Dogs, Ears, Bikes

The kids came to visit! And they brought the dogs. It was so fun.

Amy and Corey drove to Iowa arriving last Friday Friday at 3 a.m. Paul and I were sound asleep. When they drove up, they came in through the garage. Doggos Franklin and Eros trotted around yet Paul and I didn't hear a thing! Had they been murderers, we'd be dead. We're lucky they were kindly and simply went to bed.

I seriously didn't know they were here at 5 a.m. when Paul got up to go work. I thought perhaps they'd pulled over to snooze at a rest area. Then I heard Franks bark! Later he raced up the stairs for a proper greeting. Have I mentioned how much dogs like me? I like them too. So I've got that going for me. I worked on my laptop and he hung out with me. Franklin is a wiener dog. He wedged his tubular body next to me in my big chair and I missed Odie. Still, it felt good.

Franklin

Eros

Amy, Corey and Eros got up a little later. A short night for them. Soon Amy was off to do girl stuff for Jenna's wedding. Corey and I did lunch at Taco Hangover. Paul and I dropped Corey off for the rehearsal dinner. We went out to eat. Fancy date at Jason's Deli.

Corey and dogs swim time

Paul and I visited the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. It was a gorgeous day. Later, Paul and Corey took the kayaks out at Raccoon River Park. I had the bright idea to take the puppies for a walk while the guys paddled. The dogs got freaked out when their daddy (Corey) took off on the Titanic (my kayak). We ended up sitting in the truck for a few minutes while they calmed down. They did enjoy the water after poppa got back. It was cute to see Franklin padding his little legs. The pups were wiped out and took long naps later. I felt like a good grandparent.

For lunch, Paul grilled burger sliders with sweet corn snagged from the Farmer's Market. Paul Dad-In-Law pressured Corey into eating more than one ear of corn. Our son-in-law had never heard of this before. It seems South Carolina has a one per person limit. Paul G. claims that as a kid he'd eat 3 or 4 ears. We are the tall corn state after all. Welcome to Iowa Corey! Bring your corn-eating A-game. 

Amy and Jenna

That night Corey and Amy had a fab time at the wedding. They said the view from the Hyperion Club was fabulous! Even after they got back to our house, our little buddy - Franklin decided to sleep with us. On Sunday Corey flew off to Philly. Amy got to make the drive back to Denver with the pups. She tweeted that they were good boys. I missed them all week. (Amy and Corey too). I'm glad we get to see all four kids at Alex and Lisa's wedding soon.

Paul had made plans to meet up with his co-worker Dana and wife Mary at Peace Tree in the East Village on Sunday to bike. It was a glorious day! Our first stop was across the river and Gray's Lake to Confluence Brewery. Who appeared right behind us? Former Creston teachers John and Lois Rose! We laughed that it was One Degree of Separation from our pals Don and Diana McKim - hometown pals of Don. We all sat together on the outside deck and had beers. It was lovely! Later we rode west, backtracking to Mullets for a bite. It was a great day.

I thought back on the weekend Sunday night. We feel very fortunate to be surrounded by loving family and friends. Even when our family lives far away. 

Lois, John, Dana, Mary and us

Looking south

Coasting

It's been beastly hot (what does that actually mean??) in Iowa this summer. 2018 lurched drunkenly from winter straight to summer. No polite chill in the morn, warmer by day spring. May sported temps in the 90's and plenty of rain. June seemed to like that and copied.

Then we had wacko 4th of July. You working folk know what I mean. Wednesday on the 4th is the worst! I love Independence Day, but I hate to admit it. This one was a dud. The Des Moines area sites didn't quite know when to hold festivities.

Yankee Doodle Pops, the big event complete with symphony and fireworks in the shadow of Iowa's gorgeous State Capitol, was on Monday night, July 2nd. What? That event ran late. Some of us had to work Tuesday. Paul and I had a quiet good time in Valley Junction Tuesday evening and kayaked on the 4th. Our neighbors entertained with fireworks in a nearby park. I kept thinking that at least this year there was no Odie to be scared. I missed that.

Yeah, I know. I sound a little bitchy. I like to sit on my deck. It's been too hot - even for me. Paul and I were more than ready to fly out July 7th for our bi-annual Bullock Girls family reunion in chilly, refreshing Cannon Beach, Oregon. We love the place our sis Betso and husband Wayne discovered - some five hours away from their home in SE Washington State.

