Iowa to Florida

It is unreal that I have moved once again.  Feeling so unsettled. Yet, this is as settled as it gets. We moved here because we think it will help my migraines. We plunged into this for justifiable reasons and now we are adapting.  I could get personal...  should I get personal? Did you know there is a pandemic going on right now and I am homesick for Texas.  I just do not know what to tell you about me and this time in my life.  It has somehow caused anxiety beyond measure to leave Texas, and yet has increased my creative side and I have searched and found hope.  As old as I am, you would think I would know what I want out of life.  I suppose that would be to adapt and enjoy and be at peace with whatever circumstance.  My migraines do seem to be better.  

I have so enjoyed the scenery here in Panama City Beach, Florida.  I am a beach baby at heart. Some of my best childhood memories are of playing on the beach, building sandcastles, finding shells, eating sand in my eggs and hot dogs that mom cooked for us on the beach, and feeling the ups and downs in my head as I ebb off to sleep listening to the waves that I have heard all day long.  And the sun -- I love the warmth of the sun on my face.  The beach inspired a curiosity about marine life, beach and ocean landscapes, and the natural things of this earth.

Life of Heidi

In June 2015, I wrote about "Life Behind the Gate".  My dog Maggie had passed away and I was incredibly sad.  I still miss her and want another female Dachshund one day.  I was content though knowing that I still had Heidi, my cat.  I have written about her a few times.  Heidi passed from this earth August 2020 at 15.  She had been sick with what we thought was a tooth infection.  Looking back, I always thought she would eventually get better and live until she was 17 or more because I took such good care of her. Bless her heart, if she had been at home in Texas and able to go outside, she would have just ran away and died.  She hid the last month of her life under the bed.  I thought it was because she did not want to go to the vet again.  It turns out, she had cancer in her jaw and was suffering.  I was so distracted by moving over the last few months to equate her hiding to her eventual death.  I coaxed her out many times and held her and squeezed her.  She would purr and relax on my neck.  She was more loving in the last days.  She was eating but only because I put her in front of the bowl and made a gravy out of her food.  She had become unsteady on her feet and fell down often. 

Heidi was born just before Hurricane Rita.  We adopted her to be an outside kitty and keep mice and snakes away.  Unbeknownst to us she was already pregnant and ended up birthing 8 kittens and she nursed a baby squirrel that fell out of a tree.  We found homes for them all at the appropriate time and gave the well-fed baby squirrel to a wildlife rehab place.  Heidi survived flooding of Hurricane Ike on her own for 2 weeks.  When we finally made it home to survey the damage, she came running out of the woods towards us.  We thought we would only be gone a few days.  I do not know how she survived the flood.  She moved around with us away from that area.  Then she traveled with me north to see my husband at his different job locations.  Once she stayed in a hotel with us for 10 weeks in Oregon.  She would get carsick, but I discovered a way to put her facing front and high and in the middle of the car or truck and she slept most of the way.

She was finicky and ignored or ran away from many visitors.  However, she recognized my friend Sherry and my friend Stephanie who visited often.  She would run into the living room to greet them.  She would roll on her back just beyond reach and force them to move to pet her.  She loved for them to pet her.  Sherry was afraid of cats but she learned to trust Heidi.  Sherry would have her love fest, then promptly brush off the cat hair and go wash her hands.  Ha ha!  She was allergic to cats.  I know Sherry and Stephanie are just as sad as I am about loosing Heidi.  Sherry lost Fudge (her dog) and Stephanie lost Simba (her cat).  The losses are still fresh on their minds.  Our pets are our family and love us unconditionally.  I will miss that, I will miss you Heidi!  I long to hold you close again and feel your purr.

East Texas to Iowa

Winter in Sioux City, IA

Sailing at Lewis & Clark Lake, Yankton, SD

Snow on the trees along the Missouri River

Ames, IA

Exploring the frozen lake in Ames IA

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic we moved to Iowa. I am alone mostly. I get out to get supplies and look at buying a home. Iowa is a different culture and different living, at least for me.  It does not feel familiar, normal, or real. This time in my life is a blank with no going back and an uncertain future. I have visited many times and taken a few pictures of the river front and seasons and surrounding areas.  If I could change anything about Sioux City, it would be to end the construction and smooth out the roads.  It is irritating to drive down the road and feel and hear the klop klop klop klop of the tires and maneuver around the city and the orange cones. I would bring an HEB up here, sell Blue Bell in the stores, and be able to purchase Wings to Go. I would bring my family/friends and church family up here.  I would make winter shorter and summer longer. For now, I will try to buy a home with a heated garage, pretty landscaping, and outside deck and sitting area.  I'll try to trust God even more and connect with new friends and support.  I'll explore the parks around here and bicycle ride around the trails and neighborhood and daydream of a beach vacation and visiting my kids when this virus subsides. At least there is the familiar Walmart and Sam's to shop at and using zoom to connect to family.  My hope is that one day East Texas welcomes me back home.  In the meantime, I will make some memories here.  

