Fast Forward

Big news for the Goldsmiths - Nell is a big sis! 

The 2023 pace has been a bit hectic - until last week when the brakes (crutches) were applied for my spouse. I married a defective model 😏. Paul came with a bum knee. I didn't know about it until he blew his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) out during our engagement, requiring surgery. He limped down the aisle to matrimony a couple of months later - forty years ago. Since then we've found out that the 1982 surgery didn't really work. He's had no ligament. 👀

Paul, being...well Paul, just figured out how to cope with a faulty knee with less than full extension. He lifts weights and is active. But that crap knee has taken a toll. This year, with coaching from others who have survived knee replacement, Paul decided to take that step. Of course, he planned around various hunting seasons. All went well, and he's on the road to recovery. I wish sister Betsy was here like she was for his first surgery. She is really a nurse! Thank goodness for modern medicine and tools like the chiller machine to ice his knee. 

I'm excited for Paul to have the knee he deserves - one that doesn't hurt and that fully extends. I'm certain that my career in trash/recycling was a good choice for me. Not nursing. 

Here's a rundown of what happened before the knee replacement:

Crystal Bridges Museum

-We got in a "last trip" with the old knee - through Bentonville, Arkansas (where Walmart was born). It's an easy drive from here and is worth the trip. Crystal Bridges Museum, a Walton sister project, alone is worth the stop. We also visited the Walmart Museum and the Museum of Native American History. The city has lots of hiking/bike trails and plenty of restaurants. We met our nephew, Matt, and his darling family for supper. They're new to town as they just relocated from Texas for Matt's accounting job for Walmart. 

This really happened - so sad

-Our next destination was Dallas, TX - a place we've flown through plenty of times, but never really visited. In between Bentonville and Dallas, we stopped in Tulsa to see the Black Wall Street Museum. It was very moving and well done. 

-The George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum was our target in Dallas. It's the third Presidential Museum we've been to. (Hoover, LBJ) We stayed near the Southern Methodist University Campus where the Museum is located. The library was interesting, and we took time to walk around the SMU campus. Nice - but it's no Iowa State. 💛💖😉Our nephew Tom lives north of Dallas and was nice enough to drive to our hotel with his son for a meal. Nice to catch up! 

-Stop 3 was our friend Paula's place in Austin, TX. I've known her since we were in pre-school. The 2 Ps and I were able to head to downtown Austin to walk along the river and go to Paul's fave - Terry Black Barbecue. The brisket melts in your mouth! 

Paula, Paul, and I had a fab time - the temp nearly hit 70 degrees

-The Texas Gulf Coast was our final destination. Port Aransas is a place Paula (who has lived in Austin for 30ish years) has traveled to several times. She booked a nice high-rise condo with a great view of the beach. We toured the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, walked on the beach, and even sat by the pool and spa. We may do this again next year so the three of us can do more exploring!  

-After beach time, Paul and I hot-footed it home to Iowa in 2 days. Our timing was fortunate for us as the very next week Austin was hit with a terrible ice storm. Paula lost power for 2+ days. Yikes! The Texas Gulf trip was just what we needed - a brief respite from January in Iowa. Paula is an excellent hostess - she spoils us! We're trying to talk her into coming to Iowa for the Iowa State Fair one of these years! 

Deb - 2nd on left with husband Larry, plus other revelers! 

-After one night at home in our own bed, we traveled to Creston for a big event. Our dear friend Deb retired from her job as a recruiter at Southwestern Community College. Her family threw her a party at A&G downtown. We got to see many Creston peeps, and it was a fun evening. Yahoo! I am excited about future adventures with Deb. We stayed the night at our buddy Jeff's house. It's going on three years since we lost his wife, our friend Bobbie. RIP my friend. 

Reece David was 8 lb 11 oz - with fine blond hair

The best part of January was the birth of Kara and Jud's son Reece David Goldsmith. Our grandson. 💕He arrived a day after his daddy's January 30th bday. Our granddaughter Nell, at age 2 1/2, is a happy (just wait!) big sister. Everyone is doing well. We plan to meet the little guy next week, after Paul gets used to that new knee. Fingers crossed health and weather cooperate. 

