July 19, 2023

 Bright sunshine and 84º with a "feels like" of 90º here in Clarinda, IA at 3:15 pm on Wednesday.  That beats the 100º with a "feels like" of 116º at our home in La Feria, Texas right now!

Had crew out today to re-align our rain gutters and add a covering similar to Gutter Dome.  The very long runs had been a screw-up ever since we bought this place.  The really long run across front of house and the really long run across back of the house have been changed to high point in the middle and drain to both ends.  That, plus the coverings should eliminate much gutter problems.

Anyone who wants to start a Cottonwood Forest are welcome to come harvest some of the million cottonwood seeds that are blowing around our yard!

Will be getting ready to pull the trailer east this Friday.  We returned to our trailer from Branson to the Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival last week one day and were informed that neighbors had shut off our propane account the smell of it around our trailer.  We used an electric hotplate for our cooking (one which we have carried in the trailer for some time, but not used) and when home secured a tester for the smell of propane.  Have been unable to detect anything, but will test it before we leave and when we get to Marengo.  Also, discovered a leak just past our drain valve for the grey water tank and am going to try to get it fixed before heading east.  At least if it leaks when draining the tanks is not as serious if it was the black tank.

Is overcast now at 4:30 pm Wednesday with temperature at 83º with "feels like" of 89º/  Yes, I got sidetracked and just got back to the computer.

LC

A little shower today

78º and bright sunshine at 6:36 pm Tuesday. Rained from early morning until nearly noon today.  I dumped .5" of rain from the gauge after lunch.   Grass is growing like crazy -- mowed the yard today.

Flowers on west side of house in spot of a removed tree--several years ago.

 

Flowers in big pots on back deck.

One of my 80th birthday cards. And, the "Life Begins at 80" below is from her (Bobbi) since she is over 80 I have to believe it is true.

Life Begins at 80 

I have good news for you. The first 80 years are the hardest. The second are a succession of birthday parties. 

Once you reach 80, everyone wants to carry your baggage and help you up the steps. If you forget your name or anybody else's name, or an appointment, or your own telephone number, or promise to be three places at the same time, or can’t think of how many grandchilden you have, you need only explain that you are 80 years old. 

Being 80 is a lot better than being 70. At 70 people are mad at you for everything. At 80 you have a perfect excuse no matter what you do. If you act foolishly, it’s your second childhood. Everyboedy is looking for symptoms of softening of the brain. 

Being 70 is no fun at all. At that age they expect you to retire to a house in Florida and complain about your arthritis (they used to call it lumbago) and you ask everyone to stop mumbling because you can’t understand them. (Actually, your hearing is about 50% gone). 

If you survive until you are 80, everybody is surprised that you are still alive. They treat you with respect just for having lived so long. Actually, they seem surprised that you can walk and talk sensibly. 

So please, folks, try to make it to 80. It’s the best time of life. People forgive you for anything. If you ask me, life begins at 80. 

Well, after numerous texts, first that I was on-call for jury duty, then that I was to report July 18th (today), called in - as instructed - last evening and was told case was solved, no need for jury.  Will be on call for rest of the month.

It did let me keep my appointment to donate blood to the Red Cross at noon today.

Later, LC

Rainy day in Clarinda, IA

73º and sunshine at 7:00 pm here in Clarinda, IA Monfsy, after rain early this morning.  

 "The trouble with the world is not that people know too little; it's that they know so many things that just aren't so." ~ Mark Twain.

Dixie Henry (now G'Schwind) was a few years behind me at Lower Lodi Grade School near Oconto, NE many years ago. She has been secretary at the Methodist Church in Callaway, Nebraska for 29 1/2 years and her retirement was noted on Facebook.

Another two pictures off Facebook - My oldest brother Roger's grandson Steve with his daughters -- Mila and Emma -- in Santorini, Greece and Alberobello, Italy

Well, as sometime happens, I got distracted last night. It is now 8:30 am on Tuesday. Though I had been called for Jury Duty this morning, last night's phone call let me know it was cancelled.

Is 64 degrees with light rain falling - forecast for rain off & on most of the day.

Had lunch near Kansas City last Thursday for some $24 less than one of the dine-in meals in Cape Girardeau, MO.  Always enjoy the Costco Hot Dogs

Lawn really growing with rains we have
had lately.  Mowed last Thursday and
will have to mow tomorrow.

