Preggo Dreams

On the deck at J and K's 

Finally, after many washed out attempts due to illness and the pandemic, we were able to visit Jud and Kara in Saint Louis. Yay! For those who haven't heard, they are soon to be parents. 💖

Baby Girl G is due in mid-September 2020. They wanted to break the baby news to us in person months ago. Thanks to Covid, we ended up finding out via Zoom call with the whole fam, including Amy and Corey. A new fam member is on the way - yahoo!

It's getting real! Jud and Kara have been working on the baby's room. It's really a large landing that will work as the baby's area while she is little. That way she'll be near their room upstairs. The small crib will fit in the closet opening - leaving room for the changing table, a dresser, and a rocking chair. It will be perfect for the little one.

They also had a few house projects for Paul (soon to be Pops). Yeah, I'm trying out grandparent names - almost as important as the baby name! (No, not really). J&K's cozy 1910 home - with the second floor added thirty or forty years ago, had been updated in recent years - before they purchased it. But you know houses - they always need something. Paul built and installed a couple of shelves. Jud and Kara helped and were on paint duty. There were several trips to Home Depot along the way. I was in charge of WD-40 patrol, spraying squeaky doors. And, mostly tried to stay out of the way - dish and cleanup detail. 

Closet

I didn't realize how much I really missed them. Zoom calls are nice, but they sure don't take the place of "in-person". Two weeks before our visit we really tried to curtail interaction with people to reduce the chances of spreading anything. I took along an enchilada casserole for Friday, we had bratwurst one night and they ordered Pi Pizza with cornbread crust one night - so yummy. So not our usual going to restaurants like we usually do in STL. There are so many good restaurants there. Jud and Kara have a lovely deck that is secluded thanks to lots of trees, bushes, and fences. There are lots of squirrels and birds to watch.

Kara is 7 months pregnant - and looks so darn cute as only preggo chicks with long torsos can. She's been feeling pretty good, though the STL heat in humidity is starting to take a toll. It's nice that they have a fenced yard so they don't have to take their good boys - pups Henry and Archie for walks. But they can if they feel like it around their cozy neighborhood in the little burg, Brentwood population 8,000ish. It's just outside of STL proper.

Kara's pregnancy has taken me for a walk down pregnancy memory lane. Pregnant with Amy, I stayed small for the first 4+ months. Then in the last couple of months, I got huge, eventually giving birth to a 9 pound 7-ounce baby a week past the due date. Similar to my Jud pregnancy though he was only 9 lb 4 ounces. Patrick, my c-section baby was breech, was a totally different pregnancy - only 7 lb 6 ounces. I didn't gain nearly as much weight with him. Wiser? Or just busier with 2 kids?

Bucko

While pregnant, I remember having vivid dreams - such as giving birth to a kitten. Likely because our cat Bucko slept by my legs. Kara said she's had some weird ones too. You know how that thing happens - when you are thinking or talking about something and it pops up in another part of your life? This week I was listening to one of my fave authors, Laura Lippman. The book is called "The Girl in the Green Raincoat". It's part of the Tess Monaghan series, one I had somehow missed reading years ago. In this book, Tess, a seven month pregnant Baltimore private investigator, is confined to her screened-in porch/bedroom due to preeclampsia. In the book, Tess dreams that she gives birth to a radish and everyone tells her it looks like her! Listening to this, I laughed out loud while walking on the trail. The book was a play on Hitchcock's "Rear Window" as Tess tries to solve a mystery stuck in her home. 

We are all so excited - dreaming about the arrival of Baby G! Who will she be? That said - I remember what those first few weeks of life with a newborn. With many employers, parents today get more time off when the baby is born. Especially dads. That should help in the lack of sleep department - a tag team. I recall being delirious at times - Jud was not a good sleeper. He really was a night owl all his life until he started working. Not good with a morning person mom!

In today's Internet age, the pressure is on for parents to present their homes and children as perfect at all times. That's why I always try to share my "fail" stories with young parents. They need to know perfect isn't real! And our home was filled with kid toys and well-worn furniture through those years. It goes by pretty quickly! 

