The 4th Is My 1st

Independence Day - aka the 4th of July, is my first best holiday. It took me fifty years to realize it. Now I'm at peace with the realization - along with the fact that Summer is my fave season. Oh, I tried to pretend it was Fall. Maybe it was when I was younger. Now that I'm old and always chilly, Summer suits me. Deck time, flowers, green grass, and trees, I love it all.

My love affair with the 4th of July has been building for a long time. I believe it's because it's more low-key than holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter that require food, gifts, and housekeeping. Independence Day, even when people visit, seems less frantic when it comes to prep. And decks and garages are in play for entertaining.

In my early years, when dusk hit on the 4th we took comfy blankets and sparklers to the Atlantic Golf and Country Club. There we'd park along the road and traipse to somewhere on number 8 or 9 fairway so we could gaze down to number 1 and 8 greens. (If course layout serves me). There we'd lay out our big wool Hawkeye blankie near all the other families. The excitement would build as the fireworks crew periodically shot off sonic booms to prep the crowd. When darkness fell, the show and Ooohs and Ahhhs began. In the distance, we could see the City of Atlantic fireworks shooting near the airport. A great piece of Americana happening across our great country.

The year I graduated from high school, three friends and I decided to get away for the 4th. Somewhat of a good girl, I was ready to be "bad". The drinking age was 18 so liquor was in the works for sure. Cherry vodka anyone? I had decided it was time for me to try pot - good old Iowa ditch weed that I secured from a classmate. Robyn, Chris, Trish, and I drove Trish's VW bug up to Lake Okoboji and checked into our very own hotel room. So grown up!

One note - when I was younger, my allergist had noted that I was allergic to hemp. I didn't put those two things together. I lit the joint up as soon as we checked into the motel but don't remember feeling high at all. Imagine my surprise when I began to get a rash and fever instead of a buzz. Uh oh! I ended up visiting the Emergency Room in Spirit Lake. The doc asked if I had eaten shellfish or anything new. Nope! I was not admitting that. I got major Benedryl and went off to enjoy the rest of the weekend pot-free. Lesson learned.

The rest of the weekend we enjoyed Okoboji, visiting the iconic amusement park, Arnolds Park, and partied at the Roof Garden. There we ran into - guess who? The Atlantic cool boys who were up visiting our classmate Jack Bunce whose family had a place on the lake. It was a fun trip - except for the rash/doctor part. I made the mistake of telling my older sisters about my pot snafu a year later. Of course, they outed my plunge into drug use to our parents. They just laughed.

I've blogged about the many (around 15?) years we spent Independence Day at Ridgeland, WI, thanks to the hospitality of the Huston family. Mike Huston, our wedding best man, invited us to his family's "home place" after we graduated from college. His parents Clark and Joyce must have actually enjoyed being invaded by a group of young people. And later young parents and families.

Beloved outhouse - Kelli and Amy Ridgeland

We never quit going until our children got old enough for us to need to stay home for local activities. Early on, the Huston place was rustic with the two-seater outhouse and no running water. At first we slept in a huge tent. Later we had family tents and campers. The highlight was tubing the nearby Apple River whilst guzzling beer. My dad provided fireworks for the event as he'd stop at a stand in Missouri when driving back to Iowa from the Florida winter. Our own little display.

Gang at Ridgeland - thanks Clark and Joyce! 

Lucky for us, when we stopped going to Ridgeland was right around when we moved to our second Creston home which was right in the heart of the best 4th of July activities. We had a great view of the fireworks and could walk around the lake to McKinley Park that hosted a carnival and talent show. Each year we invited people over to sit in our driveway for fellowship and fireworks. Later, when our neighbor's trees grew large, we sat in their driveway. It was great! The only downside was our pets did not like it. One year we finally found Moki under Amy's bed downstairs.

