Those Darn Bad-Luck Bowls

There are some baseball fields we just call “bowls” because they are situated at the bottom of a park ringed with banks of grass where fans could sit and watch the action from most of the sides of the field. For the longest time, the Pittsville “bowl” was our perennial nemesis, almost always knocking the Royals out of the postseason playoffs—while exhibiting highly vocal, annoying behavior from their dugout.

Somehow conferences and possibly divisions have realigned in recent years. So this season, after soundly defeating Gresham in round one of Regionals, we headed to Iola-Scandinavia. My old stomping grounds if you recall me blogging about our 100-mile round trip to work for a dozen years.

As someone with certain sports superstitions, I immediately recognized the similar “bowl” setup to P-town. That was unnerving right away.

But the game was so close. Not a runaway score by either team. We were ahead by 2 then the Thunderbirds caught up. Then we’d make a mini-surge, but they’d catch up. It came down to the last batter for the home team. And they ended up defeating us 6-5 and knocking us out of the playoffs in what was one of our better season record years of late.

For me, though, the fun was running into some of my “Iola people”!

I left the publishing house some 10 years ago now. But Cori the ticket taker who worked at the Fitness Center there remembered me!

Then I ran into Miss Mandy, one of Carter’s first daycare people in Iola. And her mother, Judy, who worked with Jim and I at Krause. Just great to get long overdue (though you didn’t realize they were overdue) hugs!

Of course I then had to check out some of our favorite haunts…

Including Carter’s favorite ice cream place Shivers. Per usual, a long summer line.

Then I took the route home through Scandinavia, which always seems like I just earned another stamp on my passport. If only! Still, all was a great reminder of how we can forge great bonds in the workplace when we work in a friendly community and we, by nature, are friendly too.

Side note: I absolutely do not miss that commute.

Side note 2: Thank you, seniors! What a great season!

Holiday Happy Hour

I haven't shared a parking lot sunset picture in awhile. You're welcome. The good news is that this was taken at 5:02 p.m. The days are getting longer!

This parking lot is in front of the O'so Brewery in Plover, where I relaxed after work.

Due to how busy my department is in December, we postponed our holiday happy hour and finally had our Christmas gathering today. I haven't visited O'so before, but I like how they think...

OMG. This so me! I can't believe I walked out of there with buying a t-shirt. In my mind I was thinking I could make my own t-shirt with my Cricut. We'll see. It's too perfect for me not to do something with their motto!

We were allowed to have a plus-one at this party since it was so informal. Hubby didn't join me but Carter and Mamie stopped in since they were in the neighborhood picking up his new spectacles. There was plenty of pizza, etc, to go around. 

A couple of the people in my department have known Carter since he was in grade school because they also worked with us in Iola back then.

Yup. Carter's now taller than the grownups! They were happy to see their little boy though.

I waited until I won a prize and then came home. Even though it felt like either a holiday or a Friday night, I do have to get up for work in the morning. 

Sweet dreams from wacky, offensive, unique me!

Friendly Friday Fish Fry

We had talked over a year ago about '"getting together more often" with two of hubby's former co-workers from our time in Iola (and their wives). We wisely decided in November that we all needed to pick a date after the holidays, reserve it on our calendar, and stick with it.

Between Jim's two knee surgeries and my cruise, I said the earliest date we could do dinner was Friday, January 20. 

And so we did! We met up with Kyler and Randy and their lovely brides over at Sky Club in Plover. A central location for the 6 of us. We have known each other since 2003 but haven't worked together for the past 7 or 8 years. Still, we keep in touch and TRY to get together every now and then.

It's been too long, of course. But it was so great catching up over a delicious fish fry – and dessert – about new and old jobs, shared funny memories, and our children, who just keep getting older even though we obviously haven't aged a bit! We promised each other it won't be so long between visits next time. Maybe this summer, since that's right around the corner.

We say as we stand bundled up in our winter coats.

At least our hearts are warm knowing we had amazing people enter our lives and stay there a good decade later. 

It might be the cheesecake talking, but I'd say that's quite a blessing right there!

Homecoming Coup

It was so exciting to see our Royals football team continue their hot streak tonight – soundly defeating the Iola-Scandinavia team in front of a pretty big homecoming crowd. On a super gorgeous summer's eve.

I'll have to go through my photos when I get time tomorrow. So tonight I'll just show the first ones I took. And the important last one...