By Saturday evening all the "adults" had arrived. It's hard for me to accept the fact that all of our children (even Baby David) are technically considered adults. So I am using that label for my generation. We sat at Betsy and Wayne's condo, one block from the beach and enjoyed each other's company - catching up! Susi and Jim had driven in from Grand Junction with a night in Idaho. Cindy, Paul and I flew into Portland.

On Sunday morning we started our beach walks. By my calculations, we walked about 27 miles that week - Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, The longest day was Monday, coming in just under 8 miles as we walked in the afternoon too. The weather was fab (around 60 degrees partly sunny) and if you've never experienced the NW beach, consider it. The surf makes a delightful noise and fellow beachgoers bring dogs. I love watching them!

Kohan men minus Eric 

S'mores night

The Kohan clan (we'll call them kids) started arriving Sunday. Baby David will be a junior in college this year. Eldest of the fam (by scant minutes) Alex and wife-to-be Lisa joined us for supper that night. It was our first chance to make an impression on Lisa, and Betsy reports she was not frightened away - even by my off-color stories, which made Susi giggle all night.

I was glad to relieve Susi's stress. She and Jim were awaiting the birth of their 4th grandchild the next day. My niece Leslie was scheduled to be induced Monday morning. We spent Monday getting text updates on progress. Les looked amazingly lovely in labor. They do things prettier than in my day! A healthy baby girl was born by mid-afternoon. Then we were on name watch! Lillian Elise Lopez - the name is just as gorgeous as this little girl, beloved by her brother James, mommy, daddy Jordan and many more. Can't wait to watch her grow.

I stole this pic off Facebook. Aren't they adorable?? 

The rest of the Kohan kids arrived Monday. Paul (the younger twin) with girlfriend Christine, and Sarah - new college grad and soon to be law school student. We missed Eric, studying for the bar exam. I've so enjoyed getting to know these young people during our times together at CB.

When some people go on vacation, they can check off a bunch of activities - places they visited, sites seen. Nope! On Tuesday we (Paul, Cindy, Betsy, son Paul and daughter Sarah and me) did venture south to order Dungeness crab at Jetty Fishery Marina in Rockaway Beach. The shopkeeper was very friendly, helping us decide how many crabs to order (1 per person). We made plans to stop back to pick the crab up after it had been steamed and put on ice.

Then we headed onward, through Tillamook. We did not stop to see the cheese factory but it was tempting. We had wine on our minds. It was about an hour's drive inland to the Risdall Ranch Winery, a beautiful location that boasts a large Christmas store. It was a fun trip. That night, the crab was so very delicious!

On Wednesday, Paul Kohan made us Bloody Marys and we watch the World Cup soccer match. On Thursday, our cousin Leslie Morehead and her husband Bob came in from Portland/Astoria for a visit. Christine cooked up lumpia, a Filipino treat similar to egg rolls. Paul and Wayne grilled salmon. It was another culinary success. Kudos to both Betsy for her superior large-scale meal planning skills when it comes to meals. Raising five children prepped her magnificently!

With our cuz Leslie Morehead

Besides a few trips into Cannon Beach "the city" and stops at Warren House, Bolder's favorite bar, that was about it.

• Coffee, muffin
• Walk on beach
• Rest
• Lunch - sandwiches or at our fave, The Driftwood in Cannon Beach
• Shop a bit
• Rest, read
• Cocktails with conversations - priceless
• Eat
• Early bedtime. It stays light late on the West Coast

Saturday came too quickly once again. The good news was we would see each other again soon in the Tri-Cities, Washington for Alex and Lisa's wedding. Our children will join us nearly a year after Amy and Corey's wedding. It will be fun!

Cindy Paul and I drove back to our fave funky town, Portland for the evening. We had a super early flight, so we kept it simple, hitting Henry's Tavern and Powell's City of Books. I just love the vibe in that city. I'd put Oregon in my top four states:
Iowa
Colorado
Oregon
Florida

Probably because I've spent quite a bit of time in each of them.
Which states do you like?

Time with our family is priceless. When our father passed away after Christmas 2006, we vowed to continue to "group up". At events like weddings, we're always so busy that we don't get to share the details about health, life changes, friends, and jobs. Our bi-annual sister reunion allows time to just be together. That's the best!

Walking together through life

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!

