Carry On Camping

Do you remember the movie, "Carry On Camping"? 

The movie originally came out in 1969 when I was only 12, and it looks like it was a bit risque. I remember going with Chris Deardorff, but we must have gone when it came around again...can't imagine Pat B and Ginger Deardorff sending us off to a sexy movie at age 12. Since then, besides my Girl Scout day camp years, anytime I've gone camping that film title pops into my head. Not the risque part - just the humorous part. So much can't be controlled! You're at the mercy of nature, neighbors, and bad planning.

Summer vaca in Florida visiting my grandparents - no camping

Growing up, my family was NOT a camping family. Exhibit A - my dad, Dave Bullock. Evidently, his years in the army cured him of any idea that living "rough" was fun. Our vacations involved hotel rooms or at the least, cabins. My sisters and I were in Girl Scouts and attended summer camp, so we got a taste of camping then. I have fond memories of Camp Cheley in Estes Park, CO - an overnight hike and campout. It was quite an adventure.  

My next camping experience was quite memorable - except for the fogginess due to the liquor involved. It happened while I was studying ever so hard at Iowa State University one VEISHEA weekend. Iowans will remember VEISHEA - that wonderful student-run celebration on campus that was parade/party/ showcase. It was doomed because of riots in later years. They couldn't figure out how to party without being overly destructive - grrr. 

That weekend, early in May, a group that included my roomies, Jane and Vicki, and our pal, ISU volleyballer Kelly, rented a tent from campus recreation. We decided to camp at The Ledges, a beautiful state park near Boone - just west of Ames. We took the essentials - beer, chips, cookies, and marshmallows. 

By afternoon we were already feeling the alcohol glow when our guy pals from Stevenson House, including Moose and friends, Shit for Brains, and others with nicknames I don't recall, were canoeing the Des Moines River. I don't know if we coordinated the meeting, but sure wish I had a video of the event.  Picture - Girls: cheering drunkenly on the shore of the Des Moines River as it passes through the Ledges. Boys: drunkenly see us and stand up in the canoe to wave - tipping over into the chilly water. Slow-motion would be great.  

The whole group ended up sitting around our campsite fire ring. Thank God we had Moose the Boy Scout to build the fire. As night fell, it got chilly and seven or eight of us piled into the tent. The guys hadn't planned to stay but driving didn't seem to be a good idea. I remember being damp and chilled to the bone. Wet drunk boys stink. It was epic!

I didn't camp again until the year I graduated from college - when we started our much blogged about trips to Ridgeland, Wisconsin to tube the Apple River. We stayed in a huge tent owned by the Huston family - again, many stinky people. 

That year I graduated and moved to Sioux Falls, SD where I had my first real job. Paul Goldsmith, bless his heart, made the drive there several times. It was then, without the trappings of college, we really got to know each other and learned how much we enjoyed each other's company. And we went camping. 

Does it look like 2 people will fit in that tent? Especially with that hair!

Paul had a pup tent - a tiny thing. We planned a trip to SE MN, a place some of my SD co-workers had told me about. I believe it was this place - Blue Mounds. I remember seeing the Bison. And how tiny and claustrophobic Paul's tiny tent was - the canvass was mere inches from my face.  

Since then, through the years, we camped a few times. I've written before about our Memorial Day camping experiences - 45 degrees and rainy at Jester Park and Pine Lake with our college friends. What is it about sitting around a campfire with friends? Good times! 

During our Creston years, after the kids were a little older, we camped a few times with our friends who rolled a little nicer than tent camping. Higgins had "the Big Unit", a pull-behind camper, Crittendens had a camper, and Bobbie and Jeff had a pop-up camper. We invested in a new tent that fit four people and a dog. I remember fun trips to NE Iowa near Waukon and Saylorville. We biked and canoed and the kids had a ball. It's always good to go with people who know what they're doing and have the right equipment. And attitudes! 

Since then, Paul upgraded the pup tent for a nicer one for hunting trips to Colorado. He's got some more outdoors equipment too. I haven't camped in 20 years! So imagine my surprise when Paul and I were discussing potential Labor Day weekend plans and I suggested tent camping! I know. But consider this: we need to be away from people as we're on "Baby Watch", and we don't just want to sit here. Jud and Kara's baby girl is due 9/12. We're getting antsy! The words came out of my mouth "what about camping?" I was as shocked as he was. 

So that's the plan. He found a remote camping spot in a state forest. Forty years after the first time we camped together we will Carry on Camping. Maybe we'll make this an every 40 year thing! 

Big Screen Memories

Do you remember the first movie you ever saw? For me, movie memories are similar to songs - who was I when I saw this movie?

One special movie memory is from 1967, when I was ten years old. Gone With the Wind was re-released and our mother took my sisters and me to see it in a big city - Des Moines? The theater had a curtain that closed at intermission. Mom cried during the opening credits - she'd seen this show before. The saddest parts of the movie to me, even then, were when Scarlet rode the horse to death. And when Rhett shoots the pony.

I have many more wonderful memories of "going to the movies". My movie love affair started even before age ten. Our school and the local theater had a summer movie deal. We could buy a sheet of summer movie matinee tickets - giving our parents (moms really) a break from the kids during the endless school break. We saw movies like Frances the Talking Mule and The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (Don Knotts Y'all).

