Imstilliniowa

Put America First

2007-08-05T18:12:00.000-05:00

You know what I would like? I would like to get our country off its dependence on oil. I would like to see all the money we put into this crazy war used to find an cleaner energy source. We would kill two birds with one stone---our dependence on the Middle East for oil and also cleaning up our environment by not burning fossil fuels. Then the people of the middle east can go back to living the way they want, fifth century, with no interference from us or anyone else. Did you ever think that in 2007 we would still be using gas in our cars or oil to heat our homes---I suspect our wealthy oil industry and gas burning car industries are dragging their feet---making huge profits instead of developing cleaner burning products. What other reason could there be?

One other thing, I am tired of spending all this money fighting wars and giving money to countries hoping to keep them on our side, while our own country's infrastructure is falling to pieces. Our quality of life---which use to be the highest in the world is now slowly creeping downward on the list. http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-quality-of-life-map.html We are now number six on that list. We have to turn our thoughts and energy toward our own country and get things back up to par.

I am not a "dove" when it comes to war. If we are attacked---we should retaliate---and it should be fast and hard. I was frustrated in the Viet Nam war and I am frustrated with this war, we are such a military powerhouse, we should be able to get in there and get the job done right (doing whatever it takes) and get out, none of this dilly dallying for years and watching our sons come home in body bags, then insulting their memory by admitting defeat and leaving with our tails between our legs. It was a fast and hard military action that put a stop to Japan in WWII and I'm sure it would do the same now days. (Of course, there is nothing that boosts an economy like a nice long war.)

I also get tired of being the aristocratic Europeans "dirty job" guy. We are like the young puppy who lives for their attention and will do anything to get it. We fight for them while they sit there on the fence, laughing at us behind our backs, and reaping the rewards of our sons deaths. I saw this attitude when I lived in Europe and I know it exists. By the way, Bin Ladan is a member of the Kuwait royal family ---good friends of G. Bush Sr. and W. http://membres.lycos.fr/wotraceafg/carlyle.htm Saddam was an enemy of Kuwait---THAT is why we fought the first gulf war and why we went after Saddam and not Bin Laden after 911.

I am a strong believer of putting America and Americans first. That means making our country the best and safest, and we better do it soon because if you look at who is at our heels, taking business and money and jobs from us, it's the Chinese and Asian Indians. If we don't look after our own interests now we won't be able to compete and will lose everything.

Farmer's Market

2007-07-15T18:25:00.000-05:00

My cousin Susie says she could never live in Iowa ever since the day we had to drive one hour to get basil for her pesto recipe. I guess I know what she means. Saturday Phil and I drove all the way to Clive, outside of DesMoines, to drop my Saab off for service. The first real service it's had since we moved here.

Since we were already near Des Moines we headed over to the big Farmer's Market downtown, near the courthouse, something I've been wanting to do for a long time. We took Angie with us, figuring she would enjoy the day out, the people and the possibility of greeting other dogs. It was warm on Saturday, we didn't get to the market until probably close to 11. Phil dropped Angie and me off at the courthouse and went to park the car---we stood watching a juggler while listening to a really good bluegrass group, both of them busking for dollars from the appreciative crowd. The place was packed with all kinds of people, everybody noticed Angie, especially the little kids. I guess a Scotty is an unusual dog in the market, most people opting for the tiny designer dog or the huge rescued one. We saw one dog who looked enough like Pandy to be her twin, Angie smelled her and wagged her tail but I think she knew. . . .

Lots of beautiful vegetables, lots of home made bread, lots of crafts, lots of things to eat, but I was good, I ate my yogurt as I pushed through the crowd. I saw a few things I would have liked to have had, one was a tablecloth, orange, bright, but I don't know where I would use it. Another was an ankle bracelet, beautiful, the sign said $15, but when I tried to buy it she said it was $20!! I don't go for that, so I told her to keep it. Angie enjoyed walking through for about five minutes then she became skittish and stayed close to our feet. Phil bought some great looking tomatoes and some home made bread, I saw lots of cut flowers in almost every other booth. I wanted to buy a bunch, but I don't think they would have made it back to Humboldt. Angie made it almost to the end then she just stopped, would not move, she was hot and tired. Phil had to carry her the rest of the way. While we waited for him to get the car I poured water over her head, she wouldn't drink any but I knew she was thirsty. Finally, when in the car, we got her to drink, she panted for about a half an hour as we drove north.

All in all it was a wonderful day, I know when Celia comes to visit later this summer we will head down there again, maybe check out the market and some of the great looking restaurants in the area too.

Humboldt Fourth of July

2007-07-05T09:54:00.000-05:00

We had a good Fourth of July here in Humboldt. As soon as we got up Phil headed outside to wash the cars, he has them both clean and shiny and beautiful. I goofed around doing some watercolors on the deck. It wasn't until later in the day we realized we missed the pancake breakfast and antique car show at the fairgrounds!!

I made a covered dish for both parties we were heading to, and then got dressed and RESTED, still tired from the surgery. We headed to Candis's house, she always has a nice party under the big trees in her yard. It was hot yesterday, but a cool breeze in the shade of those trees made it quite pleasant. Brenda and her mom were there when we showed up and other people came over the next hour. Candis had games for the kids, her Dad was there with a big tall hat, they are nice people. Marilyn came, then Judy and Bill with their daughter and grandchildren. Got some great photos of everyone. I drank my water while everyone chowed down on Made Rites, all kinds of salads and great looking deserts. Everyone felt sorry for me, but I told them I had to just make up my mind it wouldn't bother me---what else can I do---I have chosen the "impossible to cheat" diet and I'm all the better for it!

We stayed at Candis's until about 5:50 then headed over to the Neilson's who live behind us. They were finished eating and we had a nice visit with the group there. Before we knew it time came to get into our chairs and watch the parade. Marilyn came over to watch it with us. We always enjoy the parade, but the Republican Woman's elephant that blows bubbles was NOT in the parade!!! How disappointed I was! There were fire trucks with blaring horns and sirens, horses, tractors, old cars, floats and marching bands, so really, what else can you ask for??

When the parade was over I felt tired. We had two hours until the fireworks, but I didn't make it, had to lie down, fell asleep right away and heard the booms in my dreams.

Another good Fourth of July---wish my girls could have been here to see it with us.

We Are Stayin!!!

2007-06-28T08:32:00.001-05:00

Well, no need to move back east, we are stayin in Iowa!! And we are happy about that! A week before Phil left for PA he got a job offer from a company right here in Humboldt. I got the phone call while riding around visiting with cousin Susie, he said "I got the job, now what do we do?" The bottom line was--we had nothing in writing from Born Free as to what they would actually do for us when they "invested" in the new factory lot in PA. I told Phil, lets get something in writing and go from there. Well, you know what I'm going to say, don't you? All of a sudden all the "investing to make it a success" fell away and we were left with a dried up bone of an offer. They would buy our house for the middle estimate of it's worth, any money we put into the house when we moved here and will lose because we are leaving so soon is "not Born Free's problem". They would move us, but not in the Allied Van Lines way they did when they brought us out here, but in the U-Haul It way of college kids heading out into their life after graduation. Of course, they wanted Phil in PA asap, so the UHauling would be left to fresh out of surgery Connie. Phil said "we have a grand piano, for goodness sake!" But Doug said that is what they would pay for.