The nutty stuff that I did is what my kids remember. 😶 Looking back, I do wish I'd been more patient. ...Note to future grandma...We took one parenting class and I read lots of books on the topic. I recommend all methods of learning for parents. There are probably lots of online resources. One thing for sure - kids need order. They don't need to be given everything they want. I hear Grandparents have different rules! haha

We got together with our friends the McFees this weekend. We talked and laughed a lot about the days (20 years ago) when Bobbie and Jeff with Kristina and Kim would have Sunday night meals with Paul, Amy, Jud, and me. The kids would play and we'd talk - about jobs, parenting, farming, our parents - everything! It was therapeutic. Hearing that other people struggle parenting too made it easier to accept. 

I miss Bobbie. Such a big hole in many lives. We'll go on, but we will not let her memory die. 

40th Anniversary - but not ours

Paul in his girl glasses - so cute! 

It's not what you think - though Paul and I are coming up on our 38th in a few weeks. This July 4, 2020, was the 40th anniversary of a very important Independence Day in my life. It was the start of a tradition that cemented friendships that began with young students at Iowa State University. And thanks, in part, to that 4th of July 40 years ago, many of those friendships have stood the test of time. Who would have imagined one trip to the Apple River could do all that? And, perhaps help me fall a little bit more in love with my honey.  

Paul with Joyce - rainy year

I doubt our host Mike Huston and his parents Clark and Joyce ever considered that one invitation would stretch into 15+ years of young people and later families traipsing to their place. Over the course of those years, many of us married and became parents - bringing another generation to the joys of Ridgeland. Happy memories.  

That first year, 1980, I was living and working in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For the trip, I met my fellow travelers, who were coming from the south, in Albert Lea, MN - right along I-35 just past the Iowa border. We started drinking beer along the way and somebody (not me) threw up before we even before our appointed destination - a tiny town in NW Wisconsin. A key attraction for the invitee was that it was not far from the Apple River - a place one could rent an inner tube and float while drinking massive amounts of beer. As I write this blog, Paul, lifting weights and in a fog of memories, just put our old Alabama LP on the turntable. I remember singing "Dixieland Delight" driving up to Ridgeland that first time. It was our anthem. 

In 1980, Mike didn't just invite a couple friends to his parents' rural escape. He asked around 20! He must have caught his parents at a weak time. What were they thinking? Besides Mike they have four other children - so heck, the more the merrier? C'mon up to a place with no running water and a two-seater outhouse. Bring a sleeping bag. Hustons set up a giant tent that slept lot of people. I swear it had several rooms. 

What a time we had - partying at the bars in the cozy burg of Ridgeland. The Flying Dutchman was one - a typical local bar, cold beer, and their Friday night fish fry was awesome. You couldn't beat the beer prices. When we left, we got some ice and Leinenkugels to go. We needed some for the river float and for the bonfire.

You can still tube the Apple River today. Check out - Rivers Edge. I'm sure it's fun - but nothing like the non-regulated crazy times we had in the early 1980's. Get this - there was no recycling then. Even then I just knew something wasn't right with that.

Vic, Jane and Les - around 1981

 

The Apple Rive had a system to toss empty cans towards giant targets along the river, hoping they'd fall into the containers below. One year my pal Jane swears she drank the same beer the whole ride - because she kept dunking it in the water. Ick! Talk about recycling....Anyway - people were winging beercans through the air and you always had to be ready. We lashed tubes together with twine, floating happily while we enjoyed each others' company. What sunscreen? (me then) Now - I need shade! 

That first year we had great weather and had our fill of beer by the end of the river. Nobody prepared us (Paul - who is not really a swimmer) for the rapids (small ones) at the end. Surprise! He flipped his tube and lost his glasses. Can you say blind man walking? And I sliced my ankle on something. Beer can? I'm lucky I didn't get Tetanus, but the cut likely got washed out by an alcohol swirlie. Paul was fortunate that Mike's sis Lori had similar glasses and wore contacts so he was able to wear hers until he could get new glasses. 😏 He looked adorable in those chunky 80's frames! 

It wasn't like we needed more alcohol, but in between the river and Ridgeland, there was a tiny bar called Theresa's that we'd stop at. It was filled with locals who'd look at us like - "what are you doing here?" when we'd walk in. Later, when we had kids, we were sure to take them there. We always played that classic bar song. "F'ing Jerk. Get on My Nerves" They had a PG version with whistles and beeps for kids. I wish we could have purchased "My First Dive Bar" t-shirts for our children. So proud! It's trips like going to Ridgeland that helped us raise our children with Vic and Fred's and Moose and Kay's kids - making them kinda like cousins. Shared memories. 