The tickets were valued at something like $.25 each. The real money for the Atlantic Theater came from concessions. Popcorn and candy! Back then, soda pop came from a machine in the lobby - a thin dime for a small cup that would shoot out, be filled with some crushed ice and Coca-Cola. It was fun just to watch the machine make the magical mixture! But wait...there's more! If you got the "lucky cup" you got to go to a movie FREE.

Face it, in small town Iowa, there aren't a lot of options when it comes to activities. So we went to "the show" a lot. It was exciting to see the movie marquis - to see what we could go to next. One theater in the whole town of 7,000 people. Comedies, RomComs, Horror - we went to them all. I went with girlfriends. In junior high, I met my boyfriend Mike Carlson there. We held hands. It wasn't all it was cracked up to be. My hand got hot and cramped. I wanted to move it, but was scared to....that boy/girl stuff was hard. In the balcony at the theater there were actually twin seats - with no arm in between. Sweet! My high school boyfriend, Mike McCauley and I went to Funny Car Summer - a movie about drag racing. Hmmm, must have been teen love - that movie sounds horrible to me now.

I saw a few more movies with my mother that were important in my life. I was in high school when the movie Summer of 42 came out. It was rated R so I needed an adult to take me. Sally's mom Anna Day and Mom took Sally and me to that show - a coming of age story about a teen and an older woman who loses her husband to the war. Mom and I cruised over to Omaha to see the movie Jaws. She left to go use the restroom and didn't appear until much later - after I began to get worried about her. She said she ended up sitting down in the back - because she didn't want to miss the action. I also saw John Travolta's Staying Alive with her. She became a huge BeeGees fan after that movie. These memories of Mom make me smile.

Okay - when I said there was only one theater. That is true. But in the summer there was one other movie option. The Drive-Inn! I don't remember our family going there. As a teen - you can bet my friends and I went. With beer! We saw all sorts of crazy movies - like Death Race and Blazing Saddles. It was easier for me to go to horror movies at the drive-in - I could distract myself there - not as scary. Wednesday night was Buck Night - we'd all pile in one car. Lots of good Drive-Inn memories.

College was another great movie memory time. There were some classics from that era. My college pals, Sally, Vicki, and Jane loved Rocky so much. We listened to the soundtrack endlessly. We had the poster. Adrian! One Saturday, after a long week, we attended a sobfest The Other Side of the Mountain - the Jill Kinmont Story". It's about a skier who becomes paralyzed. Then we went to a party and drank beer. Oh, college. Ghostbusters, Animal House, Halloween, Monte Python, High Anxiety, Kramer vs. Kramer, Grease, Heaven Can Wait, Goodbye Girl. I could go on...Halloween scarred me for life against horror movies.

We've come a long way from buying sheets of movie tickets for summer school break. Paul and I went to the new "A Star is Born" Friday night. I loved it. Stefani Germanotta (Lady Gaga) was perfect in her role, as was Bradley Cooper. Lady Gaga's voice has it all. I really appreciated a chance to see her without all the glamour of makeup. It was her first acting gig and she nailed it.

We live right by a huge theater complex. We used to look up movie times, arrive at the theater and buy tix. No more. There's a new way to buy movie tickets - it's complicated! I miss the days of real people. Yesterday I got online to buy tix on the Cinemax website. I needed to login with a new password and select the time and seats. Then I needed a password for Visa. Sure it may be less complex next time I get tix. If I remember my password. And my seat did recline - even better than those twin seats at the Atlantic theater!

Paul and I like to re-watch some movies - sometimes over and over again. We especially like comedies. I tease Paul about his go-to movies. Gladiator, Twister, Shawshank Redemption. He just can't seem to flip by those on the TV Guide without watching. We must watch Animal House, Caddyshack, Vacation and Ghostbusters every few years.

Paul and I don't to nearly as many movies as we used to. We have Netflix. There aren't as many that we wish to see. Movies are expensive (and tix are complicated). But I'm glad they still keep making them. Movies are important in our culture and as stated in this blog, they help make up the framework of our lives.

Paul Left Again...

Man, I really got you readers with my last headline about Paul leaving me. Yes, I baited you and it worked. I can see how many readers there are for each blog - it really jumped on that one. Sorry to disappoint. He's stuck with me. We do joke that someday he'll ask me to dress up in a brown outfit with an antler hood and I'll be walking in the woods - oops! Hit by an arrow. No officer - I thought it was a deer. Okay - that's creepy, but it makes us laugh.

This time he's in Green Bay with our son Judson. They have started a "thing" where they attend an NFL game each year. Jud is a Cowboys fan (did we fail here? or just let him be his little self at age 4?), and Paul is a Packers fan. Last year they were in Dallas for a Cowboys/Packers game. Paul had never been there before - Packers pulled out a win at the end of the game.

This year it's a Packers vs. Buffalo game at Lambeau Field. Paul took his Rodgers jersey for Jud to wear. A full one half of Paul's wardrobe is either Cyclone or Packers - so he's covered. The beautiful part of these trips is that Jud figures out all the logistics for his dad. We're hard to buy gifts for - so this is such a gift. They flew into Green Bay and had a room at an Air B & B very near the stadium. They will fly home right after the game.

