Sightseeing in the Black Hills ...

Between lunch at Sugar Shack and dinner at Sanford's, we had a few hours to fill. Larry had never seen the Crazy Horse monument ...

... and because we were in the "neighborhood" we also visited Mount Rushmore.

NOTE: We did not pay to go into either site, but viewed from a distance. I, of course, didn't have my camera with me AND cell phone photo wasn't clear enough. So I "borrowed" these photos from the internet.

 

It was a beautiful drive and we saw another one of the sights from Larry's roadside book!

The "Corn Palace"

 

When Larry retired "the last time" he received a gift of a book - America's Roadside Attractions. It's become as important as the atlas when packing up a vehicle for a road trip. As we progressed through this trip we referred to it for important stuff we needed to see along the way. We discovered the Corn Palace in Mitchell SD! So ... into Mitchell we went ... lucky us they had designated parking for RV's and campers!

My first and only previous visit was with my mother when the girls were very young, I don't think Melissa had even started school yet! (that's a "couple" of years ago!)

I don't believe that on my previous visit that we went into gym area or if there was even a gym. But this was way cool ... gym with a stage! Good use of space ...

 

I loved the corn murals on the walls. I think that this area was just a big open area when I last visited?

There was a looping video being shown in concourse/gift shop/food court area that explained how corn was planted, selected and adhered to wall. Most interesting...don't think it will be anything I will try anytime soon. As we left building heading back to vehicle we noticed bins outside where sorting and cutting (with a table saw) was happening. They are always replacing corn that refuses to stay adhered to the building. Talk about job security!



Williams Free Library ...

The most beautiful building in Beaver Dam! This is the original home of the city library. For whatever reason it was "retired" and a new "more modern" facility was built. It now houses the county historical society.

 

I remember my grandmother taking me to the library. We would spend h-o-u-r-s perusing the shelves looking for reading materials. I remember the smells, the dark woodwork, the tables and chairs, the staircase, and all those shelves full of books!

 

What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon ... checking out 4-5 books ... head home ... and cozying up with a good book!

"The Wiener Mobile"

What can I say ... er ... sing here?

 

"Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener,

that is what I'd really like to be.

For if I was an Oscar Mayer wiener,

everyone would be in love with me."

 

Enough already ...



... frost ...

Road trip in late February with weather forecast of foggy conditions to York. We were well past York and conditions were still quite ominous. Still beautiful and roads were clear!

Winter Warning ... 2-3" projected

... and we got 7-8" inches ... depending on where you lived. Interestingly temps on Saturday were in mid to high 60's and overnight fell to low 30's. Snow started falling late Saturday evening. Last flake fell Monday morning. The world was quiet. Because of snow covered icy roads many schools, day-cares, and college campuses were closed or starting late. Our lane was cleared by lunch Monday ... road maintainer made a pass through by mid-afternoon.

 ... now we are in a slow melt!!!

Pointer Sisters and "Shout"

Gotcha! This "Shout" is a color catcher fabric dryer type sheet you could use when washing garments that may bleed when laundering. I've used it when washing those bright colored sweatshirts, etc. It's also something to be used when washing a quilt the first time.

I do not pre-wash fabrics before cutting and sewing a quilt. I prefer manufacturers stabilizer vs me washing and starching, mostly because I'm lazy! One exception would be making a t-shirt quilt -- t-shirts are typically pre-worn and laundered many times. Complimentary fabrics being used for sashings, corners, borders and backing should then be laundered. The "Shout - Color Catcher" is always used! I've never had any bleeding problems. I do toss in a second sheet if I'm concerned about whether one would catch all of the dye.

So there you have it, my two cents worth ... regarding the first laundering of that new or favorite quilt.

Santa's visit ...

T’was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney with presents to give,

and to see just who in this home did live.

I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,

no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand,

and on the wall pictures of far distant lands.

With medals and badges, awards of all kinds,

a sobering thought came to my mind.

For this house was different, so dark and so dreary,

the home of a soldier, now I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone,

curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle, the room in such disorder,

not how I pictured a United States soldier.

Was this the hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

I realized the families that I saw this night,

owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world, the children would play,

and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

because of the solders, like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,

on a cold Christmas eve in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice,

"Santa don’t cry, this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more,

my life is my God, my country, my corps.”

The soldier rolled over and soon drifted to sleep,

I couldn’t control it, I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours, so silent and still,

and we both shivered from the cold evening’s chill.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold, dark, night,

this guardian of honor so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over, with a voice soft and pure,

whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas day, all is secure.”

One look at my watch, and I knew he was right.

"Merry Christmas my friend, and to all a good night.”

(written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt

and included on a Christmas card

 printed by the DAV)

Clouds!!!

Look, look those are (hopefully) storm clouds building up in the east!!!

Ooooh, ooooh. There are more in the northeast!!!

Rain, rain ... rain here today!!! Please?
Now, we wait and see ...

Gobble Gobble Gobble

We're in a drought.
Brown and dormant grass.
Leaves falling from trees.
Small plantings drying up.
Only "green" in lawn is on laterals ... which has attracted some feathered "friends".