Well, he pretty much made up our mind with that. Phil gave his resignation and you could have knocked Doug over with a feather----never dreamed Phil would quit. Here is what I have to say, they lost a hard working, company man in Phil Overby.

So, the neighbors gave us a good bye party, ha ha, it's so sweet and funny. Tonight the whole neighborhood is getting together for what was once a goodbye party but is now a neighborhood party. I'm looking forward to it.

This morning I sat on the porch, its cool, the clouds were blown into a feather like pattern above, a runner trotted by. Birds chirped. I am happy here.

Imstilliniowa No More

2007-05-16T09:54:00.000-05:00

I am sad to say that I will not be living in Iowa much longer. Phil has been transferred by his company and as soon as our house sells I will be heading with him to Pennsylvania to set up a new Born Free Factory Lot to serve the North East--from Ohio to Virginia to Maine.

I am sad to have to leave. Humboldt Iowa has been very good to and for me. I have blossomed here, become a better person.

2007-04-27T17:32:00.000-05:00

Ringling Brothers Circus Poster Uncovered in Iowa

2007-04-17T16:22:00.000-05:00

A WONDERFUL thing was uncovered here in central Iowa last week.

As the owner of a little building in Vincent Iowa was renovating the building she readied it for new siding. They tore off the old siding and old tar paper and a gem of a historic poster was uncovered. The local historians have pinpointed it's date to be around 1910/1911 when the Ringling Brothers Circus visited the Ft. Dodge area. After the circus left, the poster was covered up and hasn't seen the light of day until last week. Now that it has been found again the colors are as bright as they were the day it was made! The black tar paper did it's job!! The poster isn't in the best of shape, but parts of it could be saved. I have included only a few of many photos I have of it in this blog. I tried to contact the Ringling Brothers Circus but my email was deleted without being read. I have contacted the Smithsonian, but havn't hear back from them.

What a wonderful bit of Americana!!

Comments

2007-04-17T16:07:00.000-05:00

Does anybody notice
these blogs I write each week?
I try to make them interesting,
even going back and giving a tweak.
I write my little story
and send it into space.
Then wait and wait for a comment
that never comes---frownie face

Am I the Only One Tired of This?

2007-04-16T20:15:00.000-05:00

Am I the only one tired of turning on the TV and hearing about these people entering schools and killing mass numbers of our children?

Am I the only one who fought back anxious tears as I listened to the shots on the video played over and over again on CNN. Shot after shot, with only a second or two between. A semi-automatic gun being used to slaughter our children as they sit at their desks.

Am I the only one who sees the connection between America allowing semi automatic guns to be sold to anyone with a license and these killings?

It's ironic that when you send your child off to the war in the middle east he/she is, at least, issued a flak vest. These children were mowed down as they sat in what they thought was the safety of their college classroom.

2007-04-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

It's a funny time of the year. I have such an urge to work outside, but, really, the time to work is later in April and Early in May. I suppose I could go to the corner and cover the ground with paper and mulch to make it a no hassle garden. I guess I could, and I probably will this week, go around the yard with a bag and pick up all the stems left from last fall. Phil cut the grass on Sunday and it looks green and wonderful. I have plans for things we need to do, starting with pulling out old railroad ties, left from some sixties garden, and lay walking stones through the garden. I want to knock down the two brick and cement walls that edge our cement steps. They are falling apart and ugly. I want to wash the outside of the house and the windows, I want to change the entry lamp on the porch, I want to re shingle the roof of both the house and garage, I want a new driveway. I want new windows in my office, den and throughout the upstairs. I want---want---want---want

I think I'll lay with Angie and read my new Amy Tan. Phil has left for two weeks in California and I am living the Bohemian. The things that need done can wait patiently on a list that may take ten years to complete. There is no deadline. All I really need is to feel happy when I come home. Feel happiness when I turn the corner and see our house. As long as it looks clean and nice that's all that matters. So, the washing windows and sides will happen, possibly the knocking down of the wall on each sides of the steps, or maybe even the new lamp, but that's enough for this year.

We have to make time, time to take rides for ice cream. Time to take Angie to the park for a run. Time to just sit and read on the porch, glass of wine in one hand, book in another. Time to wave to a neighbor. Time to watch a baseball game, listen to the sound of the bat, the yells of the fans. Time to smell the green grass, the flowers blooming. Time to feel the breeze on your skin, a velvety caress in the evening light.

Easter

2007-04-09T14:21:00.000-05:00

All the hub bub and now it's over!! Starting with cleaning the house and stocking up on groceries, Celia finally came Thursday evening. We picked her up at Ft. Dodge airport, she was already there (1/2 hour early!!!) but her luggage was no where to be seen!! How could they lose a neon green suitcase!!!

After the initial hugs and kisses we headed home where we caught up on news, had a few drinks and rested. Later we headed down to Rustix, the new restaurant in town, where we had a really nice meal. Celia loved her salmon on a plank, Phil had fish, I had chicken, we were all happy with our dinners. Rustix is an unusual place for Humboldt, Iowa. It is modern, hip, sophisticated. The only restaurant like it in probably 50 mile radius!! We are lucky to have it. Sitting next to us was a huge table (about 20 people) who were extremely quiet-----we realized they were all signing. I think they may have come to see Barack Obama, who visited Humboldt earlier in the day.

I was upset I had to miss him, but Celia comes first. His scheduled appearance was at 3 and Celia's was at 4---with a half hour drive to the airport. I didn't want to get into a jam, so I missed him. Judy went and said she shook his hand. She had two pins and a poster!! She said he answered questions and was very personable. The waitress at Rustix's said she didn't think he would ever get elected because his name was too strange!! Hahah

Celia, Phil and I played board games later that evening, I believe I won every game. Friday we took it easy, went to Ft. Dodge to pick up her luggage and to pick up some Easter candy at Target. Celia bought some clothes, I saw a neat tent perfect for Phil's Born Free Reunion---we went to pick up later that same night using Phil's truck since my Saab was a bit too small for the 6 foot long box. More games were played and eggs were painted.

Saturday we celebrated Easter (one day early) since Celia had to leave at 9 the next morning. I cooked most of the day, Celia and Phil set the table and helped with some things I needed done. The dinner turned out great, our smoked ham from the Rutland Locker was really good, my scalloped corn (recipe from the column)turned out suprisingly well, horseradish carrots, a double batch of watergate salad (recipe from column)mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, deviled eggs, and Death By Chocolate (recipe from column)for dessert!! It was, as usual, too much food!! For all the time I spent cooking, we ate it in about 15 minutes!!

More games later and Phil and Celia played some XBox Tony Hawk. I went to bed, dead tired from cooking all day!!