It's not every game that the players get to burst through a sign. But it sure as heck looks cool when they do. And it get everyone fired up.

How fired up?

This fired up! Way to go, Royals! Although I did know a few players on the Iola team (thanks to working over there 12 years), I stayed loyal to our Royals, who are sitting on top of their conference right now!

It's definitely been a minute since we've been in this position! We'll take it. I'm sure it's a much better way to kick off the homecoming weekend, too. Have fun, kids.

Be careful out there!

Warm Up the Attitude

Hello, November. I was so busy thinking today was National Eat Leftover Halloween Peanut Butter Cup Day that I almost forgot it's the beginning of Gratitude Month!

So I had change my first negative thoughts about the stinkin' cold temperatures...

And give thanks for the absolutely gorgeous sunrise on my commute. I also am grateful that when I see a blazing sky, it's just a colorful sunrise – not wildfires like those devastating California right now. Thank you. Thank you!

Was also grateful today for time with friends. Got to have lunch with some former Iola co-workers. And tonight hubby and I went out for dinner and such with his old high school friend Gregg and his wife. Good time.

I'm not going to use all my gratitude up in one day, but I am grateful I don't have to set an alarm in the morning. This old lady might not recover from being up til 11 p.m. How do kids these days do that?!

Don't forget to warm up your attitude this month! #gratitudemonth

Music, Mom, and Memories

Our weekend whirlwind started Friday night with a short road trip up to Wausau. Met one of hubby's high school classmates and her husband for dinner at the Red Eye Brewing Company. Cool place and good eats.

From there, the for four of us walked over to the Grand Theatre for the Symphony on the Rocks concert starring the Vic Ferrari band and special guests. Besides all the actual symphony musicians, our friend Kathy – also a classmate – was a guest singer.

An amazing show over all and especially cool the see and hear Kat perform. She deserves her time in the spotlight!

After the show, a quick pick of the Assumption class of '81 rockers: Lisa, Kat and Jim.

Got home just before midnight and were on the road by 8 a.m. today. If you want to know what 520 miles in one day looks like...

Got up north to Grantsburg at noon to celebrate my mom's 87th birthday!

Had lunch, cake and cupcakes, and the obligatory photo of Mom and her 8 R's. I'll never take this for granted. It's amazing to have all 8 kids together a few times a year. Also wonderful to see some nephews and nieces and grand-nephews and nieces.

We hit the road from there by 2 p.m. so we could head southeast to the Iola-Scandinavia area for a Cabin Fever party with former co-workers from our Iola publishing days. Got there about 6:30 p.m.

They had a pretty decent turnout. For the most part, we sat and visited with 2 of Jim's former team members and their wives. Plus small chats with quite a few others. A lot of trips down memory lane, that's for sure. Blessed to know these people but also blessed and grateful we exited the company when we did since it's future is uncertain at best.

Left there by 10 p.m. because sitting on our butts for 14 hours can wear a person out! Got home by 11 p.m. and really hoping we'd see the Northern Lights. Apparently, there's a good chance to view them this evening. But since I had my good camera with, we didn't.

They'll probably light up the sky while we're getting our much-needed sleep. And at that point, I won't care. I already feel like a circled the sun today. That's good enough.

A Trifle Lucky

Oh, what a beautiful morning... said the woman who had the day off and didn't have to drive a half hour through the layer of snow and ice on the roads. Yes, that's me!

Grateful I had a day off and that Mr. Deck Chair is not human or you know he'd be flipping me off right about now. Instead, he's brushed off and tucked away now. A little late. Whoops. I thought we going to get a dusting. Didn't think I'd have to shovel.

I probably didn't. It mostly melted off the driveway but I did the deck. And it has snowed twice since then anyway – once while I was getting my hour massage (yes!) and tonight after dinner. Too soon for this stuff. It's still football season!

For some teams anyway.

In honor of my father-in-law's 81st birthday today, I made a Chocolate Caramel Stratford Tigers Trifle. He went to Stratford and they played tonight – and won – and are heading to state football next week!

It really was a lucky trifle. Iola-Scandinavia also sports orange and black and they are going to state, too, after beating Grantsburg tonight. Small world. I was born in the Grantsburg hospital!