2016 Yankee Doodle Pops with roomie Joan

Since moving to Des Moines we've enjoyed new traditions. Last year Paul was recovering from prostate cancer surgery so we took it easy. This year I'm happy to report his recovery has been as good as we could have ever hoped. Periodic checks have shown no detectable cancer. Thanks to Dr. Gellhause at the U of I and staff.

2017 July 3rd downtown bike ride with my honey

This year many traditional activities are canceled as we try to stamp out COVID 19. Once again we're laying low for good reason. I bet we'll see some fireworks from our deck.

I look forward to many more years of celebrating our great country. 













 

Old Woman

Old Woman - Traditional Folk Song

VERSE 1
Old Woman, ole woman are you fond of courting
Old woman, ole woman are you fond of courting
Speak a little louder, sir, I'm rather hard-of-hearing
Speak a little louder sir, I'm rather hard-of-hearing

VERSE 2
Old woman, old woman, are you fond of smoking
Old woman, old woman, are you fond of smoking
Speak a little louder sir, I've just begin to hear you
Speak a little louder sir, I've just begin to hear you

VERSE 3
Old woman, ole woman do you think you'd marry me
Old woman, ole woman do you think you'd marry me
O, my goodness, gracious me, I do believe I hear you
O, my goodness, gracious me, I do believe I hear you

I remember singing this song at Washington Elementary in Atlantic. Don't remember the smoking verse...
Of course, back then I never thought about the time when I'd be the old woman. It happened so fast. AND I'm not quite clear on just when the "old" descriptor kicks in.

I'm okay with being an old woman. Sometime. I guess it depends on just who is calling me an old woman. When I'm with my peers - no problem. We joke about being old women. It's almost a source of pride. Look how nicely we've growed up! I've explained how I forget how old I am - until I look in the mirror. Or when I get out of the car after riding a long distance. "Walk young" our pal Don McKim recommends. My joints don't always obey.

Photo of a project partially funded by the Derelict Building program - will be new City Hall

My nose got a little out of joint this week on a work trip through Eastern and NE Iowa. A younger woman riding with me on a work trip called me an old woman because of the way I parallel parked on a busy street. I'm afraid I briefly saw red and told her she could drive if she wasn't happy with my parking. (she's my boss - oops!) The old girl (me) still has some spunk. So call me Old Woman - if you dare! I may laugh or snap.

Paul and I took a quick trip to Saint Louis Saturday (overnight) to deliver the bookshelf he built and stained for Jud and Kara. Oak with a black finish. It turned out super. It matches the desk he built for them last year. Kara uses the office when she works from home. She has big plans on how to fill all those shelves. It was good to see the kids - and get that big unit out of our garage! 

A night out after delivery - at the Shaved Duck, a family favorite

Des Moines was hit by a huge rainstorm while we were gone - over 10 inches in some areas. A local sports personality was swept away by flood waters after his van was stranded on a city street. Prayers to his family.

We had under five inches at our house and were very pleased to find our basement unfazed. Sump pumps rule! On to one of my favorite holidays - Independence Day. It's tough when it falls on Wednesday. I think a lot of people are taking vaca. Not me! That's next week when we head to Cannon Beach for our Bullock Girl fam reunion. I'm looking forward to it! If you've never been to the Oregon coast, consider checking it out.

Have a great and safe 4th of July all! Remember - sparkler can be HOT!

Independence Celebrated, Family loved

Ahhhh. Summer. I'm sad that my fave holiday is in the rearview mirror. This year Independence Day landed on a Tuesday, resulting in a "dangling holiday". That means we didn't have a 3-day weekend. Paul and I went to work as usual on Monday but took vacation at noon after some six hours of hard toil on the rock pile. (insert cubicle).

We spent a couple hours at home and hung out with the pooch. Paul loaded the bikes on the car and we packed some water and bag chairs. I got Odie's kennel out because when the fireworks started flying, she would find that comforting.

