A Lot of Miles on the Old Ladies, and the Truck

 If I didn't explain before, and I'm too tired to read the last post, I am making this trek for Andrea to see old friends and for me to see some of God's amazing creation in areas I've never been.  We knew the trip out would potentially be exhausting because we only had four days to get to the coast.  

We left and drove through Illinois and across and then up the state of Missouri, to Iowa and then South Dakota. We stayed somewhere in Missouri, then Deadwood  (in case you don't know it is barely a valley squeezed between the mountains) and now we're in Butte Montana. Who knew there were still motels with two floors but no elevator. We do now, twice over- slow learners. We've gone about 1800 miles. 

It has been fascinating for one scene to go on nearly forever in some places, but after our stop at Wall Drug, the Gatlinburg of South Dakota, the scenery and the weather change around every corner.  Mounds covered with pines, mounds with no pines, black mountains. Rocks that look just like the mines of Moria that the nine entered on the way to Mordor, mountains that look like they are made of stone pillows, one stacked on the other, mounds that are sandy colored and mounds that are red.  Pine trees stacked up the side of the mountain like toothpicks. 

I don't have a way to crop pictures on this laptop, and they just don't seem to do the size of these mountains justice. But I will share some here. 

Yellowstone was beautiful and in these pictures are bears, sheep and moose, I think. 

Lots of bubbling brews in Yellowstone.

The wildflowers are beautiful. Lupine growing everywhere.

Two bears.

The above pictures were at the Corn Palace. 

That lake in the middle of Yellowstone was some lake now. The mountains were still covered in snow where we were driving past at above 8000 ft elevation.

A long way up those stairs for two tired travelers. 

Tomorrow is another heavy travel day with nothing particular to see. So grateful for safe travels and answered prayers. 

Two Little Old Ladies and One Big Ol' Truck

 Well, actually, only one of the ladies is little, that would be my sidekick for this ride, Andrea and only one is old. If you haven't guessed that would be  me. I should return more fit from climbing up and down in that mountain of a truck. We're gearing up for a big adventure.  Not being a fashionista, I don't need a big suitcase. Being a voracious reader however is another story. I still have not warmed up to Kindle and honestly, while I do listen to audible books, I don't usually like them.  I read really fast and so far haven't found anyone who reads as fast I can, on an audio, so it sort of cramps my reading style. At home with podcasts at home I yank that speed up and breathe a sigh of relief. 

Don't you think those neck pillows look a lot like those old, awful fuzzy toilet seat covers. Who ever even thought of such a thing. 

Like I imagine the pioneers did, I'm hauling my starter and all the fixings  all the way across the lone prairie to the family hosting us in Anacortes WA. The host's fave bakery  item is cinnamon rolls. Well, I'm going hook him up. 

Food hasn't gotten so expensive and Andrea and I like a lot of fruit and veggies, so I've been busy preparing us some this morning. Carrots for her, celery for me. Sounds like we're rabbits. 

And you know, my camera started getting glitchy.  Of course it did.  I don't like Kindles and the thought of a new techno gadget causes my stomach to clinch.  Pap said I couldn't do an adventure without a trusty camera, so my red appendage will be left at home for a new one, not nearly as cute. 

It was a wild and wooly week between tutoring, Playdate and an hour to and from VBS where I was the designated storyteller.  The things Miss Andrea talks me into. 

It was about battles and so I brought along the Captain's gear, which the children loved.  I promised them at the Sunday closing service, I would share a more modern story involving the Captain and so I did https://www.facebook.com/cantonchristianchurch/videos/803293724457231 at about 36 minutes. Thanks son for sharing your gear, your story and really your life  you've laid on the line that affords me so many freedoms. 

This weather, oh my, glorious. Playdate was too fun. 

We had a three newbies and I loved showing them the fossil bed and their joy at their discoveries. 

Tim and Gwen shared their quail eggs with us. Oh my, how seriously cute. Now those are my kind of eggs. One bite and done. 

I also enjoyed a just lovely visit with several friends on Friday on the porch. 

And one last, most precious gift.  When I first became a Gramerly, the oldest always wanted to take something from here when he left.  He was so adamant about this (and his minimalist papa so frustrated) that I researched it.  It is a thing- at transitional object.   I get it I guess. When you are at Gramerly and the entire time is devoted to your every desire, leaving is hard.  Through the years my gramerlings have drug home the most interesting things.   My girl Rae knows my favorite adventures happen right here  at this Tumbledown Ol' Farmhouse. She knows how valuable it is me to be close to my people, and in fact always try to take a few of them with me on any adventure.  This is the furthest and longest I've ever been away from home.  Hence, a transitional object. A sweet little box covered with my most favorite things. 

Inside something to represent them. Gideon chose a Pokemon card- his love, Finn a man with a weapon- his love, Rae and Michael lavender and wheat, our shared love of flowers, good smells, gardens, and of course, bread. 

I am thankful Jesus goes with me, no extra packing required. Say a prayer for us and if I am able to manage the technology, come along for the ride. 

Opening Playdate

 Well, here we are, year seventeen of Playdates.  So much has changed in these 17 years.  Many former playdaters have moved on to more grown up ventures.

 I had a few things on my mind when I started this adventure.  Number one was for the visiting Gramerlings and friends to notice what was around them and to be screen free and mostly free for a day in the week. I think that happened. 

I think I thought it would surely forge strong bonds between friends and cousins, Gramerly and Gramerlings.  I'm not sure that has always worked as planned, but I sure gave it a herculean effort. 

It has also at times been an opportunity for the Mom's to visit. Even more so now that I have a couple of older ones still hanging in with me and helping out eyeballing the littles. 

If you know me at all, you know if I love you and you love me, I am going want to see your face. Playdate is where that can happen. 

I pulled out the last remaining Playdate tee shirt to wear today, and was wondering just how old it is. 

These were the first Playdaters. I'm not sure where Nick and Syd were at that day.   The youngest one here is 16 months old. She is now 15. I believe I had that shirt before this, but I don't have any digital Playdate pictures before this summer. I look at this and could seriously burst into sobs. I cannot believe they are so grown. 

Same long fuzzy hair, same shirt. 

It was a perfect day to dye tee shirts. We've painted shirts with fabric paint.

Regular sort of tie-dye.

Then we started using found nature objects and spray paint. 

We've kind of fallen in love with indigo dye, so we got that done first thing. 





Gideon prepared an archery lesson for any interested parties. 


Pap supervised.

A handsome tree climber. 


I made flexagons with the girls.





Next we headed to the creek with some cool body markers I found on clearance at Sam's. 

Some did art on each other. Annabelle brought her tiny art supplies with her to watercolor and sketch. 

After scrubbing up from the creek we had Haitian beans and rice, tacos and all the trimmings with sundaes for dessert. 

I rinsed and dyed our shirts and we took the group picture because so many kiddos going so many directions, this is likely the only date we'll all be together. 

I think it was a good opening day!  And at the end of every Playdate, I am grateful for answered prayers of sending everyone home safe and sound! Thank you Lord!