I kinda had my fingers crossed that baby boy Goldsmith would await February 2 to make an appearance as that day was my Aunt Marty's 90th birthday. Martha Bullock Lamm is my namesake - Leslie Martha Bullock Goldsmith. But it wasn't meant to be. Reece has his own day. 

Link to video: Marty is 90

On February 3rd we flew to Denver to attend Marty's Family Birthday Bash, hosted by her children, our cousins Richard, David, and Amy, along with spouses and kids. Marty's younger sister, my Aunt Jeanie, and Uncle Bruce Rader were there - visiting from southern Arizona. We sure missed Uncle Bill Lamm, Marty's wonderful spouse. I'm so glad we visited Denver often after daughter Amy moved there - we were able to spend time with that kind man. And we learned to love Duffey rolls! 

My sisters wouldn't have missed this shindig! Susi and Jim came back from their winter paradise in Mexico for the event. Cindy, sher on Colby and his bride-to-be Kathleen attended the event. Susi's daughter Leslie flew in from LA. Her sis Jordan and spouse Jill live in Denver. We picked Betsy and Wayne up at the Denver Airport and four of us stayed near the party location along with Cindo. 

We had several fam events. Friday night Jordan booked us at a hopping sushi place! Paul and I expanded our food horizons with types of sushi. Amy (and Corey) weren't able to attend from their temp home in Brooklyn. Jud and Kara were a little busy with a new baby. We missed them. 

On Saturday morning we met at Washington Park for a family walk. A group of some 20 strong put in 2+ miles. I very much enjoy getting to know our newly adult great-nieces and nephews and their partners. They make their parents (and Grammy Marty) proud. 

Saturday night the family gathered for the big Marty party. It was marvelous, being together with so many loved ones for this milestone. Marty shared some words of wisdom with all of us youngsters. Then we fam members "roasted" Marty with love. I especially loved hearing from her grandchildren Kate, Matt, Lauren, and John. One of a kind, my auntie. 💕

On to Texas

Statue of MLK on the day honoring him - University of Texas campus

When traveling, we try to visit people we know in the area. And no, it's not (just - haha) about free lodging. Visiting friends and family allows us a chance to have real conversations with them - beyond the usual "how are you?".

The rule is 2 days at the most. More than that can be overstaying one's welcome. Note - in some cases it can be 0 or 1 day - depending on if they are even comfortable hosting visitors. Know your host - don't put them or you in a bad spot. Consider their setup for visitors. Some people enjoy hosting guests - others prefer their guests sleep elsewhere. We have two spare bedrooms and enjoy having guests. But when the kids were still home it wasn't as easy as there was no real guest room. 

Paula's backyard - so lovely compared Iowa's snow

We arrived in Austin, Tex on Saturday afternoon (1/18). It's always fun staying with Paula in Austin. It's my third time. She insisted we stay for three nights - so she was probably ready to wave to us as we drove off armed with better than Google directions (provided by PJB) on getting out of town. 

If you are a longtime blog reader, you know that Paula is one of my Atlantic besties - from age 4 or so. We lost touch in our middlin' years but reconnected in our mature years. When we reconnected we discovered again how much we like each other! Now Paul too has gotten to know her too. She's lived in Austin for many years and has traveled quite a bit, so helpful advising us about the rest of our trip and other future trips.

When we arrived in Austin on Saturday, the three of us went out to an area restaurant. I told her I was up for some music so we then headed to hear some music! For live music, many think of Nashville, New Orleans, and Memphis - but Austin is a huge music city in its own right. The musicians are everywhere as we found out. Paula took us to Central Market - a grocery store that features live music. Picture HyVee with a dancefloor and band. People were shaking a leg to swing. Others like us Groups of people and families sat in the dining area outside the dance floor to listen - a great way for youngsters to experience live tunes!