Sunday came, Celia packed and we said our good byes, Phil had to go to church and count money, so I took Celia to the airport. She waved goodbye while I drove away. And that was that, the house was quiet when I got home.

Later on EAster my friend Lois Ann came for dinner, and Judy and Bill too. We had a really nice time talking and eating. We watched Susie,Allison and Joey on the Coplay Cam. Phil and Bill watched the Masters, which was won by a fellow Iowan!!! Later that evening we watched HGTV where Born Free was featured AGAIN!! That twice in one month!!!

Today I took Angie to Algona to get her hair cut. Earlier I had to submit my Cook of the Week Column, I didn't have anyone interviewed from last week, so I wrote it on the dog food scare and gave lots of recipes to make your own. I used Angie's pencil drawing photo as the photo. Hope people like the column!!

So, that was our Easter--How was yours??

2007-04-06T14:31:00.001-05:00

Painted Eggs

2007-03-31T11:06:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-26T07:57:00.000-05:00

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!

2007-03-20T13:50:00.000-05:00

Coffee with the girls

2007-03-13T08:14:00.000-05:00

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

2007-03-10T13:41:00.000-06:00

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.

The Bohemian

2006-09-09T11:01:00.000-05:00

Phil has left on a business trip that will last for over two weeks. While he is gone I will live what I call "the bohemian" life.

We started living the bohemian back in the eighties. He would leave on a trip and the girls and I would do nothing but what we wanted. Watch tv, no formal meals, we ate out or ate fun foods, left the dishes in the sink, left the toys on the floor, didn't dust, didn't vacuum, didn't make the beds. We sat outside and visited with neighbors, we played games, we turned the kitchen table into a playdough garden. We were a mess and we loved it.

This bohemian life would come to an end the day Phil was due home. Trying to extend our happy lifestyle, even then we would wait until the last minute. Finally, I would have to do it, I would make the announcement and give direction to each girl. "all of you girls just pick up and put away your own things, no one elses, and then make your own bed" and they would jump up and pick up their items, running and laughing all the way. In about five minutes the floor was cleared and we could move on to the actual cleaning. "Krista you vacuum, Celia and Allison you dust, I will clean up the dishes and wipe the kitchen floor" finally we would tackle the baths, and we were finished. I don't remember anyone complaining, I don't remember any fighting, I do remember us sitting when Phil walked in the door, we were sometimes sweaty and out of breath, but the house looked great!!

I often wonder why our day to day life couldn't be "bohemian" but after thinking about it I know that it wouldn't have been special if we did it all the time, in fact, there are words for living like that---trashy is one that comes to mind. Phil is not a "bohemian lifestyle" kind of guy. He needs the structure I guess. Dinner on the table, the rooms neat, stern talks usually accomplished this, we sometimes resented his rules, we were doing alright on our own, the fun was sometimes gone when the structure came back.

Since he has been gone, I have spent a lot of time doing whatever I wanted, I don't care if the sink is full of dishes, the floor is cluttered with Angie's toys, if there is dust on the furniture and a layer of Pandy hair on the rugs, it can all wait. Monday I spent my time doing laundry only because I had nothing clean to wear, I also printed out lots of photos and put these in frames I bought at Target. I ate peanut butter for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tuesday I went to Ames with the Red Hat Ladies, I am doing three Cook of the Week columns about them and they invited me to come on one of their trips---I had a wonderful, wonderful time, leaving at 8 AM and not getting home until 4:30 PM. I was very tired, I ate some chicken breasts and fresh tomatoes and went to bed early. Wednesday Judy and I went to Clare to visit a florist who is know for her talent and the rest of the day was spent on the phone working out the Kitchen Performance event and doing Cook of the Week Columns and attending a dinner for our pastor who is leaving. Thursday I again spent the day working on columns, did a little clean up, I went to dinner with the golf wives, did a Cook of the Week interview at seven and then went to visit a lady from church who is selling her home she has lived in all her life, and she is 86!!! It is a beautiful, big home on ten acres (which are zoned industrial) so when they sell the home whoever buys it will have to move it to a new location. Big rooms, a staircase that splits into two as you walk down it, one half comeing out into the foyer of the house and the other half heading to the back of the house and kitchen. There was even a wing of the house for field workers. I would have bought that house in a minute if it had been for sale when we were looking. Friday I spent the day outside, clearing out the messy perenniels in my corner garden. I am moving hostas from the corner to the side of my house and replacing everything with stella d'oro lillies, I got a bunch from the woman across the street! Today, Saturday, I moved the hostas and lillies, I may have to move them again if they are not spaced properly, but at least they are moved and in the ground. I am taking a rest right now but plan to head on out later and do some more----but you know, it's the bohemian, maybe I'll do it and maybe I won't.

She's gone already!!

2006-08-21T10:40:00.000-05:00

She came on Monday and she left today. We wanted everything to be perfect for Celia's visit. We even bought a new rug for the TV room, to make it cozy. Phil took off early and we went to Ft. Dodge to pick her up, we were early but she was already there, walking across the parking lot, waving at us. We thought we would go to the Sports Page for dinner, but once we got there, had a few beers and some snacks we weren't hungry, so we drove to Humboldt. We vegged the rest of the evening. Monday we took our time getting going, the one thing we did was take a long bike ride around Humboldt. Up to the bike trail in Dakota City, over to Born Free where we stopped to say hi to Phil. Over past the saussage factory and the beautiful white house that is for sale. Down past the hospital, over to the dam, and down along the Cottonwood Trail along the river, then back home. It felt great, but I suffered the next two days!! Tuesday was "ladies who lunch" day. Celia and I met the Tuesday Morning Coffee group at Ampride and sat and talked until noon, then we headed down to Lomita's and had the buffet. The ladies were really nice to Celia, asking her about her life and talking. It was a good day, but we didn't get home until around 2!!! That night we. . . .hmmm I don't remember what we did. Wednesday we got up, dressed, went to breakfast at the Backseat and headed to Des Moines and the fair. We got lost in Des Moines but asked some people and they steered us in the right direction. Once at the fair we parked for $5 and walked to the pig barn where I held a cute little piglet. Then over to see the worlds biggest pig, steer, watched them trim sheep, looked at horses and cows. Then got some corndogs on a stick, Celia got a pork sandwich, I got a porkchop on a stick, Celia got a deep fried Milkeyway. I got ice cream, we got a few beers in between to cool us off. We saw the 4H stuff, the antique stuff, we rode the sky ride (I went alone and was sooooo scared). Celia and Phil went down the big slide. We looked at chickens and roosters and Celia and Phil had a backstage tour. We saw a guy get tarred in feathered with syrup and wheatchex. We watched some kids dance, we watched Vocal Trash, we saw the Pork Queen. My legs gave out at around two, so I flipped out and went to sit and watch some stuff while Celia and Phil walked around some more. We got there at around 11 and headed home at 5, it was a nice time and a good day. On the way home we stopped at the Best Buy in Ames where Celia bought her IPOD with all the gift cards she got for her birthday. Well, that made her soooooohappy. I went to the Border's Book Store and that made me sooooooohappy. We got home, ordered a pizza (can you believe we were actually hungry?) and went to bed. Thursday it rained so we didn't do much, that evening we had Celia's Birthday dinner, chicken on the grill and a cesar salad. We had DQ Blizzards for her "cake". Friday it rained again, we goofed around, I took Celia to the Western Shop, and to Shoppers. We played games. Saturday we went to the Backseat again, then down to Ft. Dodge where Celia got a new outfit at Cato and then over to Target where Celia got some stuff for her IPOD, and I got a book. We came home, Phil cut the grass, Celia and I went for a bike ride, then Celia and Phil took the grass over to the big pile and stopped at Vinny's for dinner. Sunday we got up and went kayacking at Brushy Creek where I slipped on some slime and fell----something I always do when Celia is visiting. I really hut my leg, fell on a pipe and now I have a round bruise. We had a really nice time on the lake, then we rode around, looking at the wildflower growing area and over to another lovely park in Ft. Dodge called Dolliver. Then we stopped at the Sonic and had lunch delivered to our CAR. After that we stopped at the new Humboldt Aquatic Center and Celia and Phil went down the slides, Celia liked that. Home again we played games, Skippo and Phase 10, Celia took a bike ride, Phil played 9 holes of golf with Arley. I made spaghetti and tomato salad and we had a nice dinner. I went to bed at nine and I heard Celia and Phil downstairs playing XBox. Today we got up, Celia packed. The dogs knew something was up, they understand suitcase. I drove her to the airport, her plane leaves right now, at this very minute, she had to be there an hour early. She cried when she left, I miss her already.