July 3rd was a big night in DSM - we headed downtown to ride north on the Neal Smith Trail - past the Botanical Garden. The trail runs through a neighborhood and along a park. Then it goes by Birdland Marina, noting a bar called Capt. Roy's. After we missed the trail turn, we ended up...guess where. Back at the bar drinking ice cold (not for long because it was really hot out) Ruthie lager in tallboy cans.

Birdland Marina - before they put boats in

The bar overlooks the marina - a place I'd only seen one time before, and that was during winter. This seemed like a whole new place - bursting with activity. Birdland Marina was full of boats. People were on them. They were sitting by them grilling and chatting. And people were sitting to the right at Capt. Roy's under umbrellas, watching the boats. It was grand, like being at a tiny LOTO (Lake of the Ozarks). People came and went, overloading boats - heading up river and down.

The bad part about hanging at the marina was the uphill ride back to downtown DSM. We conquered though, loading the bikes back on the car back downtown. We decided to walk to Guru for barbecue. There was a bit of a wait thanks to all the activity - an Iowa Cubs game, live music at Nitefall on the River and the big deal - Yankee Doodle Pops.

Our view at Nitefall on the River

After eating we settled into our bag chairs for live music and then after dark, fireworks. The first couple bands at Nitefall on the River weren't that great, but the headliner was good. People watching was great. Paul and I liked watching families throwing Frisbees and eating together. Fireworks were fabulous! I think they've invented new colors and shapes. Kudos to the shooters.

check out the root systems - good discussion with Paul about this

Love paddling with my honey

On the 4th of July, we put the kayaks in the truck (much easier loading that putting them on top of a car) and drove to Raccoon River Park. It was nice a quiet. We shared the water with ducks, a few other boats and a blue heron. The rest of the day was pretty quiet until out neighbor began to shoot their own cache of fireworks. Odie and her parents weren't entertained. Leave it to the professionals. We had to work on Thursday, so the late night sound effects sucked. And then there was the whole back to work thing.

At least we got to look forward to the Friday arrival of Jud. Kara traveled Thursday to Denver for Amy's bachelorette party weekend in Nederland. We got the "boys". Jud, Henry and Archie, the yipping puppy. They were great and hey, Odie's kennel was already out for her to huddle in.

Jud wanted to ride bikes, so we took him to the High Trestle Trail. We hadn't been there all summer. It was a beautiful summer morning, not too hot. It was fantastic to get a chance to spend time with our favorite boy doing something fun. It sounds like the girls had a grand time too - all 13 of them.

Summer. Don't you love it?

Holiday lives up to the hype

Friday wasn't the 4th of July - still it was a 10 for weather and holiday celebrations. Des Moines had set that day for Yankee Doodle Pops. It was mid 70's and partly sunny. Paul finished up work early and we got afternoon errands and cleaning done.

Walking across the bridge

Woohoo! We were off. First stop - Buzzard Billy's, since we parked there and needed a bit more change for the meter. Then - chair placement at Governor's Plaza for the Pops was in order. Paul was carrying chairs and I had the backpack with jackets.

We decided to go to Locust Tap for a brew - and met a delightful older couple visiting from the Pueblo, Colorado area for a wedding. He was a font of knowledge regarding lower league baseball as he'd followed Pueblo's team when they played Des Moines's teams. They were truly enjoying their time in DSM.

I got a text from my former roomie Joan McFee Bentley who was just leaving work - she'd join us for the evening. Yay! Unbelievable that Joan had never been to Locust Tap, where nobody really needs to worry about who is using what bathroom because the doors don't really close on either one...Next we went to Lime. The crowd doesn't show up there until late, so we were pretty much alone with the bartender as we caught up on roomie stuff. Then we were off to the real entertainment.

Cute family having fun

I love people watching. There was an adorable family in front of us where cute boys entertained themselves - making memories. I love the military band music. It reminds me of my father. I love "God Bless America" because we are blessed to live here. When the fireworks started, we realized that we were in a bad spot to see them - right behind a tree! Next year - top of the parking ramp is looking good. We started heading back to our car. Fireworks with live music. It was a fabulous night.

