Ogden IA Homecoming Parade

 Our boy Devon Hiller is a senior this year and was chosen for the Homecoming court so we went to see the festivities. And wouldn't you know we have lacked rain all summer but yesterday there was just enough to be a nuisance.

Karla and Devon

Just Chillin'

 We are watching a movie now and then. Last night we watched The Two Popes and it was well worth it. Even made me tear up a couple of times. I happened upon a list of movies I had made a while ago that I thought worthy of looking into. One of them we discovered, we had already watched after we were into it a ways. 'The Marriage'. It wasn't memorable as a keeper. The next one on the list is 'Misha and the Wolves'. Hey! I put it on the list for some reason.

Today Butch did his daily walk on the golf course. He didn't hunt for golf balls as he usually does. He has accumulated bunches of golf balls. First I asked him why? He said it was like hunting for Easter eggs. Next, I asked what he planned to do with them. He said he didn't know but thought he might give them away. I asked him what percentage he thought were worthy of keeping and he said somewhere between 50-75%. He has always been good at entertaining himself. I am sure his mother would back me up on that.

Butch, Jason, and I hung the new light over the 8-foot pool table. We like it.

That's it for today...

Wind River

 Watched another good movie on Netflix last night. Wind River..a little hard to watch in places but it was a well done movie. Not a comedy!!!

North to South

 There is nothing like putting a nip in the air to have our minds switch directions. If you want to get technical we have been going to Texas for 33 years! Doesn't seem possible. The very first year was a vacation and could not have been for more than two weeks because that was about all we had for vacation in those days. And the month would have been February because the weather was balmy. After finding a place where we could have summer in the winter there was nothing holding us back.

Golfing was big for us in those years and we did plenty of it wherever we could. I dropped out of golf after 20 years of overload but Butch has carried on with it. He likes it best when his boys can join him. Rich was here yesterday and they played 18. I always did like it when all the boys went out to play.

So back to being southward bound. Our Motorhome has been gone through from stem to stern with lots of adjustments here and there. When things get some age just as people it is one patch after another. As much tender attention the Moho has had this summer, we feel we can trust it to be as ready as we are for the trip.

Our next step will be moving into the motorhome after the 4th or 5th of October. We have found through experience that living in it before we take off, cuts way down on items that get forgotten. We will live in it until we take off so I would guess a couple of weeks.

So until the next time!

Happy Day!

The doctor called to tell me that the normal reading of my blood indicates that the condition is not an emergency. She still thinks I should see a GI doc but if I can't do that in a timely manner in Iowa, I should get in touch with one in South Texas. I plan to do that. So there you have it. I am a happy woman.

I have lined up our itinerary for our trip south. I have made the reservations in the two places we will need them. I will put it in an email for those who may need or want it. I am a happy woman.

We had a good group of trivia players last night and a good time was had by all. The questions were not easy, however, laughter was abundant. I am a happy woman.

I have been diligently working on a slide show, 2 actually, for my Class of '61 reunion on October 1st and 2nd. These are pictures I have taken or gathered over the past reunions. It has been a long time since I have done a slide show so I had to work hard on the old tired brain cells to get it done. I have it completed. Updates on it should be fairly easy. So anyone from the class of '61 who would like to send me photos can still do so. Having this done makes me a VERY happy woman! And thanks Mickey for helping me test it.

Butch is at the golf course so I assume he is a very happy man!

Blood work???

 Had a blood test yesterday to see if my elevated numbers were still the same. Just saw the results. The good news is they are all completely normal. The other news is WHY? Will tell you what I know when I know it.

Tuesday...

 Tuesday is garbage day. The day we gather up our contributions to the landfill and place them at the curb for pick up tomorrow morning. I imagine that you can surmise I have a bit of a writing block since I have stooped to writing about garbage.

There is no news on the health issue. I have not had another attack. They came up with an appt. for me in Ames on November 9th. So I asked them just how serious is this thing. Didn't get an answer but they and I are now working on getting an earlier appt. Last I knew they were working on a referral to Des Moines Digestive Services. That was yesterday.