The Pandy Chronicles

2006-05-22T08:11:00.000-05:00

Pandy has an address sticker on her head. The kind of address sticker you get in the mail when you receive a request for a donation to some charity. I love the stickers but I rarely send a donation. Anyway, Pandy now has ID.

She is so strange, she can't hear a thing anymore and can hardly see. When we moved into this house we had five steps off our porch, on either side of these steps was a brick wall about a foot wide, four feet long. Pandy would walk out on this wall---and right off the end---thump onto the sidewalk about four feet below. This happened a few times before she got the idea. She also would go out to do her business and go to the house two doors down and stand at their front door. I had to go and get her several times---until her smell permeated our front lawn, then she knew which door was her door.

She is 18 years old, that is---let's see---126 years old in dog years. That's just too old. She has taken to wandering, she always was a wanderer. When we lived on Hecktown Road she would wander to the neighbors two doors down. They called her Kramer because she would come--eat their cat's food---and leave. Kramer!! So, when we moved to Iowa I allowed her to wander. She earned the right to wander. If anything happened to her while she was "out" at least she would die doing what she loved to do.

So, last Tuesday I was getting ready to go out for the day. She noticed me getting ready and she knew it meant she would be left in the house. So, when I let her out before I was to leave--she wandered off and didn't come back. For two hours I looked for her. No Pandy. My ride came and I left, I can't change my plans for Pandy. She gets out much more than I do!!! I didn't get home until 5:30 and there she was, walking in the lawn, looking a bit nervous. She was glad to see me and I was glad to see her. My day had been ruined by the thought that I had left old Pandy outside, even though it was a mild 68 degrees and sunny. She was walking slowly and could hardly make it up the steps. Once inside she fell asleep under my desk and didn't move the rest of the night. I looked at my answering machine and there was a call---I listed--it was Dylan telling me he had found Pandy wandering around the baseball diamond across the street from our house, he had brought her home and put her in the yard. He was just letting me know. So, Pandy had been across the street, in the baseball field. How did she get in there, it's fenced!! Hmmm. The next day she was out in the yard and some older kids came by on their bikes. They stopped and were talking among themselves, "that's the dog that was at our school on Tuesday". It was odd that teenagers would stop and talk about something like that. So, concerned, I walked out and talked with them, told them Pandy was deaf and almost blind. They told me she had been at their school, the middle school a few blocks down. They had played with her, and were so concerned about her they asked their principal if she could come in. He didn't allow it.

So, Pandy had quite the day. On Wednesday she could barely get up, I had to lift her down the steps so she could do her business, I had to carry her back up. The following day also. She was so stiff and sore I believe there were many more stories to tell about her day wandering. I'll never know where she had been or what she had been doing. All I know is that now she has a sticker on her head---and it's going to stay there.

Urban Camping

2006-04-21T09:17:00.000-05:00

Phil and I just returned from a seven day trip to Washington D.C. to visit with our girls. We took a "Built for Two" that parks easily in a normal parking space and headed down the road.

I love that little "Built for Two", with it's side by side twin beds that go up and down with the press of a button. The first night out we "camped" at America's favorite camping spot---Walmart. We needed some of that toilet paper that turns into mush when it hits water, we also needed some of that make-up that is made specially for old women, it goes on with a sponge that disintegrates after two uses. Anyway, after driving ten or more hours we made it to the edge of Ohio and decided to stop. At 10PM this particular Walmart was filled with different types of people, gang types with nylon head wraps, they wouldn't move out of your way so you found yourself sidestepping through the isles. I wasn't real happy about spending the night in that parking lot, but while I was inside Phil had found a nice spot directly under a pole that held a bright light and security camera. We figured if we were going to get killed there would be a nice video of it for posterity. It was funny, because when we woke up the next day we found ourselves the center of a group of various types of vehicles, vans, cars, other RV's, all of which showed up sometime during the night but we never heard a thing.

We moved on the next day---needing to be in D.C. by at least 4PM. We took the southern route, choosing to not go around Chicago. Phil had made the trip a few weeks before and noticed that the eastern traffic was at a standstill around the city, so we figured it would only be worse over the holidays. Southern Illinois, Indiana and Ohio are. . .well, there is not other word but boring. Nothing to see really, just flat land. Once we hit West Virginia things started perking up and by the time we were in PA, MD and VA we felt the familiar feel of being "home", even though the east coast wasn't our home anymore.

We got lost in D.C., the name of the road was different from what Celia had told us, we drove through D.C. but much had changed since Phil lived in the NE section back in the 70's. We could "see" the capitol but we couldn't seem to "get" there. The map wasn't any help, the roads we were "on" didn't match up with the roads we were "on". Finally, we arrived, there was a parking space right in front of Celia and Margaret's apartment. Celia was waiting to greet us. Ahhhhhh.

The apartment is on a neat, but busy, street lined with interesting shops and restaurants. Across the street is the oldest Army post in America. Celia says every morning she is awakened by "Taps" and band music. I think that's pretty neat. The apartment itself is at the top of two long stairways. It was half way up the second staircase where my knees would give out and I would have to push hard to make it the rest of the way up, huffing and puffing. The inside of the apartment was really nice, high ceilings, a huge brick wall, wood burning fireplace, hard wood floors. The big room consisted of the living area, dining area and kitchen, separated by a huge wooden island. An Ikea purchase Celia and Margaret are fond of. Following the long hallway down and to the left, was their bedroom, and a nice size bath. There is a door and balcony/fire escape off the bedroom, a nice little area for hanging plants or for slipping out the backdoor (if need be).