Saturday morning our friends Bobbie and Jeff arrived early to go to the Farmer's Market. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate as well. Still, we headed downtown and snagged green beans, a burrito and a pie! We headed home to warm up - then eventually east to the Fairgrounds (with more clothes on) to the Good Guys Car Show where Al and Sharon were showing off their 1958 Chevy truck that Al had worked on. The car show was like walking through my childhood.

Love the plate!

Sharon, Paul and Bobbie talk motors or something

Fred Behr had a Dodge Dart - not this color...or same year, but reminded me

Deardorff's Monte Carlo was beloved by many - so cool

Wayne Rodgers had a Chevy truck similar to this one

Joanie Troll has an Impala that was green and shaped somewhat like this

Robyn's dad Bobbert had a Riviera like this one - hardtop I believe - stylish!

How many families had wagons like this one in Atlantic, Iowa?

We had a fun night at our place with Higgins and McFees. Paul grilled chops, Bobbie made sangria and we cooked the green beans on the grill too. Later we sat on the deck laughing and talking. It was a great day despite weather chillier than usual for the 4th of July weekend.

On Sunday we celebrated the 50th Anniversary with Jean and Dave Fox and their families in Webster City. It was a celebration to remember - especially for their grandchildren! Congratulations to wonderful partners and parents. The slideshow made me a bit weepy.

I remember my grandparent's 50th. Most of the Morehead cousins were there (1 missing Legarra?) - one of the only times I remember us all getting together. The Fox fam is spread throughout the country - New York, California, Texas and Minnesota. I hope the cousins keep track of each other - cousin relationships are cool! (along with friends like the ones we celebrated with this weekend.) Today - I'm resting.

Dave & Jean - formal pics to come

Pops and Grandma Morehead 50th in Cedar Rapids

My other favorite holiday!

I complain about my workplace often. The Wallace Building is a boondoggle that the state is allowing to slowly circle the drain. Nobody knows whether it will be demolished, updated or just used into oblivion. Rodents, the non-working elevators, grimy carpet, lack of privacy and meeting space and the sick building rumors that won't go away. There is plenty of fodder.

I've worked in worse buildings in my varied career, including a dumpy underground office on the edge of the Old Market in Omaha and a tiny windowless office above the meal-site in Creston City Hall (insert food smells and Bingo calls). My biggest frustration in the Wallace building is the lack of a plan and little control regarding the future. The workers are in limbo, marching up and down the stairs (if they are able), crossing fingers and using the creaky elevators if they must. Last week a toilet overflowed and janitorial staff used a buffer to polish the runoff into the carpet. Then they turned on fans. What? Evidently DAS doesn't have a ShopVac...

This week I'm flipping the mindset - thinking and writing about what I love about working in the Wallace Building.

It's the diversity! I've never enjoyed a group of people more. Though I dislike putting labels on people - in order to give the reader an idea of what I'm talking about:

• All different religions are represented - and likely some atheists. Plus people like me who aren't quite sure what they are. I haven't been frightened by one Muslim.
• Young and old - though the latter seem to be retiring and are not really being replaced.
• Many nationalities, cultures and races walk the aisles in between cubicles. I enjoy hearing the accents and seeing the diverse beautiful skin tones.
• People with disabilities are employed at DNR. I applaud the folks who must have to make such an effort to just reach their desk each day due to the unfriendly access the building presents.
• Openly gay people (and maybe some who don't care to discuss their sexuality) represented. I'm glad to count some as my friends. There are also single people, young families, empty nesters - people in all stages of life. I still have a hard time realizing that I'm in the "oldster" era of employment.
• People who dress up and others who wear shorts and flip flops. (Me - I kinda split the difference). One guy walks around in his socks or barefoot. Dude - see the note about the toilet water buffing above!
• Serious nerdlike dudes and dudettes that are all business and people like me who like to spice things up by being a bit sarcastic at times and funny at times. We all do the business of the State of Iowa.