Wild Basin was so pretty! Austin is hilly. 

Sunday
We hiked the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve - right in the city. Austin has waterfalls! It was a great workout and a beautiful hike.

Then we enjoyed the NFL games - except the Packers had no answer for the Giants. Paula cooked up some great game food - and even dessert! How about those Chiefs? They were my first ever fave football team - Len Dawson, Otis Taylor, Emmit Thomas, Willie Lanier, Bobbie Bell, Jan Stenerud - and later, our Atlantic hometown boy Ed Podolak! Even as a youngster, I always loved watching football. Mom and I watched Monday Night Football together with a bowl of popcorn.

Monday
Paula volunteers at the airport, staffing the Information Booth most weeks, so she knows her way around the joint. I had an appointment at the Austin Airport on 1/20 to interview for Global Entry - a US Customs and Border protection clearance program for low-risk (that's me!) travelers for expedited clearance when traveling, using kiosks. You have to book those appointments months in advance - and Iowa doesn't have the program! I was so fortunate to book that date in Austin on MLK day. Now I'm set for the Bullock sisters May France River cruise. More about that later. The appointment only took 10 minutes once my name was called.

Fountain and tower UT Campus

Later we visited the Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ) Library located near the University of Texas campus. It was my first presidential library - very interesting! I was a child during his presidency and only remember him peripherally - on black and white TV, during Viet Nam war clips. What an unsettling time in the US. I had no idea how much he influenced civil rights after the southern-born man spent years as a "separate but equal" believer. Later he changed his views to understand that integration was necessary. The library gave me a glimpse into the era and the man.

Paula and I are posing with Motown costumes - karaoke here we come! 

As a bonus, the LBJ Library was hosting a Motown Exhibit - featuring fabulous costumes and music from "back in the day". Were people really that little? I'm so glad activities guide Paula suggested the museum. From there we walked through the University of Texas (UT) campus and the surrounding area in search of good barbecue! Paul's fave brisket was yummy! We walked over 5 miles that day - good thing with all the food we had taken in by then. Another bad thing about vacation - overeating!

I had chicken - so delish! 

If you've never been to Austin, you should check it out. You can do the trip - Oklahoma City to Fort Worth to Waco to Austin. You can even continue to San Antonio! This great country has so many fab places to visit. Just check out the web before going to plan your visit. So much to do and see.

Next - on to western Texas and New Mexico.

Carrying the Bags

We came together in Arizona - carrying our baggage. Beat up old bags and newer ones, Some were big and others small. We came together to help each other carry our baggage. Sharing the load makes all the difference, yes? Yes.

I first saw Robyn and Paula at the rental car depot in Phoenix, after leaving frigid Des Moines at 5:30 that morning before the Martin Luther King holiday. Thanks to all the TSA employees at the airports I flew through for cheerfully sending me on my way while working with no pay. I thanked them in person too.

We hopped into the rental van and took off to meet the rest of our gal pals for this year's rendezvous. We are a ragtag group of friends who reestablished our friendship that started in our hometown of Atlantic, Iowa. I like to brag about the fact that my friendship with Robyn and Paula has lasted 57 years or so - but there were some long breaks in there. I've known Watson, Julia, Sally, and Pam for much less time - only 45 to 50 years.

This group of us reconnected around ten years ago and a strong bond formed - even closer than our childhood friendship. We discovered at age 50 that we love each other and have very similar world views. We fill each others' buckets - and mostly we think we're funny.

Watson moved to the Phoenix area a couple years ago. Sal and Julia flew in on Thursday and stayed with her. The van girls had a mission before we met at a Mexican restaurant. To pick up a tall can of Pam - to represent our missing pal Pam who stayed home to support a loved one with health issues. Hugs all around as we joined together. Laughter filled the air around the outdoor table where we sat. (Meanwhile, snowy and cold in Iowa).

The trip south to our Oro Valley (near Tucson) condo took just over an hour. Watson had done a great job preparing for the trip - purchasing food, booze and she even made soup! We were set. That night we just hung out enjoying each other's company. That was when we started unpacking our bags.

