I'm back

I've been trying to figure out how to post on my blog as blogger was no longer supported by my computer (or whatever it said and whatever it means). I'll try this to see if it works. Finally a morning without gale force winds. The guys are going to spray some corn today. Larry wants to get it done as Ellen is ready to go to see Caleb and Larry wants the corn sprayed first! When we put the flags up at the cemetery the wind was blowing hard. We have new flags and new poles as they all were ruined last year in the storm over Memorial Day. The new poles are a foot longer and much heavier than the ones we had and it took 3 guys to set the pole after the flag was on it--with the flag blowing out and the heavy poles it was hard work! But fun and the cemetery was just beautiful. We take them down tonight and hopefully we have lots of help as it takes much longer to take them down than to put them up. We took mother to Evelyn Ibsen's 90th birthday party Sunday. Talked to Harry Meyer and she saw a lot of people she hadn't seen for awhile. She sure enjoys being able to get around by herself without that dreaded alarm! Yesterday we had a wonderful Memorial Day service at the Legion. Larry, Ellen, Caitlin and Isaiah were there. Bryon Schroeder was our featured speaker (Donna & Bob Schroeder's third son). He was back a month from Afghanistan with the Iowa Air Guard. His unit is the one that will be losing its planes so he doesn't know his future in the guard. He gave a wonderful speech that he had written himself. Taps were beautiful and always make me cry. The Legion auxiliary served lunch afterwards and there was free keg beer! Why don't the paragraphs show? Help is needed!

Spring dinner

Our church's spring dinner was held Sunday to a good crowd, not a really good crowd, but the committee was satisfied, I guess. I helped in the carry out section. This year we served ham, cheesy potatoes, steamed frozen green beans and corn, five salads: cole slaw, an orange whipped salad, a cherry Cool Whip salad, Jell-O salad and a pasta salad, rolls and choice of dessert. Ten people called to have their dinner delivered in Lowden; which is a good thing for the elderly who don't want to miss out, yet can't come to the church. Yesterday Bill had a dr. appt. in Iowa City at the VA so we HAD to go to Riverside after that. After loosing my $10 we then drove to Kalona to stop at the cheese factory and then Springtown Grocery. I got a lucious chocolate angel food cake, YUM! I know it is homemade with fresh eggs and it is so tender and GOOD. I also bought a jar of bread and butter pickles that I know Larry will like. Last Friday night was the Legion fish fry where I wound up helping with carry-outs. We sell quite a few carry-outs and that was one of the easiest jobs I've had while helping with the fish fry. It was well attended. The next and last for this year fish fry will benefit the Honor Flight. The guys didn't get in the field this week because of the rain. Maybe this coming week.

Turkey

Easter Sunday morning 6:30. I didn't go to Easter sunrise service, I sort of wanted to, but it meant an extra trip to town and getting up really early so--

At 6:30 I was getting ready to eat breakfast when I saw this BIG turkey on the lawn strutting himself--his tail fanned out, his waddle touching the ground, wings dragging on the ground as he strutted around. Beside him I saw 5 hens (Bill said there were 8 altogether, I only saw 6). They were right here on the lawn on the south and west side of the house. They are huge birds. The big tom proceded to walk around the house over to the garage on the east side and then back up to the south. We see turkeys a lot, but I have never seen the tail fanned out like yesterday.

And you all know how I like birds!

Field work

Field work started officially today with Larry and Ben doing some field cultivating at Thelma's. Bill is off working for Liqui-Grow hauling fertilizer. I spent part of the morning at Mother's house while the electrican came and put in GFI's, a new light fixture in the bathroom and fixed the upstairs bedroom light switch.

Sherrie and I took mother to Davenport yesterday to see about a new brace for her leg. The technician (I guess I'll call him for want of a different title) said she didn't need a new brace and just tweaked the one she had a little bit. We ate lunch and took her to a recommended shoe store for a new pair of shoes. She found a pair she liked and they are bone not white, and although she thought they were very expensive she really liked them and thought they felt good.

The first race of the season for Ben was Sunday night at Vinton. He has a few bugs to work out yet; and is talking about going to Maquoketa Saturday night.

Bats in the belfry

You've all heard of bats in the belfry, how about bats in the church basement during choir practice? Happened last night. The bat was huge, looked like a bird! One of the men noticed the bat flying around first and had us women putting our books on top of our heads. The basses finally got it into the kitchen and caught it in a dish that had a lid and then brought it out to show us. He was BIG! They let him go outside. Ask Sandra Horman about bats--she was cowered in a corner with the song book over her head. We were told that bats can't fly if they are on the ground;(especially if I step on him, Joy said); that they need lift under their wings to fly. True?

It was interesting in that Pastor Steve had said on Sunday we should think of humerous things that happened in our church life -- now all the choir members have a great memory.

I got the lawned mowed Sunday afternoon. I don't remember ever having to mow lawn in March, but it surely needed it. Yesterday seemed cold, after the 70 & 80's we've had!

cookbook

A lot of my time lately has been taken up with typing recipes for our new cookbook. We have over 500 so far and I just got a phone call this morning saying she would mail me her recipes so I know more are coming. I type, Marilyn proof reads and then I retype! We have a meeting next week so we will know then how many Vicki and Julie have typed. Should be a wonderful cookbook according to the recipes I have received.

The rest of my time, it seems, is taken up with doing stuff for mother. I took her some summer clothes yesterday; I called her lawn mower person from last year and told him he won't need to mow this year. Sherrie & Milan are going to do her yard. I am glad she feels comfortable in the nursing home and seems to be doing well.

Racing season begins in two weeks. Ben has been getting things ready, and hopefully he has a safe and fun season.

I have been sweeping up gnats. Those little things are between all the windows. The other night I was knitting by the open windows in the back room and was nearly inundated with them. YUK! Anyone else have this problem?

Hanging clothes out to dry

This week I've been hanging my wash out on the line to dry. How wonderful is that? The bedding was hung out Tuesday, yesterday I washed extra blankets and hung them out, today I've got one load of Bill's clothes out and when the towels get out of the washer they will go out too. I am heading to the nursing home this morning, Pastor Steve is doing the church service at 10:00 and I need to talk to the administrator there. After that I want to get some groceries and then come home and type recipes.

We had our joint Lenten service at our church last night. Our Circle served the meal: lasagna, lettuce/dressing, garlic bread and bars. Julie, McKayla and I waitressed and we were very busy. As I told Vicki as we were sitting in the choir loft before church started; when you look out at the congregation--90% have grey hair, does that tell you that only the older folks care about attending Lenten services?