.

Home in Clarinda after 15 days on the road with our travel trailer

 86º overcast and chance of showers from the west soon here in Clarinda, IA at 3:00 pm Friday.

Got home about 3:30 pm yesterday and parked the trailer close so can unload now and load back up next Friday when we head to eastern Iowa.

Didn't get blown away in the middle of the night in Columbia, MO, but there was a lot of wind and rain.  TV reported outages of electricity at quite a few places in Columbia and to the east, along with downed trees.

We got to Sweet Water Ranch near Boonville, MO about 8:45 am and were able to bump our reserved 9:30 am tour up to the 9:00 am tour.

At the end of the tour we got our picture taken by one of the Clydesdale's.  When we got in position where they told us, this horse came around and nudged Phyllis on the shoulder -- just before photo above was taken.

They have a "West Coast Hitch" in Fort Collins, CO, and refer to the one in Missouri as the "East Coast Hitch & Training"

There were several hitches working around the barns.  When selected gelded males are around two years old they start training them over quite a long period.  About 25 Mares are bred each year and a strict selection of the males -- coat coloring, black tail & mane, white blaze on face, and four white "stockings" are a must.  

This young foal was resting.

Lots of flowers in front of main building

We were in Independence, MO (near KC) by noon and stopped for some hearing aid work, hot dogs, and some groceries at Costco before heading home.  

More later, LC

In Columbia, MO for the night.

 92º with feel like of 94º and severe weather warning here in Columbia, MO at 6:30 pm Tuesday.  Just started raining and high winds are forecast.  We are in a very large RV Park with many trailers up and down the street.  A family with 3 young girls moved in a bit ago beside us and set up a folding camper.  They just got in their car and left.

Had an enjoyable time with my brother Don & his wife Vicki at their Assisted Living facility in Cape Girardeau Sunday evening and much of the day Monday and Tuesday.  Though Don, with the dementia, says very little he is agreeable to going out when Vicki wants to shop and we did eat out once each of the two days.  Is more feeble than we had noticed in previous visits, and only moves with a firm grip on his walker and very shuffling steps.  Though he normally only speaks when asked a question, as we were getting ready to leave for the last time, on this visit, he said twice "So good to have you visit us".  

Tuesday evening we dined with them at the main dining room at the Chateau Girardeau and then played some Dominos. 

Played dominos Monday and Tuesday evenings.  Had eaten at a buffet Monday noon and went to Jackson, MO (town where they lived until about 7 years ago) and ate at Delmonico's there Tuesday noon then shopped at Walmart in Jackson.  

Vicki likes to shop, without someone from the Chateau being with her--as usually happens.

With Vicki having no relatives that visit her and Don having only us that visit them, they seemed really appreciative that we spent some time with them.  

       We left Cape Camping in Cape Girardeau about 9:15 am and had an uneventful drive here to Columbia, arriving about 3:30 pm.  Presuming we don't get blown away overnight, we will take an hour and a half walking tour of the Budweiser Clydesdale Horse farm at Warm Springs Ranch near Boonville, Mo just 20-some miles west of where we are now at 9:30 tomorrow morning and then head on to Clarinda.  Will be two weeks and one day since we pulled out with the trailer from our home in Clarinda.

Later, LC

Some things are better left unsaid. Which I generally realize right after I’ve said them.

Little girl and the combine

 A story I read:

Today is a day I'll not soon forget..

As I was combining today, I was unloading into the auger cart and I saw a vehicle go by a couple times slowly and then pull over and stop. I had a minor repair to make and the vehicle stayed... I was a little concerned until I happened to catch 3 little sets of eyes looking out windows.

I went over and they rolled down the window and I asked if they needed anything and the lady explained their grandchildren were visiting from Florida and had never seen "farmer stuff" up close. There were 2 boys and a little girl.. I'd assume they were between the ages of 6 and 9. The two boys were all giddy but the little girl, while sweet and excited was pretty quiet.

I also happen to notice that she kept turning away from me and there was a scar or a birthmark or something on her face... And I felt really bad trying to figure out what it was because I was feeling like I'm staring at her..