These girls are my loves in a way I can't explain. Their friendship is a very safe place that boosts me. It picks me up when I'm down. If I'm having a bad day - I can start a text message with them and soon, I'm feeling better.

On Saturday after we arrived in AZ, we visited the Tohono Chul Garden. I didn't know there were so many types of cacti! One even shot a sticker ball out at Robyn. We enjoyed a lovely brunch at the bistro there. That night we visited Robyn's brother's place. Mike and Kathy Henningsen kindly invited us over for a drink. Mike's grandparents were friends with my grandparents. My dad was a pal of Tom Henningsen - who called Dad "Bullock" to the end. Mike and Kathy have a beautiful winter home to go with their summer place in Atlantic. Son Brad now runs Henningsen Construction. It was fun to catch up with them and talk about the old hometown.

View at Henningsen's home

On Sunday we traveled to downtown Tucson for the Women's March. It was a group decision to participate in this event. Why? Women are making progress - but there still is a long way to go to continue the work done by those who went before us. Paul and I attended the Ruth Bader Ginsberg based movie "On The Basis of Sex" Saturday night. It reminds me how far we've come.

It was a wonderful group of progressive people with interesting signs. I especially appreciated seeing the indigenous people of the area, some in their native clothing demonstrating a field hockey type game. It was a gorgeous day in the low 70's. We listened to speakers and walked together with many, circling city blocks. One water stop featured glass jelly jars instead of plastic. Yay!

We headed back towards the van - hitting the jackpot by finding an artisan area with a bar. Drinks and food were in order - along with a bit of shopping. It was game night - NFL playoffs. We stopped at the store to pick up supplies for the game watch - wings and stuff.

I'd been in contact with homies from my other hometown - Creston. Dwight and Marilyn Conover, now of Okoboji, who also winter in Oro Valley. I first met Dwight when I took a job as a bookkeeper at First National Bank in Creston. DC was the bank pres. I was the lowly lippy help. Marilyn aka Merle and I were in a women's sorority together and became friends. Later, we moved next door to the Conovers. They didn't keep us awake at night with loud music or anything! Dwight's work took them to NW Iowa so they eventually moved, but we still see them frequently at ISU events - mostly tailgating. I invited them over for a drink - our condo was a short drive from their home. My A-town friends were delighted to meet them, and besides, they know our pal Roger Underwood, who has served on ISU fundraising boards with Dwight.

Later that night we Facetimed Pammie, who couldn't be with us. I really missed that girl. She is one who I have really gotten to know better as an old lady than I did as a youngster. She's so open, fun, and funny. We celebrated renewal after a tough health year by a couple of us. And Watson's birthday.

A gift of infinity bracelets

French Silk! 

Then we played Left, Right, Center - an easy dice game that even I can play (no real skill is required). After, we sat around and chatted - dragging out some of our baggage and other things going on in our lives. Those are our gathering times I love the best. The support and unconditional love pours out and surrounds us. We laugh, we cry. We share personal care and health tips. Girlie stuff! Some of us sat in the hot tub overlooking the beautiful mountains. The blood moon wolf moon solar eclipse was just starting. I was tired - I had to see it via photo the next day. What a great day!

Marilyn, Watson and me

Marilyn had offered to take us on a hike to Honey Bee Canyon on Monday to hike to see petroglyphs. It was Robyn's first excursion test driving the new hip - walking in a sandy wash. We all made it! Got some good pics and a feeling of accomplishment.  Paula and I got a tour of the Conover home - Dwight says it a view with a home - the back window framing up the area mountains.

When we got back to the condo, the gang was starting to pack up as Sal had a Monday evening flight. It was a flurry of activity that involved packing up most of the food, bevs and their belongings. Jules and Rob were going too - leaving only Paula and me in the condo. Parting was hard - especially this year. We're tough old coots. Hmm, where to next year?

