GLASS BOTTLED WATER, BLUE WILLOW CHINA, GRANDMA HOERNER PIE FILLING AND BUFFALO ALL IN AN AFTERNOON

THE DAY WAS BUSY.  In a nutshell...
Air for tire,
a hunger saver in Manhattan,
Dr.'s appointment,
Brunch at McAlister's,
Grocery Store,
Hobby Lobby for craft stop,
Lumber Yard,
New Thrift Store,
Goodwill,
Grandma Hoerner's,
Buffalo,
Home.

LONG VERSION.  
DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT FOR HUBBY.  Got up early, groomed and out the door we went for the out of town adventure in a car that does not have air conditioning on a day that is suppose to stem up into the 80s.  It would have been a great walking day at 70 degrees, but the appointment is a priority.

One of the car's tires needed some air.  Aired the tire and drove to the nearest STARBUCKS for morning Iced Green Tea and a couple of egg bites to tide us over until a bigger meal can be eaten.  

Parked the car under a shade tree and walked a bit to the appointment.  Waiting in the Lobby, Hubby had his appointment.  

While he was in for the appointment, I played on his phone trying to get some info about Marcia Upson who used to have Naturally Slim Health Program we did 7 years ago so we could get a better price on Health Insurance through Hubby's employment.  I can't remember much about it.  I know that they were not very big on nutrition, but were more in lines about eating when hungry. 

She rebranded herself and I'll need to see what this is about.  INSIGHTS WITH MARCIA.  May be too new age for me. 

 

Gwen Shamblin Lara focused on this theme as well and her program went down the tube as she became a spiritual leader in a cult church she created.  Gwen died in a airplane crash along with her pilot husband, a son-in-law, and others from her church.  Gwen had a very colorful past when she got involved with her second Husband, Tarzan.  She divorced her first Husband and wed Tarzan, Joe Lara.  For someone who disagreed with divorce, she changed her tune when she got involved with Joe.  Now it was alright to divorce.    

Back to Marcia.  She had it made getting hooked up with Utility Companies and Universities that used her program.  I regret doing this program when we did as my Father-in-law had passed and we should have been focusing on the grieving process and not Naturally Slim to get a discount on Health Insurance.    

HUBBY and I discussed where to get our SALADS.  McAlisters won out.  Lunch was delicious.

From there I walked over to the Grocery Store in hopes of getting some arugula, cucumbers, almond milk, broccoli.  They had Mountain Valley Spring Water in glass bottles.  Had to buy some. 

Went over to HOBBY LOBBY to get some art supplies such as a drawing board and markers.  I will begin to draw for pleasure during the month of July.  ONTO MENARDS for a battery for my car clicker.  

There was a new THRIFT STORE spied so we went.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576278975215

They just so happened to have a few pieces of  VINTAGE BLUE WILLOW CHINA for a discounted price.  Snatched these up.

GOODWILL ranked so I did a quick search for something thrifty.  Found 3 cloth doll bodies that I will draw faces on and dress up as pioneer something or other.

  

https://www.facebook.com/GrandmaHoerners 

HOMEWARD BOUND across the hot prairie.  On the way, we stopped off at GRANDMA HOERNER'S just to look about.  It's been awhile since I popped in there.  50% off of some pie filling for $3.oo in a glass jar. 

🦬 The Buffalo/Bison were out grazing in the pasture so I detoured and parked the car on the dirt road to observe the herd.  Massive creatures, but oh so beautiful they are. 

🦬 Observing them takes me to a different time than 2025.  More like 1825.

 

https://www.facebook.com/PlumleeBuffaloRanch

HOME we went, unloaded our spoils and are taking a break this afternoon.  The HEAT has gotten to me.  Takes the energy right out of me.  

Stay hydrated and peace out on the Kansas Prairie,
~d🌸

WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM and A DISCOVERY

SIGH.  I managed to fix a TEA CABINET in the cabinet above the stove.   Finished this morning.  It looks nice because it's so organized.  WHAHOO.

Still so much to do with moving in and getting settled in this COTTAGE.   

A MULTITUDE OF BOXES ARE ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR full of things to deal with and the portable table that is being used as a work station is covered.  It seems to be breeding THINGS as I speak.  The never ending MESS.  

Taking shape is a CAKES, PASTA and RICE cabinet to the right of the stove.  Almost completed. Looking good and organized.

