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

A full day of music at Starvy Creek

 75 degrees and overcast at Starvy Creek near Conway, MO.  Rain had been predicted  for much of yesterday afternoon and through the night and again today; but, they have all bypassed us so far.  One more day of entertainment starting at noon until 10 pm tonight.  No the local farmers really nead the rain, but hoping it holds off one more day.

The two different times The Kody Norris performed yesterday.

Group at right are Classy and Grassy.  They are a young group.  Boy on the right did the talking and said that the fiddle player was 14.  The fiddle player's sister (not in this picture) looked to be maybe 16, though he didn't mention her age.  The short fella beside him is his brother who he said was 14.  He mentioned at one time that the taller guy, playing the doghouse bass, was the only one who had a drivers license so he did the driving.  They were really good singers and players.

At left is

photo of

the whole

group.

Some of the entertainment on Friday

I'm told this guy, with this hair, etc., shows
up this way every year at this festival.

This is on 60 acres and this view
is from the road coming back from Marshfield.

Several Mennonite farms in the area.

Had some excellent catfish with fries, and an order of deep-fried cheese curds.

We will pull out of here in the morning and go to Cape Girardeau to spend some time with brother Don and his wife Vicki in their Assisted Living Apartment.

More later, LC

Punches Family and Classy Grassy at The Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival

 76 degrees and cloudy here at Starvy Creek, near Conway, MO at 10:30 am Thursday, with predicted high of 84 degrees and no rail.  Earlier predictions had been rain chances each day.

Many gathered for a potluck supper.  Lots of good food.  Many in the campers here didn't come--their loss.

Had several small groups perform.  These young boys are from east Texas.

This new (to us) group, Classy Grassy, is taking the place of scheduled That Dalton Gang, which just recently disbanded.

Below is The Punches Family.  We have heard them many times in the Rio Grande Valley.

With overcast skies, feels good even with temperatures in the 80's.  More tomorrow.

LC

Activities starting at Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival

 87º and muggy with lots of sunshine, though rain is forecast, at Starvy Creek, near Conway, MO, at 2:40 pm Wednesday.

Slept in this morning, walked around the grounds.  Although a lot of units (Class A's, Class C's, Class B's, 5th wheelers, travel trailers, tents, in about any age & shape you can think of.  There appears to be quite a few spaces that have electricity still available, though.  

We set out our chairs on Sunday.  This

is the view we will have of the stage.

Looking from

other side towards

our chairs.

This elderly couple has this old

trailer - no bathroom, no TV.

This Chevy goes with the trailer above - at right.

Photo at left and below

taken last evening as

we walked around.

Above:  Our trailer in center

At right:  Rhonda Vincent showed up yesterday.  One of her band members is running the show here this year.  She, and her band The Rage will perform two days.

Below is video I took from top of the ladder on our travel trailer, shows a bit of the RV's and tents here on what I would guess is 40 acres.

This is flyer for the festival.  One change - The Dalton Gang quit earlier this year and they are being replaced by Classy Grassy, whoever they are.

Well, it is after 4 pm now and will find the assembled people where the Pot-Luck supper is to be.  Afterward will be open stage and then a couple of the professional groups will perform.

  Thought For The Day – I know how it will end for me. One of my kids or grandkids will unplug my life support to charge their phone.

Later, LC