There was a snafu with the rental van keys. They disappeared. Oops. Paula stepped into biz mode and dispatched the van. We arranged for a shuttle to Phoenix. Thanks to Dwight and Merle for driving us to the pickup site. Nothing like old friends! Goodbye to Paula - it was fun to see her twice these past few months.

I kick myself for scheduling my flight through Detroit. What a dumbass. It was fall when I booked the ticket - and I was trying to coordinate with others. Still, bad plan. I ran through the Detroit airport and got to my seat just in time for the airport to be shut down due to ice. First for an hour, then for the night. I considered getting a hotel but just didn't want to spend $130 for a night of non-sleep. So I slept at the airport. The next morning my flight finally took off at 10:30 a.m. I do know how to stretch out a vacation! My honey picked me up.

Another bucket filling vacation was in the books. Time to put those bags away. Until next time.

God Bless Texas

Austin - Willy, Paul, and me

Paul and I headed south to Texas last weekend to visit our friend Paula and catch a football game. They play a lot of that in Texas. We'd talked about attending the ISU vs. Texas Longhorns game in Austin the past few years - and finally pulled the trigger this year. (a gun analogy seems appropriate - right?)

We landed around noon on Friday - just in time for some barbecue. Paula Bacon picked us up at the airport. She is a longtime friend from my hometown of Atlantic, Iowa. We've been pals since we met at Mrs. Luin's nursery school over 55 years ago. Through the years Paula and I didn't always keep touch. When reconnected at a class reunion and have been fast friends ever since.

Paula has lived in Austin, Texas for over twenty years - a real Texas gal! Not only that, her sister Jo and family live there too. A year ago, their mother Jean moved from her home in Arkansas to Austin to be closer to her family. Austin has quite an Atlantic connection. Recently our Class of 1976 glue guy, Roger Underwood, was in the area and put together a dinner that included Paula, Ted Simpson, Dave Stuetelberg, Steve Boots and Jan Kramer who all live in the area. Atlantic south?

Paula took us to Terry Black's Barbecue first thing. Meat anyone? The brisket was delicious! It gave us enough energy to go for a five-mile walking tour of the downtown Austin area. It was a gorgeous day for a walk - people were everywhere with dogs, bikes, strollers and just walking like us. We crossed the river to visit a new Central Library - which Paula, like me, is into. It's very cool. Libraries. like gourmet grocery stores are my happy places.

Crossing the river

We walked through the historic Driskill Hotel - beautifully refurbished. The artwork in the bar is worth the visit. It's fun to see the stores and restaurants downtown. I liked this frozen yogurt store. In the shadow of the Texas Capitol building, we stopped at a hotel bar with a deck for a refreshment. Later, we headed to the Blind Pig rooftop where ISU had set up their Friday night festivities. Did I mention Iowa State fans travel well to away games? We had high hopes for this game - B12 implications. It was fun to see all the Cardinal and Gold clad folks representing. There are a lot of Iowans in Texas - and they aren't all from Atlantic!

View from the library

Blind Pig

We didn't stay to party the night away with the Clone fans as we wanted to get a feel for the local music scene that Austin is known for. Paula favors the Saxon Pub. The band that plays the early (6 PM) set has some musicians that have been in famous bands. Now they play here, every Friday night. There is really no dance floor, but people still find a way to dance. We had a sweet table on a riser - with a great view. What a fun day!

Saxon Pub

Paula made us a big breakfast Saturday. We watched Gameday as we're all football fans. Paula and I text each other frequently throughout the season as she's a Longhorn fan and keeps an eye on my Clones too. She and I had a great visit with her mother who lives close by. We talked all things Atlantic.

with Steve

Then it was time to go. Paula had snagged ISU Alumni Association tailgate party and game tickets from our classmate Steve Boots who serves on their board. We parked in a nearby ramp and walked to the nearby neighborhood area gated off for Cyclone faithful. Guess what? More barbecue - and beer. We snagged our classmate Steve for a photo - even though he was busy running the event. The weather was nice - good times! We walked down by the stadium - Bevo Blvd. It's crazy, like the state fair wrapped up with football. They sell beer. Hmmm. Not sure if ISU will get on that bandwagon. We ran into the Downing family as we watched the ISU team, including frosh Trevor Downing, enter the stadium. Then we watched the Horns - it was senior night. There is a lot of tradition.

Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium is something to behold. It's big! (like everything in TX, Right?). We had good seats, on the end zone in the first deck. We were surrounded by fans from both teams. Texas led start to finish, so they were very nice. I'm sorry to say ISU didn't show up this game. We looked intimidated and never got anything going on offense or defense. I've been to games in Boulder, Norman and long ago, Lincoln. This was the coolest gameday experience away from home. Thanks Austin! (and Paula). Several people talked to us after the game as we talked to our car - with upbeat messages about the direction of ISU's program. Nothing like losing to the home team to encourage goodwill messages, but it was nice.

The traffic cleared out pretty efficiently (better than Ames). We decided we were hungry and had a late night meal at Kerbey Lane Cafe. We got to Paula's late - midnight? She dropped us off at the airport the next morning for a 9:30 a.m. flight - back to the frozen tundra. There were a lot of Cyclone fans at the airport. We gave each other that "chin up old chap" look. We're Cyclone fans - we're here for the duration! We had basketball in Hawaii to look forward to. (Sneak peek - that went okay, looking forward to getting our full team back).

I'd like to go to more B12 venues. I wonder if I have classmates living there? haha

 

Language of Love

Bundled with my baby

Paul and I attended a Marc Cohn concert Thursday - he of "Walking in Memphis" fame. He is a singer-songwriter whose songs tell stories - about his family, career and what else - love. One love song, "Perfect Love" is about his brother and wife who have been married for over fifty years. Marc says his brother tells him the song should be entitled something more like "Enduring Love" - because no love is perfect - especially love in marriage. True dat.

Marc Cohn Temple of Performing Arts

pre-concert martini

It may be hard for newlyweds to believe, but that giddy romantic love doesn't last. Not for 36 years anyway. It takes perseverance and some laughter. My honey and I had that this past week....he's been bowhunting. It's that time of year - when I usually start feeling a little cranky. It's my birthday dammit, and he spends days at a time in a tree. I don't mind alone time - but it can get old.

So last Friday I got a "take and bake" HyVee pizza that we ate after he rolled in from his tree down in southern Iowa. I ate a couple pieces sitting my comfy chair. When I went to put my plate in the dishwasher, I saw a black thing on the floor by my ottoman. Hmmm - sock fuzz? I picked it up and immediately recoiled - flinging it to the ground - it was squishy and warm. Worm! I appealed to Paul to save me. He picked it up - putting it right up to his face. Olive - he declared. We had a good laughed! He wished he would have popped it into his mouth.

On Sunday I was getting ready for a nice warm bath when I noticed a bug in my happy place - my tub. "Bug in the Tub", I yelled. Paul appeared in the blink of an eye. "Backrub?" he inquired (that's what he thought he heard), always hopeful, he. I pointed to the offending critter. The perks of marriage - bug removal. Yes, I'm a bug wimp.

What does the Internet think of you? Judging from the advertisements I see when I'm online, it's got me pegged as someone who really needs old lady slippers, pee proof underwear. I've tried to click on the slippers to get rid of the ad that hounds me on the New York Times. Even if I wanted slippers, now that they are trolling me, I refuse to consider Mahabis brand. Ever. And I'm not in need of pee proof undies - unless my girls make me belly laugh with a full bladder (bladder weakness courtesy of 2 9 pounder babies I believe).

huddled in the trailer - pregame

Yesterday's ISU game was one of the coldest I've attended. Big shout out to our fave tailgater host/engineer Kevin. He rigged up the generator to 2 heaters and we sat inside the small trailer eating soup, drinking beer. I suited up in ski pants and many layers with HotHands, toe warmers. Ugly but functional. Still, I shivered. Clones are now bowl eligible! This team just keeps winning. After the game we sat in the trailer again. McKims and Ehreckes are just fun to hang with. We laugh so hard - mostly at ourselves (but I didn't need the pee panties). Phew! Paul and I are off to visit our pal Paula Bacon in Austin for the Texas game next weekend. WooHoo. Hope there are no bugs there. 

