Jefferson Album

Here are pictures I have taken so far while we have been in Jefferson even though not all of them were taken here. There is one that I consider better than the rest in many ways. Can you guess which one? Remember...click on the first picture to see all of them and then you can choose to see them as a slideshow.

Jefferson '07

Quote

If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.
- Edith Wharton

At Leo's

We are parked at Butch's brother Leo's and his wife Keri's place. And will be until we head west around the 27th. We have gotten a couple of nice walks in...always a good thing. Last night we enjoyed popcorn, wine and conversation getting caught up on the doings and happenings of friends, family and the town of Jefferson. Leo has four fat ducks waddling all over the place. Also Lexi the dog and numerous cats and kittens. A little too much animal activity for Angel.
Jason came over from Boone IA yesterday and golfed with Butch while I went shopping in the old hometown and stopped by Shirley Franey's place to assist her with a couple of computer issues. So ordinary life is taking place and we all need plenty of that in between adventures.
I have plans to get some kitty pics. The ones I have seen are fluffy little balls of energy and I am sure will give me plenty of photo ops. I understand there are some newly born ones too but they will not be out and about before we head west.
Till next time...
Barb

More Lake Anita Pics

My yarn scraps are in the robin's nest

Boys fishing with their dog

Merlin and Bevs grandson Mike

Merlin helping Mike with his catch. Merlin and Bev put their new pontoon on the water for the first time and we were lucky enough to get a tour of Lake Anita in it.

Catch up

I have added more photos to the Lake Anita Album. Just click on the album below and you can see the added photos along with the ones already there.
Butch had an appointment with his surgeon this morning and his PSA was at zero which is the desired result so he is "good to go". I am in the midst of dental fittings and such with one of the last fittings on Monday. Tomorrow is my annual physical. Other than too much weight gain things should be okay with that.

Storm Damage

We keep getting phone calls inquiring how we weathered the storm. We barely noticed it! But today we left the park for the first time and discovered we were very near some serious damage. I would say we missed it by less than half a mile. There are pictures in the album below of Jack Longs place south of Anita on highway 148.

Anita Storm Damage

Lake Anita Web Album

Click on the picture to view all pictures in the album. Keep tabs on this one because I will add pictures as time goes on.

Anita State Park

I have been trying to get some pictures posted to the blog and it has been so slow going that I am still trying. Today I am adding 1GB of RAM to this computer and I have hopes it will make a difference. It can be so many things when something isn't as it should be or it seems to suddenly behave in a different manner. This wasn't sudden. Ever since we left the valley it has been slow and I have attributed it to the change in Internet connection from cable/DSL to Verizon dial up. And that alone may be the issue. At any rate I am taking measures to alleviate the problem today. So there may be pictures on this site and the Magnolia one later today or tomorrow. Kay Voss got some great bluebonnet pics on their way home to Minnesota and I would like to share them with all of you.
We have had appointments every day since we arrived at Lake Anita. I thought we were going to get a four day break but it hasn't worked out that way. The dentist called yesterday and he didn't like the impression we had taken the day before and wanted to try again. So we did. Just arrived home from that when the computer place called and were ready to add the memory but I put them off till today.
Last night Jack Long (Butch's second cousin) and his friend took us out to eat at the Redwood. We had a nice visit and a wonderful meal.
Tonight we are eating at the China Hut in Atlantic with Oakland IA friends Dick & Leslie Cleaveland.
I haven't sent a reminder to look at the blog in quite some time. When I visit with friends in other ways, such as on the phone or in person I have no problem telling if they are blog checkers or not. I know life gets frantic at times and keeping up with us isn't always easy in more ways than one! The blog is a way for me to stay in touch with many people at one time without being too intrusive on your inbox. So check in on the blog and I hope make a comment if you are moved to do so.
The Lake Anita campground is full. Every year the State of Iowa offers a free camping weekend to Iowans and it is traditionally the first weekend in May. We were forced to close windows and turn on the AC last night due to smoke from campfires. This too shall pass.

Casey Square Dancers

Those who could make it from the Casey Square Dance Club met at the Redwood in Anita on May 1st. There were about 25 to 30 people in attendance. Some we had not seen for a very long time. Phyllis and Adele are pictured above.

Keith and Lonna Jennings pictured above

Webshot album

If you would like to view the webshot album in a might easier fashion click on the link on the right side of this page.

Meyer 50th Anniversary

Meyer 50th Anniversary

Lake Anita

We are enjoying our place on the lake. We have seen Canadian Geese, about a thousand Coots, Deer, a Skunk, a Beaver, Ducks, Fishermen and many different birds. There aren't many folks here yet so we pretty much have the place to ourselves. We decided to stay near one of the restrooms because it is tornado season. A run for cover would be easier to do here than in some places we have stayed. Although Butch seems to have a fatalistic approach to that sort of thing I believe in doing what I can within reason.;-)

Spring in Iowa is something special and not experiencing it for a time makes one appreciate it even more. The way sunlight plays in the trees with only partial leaves on the trees makes me grab my camera. The trees are budding and some are blooming. All things are new again in a way that is never true in the South. Every part of the country has its special features, true only to them. I am reminded to "Love the place you are"...and I do.

My Verizon Internet connection here is better than the WiFi in Peculiar and Carthage. It seems that WiFi is great in some places and a frustrating experience in others.

We have arrived at Lake Anita State Park and we are paid up for two weeks. We had a nice calm trip North from Peculiar Missouri. The only little bump was a turkey who decided to cross the road with barely enough clearance. Kinda scary after having a windshield so recently replaced.

We had a pleasant week with the Gary Brooker family.

Ahead of us now are doctor and dental appointments.;-) Not nearly as much fun but necessary. We anticipate that all is well.

We are on lot #108 at Lake Anita State Park. That is near the newest restrooms.

Truman Library and Museum

Click on pic for entire album:
Butch and I had never been to a presidential library before but now we have.

Truman Library and Museum

At Gary and Susan's

Click on the picture to view the whole album

At Gary & Susan's

Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

I cannot take credit for taking this photo but we saw a bird like this while in Carthage. It is Oklahoma's State Bird but we won't hold that against it.;-)
 

Short Smooth Trip

We had a short smooth trip north to Peculiar MO on highway 71 or 71 highway if you are from Missouri.;-) Our windshield was replaced yesterday and it was a long day trying to entertain ourselves waiting for it to be done. Angel, who was locked in the bedroom didn't like it either and was also glad to see the day end.
We are going to be here for a week and then we will continue north to Lake Anita State Park until our doctor appointments are all taken care of.
Hope to see many of you soon.:-)

Sittin'...Waitin'

We are waiting for a new windshield to be installed before moving on. We caught a sizable rock in the drivers side windshield on our trip south last fall. That was after the tangle with the toll booth guard rail in Oklahoma. About an hour after. So we may wait till fall, October, before getting the rest of it fixed. So we are sitting and waiting...a little less patiently.;-)

Eastern Bluebird

There is an Eastern Bluebird nesting in the park. She has babies and is too busy to be shy. Bluebirds have always been a favorite of mine.