Long winded update

Jason & Laura,bride & groom with Michael,Laura's son and Nicole,Laura's daughter holding grandson Ethan.



It has been a busy week. Jason and Laura were married at the Willow Creek Glass Chapel near Minden IA last Thursday evening. It was a beautiful wedding. During the ceremony a little mouse was watching from above. The owners were mortified but it was cute. The glass chapel is a very beautiful place for a wedding set in amongst Iowa cornfields. It is worth a look even if a wedding is not in your plans.

Butch and I stayed at the Bluffs Run RV Park near the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. It reopened in June of this year. It had been an RV park back when the dog track was the only business in that area but closed when the casino came in. We could never figure out why they closed it because it was always busy. Security makes frequent drives through the park and surrounding area. $30 a night with taxes included so considering location, security etc. it is not a bad deal. The wedding party stayed in the nearby Springhill Marriott. The wedding supper was at Tish's an excellent restaurant not too far away. It is a restaurant I would gladly go to again. Excellent food and reasonable prices.
Friday we all went shopping and to a movie (Couples Retreat)etc. It is always a treat to hang out with the kids.

Saturday morning we awoke to the record breaking snow and cold that hit the Omaha/Council Bluffs area. We had read the forecast so we had unhooked our water hose from the motorhome. The lowest reading we had on our indoor/outdoor thermometer was 27 degrees. But it was slick and slushy with 5 to 8 inches of snow so we waited until near 11:00 AM to hook up the car and head south.

We had an uneventful trip south to Peculiar. Saturday evening I was in bed and Butch was about to be when we heard a crash. He couldn't tell where it was so we assumed it was on the highway. It wasn't! A truck from an upper level came over the side and crashed into a car and motorhome on our level two slots to our right. The recipients of the crash will not be getting to Arizona as soon as they planned.


They were in bed asleep when this occurred.

Below we have Wiley, Angels 20+ pound son who lives at the Gary and Susan Brooker home.

Today we are headed for Carthage MO. Minor motorhome business before wending our way slowly southward.

Jason & Laura Brooker

We attended a very special wedding this past Thursday. Our youngest son Jason married his best friend Laura. She has been a loved part of our family for a long time and "At Last" it is official.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Sun Kissed

Every now and then Iowa offers up a special treat. The sun was low on the western horizon and kissing the tree tops offering us this special view.

Lake Anita Walk

Make a Smilebox greeting

Frost on the Pumpkin

Woke up to frost this morning! 32 degrees! I looked at the 10 day forecast and the prediction for frost on the pumpkin is steady through the next 10 days. That is about how long we will remain in Iowa before we go to Missouri and see if it is better there.

There was a new post on the Magnolia Park blog about their first garage sale. Two things I noticed-people were wearing shorts and someone had a tee shirt that said "Keep Austin Weird". Texans thinks Austin is weird! How interesting.

Auction Results

It didn't go so well. There were no buyers there. The car brought a reasonable price but the rest of it brought next to nothing. Slightly better than giving it away which we nearly did. Butch and I have had two auctions neither of them very successful. The one conclusion we have come to is that when and if we furnish another home we will do it through auctions. A perfectly good bedroom suite- 3 pieces-brought $12.50! If a person is patient and persistent an entire home could be furnished for next to nothing.

We had not been to an auction for a long time so from an unattached perspective it was interesting. And I could have been tempted a time or two but the old question of where do I put it in the motorhome stops me every time.

As the year goes by we do put things aside for sale when we get back to Magnolia Park in south Texas. I have never seen sales do as well as they do there anywhere else in the country!

Cold & Rainy!

We are all cuddled in our cozy little home. Todays weather is like the worst weather day we could get in the middle of January in south Texas. The high for today in Anita Iowa is 45 degrees!!! It is a TV and popcorn day.

Movie in Lenox

My sister Teri is a teacher in Lenox IA where they made a movie. She sent me a link to the trailer for the movie.
"There is a trailer on youtube for “The Crazies”. My room is in the very last scene in it, where the room is full of gurneys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNwEtEnf0M4"

Teri

Jason & Laura

A week from today Jason and Laura are getting married at the Willow Creek Glass Chapel in Minden IA. I will take pictures of course and post them.