Tubing was fun, but my favorite part of staying at the Huston Ridgeland place was hanging out with Clark and Joyce sitting around the campfire. Their whole family was so nice - Mike was the oldest on down - Jeff, Lori, Kris and Karla - the youngest at about 11 when we first started going. Looking back, Clark and Joyce were only in their 40's when we started going to Ridgeland. Wow - so young! They were great role models - active younger having fun with their kids.  

Clark had lived in the Ridgeland house with his dad Russell when he was growing up. We were fortunate enough to meet Russell those first couple of years we visited. He and I shared a birthday so he remembered me each year. Around the campfire we'd tell Lena and Ollie jokes, become Turtles (One Red Hen), tell ghost stories, and just chat. Most of us were in our first real job, so it was nice to hear about how others were coping. Mike and Tom were in various stages of Vet School. Some years we went even when Mike couldn't go. Vets have such tough hours! 

Clark and Joyce put on quite a spread of food each year. Breakfasts were awesome - the old house had electricity so they'd cook up pancakes and bacon. While we ate they'd have water heating over the campfire to do dishes in the sink. At night they'd grill. Everyone helped with chores. Of course, we'd make S'mores at night. Fred had a big stick that he'd use to stir the fire - each year he'd record the date. He still has it. 

At dark, we'd drag out the fireworks my dad supplied each year from his trip through Missouri on my folks' trip home from Florida. One year Hauser supplied Moose and himself with hardhats. We had Roman candles and tanks and even a helicopter. There was a firework battleship to put in the horse tank.

Amy in the antique playpen - baby behind bars! She never recovered. haha

That first year - 40 years ago - fresh from college - I was figuring out what I wanted in life. I felt fortunate to land a job - even if it was all the way over in Sioux Falls. I had dated Paul my senior year but wasn't sure if he was "the one". After graduation, we got to know each other better without the distractions of college life. He called, he visited, and even wrote me letters. Sigh! During those trips to Ridgeland and other short trips we took together, I began to understand what a kind and giving person he is. He had wonderful friends - a good sign too. My pals are pretty wonderful too. 

Jud's First Ridgeland

Paul and I melded our two college friend groups together - seamlessly. Some of them were intertwined in that Iowa way - they knew each other before I knew him. The rest is history! Now that we are empty nesters it's easier to get together again and we are doing that. I was so proud when my kids could have their first Ridgeland bath. 

Jud in front of Huston barn

Yes, I'm being a sentimental old woman this pandemic 4th of July. Paul and I had a nice quiet day - kayaking early to beat the heat and crowd. As we paddled, I took a walk down memory lane and realized it was the 40th anniversary of our first Ridgeland Adventure. 

I texted our friend group - many of us just got together on a ski trip in CO just before the country shut down in March. Some of us had seen each other at an ISU football game last fall. After years of raising children and selflessness, it's been nice to have time to put ourselves first once again - just like those early Ridgeland years and get together for fun!  

I was a happy gal, sitting in my boat interacting with my pals - even sending pics. Heart full! We are blessed with fabulous friends. 

Amy roasts a marshmallow at Ridgeland

Hawaiian year

The 4th Is My 1st

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Beloved outhouse - Kelli and Amy Ridgeland

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

Gang at Ridgeland - thanks Clark and Joyce! 

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

2016 Yankee Doodle Pops with roomie Joan

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

2017 July 3rd downtown bike ride with my honey

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

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













 

Old Green

I got a new chair. That's big for me - change is hard. If you've been to our house both before our move to West Des Moines and after, then you've seen me sitting in my chair - Old Green. It wasn't always old, but earned the moniker because we purchased it many years ago from Coen's Furniture, Creston's wonderful local store - owned by a great family.

I've never been a recliner fan. That probably comes from my incompetence in working the mechanisms to make recliners comfy. Mom always had a chair with an ottoman in their second Atlantic home, a nifty condo on the Back 9 at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club. That chair was so comfortable through the years it influenced my chair choice. Mom lives on through me in picture placement (don't hang them high and be eclectic) and furniture.

