StillwatersIowa

Thanks to garage sale leftovers we have a fair amount of riding toys. Often they are lying around in the way. The rational side says I wish those kids would put their toys away when they're finished with them. The relational side says I'm thankful for the kids and the fact that they get to hang around. The definition of rational is having an understanding. Based on clear thought and reason. Making sense. A set of facts. The definition of relational is being engaged with. Interconnected with. A joint goal. A kinship. A mutual respect. Rational and relational work together. One is considerably weaker without the other. Remember the story last week about these girls needing money for new hatchimal friends? Well I received this snap that they pooled their shop sweeping money together to make it happen. Also last week we visited about BJ and Cassia's basement getting started. Well the cement crew arrived and found expandable soil. That means with moisture the gr...

I learned a new word last evening. Our smaller granddaughters were excitingly telling me about a new toy they saw at Walmart called a Hatchimal. The girls said you buy this egg, warm it up with your hands, and it hatches into a small fury robot toy that you take care of and is your friend. I showed them this baby mouse on the shop floor and told them they didn't need Walmart. They could have him for free. :) However they insisted they needed $5.00 to buy this new friend. Natalie asked me if I had any money in my billfold. I had 3 choices. I could laugh and tell them it was a waste of money. I could get my billfold out and hope there were three $5 bills in it. Or I could take them to the shop and put them to work. We all left our supper of KFC at the fire pit and came to the shop. I had them stay in the office while I backed out the machinery. And we spent the next hour sweeping the floor. Fortunately they have understanding parents. Fortunately I had three $5 bills. They c...

From 1895 till around 1920 the coal mining town of Buxton had a population of 7,000 to 10,000 people. It was located east of Lovilla on the Mahaska-Monroe County line. Although it was known for being mostly colored folks there were European and Asian immigrants as well. The town has been remembered for having no segregation which was unusual for that time frame. History remembers folks being taken care of. Buxton was a company town. They had homes, schools, parks, a YMCA, and many stores. The companies security guards acted as the police force. The Monroe Mercantile Store opened in 1901 and employed 100 people till it burned down in 1911. Last Sunday afternoon while on a ride with Donna and Arlin looking at crops we happened onto this has-been town. There are remains of about 4 old buildings. The grass around the area was neatly mowed. Most of the rest of the town is now forest or farmland.    As we were driving from Lovill...