We had one of two area wild turkey flocks dining on lateral "salad bar". By the time the camera was located and adjusted they had proceeded to nibble their way to south side of yard. (Note: They are constantly walking and eating.)

So ... they continued dining and strolling around perimeter of house yard making their way to neighbors tree line where we are assuming they roost during heat of day.

They are fun to watch ...

Who's Mitch?

Noah borrowed this book from our "home library". I wanted to label it to make sure it was returned to us. Imagine my surprise when I noticed the inscription on the front cover!

Now I wonder if it is his Uncle Mitch's, if not, where did it come from?

Nebraska State Flower ...

This year we had an early spring ... starting in March. With the warmer temps came green lawns, blooming flowers and of course allergies ...


The Goldenrod is our State flower ... or was ... it has since been replaced by ... the beautiful o.r.a.n.g.e. cone flower ~~~


... and where it does not grow the outrageous o.r.a.n.g.e. stripped cat-in-the-hat grows abundantly!!!


So as you travel Nebraska highways, city streets, or rural roads stay alert because you don't want to miss seeing these beauties!!!

diesel locomotive sparks VS high winds

Twenty plus years ago it became law for spark inhibitors on all locomotive engines. Well, duh, today one failed resulting in hundreds of acres of grass fires. So, thank you very much BNSF for making our afternoon ever so exciting!

We had just come in from the back deck, still encased in plastic for winter months -- so "had not" a clue what was going on when we hear the Pleasant Dale "fire siren". Our immediate thoughts are medical emergency or state high school basketball traffic on I-80. But, alas, it was not to be ... it was a grass fire ... right outside our kitchen window! Well, not RIGHT outside ... but across the pasture and along the railroad tracks. Heavy dense smoke ... and it was stretching from Hwy 103 west ... or so we thought.

We're out on front deck when Larry calls 911 to report and is told by operator that three communities are already en route. We then see heavier, darker, denser smoke along eastern horizon and he reports that we are in a different location directly south of Pleasant Dale and that flames are visible along ridge.

So, we wait ... and wait ... and wait (well, it felt like "forever" anyway). We can see that the small home on the corner of Hwy. 103 and Van Dorn Road is being encroached by flames. Traffic has slowed down and I am sure several have dialed 911 to report what they are seeing ... help does arrive and stay on site to ensure fires are out and home/property is safe.


Neighbor to the west of us (Bud and Jan) are out in their Bobcat and working their fence line which butts the railroad track. He's operating the Bobcat creating a firewall ... she's walking the fire line with her trusty shovel turning dirt onto small fires. At one point they give up as wind has picked up and abort leaving Bobcat in path.


An employee of the co-op is on look-out as there are tanks of ammonia and propane on site ... we don't need fireworks in March ... thank you very much!

Larry and I just sit on the tailgate of pick up taking in all of the action with cell phones in hand ... just in case the authorities need to be alerted of impending dangers!

Firetrucks are coming back into town refilling with water-- Milford, Crete, Southwest Rural and Pleasant Dale. Fires seem to be under control. There is so much dry brush and pasture, and dead trees this time of year just add very high winds ...

With all of the excitement "dying" down we head to Crete for pizza. Coming home we take a short drive and it looks like the fire spread from a little west of our place to about 1.5 mile west of Emerald. Hundreds of acres of farm ground have been impacted. We did see where flames jumped roads ... what an eerie unsettling feeling.

The wind has died down ... all we need now is a little rain shower ... I am hearing the train traffic picking back up ... hope these engines aren't faulty ... we've had to much excitement for one day!

Tree

We've got a "ded" tree along fence line in backyard. It will need to come down some day soon as it continues to drop bark or branches when the winds "doth" blow! I love the contrast between it and it's surroundings. Of course once the snow covers everything it's hard to make out the tree.

Spotted Beetles

We are inundated with ladybug type insects. Have no fear our attack cat is on the lookout!
Little Bit just sits and has a stare down with the little buggers! It's more fun to watch her track them when they are in flight though ... one would think she could unscrew her head.

Christmas Gift?

Sam has found a new place to "chill"! A few ornaments needed to be "rehung" to make her new accommodations more suitable.

Note To Self

I think the secret is to not leave a car seat sitting out if you don't want it taken over! Sam has arthritic hips so climbing into this "chair" isn't as difficult for her!

Journal-Star Printing Co. ~ circa early 1950's

There are very few people today who will remember this piece. It was a recruiting tool for paper carriers. I recall seeing it several times over the years as a one page ad. I love that spell check was not available ... just a Webster's ... note lower right hand picture tag line!


I love my chubby little fingers and look at that head of hair ...

Trick or Treat!

R.I.P.

The District School Board voted in March 2011 to close the elementary school in Pleasant Dale due to budgetary cut backs. The town had consolidated with Milford in the 70's. The district continued to support two elementary school buildings and a middle/senior high school. Forty years later it was no longer feasible to support a facility that served fewer than 35 students. So-o-o-o when the 2011/2012 school opening day arrived ... the Pleasant Dale building sat empty. The school district held an auction on October 8th of building, property and contents. A Hastings ethanol business purchased the building and land ...






Life marches on though ... new life may be pumped into the community ... with a business providing employment opportunities.

Only time will tell ~