At Lake Anita

We left our spot in Jefferson yesterday and made our way a few miles further south to Lake Anita State Park, Anita Iowa. We will be here until October 8th when our youngest son, Jason is getting married. More on that later.
After we arrived yesterday we went to Atlantic to visit with friends Randy and Sherri. Randy has been seriously ill but seems to be slowly on the mend now. We have been concerned about him. He isn't out of the woods just yet but we hope he is headed in the right direction.
We also stopped by Bob's apartment and picked up a bit so it wasn't quite so disastrous. We left the keys so we can close that chapter completely now. I plan to go visit him but after the auction.
Rainy day- I hope to get a walk in but we may have to work it in between showers.
Later...

Life goes on...

Yesterday Butch filled in for our friend Randy as he is under the weather. He played with Sherri and two other couples in a golf tournament in Red Oak. I stayed in Jefferson and went for a long walk around the town. Bumped into friend Shirley Franey and we chatted a bit. Other than that it was me and the cat. I did watch Our National Parks by Ken Burns on PBS and enjoyed it very much.
Oh yes, they did well in the golf tournament with a 64 but they did too well and didn't cash in. It is the nature of things.
Today we are headed to Clive, near Des Moines, to assist friend Mickey in some gutter work on her house.
Soon, like Wednesday or Thursday we will be changing our location to Lake Anita.

Just too funny!!!

I could not resist on this one...Really struck my funny bone! Click on it...should make it bigger.

Free at Last!

Butch and I finished up with Bob's apartment on Wednesday. His auction will take place Oct 1st. It was a big job but we kept at it till it was all done and now we can return to our normal routines. Yesterday was a day of rest and doing only what suited us. We went for a two mile walk, I took a nap in the afternoon,Butch played golf.
I stopped at the courthouse to have my memory refreshed about tax sales and when they take place etc. So next June something may be available for us to buy. Too early to tell now but we were told it is very likely something will be available.
The weather has been uncommonly good. Moderate temperatures with more than enough sunshine every day.
Life is good!

Golf tournament

Randy, Sherri, Doug, Karen, Butch and I played in a golf tournament in Atlantic on Sunday. We came in the money! I felt okay about how I played considering I haven't touched a club since March. It was a fun day and I sure needed one. I am pictured here with my club, a golf ball and a red beer. Doug asked me if I wanted a beer. I said only if you have a V8 for me to mix it with. And he had one!! It is such a rare sight to see me with a beer that they HAD to take my picture. I am with Sherri in this shot.

New Tires plus Bob

We got all new tires mounted on the motorhome today. That was a major bite in the budget. We should be good to go for another 5 or 6 years now.

I am still snowed under with Bob's stuff but I made great strides yesterday when I called the auction people to come give me an assessment. They were very encouraging and I now feel I can see the end of the tunnel. There will be an auction in Atlantic of his things including car on October 1st. It might pay his way in the nursing home for one more month. The whole experience has made me grateful we have nursing home insurance.
It has also once again made me aware of material things and their lack of value. Bob has a list of over 100 items he wants me to bring to the nursing home. He will not have room for even one fourth of his requests. Many of his things will be stored in the nursing home basement where he can "visit" them. Among his requests are 4 mirrors, all of them larger than 2'x 3', 10 to 15 decorative items to hang on the walls, 7 or 8 stuffed animals, 4 personal pictures and a plethora of plastic flower arrangements. He also wants his fishing poles,tackle box, tool box,recliner, marble topped coffee table, desk, home theater system, radio, side chair and 4 lamps. He made me a list. It covers both sides of an 8 x 11 sheet of paper and he writes very tiny. And now you have had a glimpse of my life for the past two weeks. And I haven't even mentioned the law suit he wants to bring against a surgeon and the Cass Co. Hospital. He was really hot to go visit with lawyers on that subject for the first week. I have hopes he has backed off on that one but there is no guarantee the subject will not come up again. The man has trouble letting go of anything!!!
On the positive side- He loves the nursing home food. Says it is top notch.

I will let you all know when I am once again free of the ties that bind.

Yesterday and today

Yesterday was catch up day for me after not being home much all week. So laundry and cleaning took the bulk of the day. And then in late afternoon we went to Spring Lake for a retirees reunion for Iowa Electric/Alliant Energy. Not only did Butch work for Alliant Energy my father was an employee of Iowa Electric before he died. So I knew most of the people there. It was great to see all those people again.