The trifle was also a good omen because it brought the family together. We were missing Casey and Carter tonight, but grandsons Clay and Colin represented. Also out for dinner were Jim's sister and her hubby, and Colin's wife Amy. So nine of enjoying a good meal at the Wildhorse Saloon and a tasty trifle dessert afterward.

In case you wanted some, the bowl is empty. I may have to make it again next week for state, though. Keep the good mojo going! Hopefully the snow will go back to where it came from by then, too.

When the Fog Lifts

Morning commuters in central Wisconsin dealt with dense fog today. These geese were lucky they didn't try to cross the road anywhere else but by the parking ramp. I never would have seen them on the highway. And well, their goose would have been cooked!

Other than road construction, I would say this probably the number one cause for traffic jams in Wisconsin. I mean geese honk but when I honk, they don't move!

Naturally I had to take a picture for evidence in case I was late to work. They're lucky I wasn't.

I did keep an eye on the skies all day. The fog clouds were replaced with dark rain clouds and I needed just plain ol' ordinary clouds for a senior portrait photo shoot after work. I got lucky and the clouds cooperated!

Went to Iola to take pictures of the daughter of a husband and wife who worked with Jim and I in Iola for years and years. I remember when their daughter Haley was little. Now a senior in high school. Time flies!

We had a great shoot going from portraits to pictures with her purple classic car and her motorcycle and more. I'm looking through the images now and they are looking good.

I'm just gonna pretend this beauti-SKOL car is my payment for taking the pictures!

I need to get me one of these, don't you think? Gonna take a lot more photo shoots for that to happen!

TGIFs

Nothing puts the F in TGIF like friends, fun, food, and freakishly warm temperatures. (Hey, sunny and warm enough to melt snow is freakish around here!)

In a weird turn of events, the Iola publishing office where hubby and I worked for more than a dozen years relocated to Stevens Point this week. So had I stayed rather than take that detour through Renaissance for 2 years, I'd be commuting to Stevens Point anyway! But I'm certainly glad I am where I am!

A few of us "Iola folks" who are working at Sentry met some of our former co-workers for a quick lunch today.

Of course, I planned ahead so I have some treats from my Magic Blue Pan for my "work husband" Angelo. He gave that 9x13 purveyor of culinary delights the MBP name. So I had to include the "From the Magic Blue Pan Kitchen" on the Cool Whip container. And I HAD to be sure it was filled with one of his favorites – my Hornet's Nest Cake.

I was great to see some of the old gang. Hopefully their future will be as bright as mine in the little college town!

Speaking of bright... I took a walk after work in the bright sun and was grateful to hear tons of birds chirping! We needed this meltdown to start so they could find grass and food. Plus the farm around the bend has some bird feeders so that explains why they were all headquartered in their trees.

Based on the weather app I pictured above, we should see a continued meltdown all weekend. Save the birds. Save the spring sports season, too!

That'll be a great TGI any day when that happens.

Play Ball!

There's one day you can put yourself out of your March Madness bracket misery... and that is the MLB Season Opener.

For today, and today only, you have hope. You have confidence. You haven't lost a game!

Yet.

Well, for Brewer fans, they still haven't. For us Twins fans, we did – even though it took 11 innings. And for hubby's Reds, well, they got a "snow delay" and will have their season opener tomorrow. So I guess they technically haven't lost either.

Oh well. There's 6 months to make up for it! Whoo-hoo!

So yeah, despite the loss out of the gate, it was a good day. And made better because College Boy took time to come up and visit me at work. Bought him lunch (duh), gave him the grand tour – I think he was suitably impressed – and he got to see 3 out of the 4 people I used to work with in Iola. They've known him since before kindergarten so it's always fun to shock them with a "young man" visiting instead of a little boy!

He got to hang out with the cool kids – including his buddy T-Bar. They can pull off that "I'm too cool to smile" smirk alright!

Later, Carter also made good on his one item on his list of things to do this week. He delivered our card tables over to his former babysitter's house for her upcoming garage sale. Since Jon and Audrey keep tabs on him in this blog, I'm hoping it was a treat to see their little guy in person. I know Carter enjoyed it!

Tomorrow it will be back to normal with just "another day" of baseball and, unfortunately, winter-like weather returning. Cold temps. Snow some places.

Makes me appreciate this day more than ever now!

The Girl Who Baked the Hornet's Nest

No, I didn't actually read the REAL book, but when I hear "Hornet's Nest" in the title, I always think of my cake! I think some other people may as well.

