Corn Huskers' Waltz

Please don't tell my husband I actually know there's a country song called "Mule Skinner's Blues." That may encourage him to listen to even MORE classic country!

When I passed through the blip on the map called Scandinavia (just south of little ol' Iola) I noticed the midway rides are set up for this weekend's annual Corn Roast. So for my "throwback Thursday" photo, I bring you the corn-husking Hedbergs.

From left: Raylene, Ron, Rachel, RoAnn and me.

Why are we husking three big tubs of corn? I realize there were 8 kids in the family, but that seems a little extreme for a meal. When I saw the picture, that Mule Skinner song came into my head. I guess I was thinking the song was "Corn Huskers' Blues" or waltz or something.

Somehow, I don't think we did any dancing until we were all done shuckin'. Even then, I don't think we had a chance. I now recall how much canning Mom did. The husking was only the first step. She cooked the corn and then took the electric knife to the cob, shedding off all the kernels to be sealed up in Ziploc bags for freezing. That's why she needed so much!

I imagine we were treated to some corn on the cob for a few meals, but mostly it was to prep for  those winter evenings when fresh vegetables were nowhere to be found in our half of the hemisphere.

I could say something corny about the picture, but just this once, I'll bite my tongue... and hum the Corn Husker's waltz.

Care to join me?

You may get some free kernels yet!

Back to the Books?

When I was a child, one of my favorite summertime activities was the Summer Reading Program.

On a certain day each week, a "book-mobile" of sorts would stop by the church and we could check out one, two or as many books as we desired to read until the next week. The organizers kept track of our progress on one of those charts where you'd earn a little star sticker for each book read.

Oh how I loved to get my "new" books each week. And oh how I loved to see all those stars after my name. Yup, a little bit competitive even at a young age.

As a teen, my summer time was divided between work (weeding and mowing), play (slathering myself with baby oil and sunbathing) and escape (reading). Didn't need a book club then, but I did take advantage of a book-by-mail program where they actually mailed books from the county library some 20 miles away. I don't think they even charged us. Wow. Times change.

Not my love for reading, though.

Carter, on the other hand, is my complete opposite. The image above may look like a boy enjoying reading, but my mind sees a book dragging a reluctant boy along, hoping to hook him into the story.

During the school year, he absolutely hates reading. During summer vacation, why would he even give it a thought?

Well, it turns out he should have much sooner than now, one month before school starts. Pretty sure he's known all summer he has to read Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath (nearly 600 pages "in small print, Mom!") for English class and 1776 by David McCullough (just shy of 400 pages) for history. Now, instead of reading at his leisure, it is stressful crunch time. Could it get any worse for Mr. Procrastinator?

Why yes.

Today an email from the English teacher announced another book has to be read by the start of school, The Last of the Mohicans. While I personally think that is kind of late notice, I really do hope Carter reads that one and enjoys it. It was one of my favorites.

That one, I might just have to add to my own Summer Reading List. The question is: If I finish it before school starts, do I get a gold star??

Fiber-lous Funnies

While I try to convince myself otherwise, my hubby is close to the truth when he says my "rabbit food" (aka Fiber One Cereal) tastes somewhere between cardboard and sawdust. Still, I put myself through my daily dose because it is good for me at my old age!

I do try to mix it up with other cereal to give it some taste. But hubby still insists my Kashi variety is no different. I defend it, reading the box that promises that "honey graham vanilla" flavor in each cluster. Mostly to brainwash my taste buds, I suppose.

It must be working since it is always on the grocery list.

Typically, that funny guy I'm married to has a field day with this. He'll yell (OK, speak quite loudly) from one end of the cereal aisle to the other: "Did you need more fiber cereal? They have a bigger box here!" or "How much fiber cereal do you NEED??"

Funny guy.

Tonight I was shopping by myself and I ran into the same problem as the last time I needed my rabbit food fix. The boxes of the "normal" Fiber One (the one with the most grams of fiber per serving) were set way back from the front of the top shelf, out of my reach. That's how popular it is. Just selling right out.

