Fall Fun

Louisburg Cider Mill was a fun destination for this grandma and some of her grandchildren. Our daughter let it slip on a phone call to her mother (this grandma) that they were thinking of going to the Cider Mill on the weekend. After clearing it with the Farmer, who was still hauling semi loads of corn, I decided that all else could wait while I drove to Kansas City for some delightful cider mill donuts and cider slush.

“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves. –Ann Drake

I had just been so sad that I didn’t have small grandkids who wanted to go to the pumpkin patch with me anymore. One autumn I went to five different pumpkin patches. Most were in Kansas but one was in Texas. Grandma and the grands had such a wonderful time. Although one hayrack ride did cause us some difficulties. The next day we had chigger bites all over and were quite uncomfortable for a few days.

One very warm day we were in a corn maze trying to find our way out of it. One of my grandsons was becoming quite anxious about whether we would ever find our way out of this hot maze. I told him to stop and listen. I said, “What do you hear?” He said, “Grandma, I hear a tractor.” I said,” Remember that we saw that tractor being used right at the entrance to this corn maze.” I suggested that if we moved towards the sound of the tractor we would find our way out. When we got out of that maze we had some snacks and some nice cold drinks and all was well with our adventure.

I don’t see how a pumpkin patch could be more sincere than this one. – Charlie Brown

On the way to the Cider Mill I got to visit one grandson at his college apartment and I got to have lunch with a granddaughter at a restaurant in her college town. On another trip I stopped in to see our oldest grandson who is now “adulting” and has a full time job. I also got to meet his girlfriend.

This fall has found us following one grandson through his final high school football season. We have had some interesting weather in the stands. One game it poured rain on us and another was really cold. We are experienced in this as we used to follow three sons and one daughter in their sports activities and it was not always ideal weather. Our grandson had a great season of football and is now starting wrestling. More bleacher time ahead!

Fall and fun at the Cider Mill with four of my grandchildren was the highlight to my favorite season. I’m so thankful I didn’t miss this time with them as they grow up so quickly. Of course the donuts were worth the drive also. YUM!

Grandparent’s Day

The Farmer and I took a couple of days off from hauling corn to drive 4.5 hours for lunch at school on a Friday. Our two youngest grandchildren were having a grandparent’s for lunch day at their elementary school. We were so thankful to be able to be there. The excitement of the children was contagious and the grandparents were just as excited. Some grandparents brought lunches and others stopped to get meals from fast food places. Many of us though just ate the choices the school lunchroom workers produced. It was a nice meal of cheeseburgers and all the fixings.

Grandpa ate with Luke in the fifth grade and I had the privilege to eat with Addie in the third grade. They ate at different times, of course. We had a nice visit with some of their friends and their grandparents. We were so thankful that we were able to go and enjoy this precious time. Grandpa also got to ride with Jake who is 15 and learning to drive.

“Some of our greatest blessings call us grandma and grandpa.”

After lunch we jumped in the car to drive across the state again, to attend the Friday evening football game of our senior grandson in the western part of the state. This is kind of on our way home. Unfortunately, they lost the game but Asa played a good game.

“Grandparents are there to help the child get into mischief they haven’t thought of yet.”

The following weekend we drove back to the eastern part of the state as the all three of Esther’s boys were running in the Twilight Cross Country meet. Luke in the fifth grade ran in the warmer part of the day. Jake who is 15 ran later in the evening and Judah’s group took the last run. All three did a great job and sister, Addie was happy as she was invited to a birthday party with a friend and got to miss most of it.

“Love is the greatest gift that one generation can leave to another.”

-Richard Garnett

I have to add to this quote that leading your grandchild to have a relationship with Jesus is the greatest gift!

Wow, grand parenting can be exhausting. We remind ourselves though that it’s not very long and they are off to college and adult-ing. We have three in college now and one with a job. We have two that are seniors this year. We are very blessed to have twelve wonderful grands.

A Taste of Heaven

Floyd, Iowa does not have a grocery store. There are two truck stops and two antique stores. This weekend there was a Gospel Music Festival with 20 or more groups performing at the concert in the park. The Gospel Lighthouse Church has sponsored this festival since 1995. The gospel sing brings in funds for the Christian school that the church also sponsors since 1988.

This little town was booming. People came from many states to attend this amazing concert. Visiting with many attendees gives us much hope for our nation.

On Sunday we attended Lighthouse Gospel church and heard Keepers of the Faith. Their harmony is heavenly and their testimonies rich. We think that we tasted a bit of heaven! The Farmer and I were truly blessed to be in attendance. The group are Hawaiians that have moved to Washington State.

Some football was on our schedule Saturday. I and the Farmer drove to St. Paul, MN and the University of Northwestern to see our grandson. He is a Freshman there and is on the football team. It was so great to see him and to take him out to eat. The Christian atmosphere there on campus was tangible. Josh picked a restaurant called Kahn. The Farmer was unsure about this kind of Mongolian cuisine. He did find meat and potatoes so all was well!

“Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence, and all gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow, and existence but a burden. Sighing, he dipped his brush and passed it along the topmost plank; repeated the operation; did it again; compared the insignificant whitewashed streak with the far-reaching continent of unwhitewashed fence, and sat down on a tree-box discouraged. Jim came skipping out at the gate with a tin pail, and singing Buffalo Gals.”

Mark Twain

It sounds like this week was all fun and games and it was. But we worked very hard. Four of us are painting the exterior of a two story dining hall. It was red but is now tan, trimmed in brown. We used 20 gallons of primer, 15 gallons of tan and five gallons of brown so far. Yes, there are some sore muscles. And yes there are some sorer muscles. Some of the area has been sprayed, brushed, and rolled.

Jim and Cathy are our leaders and have really carried the load on this assignment.

“All you need to paint is a few tools, a little instruction, and a vision in your mind.”

Bob Ross.

This is our last week to work here and we would sure like to see it completed.

What did the painter say to the wall? One more crack like that and I’ll plaster you.