Because Paul and I lived close to Atlantic and because we weren't rolling in $$, we were fortunate (or cursed) to be the furniture hand-down recipients. Early in our marriage, sadly, my Atlantic grandparents passed away. They had just outfitted an apartment at Heritage House, an Atlantic retirement home, with furniture from their condominium (my grandpa, Bubba never mastered the pronunciation of that word, "condoninium?")

Thanks to proximity and my grandparents, Paul and I received a colonial-style plaid couch with blue tones (my grandmother, Momo, and I share a love of blue), and several Ethan Allen pieces including a dining room table with chairs, and the cabinets that we still have today. We sold the table/chairs with our Creston home. The couch - a heavy fold-out wore out long ago. Sorry to our buddies that helped carry it into and out of our basement on Port Road. That was a labor of like and pizza payment! 

Dad's chair looked like this when we got it. We recovered in a darker red stripe

As I mentioned, Creston has a great family-owned furniture store that we were happy to support. They always had plenty of stock to pick from and competed with the big city stores on price. After we moved to our second Creston home, the time came to replace Dad's old chair (yes we got hand-me-downs from my parents too). I'd had it re-upholstered once, but the springs were poking - the cushions were finally shot after 50 years of use.

Old Green was wide enough for both pets

That's when I picked out my green chair with a matching ottoman. That chair hugged me through many highs and lows in my life:

• When I took on increased job responsibilities as the landfill director in Union County, that led to some insomnia. Middle of the night chair sitting was required. 
• I created Amy and Jud graduation slide shows sitting in the chair, occasionally shedding sentimental Mom tears carefully selecting photos and music. 
• The chair soaked up many grief tears especially when Dad died - leaving me parentless. Hard even at age 50. 
• Countless hours of watching TV, movies, funny, sad, educational, scary....transitioning from watching kid shows to binge-watching things like Entourage with our kids - to today's Netflix  
• Genealogy work - tracing my roots online never leaving my living room
• Real work as I was fortunate to be allowed to telecommute nearly every Friday during the eleven years I worked for DNR, even after we moved to West Des Moines from Creston eight years ago. 
• The chair was a comfort during illness - migraines, shoulder, issues, and more. When I couldn't get comfortable in bed it was a comfy alternative.
• The pets loved the chair too. Odie and Kitty (real name Samantha) would lay across the back or on/by my lap. They loved it too. So much the Odie dug and snagged the cushions for that "lived in" look. 
• I could go on but you get the idea. I'm willing to bet you have a piece of furniture you connect with like that too. 

So why replace it? We are updating our living space and it was "one of these things is not like the others". My new chair is lovely and well made. It doesn't yet fit me like a glove and we haven't bonded. Perhaps that's for the good because I really don't need to spend my days and nights in a chair! These days I stand up at our kitchen bar and sit there for some of my work. In nice weather, I can even be found under an umbrella at our deck table. 

I hope you have someplace comfy to settle in/on at your place. Especially in these unsettled times, we all need some comfort. 

 

New chair has no name yet. A little stiff - needs to warm up to my buns...

I hope Old Green goes to a good home who will enjoy her comfort as I did. Not college dudes! haha. 

She Called Me Les

San Antonio 2011

Bobbie McFee was one of the first people I met when Paul and I moved to Creston. Rejected by each of the 28 or so sororities when I attended rush as an 18-year-old at Iowa State University, I found my true sisters with Beta Sigma Phi, a women's sorority as a 28-year-old. Bobbie was a new-found sister back in 1987 who later became much more. And she called me Les - a name only my besties use.

After completing the DSM half marathon (walking) Bobbie didn't get the "wear your medal" memo

We're devastated to think this person who was so full of life could pass in a blink with no warning. We are so sad for her husband Jeff - two people who meshed so beautifully. Jeff met Bobbie through her Creston roomie Retta Baker, at Northwest Missouri State University where Bobbie earned her degree. Jeff was a persistent farmer from Creston who attended the local community college, eventually earning his 4-year degree later from Buena Vista.

Those two were truly meant for each other. I keep picturing them swing dancing together - not always technically perfect, but they knew each other's moves and would "go with it" adjusting to what each other did. They were fun to watch - having fun and you could see the love they shared as they moved around the floor.

What a cute family! 