Today we are headed to Atlantic to play in a golf tournament with our friends Randy and Sherri Clark. I haven't played since Texas but I doubt that it matters much. Doesn't to me anyway!!

Another update is that we met with the landowner in Jefferson that we had high hopes would develop into something. It won't. It seems Jefferson is not really very interested in new citizens. We are still looking at Cooper, Jamaica and Yale. Jefferson went even further down the list when Butch found out there is a surveyor who runs this town and the property herein. Even so far as to tell a property owner, the one we wanted to deal with, what he can ask for his property and what he has to do to it to have it ready for sale. This guy goes to every city council meeting and puts his two cents in every time property is discussed. It is no wonder this town is sinking!
Butch checked with another surveyor in another county and the rules the Jefferson guy are instituting are peculiar to this town. So is he making his own rules? We tend to think so.
Maybe we will take a closer look at Cooper.

This is all there is to say...

Today I am off to deal with more of Bob's(step-father) stuff. The good news of that is my lifelong friend Mickey is going with me. That will make it a much more pleasant day.

Yesterday we got the faceplate put on the new car and it is ready to tow so we have been on the move. Angel doesn't like it when we are both gone all the time but she is an easygoing cat and doesn't make us "pay" too much. Now when is the laundry going to get done?????

Turn of Events

My step-father Robert Turnbull of Atlantic Iowa is in the nursing home in Anita Iowa-Colonial Manor. The doctor has put his foot down and says he can no longer take care of himself at home. Bob has no children or other relatives to take care of his loose ends for him so it seems I have the job. I will be getting his small senior citizen apartment cleared out as well as all the other stuff that takes place in this situation. So if there is a gap in communications on the blog you now know why. I would ask you all to help but there is barely room for me in his apartment!!
Deadline: October 1st.

Great time at the Fair

Assembly line onion rings-Patti, Norma, Barb and Leslie are double dipping those onions while the guys are cooking them. They were absolutely delicious of course and not one bit good for my blood sugar.


We had a great time at the fair. The weather cooperated the entire time. My Swedish weaving turned out exactly opposite what I would have thought. My brown "Melody Ann" pattern received a first place and the child's alphabet one received a second. And my pictures won 3 seconds and one third. It was my first time entering and I indeed learned a few things that would help in the future.More photos are located at http://community.webshots.com/user/barbie1943

At the Fair

We arrived yesterday, early afternoon. The fair does not start till Saturday but we come early to get a good campsite and party with friends. Dale and Norma Cooklin and Dick and Leslie Cleaveland are here too. Last night we went for a walk,picked up our fair tickets and then went out to eat. Excellent Chinese restaurant.
We were pleased to learn that the fair has free wifi. So we should be able to post freely as well...with pictures asap!
We had hoped to bring the car this year but we are not geared up yet to tow so left it in Jefferson. That is for all you folks in the area of Spencer that were expecting a visit from us.
Oh yes, we had two new tires put on the MoHo yesterday and after getting a closer look at the remaining ones we ordered four more. They looked much worse than we could see at first. We are warned repeatedly with RV's that the miles are not the important part with tires. It is the age. And five years is old. A blowout on an RV usually includes serious damage to the RV so we want to be as safe from that occurring as possible.
More later...

One of the first...

...leaves to fall.
Not been saying much lately.
Butch and I have returned to our 2 miles a day for a walk. Fortunately the weather has been beautiful. It is amazing how quickly one can take good weather for granted. I am forever grateful for the good days. For one thing I have lived in this part of the country long enough to know how quickly it can change and how long the really icky stuff can hang around for what seems like forever.
Tomorrow we are headed up to Spencer Iowa for the Clay County Fair where we will be meeting up with Magnolia Park friends Dale and Norma Cooklin and Dick & Leslie Cleaveland. I have some photography and Swedish weaving entries this year. Makes it a bit more interesting for me to be there. And it will be good to meet up with old friends.
And today we made another change. We switched our medical doctoring to Jefferson from Atlantic. Eye doctor and dentist have not been changed as yet. It was interesting when I was asked if I was ever a patient there before. I said,"I was born here". So it took awhile but they located all my ancient history.
Till next time...