Robyn sent me this pic on my bday. Friends for going on 58 years. We were adorable. Wonder who cut our bangs? Mom always put me in cute dresses for parties.

Continuous Improvement, Lady Bird

Do you remember when you learned how to line up? I mean form a line with other people. If you're like me, it seems like I always knew. My first memory was of standing in line after recess at Washington Elementary School, waiting to go back into the school. Everyone would wiggle around and be loud. You know who you are Robyn, Paula, and Sally. Then the teacher would blow the whistle, indicating we should straighten up.

I'd never thought about lining up as a skill. Then one of my friends became a Kindergarten teacher. She explained that she had to teach the students how to line up. I think me and my pals were precocious learners - but we did have the benefit of Mrs. Luin's awesome Nursery School, when I learned to sing "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch" and ate sugar cubes and graham crackers with Kool-Aid.

When I attended LSI Refugee Community Services (LSI) training last Saturday, the instructor explained the literacy challenges refugees face. We learned about the "intake" process when refugees visit LSI Community Services.

Volunteers were told there are different learning styles for literate and non-literate students. Just because a person has not attended organized school or a certain level of school, that doesn't mean they lack intelligence - just opportunity. Refugees from countries with different types of alphabets and pronunciations have a variety of challenges when learning English - from making rounded letters to how they hold their mouth and tongue when speaking. Some students don't understand that when given a worksheet, you write on the lines provided. They must be taught all of these things. The adult brain does not learn as quickly as the child's, providing additional barriers. Despite all these things, LSI does this training and many other great things in our community.

I volunteer as a classroom assistant with an Intermediate group. Most likely the students I work with have had the opportunity to go to school in their country of origin, as they have met a certain testing level to attend this class. We started a new semester after Christmas and have seen an influx of students.

Sue, our instructor, amazes me with her kindness and flexibility as she works the new people into the classroom. They appear at any time, while the class is in the midst of an activity. Sue brings the new students up to speed as much as she can, making them feel welcome, at the same time, assessing their skill level.

By the end of class Tuesday, there were eighteen students. Thankfully, we also had five volunteers, unlike the week before when I was the only one. We worked on describing people - hair, height, weight, age. It was a cold-hard reality to see that my age group is "old'. They needed to figure out when to use a or an or nothing.

List of words students practice

For example: Leslie has a blondish (or is it gray? only my hairdresser knows) hair. Sue would ask them if that sentence is proper. Most would say NO! (Some can be very dramatic) There is no a. Then when they do worksheets, some get it wrong, and I ask them to say the sentence out loud - would you say "He has a brown hair"? No, they agree. They erase the a.

On Tuesday, the students had a worksheet with adjectives and their assignment was to identify those types of words in a short story. I find that at times, I'm unsure what the right answer is. Did you know that when saying "football player", even though football is usually a noun, together with player it becomes an adjective? It is good to show students that we make mistakes too.

Many times the volunteers look for examples on our phones to show students, as even simple things we understand, they may not. For example the word "unusual". Sue is good at coming up with ways to describe words like that. She said our usual days for class our Tuesday and Thursday. If we came on Wednesday, it would be unusual.

I continue to struggle with ways to assist students with the worksheets without blurting out answers! I feel I'm making progress, but it's so much harder than I ever thought this would be. Add in my lack of knowledge of each student's culture. Sue has been very encouraging after my individual/small group work with students during the second hour of class. I tell her what happened and how I reacted. Last week she told me I have good instincts. That made me feel really good.

Just like the program I oversee at DNR, Environmental Management Systems, I'm striving for continuous improvement in this volunteer role. Wish me luck!