We mourn together with their daughters Kristina and Kim. They are our children Amy and Jud's ages. That is one reason why we spent so much time together as families. On many a weekend evening, one of us would call the other and we'd make a plan to share an evening meal. The kids would play and we "adults" could chat about all things - raising kids, jobs, families, farming, and more. We raised those kids together. We all shared love and admiration for each other - plus a sense of humor! Bobbie and Jeff have always been such positive people - glass half full. Those are people you want to be around.

Kristina and Kim have lost their mother, their biggest fan, listening ear, and their advisor. I'm so sad for them about that. My mom died from lung cancer when I was 40, so older than they are now. Even then I felt robbed of the comfort of a mother - the heart of our family. Jeff is a great dad and will continue to be. Paul and I will try to think of ways we can support this family missing Bobbie.

Kristina has two young daughters under age 5. I'm so sorry that they won't personally remember Grandma Bobbie. I'm sad that now that I'll be a Grandma I won't have the opportunity to get more tips from her! She already told me a couple stories of her times with the girls that I cherish. Just like Bobbie took on all challenges, Bobbie didn't let fussy grandkids fluster her. After keeping the kids overnight in Creston, when delivering the young girls back to their folks in Ankeny, the baby began shrieking in the rear-facing car seat. Not a happy girl. Bobbie didn't stop as she'd already tried several methods to calm the youngster. So she just put some good tunes on the car radio and began to sing at the top of her lungs! Eventually, the little one ran out of steam and konked out. It will be our job now to tell Bobbie stories to the girls - so they know just who their Grandma Bobbie was.

Bobbie did not really believe in allowing herself much leisure time. She was most happy working on projects. She'd just plunge in. Recently, during the pandemic, she painted the inside of their Creston home. Every room! She only got help on the highest peaks of their cathedral ceiling. She loved to exercise, ride bikes and walk - quickly.

We had some good times in Des Moines in recent years when she and Jeff came up to bike with us. We may have overdone the beer to bike mile ratio!

Farmer's Market visit

Don McKim always laughed that Bobbie could be a "sprinter" when we had group gatherings. One legendary time a group of Cyclone fans attended an ISU/KSU football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. A vendor was handing out free Monster energy drinks which Bobbie mixed with vodka. Then she invited herself into a fancy tailgate party with a live band and food! The rest of us were standing behind Higgins' Suburban in the parking lot. Not a super football fan, Bobbie konked out during the game, sleeping with her head on Jeff's shoulder.  I'll miss hearing her version when reminiscing about all those times we've had together.

I enjoyed talking to Bobbie about work. She was a very effective and dedicated comptroller - most recently at a plant in Creston that makes giant equipment that peels potatoes and carrots. They had a branch in Boise, ID so she told us how she got to know that area, mostly on her own. With a previous job, Bobbie and Jeff traveled to far off locations like Germany and Thailand - they loved to visit new places.

I'm so sad for Bobbie's family - her parents Bob and Grace, and her brothers and families. And Jeff's family including my former roomie Joanie. Since we don't have family around Creston, Paul and I have been lucky to be invited to some of their gatherings, so we feel a bit like cousins. Bobbie's loss will hit hard for them all. We will need to try honor Bobbie by keeping our memories of her alive.

Bobbie moved into Creston and won the hearts of Crestonians right away - even with farmers, no small feat. She served on the school board and volunteered for many other things - always dependable. When our son Patrick lived his brief life in 1991, she and Jeff were there for us. She brought ham balls for the funeral - it's a SW Iowa thing. That's what I kept thinking yesterday as we visited the house to see the family. Bobbie would bring ham balls to this. I expected her to drive up and take charge.

Bobbie had a road bike and kept up with the guys. Albie (my crosstrainer bike) and I brought up the rear 

Paul and I traveled to Creston to the house yesterday. Several family members were there and a steady stream of neighbors and friends stopped by to drop off food and to express their sympathies. It's what you do - surround the family with love. This week will be a blur. It will be our job to be there for Jeff and the girls after the funeral too.

We all need reminders of how special each day is. 2020 has worked on that. This reminder hurts so badly. RIP my friend. I  hope you are in your Happy Place forever.

Last year - Lake of the Ozarks - Bobbie's "Happy Place"

People Who Need People

So we went someplace. That was big!

Paul and I made our usual trek to Colorado over Memorial Weekend. Except it wasn't usual due to the pandemic. This year we prepared our own sandwiches to eat on the road. We loaded up with hand sanitizer and wipes for the car. We each made sure we had our masks along with backup masks. And then packed for Colorado weather - Denver and the mountains, so that means summer and winter!