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. 

Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:3).

A Different Kind of Beach than this Texas Girl is Used to!

Bandon with the evening sun

The sea He made belongs to Him, along with the dry land 

that his hands formed.  Come! Let us worship and bow down; 

let us kneel in the presence of the Lord who made us.  

--Psalm 95:5-6

Recently, I visited Bandon, Oregon.  My husband was working temporarily in nearby Medford, so travel was just a few hours by car.  The entire trip was refreshing and unbelievable.  The people of Bandon are so blessed to see this coastline year-round.

Table Rock formation
where sea gulls, tufted puffins and other sea birds nest

The weather was clear, sunny, and comfortable this May day. I stayed at the Table Rock Hotel where I walked around above the beach on the cliffs. I saw spectacular views of rock formations including Table Rock (pictured), an endless blue ocean, and the inviting shoreline. The waves made their way through the rock formations to the sandy shore. The gulls, unruffled by my presence, found snacks along the shore and in the water.  They glided by me with the wind currents and landed atop the distant rocks where they were nesting. Small boats and fishing vessels slowly made their way through the protected channel in the distance coming in for the night. Beyond that stood the historic Coquille River Lighthouse.  Standing on the cliffs with my camera on a tripod and snuggled in a jacket, I watched the sun slowly disappear on the blue horizon. I lingered for more color in the sky and the hope that the longer I stayed the more of these moments I could soak in and remember. I hated to end this day, but the best was yet to come. Tomorrow I planned to walk on the shores of the Pacific Ocean!

The last of the day's sun rays warm the Bandon coastline.

The sun has set and this day is ending.

The next morning was cool, so I put on my jacket and a hat and grabbed the camera bag. I could hardly wait to explore. I descended several feet on stairs to reach the sand and cold ocean water.  I climbed over driftwood and around large rock formations and across the sandy beach.  I watched sea gulls fighting for food -- an orange starfish to be exact. I ran toward the gull to make it drop the starfish, but it would not let go of its captive. Other orange and purple starfish, called Ochre, clung to rocks on a large rock formation in front of me. Seals, with cute faces and whiskers, rested and sunned on the lower rocks. Occasionally, one would slip in the water and swim around. You could tell the seal pups by their smaller size and proximity to their parents. Colorful sea urchins let out their tentacles to sway in the shallow water.  Much of the lower rock was covered with barnacles, mussels and seaweed forming a rough protective surface.

View of beach from the cliffs in Bandon at low tide.

I had worked up an appetite walking and exploring the beach, so I drove to Old Town Bandon and enjoyed delicious Clam Chowder with fresh bread and butter at one of the local restaurants. I walked around this shopping district and Boardwalk area and discovered a statue of a colorful 15-foot fish sculpture made out of debris from the sea by an organization called Washed Ashore. The fish is called Henry and he will remain in Bandon for the admiration and education of all visitors.

Henry, made out of debris from the ocean

I met a professional photographer, Gary Edmiston, at Art by the Sea Gallery, who shared some of his work, a few photography tips, and his business card. We both enjoyed photography talk for a while, and I learned so much from his experiences. After saying our goodbyes, I stepped out into the sunny street once more. Oh, to have more time to photograph the fishing vessels and other boats lined up at the marina or visit each of the specialty shops!  However, after talking with Mr. Edmiston, I decided to go back to the beach and see some of the features and sites he mentioned to me.

At the beach, the tide was low, so I was able to get closer to the large rocks (called "sea stacks") and see more things up close. I removed my shoes and waded in the cold water. Park rangers had roped off some areas to protect the seals as they rested and enjoyed the sun. Visitors could look but not touch or walk on the rocks in an effort to leave the birds, seals, and marine life undisturbed. The park rangers explained that they were also there to count starfish. There had been a disease that decreased their population and they needed to count whatever starfish they could see for researchers. Hoping to be of help, I tattled on the sea gulls from that morning, saying that I saw them fighting over and eating a starfish. I pointed out the rock where several were clinging at the waterline. I also reported that one of the seals was injured and showed them a picture on my camera.  I think I would like to be a park ranger on this beach!

