Yesterday

A very enjoyable day. We went to Ames with Estel and Pat for a meeting with Alliant Energy people about our health insurance and the changes being made. I almost titled this "Don't Cry Until You Are Hurt". For some it will be more costly but for us wonder of wonder and joy of joys it will be a big annual raise. We are still in a bit of a shock about it. Other long ago retirees have been paying little or nothing for their supplemental insurance whereby Butch and I have been paying a tidy little sum per month. The pendulum  for us has swung the other way. Come January we will be getting a raise.

Taken while sitting at my computer in the early morning. I love the way the light comes through the tree. Hard to capture but that was my goal in taking this photo.

My work on the path has commenced.

The installation of the east breezeway door looks great . Still need to get some siding and paint the trim but we are very happy with the final product.

RV backing? Get on same signal "wavelength."

A Lesson for us all...Rvers that is. But could be useful for anyone who needs to guide someone into a parking space.

RV backing? Get on same signal "wavelength.": 'via Blog this'

One door down

Yesterday Butch and I were able to get the storm door on the east side of the breezeway hung in place. There is a little finishing work to be done but for the most part it is installed. Now when we get the other one installed on the west side we will be somewhat secure.
I have two more pieces of walkway done with just 24 to go. I have to do them a few at a time or suffer the consequences. It is cloudy today which would be a help but we are obliged to attend a meeting in Ames about changes in our health insurance. Alliant Energy is telling us we have to do it in different manner. We are fairly certain it will be to the companies advantage of course so we are merely going to find out what we must do to deal with it. 

Today on Facebook I saw this little ditty and copied it. Cute!
"I have been to a lot of places, but I've never been in Cahoots. Apparently you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. I've also have never been in Cognito, either. I hear no one recognizes you there. I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips, thanks to my friends and family. I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump and I'm not much on physical activity."

Yesterday I decided to tackle the pathway from the Moho to the house. Leo planned to do it but lately he has become super busy so I thought there is only one way to get it done and that is to start. I started at the house and the finished work it is not as nifty as I would like but struggling with those 16 x 16 slabs of concrete is no easy feat for me. And speaking of struggling Butch is struggling with the doorway prep in the breezeway. We hope it was just a day for struggling and that things will go better today.

We have three couples that we met at Snow Mountain Ranch now working at Thunder Bay Resort where we were last summer. Naturally I have been thinking of them quite a bit, wondering how things are going for them, knowing what they are seeing and most likely doing and envying them just a bit. They must be busy as I am not seeing much posting from any of them. It will be fun meeting up with them this fall and getting their take on things.

Leo called us last night and told us his dog Lexi had a mishap. Leo was roughhousing with Lexi on the bed and Lexi fell off dislocating a joint in a leg. The vet came out and something clicked putting it back together and Lexi seems to be fine now. But no more roughhousing for Lexi. Leo called to warn Butch as he too likes to roughhouse with Lexi.

This afternoon I have an appointment for a "real" haircut. I have Butch cut my hair much of the time and he does a good job but every now and then I need a professional one. So today is the day. Butch needs a haircut too and if I can ever get him to sit still long enough and the sweat isn't running off his forehead I will get it done. Have you ever tried to cut someones hair when they are perspiring excessively? It isn't easy.

Sunday Ride

Sunday I went for a bike ride in the morning. Sunshiny perfect weather for a ride. I went a little further than the last time. As I am riding along with birds singing, crickets chirping, wildflowers blooming and the sunlight playing in the shadows of trees, I was wishing I could share the time, place and conditions with every one of you. That is what brought me here. 


Butch continued working on the breezeway wanting to get it closed in asap. Yesterday we made a run to Des Moines with Leo's pickup to get some storm doors for the breezeway. We were also lucky enough to find a new shower door for the moho. Ours went bad and there was no fixing it. Really...we even called the manufacturer of the motorhome and the company that made the shower door is no longer in business and we had looked in all the usual shower door buyng places. Then yesterday we stopped at Plumb Supply and they could order one that would fit and we were happy. Then by chance we stopped at Menards and wonder of wonders they had one in stock that would fit. I am saying all this with the hope that it will fit as it isn't installed just yet. The measurements are correct so we will see. I will be happy. When I shower Butch has to help me and yes I do know how that sounds. The door has to be lifted in order to settle into place and I am unable to do that so I get into the shower and he shuts the door for me. I can get out after my shower but he once again has to close the door. It is a pain for me and I am sure for him too. Grateful and happy I will be when we once again have a shower door that works. AND that was the third thing to go amiss on the motorhome so hopefully we are back in a smooth place.