So I did my usual trick of stepping on the bottom shelf and using another box of less fiber-lous cereal to knock down one of the "good ones" so I can reach it. It usually works, but after many unsuccessful tries, I hear a woman behind me ask: "Can I help you with that?"

She was a good few inches taller than me and had no trouble reaching back for my cereal box. "Will that be enough? Because there is another box back there."

OK. I know she meant it innocently, but all I could think of is Jim hollering over to me: "Is one box of high-fiber cereal enough for you today??"

I stifled a giggle and thanked her for her help. And yes, stuck with just the one box... and the box of Kashi crunch to blend in the flavor of sugared sawdust with my cardboard.

M-m-m good! It's fiber-iffic!

Devils Tower Tour

If you've ever flown to Las Vegas, you know the approach to the runway is unique. Here you are flying across a flat desert when suddenly a city pops up like one of those 3-D children's books.

That's how Devil's Tower is in Wyoming.

I heard the song Devil Woman on the radio today and it triggered a reminder that I never did share my Devils Tower photos from my Dakota vacation. So here is your personal tour of the Tower, America's first National Landmark.

Coming into the area, it was like turning a corner on the Wyoming highway and boom, there it is, looming in the distance.

It is hard to grasp that it has taken millions of years to erode the surface to create what it is now. I wonder what it first looked like?

As you get closer, you realize why you can see if from miles and miles away. It's huge!

As with most of the landmarks we visited, we are reminded why they are "landmarks." They have special, sacred meaning to the Native Americans.

My sister Rachel and I decided to venture around the tower. It was only 1.5 miles but took over an hour since we stopped to take photos at every angle. And, if you were looking up, you had to stop because you really had to look down – and watch your step – while walking.

Seeing those full-grown trees up there at the base gives you an idea of its size.

Ruffles have ridges... and so does Devils Tower. I do not understand the process of erosion that creates these vertical lines. So cool. Reminds me of Planet Krypton in Superman movies.

How is it trees can grow out of rocks but I can't grow anything out of soil?!

Interesting how some of the rocks start curving at the bottom.

Met up with a couple from Australia who took our photo. At this angle, you might think the tower is only twice our height (or 10-feet tall. ha).

Sometimes we were so close to it, we couldn't see the top.

It's like the erosion makes up half the height. I was a little concerned rocks could fall off the sides at any moment. But surprisingly, there were no such warning signs on the path.

Fascinated by the curvature and color variants.

Final salute to the National Monument!

Oh wait, I forgot to mention the aliens!! OK, now you know why it's a little bit famous. Whether you saw the 1977 movie "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" or not (I didn't), the merchants in the area are quick to remind you. And try to sell you some outer-space trinket. I didn't buy anything but may have to rent the movie – now that my tower tour is over and I won't freak out having a close encounter with it!

Hot Time in the Old Town

I don't intentionally pick the hottest days of the summer to do physical labor, but I just get lucky and it happens that way! That's OK. Our hot time on Saturday was sandwiched between two cool and breezy days.

And, more importantly, it was a productive R2-D2 weekend with even a little fun involved.

This weekend's downsizing efforts were focused on the basement at Mom and Dad's. I got there early enough Friday to put in a few hours of hard labor with my sister Rachel. Saturday morning brought four more sisters! (And a bonus niece and brother-in-law.)

A lot of hot, sweaty sifting and lifting. But some amusement, too.

Stumbled on a cache of self-help and motivational books. Look out world, I'm going to be a "1970s" assertive woman!

Who wouldn't love reading about how not to fake it and being an adventurous wife? Hey, when you are doing dirty work, you get a dirty mind!

When we took a break for lunch, I got to surprise my sisters Romey and Raylene with Packer tickets I won. It was hard to keep a secret because I was so excited about it! I earned my "chances" by working all those car show shifts. I really wanted to win so my twin, especially, could go since she has been having quite a challenging year. My sister Romey gets to go since she is now in the Sisters Over Sixty Club and needs to get a move on with her Bucket List items. They were excited and their husbands are, too.

(Please note for the record: Viking fans are nice!!)

We declared quittin' time at 5 p.m. so we could go to the county fair and enjoy a deep-fried supper of some sort. I know, after standing, squatting and lifting for 7-8 hours, who wants to walk around the fair in the heat??