Margaret and Celia went the extra mile, the apartment was neat and clean, they offered drinks and bits. We visited until it was time to head out to the Melting Pot where we used our Christmas gift from Celia and had a lovely evening of dipping and drinking.

What's nice about urban camping is after dinner we headed down the stairs and out to our RV, still parked in front of their apartment. Closed up the curtains and shades, closed the windows, turned on the generator and the AC, the flat screen TV, laid in our beds, adjusted the bed to a sitting position and we were in our own little, extremely comfortable cacoon. Privacy, no air mattress, no sharing the one bath. I love me an RV.

8th Street off of G in SE D.C. is a busy place at night, there are restaurants and bars, lots of people milling about. At around 12:30 we heard three hard knocks on the back door. Phil got up but by the time he put his clothes on and got out and looked around no one was there. We don't know if it was a cop or just someone playing a joke. We didn't sleep well the rest of the night. Surely, with all the noise outside, the cop wasn't going to tell us to turn off our generator, and we were parked legally. So. . . . we didn't have any trouble the rest of the weekend, but we did move the RV to a quieter, more out of the way spot across the street the next day and for the rest of the visit we were fine.

Saturday morning Phil walked down to Starbucks, something that gives him much joy, and got us two coffees. When Celia and Margaret were up we visited a bit then headed down to the eastern market. What a place, I could have spent so much money!!! Vintage linens, stationery, jewelry, art work. Margaret bought a print of a painting of the eastern market for their apartment. It was beautiful. She, by the way, is starting a new job working for the Washington Post. What a girl!!! We bought Susie an herb pot for a non-sugar Easter and then stopped at a restaurant called Bread and Chocolate for brunch. Oh, it was nice. I got the way I always do, so overwhelmed by sights and sounds that I get almost punch drunk. I can't explain it---but that's what happens, especially since we have lived in Iowa.

Back at the girls apartment we played games and waited for Krista and Allison to show. Krista took a flight from NYC---$40 got her to D.C. but she didn't arrive until five. Allison didn't show until almost 7PM, missing the same road we did, then missing the second and heading west instead of east. Finally she arrived, her and her little dog too! Things went crazy, she was crying, the dog was jumpy, Angie became jumpie--YIKES. Some dog pee and worse went flying and Celia and Margaret became silent. . . . . . .their clean, neat apartment suddenly became bedlam. Phil took Angie to the RV. Allison, emancipated for the last year and a half, finds herself having trouble with the tax man. Celia sat her down later that weekend and talked budget with her, and I believe now all is well.

Easter morning we found that Allison "forgot" her candy and the candy Susie sent with her. Krista never made mention of ever having anything to contribut to the Easter weekend, except her presence. Phil and I brought the candy I had made, little lambs and bunnies, flowers and eggs, placed in cute little bags. Plus some little gifts like chinese umbrellas, little feather clips for your hair (which Margaret forgot she had on when she went outside for something---wondering why everyone was looking at her in a funny way). We ate candy, talked, Margared made crepes (yum) and it was a lovely time. We walked the dogs around the neighborhood every now and again, the houses are beautiful (and expensive) Phil and I remember when we lived in Reston back in 71. They were offering these same houses for $1!!!!! All you had to do was get a low interest loan and promise to have the house fixed up within a year. Well, two young kids, we were too scared to do it, but now the same houses are going for $800,000!!!

Krista left at four, Allison left a little later, we left somewhere in between, allowing Celia and Margaret a little rest-up time from the family before they started their busy weeks again the next day.

Phil had to pick up another RV in Staunton VA and leave our little Built for Two there. The one we picked up was still winterized, no water or holding tanks, so we hoteled it on the company the whole way back. I still use hotels when I have to, but prefer the cacoon of my own RV, my own sheets, towels.

So, we are back, my grass is green, my hostas are up about 4 inches, my tulips ready to pop, bleeding hearts almost ready to pop too. Spring has come to Iowa and it is a glorious time here. We plan to rest up from our trip and do just a little yard work, weather permitting. Holiday over, life goes on here in Iowa.

Lion King

2006-03-30T08:28:00.000-06:00

I've waited years to get to see Lion King. When we lived in PA and it was new on Broadway I wanted to see it, but tickets were being sold a year in advance and I never had my life so organized that I could schedule something that far off. So, I never went--then we moved and were not one and a half hours from NYC anymore---so I put it out of my mind.

Now, we are in Iowa and the Lion King is playing in Des Moines---Phil bought me tickets for my birthday. The day finally arrived---last Saturday. We got up early and drove to Des Moines, getting there in a little less than two hours. We took the exit and drove straight to the Civic Center, no problem. There was a parking garage next door---with a special show price for parking---$3.00. Can you believe it? So easy and stress free. Not at all like a trip to NYC, which would involve traffic jams, paying to go through the tunnel, paying to park--a lot more than $3.00. This was actually pleasant. Got into the Center, waited in the big lobby for about 45 minutes, people watching. Couldn't help but notice how different the people are here compared to NYC---so different. When we were finally allowed into the auditorium we found our seats, about five or six rows back, if that, and in the center area. Good---no, GREAT seats. The lady who sat next to me was pleasant, from Kansas City, she and five family members drove up from Kansas City to see the show, they took last minute seats and were scattered around the room.

The show started, and it took me by surprise--I almost wish I could see it again, the woman who is on all the commercials was there, singing those three notes---long and drawn out. At the same time the stage AND auditorium filled up with actors---dressed as the animals of Africa. It was WONDERFUL, the music, the actors, the costumes---it actually brought tears to my eyes--I couldn't help it! A bicycle contraption with antelope figures attached to its mechanics had them jumping across the stage, lions (people with masks on their heads) a woman dancer attached to a cheeta puppet made it slouch expertly across the stage, a huge elephant meandered down the isle---made up of two or more people, it was wonderful. Drummers set up on both sides of the stage played bongos and drums, the orchastra was in is usual place below the stage.

The Lion King story is well known, I didn't really go for the story, but the actors, costumes, music. I was impressed with the actor who played the King---he walked proudly, as you would think a king would, and yet animal like. He had a big booming voice. The actor who played his scheming brother was wonderfully mean, oh, I could go on and on---lets just say I LOVED it.

There were times that took my breath away, set design, costume design. One in particular was when the pride of lionness were greiving for the dead king. They looked out at us, and put their hands to their faces, and pulled long strands of silvery ribbon from their eyes, these ribbons fell from their eyes to the floor, conveying the idea of greiving, tears, crying for their dead king. It did exactly that----it was an exquisite moment, I loved it.

The show got a little long in the second half, kids in the audience were crying and restless, but soon it started the beginning of the ending, again all the animals/actors came on stage and we got to see the show at its best.