Since I have a few days off this week, I made a point to get over to Iola to see my old workplace and former, former co-workers. Naturally I couldn't go empty-handed.

Magic Blue Pan Missions... bringing smiles one piece of Hornet's Nest Cake at a time!

It was fun to surprise the gang. Pretty much made my rounds through the building and got to chat with more than a dozen old friends. Well worth the trip. And I even came home with a few pieces of cake so hubby knows I love him, too!

Other than that, it was a quiet day. Got a freelance project done this afternoon just in time to go to kickboxing. Talk about old stomping grounds. Haven't been back there in ages, either. Now that my back seems to be "back in order" I going to ease back into it. We'll see how I feel tomorrow. I kept it very low key, though.

Tonight, hubby had to bowl for someone so I just plunked down on the recliner and watched The Voice. Tomorrow is a work day. Around home anyway.

I won't be kicking a hornet's nest, but I better kick it in gear and get some cleaning, de-cluttering, organizing done.

Walk in the Park

It was a beautiful day for a walk in the park. Well, not really.

Woke to rain, rain and more rain. But since I had wanted to get to one more cross country meet this season, I grabbed my umbrella and headed to Stevens Point. The meet was actually at Standing Rock Park, which is south of Point and just east of Plover.

Got there before the first race at 9 a.m. Have to walk a good 10-minute walk from the parking lot to the park, through wet grass which I am sure mimicked the slippery conditions of the course. Only needed umbrella for the first hour, then got a break with one race I didn't need to cheer anyone on or take pictures, so I walked the umbrella back to the car.

Why yes, I do have well over 10,000 steps today. Thanks for asking.

I did take lots of pictures but also ran into a half-dozen former co-workers from Iola, so I got some nice catching-up visiting done, too. To top it off, our Assumption boys team took second among small schools. So they have won 2 meets and taken a second. They are having another great year. It's fun to see them doing well again!

After the meet, I headed home via the Dunkin' Donuts Pumpkin Spice Latte Drive-Thru in Plover. That did not disappoint.

Jim was golfing this afternoon (in the rain part of the time) so I just ran errands and worked on random projects at home – completing none. I did report to my important job, though.

Yup, I get to "Buddy-sit" this weekend. Our neighbors are at a wedding so I get to walk my furry boyfriend, feed him and rub his belly. So Buddy and I got out late this afternoon for a walk and I will head back over there in a few hours for a nightcap.

Or maybe he and I will take a walk in the moonlight and follow it up with a Hallmark movie. After all my walking around today, I could use some snuggle time in a soft chair!

Son - Shiney Day

Started out the day with another salute to our graduate.  Today it was Jim's church holding a breakfast to recognize the seniors.

Turned out only Carter and one classmate could make it,  but it was still very nice. Had a speaker who works with campus ministries who laid down the groundwork on what they can do so they don't lose sight of their faith in college. Good advice but it's not what most 18-year-olds are thinking of following as they experiment with true,  independent adulthood. 

After breakfast and mass (with a special blessing for the grads), we went home, packed and headed to Amherst for a graduation party.  This one was for Harry, whose mom worked with us in Iola, and who attended Kidz Camp and took a vacation to Washington DC with Carter

Like the party yesterday,  there was an "old" picture of Carter and the host. This pic is from their spring break trip to Washington DC when the boys were in 6th grade, I think. 

And here are the handsome lads today!

From the party we headed straight down to Platteville. We decided we'd rather just get here and sleep than having to hit the road at 5 a.m.! So we got here around 6, found a room at the Super 8 and then went walking around campus. 

Carb loaded at Steve's Pizza in downtown Platteville so we'll be set to register for classes and more by 8 a.m.

Uff da. This is it. All signs point to our baby growing up! 

Blessings and More Frosting

Carter got one more opportunity to be honored today as our church paid tribute to the 2016 graduates!

The two in red gowns were graduating from Lincoln High School in Rapids today. The one in black graduated from Port Edwards last week and got to keep his gown. Carter is the only one who had to return his gown to get his diploma. But he wore an Assumption Royal Blue tie at least.

The pastor gave a nice blessing and reminded them of "The Five W's of Life":

• WHO you are is what makes you special. Do not change for anyone.
• WHAT lies ahead will always be a mystery. Do not be afraid to explore.
• WHERE there are choices to make, make the one you won't regret.
• WHEN life pushes you over, you push back harder.
• WHY things happen will never be certain. Take it in stride and move forward.

