Nature Playscape

These photos were taken a year and a half ago at Dillon Nature Center. The area for kids to play, dig in the sand, look at the little brook and have fun was just getting started.  We were out there a few days ago (without camera) and it is amazing. It is fenced so moms can let their small kids play without having them run away.  No dogs allowed inside so no messes.
On the trails, sorry to say, that is not the case. People are asked to please remove waste but a few do not.
But this play area is just wonderful for small children. I mentioned the brook. It is probably four inches deep and runs through the area with a cement bottom and lined with rocks. The roof seen in the second photo has grass growing on it.
This is a great addition to the area!

Three more -

Some later refrigerator art!

Art from the West Coast

Age 2 1/2.  Proud! And so are we....

Computer Art

 These are from the TX granddaughters.

Tomorrow: OR granddaughters.

Noble Knight

 This silent fellow used to live at our house.
He now is far away, in another state. The folks who have him are so creative. I never thought of letting him celebrate the holidays with us but they do!

After the Ping Pong

 

Potato chips, peanuts, Pepsi, booze and the same unknown friend.

Me and The Boys

 I like the looks on their faces - not posed.

Still going through old slides. I need to get out and take some new pictures before it gets cold!

More Ping Pong with One of our Favorite EMT's

After sledding (possibly behind a motorcycle) the wet clothes were hung to dry and a ping pong game broke out.

Still in the '70's -

Basement Ping Pong (1970's)

 

Looks like I'm wanting the ball. I have no idea what my friend wants.
She seems happy, though.

An Old Picture from the '70's

 Why do I look dejected? Is it because the bed isn't made?

Then make it!

We really took a lot of slides during the 1970's.

Clint's Truck?

The tag reads, "MKMYDAY."

No Hugs

This is the t-shirt I had made before a big event three years ago. I was advised NOT to get too close to all the people who would be at our 60th class reunion. A weakened immune system will get you that advice from your doctor.

And today we got our annual flu shots. L. was at the clinic pharmacy and saw that they were giving the injections in the lobby. He got his and came home to tell me. I returned, looked at the clock when I went in (two minutes until five) and when I left it was three minutes after. No lines; no waiting and efficiency! 

I don't plan to wear my t-shirt any time soon. We don't see large groups so no need to. I'm not worried about germs but I do wish to avoid the flu.

Positive Thoughts

On the wall in the Tarbet Cancer Center in McKinney TX.

Grandma Before She Was a Grandma

 One of my favorite pasttimes in a former life:  crocheting.

Notice the small tv, the empty glass and the junk on the round table.

That round oak table was always something I wanted after we had seen one at our landlord's home in Russell. They had cut the pedestal down, limed it to blonde and used it for a coffee table

After we moved to Hutchinson, a friend and co-worker of L. liked to go to auctions and he found one for us.  He paid a whole $11.00 for it. It has claw feet and is still in good condition. I am so glad we didn't cut it down. We use it for our  dining room table with a homemade leaf and can seat six.

Brutus and LN

 L. always said he wanted a dog that he didn't have to lean over to pet. Notice grip on dog collar....

 Meet Brutus, our second Great Dane (of four.)

 This is the one that ate part of a birthday cake on our older son's birthday. Nothing was safe on the counter.
Overall our experience was positive with all the Danes.
One word of warning: do not try to remove anything from a dog's mouth, regardless of size. Even if you think it's a paper plate. It may be a piece of pizza crust. (That was Beauregard, the third one.)

Homemade Potato Soup

It's cool and cloudy and soup sounded good. I had one large Idaho potato, an onion, some bacon I needed to use and some Tillamook cheese slices. After the potatoes cooked in water, I added a little milk and six (6) ! slices of cheese. Sprinkled the crisp bacon on top just before serving.
In the small pot, it worked fine. Usually I make so much we get tired of it before it's gone.
 We each had a large bowl and there is enough left for two small bowls. L. even said it was good without my having to ask him.

Rental Truck

 Does it make anyone nervous to drive a rental car? We had to make use of one last week. It was a racy little red pick-up with great A/C and all the perks.

We drove it a grand total of five miles so they told us we could forget replacing the gas we used. We only had one appointment to keep and it was a short trip.

Since we had to rent it because they were repairing our van and a part didn't come in, I was hoping for a courtesy car but that doesn't happen at that dealership. 
Just very thankful they had a rental left on the lot!

Another Boat - 1967

This was actually the first boat, a Dorsett. Date on the photo is January, 1968. We were slow in getting pictures developed in the olden days.

Our Last Boat

Although it looks as though the camera was aimed at the roof, this is a SeaRay with our nephew resting on the wheel.