Next year they plan to go to a Cowboys "away" game - visiting more venues around this country. I love this tradition - even though I'm not part of it. Hmmm, what can Amy and I do? Bonding - adult children are wonderful.

I love dive bars

Lunch at Hickory Park - Sunday

Last weekend Paul and I enjoyed another tradition that has become an annual thing - Cyclone Football with college pals. Steve (Moose) and Kay came from Gurnee (north side of Chicago) along with their children from the Twin Cities. Vicki and Fred came from Northfield, MN. My college roomie Jane and a couple of her kids came too. Others stopped by our tailgate too. I can't say enough about our host and hostess Kevin and Kari - so thoughtful and generous setting up the tents and chairs, sharing their spread.

The weather gods blessed us on gameday. It was a perfect early fall day. The Cyclones beat Akron. We went to the classic dive bar the Tip Top before retiring to our hotel in Ames for the evening. When we walked in the door, a guy was standing on a table trying to put his foot behind his head. It must have been a bet. Or the beer talking! 

It's such fun catching up with our friends. And we are starting to plan an Alaska trip for next summer. No college friend weekend is complete without a Sunday morning lunch at Hickory Park. We all know what we're going to order before we see the menu: smoked turkey on an onion bun with mashed potatoes & gravy. Paul and I shared a delicious hot fudge sundae. I had to rest on Sunday - having fun is hard work! 

This weekend is a quiet one. I went to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning where I found the jigsaw puzzle for this Christmas in Vail, and a baby gift for my new grandniece Lily Lopez. (Leslie's daughter). I love sending those Cali kids Iowa gifts.

On Saturday night, college roomie Jane and I watched the ISU game at the Angry Goat. I've known Jane since I was 18 years old. Lots of history! Of course, the game didn't come out like we wanted it too. The Cyclones hung in there but didn't have enough offense in the end. I trust our coach to keep these guys on the right track. 

Funny: at work, the State of Iowa switched our operating system to Google a year ago. Last week my Gmail updated to a new version that anticipates what word I'm going to type. I can hit tab to accept the word/phrase or just keep typing.

I started an email to my co-worker Becky to ask her to update my program webpage with a new document. When I send emails like that I sometimes just sign with an L instead of typing my whole name. Gmail tried to fill in

Love you,

Good thing I caught it! I actually laughed out loud. And didn't hit tab to accept. But I wondered - what if we all expressed our love and appreciation to each other more often? I've worked with Becky for 10 years now. I told Becky the story - what I nearly sent. And I shared with her that I have grown quite fond of her.

Thanks, Google, for reminding me that I should appreciate all of my relationships more. Please don't let me start emailing stakeholders - citizens of Iowa and landfill operators signing "Love you". That would be weird!

Paul is Leaving Me

Just after our 36th anniversary, Paul is leaving me. For just over a week anyway.

Thirty-six years. I can hardly believe I've been alive that long, let-along married! How did this happen? Luck and good choices. Both of us were lucky to live at 230 Campus Avenue our junior years at Iowa State University. It was a brand new apartment complex built on the west side of campus. My roomies, Sally, Jane, Vicki and I were the first ones in unit #421.

230 Campus Avenue

Paul wasn't there that fall quarter. He was off in southwest Iowa tagging geese at Forney Lake in Fremont County. His cute roommates lived in #209. We met them through our friends who also lived in the 200's. Eventually, Paul came back to visit and I met him at an FAC (Friday Afternoon Club) at the storied Ames restaurant, Aunt Maudes. It wasn't love at first sight.

During the spring of our junior year, Paul was determined to put together a co-ed softball team. He must have heard what excellent athletes my roomies (not Vicki :>)) and I were. I also snagged Jennifer Deter. He asked his buddies and between us, we had a kick-ass team! Before I knew it, I went on an actual date with the coach, one Paul Goldsmith.

That summer, my roomies and I lived in Ames and did odd jobs for the university. Important stuff like paint the broomball rink boards. I worked for the rec department and counted the number of people in the gym - walking a route between two buildings. It was a pretty good gig.

College Paul

At night, Vicki and I spent time watching a men's slow pitch softball team sponsored by Minski's Pizza. Paul and Vic's honey Fred played on the team. It was a great time, drinking beer and cheering for our fellas. One weekend, they played in Harlan, so we visited my Atlantic hometown. My parents got to meet "Goldy" as everyone called him. Some people still call him that.

Run Paul

Still - I thought it was a summer fling. He likely wasn't "the guy". Was he? Everyone has this dream picture of who they'll marry. I thought my guy would be a big dark-haired dude. Not this wiry blond farm boy. Still, we did have fun and both liked sports.

When I graduated in the spring of 1980 and moved to Sioux Falls, he still had some school to finish up. I wasn't sure what would happen. He came to visit me. We wrote letters and talked on the phone (expensive long distance calls). That was when we really got to know each other - without all the background noise of college life. We fell in love in slow motion and became best friends. It hasn't all been easy - but there is nobody else I want by my side.

Now I've been married to my best friend longer than I've been alive...okay, not quite that long. I can't imagine life without him. So when he leaves this week to go hunting in Colorado, he'd better not croak! I need the guy. Happy Anniversary 8/28/82.

