StillwatersIowa

Twenty years ago Jan started using Mondays to take care of her "kinskinner"(Amish for grandchildren). Over the years there were Mondays she had over a dozen little helpers. Today during the school year she is down to just Brynn (Karl and Kristin) and Lane (Kurt and Emily). Thanks for the picture Jan. The unexpected part of grandchildren is they grow up. 😊 Cody (Mike and Suzanne) is a sophomore at Dordt University where he plays football as well as participating on the cheer team. He has a really neat girlfriend Tori from Mitchell,  South Dakota. Thanks for the picture. During the winter months the more you put into something, the less often unexpected breakdowns happen, and the more productive you are during crunch time. This past week we lifted the skidloader cab and replaced some worn hydraulic hoses. Kasey was part of our crew for a number of years. When he started a family he found a job with steadier hours. Then in the past year he and Sydnie purchased their own truck. ...

Jackson is in the 3rd grade. He and his brothers, Jayden and Lane, love their Mom and Dad. They love to help farm. And they love equipment including their Dad's truck. Bev remembered and Kurt reminded me of a valentine a year or two ago when Jackson's teacher asked her class to make and send a valentine to their mother. Jackson's valentine read,"My Mom is as beautiful as a Ram truck". 😊 I was in 3rd grade when our family moved. It was my first of five school changes. The move was about a month before Valentines Day. I still remember where I was sitting in that upstairs classroom at Osky Christian when Miss Tabok announced this would be my last day, and if you tell Steve good-bye he might cry. I was not impressed. About two weeks later she had the class of 23 all write me letters. I was impressed. Do you know how many times I read those letters? Thanks class. And thanks Miss Tabok for being love in action close to 60 years ago.  I smile every time I see this pictu...

You might say I was thinking kind of big picture this past week, where our country has been shooting balloons and objects out of our atmosphere. This picture includes all of us, no matter what country you live in. In 5th grade our teacher, Ruth, taught us about the nine planets in our solar system in science class. When I looked to confirm if in fact earth was third from the sun, I found out 30 years ago they no longer included Pluto as a planet. Interesting. Last Sunday morning after our visit I noticed on social media that all Oskaloosa residents were out of water. So I drove to town just before 7am. An old 12 inch water main had broke about 4 blocks south of our church. A water department worker told me they had been notified just after midnight. The repair was finished shortly after lunch. On my way home I noticed a fellow leaving a Caseys store with a gallon of water and a six-pack of beer. This got me thinking how inconvenient being without water could actually be. We posted on F...

The year was 1961. I was five years old. We were living on a rented Schakel farm. A car pulled on the yard unexpectedly. My Mom said I was to get in with our next door neighbor kids, Keith, Dale, and many of their seven sisters. She told me they were taking me to school. I hesitated. (and probably cried) I was carried to the car and put in the backseat. So many unfamiliar folks. I was afraid. I crawled right over those kids in the back, opened the opposite door, and ran. I saw no purpose in school. I told folks my Dad needed me. I don't remember the ride to school. I'm guessing I was probably trying to hide. I do however remember arriving in the kindergarten room of the old Oskaloosa Christian Grade School. Our teacher was the principal's wife. We were told to sit in these old desks that were bolted on runners in rows. And had ink well holes. Alvin and Dan were actually talking to girls, Jacki and Patty. Ron looked big enough to be in 5th grade. Linda and Lila looked kind o...