Post Doc

My Doc (in this case beloved Nurse Practitioner) retired. Congratulations to her! What a wonderful care provider.

Sheryl Young wasn't just my care provider - she's a friend! I'll miss catching up with her on her family during my healthcare visits. I've known the Young family for many years - back before Sheryl went back to school to become an ARNP, MSN. Then they moved away from Creston. We were lucky to catch up with her when we moved to Des Moines. Sheryl always asked about my family as she cared for my health. She knew they are a key to my well-being! I hope Sheryl and Bob enjoy retirement. They've earned it.

I've been spoiled. Before we moved to Des Moines, I knew my previous healthcare providers well too. When you go to a doc in a small town, it's hard not to! It's not like we hung out, but Dr. Chuck Hoyt treated our whole family for years. He moved back to town just after Jud was born. Paul traveled back to Creston for his physical with Chuck this year. Word has it, Dr. Hoyt will retire soon too. He too has put in some time in the trenches.

Growing up in Atlantic, I had one doctor through age 18 - Dwain Wilcox. He was a kind, serious man who watched over the Bullock family. In fact, he brought several of us into this world. His own daughter Tressa eventually became an Atlantic doc.

Dr. Wilcox even made housecalls. I don't know why Mom made the formal living room into the examination/shot room. Sometimes on Saturday nights, he could be found at our house playing poker, smoking and drinking with my folks and other friends. Yep, smalltown Iowa. That was the way I grew up.

I've come to the time in life when I must search for a new doc. And gulp...this one will be younger than I am. Sheryl's clinic was on the SE side of Des Moines. It was convenient for work visits, but not for those times I was sick at home.

It was one of those times I had to adult and find me a new doc. After doing some research, I selected a UnityPoint closer to home. There is a woman doc in her 40's - undergrad at ISU. Plus plenty of PAs. It takes a long time to build a relationship with a healthcare provider. I won't likely see them at poker club or at high school football games or riding their motorcycle like I did Chuck Hoyt. Those days are over. I'm fortunate Des Moines has many healthcare choices. Where nobody knows me. I guess at 60 it's time to grow up!

Biking the mountains of NE Iowa

I know, Iowa has no mountains. Tell that to my thighs.

A couple months ago, Paul helped organize a work event that ended up with a reception at Peace Tree, an East Village brewpub we enjoy. Present and former USDA co-workers gathered, along with a few DNR folks. Somehow the two groups, one federal and one state, seem to be drawn to each other. They do have a shared mission in reducing soil loss and often work closely with each other on this issue.

What views! 

That's when the idea of kayaking in NE Iowa came up. A DNR buddy, Becky Ohrtman volunteered to set up a trip. She used to work close to me on the 5th floor of the Wallace Building. After Becky moved to another floor, I lost track of her. I was happy to hear she was able to transfer to the Manchester Field Office a couple years ago - which is great for Becky and fiance Mike, another DNR employee who is based there. They had been doing the long-distance thing for many years.

We settled on this weekend for the trip. Mom Nature didn't cooperate. With all the rain, rivers are dangerously high for boating. We're a versatile group and decided to bike instead!

The mysterious Becky - camera shy? 

We arrived in Decorah on Friday and grabbed lunch at a sports bar. The group was: Mike, Becky, Duane, Bob, Jody, Paul and me. I didn't choose my lunch wisely. The Ruben and beer haunted me later. (peddling gut bomb) One of our group rented a recumbent bike for the ride. While we waited for everyone to group up to take off on the bike path, Rick's tire blew up! It sounded like a firecracker. Good thing it was there - not on a hill. #wipeout.

I knew it would be hilly, woo baby. Good thing Albie (my beloved bike) has that first gear I never need to use in Des Moines. Going downhill is kinda scary too! Switchbacks and steep hills.

Checking out trout

Fish Hatchery spring

Rick and Bob at Pulpit Rock Brewery - met up with a former co-worker

We stopped at the Decorah Fish Hatchery - newly renamed after former DNR director Chuck Gipp, who is from this area. Congratulations to Chuck, who spent many years living away from his family while serving as a legislator, then at the Department of Agriculture and finally as DNR director. There is a beautiful freshwater spring feeding this hatchery. Paul loved talking to Mike, who supervises this and other hatcheries.

The bike trail goes right by the site of the famous Eagle Cam. Without a good zoom, I didn't get a great shot but saw the eagle sitting on a branch. See if you can see it. People come from all over the world to see the nest.