We took off for Colorado the Friday before Memorial Day around 6:30 a.m. On our drive, we talked about the fact that our last trip before the shutdown had been our Colorado ski trip with our college pals. Covid 19 was just breaking out all over the country and we had no idea what the implications would be. It's a different world today.

Most people say derogatory things about the I-80 drive - across western Iowa, all of Nebraska and eastern Colorado. It takes us around nine hours using the Dave Bullock method - few stops.

It was beautiful - and not just because my eyes and heart were yearning for a change from my quarantine sites. Spring is such a lovely time of year and the rolling plains have experienced plenty of rain so everything is popping. When the Interstate Highway was built, plenty of "borrow" pit type lakes were built along the road, making for nice little wildlife, fishing areas. Shallow rivers flow along the road as well. People complain about how boring Nebraska is - not me! I think it's beautiful. Cornhusker fans...well, we won't talk about them.

Eastern Colorado gets a bit stark, but near Fort Morgan you start seeing a shadow along the terrain and realize, those are mountains, not clouds! We made this drive often when I was a kid because our cousins and auntie live in Denver. Dad would say "first person to see the mountains gets a Popsicle!" In the past, Denver often had some pollution hanging over the city. That day it was clear as a bell. Each time I make that drive I always think of those who made the trip in a covered wagon. Can you imagine their first look at those mountains? How did they ever do it? Hats off to the intrepid settlers of our great country. 

I was disappointed that when we stopped to gas up outside of Lincoln. Few people had masks on inside the store. Omaha was a hotspot at that point, with hospitals concerned they could be overwhelmed. The workers are the vulnerable ones. I wear mine for them. And to keep myself from touching my face. Our other stop was in Eastern Colorado at a small station where I couldn't bring myself to go inside as it was crowded with people. I'm just not comfortable being that close to lots of strangers - even when I have a mask on. I don't know when my Covid claustrophobia subside.

It was so good to see Amy and Corey. They've been sticking close to home, with Corey teleworking for his job with Syncroness, an engineering and product development firm, and Amy continuing her graphic design biz Gold Spark Design. She reported business dropped off early in the shutdown but has mostly bounced back. Usually, when we go to Denver we like to check out fab restaurants they like. That night we hung out at their place and they cooked for us. The rooftop deck is wonderful! The shut down has encouraged A&C, like most of us, to cook at home more. My fave was the twice-baked sweet potato Amy made. Corey grilled a nice rib-eye from a local meat market. We enjoyed just being with them and got to take the pups, Franklin and Eros, on a walk.

On Saturday morning we walked to a coffee shop. Wearing masks, we took turns going in for coffee and delish pastries. Who doesn't love an almond croissant? We love our kids and time with them was a much-needed salve.

Then we were off, driving up the mountain to sister Cindo's. We so missed our time together with Colby and her that was scheduled for early April in Marco Island, Florida. And Cindy and I were supposed to be with sisters Betsy and Susan on a cruise in France that week, returning Memorial Day. Paul helped Cindy with hard work - picking up and spreading mulch. Cindy invited a few friends that she sees frequently over for supper. Colby and girlfriend Kathleen came too.

The last night we went to our friends Bonnie and Eric's for a retirement party for Eric and the Sanders, another couple we've spent many Christmas dinners with. Shiloy and Jim Sanders retired from their jobs recently too. I sat at the dinner table that Monday night after a fab meal, just drinking in laughter and camaraderie with friends. Hugs and handshakes were out, but we were still together. Hand sanitizer was provided. There is such simple joy in physically being with others. Zoom has been great, but it will never replace this.

On Tuesday we drove to Iowa - back to our new/old life. I'm putting together a small consulting business aimed at assisting stakeholders that I formerly worked with when I was employed by DNR. Just starting a business has been an adventure! When I tried to set up an EIN (biz tax number) IRS told me Thursday that Social Security told them I'm dead. The national Social Security office guy reassured me that I'm not dead in their eyes, but didn't want to provide paperwork. The nice gentleman suggested I call the local office. I waited and tried filling out the online form on Friday and Yes! Lessarus had risen from the dead in IRS's eyes. Maybe it helped that I "unfroze" our credit. No matter what, I was no longer dead and have an EIN.