So now- Do you see the howling Coyote in this cloud?

Taken yesterday while waiting for Butch at Plumb Supply.

Firemen of long ago.

Ken Pederson ( upper right) lives across the street from us and he brought this copy of a newspaper clipping over for Butch to see. We enjoyed it very much as it brought back many memories of when these fellows were the young bucks in town..

A special Day

I was busy cleaning house and Butch was busy with the east wall in the breezeway when the phone rang and it was Jason. He said, "Wanna go to an auction?'. I said that I would check with Butch and see if he was up for it. He was. So we cleaned up a bit and met Jason and Laura at the auction in Grand Junction. This was a big auction and at one time the people who lived there were among the very rich. The house was set in a wooded area at the end of main street. Three acres of land with a servants house besides the main house. The house was 4 stories tall if you counted the basement and attic. The attic held an old-fashioned pool table with three  2 inch plus thick slabs of slate. We had one very similar when we lived in Aurora Ne. We moved it from Jefferson to Aurora. It had been in the pool hall in Jefferson years ago. I bought it from Beachy Kendall whose father owned the pool hall. I am sure it is still in the house in Aurora because they are extremely hard to move. We all do things in our youth we wouldn't dream of doing in our old age. Moving a slate-topped pool table is one of them. 
This house was wonderful and so many things to see in it. Like tapestry on the walls. At first you thought it was wallpaper but closer looks said it was a fabric. The many details of this house were extraordinary.  And it had been filled from basement to roof with antiques.. The roof was tiled by the way. So was the servants house and they perhaps will take tiles from it to repair the main hose. The house was not kept up so the young folks who bought it will be many years and many dollars getting it all renovated.  They paid $75,000 for it. It will be even more remarkable when they have it all finished if it does not kill their bodies and souls.

The servants house

I remember what this chair brought-$275

Baby buggy

An old pump organ.

The electrical worms nest

Sinks in the basement

This does not give you a true size of the house.

Part of the auction crowd

Old trees have a beauty all their own.

The elves live here. I am guessing the elves wear fur coats.

After the auction we all came back to our place. Jack Lewis brought us some tomatoes and corn and stayed awhile to visit.

After Butch and crew had margaritas we went to the Mexican restaurant  Casa de Oro for supper. Butch and I had Nachos and they were very good.

Then after supper we drove by Colleens house because for a long time I had wanted Jason to see it and it seemed the time was right. We stayed for a good long time and the conversation was wonderful. It was getting dark by the time we left. It was a wonderful and surprising day all round. A serendipitous day.

Hummers in Alaska

 But Alaska isn't the only place this can happen. We did the same thing in Colorado at Snow Mountain Ranch. We didn't get the fancy photography however. It is amazing and so special to experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EUEZkwJulBY

Breezeway

Butch tore out the east wall of the breezeway and is reconstructing it. Poorly done to begin with and not at all weather proof.
The assessor came down this morning and is reassessing our place. Of course the devalue of it will be temporary but will save us a few dollars in the meantime. And then the city has a revitalization program that will save us a few more dollars for 3 years but that will be after the renovation is complete. So we are learning the ropes and saving some future money.
I was alone on my walk this morning but took my camera and got a couple of shots

On west side of square facing southeast.

Russell Street Squirrel

On our walk today...

We received our tax bill a few days ago and noticed that the homestead discount was not on it so we stopped at the courthouse to check on it. It is a timing thing just as I suspected so it will be on there next year. In the conversation Butch talked to the assessor and she is coming down in the morning to look at the house to perhaps readjust the assessed value. I am looking at Butch like he is out of his mind knowing that in short order it will look considerably different  and the value will most likely be much higher than it is now. Just not sure we needed to stir that bucket of worms but she did mention something about applying for a 3 year revitalization tax break of some sort. So perhaps we will find out more about that tomorrow.

