It's been a while....

It has, indeed been a while.  I've landed in the most wonderful town of 800 folks in central South Dakota. I love it here. Everything's within walking distance. We have a grocery, hardware store, post office, bank, several restaurants, wood work shop, ice cream stand, popcorn ball factory, and a family who raises chickens and eggs.  Did I mention I love it here? New friends are everywhere.  I tie quilts, write, sing, do my art thing, take classes and do community stuff.

Moving...

Moving to a new place to call home...stay tuned for updates. We are in transit for the next few weeks. And, yes, I'm happy.

Good Friends

You know how it feels when you get together with really good friends and have a good time. Well, I had that feeling this weekend. I celebrated and cut the rug with some really good Hmong friends - danced way more than I have since this time last year.

Absolutely love how the Hmong celebrate and appreciate their friends. Good food, good company, and good dancing. But it was hard on my old knees. Here's a shot of some of us doing lamvong, a Lao dance adopted by Hmong. It's such a soothing dance, very slow and graceful.

And then there's the version that's done double time with 6 steps forward and 3 back - and it's a hip and knee killer. And then there's the Hmong version of the electric slide, remember that dance? And then there was the twist. Yes the twist, done to music similar to that played for lamvong - only double time. Oh boy, my sides are still recovering from that one.

Surf's Up

I was thinking . . . if this were August, and it was 90 degrees out there, we'd be surfing. But it's February and like 12 degrees with a 15 mph wind, so . . . we're not surfing - not just yet.

She found one....

I now am the proud owner of my own Learn How Book (copyright 1941) thanks to Kim. What a lovely treat it was to walk into her shop and have her tell me she found one for me. Grannie gave me my first copy of this book in the 1950's in an attempt to keep me busy and out of her hair. I taught myself to knit, and crochet and do other stuff with this book. And no, it didn't keep me out of Grannie's hair.

I've collected other printings over the years, but this one is my favorite because of it's lovely sock pattern. So needless to say, I'm thrilled - and knitting a pair of socks.

Thank you Kim!

For David........

Actually, I did have my camera with me...and here's the two shots I managed to take. These pictures don't do justice to the splendor . . .

Main Altar



Pipe Organ

Travels, beauty and wonder

My two friends P and J took me to meet Sr. Gerri who runs the absolutely coolest give-away shop I've ever seen. What's a give-away shop? Well, it's a resale or thrift shop that gives it stuff away, unless of course you want or have some $$ you can give the shop. And Sr. Gerri is the coolest nun I've every met. On Saturday she was clothed in a deep red pencil skirt, matching vest and white blouse, two-inch black pumps and a cobbler apron. What a sight. I've never seen a nun dressed in red!

Lots of folks came in asking for different stuff, which Sr. G gladly gave them. She had fresh fruit, veggies, bread, furniture, dishes, pots, pans, books, clothing, rugs, bedding and lots more. What an angel she is. Sr. G and me, well we had a really nice chat. Then P, J, and I went to see the chapel at the neighboring Motherhouse. Whoa, boy -- the beauty of it took my breath away - literally!

So happy to have such good friends who introduce me to such wonders - the give-away and the incredible beauty of the chapel. Too much for words to adequately express.

I need another visit and I'm taking S and J to introduce them to Sr. G.