  

My boat got nudged

My friend Jane is lacking in life experience. She doesn't know how to properly identify a "dive" bar. I need to have her hang around with my pal Donnie for a while. That guy knows a dive!

Jane and her husband Ken have been inviting us to their family's vacation home near Guttenberg for the past couple summers. Between their schedule and ours, it just never worked out. This summer, when the invite came - I jumped right on it! We piled the kayaks on the Subaru and took the 4 hour drive to the NE part of the state. Their place is on a little island that most people wouldn't recognize as Iowa. Instead of cars, people drive modified golf carts around the 'hood.

Full moon over the campfire

When we arrived on Friday night, we hopped on the golf cart (Odie too) and drove to Jane and Ken's friends' house for pizza and a fire. A priest even joined us for the campfire. Hey, I need all the help I can get.

What is so therapeutic about fire and water? I got a dose of both this weekend - plus medicinal friendship with two great loving people. Jane and Ken are still relative newlyweds - having married a year and a half ago. They are fun to hang out with - though their level of activity wears me out!

On Saturday morning we drove an actual car to Guttenberg for donuts. First we checked out the barge going through the lock. It is an interesting process to watch.

Viewing platform at the lock

Then we hiked up a huge hill above the city, working every calorie from that donut off! Guttenberg has a nifty Farmer's Market - lovely along the river, featuring honey, syrup, flowers and plants. Later this summer there will veggies. Ken picked up fresh eggs.

No elevator - we walked up there

Next we drove to Frenchtown with the kayaks - where there was no town and no French. But we did take a picnic and paddles. It's backwater there - not the main channel of the Mississippi. It was fabulous getting out on the water again. Have I mentioned how great it is not having a broken shoulder? After a half hour or so, we scoped out a likely spot for a picnic. A snake swam by but he didn't want any of my food.

After lunch I lined up behind Ken as we went through a swampy area - and a fish jumped nearby, making me somewhat nervous. I have a phobia about a fish jumping into my boat. That would be bad! Heart attack, most likely. Then something nudged my boat (I'm picturing a sea monster) and I let out a shriek that scared Ken so badly he mentioned soiled shorts. I paddled quickly to get out of that area. Now that sport gets one's heart pumping! It was challenging going through a low water area and then across the channel to get back to the house, but the weather was great and I enjoyed the kayaking immensely.

Jane played guitar at church in Garnavillo that evening. We got to witness a lovely baptism ceremony during Mass in a church that had an altar that reminded me of SS Peter and Paul in Atlantic. And then we went to Bill's in Clayton - the bar Jane considered a dive. Um, nope. It had umbrellas on a deck. Immediate disqualification. Dinner on the deck with a cold one. It doesn't get any better!

There is a silica mine there. It was interesting to drive around to look at the mining activities, though some might view it as devastation. You can also see piles of sand dredged from the river. Clayton County is very rural - and could easily hang with that southern tier of counties in Iowa.

We spent the rest of the evening cruising the island on the cart. We ran into an old friend, Deb Enzler (don't know her married name) from college. Her parents are friends of Jane's. What a walk down memory lane! We saw a cart that is hacked to look just like a Jeep. How cool! On the island there are shacks, trailers, nice homes and mansions. At the end of the evening we sat in the screened in porch with Odie, while somebody shot fireworks. Odie vibrates when sparks fly.

Ken made us a hardy breakfast Sunday before we took off. We would have loved to play again that day, but we had errands to take care of back home. We swung by Paul's home place on the way back to DSM - boy has it changed! And the cemetery in Earlville. In case you're shopping. Payment plans!

Now that we know the way to Guttenberg, we need to go back. That was fun and I envy that sweet summer lifestyle those two can enjoy through this fall. Thanks for the invite buddies. Come back to DSM soon.

Perfect Iowa nice weekend

My new self has learned to enjoy the little things. That's what this weekend was about.

We started with sticker shock on Friday afternoon - we met with a remodeling company who presented us with our dream master bath remodel. The price was nearly as much as our first house! Gulp. I think we'll need to take a piecemeal approach. To the contractor's credit, he did give us everything we'd mentioned and built in a bunch of extra $ for top of the line. We told him we'd talk it over...and we needed a drink.

Good thing I'd made plans for us to meet with my longtime pal Jane and her friends Barb and Julie right down the street from our remodeler at Irena's, a Russian joint. We caught up with Jane who is moving - how exciting, and a bit scary. She's lived in her present home for many years, raising her 4 great kids there. Paul and I can understand her mixed emotions about leaving the place behind.

We felt the same way both times we moved from homes we lived in when raising kids. Our first Creston house will always be dear in my heart. We bought it when we moved to town and Amy was only one. Then Jud and Patrick were born while we lived there.

Our second home was my dream house - a perfect location and neighborhood with great neighbors who we are still friends with today. It was hard to move away - not only from the house, but from the 'hood! When Jane leaves her house, it will actually go a step further. The building will be demolished to make way for more progress in the Waukee area. Man how that town has grown in the past ten years.

I'm happy for Jane! Though I miss my former homes, I love my new home and way of life. I think she will too.