A little further down the street Butch and I stopped for an extended conversation with Duane Ogren. After 15 or so minutes it was on with our walk.

Then I remembered that Estel and Pat Ott  told me that if I wanted some tomatoes to stop down Thursday or Friday and it seemed like a good time to do so.
Estel and his first wife Joann were good friends with my Mom and Dad so I have known Estel my whole life. My very first babysitting job was for Estel and Joann. Going back even further when I was in kindergarten we only went half days and since my name started with a bee,Brock, I was in the morning group. My friend Jean Bartley ran ahead of me one day and I became lost, so recognizing Estel and Joann's house I stopped there. Joann called my Mom but then I had to wait for my Dad because Mom had little ones at home and no car. It was a different life in 1948.
Estel was a bit younger than my Dad. He is now 85 years of age. His mind is razor sharp and no one would ever guess he was even close to 85. In his youth, he would have been labeled as hyperactive.  He is only a little less so today! I remember being at their house when the Friday Night Fights were on TV. Estel would sit on the very edge of the couch and he would fight each and every round of those fights right along with the boxers. It was something to see! And after the fights were over he would be exhausted. Yup, Estel was and is quite a guy.

Vintage ads

These vintage ads from long ago are interesting to look at. And if you really want to you can buy one.
http://store.vintagepaperads.com/servlet/StoreFront

Fact finding

Butch and I went on a fact finding trip yesterday to the Des Moines area. We needed to find out more about pocket doors. Of course we stopped to see Mickey and go to lunch. Kinda got stuck there but that was okay. Mickey gave me a clump of a flowering plant from her yard. I had seen it flowering in the past and taken a picture of it. Seen here

The ones Mickey gave me were drooping pretty well by the time we got home so I quickly stuck them in some dirt and they look perky this morning. They are the ones closest to the camera. The other is a hosta that stayed too long in the pot so looks a little haggard. I hope it comes into its own next spring.

Here is some more info on this clever little plant.

After we had our enjoyable visit with Mickey we stopped at a lumberyard in Grimes and picked their brain about pocket doors. They were quite obliging and I think we know enough now to proceed.

We stopped at the Farmers Market when we arrived in Jefferson because I wanted some tomatoes and to look over the other offerings. We ran into Jack and Denise right away and the guys had their picture taken with the Farmers Market Fairy, Chris Henning.

All in all it was great get-away day. And we had not done that in awhile.

BLT Salad

The tomatoes were late this season due to unruly spring weather but they are starting to come on now. Yum!!

BLT Salad Rated: Submitted By: D. L. Mooney Photo By: wannabe chefette Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 25 Minutes Servings: 6 "Crumbly bacon, chopped tomato, shredded lettuce and a creamy dressing with a hint of garlic - this chopped salad has BLT down pat." INGREDIENTS: 1 pound bacon 3/4 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper salt to taste 1 head romaine lettuce - rinsed, dried and shredded 2 large tomatoes, chopped 2 cups seasoned croutons DIRECTIONS: 1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat, turning frequently, until evenly browned. Drain, crumble and set aside. 2. In a blender or food processor, combine mayonnaise, milk, garlic powder and black pepper. Blend until smooth. Season the dressing with salt. 3. Combine lettuce, tomatoes, bacon and croutons in a large salad bowl. Toss with dressing, and serve immediately. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 8/17/2011

Work Day

I had a long post all written and what I thought posted and then I find it isn't there. So it is LOST forever! I will try again...

Yesterday was  a busy work day with much accomplished I washed bedding including spread and mattress pad. We did the heavier items at the laundromat and brought them home to dry on the line. The line broke so now I get the new line I have wanted since we arrived here. I dry the bulk of our laundry on the line robbing the utility company of many dollars.
Butch prepared the southwest corner of the roof/house for Russ Cosens to fix. And Russ showed up about 4:00 PM.  So now all of our spots for potential leaks should be good and dry. Since it rained last night we will soon find out. Butch also worked on the inside door situation in the house getting ready for pocket doors.