I have been working diligently on a slide show for my class reunion. I thought I had it done but then tried it on another computer and it would not work. So I found a workaround by using Google Slides App. It is a great app by the way as I was able to export the one I had done in Libre, another wonderful program, and it was nearly seamless. But still, I want a slide show that will work on anyone's computer with as little fiddling as possible. So now I have a slide show that works on my HP computer and one that works on my Chromebook. As soon as I do a bit more investigating I will be looking for a volunteer to test them for me. Butch is not a candidate. 

Speaking of Butch he has been keeping up with his yard work. It has been cut in half since he sold the extra lot. He has been getting his walks in by golfing and playing pool. We are adjusting to the larger table. Sometimes it is good and sometimes it is not. I think that is true for any sport, however.😏

Last Fall and this one

 Last Fall we were kept from heading South at the time we usually do because of the derecho and the damage to our motorhome. Last year, a few days before we left we received an "incentive" to stop at the Winstar Casino in Thackerville OK. It included a $25 free meal, $50 free play, and a free stay at the hotel. We each received one of these fine deals! Of course, we didn't use the free room but we took full advantage of the other two. So our stop there paid us instead of them!

This season we were lamenting the fact that we were leaving earlier than last and most likely before the voucher would reach us. Surprise! They came in the mail a few days ago and they are good for the month of October. This is a stop on our usual route and we will be stopping there again.

The weather has been top-notch lately and we are enjoying it too. It is the in-between kind, not requiring air conditioning or heat. We do need more rain. My rain barrel is mostly full so the plants will not suffer much as long as I remember they need a drink on a regular basis as we all do!

I didn't expect much of an adjustment to an 8-foot pool table from a 7 foot one but it is a bit more than anticipated. I am handling it though and so far so good. Nearly every day at 4:00 pm we will be in the pool hall. 

Another subject; I have been having abdominal pain episodes. It comes and goes and this has happened perhaps 3 or 4 times since January. The last one was a humdinger and pushed me to seek medical advice. A blood test revealed an abnormality so a CT scan followed yesterday and that showed an enlarged bile duct. So now the ball is rolling for more tests to verify the results and see just how urgent the action should be. I hesitated to add this last paragraph. Talking about my own health issues is one area I am not overly comfortable with sharing. I will try for very short updates. Shouldn't be too hard as I do try to be brief generally speaking.

"An Unfinished Life"

 Butch and I watched this movie on NetFlix tonight and we really enjoyed it.

"An Unfinished Life"

Put the pool table together

 Yesterday Butch and I got the BIG BOY pool table ready for play. It looks very good and plays well too.

Chaos in the Pool Hall

 The Pool Table has been purchased and transported to its new location. Butch has made sure it was situated properly and leveled to the nth degree. His many years of helping with the recovering of the tables in Magnolia Park have come to serve him well.

The next step will be waxing the seams followed by installing the felt, getting the rails back on and we will then be ready to play. By the end of this week, it should be ready.

The room will be a bit less roomy and I am thinking we can make it all work. 

Trivia Night in the Pool Hall

 

Dee, Sharon, Jan and Sue-The girls

Butch, Larry, Denny and Jack-The guys

Stuff continued

 A week or so ago Amanda asked me for handwritten recipes from my mother. I went through my recipes and sent her a few and then yesterday I happened onto Mom's recipe boxes and I spent far too much time taking a walk down memory lane. I picked a few to send to Amanda. The craft project she is starting has to do with handwritten recipes and I assume white dishcloths. I am anxious to see the result.

In my perusing, I found this article from a newspaper. I am guessing it is the Fort Dodge IA paper. It may be a bit hard to read. (Later) I decided it was too difficult to read so I took what I thought might be a better picture of it and when I started to enhance it Google asked me if I wanted to "Copy Text?" and even though I was dumbfounded I said yes!

So here is the text of the article above! Thanks, Google!

Rhubarb, a versatile plant food

Rhubarb, a plentiful plant this time of year, can be canned or frozen. Freezing rhubarb is easy-no blanching or adding sugar. Just trim the stalks, wash, cut to fit the container, and freeze. What could be easier for winter pies and cobblers, says Martha Jacobson, Webster County extension home economist.

