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Monday, September 29, 2008

A week since the last POST!


A volleyball week, two matches by the Hawkettes, 1-1. We were ranked 

#2 and the #1 team lost, so up went Ankeny.....then we met up with the
former #1 in their 90 degree gym and lost in five games.  We also were
able to see nationally ranked #2 Nebraska beat Iowa St, 3-1. A great 
match and Nebraska is on their way to the championships again. Jordan
the big swinger is having a great senior year, she will probably be the
national player of the year. Bowling was great, average up to 178 and
golf was well today, a nice 85 with only two 3-putt greens. The new
BIG STICK was working just fine, until I tried to smoke one.....a couple
dribblers....Here's a new photo of our premmie friend, now 3 1/2
months old and a whopping 9 lb 15.....Ain't she a sweetie?

Semprini Bunch

The Dayton Semprini/Olsen bunch, cheering on Chelsey in her 

volleyball match.....Can you choose the sisters? Grammas and one
Grampa....

Monday, September 22, 2008

BTW

DID I MENTION THAT THE CUBBIES WON THEIR
DIVISION ON SATURDAY AND ARE HEADED TO THE
POST SEASON? SO SWEET! AND THEY BEAT UP ON
THE CARDINALS.....EVEN SWEETER!
GO CUBS GO.....GO CUBS GO.....HEY CHICAGO WHAT DO
YOU SAY? CUBS ARE AHEAD TONIGHT AGAIN, THE
PITCHER JUST HIT A GRAND SLAM!!!!!!!
YES I AM YELLING..........SO HAPPY!

PEP RALLY ON TUESDAY IN CHICAGO WITH BELUSHI
AS HOST, DALY PLAZA, NOON, ROAD TRIP!

Bike Trail Finally OPEN

This is the sign and barricade that has been keeping us
off the new trail, until today, when I arrived, I was so


happy to see all the signs DOWN, however, I could see
ahead of me, a motor vehicle on the former railroad track.

I took several photos of the neighborhood, so I can reshoot

next summer, to see how much farm land has been destroyed

while down SOUTH.

The man was doing last minute work on the fences where

we cross the criks in the area, some people think they are

"creeks"

another part of the delay in opening the trail was posting the
signs: stop signs, no motor vehicle signs, etc.,this is the
approach to a gravel road. We get cement across the gravel.

Good looking fences along the route.


Approaching another street. Plenty of warning signs for
the bikers and CARS, so that both will be safe. some of the
crossing points are at an angle, so the bikers will slow down
and look.

On my way back, the man is still working. I did see where

someone dumped some carpet, hummmmmmm, I wonder

if there have been some parties along the bike trail? Distance

from this bridge? Odometer read 7.41 and when I arrived at

First street it read 10.74......3.33 miles.....



Second to last crossing before I arrive back in the city proper,
where the family homes begin. Weds I will make the ride to
Polk City, I heard it is a seven mile ride, making it about a
16 mile ride total, from my home. when the entire route is
finished, it will be a 40 mile route from Ankeny to Woodward.
Part of the route will go over the river and a new bridge is
being built, three stories high. I assume that is from the
bottom of the water! I will keep ya'll updated next summer
when I get home from the SOUTH........carry on..........

Missed the garage

this is a partially full hole, where an old tree once made its
home

until we had a big wind in August. Tornado sirens rang
loud, Glen and Debe went to the basement


and came up to find their tree down. It went directly east
and missed the garage, landing in Glen's hosta garden. You
can see the many rings in this pile of leftovers........A very
old tree, so sad to lose, thank goodness for helpful neighbors
in cleaning up the mess.


Around the Yard

My mom planted these bulbs many years ago and I
have forgotten the name. When it opens, a pretty pink
flower on a long leg of green.

If this tree is changing colors, it must be time to get ready

to head SOUTH and back home.

Does anyone know the name of this yellow flower that is hanging

down? Find them in downtown Des Moines by the Civic Center.


Mom loved butterflies. These are John and Gloria's flowers.
Next door neighbors.

Another sign to leave for the SOUTH. This guy is already

gathering for the winter.

Planted by the city, no idea what the name of this flower is.
I guess this is a sign to head SOUTH also. When the monarchs

are in IOWA, they are on the way to Mexico.

BTW, these are shots with my new camera. Canon Xsi.

I was using my zoom, 500mm. Need to mess around with

it some more tomorrow before I shoot some volleyball on

Tuesday night.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

BOB CERV

I hope ya'll had the opportunity to watch the end of an era...last game in

Yankee Stadium.  He has not been mentioned yet, but our great JFK
baseball coach was a Yankee, alongside Mantle and Maris......did you see
the movie "61"? He lives in Nebraska, hope to see him and the family
at next summer's college reunion in WAHOO!!!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

GO CUBS GOOOO, GO CUBS GOOO





My first trip to Wrigley Field to see the CUBS was Labor Day week end of
1967. A fun week end to see the family before I headed out to college......
It was tough for years, until we finally acquired cable TV and became
afternoon baseball junkies. Before the postal service started messing
around with starting times (today it is 8 am or later), I could get my
job done and get home in time to see the last inning or two. Eventually, it evolved into summer trips to see AJ and UGH, my aunt and uncle, and into Chicago for games. One year we were able to see a double header, the day before was rained out. Uncle Gale (UGH) didn't move out of his seat for
almost 8 hours! So now, we celebrate. The first step is done, division
champs. We have all of the parts to win, along with the naysayers and the
ad men.......100 years since the last title! At least I will have some fun
for a few weeks and I signed up to hopefully win the chance to BUY
playoff tickets. I won one time, when KC beat the Cards, same as today!
Cubs beat the Cards........we went to KC for the first round vs Toronto, KC
won that game 2-1........Carry on all ya'll CUB fans..........
GO CUBS GO, GO CUBS GO, HEY CHICAGO WHAT DO YOU SAY??????
CUBS DID WIN TODAY............LET'S PLAY TWO...............

The Wizard

He looks like a wizard, he replaced the Cubbie Bear in the
yard I pass on the bike trail in Ankeny.

these folks are great, with their yard decor and the scene painted on their shed.
Finally the latest on Shawn. This poster must be at least 50 feet tall and it is on the side of our dear Veteran's auditorium in downtown Des Moines.

The photo is of Shawn on the medal stand when she received her GOLD medal in Beijing..........

Friday, September 19, 2008

Anxious to get back Home

Sunrise on Isla Blanca
Sandy Feet during Pirate Days
Christmas time at the Port Isabel Light
Those fun pelicans entertaining me

Pirate Days on South Padre Island, second week end of April.
I will be staying longer in 2009.....depends on gas prices.....
I might not be making the road trip back to Iowa for golf
season if the new PREZ can't get things in order.......carry on.......

Thursday, September 18, 2008

HERKY

For ya'll out there that
are Hawkeye fans........
a couple years ago was the
75th anniversary of
Kinnick Stadium.....in
honor, artists created
75 different HERKYS.....