The answer is: "I do! Because there are mini donuts there!"

After cheeseburgers and cheese curds, we wandered over to the barns, where I discovered I could finally call myself a "hot chick." We also located our cousin's daughter and her cow she was showing (for 4-H) and selling. Got to visit for a bit.

Then we actually walked in other barns. I am not a farm girl, but the llamas were calling me. This guy was getting fresh with me and trying to blow in my ear. Startin' some llama drama! At least he didn't spit, as I am told they do if they don't want you by them. He liked me!

After our entertainment and some deep-fried mini donuts on the way out, we headed back to Mom's. We saw a bunch of wicked clouds gathering around the sunset-orange ones. But we did not get a drop of rain. Elsewhere, not far from Mom's they got hail. They also got hail at home in Rapids. No damage at our house but others had car damage and more.

My sister Renell and I kept taking pictures of the clouds. Just forming so weird that they were pretty. We could see lightning in them later, but had no success capturing that on camera. We both tried, though!

Didn't get rain during the night but when my mom and I were on our way to church this morning – for an outdoor service – it started. Bummer. The visiting bluegrass band had to move inside so it was an indoor service but still very uplifting. I could feel Dad's presence there. He loved that music and that service!

Headed home to Rapids around 2 so I could get home for supper with the guys. And unpacking. And assuring hubby I didn't bring too much home with me!!

I swear, I didn't! I want to avoid R3-D3 in my OWN house!

R2-D2 :: The Sequel

Heading Up North for stage two of the R people working to Downsize/De-clutter at my mom's. What I like to call R2-D2.

Though I wish we had a robot to help!

Since I know from last time that I have to stand in one exact spot in the front yard between a tree and a bush in order to get Internet, I am not even going to try this time! So I will be off grid 'til I get back on Sunday.

Am hoping for a productive weekend. While we ran across "old things" last time, this round might be a little more emotional. We are hitting the basement, which was "Dad's territory." Expect to see and hold a lot of his things, which will have more of a connection than ordinary junk (for lack of a better word) picked up at auctions.

Will still have to keep in mind our mission to help Mom have a cleaner, less-cluttered living environment. Hopefully the "do we keep, toss or sell" questions will not lead to any Star Wars or "R" Wars!

See you on the dark side.

Cookie Monsters

The heat wave is just far enough in our past for us to shut the air-conditioning off... and for me to turn the oven on!

I know. I am not right in the head. It's for a good cause, though.

At least I thought.

I figured, since I was going up north to Clutterville this weekend I would make the guys a treat to enjoy while I was gone. I think they were racing to see who could say it first: "Just the fact that you're going away is a treat!"

Funny. Ha, ha. Fine. Since I already had the ingredients out to make Monster Cookies, I figured I'd still make them.

And take them with me!

No, I'll be nice. I'm sure they were joking – in that "ha, ha, you think I'm joking" way. But I know that even though they won't MISS me necessarily, they will THINK of me when they enjoy those yummy, yummy cookies filled with peanut butter and oatmeal and chocolate chips and vanilla chips and M&M's...

And yes, I will bring some with me for the hard workers at Mom's. Including me.

Gotta go now, though. Oven's beeping and I better finish these before my temper – I mean, outdoor temperature – rises!

Can You Hear Me Now?

A few years ago, Verizon had an annoying (but memorable) cell phone commercial illustrating their vast coverage by having the caller ask: "Can you hear me now?" And always, no matter the location, the person on the other line could.

In my experience, no matter who my cell carrier is, I have had occasional experiences with little or no signal. It is quite frustrating, but not as frustrating than the call I just had land line-to-land line with my mother. The problem might be this...

Yes, a phone just like this lovely 1970s example still hangs on the wall in her dining room. And that has been the phone of use since I was in single digits!

I know "vintage" and "retro" can be stylish, but her phone has a cracked mouthpiece and their phone line in general was struck by lightning a few years ago.

As we continue to de-clutter the homestead the next few weekends, I am sure we will hit the cordless phone jackpot. I am sure several of us kids gave Mom and Dad sets over the years for birthdays and Christmas. They never used them. Probably didn't open them.