From near the Iowa State Capitol Building #gladididnthavetocarrythepies

Saturday was a day the where the weather gods smiled on Iowa. I wanted to get some steps in for Live Healthy Iowa - so we parked a little farther away from downtown for the Farmer's Market. Later, Paul headed south to put up tree stands. Guess what time of year it is? I headed to the Urbandale Library - where I discovered this hidden gem of a park.

It was so beautiful - a fountain, sculptures and a creek

Later that afternoon, we took off for a farm north of Panora, owned by Kevin one of Paul's friends from work. He'd invited us to a cookout. I was glad we had those yummy Amish pies to share because there was a lot of other delish food to go with the gorgeous autumn rural Iowa scenery.

There was a live band later that night - the son of a guy Paul worked with in Creston many years ago. We watched as the nearly full moon rose over the wetland. It was a great night.

the trail was wooded

Sunday was biker chick day. Instead of north, we went south - to the Great Western Trail. We parked in Orilla, Iowa. Where, you ask. That's because Orilla is but a dot on the road with two bike bars! He biked down to Cumming and back, arriving in time to get a nice Pork Tenderloin at the Rusty Spoke.

On Sunday night Paul and I kept running out on the deck to check out the moon - first the eclipse and then the reddish color. What a wonderful end to a perfect Iowa weekend.

High Anxiety - you don't win

In 1977, on a break from our vigorous study Iowa State University schedule, Vicki, Jane and I went to see the Mel Brook's movie High Anxiety. In the movie, Mel sings a little song that has the refrain, "High Anxiety - you win", he chortled.

Oh how we laughed at that idea. Yes we had worries as college students.

• What did I get on that test? (Back when they posted scores by Social Security Number in the hall outside the classroom)
• What will I wear when we go out tonight and will the cute guy be there?
• How will I get along with everyone on my dorm floor? (we had to call the girls next door on their dorm phone - to notify them that we could smell the pot they were smoking.) Of course we couldn't be as obvious as telling them that. Vicki came up with using a fake voice like an old neighbor lady - she dialed and said "Your dog's in our garden". Worked like a champ! They stuffed towels under their door...
• Later, I worried about, gasp, getting a job. I didn't want to move back home to Atlantic and live with Mom and Dad.

Mad Magazine's Alfred E. Neuman

As you can see - there isn't all that much to worry about there. My health was good. My parents were footing the bill - and I didn't even question that, or understand how lucky I was. It was just the way my life was - back before the price of college became so outrageously expensive. My parents and Atlantic grandparents were alive. Some of my personality traits were set by then. I feel nervous about being on time for anything (thanks Dad). Unlike my friend Chris Deardorff - to whom time has always seems to be an abstract idea.

I lost my "I am bullet proof status" in my 20's. I think most of us do. I worried about the usual stuff. Work, family, relationships, health. But not obsessively.

That changed last summer. I remembered just how bad is was when I got together with a couple good friends last week - and told my story. Thanks to Julia and Christine (who is looking great in her last trimester of pregnancy) for allowing me to tell my Graves Disease story - which is therapeutic for me.

Last summer before my Graves Disease diagnosis, anxiety was running high - mostly about my symptoms.

Once I was diagnosed, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Even though I still had the medical symptoms, much of the anxiety was gone. Oh I still have my quirks! I am becoming even more of an introvert than ever. It's a good thing I have vitamin Paul to ease my symptoms. I wish it were that easy for everyone with major anxiety.

I'm working on being healthy - that's the best way to fight GD, which is an auto-immune disease that attacks the thyroid, causing it to emit hormones throwing one's metabolism and stress hormones out of whack. I'm hoping a March blood test shows me to be heading toward remission. No matter what, I'll always have GD and will deal with symptoms. But hey - everyone is dealing with stuff. This is mine.

Thanks to my friends and fam for helping me through this. For listening to my story. If you need a listening ear for your story. Just ask. We all have one. Or two!

Speaking of stories, the Creston wrestler who collapsed at the state duel meet the week may be released from the hospital today. His heart stopped and he had to be shocked six times before he got to Mercy right across from Wells Fargo Arena where the match was held. It turns out he has Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome. You can look it up. It is something could have taken his life without quick action by those present.

Facebook photo of Tayler and 2 CHS finals wrestlers

I worked with Tayler's grandmother at Gits Manufacturing (she is a character!) and remember Tayler as a little guy running around when Jud played soccer with his older brother. Everyone is so pleased with the great outcome from this near tragedy! And the Panthers bounced back with a 2nd place finish at state. Proud of our former home community and their support of this family.

Long time no post

I know, I know...I haven't posted all week. It's been chock full of activity!

• Paul and I attended the last ISU Cyclone football game. It's been another rough season, but somehow we seem to have fun. After all - we're hardy Cyclone fans through thick and thin.

• I got to see an old friend at the game - Kathy Cornwall Francis. Plus a couple other A-town peeps - Mark Johnson (in high school we called him Chauncey - now he's a doc in Atlantic) and his wife Pam. Their sons play in the fabulous Cyclone Varsity Marching Band.

• My college roommate Jane Flack and her sis Susan met me at the game. I always love to see those ladies - they make any conversation more fun.

