Painted Eggs

There is a group here in Humboldt---the China Painters. When I first heard about them I thought "how quaint". I know that china painting was a craft that victorian woman took up---some were better than others, but I thought the craft had fallen out of favor and was not done anymore. Well, here in Humboldt, the craft has not only hung around but flourished. The China Painters group is made up of a certain type of woman. I can't really put my finger on it, but they all seem the same. Quiet, sophisticated, self assured. They don't strike me as artists per se, no quirky clothing, hair or glasses. They paint their china, beautiful beautiful things, for their daughters, sisters, friends or to sell at this group sale.

The china painters had a sale today at the Methodist church here in Humboldt. I heard through the grapevine you had to arrive early in order to get a painted china egg. I went with my friend Marilyn and we were the first in line. When we were allowed to enter we rushed toward the egg display and grabbed any that caught our eye. Well, I didn't really know what I was looking for but I did end up with one that had a chickadee on it, another with a rose and a smaller one with violets. I am happy with them. Once I paid for my eggs I had time to look at the displays. Each artist had a display of their work. Pretty things, not all victorian, some more modern, some just beautiful. I especially loved a tea set with violets painted on each piece. It was so pretty, but the price was $80. A bargain really, but too much for me. They served us tea or coffee using real silver pots, there were cookies and bars for us to eat, and punch being served out of a painted china punch bowl. We sat at round tables, each with a small maypole in the center and painted china mugs surrounding it. I loved it!!

It surprises me that I actually like these eggs. I am not a Victorian person, my house is decorated in a more colonial or traditional style. But these eggs are a little bit of Humboldt and I like the idea of that.

TV Star

Dad was on tv again last night. HGTV RV 2007. It was a crazy, rushed day again this year. We were called late on Saturday night, the wife of the couple who were being paid to bring two RV's back to Humboldt had lost her father in an accident. They had to leave early, so it was up to Phil, Tracy and me to get down to DesMoines and bring two RV's back. The RV show wasn't over until five, and the HGTV show was on at eight, it's a little over two hours from DesMoines to Humboldt, that meant Phil had to be one of the first RV's out of the HyVee center once the show was over. He did it and was on Rt.35 by 5:30. He got home at 7:30 and had a half hour to wait until the show came on. Once it was on he got quiet, they started with the Class A's (of course), and then the Class C's and there it was, Born Free and Phil standing and talking about their product. He looked great, sounded great, but in a few seconds it was over and the show was on to other RV companies.

The phone started ringing as soon as the shot was over, Celia, Allison and Krista calling to tell Phil how good he looked and how exciting it was to see him on TV.

I love my Angie!

Coffee with the girls

We meet at Ampride, a local corner gas station/quick shop, every Tuesday. Originally we would stop there after weighing in at Weight Watchers, but, a year has passed and two of us are now WW dropouts, the others seem to be "maintaining" but not losing. We don't care, the vanilla flavored coffee, rice krispie treats and doughnuts are quite tasty when you throw in some good conversation, spicy gossip and plans for lunch later that same day. My girls, especially Celia, are intrigued by this Tuesday ritual. In fact, during her last visit to Humboldt Celia had to include Ampride in her "places to visit". She sat and politely answered questions tossed her way, and listened intently when conversation turned elsewhere. Later that same day we "did lunch" at Lomita's and included frozen margurita's in the fare. I don't remember where we went after that. . . .

Celia is coming again for Easter, but she comes Wednesday and leaves Sunday, so Tuesday's coffee will have to wait until her next visit.

Snow Snow Snow

Here is a news flash: We have snow in Humboldt. Not just a layer, but many layers. The last storm dropped over 15 inches of snow. Poor Angie had to swim around in the snow in order to make a place for her to do her business. I got out of town on Wednesday, in the nick of time, but the storms followed me to Kansas City where we were bombarded with wind and hail and even a tornado or two. Phil and his golfing buddies were not as lucky. The trip to Myrtle Beach had been planned for months, the day they were to leave--Friday--was almost there when the weather took a nasty turn for the worst and the snow started falling early on Thursday morning. The men looked at the sky and discussed what to do, the first plan was for Phil to take the Born Free and drive out of the storm, stopping at Terribles on 35 and wait for the rest of the guys to head out of Humboldt on Friday, in Bills four wheel drive truck. An odd plan, as I see it, but the men liked it, for about 20 minutes. Enough time for Phil to drive the Born Free down a dangerous route 169 to Ft. Dodge, only to be called back by the rest of the men, who had decided to drop everything and head out with Phil on Thursday instead of Friday. After two or three false starts (forgotten medicine, forgotten wallet, forgotten coffee pot left on) they were finally heading south. By this time dangerous 169 had turned down right treacherous, Phil white-knuckled it until they made it to Rt. 380 near Waterloo, where the weather miraculously cleared and travel became routine. Highway 20 had closed behind them, highway 35 had closed too, but they made it through and Myrtle Beach, here they came!!!

By the time I headed back to Humboldt from Kansas City rt. 35 was clear, but tell tale signs of what had passed were everywhere. Cars on their roofs, trucks jacknifed. I passed over 15 cars left on the side of the road as I headed north of Des Moines. Once I got onto rt. 20 the road kept getting worse as I headed west, by the time I was half way to the Humboldt exit the road had become two lanes instead of four, and travel speed fell to 45. Once on 169 it was clear again, but high drifts were visible on each side of the road. These wind blown drifts were beautiful as the late afternoon sun hit them. The wind had carved soft swirls into their snow, I wished I had my camera, it would have made a beautiful black and white photo.

As I took the corner at 4th Ave. and Taft I saw our house dripping with icecycles. There was one expecially large one right in front of the living room window. The house looked like it was frosted---well, I guess it actually was!! Our neighbor, Harley, had blown our sidewalks and driveway clear, a big thanks to him! The walk to the front door was treacherous, with a covering of ice about three to four inches thick. I walked carefully to the front door and entered the warmth of our home.

I have to say, I'm kind of sad I missed this big storm, I love sitting and watching the flurries blow. I feel cozy and warm and safe in the house, it's still and quiet outside (unless the snowmobiliers buzz by)and all those guilty feelings, because you are just sitting and not doing one thing, leave and you are able to enjoy just one thing--the snow--for all it's worth.