There is more but you get the idea. It's like a very small (run down) city.

I love it! And it reminds me of America and why I love it. Tonight starts the beginning of the 4th of July celebrations for the greatest country in the world.

Paul and I are attending Yankee Doodle Pops - music and fireworks! It's a beautiful summer day. We'll be there in the shadow of the Wallace Building, among a diverse group of thousands. Yippy!

Crews begin setting up for Yankee Doodle Pops Wednesday

 

Memories Broken and Independent

This isn't the first time I broke my arm. The story for the first time is much more interesting than a bike wreck. Wind up the way back machine - it was about 1961, and I was attending nursery school at Mrs. Luin's. All the cool kids were there!

Mrs. Luin would pick us up a couple days a week in her station wagon, and we'd sit in the back (loose - no seatbelts for we baby boomer kids) singing "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch" as she took us to and fro. Her house/pre-school was located on the outskirts of Atlantic, just south of the cemetery. I recall snack time including graham crackers, Koolaid and sugar cubes. Healthy, no?

The basement of the house was a virtual smorgasbord of kid wonderland. Toys and blocks galore, sand box, water area and outside - even better! There was some type of train that went around the whole backyard. Inside there were several play areas including older style swing sets and a big slide.

I don't think it was quite this big...but to a 4 year-old...

The slide was my nemesis. It was during a play session of "boys chase girls" that I must have decided a quick jump off of the top of the slide was a good way to get ahead of a cootie filled boy who was coming up the ladder. I landed on my arm wrong and broke it. I think it was the left one - and not the shoulder. I recall having a cast on it. Beyond that, it's a foggy memory. I was only 4. Around that time my friend Robyn broke her foot (or was it her leg?) on the glider of the swingset too. I happened to be gliding with her. Is there a theme here? Can you imagine the uproar today if a pre-school had that safety record?

Yesterday I finally got into my stylist for a "broke shoulder" haircut. Yes please!

It's July 3rd - I'm off work celebrating the holiday a day early. I love Independence Day! I have since I was a kid growing up in small town Iowa during the best time to be a kid. My earliest memories are of taking blankets to the Atlantic Golf and Country Club for evening fireworks. Before dark they'd light "sonic booms" and we'd run back to the blanket and pounce on it like it was base. The fireworks would be set off down near the first green. By the time they were over, we were very sleepy and ready to be in bed.

Another memorable 4th of July was in 1976. Chris, Robyn, Trish and I went to Okoboji that week - celebrating our graduation from High School. It was my first big outing with pals - an exciting time that will always stand out as one set me on my way toward freedom and adulthood.

After college we (and 8-20 friends) spent over 10 years traveling to Wisconsin - first, as just out of college young-adults. Then as newlyweds and young parents. We stayed with our friend Mike's parents and family at their rustic farm just outside Ridgeland, Wisconsin. My dad would supply us with a big box of fireworks - purchased in Missouri as he and Mom traveled back from Florida in the spring. We would tube the Apple River, golf and eat Oscar Mayer foods. It was such fun and so relaxing. The small bars in the tiny towns are still something we talk about today!

Vic, Jane and me - Ridgeland 1980?

Once our own children got involved in activities in Creston, we began staying home for the 4th of July - and found out that town puts on a heck of a party! The parade (bloody marys at the Elks Club?), flea market, a street dance, stuff at McKinley Park and mostly - fabulous fireworks that take place in what became our front yard after we move to the west side of town in 1998. We'd invite folks over to watch the display each year. I loved it! Watching the goings on in the neighborhood - neighbors having barbecues, people driving and walking by. Such a fun day.

We've spent the past couple years here - attending Yankee Doodle Pops. I didn't want to face that in a sling this year! Tonight, friends are coming up and we're going to the Iowa Cubs game - and oh...there will be fireworks. Tomorrow - the rest of the gang will ride bikes. I'll likely read. I love it!