Good words.

After the service, there was cake. I just happened to be standing there and got a corner piece! And let me tell you it was the good, sweet frosting, not that healthy, light, whipped stuff. Perfect breakfast, if you ask me!

It was strange to see these kids all so grown up since they have been together through Sunday School as little ones, confirmation and now graduation. There are actually 5 others who are a part of this honored group but, for whatever reason, they were unable to make it today.

I swear I didn't take any of "their" cake!

I do believe I worked it off anyway. Did some weed whacking in the front yard and did not see one single snake. Then I delivered some bowls and spoons my friends brought full of salads to the graduation party last week. I not only hand-delivered them, I foot-delivered them. First walked down Deer Road almost a mile to Brenda 1 and then over to Townline Road to Brenda 2.

Probably just a 3 1/2-mile walk, but later I got a run in when I was done shopping at Wal-Mart and had to get to my car FAST in the downpour. Good thing I did those other neighborhood deliveries earlier.

Rain didn't last long here but the storm majorly hit in my old stomping grounds in Iola. Downed trees and power outages, I guess. Praying my friends are safe and sound!

Time to Chill

Most "normal" people of sound mind and body would see this temperature and think hot soup, hot tea, hot chocolate... hot anything.

But those of us on the outside of normal looking in think ICE CREAM!

By sheer coincidence, today was the season opener for King Cone in Plover AND I was heading to Plover after work. True story.

An old publishing friend was having a retirement party there. Since my guys were both washing dishes at fish fries – Jim volunteering at church and Carter getting paid for it at "work" – I had to head over there alone. I went straight from work since I wanted to stop at Staples first. Can I help it you go past King Cone to get to Staples? Well, it's a bit of a detour actually, but it still got me to both places.

You know how Oprah brags on the Weight Watchers commercial that she lost weight and had bread every day? Well, I am not having ice cream every day but I was mathematically responsible and saved "points" for my frozen supper. I'm not used to just getting a SMALL, but it was just as good. Plus, as a bonus, I got a free Valentine's container of red velvet something.

As an added bonus, thanks to the lovely temperatures, it sat in my car during the party and didn't have a chance of melting!

Did enjoy myself at the party and saw some former co-workers I haven't seen in the 6 months since I left Iola. Reaffirms that I miss the people not the job necessarily. And I don't even have to miss King Cone on my commute because they'll be opening one in Rapids in 2 short months!

The location is not that far from work so I will really have to be a diligent mathematician with my Weight Watcher points then! Since I am that person on the outside of normal looking in, I did calculate the mileage. It's a 1.2-mile walk from work so I could get a nearly 2 1/2 mile walk in and burn it off as I am eating it. Not that I'm planning to go there every day or anything.

Just when I need to chill. And not from the temperature.

Just Passing Through

It just dawned on me that this week marks 20 years since I moved to Wisconsin Rapids. That's right, two decades. And I was just passing through, wasn't I?

After college, I had lived in Marinette for nearly 4 years, then in Eau Claire for not even 2. I headed to Rapids for a job at the newspaper, which was bigger than the previous 2 I'd worked for. I figured, eventually, I'd move on again to an even bigger paper. After 7 years at the Trib, I did move on to a larger publishing venture... but stayed in town.

Could have something to do with the brown-eyed wonders in my life!

It was a different town when I moved here. Not quite as old as that postcard above, but it gives a visual of a bustling downtown that now has transitioned its "business district," so to speak, to a bustling 8th Street. When I first got into town they were expanding 8th Street for that purpose so I didn't even know what the city had to offer since I couldn't find my way around that construction!

At that time, too, going from Rapids to Plover and Stevens Point, was a two-lane highway. Not long after, they started construction on widening it to 4 lanes with a 65 mph speed limit. That sure came in handy when I "left" town to work in Iola!

There used to be a regular-sized Wal-Mart and ShopKo and pretty big Kmart. Then Wal-Mart supersized and Kmart (and a few locally owned grocery stores) closed their doors. Shopko is still open, but Younkers, Foot Locker and some others have left.

It took me awhile to get used to the "smell of money," which I just considered a disgusting paper mill odor, but I did recognize right away that the mill (which has changed names at least 4 times since I've been here) was the backbone of the economy. Thousands of residents worked there until downsizing began with new ownership and changes in the market.