The whole thing got me thinking about a Christmas program at our church, using the animal/people idea. Hmmmmmm

HGTV

2006-03-27T07:39:00.000-06:00

How often can you say your husband appeared on national TV? The long awaited RV 2006 aired last night and we finally got to see Phil show off the 32 foot Born Free. It was long coming. They filmed it last summer, in 100 degree heat and 100% humidity. Hershey PA was the place, Phil shot for three hours!!! Three hours for what, about 3 minutes of TV time.

It's been around eight months of wondering, wondering if he made the cut, wondering when it would air, wondering if he came off stupid or ok. Yesterday we were worked up into a frenzy. Luckily, we had tickets to see Lion King in Des Moines. Phil bought me these tickets for my birthday in December of 2005. We had two things to do this past year, one was Lion King and the other HGTV, and they both happened on the same day. So, we drove the 2 hours to Des Moines, saw the wonderful, wonderful production of Lion King and headed home, arriving at six pm. That left four hours to live through before air time. We had dinner, cleaned up the dogs mess (from being left alone for 8 hours), watched home makeover, watched Sopranos (Tony's out of limbo having been called back from the brink of death by his pointy looking daughter Meadow). THEN THERE IT WAS!!! RV 2006. The host was a real nice guy, the show was put together really well. They started with Class A's and quickly got to the Class C's. At the beginning of the show the Born Free was used as the sample of the Class C, AND the host was sitting on the bench in front of the Born Free to introduce the show! Phil looked good, very professional. I told him---because I really think this---that he came across better than the rest. He said the leather chairs were "like butter" and we all laughed. The appearance had our phone ringing off the hook, first Susie then Celia, Krista and Allison.

Phil was more worked up that I realized. When it was over he headed up to bed, fatigue taking over. A restful sleep was had by all.

I can't wait to hear what people say at work today.

Phil--a TV star!! If you would like to have Phil appear in your movie---press one---now. If you would like to have Phil be national spokesperson for your product-----press two---now. All other questions----press three----now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ;-)

It's Coming, I Can Feel It

2006-03-23T08:09:00.000-06:00

I smell it in the air when I walk across my deck. I feel it in my bones when I look at the dead stalks--the ones I never got arount to trimming back last fall. I feel the excitement of what's to come as I look over the hydrangea plant and think about cutting it back so more flowers will come in the spring. My tulips are poking through the dirt, little tips of green against the black. The snow is gone and the pot of mums I never got around to planting appears, lying on its side in the garden next to the garage. It might not be too late for it.

The sun fools your senses, bringing to life the fever inside, the eagerness to get out and work in the garden and yard, and yet, just walking around the outside of the house pinks the cheeks and freezes your fingertips, its too soon, too early, too cold.

Back inside the house I lay with the dogs in the sun light that floods the floor in the living room. It's a secret my dogs know; lay in the sunlight for warmth and nourishment during those long cold winters.

There are some brave souls out and about, a man riding his bike, huddled in a thick down jacket. A woman, walking at a fast pace zips past the house, her ears covered with furry brown circles. But for me, I know the cold will hurt my lungs, burn my skin. Its too early, too soon.

Still, in my mind I can see it, the spring and summer to come. Lilacs blooming in the back yard. Hollyhock stalks standing tall against the garage. Tulips, the first to show their color. Mums growing too fast and needing a trim--for their own good. My herbs in the window boxes, basil, parsley and rosemary, my tomatoes---I hope they do better than last year. The deck, furniture placed just so, the umbrella, pots of flowers, their blooms cascading down the four steps to the concrete. I love spring and summer, made that much more important and glorious out here in Iowa because of the past four months of dreary grayness. It' s coming, I can feel it.

Traveling in the West

2006-03-21T20:31:00.000-06:00

I've just returned from three weeks of traveling from Iowa to California and then on to Arizona. I'm taking a new Born Free to big Dog Shows in different states, showing it off and trying to get people interested. My first show was Del Mar California, a beautiful part of the world, but I didn't really get to see too much of it because I was stuck at the fairgrounds most of the time. I'm not really complaining because leaving Iowa for Southern California in February is not a bad thing. The weather was beautiful, I got to people watch and to dog watch for that matter. Dogs of all kinds, sizes, colors. Strange "dog" people, dog merchandise, dog talk, dog dog dog.

I brought Angie along, she pulled the people in with her natural puppie cuteness and then I took over----telling them about this wonderful RV, half people half dog. People in the front, dogs in the back. Most liked it, they came and came and came and came, I didn't have a moment to think. I was tired by the end of the three days there. I left Del Mar at the end of the day and drove out route 8 towards Arizona, stopping one time to camp--but never found the campground so turned around and headed back onto the main road, saw another sign for a campground, drove five miles, couldn't find it, turned around and while driving back toward the main road was stopped by the border patrol. "Are you really from Iowa?" the cop, who was all business, asked me, I had to turn off my RV, give him my license and allow them to search the vehicle. I guess my eastern accent made him wonder. But, all the while I was thinking what a great story this was going to make. Ha! When they were finished checking me out I asked them where the campground actually was, they told me and I arrived at ten that night. But the campground/retreat ended up being very nice, very calm, very quiet. Just what I needed. The people working there were a married couple, an ex nun and ex priest who are full timers who work as they see the country, one state at a time, each state taking years for them to see!!! I also met an indian woman who worked as a massage therapist at the Indian Casino, she was a "healer" and an interesting soul. She told me to make tea out of strawberry leaves and drink it to cure my dry patches on my hands. I'll have to give it a try.

I had one day to relax, do my laundry, clean things up, then I headed to Scottsdale and West World where I camped out on the polo grounds from Wednesday until Monday. More dogs, more dog people, and again they came and came and came and came, from eight in the morning until five at night. I had to close things up tight to get any rest. I made friends with a woman vendor who sat across from me and sold dog collars and clothing. She was a huge woman, could hardly stand up. She knew the answer to everything, was very matter of fact and I kind of liked her. We decided to go to dinner on Sunday at the casino up the road, we had a lovely dinner then went to gamble. It was so crowded I had trouble finding a place to sit and gamble. I like the one arm bandits, I finally found one, it took DOLLARS, I went through $80 in about 20 minutes, so I got up and went to a lounge area and read the paper until she was ready to leave. I usually enjoy the casinos, I guess I should have tried to find a quarter machine. Angie got a job while we were at the dog show, she was a model for a woman who had up-scale dog clothing. Angie looked so cute, everybody stopped to see her. She was given an cute pink coat for her time and trouble.

I was glad to leave West World on Monday when things were finally over. It had been a long six days. I came home with over 50 names of people who were "more than generally interested in the rv."