Well, once they opened them because my mother said the calls" just don't sound as clear" as their rotary phone. Never mind they have to drive into town to a payphone (yes, those also exist Up North) to make calls requiring a "push-button" telly.

Frankly, she can do what she wants and what she feels comfortable with, but 4 out of 5 times we talk, I can't hear her at all. Or just barely. So I call her back and try again. Tonight I did that 3 times. Finally, I basically yelled my message and said I'd talk more when I see her Friday.

Wouldn't you know it. When I hung up there was a voicemail. She had called me back one of the times I was trying to reconnect. Her message was loud and clear.

So outgoing calls from the old talk-box work but incoming calls don't. Hmm... I guess since she doesn't have caller I.D. that's one way of screening her calls. "Sorry, I can't hear you. Bye."

I won't take it personally unless I hear from my siblings that I am the only one with this problem. Then I guess the message IS loud and clear. Ha.

Can you hear me NOW?

De-Clutter Stutter

The momentum of my de-cluttering movement has stuttered and sputtered a bit. Finally, with a freer schedule in the evenings, I have been able to resume my efforts a bit this week. It also helps that the next-door neighbor is having a garage sale this weekend.

Deadline!

Here I felt so good about taking all my leftover garage sale stuff to Goodwill a few weeks back. Now I wish I had it to sell. Oh well. I have more!

Tonight, I was in multi-tasking mode. Watched a few more episodes of Orange is the New Black while pricing scrapbook items and all kinds of Carter clothes that I haven't successfully sold yet online. So we'll give it another chance.

The problem is that all of those items came out of my office closet. So there is no noticeable de-cluttering to the public eye. Will have to expand my search circle in the evenings to come. I'm guessing I will have to take a break from catching up on Orange, since movement from my computer chair is probably a requirement.

Not that I am opposed to exercise. I did already sell my AbRoller. Just like the cartoon above, I am sure it probably works but I am the wrong person to ask.

I have to get sterner with myself. If it's gathering dust or cobwebs, I'm going to have to consider it clutter.

Thank goodness no one is going to do a white-glove test.

Yet!

Chicago Style

You've likely heard of Chicago-style pizza. We editor types have heard of (and dislike) the Chicago Stylebook. The words "Chicago" and "style" seem to go hand in hand when it comes to describing the city's downtown and riverwalk area, too.

I forgot I was on a "style" kick when taking pictures during our recent visit. Thought I'd share. Keep in mind, these were all taken with my phone so they aren't perfect, but they give you an idea of all the style found in architecture, sculptures and more.

Enjoy the sights...

Skyline reflections.

Steel Town.

Beautiful bridgework.

Peep hole.

The Chicago "L" (or "el") short for "elevated" – in this case, elevated over the river.

Driving beneath the "L".

 

Picture frame for friends!

3-D picture!

So many layers to see.

Skyscrapers in the sun.

Not afraid to look up... would not want to look down from up top!

New sign made to fit in with the "old" style.

Don't know what the little statue was of, but thought it was cool contrast.

Artsy black and white ala "West Side Story."

Chase Bank building or maybe DNA bank? Funky.

When I saw the two round buildings in the distance and thought they were office buildings. Upon closer inspection, I discovered a parking ramp and more as part of "Marina City."

Marina City, designed in 1959 by architect Bertrand Goldberg, is a mixed-use building complex that sits on the north bank of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, directly across from the Loop district. There are two identical 65-story towers, with the bottom 19 floors forming an exposed spiral parking ramp operated by valet with 896 parking spaces per building. Cool.

Oh yes, this was our birthday-anniversary-birthday trip so we had to get at least one picture of us!

Short one in the middle!

Happy July 4th!

Looks expensive!

What do you know – it probably IS!!

Fell in love with this city!

A little "green area" on the side.

More holiday flags.

The big "Bean".

Lakeshore fountain.

Pretty cool.

Twilight.

Does Twilight come before or after Dusk? I forget. Skyline "before dark."

Decorative street lighting.

Old Chicago. Ha.

Love the night lights!

Perfect ending to a great day with great people!