Cheerleader Nina!

With her Daddy- Anthony

Happy Times

Ethan's Tears

Every now and then a guy just has to cry. Hope you can see the tears on his right cheek.

Pedaled to Cooper and a Butterfly!

Rode a bit

Butch went to Ames yesterday to do some electrical stuff in his brother Leo's rental house. I rode the trail about 4 miles south and back.
As I ride I am scoping out potential spots for us to buy and I do spot one now and then. Found one on the north side of the track in Jefferson.
It is the perfect size lot-would be easy to access with an RV. In a part of town where no one would give a darn if we were there or not. BUT it is a scant half block from the very active railroad. In my mind that is the only negative. Would our friends not come because of train noise? I know we would get used to it. I can sleep in a busy truck stop and have a few times. This is our current dilemma.
So tell me...would train noise keep you from visiting for a week or more? Keep in mind there are three nice,inexpensive golf courses within 7 miles. And a bike trail within a quarter mile.So? Watcha think?

On the bike trail.

Went to Cooper

Went to Cooper yesterday and met Chris Henning who showed us around town and gave us bunches of info. While we were looking around a very large insect flew by us and landed. Turned out to be this Praying Mantis.

Sunday

Butch played in the Bill Franey Golf Tournament and I rode to Cooper on my bike. Stopped and visited with the O'Brien sisters,Colleen and Denise on my return to Jefferson.
The coolness in the air is turning our thoughts southward but a family event is keeping us in Iowa until Mid-October. I have to get permission yet to post the event here. So keep up with the blog to find out what and when.
Our friend Pecan Bill is once again battling staph infection. So help him out with as many prayers as you can spare.

The Babies

Saturday we went to Boone and watched Jason and Laura play with Ethan all afternoon and then we came home and there was a new picture of Nina in our email. It was a great BABY day.

A computer related post

Below is a portion of a Ask The Computer Lady newsletter. It explains exactly why I switched from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox and never went back.
" Dear Computer Lady,

My computer runs on Windows XP and my e-mail is Outlook Express. I
am having trouble opening links in my e-mails. It comes on and
says Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and must close
down. Can you please help me with this problem. I enjoy all your
help and hints very much.

Thank you, Donna

Dear Donna,

It sounds like you are having a problem with Internet Explorer. When
you click on a link in an e-mail message, your computer is supposed
to open that link in your default web browser. From your
description, your browser is Internet Explorer.

Unfortunately, Internet Explorer is part of Windows, and often times,
the only way to fix it is to actually reinstall Windows XP. This is
a big job that requires you to backup your files and then erase
your hard drive.

Some other options might be to install Mozilla Firefox or Google
Chrome and use one of those programs as your default browser."

Elizabeth

Telling Stories to the Friendly Natives

AT THE MIDDLE PASSAGE

By Walter Mills


Telling Stories to the Friendly Natives

It was a pleasant spring night and there was only a little rain that
came and went, barely enough to wet the ground. My wife and I had been
invited to Foxdale Village, the local retirement community, for dinner,
and afterward I would give a talk to some of the residents.

The Foxdalers are a gracious people, almost like a tribe of friendly
natives greeting 21st century strangers who have washed up on their
shores. Maybe it is their age or their upbringing, but they have learned
the lost art of setting people at their ease. We should send a team of
anthropologists to study them and learn what we can do to improve our
own uncivil society.

We ate dinner with the Yeagleys and the Palmers in the dining room, and
then I gave my talk. I told them about the game my older daughter had
created at bath time when she was four years old in which she would say
“Tell me a story about when you were eleven.” And I would have to
remember a story from that year.

I didn’t have a chance to tell the people of Foxdale everything I wanted
to say about telling stories that night. I wish I had told them that
each life is like a story, and if we don’t tell it or write it down,
then there is a chance we will never understand it.

I might have said that telling a story brings out our innate desire to
make sense of things. As we go through our days, life seems to be just
one random incident after the other. We seldom have the sense that there
is an author shaping the plot of our life. I could have said that we
expect stories to be different, to have point and purpose. That as we
compose our story in our heads or on paper, we will begin to look for
the meaning hidden in the random events.