Better football days - from the Iowa Game - at the Keg Stand...Jane is behind me and Susan over my shoulder

• After the football game, Donnie, Paul and I met Todd Stofferahn and Matt at the bar just south of Ames. Jane and Susan stopped there too.
• There I got a message that my sis Cindo had suffered a torn retina in Vail, Colorado. Ugh! She had surgery on Tuesday this week in Denver and is sidelined there until next Tuesday. Daughter Amy has helped chauffeur her along with sister Susan. The tears (there were 2) was spontaneous. This is aging thing sucks! I'm thinking of her as she recovers from this injury, poor kiddo!
• Sunday I got some Christmas shopping done. Crowds weren't bad. Paul got our 2 foot Christmas tree out - I've yet to decorate it. I'm not a big decorator. #Scrooge.
• Monday Paul and I attended the Diamond Brooke (our townhouse association) Christmas party at Bravo restaurant near Jordan Creek. I kind of talked Paul into going and we both ended up having a very nice time. There were 20+ people there - some were around our age, some older.
• Tuesday was our baby boy Patrick's birthday. It's hard to believe it's been 23 years since we experienced his short life. Even though it's been a long time, I felt emotional that day - thinking of what life might be like if he were around.

Patrick George 12/2/91

• We attended an ISU basketball game that night. The Cyclones won.
• Wednesday night I had a work meeting at my old workplace at the former landfill - now transfer station between Afton and Creston. That sure brought back memories!

I'm sure you're all very busy too! It is that time of year. Let's not allow business overtake us. Okay?

Sweet Mother of Caroline!

Good times seemed pretty darn good - yesterday after our team of athletes overcame the other team of athletes.

This year's game was in Iowa City. As I explained in my last blog, I don't like to attend games there. And if I were an Iowa fan I wouldn't like coming to Ames. Too many hostiles around! Your mixed Hawk/Clone group might be fine but there are many jerky fans about - on both sides. 

I received a text from my college roommate Jane earlier in the week, asking our plans for the game. We decided to meet at a bar known as being pro-Cyclone. The Keg Stand is kind of a dive, but they were bringing in a giant TV for the parking lot and port-a-potties. That won us over!

Being with Jane for games is good luck! We were at Kelly's for the KU basketball game too

Paul and I arrived at the bar about 12:30 p.m. for a 2:30 p.m. game - we were lucky to snag a table on the covered patio. Jane joined us later, followed by Susan and her friend. The place was rocking by the time the game started - late due to the length of the prior game. There were a few brave Hawk fans - more than I'd expected. But the crowd had a mostly cardinal and gold flavor.

It was fun catching up with Jane. We agreed - though we live near each other, we get lazy about contacting one another to get together. The Cyclones bring us together! I enjoy hearing about her children and family. She always asks about our kids too.

We saw a singer setting up for a show later and were delighted to learn that it was none other than Damon Dotson - Phil Conover's pal. We'd heard him before and knew he was a great singer and nice guy. He told us Phil would be in later after work.

The game had many ups and downs for both teams. Neither looks too great at this point in the season. I like the improvement shown by ISU. After that first game, I must admit, I was pretty depressed. After all these years one must remember - a team is never a bad as you think...or as good. The Cyclones played much better in the second half, playing from behind. It was tied - game on the line with scant seconds left.

It's been one of those years. Things haven't gone ISU's way. But this time the football gods smiled down. The kicker knocked the kick that counted right between the uprights. Hugs, high fives and fist bumps all around. We loved watching the team rush to the sideline to retrieve the Cy-Hawk trophy. We decided a round of shots was in order.

Slippery Nipples. I know...sounds disgusting, but delish!

  Phil came by - I kissed his cheek. I wished his folks were there. Marilyn stresses those games as much as I do!

Phil tops off Paul's shot glass...

We didn't last long at the bar after that - exhausted! We did hear Damon play Sweet Caroline - a Cyclone favorite!

It was a quiet evening at home, watching games. We watched with quiet satisfaction. It might just be one win, but now we have bragging rights for the year. And the best part - hope for the rest of the year that there are better things to come.

Iowa State Vs. Iowa football - memories

I was there for the first game when the ISU vs. Iowa football series kicked off again in 1977. So many students wanted tickets that you had to enter a lottery to get the privilege to attend. My college roommate Vicki and I hit the jackpot and were able to purchase tickets for something like $8 each. Woohoo! We made plans to stay with my high school buddy Mona Jones who was a frosh at Iowa.

Check out the Iowa banner behind me...

On Game day, Vic and I tailgated with Vicki's folks - they were ISU grads, but they had Iowa tickets for many years with their friends who had an RV. The game didn't go as planned - ISU was the favored team yet Iowa came out on top that day. Mona's dorm was rockin' with all the partiers later that night. Vicki and I decided about 1 a.m. that we weren't going to get any sleep. So we headed back to Ames. All the way Vicki took me through some story - where you had to make choices and those choices told you about yourself. It was cool! And kept me awake.

The girls at the game

The next year we must have all won the lottery. Or ISU received more tickets - because we all attended the game - which again was in Iowa City. Sal, Jane, Vicki, Moose and Steve. I kind of lost though - because I had to drive...after pre-gaming at Cy's Roost. We drew straws. We passed beers between cars on I-80. Crazy college days.

It was a long night for me - staying in the Chi-O house with Christie Jo Deardorff. I got a post drinking migraine - before I knew that's what I had. The game outcome was much better that year and we danced afterward with Vicki's folks and friends at the Airliner.