 I've seen so much about the movie Lady Bird and wanted to see it before it disappeared from area theaters. I knew it wasn't likely one Paul would want to see - so decided to go by myself. That was probably only the second time I've gone to a movie alone, and I enjoyed my company.

The movie was super! I laughed out loud, chuckled, teared up and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The movie is about a high school girl in 2003 in Sacramento, California coming of age. She goes to a Catholic school, so those scenes brought back childhood memories. Though Atlantic didn't have parochial school, the mass scenes were great. Lady Bird's angst to "get away" was not something I could identify with, but I knew kids who felt that way. Actress Saoirse Ronan was cast perfectly as Lady Bird, as was Laurie Metcalf as her unique "good mom/bad mom" mother. I loved the movie.

My funny Valentine week

Ah the quiet Sunday morning. Paul is visiting Lake of the Ozarks, helping our pal Don work on the McKim Lake Place. He and Diana purchased it a couple years ago and pretty much took it down to the studs and have steadily worked on making it into a great place to entertain friends from Des Moines. And others. The location is nice and it's going to be sweet when it's done!

Paul does something worky in the garage

Paul loves projects! It's one thing he truly misses at our place in West Des Moines, so when Don suggested this trip, he was chomping at the bit.

But lets start at the beginning of the week. I was in charge of a couple workshops Tuesday and Wednesday, involving our consultants from Ohio. I decided they needed to experience Jesse's Embers - a steakhouse that features wait staff that reminds me of the gals who used to work at the Country Club in Atlantic. Our waitress interacted with us, and the host greeted us warmly. While we were eating, I saw our realtor come in, and was able to say hello Marg and her daughter Holly. Marg was the one who introduced us to Jesse's Embers. It was a fun night talking to Cory and Tom about how we met our Valentines.

Cory and Tom

Wednesday we met Creston friends Deb and Larry Peterson for the Fleetwood Mac concert. The band was back - this time with Christine McVie! That band member wasn't with them when they were in Des Moines in 2013 and hadn't toured with them for many years. I enjoy many types of music and bands - but few bring back the memories of this one.

Concert goers

As I heard them begin to sing "Say that You Love Me" I thought back to the last time I heard them sing the song - 39 years ago. Yikes! Those numbers make me feel old in a way my mind doesn't accept. It was June of 1976. Paula, Chris and I attended Iowa Jam to see Kansas and Steely Dan and this band I hadn't really heard of - Fleetwood Mac was there too. I think we met Craig Both and Jeff Weppler there. It was really hot out, so by the time FM began to play we were heading out. I remember the strains of that song playing - and it stuck with me enough to make me want that album. A long love affair with the band began that day.

We weren't close - but the big screen helped

It was great to have the Christine McVie songs added into the repertoire of the group. Lindsey Buckingham is a fabulous guitarist and Mick Fleetwood rocks on drums. Some people don't like Stevie Nicks gravelly voice but I do - especially when she sings Landslide. I wish Christine would have sung the song Sarah. Good time - late night, but worth it.

Thursday night was ballroom dancing night for Paul and me. We are pretty good at rumba! At least in my view. That dancing is a good workout.

Paul took off early Friday to meet Don to head south to the lake. I had a work trip all day in southwest Iowa - Grand River, Sidney and Malvern. So binging on Netflix (Blacklist) was just what the doctor ordered.

The Cyclones had a home game Saturday. I invited Diana to use Paul's ticket - to watch the Cyclones handle West Virginia. After the game we met our friends Kari and Kevin and some others for a beer at Scheman. Then we headed to Whiskey River for supper - Kevin was our date! Laughter ensued. Fun times with those three friends.

I missed my Valentine but am enjoying the flowers he sent to my work on Thursday. And the chocolates I bought for him...

Today my friend Julia Hoilien is arriving to spend the night. She's been in the area visiting friends and she flies out tomorrow. I'm excited to see her and catch up! We'll begin plotting our next Class of '76 get together. Love goes out to all my family and friends. I don't say it enough to you all. I heart you!