I recall telling my daughter the story about the year I was eleven and
my family moved to Key West, Florida. How I would take the bus downtown
to the library on Saturdays and then spend the afternoon until early
evening at the movies. As I told her the story I began to see that young
boy again in my memory, the first time I had thought of him in many
years. It all came back clearly – standing outside on the causeway
waiting for the bus into town; gazing at the shelves of books in the
science fiction section of the library; standing in line at the ticket
window for the first matinées.

The images all arise from the depth of memory trailing seaweeds of
emotion. The library is a bubble of pleasure, joy almost. The movie
theater brings back a wave of eager nausea as the older kids make out in
the dark. Later, as I sat at my desk and wrote the story down, I began
to understand this character, this younger version of myself. I saw him
stepping out into the world for the first time, slipping free of the
safety of his family, entering the larger world of adulthood. On the one
hand he is stepping into the great freedom of ideas, of books and
knowledge. On the other he is approaching with dread and fascination the
mystery of sexuality and the burden of having to learn about the
opposite sex.

After the talk was over and the questions answered, we talked awhile at
the doorway before we stepped out into the night. It was cool and
pleasant outside with only a few drops of rain. I was only sorry there
was so much left unsaid. I wished I’d had the chance to tell the
audience that I think there is a meaning to our beginning and our
ending, and that our memories are the secret clues to unlock that
meaning. But there wasn’t time enough for everything. There never is.





(The above column originally appeared in the Centre Daily Times and is
copyright © 2009 by Walter Mills. All rights reserved worldwide. To
contact Walt, address your emails to awmills@verizon.net ).
_______________________________________

Rode to Cooper

Rode the bike trail to Cooper yesterday. Didn't see any people at all but did see one deer. She was very skittish. After being in the mountains where the wildlife is boldly confident it is surprising how it is so different here.

On the way south I got a whiff of plums. A very familiar and nostalgic scent to me and then on the return trip I spotted them and took this picture.

Facing north...where I spotted the plums.
I wasn't aware of a northerly wind until the return trip. I need a windsock!!

3rd Day of Clouds

The forecast says sun but it looks pretty dark and dreary out there to me. Oh have we been spoiled!
My next trip on the bike trail I hoped to take some pictures. Sunny day pictures are better of course. So today I am going for a ride on the bike trail. Sun=take camera
Clouds=leave camera at home. I do have some good bike trail pictures from previous years but there is no fun in that.
I made Chili yesterday...an indication of the weather. That comment was for all our Texas friends who are still suffering with heat and could use a little of the stuff we are getting in Iowa.

3 Berry-stuffed French Toast.

Gary Brooker wrote:
We tried a really good recipe this morning. Not sure how it is for a Diabetic diet.


3 Berry-stuffed French Toast.

1/3 Cup blackberries
1/3 Cup raspberries
1/3 Cup blueberries
2/3 Cup semisoft farmer's cheese
1 tablespoon granular sugar substitute
8 slices whole-grain sandwich bread
3 large eggs
1/4 Cup 1% milk
1/4 Cup teaspoon ground cinnamon

In Medium bowl, combine blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cheese, and sugar substitute. Using fork, mash together lightly. Lay 4 slices of the bread on a work surface. Spread berry mixture evenly on slices and top with remaining bread slices to form 4 sandwiches. Lightly press around the edges to seal.
In shallow dish, beat eggs with milk and cinnamon. Dip both sides of sandwiches into egg misture, allow excess to drip off, and place sandwiches on a platter.
Cook in griddle over medium heat, approximately 2 minutes per side. Serve warm.

A cloudy day in Iowa

Yesterday was more than clouds...much more. It seemed it rained ALL day. So we had an indoor day. A few of those are okay but we get too many and we will be gone, gone, gone for sunnier climes. That is the beauty of the lifestyle. It is supposed to clear up later today however.
Netflix works very well here. Our movies come from Ames (about 40 miles)and they seem to get here before you know it! Last night we watched Tea with Mussolini. A good one. It will go back in the mail today, they will get it tomorrow and send the next one and we should receive it on Saturday. This is one of the few places we have been where it worked that well. Eight to ten movies a month of our choosing for $9 a month. Not bad! I suspend service on it when we are traveling. We do not get charged during that time. I have done that several times and have never had a problem.

