And it's Rudolph the reindeer who knows that a friend
Is the best gift of all gifts – and that is the end!



In January 1939 Montgomery Ward & Co. asked young copywriter named Robert L. May to come up with some ideas for a special book to give to children during Christmas season. May finished his poem about Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer in late August. Montgomery Ward printed it and handed out more than 2 million copies that year. Children were instantly charmed by the story of Rudolph and his brilliant red nose.

During World War II, Rudolph went into hibernation, but in 1946, Montgomery Ward again published the book and in 1947 a small children's book publisher brought out an edition that sold 100,000copies in two years. May's friend Johnny Marks wrote the famous Rudolph song in 1949 and with Gene Autry's recording the song climbed to No.1 and sold 2 million copies during its first Christmas season. A filmed version of the story was made in 1964, and the story and song have now been translated into more then 25 different languages.

Babies Galore

Hayden Jones- New grandson of longtime good friend Connie and Frank Jones-Aaaaah!

Pine Cone Wreath

I made a pine cone wreath yesterday in Craft Class. It was fun except for the part where I burned my finger with the glue gun.

Baby Lukas

Good Friend Sherri Clark's grandson Lukas. Grandma's first Christmas as Grandma!!