A delightful woman who told me her story with enthusiasm and pleasure in remembering. Her eyes sparkled, and she laughed at herself. I only asked her how long she had been working in the gift store - I received the true gift; I could have taken her home in my pocket. Cindy in NE Missouri When I was young I said, "I never want to marry a farmer - I don't think living on a … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland-2
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day...was my motto as we left NE and rode across MO (on our Can Am Spyder). I did have a delightful brief conversation with a woman through the window of her car after we pulled up beside her in front of a local cafe. Betty in NW Missouri I work here (pointing at restaurant we stopped for breakfast) and they stop serving breakfast at … [Read more...]
Voices of Rural Women across American Heartland
While on vacation across American Heartland - I will post a short clip each day from a woman living in one of the many small towns we visit....The voice of rural woman...I'm posting pictures from the environment unless I have permission to use pictures of the women...I've given them fictitious names starting with "A". Enjoy! Alice in SE Nebraska "...We went to school … [Read more...]
Be glad you’re not an old horse
Be glad you’re not an old horse One of my favorite summer activities is having my grandchildren visit. Each has different interests and therefore different requests for activities. Recently, the chosen fun was horseback riding. The show-up time was 9:45; I signed the form stating that any injury inflicted while riding their horses was entirely my fault. We were assigned … [Read more...]
What are you doing to stretch your comfort zone?
What are you doing to stretch your comfort zone? This morning my husband said, “Let's ride to breakfast. Want to?” I said, “Sure, but I want to ride the Spyder and you can ride the Harley.” I’m pretty much a girly-girl, so my idea was a BIG statement. I have taken the beginner’s rider’s academy and have a motorcycle endorsement on my license, but I am a chicken when it comes … [Read more...]
What is a story? What is your story?
What is a story? What is your story? A story is anything you choose it to be. It can be as simple as describing a flower blowing in the breeze or as complex as your entire life. It can be something you did on Sunday or what broke your heart when you were ten years old. Every day holds a multitude of stories. Every fiction or non-fiction book is a collection of stories. A song … [Read more...]
Connect with grandchild by vacationing together
Connect with grandchild by vacationing together I just returned from San Francisco with my thirteen year old granddaughter. We were gone a full week and had a blast. We toured, biked, shopped, walked, and ate until we were exhausted; a good tired. It was just the two of us; just Grandma Jenn and one thirteen year old granddaughter. We were together 24/7; quite a … [Read more...]
Perfect is not possible – usually
Perfect is not possible - usually What a beautiful Fourth of July…we rode the Can Am and enjoyed the wonderful Colorado Rockies. We stayed away from the crowds and watched the amazing Macy’s fireworks display in NYC - in the comfort of our own sofa. Perfect is not possible – but days like yesterday are close. As a farm wife for 30 years, most Fourth of July holidays were … [Read more...]
American freedom began with our independence
American freedom began with our independence Quotes have always inspired and entertained me. In fact, as a rural teacher and counselor and would write a different quote on the board every day. They teach us so much and usually in one statement. Here are a few related to the Fourth of July, America, and Independence Day that made me feel GOOD. ( … [Read more...]
Remembering Lee Goble, my dad
Remembering Lee Goble, my dad Happy Father’s Day, Daddy! Yes, I am WWAAAYYYY past puberty and I still call my dad the endearing name, “Daddy.” Speaking it makes me smile. As I remember my dad on this Sunday morning I give him a dad rating of “four or five” on a scale of one to ten (one awful and ten fabulous). That is because I barely knew him until I was an adult … [Read more...]
Help grow little leaguers
Help grow little leaguers Watching my ten year old grandson play baseball is pure pleasure. In our rural town, parents, siblings, and grandparents attend and cheer for the success of "Their" team. Tents are erected, coolers are packed with everyone's favorite food and drink, and sunscreen is passed around the stands. The small boys try so hard, and … [Read more...]
On the road again
On the Road Again... There are few activities in life as freeing as the wind in our hair, a birds view of passing landscape, and pure creative thought. Such is a motorcycle trip through the rural southwest back roads. This week our trike took us from AZ to CO. Yes, there was intense heat, abusing wind, and rain. But still, a great release from the chaotic life we … [Read more...]
What makes me cry
What makes me cry Memorial Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Why? Two reasons: 1) I LOOOOVVE America and I am SOOOO grateful for the men and women who have fought for our freedom. 2) I run in the 10K Bolder Boulder and sit in Folsom Field Stadium at the University of Colorado and cry with no shame. I stand and clap through the whole Memorial Day Tribute: Presentation … [Read more...]
Don’t forget yourself as you spring clean
Don’t forget yourself as you spring clean Today, we have a crew installing seamless gutters on the house to prevent water damage around the foundation when the monsoons come. We have a one man crew repairing the concrete foundation on the miners shack in the back yard for the same reason. We ordered a new exterior door because the old one is warped as well as a new threshold to … [Read more...]
A matter of balance
A matter of balance Robert Fulghum, author of All I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, wrote: “Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” Wise advice! Balance affects many subjects: checkbooks; work and family; budgets; scales; tires; meals; investments; we even have shoes called New Balance. … [Read more...]