During the 15 year losing streak, time my parents, who were Iowa grads, invited Paul and me to attend an Iowa game as their guests. We lost something like 60-6. Butt-kicking. Thank you sir may I have another!?!

The losing streak thinned my skin. It's why I don't get into texting Hawk fans and joking about the game as much as others. They had the edge for 15 years. That took away the fun for me - not due to the good Hawk fans that cheer for their team through thick and thin. But we know those who like to jab like they're true blue and are quick to through the team and players under the buss at the first whiff of a rough season.

I'm trying to lighten up - it's been 16 more years after all. And the Cyclones are holding their own in the W/L department since that time. It's time for me to chill.

More Memories:

I was at one of the kid's soccer games when I heard that ISU was leading Iowa in 1998 - and it looked like the good guys might finally win one. The streak would finally be over. I still love watching reruns of that game. JJ Moses. Finally Jud had a reason to be happy to be a Cyclone - born into a losing streak as his birthright. Amy was happy too, but she wasn't into it like Jud.

2002 - Seneca Wallace brings the team back from several touchdowns down, giving Iowa their only loss. That guy was something to watch. I talked to him last year at one of our home games.

2005? Iowa was ranked and heavily favored. Jud and Paul went to the game. I stayed home. ISU won fairly easily. Drew Tate knocked himself out of that game after a pick.

2007 - ISU The Shaggy game - Culbertson, ISU's kicker, knick-named Shaggy, hits enough field goals to win the game. A drunk Iowa chick, smoking a cigarette shrieks at me from a car - calling me an "F'ing old Hag". And I said - "But I'm a winning F'ing old Hag". Love that story!

Iowa fan in a kilt...

Iowa won the next three - until 2011 when, in Ames in a back and forth game, I won the game for us in triple overtime by standing in a lucky spot on the stairs below the concourse. The excitement was heart stopping - over and over as each overtime went by. I high fived strangers. My phone blew up as friends around the country texted after the game. It was awesome and so very fun. My most fun time at an Iowa game.

2012 - watching on TV as Iowa State linebacker Jake Knott saved the game in the closing minutes by tipping and intercepting a pass. The radio feed notes Iowa's color man Ed Podoak stating "this should be a touchdown". Not. Phew! Relief!


There is some talk of ending the series. Logically it may make sense for both teams. ISU could use a cupcake. Why can't we schedule one or three? The Big 10 now has 14 teams in the conference - and scheduling issues. I don't care. This state loves this game. It's good for commerce, workplaces, media and people. I hope it never ends. I'll continue to work on my attitude.

To the moon Alice!

Leslie and Jane....

I was enjoying a leisurely Sunday morning at home when I received a Facebook message from my friends Ken and Jane. They were visiting DSM from their home in Dyersville and wanted to know if Paul and I felt like biking by moonlight that night. On a bridge.

I talked to Paul when he got back from checking his deer cameras and got back to them. We were IN! Just after 5 p.m. they arrived to pick us and our bikes (mine's name is Albie) up. They brought a bottle of wine. We drank it and chatted - catching up on each others' lives.

Jane and Ken also brought news. They're getting married October 25th! We're very happy for those two - they have a great time together and make a great couple. We enjoy hanging out with them. Cheers to Jane and Ken!

We drove to Woodward and ate burgers and drank a beer at the Braying Donkey before starting our couple mile ride to the High Trestle Bridge. The full moon helped light our way and it was a good thing as Paul and I hadn't checked our batteries for our bike lights. They were dead. Ugh!

The experience was worth the trip. And the fall (yes, I managed to tip over at one point and have some nice bruises to show for it).

We also got some cool photos. Not great as I didn't take time to set my camera for low light.

Paul and I are happy that Ken and Jane call when they come to town. #fullmoonfun!

The Lonely Goat herd

 

 

From the newsletter we receive at work each week - this one's a gem.

 

It's about my favorite movie of all time, The Sound of Music. My college roommates - Sal, Vic and Jane also loved the movie. Once, during our college years, we traveled to the Fleur theater in DSM just to see the movie when it made the rounds again on the big screen. We also liked to play the album during our beer parties. I have a lasting memory of Russ Euken dancing to the Lonely Goatherd late, late on night. I think Marci Merrick was involved.

 

If you're from Atlantic, you might remember the Eukens - they're from Cumberland. Sherry Nichol's big sis Jill married his older brother. Another brother came along with Russ to our parties. Or was that a cousin? He was pretty cute. I always think of Russ when I hear that song!

remember how the eyelashes batted?

There was really foam on the steins in the movie...

 

Iowa Outdoors

Celebrating 25 Years of REAP

Famous Puppet Collection Protected for Generations in Mason City

 

 

Thanks in part to Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Funds, the “lowly goat herd” – an icon of the big screen - has been preserved.

The lowly goat herd puppets were a feature of the 1965 Academy Awards Best Picture, The Sound of Music” and the creation of Mason City native Bil Baird.

As the 25^th anniversary of REAP is celebrated, one of the great accomplishments from the program has been the preservation of some of Iowa’s most iconic historical and cultural treasures such as the Bil Baird puppet collection at the MacNider Art Museum in Mason City.