Decorah is a beautiful little town. Hotels are expensive - at least during this time of year. $200 a night. Yikes! After biking 11+ miles we stopped at a local brewery called Pulpit Rock. We ran out of time to visit the more famous Toppling Goliath Brewery. That night we dined at the restored Winneshiek Hotel. Six of us wandered downtown afterward - a late night for this old girl. Thanks to the group for organizing the trip. What a great time!

Need a footstool? 

Paul and I headed back to Des Moines Saturday. One of my favorite events is happening now - The Art Festival! We visited the downtown event on a beautiful Saturday evening. Local brews, the Brazilian Twins and energized music, and art from all over the country. Loved running into our niece Barb and husband Mike - nice catching up. I saw many other posts from people we missed seeing downtown. People watching is my hobby.

The Art festival is perfection! I hope to get a bike ride in today to warm up the sore leg muscles. Weekends go by so quickly! I hope you all are enjoying life wherever you are.


More Art photos.

Wood vessels

Artists in Action

Happy Father's Day Dave Bullfrog!

I don't have any memories of my father actually in a pool - only these pics

Did you really know your dad when you were a kid? Back when Baby Boomers grew up, dads weren't expected to spend a lot of quality time with the cherubs. The rules were different in the 1960's and 1970's. Most dads weren't involved in all of their children's everyday lives - especially when they're girls. They brought home the bacon.

Mom and Dad were very social - Poker Club, supper clubs - such a handsome guy

My dad worked hard to support us by traveling throughout Iowa Monday through Friday. He was a sales representative for Lorraine Lingerie. Fun guy that he was, he'd say he was "in lady's underwear". Ha! This actually included panties, slips, and silky pajamas. Nice stuff, some of it manufactured locally in Bedford and Leon, Iowa. Those plants are now closed.

Dad lived out of a suitcase. He had nice suits that he purchased at Reichardt's Clothing in Des Moines. He left a weekly schedule by the phone. It included town and hotel. No mobile phones back then. If you recall the era, small towns were still commerce centers. They had small department stores that "had it all", including lingerie. Dad had his routes throughout the state. He knew which little restaurants had good pie. He loved Gooseberry. He enjoyed beets and liver and onions - Ick.

Dave Bullock traveled the state of Iowa (and a little bit of South Dakota) in first Buicks and then Cadillacs supplied by Deter Motors. He put 60,000 plus on his cars each year, so he'd trade cars annually. Even Caddies didn't come with a center console back then - so he had Eddie the Cobbler make him a leatherette covered armrest that opened. There he kept his Tareyton cigarettes, Binaca (breath freshener) and Dentyne gum. Salesmen are worried about breath! Dad was a great driver and was only in one accident his whole life - a hit and run in Fort Dodge, not his fault.

Dad used to buy funny toys from his customers bring back to us from his trips. Key the Mom eye-roll. Things like chattering teeth and wind-up barking dogs. When the older three kids grew up, and Betsy was at loose-ends, Mom talked Dad into taking Betsy on his route to South Dakota. Oh, how the buyers loved that little girl! Forgive me Betso if I fail to get the story right. She needed help with her hair, and they'd go to one store so she could get a comb-out from a client. Dad bought Mexican-Jumping Beans (which are really live worms in beans). They couldn't figure out what was rattling in the back window....then they left them in the sun too long, and they fried. Sorry worms!

Grillmeister - note white shoes

I wish I had more memories of spending time with my Daddy when I was a child. We watched family TV shows together Walt Disney and Bonanza. He'd torment us by saying Lassie wasn't going to make it this time. Crying ensued. Mom would yell. Dad liked to take us to Dairy Queen, and we'd take our dog Jud (hey, it's a family name - my son is not...just... named after a dog) and he'd (Jud) get a vanilla cup of ice cream. Dad was the grillmeister. Nearly every weekend he'd sizzle up something delicious - rotisserie chicken, steak, pork roast marinated with mustard/grape jelly.

Dad liked to play golf and pitch at the Country Club. He tried to teach me how to play golf...fail! Susi and Cindy turned out pretty good though. He did teach me how to drive a clutch car, but it wasn't pretty. That corner by the YMCA was a bitch!