We also washed moho windows inside and out. It has needed done for longer than I care to admit. They sparkle now.
And then we went to Wet Goods for a tenderloin. Yes Wet Goods is the name of the place. It is a bar on the east side of the square and they have top notch tenderloins. Some of my perhaps fussier friends think the place could use some sprucing up and maybe they are right. But then they haven't been to our favorite places in Sunny south Texas. I think my focus must be food related. I seem to care little for the ambiance.

So now I have rewritten my long and brilliant post. Unfortunately it isn't nearly as brilliant as the first one but oh well,
-heavy sigh- it will have to do.

Videos from Grandpa Gary

Got a little video from this week's babysitting opportunities. Wish Elise was feeling better. She has had some mysterious illness involving runny nose and hives.

 

Dancing Elise: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo1oIc9l_K4
Elise makes choice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F5jMNd8kHc

 

Great-Grandma Barb says : Sounds like allergies to me. Figuring out  what is causing it can be tricky though.

Party & Pedal

Last night we went to a party made up of people we went to school with in our youth. All of the people present had lived other places most of their working lives and now have come back to make Jefferson their home. There were 10 of us total. This is something I never thought for a minute that we would be a part of. It was a whole bunch of fun talking over old times and the pranks we pulled or ones we knew were pulled. There was some talk about the statute of limitations. And the food was fantastic. Our hostess Judy Peacock Wills is an excellent cook. Sure am glad there are lots of those good cooks in my circles of friends!

Today Butch and I rode the bikes instead of walking. We rode to the river bridge and back, a total of 4 miles. It felt good to be giving different muscles a workout. 

I have started on a wide bracelet that will be a wedding gift. I have a good start on it but it is wide enough that I will be working on this one for a few weeks. My to-do list of bracelets to make keeps growing.

Hot August Nights

Last night there was a car show in Jefferson. They were all packed in around the square. There were many cars, people and lots of food. I took a few photos.

Butch's Dad owned a '57 wagon like this one. It was his work vehicle. He was an electrician.

Oh, Doesn't this just make you long for a tall, cold A&W rootbeer. I car-hopped at the A&W a very long time ago. I never tired of a nice frothy root beer.

This tree is on the courthouse lawn. I thought the roots were interesting.

This car belongs to classmate Keith Conroy.

We checked all the cars out hoping to see a Studebaker which happens to be the car Butch was fond of and owned way back in our youth. Did not see even one!

Still here-must be busy

The guys got the final house leveling done on Tuesday. I meant to take pictures but got caught up in the process and forgot all about it. Jason came over from Boone after his work and Everett Beebe came by after his work too and with the two of them it was done in short order. Butch has added the bathroom/bedroom wall and removed the wall he replaced. And the old chimneys have been removed and the roof repaired. So progress has been made.
Yesterday we met sister-in-law Joyce Brooker at the Tea Garden for lunch. Butch doesn't care for what he calls frou-frou places to eat. He prefers cheeseburger and fries. No surprise there, right? But I am telling you the food was excellent and in my opinion it is THEE best place to eat in Jefferson.

Today Butch has a small electrical chore for someone else and then he plans to mow. I do not yet know what I plan to do ,perhaps wash windows.
Remember...whatever you do today... Enjoy the process!

At Last!!

It has finally cooled off. It was a pleasant 65 degrees when I arose this morning. Sunday Butch and Leo were looking over the north side of the house that contains our closet. The consensus is that it needs some leveling so tonight that feat will take place. Crawl spaces by their very name conjure up an unpleasant experience. I am genuinely sympathetic.
Yesterday a classmate of mine Rozetta Renner Fiscus contacted me and wants to spend some time next winter in Sunny South Texas. I was successful in getting her and her husband lined up to rent a spot just a few doors from us in Magnolia Park. It amazed me how easily and quickly it all came together. We do enjoy showing off our little piece of winter heaven and they will be a fine addition to the park.
Then last evening we went to Carroll Iowa to meet up with our Oregon sister-in-law Joyce Hundling Brooker for her surprise birthday party. She was indeed surprised and it was great seeing her and getting caught up on that branch of the family.

Leo, Keri and Butch are in the background in this photo.

Heidi holds the cake for Joyce to blow out those candles.