Baird was one of the world’s best-known puppet masters.  Based out of his New York City studio, once a Capone-era whisky still, Baird produced such works as the “Goat Herd” marionette performance in The Sound of Music.  He also performed extensively throughout Russia and India.

Before animation, Baird’s puppets were hugely popular in the advertising and promotional world.  His clients ranged from AT&T to governments promoting healthy agricultural practice — he even commemorated the USA moon landing. Baird became friends with founding MacNider museum director Richard Leet, and in 1979 began donating his collection of wood and newly engineered plastic puppets to his hometown, where he still visited family. 

The puppets came smashed and crammed haphazardly in old dusty wooden meat boxes with no clear labeling system.  In 2008, REAP funds matched by private donations enabled museum director Edith Blanchard to contract Sarah Carlson to inventory and photograph the collection with the help of Mara Linksey-Deegan, documenting condition and repairs. Now stored one puppet per chemical-free box, organized strings and fiber-filled bags support fragile structures ensuring proper preservation. 

The museum also features a collection of Bil Baird films, interviews, demo tapes, commercials and productions that have been converted from their original 16mm film format to digital DVDs.  Edward R. Murrow’s Person to Person interview with Baird and his wife, Cora, in their studio is included.  REAP funds purchased a special freezer that safeguards the flammable self-toxic filmstrips.

“These aren’t just puppets he owned.  He made all these puppets, that’s why we’re trying to save them in the way we are and preserve them,” said Blanchard.  “Baird is uniquely Iowan, very creative and educated both in the Mason City school system, and at the University of Iowa.  It really shows what talent you have possible in Iowa and we want to preserve that for future generations.”

 

I was sad to see that Maria Von Trapp - the last of the famous singing children passed away in February.

Of course they didn't call her Maria in the movie - that would have been too confusing since the nun's name was Maria. She's beautiful. Much more so than actresses who try to hold back the hands of time through surgery. I prefer the wrinkles. (though not on myself...)

When I am facing a touch situation (like a job interview) I still like to bolster myself with a rousing "I Have Confidence". I try not to wear an ugly dress like Maria did though...
I need to get to that museum in Mason City one of these days. the puppet-master. Genius.

 

Friday - KC Tourists and the Big Game

In Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament, Paul and I played tourist on Friday. First things first - we shopped! We headed to the Legends Outlet Mall after a quick visit to the mecca - Cabelas where we scored a stainless steel tabletop grill for football tailgating. We'd been scoping it out for several months and it was on sale. Score!

Pablo checks out the cannons

Then - lunch at the Yard House. We like that place, and I must admit it. I needed a nice juicy burger to combat a bit of a hangover. I'm no longer built to withstand sipping adult bevvies all day. That hit the spot! Then we headed to the federal World War 1 Museum. What an interesting place. I learned a lot about a devastating war that I must admit I'd forgotten the much of the history of.

Belgian women embroidered flour bags as a way to thank Americans for sending food - so many starved during this war

The museum veranda overlooks the city - on a beautiful spring day - but as you can see from Paul's hair, it was a bit windy

Jud and Kara has to work Friday until mid-afternoon. I arranged to meet my college roomie Jane at Cyclone fave bar Kelly's in Westport to watch the game. We secured seats by 4 p.m. for the 6 p.m. game. The place was filling up fast! Jud and Paul headed to the Power and Light for the pep rally. They parked and chatted with our Athletic Director Jamie Pollard as they walked to the venue. Nice guy.

The game lined up like this - ISU vs. those other hawks - the Kansas Jayhawks. The Sprint Center was filled with a lot of bright blue, but ISU represented well. Plus all those other fans? Cheering for the underdog - the Clones. All day long - around Kansas City (wearing our ISU clothes) people wished our team good luck beating the Jayhawks. Either they like 'em down there...or not really. People like us in KC...they really like us. And our cash.

Jane and Barb (Iowa fan) - and a few of our friends in the background

Kelly's was filled with Cyclone fans. Enjoying beverages. I did a much better job of sipping my beverages - and drinking water alongside that night. I wanted to savor the game with my wits fully about me! There were several TVs visible. And some interesting Clone fans...we had fun bonding with them. There was:

Hauser Clone

• Cute UNI grad Clone fan (I know...and we thought they were all Hawkeye fans...) with his band of merry men that meet every year to watch the game at Kelly's
• Hauser Junior - the guy who was the "action clone" of my college buddy (and present friend) Steve Hauser. The guy even stood like him.
• Brokefoot Girl - she started out okay but got progressively drunker and shrieked. Sometimes for no reason. Irritating.
• High Five chick - I thought she might break my hand at one point. Then I could be Broke Hand girl. But we did have a lot to cheer about!  

The game. ISU started out hot. Then KU made a run and CFH (Coach Fred Hoiberg) received his second technical ever for doing very little. The game was fantastic - a dogfight early, but I was uncharacteristically confident. The crowd at Kelly's cheered wildly at every ISU basket. There were a lot of them. We made free throws down the stretch. One player left bleeding - but fist pumping.

Cute guy - yellow shirt, shrieker - far right

Paul joined us at Kelly's after the game - big hugs were shared. That was damn fun! I was exhausted and we headed back to our hotel by 11 p.m.  #old Winners. I love this team!

Guess who ran into the cheerleaders after the game....#happyboy