Injured seal on the left

Purple and Orange Starfish (Ochre)

There is so much more of Bandon to see such as the lighthouse, caves, the marina, and other rock formations further down the beach. I was just too tired to continue and vowed to come back.  Would love to watch and photograph the stars from this beach. I wish everyone I know could have a chance to renew your spirits in this majestic place. This is a different kind of beach than this Texas girl is used to!

Sea Urchin sifting through the low gentle waves

Orange starfish (Ochre) clinging to the rock at low tide.

Tiny onlookers observe the vast Pacific Ocean.
Sea Stack formations along the shore.

Harbor seal in the water
Starfish clinging on the rocks

Harbor Seals

Searching for Sunflowers

I am an East Texan living in Sioux Falls for a little while.  I never dreamed how beautiful and captivating this state could be. Some of the sights that I was privileged to experience were along the beautiful drive to Pierre and back via I-90 and Hwy 14, riding through the Crow Creek and Lower Brule Indian Reservations, exploring Pierre, and taking in the Missouri River, rolling hills, and fertile fields.  We were searching for sunflowers, but discovered so much more.

Train trestle over the Missouri River at the visitor's center

Another view of the Missouri River and the little town of Chamblain

Dino stands outside the Lakeview Sinclair Gas Station. 

That's me in the middle of all those sunflowers!

The evening sun over the field makes wonderful light for capturing sunflower shots.

South Dakota State Capitol building with the glare of the morning sun.

Trying to be creative in capturing a Burch tree on the grounds of the capitol.

Missouri River at the end of the road (Lower Brule Indian Reservaton.)

Closeup

Squirrel playing on the grounds of South Dakota's State Capitol.

Curious cow on a ranch outside Pierre, SD.

Lost in Downtown Des Moines

My husband lost me in downtown Des Moines one Saturday evening.  It was a series of bad decisions, misunderstandings, wrong assumptions, lack of preparation, my passion for photography, wonderful scenery, and one-way streets.  Even after recounting our stories, I do not see how it could happen, but I made the best of it.

Close-up of the Des Moines State Capitol

Roberta’s Story

Around 8:30 p.m. we drove into the downtown area of Des Moines. It was the golden hour for getting pictures. I could see potential shots everywhere, including reflections off buildings, the sculpture garden, and general city life. Suddenly, the majestic capitol building at the end of the road came into view. I had turned down many shots in the last few minutes, but I had to have this one. Jeff urged me to get out of the car and get the picture. He would drive around the block and come back and get me. After he drove off, I realized that I had no money, no purse, and no cell phone. It looked like I needed to walk about 4 blocks east to get the perfect picture, which he understood. It had been a quick decision and all I had on me was my camera around my neck.  I assumed it was just a quick drive around the block for him anyway.

One of the many murals in Des Moines.
"No Action Too Small" by Chris Vance

Reflection on a nearby store window.

As I walked closer up the hill towards the capitol, I crossed over the Des Moines River and continued up Locust Street. I took shots of the lights along the river, city art on a building, and a few shots of the capitol as I walked. As I crossed the street at the crosswalk, I stopped to take a picture from the center of the road since there was no traffic. I was on the lookout for Jeff, the entire time and walked on the outside of parked cars and looked at every car to see if Jeff had parked in the many empty spaces ahead of me. I ended up walking about 10 blocks to the capitol. I was wondering where Jeff was and why he had not seen me. I took several shots after dark using the fencing and brickwork to steady the camera. My battery finally ran out, and I turned around and stood at the entrance to the walkway up to the capitol for a few minutes. Another camera enthusiast was walking by and I asked for his phone to make a call explaining what happened. He had left his phone in his car, but he explained that there was a bunch of one-way streets that may have been confusing for Jeff to find his way back onto Locust St. Maybe Jeff thought I was going to stay in the same area to get the shot and was waiting 10 blocks away near the bridge. I started walking back (westward) avoiding the construction site by crossing the road. I tried to flag down a police car but it did not stop. I felt safe enough because people were still on the street enjoying eateries and nightlife. The street was well lit. I made it halfway back and stopped at a hotel. They would not let me use the phone because it does not dial long distance. I realized I did not know Jeff’s number anyway. However, I had a plan to call my mother. She had Jeff’s cell number, but I hated to worry her. I asked a gentleman waiting outside the hotel to use his phone, which he gladly did. My mother was home and frantically called Jeff and explained where to meet me. I was only really worried that he was worried...(or maybe he wrecked the car... yikes!). I knew eventually we would find each other.