Now in addition to my usual schedule of reading, jigsaw puzzles, exercise, and household upkeep, I'll slowly start to market the biz - Goldsmith Environmental Consulting. The Trash Lady is back!

Amy designed this awesome logo for me! 

Note: we talked to Jud recently and got an adorable pic of DIL Kara - now around 25 weeks pregnant. They continue to work from home too. They are working on the baby's room and got a new to them vehicle, prepping to carry the precious cargo and 2 dogs. We hope to see them in June. For now, we'll continue laying low. We hope you and your families are well! Take care.

Days Go By - Coffee Memories

I have a routine. As a morning person, I'm usually up by 6:30 a.m. and putz in the kitchen and laundry, tidying up and starting washing any loads of clothes that have accumulated. Then I grab coffee and water and settle in for the Today Show that starts at 7:00 a.m. 

Mr. Efficient, Paul Goldsmith, grinds the coffee beans the night before. We only need to push the button on the drip coffeemaker to start production of the delicious nectar. Paul leaves for his job with the City of West Des Moines (WDM) Forestry Department at 6 a.m. My retiree is currently working four ten-hour days trimming trees, mulching and spraying - all while avoiding people. He says he misses sleeping in, but admits he'd be bored if he didn't have something to do to fill his weeks. Townhouse life doesn't leave many chores to do. The beauty of his job is that it's seasonal, and he can take off whenever he wants to. Sadly, like all of you, we've not traveled like we planned to so far this year. 

Back to coffee. I admit we are novice (we have not continued to evolve past grinding beans and being amazed) coffee snobs. Just above Folgers, really. One can get Starbucks beans at our grocery store, so we usually go with those - creatures of habit. I did go a little off-script recently and ordered Peet's beans for delivery. I'd had that delicious brew on my Homegirl trips around the country. DSM doesn't have Peet's stores. I may need to check Whole Foods for the beans - the Organic French Roast was fabulous. Paul liked it too. There are some local places in the area I could try when I'm feeling more adventuresome and less quarantinesome. 

I have always liked my coffee with creamer. I trace it back to the way I learned to drink coffee as a child. Those were the days of percolators. I loved that noise of the coffee churning through the pot. One time Dad started a pot and forgot to put on the lid - yep, it perked up to the ceiling! When I was in high school, Mom became more sophisticated and got a fancy pour-over outfit that she put on the stove.

Mom could be a bit exotic for her time - later daughter Amy bought this same system! 

When I was young, every once in a while, Mom would let us add milk and sugar (lots) to a bit of coffee and then dip in "buttery buttery toast". It had to be white bread for this breakfast treat. So good! There are so many fab creamers available today. I'm usually a one cup a day person. I try to avoid caffeine later in the day. 

I am surprised that in college we didn't have a coffee-maker. Instead, I remember little hot pot water boilers that would rapidly boil water. Then we'd add Folgers Instant Coffee crystals. I can't imagine now how that mixture tasted anything like coffee, but our goal was to stay up late to write a paper or study. We even purchased caffeine pills called "NoDoz". Hey, that stuff is still available! No Adderall or Energy Drinks back then - to keep us awake when we needed to re-type (yes type - but at least we had a cool electric typewriter my grandparents gave me for graduation) papers when we spilled Pepsi on them.

Pic from the Bunn website

I don't remember what kind of coffee-maker Paul and I had early in our marriage. I wasn't a big coffee drinker, but Paul, due his Goldsmith genes, is a guzzler. His wonderful parents George and Laura had a pot going all day. Paul can drink it all day, will drink it cold (not to be confused with Cold Brew) and with grounds in it. For sure, when we moved to Creston, we couldn't call ourselves natives until we purchased a Bunn-O-Matic, because Creston is the home of the Bunn plant! I've toured it several times, and one summer, Jud was on the refreshment crew there - pushing around cool water for workers during the sweltering Iowa summer. There was no air conditioning in the plant. Those things last forever! We only went through a couple units during a thirty-year timespan. Sadly, when we moved to WDM, we lost our Bunn connection and bought another brand. When I travel, I always check out the beverage area and smile when I see that Bunn name on their coffee/tea units. 

I'd love to hear your coffee stories. Even how much you hate it and what you drink instead. I know people who start the day with a big 'ol Diet Coke! 

Kitchen table - family with grandparents. I learned to drink coffee at this table