South Dakota Memories

It has been well over a week since I last made an entry to this blog, but there has been a lot of activity.

I left on Tuesday the 20th for SD with Joel, Brenda and Emma. We drove to Pella, Iowa the first day, and stayed with my brother Glenn and his wife Donna, and 12 year old son Chad. It was a wonderful break from the drive and Emma had so much fun watching the new puppies and lambs, and playing with the kitties and their pet dog Patch. We all slept well and were on our way at 8 AM after a good breakfast. We continued on our way and after what seemed like a long day we got to Corsica to my Mom at about 4 PM. She was doing well and happy to see us. We brought her a TV that we did not need anymore, and it is quite a bit bigger than the one she had, and made it easier for her to see as she has cataracts and some macular degeneration.

We finally got to the Vanden Hoek Bed and Breakfast (this is what we call the home of Everett's sister Margie and her husband Ken). They are wonderful hosts, and we love staying with them. She invited Dorothy Vander Tuin our sister in law, and enjoyed dinner all together. Once Emma was settled in for the night we played some Ripple, a variety of golf, played with skip-bo cards.

Wednesday we went to visit Mom, and just spent time relaxing. I took Mom to get her car filled with gas, as it is difficult for her to run the pumps.

Each night a thunder storm came through and I woke up the first 3 nights from the thunder. Most of the days were cloudy, but quite pleasant, but Saturday was very windy and cold.

Thursday our niece Gloria and son Jaylon were over for dinner, and after dinner a cousin and his wife came to stay over night as they were having a family reunion at the recently renovated Old School Inn in New Holland for the weekend. The old Christian grade school that I attended for 8 years was sold and purchased by a former local man and he and his wife have made 7 bedrooms, many bathrooms and a large kitchen/ dining room and family room. New Holland has a population of about 75 and has a bed and breakfast and an Inn. Not bad. It rents for $300 a night to use the entire facility.

On Friday we picked up Mom at 9 and headed to Mitchell to do some shopping. Her mattress and box spring needed to be replaced so we shopped for that first, then picked up some items at Walmart. We enjoyed lunch at Perkins and then went to the medical supply store and picked out a lift chair for Mom, as the one she had, was giving her some trouble. We were home in time for Emma to take a nap. I took Mom with me and we went to Platte so Mom could get a haircut. She was so glad she could get so much accomplished. Friday evening we had a good dinner at Dorothy's house in Platte, as well as her sister Marguerite, and Ken and Margie. We played cards of course.

Saturday I watched Emma in the morning, so Brenda and Joel could take some pictures of old barns and other objects of interest. Brenda's hobby is photography and she recently took an all day class that has given her lots of ideas and confidence in her abilities. At noon K & M son Keith and wife Val and 4 children came for lunch and we had a nice visit with them. Then I went to pick up Mom and we all went to Platte for dinner at the Pizza Ranch. Thanks Joel! That has become a tradition, and Mom loves to get out.

Sunday morning we met Mom at church and sat with her, and then said our good byes there, as she was not sure if the van of ladies that she rides with would be staying for coffee after church. We packed, ate and were on our way home at noon.

The ride to Pella went very well, and it was good to stretch our legs and let Emma run. The weather changed drastically from the low 50's on Saturday to 90 on Sunday. Glad the A/C worked in the car. We had quite a fireworks show about 9:30 as there was constant lightning in the sky. We sat outside to watch. Soon the wind started and it rained for about 10 minutes and then stopped. We were so grateful for being spared the horrible tornadoes that went through the northern part of Iowa earlier in the evening. What devastation.

Monday morning most of us were up very early and once Emma woke up we got on the road by 7 AM.