Once I left Scottsdale I headed north to Prescott, stopped to see my cousin Donna for the day and then headed over the mountains to Sedona. What a beautiful drive, what a beautiful place. I really do need to go back there. I think Phil and I will plan a trip there for our next vacation. I want to get off the road and see it up close and personal, I want to spend more time there. Sedona is a place I want to know more about. The weather wasn't great the day I crossed the mountains, in fact it was snowing most of the way, I had to be careful. The road twisted and turned, but when I got to Sedona it was so worth it. I can't put in words how beautiful the mountains were.

The rest of my trip was non-eventful, I was worn out from working so most of it past in a blur. It was good to be back in Iowa, the snow was gone and the neatly plowed fields were showing again. It was good to see my house and Pandy, Phil was in Pennsylvania so he wasn't home to greet me. My tulips, fooled by a few days of warm weather, were popping through the dirt. A sure sign of spring on it's way. There is nothing like being home, sitting in your comfy chair reading the mail that had piled up over the weeks you were gone. Angie was over the moon being home, running through the rooms, wrestling with Pandy.

We are back, and it's good to be home.

ImbackinIowa

2006-01-23T16:57:00.000-06:00

Phil thought a week driving to southern Texas would be good for me. After all I had been sick since Thanksgiving. My job was to deliver a Born Free to a woman who planned on using it to take her Pomeranians to dog shows.

It wasn't what I expected. I took Angie so we could "bond" and I headed down 35, a wonderful road that took me all the way to Dallas without having to turn off.

I was out of Iowa in the blink of an eye, well three hours to be exact, and through Missour in no time, in fact I was almost to Kansas City when I decided to pull over for the night. I stay in Hampton Inn's and only Hampton Inn's. They offer the best room for the money, usually around $89.00 which gives you a great room, movies, HBO, swimming, exercise room and a really nice breakfast to boot.

The next day I headed into Oklahoma, a state I had never visited before. I don't know what I expected, but I can't say it impressed me. It was there that I started seeing the oil wells. One interesting thing, the first rest stop I came to had picnic tables under what looked to be Teepee's, very nice. Then on to Texas and the huge city of Dallas. Now, that was impressive, bigger than I expected, and more "east coast" looking than anticipated. Once through Dallas I headed for Houston. The roads were intricately woven around and through both cities. They seem to love their raised highways in Texas because there were many. It was a harrowing experience to drive that 27 foot RV through those two cities since every road I was on was being worked on and cattle shoots were the norm. I have to say that when I passed the Texas state line the land wasn't very pretty, but between Dallas and Huston there were fields of live oak and grass that looked like landscaped parks, but it wasn't, it was just the way the land looked. Very beautiful. Also, I saw lots of housing developments being built. They build massive entryways to these developments, usually including stone walls, metal sculptures and lots of landscaping.

I got to about an hour north of Lake Jackson, my destination, and took the exit showing a Hampton Inn location, at the end of the exit a sign told me the Hampton Inn was actually four miles down the road. I didn't like that, felt tricked. But I was tired so I drove it, arriving tired and edgy, only to be told there was no room at the Inn. They sent me north a few miles and I ended up at a Hamptong Inn at the airport. Cops in the reception area, lots of men gathered in the cafe. I got settled but didn't feel safe, an unusual feeling for me during my travels. Sure enough, the next day when I left cops were everywhere, checking out what looked to be smashed windows on many of the cars in the lot. The smashers left the Born Free alone----I guess it was fancy stereos that was the draw.

I dropped off the RV, rented a car, a nice little red Vibe, and was scheduled to head to Galveston. But decided not to. I had many people tell me not so good things about the Texas Gulf Coast. The woman I delivered the RV to lived 10 minutes from the beach, but told me she never went. Said her dogs got sandy and the chemical plants made the view not so nice. Others told me I would get oil on my bathing suit, still others told me the water wasn't a pretty blue like in Florida. Adding this information up equaled me heading north that very same day. I took a different route out of Texas, an off road with more country less city, it took me through little towns a few people shy of being ghost towns. I went through one pretty little town with many craftsman style homes in shabby shape. What a shame!

I hit snow in Kansas. Never saw so many trucks and cars rolled over on the side of the road. I guess it was really bad the night before. I had stopped at around six that evening and I waited until ten that morning before I left.

I forgot my music. Radio in the Mid-west and South-west is not so great. Lots of country, lots of latin, lots of hard rock. I scanned and scanned constantly. Awierd thing I noticed on other trips and this trip too, the playing of the same songs on different stations. I believe these stations are owned by the same company with the same play list. Not so good when you are traveling.

I did get to see some good movies though. I saw the one with Viggo Mortensen where he lives a normal life until he stops a robbery in his cafe. Very violent and sexual. But a good story. Another one was the Johnny Cash movie, very very good. Enjoyed the music, enjoyed the actor who played Johnny.

Angie was fun to have along. She stayed in her little traveling kennel during the drive but once she got into the hotel room she had the run of the place. I have trained her on those dog pads and she did pretty well after the first two days. I had to sneak her into the hotel---didn't want to take the chance of having them not allow her in. She was funny and sweet and great to have along. She would sleep when we started out, but after a few hours her little head would poke out the top of her kennel and I could tell she needed to run a bit.

So, now I've been to Oklahoma and I've been to Texas, I know I only drove through, I can't make a final judgement on the states, all I can say is I saw a lot of road.

Christmas Present

2006-01-10T11:28:00.000-06:00

You ask where I've been? This is the reason I haven't had time to write. Her name is Angie and she is 6 going on 7 weeks old.

My Christmas was lackluster because I was fighting some sort of cold/flu thing since Thanksgiving. My girls were home and we all had a very nice time, but it wasn't until Angie came on the scene that life really perked up. She runs, she bites, she pee's she poohs, ahhh dog ownership! But look at that face, how can you yell at a face like that??

Celia arrived for Christmas the day before my birthday, Krista and Allison arrived on the 23rd. Celia and Phil, with the help of Krista and Allison, made me a wonderful cheese fondue dinner. Later we played games and enjoyed being together. It was that way the rest of the holiday, playing games, eating, enjoying being together. An excellent holiday.

Now it's over and dreary January is here, but Angie is keeping things bright. I can't wait until warmer weather so we can go for walks together. She loves it outside. Pandy is tolerating her, but barely. Poor thing, Angie attacks her like a little black bullet, Pandy just growls and barks but nothing more. Dogs. . .

Christmas---I'm ready!!!

2005-12-19T11:40:00.000-06:00

I am almost ready for Christmas. It's hard to believe because I've been sick for the past month with some sort of cold thing that zaps all my energy and makes me cough constantly. But with Phil's help I am almost ready for Christmas. He brought all the Christmas boxes up from the basement and set them in the dining room and I slowly unpacked them, put the tree up one day, decorated it the next, decorated the house a little at a time over the past week. Slowly picked up stuff that had been cluttering the place and got everything ready for Phil to come through on Saturday with the Dyson and suck two cannisters (!) of dirt and Pandy hair up. Dusted feathers from my feather comforter (bought at half price but not quite the deal I thought it was since the feathers leaked through the duvet case) off all the furniture. I baked stuff for a little party we had Saturday evening, I felt good, it was nice to be up and doing stuff. Then when our company was here and we were sitting around singing---I couldn't help myself---I sang with my raspy voice and Saturday night I paid for my singing by coughing all night long. Today I am feeling better, I have mounds of laundry to do today, I paid my bills, tomorrow if I can reschedule a Cook of the Week interview Phil and I will go shopping in Ankenny, Wednesday I will clean and make beds up for the girls, wrap the gifts we buy on Tuesday, Thursday I will go shopping and bake and bake and bake. The girls start arriving Thursday night!!!! I believe I will be ready, I hope I hold up.

