A Blessed Memorial Day to All

"Living" Pictures Pictures - CBS News

Soldiers placed to form living pictures! Mole and Thomas what creative people to bring together the many soldiers and create this... in the year 1910. Would you say, before Photoshop and digital enhancement? check out the many pictures done at various bases during this time of 1910 -- this one was done at Fort Dodge, Iowa.

I find these fascinating and love to ponder them. While remembering our soldiers, who have fought for our freedom and gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Check out the many other photos at the above link and ponder.

Wow... a Great Weekend

A new colt arrived with our great mother Lady and he is a beauty... and...

This table built with father and son time for my son's green egg grill. Now getting ready to load for the trip home. but what a full weekend....

It had been a busy week work... but I knew my youngest son was coming home for the weekend to work on this project. This brought all my kids together with their families. It was such a wonderful impromptu gathering... Such joy to have everyone here. The table was finished and a bit of campfire fun and camping with the kids were done. I myself, rested in my own comfy bed when the tent time came. but did enjoyed the grilling time before the campout.

So glad the rains had stopped to have this wonderful weekend. I even still hit an auction with Rachel and Jamie... then met my other daughters and granddaughters at the Double R for lunch. We then decided to check out The Columns and had quite fun browsing the store together but... I took a quick time to sneak off and placed a bid on a crazy quilt, I had spotted at that auction. I then returned to see what they had found from their browsing time. The boys were busy working on their projects together and having their quality time as well.

On Sunday Kealah arrived with precious Laura and more joys playing with her. A bit of fishing was done at the pond with the girls.

I must say it was a great weekend! A Wow... for us both... to have everyone here sharing time together!

A Day in the Life of Iowa

Rain and more rain has been our week... But managed to continue to find joy amongst the raindrops. This goose had a partner, but just flew faster, then I could snap that picture. Don't just love how, they are always with a friend or partner? Water is getting close to the road but... maybe will hold out this time. Promise of sunshine for on Friday. Looking forward to see it's glory. Have a sunny weekend to you all.

Happy Birthday... Dear Laura

A celebration for a granddaughter... who just turned one year old! A smiling beautiful girl with her great great grandparents. This blessed granddaughter had seven grandparents with her this day to celebrate her first year of life! That in itself, is a wonderful blessing. We are thankful that everyone was able to attend and celebrate together. I find it is indeed a blessing to have a great granddaughter and look forward to her growing into a beautiful person as her mother and my daughter. Another joy of life indeed!

M-O-T-H-E-R

M is for the million things she gave me,
O means only that she's growing old,
T is the tears she shed to save me,
H is for her heart of purest gold
E is for her eyes with love-light shining
R means right and right she'll always be,
A word that means the world to me.

Howard Johnson 1915, songwriter

This is the song my mother said, she has been humming to herself all morning... Then she proceeded to sing it to me on the phone.
Happy Mother's Day to everyone.

Happy Nurses Day

This is National Nurses Week with the delegated day on May 6TH. I believe it was proclaimed by Pres. Nixon. But, we do date back to the Crimea War with Florence Nightingale. This picture is of the first ambulance for Iowa and who do you see but a nurse waiting to unload the patient. I do love this picture. Iowa Methodist and their school of nursing have been around since 1900. Unfortunately, the school closed in late 90s but our hospital is thriving.
Last night was a great time at book club at Linda's Victorian decor home. The food courses were... I believe, more delicious... then the ones discussed in our book's selection. "Service Included" Which was about being a Captain at the Per Se restaurant in New York City.
Time for me to head off for another stint at the E.R. and nursing challenges.
Happy Nurses Day to all you do the same...

May Day

May Apples in Iowa are always a sign that the Morel mushrooms time is here...

It was a busy May day weekend of springtime fun. Sunday found us resting from a busy weekend, but wanting to enjoy the beautiful weather. We took off for our hike into the back woods and saw many fields of May apples blooming... we searched and searched to find those prized mushrooms. Our friends Mike and Brenda had found quite a hull on Saturday and we were hoping to be as fortunate. It did appear... we should of went out on Saturday instead. We found them, but many looked.... as if they should of been picked on Saturday! We did manage to bagged this prize and find a couple others. A great size like this one, made a delicious meal for us!

Professional Bull Riding was in Des Moines this weekend and my daughter had given us tickets to enjoy the event in person. It was quite fun and enjoyed both nights! We stayed with my in-laws and that was a bonus of shared time together. It was also the opening of farmer's market downtown and a Arts odd & ends sale. The Art Center brings a fund raiser from supporters of the Des Moines Art Center. A dear friend, Julie at work stirred our interest for this event. It was filled with many shoppers and many items. I found a metal art lamp that was calling my name. Julie was weaving in the crowd also. We bumped into each other and her comment was... "this is insane"... but, I must say... interesting fun. Thanks for the heads up Julie.

Later I headed to the open house of the new location of Half-Priced Books Store with my MIL. Yet another place filled with lots of people. I loved the lay-out and plan to go back when I have more time to browse.

Needless to say, with such a jammed packed weekend after a long winter... we found ourselves a bit tired. But thankful to return to our place in the woods. The sounds of the birds seeing the May Apples, wildflowers, and mushrooms brought us joy.