Dad was a people guy. He had a lot of friends and continued to make them all through his life. I think that's why he was such a great salesman. He was a snazzy dresser too. The poor guy got criticized a lot by teen daughters later in life."Not the white belt Dad!".

At our first house with the Alvillar girls

I had the opportunity to get to know Dad better in my adult years. Paul and I were very thankful that Mom and Dad paid for flights to visit them in Marco Island, Florida. As young parents buying a house, we wouldn't have been able to visit otherwise. Dad loved showing us their second home. Later, after the kids were born, he'd take the kids down to the beach, tossing popcorn in the air for the gulls. Their interaction was priceless.

With the Kohan boys

After Mom died in 1997, we were all stunned. Mom was a strong woman - the "director" of the family. We had to establish a new order - new communications. We took the opportunity to get to know each other better. It was a busy time as I was in the midst of raising kids. Looking back, I wish I would have taken more time to spend with Dad. But, in the moment...kid duty calls.

Mom and Dad's condo in Atlantic - Paul and I have on sweathers, kids, shorts? 

We got to spend some quality time with Dad and his friend Kay in the last years of his life. He enjoyed her family and ours. Dad was very proud of his ten grandchildren. Somewhere he's watching from afar, sipping a cocktail with his buddies Dandy Don, Eddie Freese, Fritz, and more. They're smiling. Cheers Dave Bullfrog!

Why didn't I get his skinny legs? 

Finding A Backbone - Confessions of a Childhood Bully

I've reconnected with a childhood friend on Facebook. It's amazing that this person ever wanted to have anything to do with me again. You see, I was part of "The Clique". That mob of girls who mowed their way through the puberty years - picking on others. Today we call it bullying.

We went from being a group of sweet young things, attending each other's birthday parties - playing pin the tail on the donkey. The next thing you know we were looking for ways to be critical. Things we talked about:
-Her Mom served dried out hamburgers
-She has to drag her little sister around all the time
-Their house has a strange smell
-Did you see her outfit?
-Let's not ask her to the movie
Can you believe how ridiculous these things are?

We held huge "slumber" parties where nobody slept and girls separated into groups. I tried hard to use my sense of humor to stay out of the fray, but I was no innocent bystander. A couple of girls got the brunt of the bullying. I don't know why they were isolated, not invited, and were chosen for vicious crank calls.

I was somewhat oblivious at that time in my life. I wasn't the empathetic soul that our daughter was from a young age. I developed that later in life.

Eventually,

Washington Elementary

we got "talked to" about our behavior. Our Washington Elementary teachers separated us out for a "meeting" We were told us this behavior wasn't acceptable. I don't think it helped - the damage was done. Once we went off to Junior High - and three schools came together, the clique broke up. It seems that's when we broke up into smaller friend groups. 

Looking back, I knew what we were doing was wrong. Even though I wasn't the main "instigator", I went along with it. I didn't speak up and say, "this isn't right - stop it!" I was weak. I didn't want to be next.

It wasn't until I had my own children that this part of my life came hurtling back to me. I found my voice. I began speaking up to point out things I believed were wrong. I wrote letters to the editor of the Creston News Advertiser - pointing out that the Creston Pantherette nickname was outdated. The female athletes should be proudly called Panthers just like the boys. I wrote a letter to the Atlantic News Telegraph, chastising the school staff there for allowing outrageous derogatory chants towards Creston's student-athletes. I also used my voice as a parent. I realized I no longer believed in the planks of the Republican party and switched to the Democratic party as the values supporting women's rights, LGBT, and a more progressive tax structure. Make no mistake though...my Republican roots are still in there.

I told my daughter about my experience growing up. I explained that I was part of a group that bullied girls. That it is big regret in my life. I don't know if I told Jud - he wasn't into listening to Mom's childhood stories back then. (He pretends better now).

Growing up isn't easy even when you're not being bullied. Even the most popular, most athletic, musical, smart, talented kids have issues. Everyone is insecure, Especially the ones who act super confident. What is it that makes us pick on others to lift us up? There must be another way for all of us to feel better about ourselves.

I've apologized to the person I wronged all those years ago. She graciously accepted. If there are others out there, I apologize to you too.

I try not to get too wrapped up in politics on Facebook. To me, it's a place to keep up with family and vacations, food etc. Sometimes, because we live who we are, politics and beliefs slip in.

I will keep using my voice when I just can't keep quiet. Others won't always agree with me. That's okay. What would this world be if we were all the same?