We followed the "Grocery Getter" to Hanover for their early 4th of July celebration. I had never been to Hanover before but apparently it's kind of a big deal. The fireworks were awesome, especially to Motley Crue's "Kick Start My Heart" and the infamous "Chicken Dance." Not your typical show...

I think at one time we had at least four cameras snapping pictures. I know Gen took at least 200 pictures by herself.

With this group there was no shortage of entertainment... I'm still not convinced these guys have a clue how to play Hacky Sack.

Does anything say "summer in Kansas" more than sitting in a pasture with a cooler? I didn't think so.

If you are ever near McGregor or Guttenberg Iowa make an effort to stay at 'Bed, Breakfast & Bridle.' You won't be sorry.


Beautiful view of the Mississippi River from the back deck of the cabin...

Thank you to the Hefel's for their incredible hospitality and generosity. They did not know us, we had never met but they made every effort to make us feel at home and the food... oh my, the food was awesome!



We spent most of our time out under Becky's beautiful pergola listening to the tree frogs, watching the Hummingbirds in the Honeysuckle, and of course, eating.

The sweat lodge...

The sweat lodge itself represents our mother's womb and the process of being "reborn." Inside, the lodge is heated by the Grandfathers, which are large river rock stones, some about the size of footballs, that are heated in the Sacred Fire. The stones are occasionally dowsed with the medicine water consisting of sage, cedar, bear root, and sweet grass and those participating in the sweat are encouraged to drink the medicine water to help cool off. Grandmother also told us that the medicine water is good for migraines.

Before.....

After...

We participated in the Sweat twice during the weekend. The experience was completely different each time and the second was about a half hour longer than the first. Healing sweats can be considerably longer.


Several people have asked me, "What does it feel like when you come out of the lodge?" When we came out the second time it was dark and about 64 degrees. It was a little bit of a shock after being so warm, much like a newborn infant I suppose and we were cold and incredibly hungry. But it was a refreshing feeling... something that you immediately say, "I want to do that again!"

It has been a long time since I have laughed and cried this much in one weekend! Alisha, thanks to you I learned that even plastic deer need to eat and are surprisingly well behaved. Rebecca you taught me that it does not matter if a road is straight or curvy... they can still be windy!

But more importantly this past weekend confirmed my belief that no matter how long or far you have been apart from someone, if you are truly "sisters" no time will have passed at all.

And speaking of time, I have not worn a watch since before this trip and I have no intention of putting it back on. I am embracing the concept of remaining on "Indian time" as much as possible.

This is the town of McGregor Iowa. It looked a lot like downtown Mayberry USA however they did have an awesome contemporary coffee shop. We were told that the nearest grocery store was about 15 miles away. I could have spent all day just walking from shop to shop.




So, to my sisters Sacred Red Willow Woman and Dancing Raven,

Please know that I will hold the memories of our June trip close to my heart. I pray the spirits will bless us with many more trips in the future. Each of us has our own personal issues we have to deal with and I believe that this trip was the start of a new beginning in more ways than one for all of us. Words can not adequately express what we took away from this incredible journey and knowing that we did this together makes it all the more special.

Little Hawk Woman

We spent a long day in Overland Park last weekend. Syd worked very hard to meet a reading goal we set and her reward was lunch at the Rainforest Cafe and a visit to Build-A-Bear Workshop.

We made a quick stop in Lawrence on the way home to eat at my favorite place on Mass St; Jefferson's, for some baked oysters and fried pickles. Yummmm. And of course, had to see my favorite lil' Jayhawker....

I'm not sure what they are looking at but the girls were a little freaked out by all the 'street people'. It was a day packed full of running here & there, ice cream waffles cones, and "building" a new buddy to take home (her name is Lilly by the way).

"What the he.... !"

Somebody want to tell me what is wrong with this picture? No, I'm not referring to all the dirt on my vehicle. I'm talking about this purple monstrosity I inadvertently discovered after apparently driving around oblivious for two freaking days!

My first thought was how the heck did this get by me. My second, and more disturbing thought was where have I been since Tuesday night and how many people have seen this on my car! Dang it! Why, why, why did I have to pick this week to start golfing!!!

Okay little prankster.. you got me. I'll give you credit for that. But if you think for a minute that I don't already have some ideas flowing, you're saaadly mistaken. Game on.

Class of 2008

Our oldest nephew Brock graduated from high school this weekend. It is a little difficult for us to accept that he is grown up and will now be moving on to the next phase of his life. It is also a big reminder of how old we are getting. It seems like just yesterday he was our little ring bearer in his little tiny grey tuxedo and here he is all grown looking so handsome in his cap and gown.

Brock, I don't know if you know this or not, but your family is very proud of the man you are becoming. You haven't had an easy life and there is a lot of stuff you have had to do on your own but you have not let that get you down and more importantly you haven't given up. This has not gone unnoticed by the people who love you and just know that we will continue to support you in whatever you take on next.

Oh and Ps., "You have to stand up for yourself because nobody else is going to do it!" (Aunt Connie, 2008)
We love you kid!

Gone fishin'

Syd and her Daddy got up early Sunday & headed out to the river to do some fishing & exploring. Her sister had gone a few days earlier with some of her friends & lil' Sis felt left out. Going fishing with her Dad is all she talked about all weekend.

She did need to get some advice from her Mom though before they left... "Mom, what do you think, should I wear my red parrot hat or my green frog hat when I go fishing?" I told her if she was going to the river then she definitely needed to wear the frog because there are no parrots at the river.

When big Sis came home from fishing with her friends, it was 50 degrees out, she was wearing her swimsuit & was covered in mud from head to toe. I almost didn't let her in the house. Not Syd though. She did not like getting her feet muddy & insisted that Dad wet a rag for her right away so she could clean them off. (No doubt whose kid she is!)

"Go KU, Da Da!"

In a house "divided" you have to start the brainwashing at an early age. Clearly Blake is progressing nicely. Good job Sis!