It's strange that at my arrival, my current employer was just a start-up company getting its legs. Now, depending on how many workers the mills still employ, it is at least the second largest employer in town.

Times sure change in a town that "doesn't change much"!

Am I still just passing through? Only God knows. Things obviously don't go how I plan them.

And thank the Lord they don't! Still, the biggest change is the number of people who I did not even know existed 20 years ago and have since found a place in my heart.

I wouldn't change that for the world.

Ripon Good Time

We all dragged our backsides out of bed early today to head southeast towards Ripon. Good thing our runners weren't dragging!

Both our boys and girls cross country teams had a successful inaugural appearance at the Ripon invitational. One of our girls had a top 15 finish and our boys, well, they rocked it and finished 2nd as a team!

This means they've placed 1st or 2nd in 3 out of our four meets so far. So yes, they are ranked in the state and we can only cross our fingers that everyone stays or gets healthy!

Carter had his best finishing time of the season, but it is not close to his personal best from last year.

He's healthy, though, and still having fun so I hope that keeps him motivated. I know we all (as in fans and parents) are having a good time. It's fun to win or almost win, isn't it?

By the time we got home after 1 p.m., we actually needed a nap before our next item on the agenda. So, hubby and I slept like old folks for almost 2 hours! Got up and hit the road to Waupaca to meet up with some friends we worked with in Iola. Yes, I already miss them enough that a get-together is needed!

The Clearwater Harbor Bar on the Waupaca Chain O' Lakes is closing for the season next week so wanted to be sure to get there and enjoy good company and the last bit of summer.

The breeze required sweatshirts, but as long as the sunshine required shades, I was happy! Seeing good friends: a bonus!

Home by 8 p.m. so we could see our boy for a few minutes before he went off to someone's house. Despite the nap, I'll be hitting the sack soon. Tomorrow we have more fun in the sun planned.

Please, summer, just hang in there...

Car Show and Tell

I actually did have a lot of work to do at the car show this year so did not have the usual amount of opportunities to take "conversation piece" photos. But I managed to get a few...

 

Here's me, just hanging out with Ryan Evans from Count's Kustoms (Chasing Cars TV show).... because I'm cool like that. No, I don't watch the show, but you know me, I am a celebrity junkie!

The swap meet area doesn't just have car parts. Here I could get my initials for my office wall. Some 3 to 4 feet tall and only $25 per letter. I passed when I wondered if my little hybrid could haul them!

Loved Charlie's Angels! The only reason I did not buy this is because it had "Kris" (aka Cheryl Ladd) on there and not "Jill" (aka Farrah). Not really. The $95 price tag had something to do with it.

I think I warned you there is an abundance of tattoos. Apparently this "Cadillac" fan was more concerned about finding the perfect hat than, say, a shirt.

No shortage of political controversy. Though no one batted an eye at this display.

Or at the sight of a multitude of Confederate flags.

And then there was the shirtless man who was strutting his stuff in front of  our booth. He just kept strutting. I don't know if he was trying to get steps on a pedometer or just needed to show of his tanned muscles.

Meanwhile, the dancing cowboy was wearing not a mere 10-gallon hat, but a 20-gallon one!

When it's this hot, why bother carrying a water bottle when you can hoist the whole pump?

I rarely (make that NEVER) take photos in a bathroom, but when I do I've spotted the Wicked Witch of the West. #Elphaba #Wicked 

Modified shopping cart with plenty of shade.

Modified cart with plenty of horsepower and traction!

Going on a lion hunt!

And this huntress caught a leopard or cheetah, which is amazing since they are darn fast, aren't they?

 

I missed this groovy pair in their '70s clothes and large wig. Just couldn't get my phone out fast enough to focus. Still am not sure where the costume party was.

More colorful hair to match an outfit. I really should try this. (Not.)

The colors in this truck spoke to me. Could have something to do with being a child of the '70s  and '80s. At least I kept my wig and platform shoes at home!

Carter drove over to the show today to get some license plates. Only 6 states left! Afterward we stopped at Shivers in Iola, where this photo was taken in 2007 with our friend (and someone's crush) Tamara before she moved on to a new job and her wedding.

Look how much the merry-go-round has shrunk in 8 years!

Took an artistic farewell shot, showing the trademark tower that is at the heart of the car show grounds. Another car show... another tale of survival.