The grandmother and her husband thanked me for stopping and saying hi and said they would get going because they knew farmers were busy this time of the year... And I said be careful and have a good trip...

It was then that one of the boys said are you going to be going soon cuz we would like to see what that machine does... the grandmother quickly quieted them and I said would it be okay if I took them for a ride...

She then said No we're sure your way too busy for that and I said no I'm by myself for now I've got time so she asked the two boys if they wanted to go and of course they did but the little girl stayed back.

I asked her again if she wanted to go and she said no thank you and so the boys and I went and got in the combine and we made one round and came back... While in the combine I said why didn't your sister want to come... they said shes shy. I then, because of curiosity, asked them about her face... And they told me it was a birthmark and that she gets picked on about it a lot.

After their ride I walked them back over to their grandparents car and I said to the little girl How come you didn't want to go for a ride? And she said well the boys always say that that kind of stuff is just for boys not for girls...

I laughed and said You know, there are girl farmers AND I even had a young girl in that cab just yesterday. Would you like a ride? She looked at her Grandma and she said go ahead if you want.

I then asked the grandmother if she had a smartphone and knew how to video... She laughed and said I have grandchildren of course I know how to video... So I told her have your phone ready and when you see me turn on the yellow flashing lights video the combine.

The little girl and I got in the cab and I turned the machine around and went back into the field at the end of it and came back facing her grandparents vehicle. I then said to her...here.. you can turn the steering wheel... she first looked at me like I was on crack cocaine... But I finally convinced her and I told her not everybody gets to do this but people that are part of the special face Club definitely get to...but its a secret reason why you get to drive so you cant tell anyone. We even pinky swore on it...

The smile she had made this old tired grumpy mans heart soft and there must have been some Bean dust in the cab because my allergies started acting up just a little bit... So I let her "steer" and turned on the yellow lights on the way back so her Grandma could video tape her "driving by".

We got out of the combine and she still had a huge smile on her face and ran over to her grandma and was a little Chatterbox did you see me did you see me I got to drive I got to drive... Her brothers were obviously a little miffed... And ask her why she got to drive... I was afraid she was going to tell them why... But with all the sass of a little brunette girl with her hair in a pony she looked at them both matter-of-factly and said Because girls CAN farm.

My allergies started acting up a little bit again as she came back running over to me and gave me a huge hug and told me thank you... The grandfather came over and patted me on the shoulder shook my hand said I don't know what you said to her...but that's the biggest smile we've seen on her this vacation so far... the boys shook my hand and thanked me and got back into the vehicle and drove away... Leaving me to my thoughts

And all I could think of was if one of the combines hadnt broke down yesterday, I wouldn't have been in that field this morning, and I wouldnt have been by myself and we would have been really pushed wherever we were at to keep up with everything...and it proved to me once again everything happens for a reason...

All three of their faces were on my mind the rest of the day but mostly hers... not because of her birthmark, because of her genuine smile in the confidence that she showed when she got to get out of that combine and "brag" a little to the boys.

My gramps told me long ago to always be patient with children and people you come in contact with. I remember the countless times that he would let me "drive" the tractor... and the exhilaration and happiness that I felt during that time... And I swore that I was going to make other people feel that way when I got older... and I've definitely failed at that numerous times.. but I'm trying..

But, Im kind of thinking maybe that's what I did today or maybe that little girl made me feel like that little boy with his Gramps all those years ago.

30 minutes out of 24 hours... I need to do that more often....

Today was a good day... and one I shall not soon forget.

Credit: Jeff Ditzenberger

In Cape Girardeau, Missouri for a few days

 77º here in Cape Girardeau, MO at 5:00 pm Sunday.  Forecast to get to 60º overnight here and 86º tomorrow.,  Had a few sprinkles this morning at Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival campgrounds; rain had been predicted most of every day we were there, but only one shower last Sunday before the Festival even began.  Was a lot of cloudy days, which helped with the temperatures and usually a breeze.

We drove the roughly 240 miles cross country from Conway, MO to Cape Girardeau, MO, leaving about 9:15 this morning and getting here about 3:30 pm.

Many campers were exiting the grounds this morning.  Where many came in over a 3-week period, most of the approximately 300 units left today.

We are set up at Cape Camping in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Will be spending time the next couple days with my brother Don & his wife Vicki.

More later, LC