Ben Vance, the extension specialist at Iowa State University, says to keep those rhubarb plants healthy; pull the stalks-don't cut them. When stalks are cut, the base often rots causing decline or death of the plant. For a better rhubarb crop, grasp the base of the stalk and pull, don't cut.

A Hamilton County homemaker shares this rhubarb cake recipe with you: 

RHUBARB CAKE

(or cupcakes)

Beat together: 1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar 

1/2 cup shortening

1egg 

Add:

1 cup buttermilk (or 1-2 tablespoons vinegar with sweet milk to fill cup let stand 5 minutes)

1  tsp. soda 

2 cups flour

1 tsp. vanilla

 1½ cups rhubarb (cut fine) 

Pour ingredients into a 9½ x 13-inch cake pan or 24-26 cupcake fillers. Before baking, sprinkle with: ½ cup sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes; cupcakes at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

RHUBARB JAM 

Mix together 3 cups of rhubarb and 1 heaping cup of sugar. Cook until rhubarb is done. Add 1 small package of strawberry raspberry or gelatine. Mix well and pour in small glass or jars.

And then... chit chat

The weather has quickly changed to be on the cool side. What is wrong with MEDIUM, Mother Nature? I know you are ticked off at what we have been doing with your favorite planet. I will try to do my part to make it better. Still, we are grateful we are not dealing with the messes they have in other places.

The situation does turn our thoughts southward but it is still more than a month before take-off.

Stuff's been a-happening...

 We bought an 8-foot pool table from friend and classmate Jan Durlam Mitchell. Butch and I spent part of a day getting it disassembled as much as we could before calling in the strong arms of Jason and Zach who will be helping us shortly to bring the rest of it home. Then we will be doing the reassembly. Not nearly as scary this time as last.

We sold our extra lot that Butch bought to keep the alley open. The irony is we sold it to the guy who was plugging it up! For more than we paid for it AND he has promised to keep the alley open. Butch made friends with him and we think he will abide. We received the check today. Bottom line: Butch can get out with the motorhome if it is blocked, it is just more work.

We took the demo hearing aids back today and decided not to use them. Butch did not like them nearly as much as he does the ones he has had for the past 6 years. And when he replaces will probably go with the same brand he has had.

Continued tomorrow.

Trivia Replay

 

So,we are back to trivia. In the pool hall on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 pm. I am taking it easy on myself by using questions I have put together in the past. It has been close to two years since we have done any trivia. I am finding that it is still being enjoyed by most of us. Last night it fell into place that it was the guys against the girls. And I was feeling sorry for the guys because they were way behind in points and it looked for sure that they were going to lose. But then the 4th round is double down round and the guys came roaring back to win by answering the last two questions correctly. A Big surprise to us all.

Come join the fun on Tuesday night in the pool hall. Teams are put together by drawing numbers, odds and evens. So far we have had two teams.

Read Where's Eldo

 If you are reading this on your computer look to the left and see where it says "Links". The top one is a blog titled "Where's Eldo". Sparky is a friend of mine I met in Michigan for 15 minutes and we have stayed in touch, so to speak, ever since. All RVers should read her latest entry.

The RV industry is not what it used to be. If there is a well-built RV anywhere, I would be very surprised. Unfortunately, what Eldo discovered is not at all uncommon. They are shelling out new RV's as fast as they can. This has been true for a few years now. Look at RV lots that have them for sale and you will find they are 'short of product'. You might see ones that look well stocked but if you asked the dealer many of them might be waiting for a part! A part that is unattainable.

Not a good time to buy a NEW RV.

Yup!

 “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sherri was telling me

 ...about her drive up from Atlantic. She said this big truck came up behind her and she wanted it to pass her but it didn't, so finally she slowed way up so they would pass her and finally they did, and as they went around her they waved and flashed their lights. She was puzzled by that and then in the telling of it, she said they had Texas plates. I said, OOOOH, they were thanking you! In Texas, they have Texas pullovers and if you are going slow or slower than the folks behind you expect, they want you to get over ASAP and let them by. It is considered a courtesy. 