View of the Des Moines State Capitol from Locust St.

Jeff’s Story

Roberta and I were visiting Des Moines and decided to get a bite to eat in the downtown area right before dark. She commented that we were in the "golden hour" for taking pictures and started to admire places we were passing that would make great pictures. As unlikely as it seems, we forgot about eating and marveled at the sites.

Getting Closer to the Capitol on Locust Street

We ended up on Locust Street right about sunset. As we drove east the state capitol came into view. There was just enough traffic that we could not just sit in the middle of the road and get pictures, but we were at a light, and there was time for Roberta to jump out of the car and grab some perfect sunset pictures. So, I encouraged her to jump out and grab some pictures. "I'll pick you up in a few minutes." She said, "Are you sure? I will be walking toward the capitol." She jumped out and shut the door.

The light changed. I drove over a bridge at the Des Moines River. I noted that it was an excellent place to get a photo.  I remembered the tripod in the car and thought that Roberta might want it. I drove a little ways further and found a place to turn around. I drove back as far as I could looking for her. I turned around and parked on top of the bridge, got out of the car and walked back west on Locust Street quite a ways continuing to look for her.

I thought, "Maybe I drove further than I thought after I dropped her off." So I got back in the car, drove up to the capitol and turned around. In the meantime, I was calling her cell phone and getting no answer. By this time the sun had set and the last light was fading out of the sky. I drove back west as far as I could on Locust, then turned and went up a block and drove further west and then turned and got back on Locust. About this time I was thinking I would call 911 if I didn't find her by 9:15.

I drove east again to where the road ended at the capitol, turned around and drove back to a nice hotel on Locust, where I took a short restroom break. I  called 911 at 9:30. They told me to go park on the bridge again and an officer would meet me there. By this time I was imagining all kinds of things that could have happened to her like: she was taking millions of pictures of some obscure thing under the bridge, and I was mad at her, or she had been mugged and was floating in the river and I was afraid for her, and so on.

About this time I got a call from my mother-in-law. She told me that Roberta was at the hotel down the street, she had left her phone at our Airbnb room and had waited for me at the capital for a long time; she was at the hotel now. I called 911 back and told them she had been found, and went and picked her up. We missed dinner. 

Conclusion:

There is a great deal to learn from this escapade, but I (Roberta) had fun and got some great pictures. We came back the next day and ate a delicious meal at The Zombie Burger. What a place!  Jeff has configured "find my friends" on my phone and can always find my phone (and possibly me if I have it on me) as long as the phone is turned on.

Flowers on the capitol grounds

Looking up

Thoughts on Fear

Early this morning I took my husband to the airport.  My thoughts about the next 3 days was for him and how hard this trip would be on him.  He was flying to Texas and driving back to Sioux Falls in a 3-day weekend in an old utility truck we had left in Texas.  For financial reasons, I would stay behind. I was used to staying by myself in Texas while he worked in Fargo, so I had no qualms about having a 3-day weekend to myself.  I was actually looking forward to it.

Practicing portraits.

We left for the airport before sunrise. I decided to park and wait until he passed through security to leave. The flight was delayed, so we had a cup of coffee together. As he left to go through security, we kissed and then he said something odd, “We should have gone together.”

We made the decision 2 weeks ago to handle this situation the way we did. We both were used to doing things independently and had lived separately much of the time in the last 2 years. I figure we could handle 3 days. He assured me he could handle the long drive and he had driven that truck from Sioux Falls to Texas once already. The hesitation he had about going alone made me wonder if there was something else I had not thought of that made him worry. I think he probably realized at that point that he was going to miss me more than he thought.  However, for me that statement invoked a little fear.

Jet flying over our apartment.

As I left the airport, I continued thinking about this. Sioux Falls was not my home, yet I was here alone. I had $30 and a quarter tank of gas to get by on for 3 days. I had plans to take pictures, study, watch TV, swim, and attend church on Sunday, all the while keeping the phone handy in case my husband needed something. I read the street signs that lead south and made decisions on the route to take back to our apartment. I knew the city well enough to get around because I have been here a few weeks now. I watched a FedEx plane flying low over the road and landing nearby. What a breathtaking picture that would make! Most times Jeff would go with me on these outings to take pictures. Would I do this alone? Then I realized that my safety net was 15 hours away by car. My security in Texas was built on friends and family close by, a home with familiar surroundings, trusted business contacts, and a familiar routine. I am alone in Sioux Falls with none of this for 3 days. 

