We drove to Iowa Saturday, for a family reunion on my husband's side. Here are things I found worth noting, in no note-worthy order.
* Hwy 15 has more than one detour.
* My husband's uncle has a chicken farm, with 3.75 million birds passing through a year.
* Cherry-rhubarb wine exists. (I saw three homemade bottles.)
* My daughters are normal kids, and good girls.
* Water from a hot bottle is not tasty.
* My husband and his brothers are as immature (together) as they were fifteen years ago.
* I love family, even if they're not mine by blood.
* Some people change... some people stay the same.
* A convoy of 20+ military Hummers, several with rocket launchers on top, and a few drivers who look sixteen, is a powerful sight.
* A restaurant will serve you whitefish and insist it's salmon.
* Crowds of people make me nervous, and I fumble with awkwardness. (I've known this, but was reminded once again.)
But my favorite:
* In a small Iowa town lives a boy of about twelve. He overloads a girl's bike--perhaps his sister's--with no outward embarrassment. He owns those wheels; they have become his. He circles the Dairy Queen, his turf, back and forth... with no mind to the bottom crack hanging behind him.
31 comments:
Glad you had a good trip!
We call all warm bottled water, DOG WATER!
Welcome back!
Sounds like you had a good trip in Iowa!!! I love Iowa, then again I'm sort of biased since I lived there for 22 years of my life. Moving to Houston, Texas was just because my mom moved.
Beautiful small town, green grass, and warm water bottles... nothing better is there?? Oh wait... not to mention the little one riding the bike... that was too funny!
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Glad all are safe and sound.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Oh wow--you pick up on some perfect detail! You could write a whole book about this reunion with just the facts you gave us! I loved this!!
Welcome home! Enjoyed reading about your trip.
Hot water bottle is so yucky!
Cute post. *like* :D
Sounds like a great experience! :D
Ha! It sounds like a nice trip. And, it appears you learned some very valuable things.
I love your observations! And agree heartily with some, like the hot water. Gross!
What fun!
You must be a writer, with those low-rider observations!!! LOL
Patti
Those are great. I especially like the white salmon.
So cute, Janna! All but the crack part. Ugghhh!
I hope all those chickens aren't there at the same time!
I love how you convey your heart from your word weaving.
Sounds like a great trip! I love family, and I love watching the "men" turn into little boys when they're together!
I've definitely sipped hot water by accident before. Gross.
Crowds of people make me nervous, and I fumble with awkwardness.
I can totally relate to that and drinking hot water is disgusting.
Sounds like you had fun.
This weekend, I will witness that annual phenomenon of men becoming seventh graders again at the Kaboom, the annual Fourth of July cookout and fireworks extravaganza that we host. I'm serious. The men all revert to about junior-high level when the firecrackers come out! That's what I had to think of when you mentioned your husband and his brothers.
Ahh, life. Who needs tv when there are so many stories going on when just observing our surroundings? I love the image of the boy riding his bike around DQ. Very nice!
LOL! I once had friends in Montana send us Cherry wine. It was actually very good, no sulfites, and stood up to a steak meal. :)
Glad you had a great time.
Life is the best inspiration, isn't it? The very best muse to our work. Ideas are everywhere we look!
There is always more than one detour :D I feel like I was in the car with you. I wonder: what are the untold stories of these little towns? After all, lots of people come from little towns.
I must say, I've never heard a recount quite like that...lol....You are wonderful!
Oh, what a trip to remember! Yes to all your observations. Right on.
What an interesting trip! Surely there are story ideas here...
Blessings,
Karen :)
Iowa!! My home state! Where in Iowa??
I love your list and it sounds like you had a good time. I've never been to Iowa before but I guess I just got to live vicariously through you :) Welcome back!
20+ military Hummers? Scary.
Sounds like a fine time. I've driven through Iowa many a time. Always see something new. Cherry-rhubarb? I think I'd like that in a pie better than a bottle of wine. Maybe over vanilla ice cream.
I love your observation of the young boy on the bike. I feel there is a good story there...
Who knew there'd be so much to take in during a simple daytrip?
Actually, I did. ;) Those are my favorite kinds of experiences, where you're alert and observant.
Sounds like a good time. And I'm with you on the crowds thing.
I've seen those military conveys and they are freaky.
Love all the details.
Spoken like a true writer and a loving wife.
Loved this!! And cherry-rhubarb wine sounds cool!
Post a Comment