This is something many Iowans might not know about.

And Then...

 Yes, it has been one of those weeks. Busy as can be but having fun throughout. Sunday morning Keri and I finally got a walk in, and that felt very good and we had lots to catch up on. I came home to Jason being here and then shortly my friend from Atlantic, Sherri Clark, arrived as well. We had an exceedingly fun day talking, playing pool and more talking. The guys went to play golf in there too. Sherri's husband Randy passed away a year ago( not Covid) and with that and the pandemic we had not been able to spend much time together. She just might come to Texas and spend some time with us this winter. I certainly hope so. We miss them both.

 

Colleen's Column of August 25th

 I am sharing Colleen's column for many reasons; I know lots of widows these days and I am sure there are more to come, maybe her column will be comforting to some, and the story of her 3-year-old son made me smile.

Much Love,

Barb

Widow words

August 25, 2021

 ~a column by Colleen O’Brien

Writing, for me, is an inquiry into what I think. When I write, my thinking clarifies. I learn things I didn’t know I knew. I can even get well, writing.

I therefore think that writing is magic. I think writing not only can get the story out of me but reveal to me why I’m telling it.*~~~

In the piece I’m writing right now, I’m thinking of a friend struggling with the recent death of her husband. She tells me she is okay, she is not okay. She is doing fine, she is scared to be alone. She doesn’t know how to pay the bills, she paid her own bills for years.

My friend is a writer. She has published several books, both fiction and non-fiction; and many poems. Until the day her husband died, she wrote every day toward a goal – a new novel usually. Now, in alarm, in crisis, in numbness, in adrenaline panic, she says she can’t muster the energy.

But her habit of being nudges her. Writer that she is, she dredges up words that culminate in an obituary for her dead lover, and eloquently, she remembers him, defines him, explains his oddities, eulogizes him in a way that brings him alive to her, and to us, once again. “. . . acts do little to convey his multiple virtues—and an equal number of quirks. He was that rare thing, a man who talked wisely about his and others’ emotions. . . intuitive, generous, and patient….”

Many years ago, I too used the handy – unbeknownst to me just then as reliable – outlet of writing to understand my widow’s plight. After my husband’s death, I wrote poem after poem; scraps of paper littered the floor. I questioned how I was to survive alone, exactly was I to do to take care of the car, the maintenance of an old house, the going out into the world without his having my back? I wrote memories, about how I’d been pole-axed the first time I saw him: it was on the playground in first grade, and I never got over it. I wrote about how his absence made my toes feel as numb as my heart and how was I to survive either weirdness? I wrote a poem about our son who called me “Honey” because that’s what his dad called me. One day in the grocery story, my 3-year-old wandered off, and soon I heard his little voice calling, “Honey, honey, where are you?” The rest of the poem was about me at 64, a fresh widow, calling for his dad – “Honey, honey, where are you?”

I look up my fat packet of poems from that time and read them through – tears and laughter, embarrassment at my poor-me-ness despite my arrogant vow long before I was there that I would not play the role of weeping widow; and a now-and-then wonder at my occasional clarity. The words I used then to describe myself – “terrified, isolated, dumbstruck”; the words I used to condemn him for leaving me – his “vanishing trick,” his “slick disappearance,” his “abandonment” – were all true. Then.

After 13 years, I return to writing again of that once gray area of my life, that were it not for my poems would remain gray, perhaps completely inaccessible. I believe that because I wrote about such a common plight – part of the fear being the ineffableness of it – I am at ease in my solitary life today that is full of endearing substitutes: they are books and friends, trees. Writing. And the memories that writing elicits. Not all-consuming memories, just good stories. The man I love did not abandon me, nor vanish. He was somewhere near me when I first wrote the terror. He remains.

“Keep writing,” his voice said then and says now. “Especially about me.”

This story that I just wrote reminds me – he always did make me laugh.

*Seventeenth-century French philosopher, Rene’ Descarte wrote it much more succinctly– “I think, therefore I am.”