View in Yosemite

2005-11-28T15:32:00.000-06:00

Bodega Bay

2005-11-28T15:28:00.000-06:00

Yosemite

2005-11-28T15:25:00.000-06:00

We are back!!!

2005-11-27T17:46:00.000-06:00

We started our trip on November 18, Phil and I both driving our own little Born Free, taking them to Nevada. We used Mapquest---driving the zig zag route from Ft. Dodge to route 80, through some beautiful Iowa countryside. Finally on route 80 we drove across the rest of Iowa, then on to Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and finally Nevada. Nebraska was pretty---a never ending state. Wyoming was beautiful and Utah even more beautiful with mountains and snow, we stayed the night in Park City, home of the Olympics. Then on to Nevada, not so pretty, down into Carson City which looks to be an up and coming growing town. When we got to Carson City we stayed in a brand new Hampton Inn, the nicest ever, then went to dinner at a lovely restaurant, had Cobb salad and wine, a nice ending to a long day. The next day we handed over the two Born Frees and rented a little white car for the rest of our trip. We headed over the mountains to Lake Taho a beautiful drive to a beautiful place---until you get to the little town south of the lake. It was full of up-scale shops and restaurants, some casinos. I was surprised they allowed so much building next to the lake. After Taho we headed out to California in order for Phil to interview a new employee. Then on to Northern California in order for Phil to check out a new dealer's lot. We headed up to Bodega Bay for an evening, ate at the Lucas Warf and stayed at the Bodega Bay Inn and Spa. Oh, it was a lovely time. I had the best dinner at Lucas Warf, a seafood stew filled with shrimp, scallops, and fish. The stew came in the pot it was cooked in, I then ladled the stew into my bowl, I ate every drop (to Phil's dismay because he said I had garlic breath three days after the meal) and I thought about this wonderful stew several times during our trip home. We started our visit to Bodega Bay at the visitors center---checked out all the hotels, decided on the one we wanted, pressed a button which connected us directly to the hotel and made the reservation. The hotel was the Bodega Bay Spa and it was gorgeous, our room was huge, had a fireplace and a deck that looked out over the bay. Phil and I had (and needed) a relaxing time there. The next day we drove down to Yosemite National Park where we had a reservation at Yosemite Lodge. The drive took longer than anticipated since we took the "dotted" roads instead of the faster ones. It was a pretty drive that included stops for a bit of wine tasting and buying, but the sun set before we got into the park so we were driving through this magnificent park in the dark---wondering what sights we were missing. We got to the Lodge and into our room and fell asleep on our bed, the next morning we got up and Phil went out to the car and came in and said "Connie, you have to go outside, you are not going to believe the view." So, out I went and saw an unbelievable sight, our Lodge was right next to a huge rock/mountain and waterfall. It was---well-----unbelievable!!! Later, during our stay, we had to watch out that we didn't run into tourist getting off buses and just standing and staring in awe. We talked to the people at the lodge trying to find out the best way to see the park in the short amount of time that we had there (Wednesday night to Friday morning.) They suggested taking a sight seeing bus, which we did. We found that the employees at the park were always trying to get people to take trams and buses instead of driving themselves---I guess they are trying to cut down on the individual cars going through the park. So, we took a four hour tour and we were glad we did, the driver knew where he was going, he knew all the best places, he knew the history of the park, plus Phil could look rather than drive the dangerous roads through the park. Every place you looked was a photo op, and a beautiful photo at that!! I have bunches of them! We stopped at the Ansel Adams museum and the visitors center on our way back to the lodge. Our last visit in the park was to the big sequoia trees, huge standing and some fallen trees. It was raining that last day so our hike was cut short but we got to see them and they were impressive! So, after the wonderful time at Yosemite we headed back to San Francisco Airport, a drive that also took us through some lovely places, groves and groves of almond and other kinds of trees, Gilroy which is the garlic capitol of the world (I bought a bunch and made the mistake of putting it into my suitcase!) We were suppose to meet cousin Craigy at Benehanas but he backed out because of a cold, we were tired so we stayed at the hotel and relaxed. We had to get up at 4 am (California time) in order to catch our plane at six. I wasn't looking forward to flying, but I did it. . . . .that's all I have to say. We got to Denver and had a three hour layover, then headed to Omaha in a tiny little jet, (again--no comment.) Once in Omaha we rented a car and headed home. Ahhhhhh it was good to be back, our Fall Pumpkins lay rotted on the porch steps but Pandy was glad to see us, Brenda had left u s some little scones as a welcome home. I can't believe we were only gone nine days, it seemed like a month with all that we did and saw. I would recommend Bodega Bay to anyone, it was a stunning place. I would also recomment Yosemite too, I believe the most picturesque of national parks. I understand we were very lucky to get reservations at such a late date (two days before our visit) most people make theirs a YEAR in advance!!!! They have a lovely restaurant there at the Lodge that looks out at the falls, but they also have a cafeteria too. We liked the cafeteria, we could get eating over with and not waste time getting out into the park. It was a trip of a lifetime!!

Snow Came Early to Iowa

2005-11-17T10:20:00.000-06:00

It started last weekend with the wind. It was still warm then. By Tuesday the temperature had dropped and it was raining. I went to Weight Watchers and one of the women there said the rain drops were "fat" and would turn to snow soon. I had never heard that before, and thought it was funny that the first time I heard about fat rain was at Weight Watchers! Five minutes later it was snowing, the fat rain drops had indeed turned to snow. By evening the snow was coming down hard and the wind had picked up even more, it was official, we had our first blizzard. I was in and out of sleep the whole night, listening to some kind of thumping outside the house as the wind blew and blew. Phil was in Des Moines and I couldn't help but think ahead to when whatever it was actually blew through the window, what would I use to block the wind from coming through the broken window. I decided I would stuff the feather comforter into the broken window and keep it in place by moving the dresser in front of the window. All my plans were for naught and when I woke up the next day the wind had stopped and the snow had turned into a crystal coating. You know what I mean, the Dr. Zhivago kind of snow. I spent the day cuddled in my den reading and cleaning out drawers and desks. Last night it was 13 degrees. I may be wavering on my semi-boycott of gas---keeping my heat downstairs at 63 and keeping the upstairs heat off entirely. It was cold, so cold I had to wrap my head with a blanket. When your head gets cold in bed you KNOW it's cold. Even Pandy is wearing a sweater, one I bought her at Walmart last weekend. Red is her color.