Yesterday I cleaned out my email. I had messages from last winter in there that I was saving for some reason. They are gone now! I get behind on the organization part when we are somewhere busy. Seems we have been busy more than not for quite some time. Today I will be cleaning out pictures.


Parked where we are I am eye level with the trees next door.
This has allowed me to be very close to Mr Squirrel and thus the pictures.

Fearless


Tree Hugger

factcheck.org/

I learned about factcheck.org on Iowa Public Television and decided to check it out.

FactCheck.org is a non-partisan, nonprofit website that describes itself as a "'consumer advocate' for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics." It is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, and is funded primarily by the Annenberg Foundation.

Most of its content consists of rebuttals to what it considers inaccurate, misleading, or false claims by politicians. FactCheck has also targeted misleading claims from various partisan groups.
Find it here.

Courthouse and other things

Went to the courthouse yesterday to check on several pieces of ground. The number one on our list of wants is owned by Union Pacific so nothing likely to happen there. Might give it a shot though. It is next to the bike trail and not an existing railroad.
Also stopped at City Hall to check on rules. No, we cannot put our RV on a lot-first answer...but it seems if we build a building on it special permission may be given. That is in our plans but we may revert to our first idea of going rural. All speculation at this point.
Gotta get the Sante Fe ready to tow. So Butch called and ordered parts yesterday.
Usual day to day stuff going on here but when you get to our age excitement is often overrated.
Oh and I am trying the pennies in a zip lock bag to repel flies. So far, so good! The door is wide open and we have no flies and it has been over an hour. Angel is loving the open door policy. Free rein!!

View from my Window

A walk to school

Butch and I went for a walk this morning. Since we are right next to where Butch grew up we decided to retrace the route Butch would take to get to the Pink school(elementary). Of course it is no longer there but we remember well where it was and it is a big empty lot now so not much imagination is required to find its former location. And then we traced the route I would take to walk home. It was a nice pleasant walk- the worst part being crossing Hwy 4 twice. It was hwy 17 back then and two lanes. Now it is 4 lanes. That was fun.
Butch washed the car to prep it for waxing yesterday. Today we were chewed out as it is against the rules to wash vehicles. Now the original plan was for the MoHo to get washed and waxed too. Hmmm... another reason to buy a spot of our own. Where there is a will there is a way.

Long time a comin'

For 2 years or more I have been hearing about the buying of this car. It is a Hyundai Sante Fe - The color is khaki so it has a green tint to it. It is a manual transmission so that we can tow it 4 wheels down. I have driven it and it is like riding a bicycle- once you know how you do not forget.

Feeling Safe!

The wedding afghan is finished and I am quite pleased with it. I know when I am safe in posting on here as the recipients do not keep track of us old codgers. Now I might get caught if I had posted it on Facebook or MySpace.

Jason's Frog

Jason was mowing last weekend and "rescued" a frog. Of course he had to bring it in to show Laura and I his plump little friend.

It has been driven

This was when we picked up the car and were transferring all the junk from the Saturn to the Sante Fe

I drove it today(Hyundai Sante Fe). No problem. A little rough around the edges but it wasn't too bad.


I went on the bike trail this afternoon and got rained on. Thank goodness it wasn't like the rain we were in yesterday when we went to Atlantic to get my mammies grammed...and my hair cut.

Butch's computer finally bit the big one...the really big one. There is no fixing the problems it has. I have mine diagnosed(by me)...sort of. I think the modem quits on occasion and then starts again. Of course there is never a good time for that to happen. Hey, when you want it, you want it. So if you see a big gap in communication from me and I do not answer direct question emails you can bet I am without internet and I am shopping for a new one.

Here we are!

This was taken by Laura at the Brooker Family Reunion. Not often do I approve of pictures we have taken but this one I do.

We pick it up today

Another trip to the big city to get our new car. I laid awake for a couple of hours during the night thinking about "manual transmission". Oh well, what will be, will be.
I am on the final finishing edges of granddaughter Ann's wedding afghan. So stay tuned for pictures of our new and finished stuff around here.
Rode the bike trail again yesterday. Need to take my camera as there are some really cool pictures of shady glens.
Till next time...