Imagine leaving your home suddenly with what only you can carry and a few dollars in your pocket.  You end up in a strange place where you cannot read the signs or talk to anyone because you do not speak the same language. You can never go back to what you consider your home and the things that gave you security and peace for your entire life. Things will never be the same and the future is unsure. Now add to those thoughts that you do not know the status of your family members or that you are older or have health problems. How will you live? You are alone in the universe and relying on only your determination to keep going and the help of strangers. If you are with family members on this journey, it can be a blessing. At least you have each other and another reason to keep going for their sake. 

My grandmother was afraid of many things.  Her every word was reflective of the inner fears she was having for herself and for those she loved.  We would say, “Oh, granny, we’ll be fine.”  Or “You cannot live your life in fear or you will never do anything.” She would have prophetic dreams and call my mother and ask if everything was all right.  There was sometimes merit to her dreams.  She would worry about us being on the road, about the weather even when the sky was clear, about strangers and neighbors. Her fear was greater when she lived alone. We contributed her worry to a tornado she lived through as a young woman and to her debilitating and gradual onset of Parkinson’s.  I marveled as a young kid her claim to belief and knowledge of God and the Bible, but she worried constantly and did not live a normal life. Also, she raised 3 boys on her own. Can you imagine the fear they put into her with their antics as teenagers?  I raised 2 boys with a husband and still had to fight fear of what they would do next and how to keep them on the right path and safe until they were out on their own.  As my grandmother lay on her hospital bed unconscious breathing her last, I know that at last she had found peace.

If I allow myself to ponder over the emotions of being alone and the thoughts of living my life and then dying as if I had never been and the thoughts that we are just particles that return to dust and are no more, I would be afraid. If I allow myself to pretend that it was me that ran for my life when murderous radicals over took our city, or that I had to be alone the rest of my life and make it on my own because I was rejected or overlooked, I would be afraid. If I was in a situation where I could do nothing to change it and I was going to feel much pain, I would be afraid. Loneliness, rejection, the unknown…

I can empathize with anyone that struggles with fear. Everyone struggles with some fear and concerns of varying degrees. However, today the sun has come up!  God knows my fears and is my hope. The world is not so bad where I live and why be concerned over what I cannot change. So today, I pray for my husband’s safety and whatever is his concern and that God will be with him and myself until we are together again and until the end of our time on earth. I pray for peace and safety for the lonely and insecure people in this world who need hope and basic necessities and a place to call home.  Amen.

By the way, I am not alone here in Sioux Falls.
I have my Kitty Baby to keep me company.

Harrisburg Harvest Festival

Me with the 1,400 lb celebrity pumpkin

This last weekend we had an enchanting day at the Harrisburg, 
South Dakota annual Harvest Festival.  

As we drove into the Country Apple Orchard a young man waved us to parking, much like at a county fair. We walked amid mature apple trees of all varieties and planted in neat rows in fields. The apples were in abundance on the ground and on the trees. 

Adults and children were roaming the pumpkin patch looking for just the right pumpkin to take home. It was entertaining to watch little kiddos try to carry a big heavy pumpkin to their wagon. One little boy was so determined to carry it all on his own. One family asked me to take a picture of their family all together with his camera.  As they knelt down to let their toddler sit on the dad's lap, I noticed mommy was holding a small baby, a sweet smiling family of four.

Honey Crisp Apples

The air was filled with the smell of apple spice and kettle corn. We enjoyed goodies from the General Store including a pie wedge full of apple slices and a large moist pumpkin muffin.

Kids were enjoying inflatable slides and bouncers. A lawn tractor pulled children along in make-shift barrel cars like a train ride.  I watched them gleefully climb and slide down large bales of hay and riding the small ponies.  

One of the highlights of the festival was the pumpkin and watermelon judging contests. Half-ton pumpkins and 100 pound watermelons were brought in using low boy trailers and heavy duty trucks.

It was amazing to see all this first hand! I took home
lots of pictures and a large bag of beautiful 
Honey Crisp apples, our favorite kind.

Little Red Wagon of Pumpkins

Creepy hand picking apples.

How to move a big pumpkin...

Need a lift to the pumpkin patch or apple orchard?  This tractor is over 50 years old.

Climbing hay bales - what fun!

All aboard the kiddo express.