Tomatoes and Cukes

Rainy Day in Iowa. Mickey gave me some tomatoes and cucumbers yesterday and then we came home and found some tomatoes on our step from an anonymous donor. So this morning I thoroughly enjoyed a BLT for breakfast and then for lunch I had a tortilla wrap with ham, cucumbers and tomatoes. Plans for supper include diced tomatoes,cucumbers and cottage cheese and a grilled Iowa Chop if it isn't raining!
If you happen to be in a hot weather area a refreshing drink is ice water with cucumber slices. I enjoyed this at a spa in Glenwood Springs CO a year ago. You will want it in a clear glass to get the full cool experience!

Car deal

The car got finalized today. Had trouble finding one. We ended up with a Hyundai Sante Fe-beige in color. The Saturn was used as a trade-in. We cannot get it until Monday or Tuesday because it is currently in Olathe KS. I will have the challenge of learning to use a manual shift again. It has been many, many years since we had the VW. I am hoping it comes back to me easily and quickly.
Settling into life in Iowa is easy as we had mucho years of practice before leaving! We loved the idea of finding a spot to buy in little Cooper Iowa but Cooper doesn't have very good or abundant water so that isn't an easy prospect. We have only begun to look however. Our list of wants are:
1. Good and abundant water supply
2. On or near the bike trail. Within 1 mile
3. Preferably rural so that it would not matter if we didn't mow the yard for 2 months.
I did find a spot at the very end of the bike trail that is intriguing but that would be in the town of Jefferson. I have the name of this spot if we ever find it. Summerset...think about it!


I have been out on the bike trail two times so far and it is the same trail I know and love. The section from Winkelman's switch to the Raccoon River bridge is a 1 1/2 mile downhill float. I really love that stretch.
Today I visited with my lifelong friend Mickey while Butch did his car dealing. That is FAR more fun than car dealing.

He did it.

Butch bought a car- Hyundai Santa Fe- manual transmission. That will be a new experience for me. I used to drive a VW years ago so it isn't like I have never driven one but it has been a good many years. The car happens to be in Kansas so we do not have it yet. Maybe Friday, they said.
We did take a short ride on the Bike Trail yesterday. Rode to Winklemans Switch and back, including the trip to where our home is parked it would be about a 7 mile trip. It felt good to be out there again.

My friend Mickey is in Minnesota with her daughter who had surgery; at least I think she is. May give her a call here in a minute or so to see if she is back in Clive.

Received an email from Marilynn at Snow Mountain Ranch. It seems they are getting along without us!. I knew the new people would be good at it and they are. Graeme celebrated his 11th birthday. She sent pictures so I will get them on the SMR blog.

I have an appointment for a haircut today. It has been about 10 weeks since I have had a professional haircut. Butch does a decent job in a pinch.

Cleaned house yesterday and worked on Ann's wedding afghan. It is getting near the completion end of things.
Oh Yes, Butch golfed yesterday. Anybody surprised?

Ain't it Funny...

...How Time Slips Away.
We have been in Jefferson a week and today. We promised to help Leo clean his large building in preparation for the Brooker Family Reunion so that was the first order of business. And as those things usually go it took the better part of the week.
The family reunion was a big hit and lots of fun. Three fun filled days!
Yesterday was catch up day.(Laundry) And today is also catch up day. (Pictures, Webshots,Blog and computer) It is amazing how quickly it can all get away from you.

Butch is pictured here looking over the display of old photos.


Mexican Train played by family members. JoAnn J., Nancy B.,Nancy C.,Dick J.and Gary C.


Butch is off to the city of Des Moines today to buy a car. He must be serious as he even took a blank check with him. Car buying is way low on my list of fun things to do so I am staying here in the mobile home park on the north side of Jefferson Iowa.
I still haven't ventured to the bike trail but it is about next on my list.

I am not feeling settled in yet. It seems to take longer some places more than others. Maybe once I get all my loose ends tied together...

Here is a link to the Webshots Brooker Family Reunion Album.
http://community.webshots.com/user/barbie1943
Anyone wanting prints of these photos or any other photos can get them directly from Webshots. It is easy to do and the quality is good. Also inexpensive. I recently ordered pictures from them. I ordered 17 pictures including 3 or 4 5x7's and it was less than $10 with S & H.