Vitamin and supplement cabinet up and going, but difficult reaching because of the work table.

THE FOOD PANTRY is in place.  Items neat and organized.  This took some doing.  SOME DOING.  I was playing GROCERY STORE inside my own HOUSE.  What a blast this was.  Clean up on aisle three, please.  I could imagine having employees to do this task because I am the Queen Bee and head bottle washer busy with LIFE.  Didn't happen.  No one showed up wearing an apron.  Not even me and there are so many CUTE aprons out there.

BUT THE SENSE of being satisfied springs forth with seeing my tiny KITCHEN take shape.  All the vacant spaces have to be used as efficiently as possible.  PRIME REAL ESTATE.      

I have the cookware, pots 'n pans, baking ware, and small appliances neatly positioned in the walk-in pantry.  BUT there are things on the floor to deal with yet.  sigh.  Working here and there.

Hubby and I visited about the area to the right of the sink.  MONTHS AGO, I had said I'd like three floating shelves to the right of the sink, but he mentioned building a hutch like cabinet which would store ALL my everyday dishes in it along with drinking glasses and coffee mugs.  It makes better sense to have this type of storage verses floating shelves.  We're kicking this one around.

WHEN WE GET TO THE PLACE of remodeling the Utility room, a floor to ceiling cabinet will be built for small appliances and a floor to ceiling book shelves built for cookbooks and sewing things.  The small appliances will migrate to the Utility room cabinet freeing up the walk-in pantry for the returning of a food pantry.  The pots 'n pans will migrate to the cabinet outside of the walk-in pantry.  Such a lot of morphing will go on.  Makes me tired thinking about this.  sigh. 

I have to remind myself that I need to breathe and relax about this process as it will take time that will not be finished in a blink of an eye.  Slow down and relax.  Typing the thought processes out helps stable my nerves when I can see a flow chart of how this is taking place.   

I will feel so much better about the KITCHEN when it is TIDY once again.  It has taken me the month of November and December fidgeting where EVERYTHING is going.  Not a fast activity by any means.  When I think I have it figured out, more things turn up and I have to rethink where things will go.  Having less things wouldn't solve the process as I need my KITCHEN to be a KITCHEN.  

WITH THE KITCHEN A COMPLETE MESS, trying to fix a meal has been a three ring circus. We're managing, but oh, have mercy, it's uncomfortable.  This downsizing assignment has challenges that were not mentioned before I actually, physically moved in.  What an adventure.  IT's A DISCOVERY.

ELSEWHERE IN THE HOUSE:  The duct work in the cellar is being worked on.  I pray HUBBY does NOT get stuck while doing this.  He flopped like a fish before when working on plumbing the house so he knows what he is in for with replacing duct work.  I have the easy job of pulling the duct piece through the vent hole in the Bathroom.  I say easy.  Hope it goes well.  UPDATE. It was a success.  No one got stuck.

We plan on going to Home Depot to purchase some bead board that will be cut to fit the back of our antique corner cabinet that's in the Dining room.  Hubby thinks it won't take very long to nail this piece of wood to the back of the corner cabinet.  I have waited YEARS for this to take place.  Y E A R S.  Then the cabinet will be secured to the wall so it does not tip over.  I'll fill it with crystal.  What a wonderful thing this will be to have this completed.    

WE HAVE PLANS OF PURCHASING SOME BISON MEAT this afternoon as well.  The Buffalo Ranch down the road sells BISON and I saw where they advertised their WINTER SALE going on. Called and made an appointment to go get some.  I'd like to get some ground Bison, Bison sausage, stew meat, and a few steaks for VALENTINES DAY celebration.  Into the freezer they will go.  If we get enough to WINTER with that would be awesome.  

  

In late SPRING when it warms up some, I believe we should go TOUR the ranch when the Buffalo are roaming the pastures.  We have lived in this area nearly 24 years and have as yet to tour a Buffalo RANCH.  Can you believe it?  That's terrible.

When I was babysitting LIL MISS years ago, I drove down their road to get a closer look at their grazing Buffalo on the prairie.  Their SAMSON was on a hill from where I was sitting in the car watching.  He began to run across the top of the hill with steam coming out of his nostrils.  It was one of the most magnificent sights I had seen on the prairie.  I observed his glory.

Buffalo's legs do not stay in motion as I originally had thought.  I got an education of this magnificent creature while he was running across the territory.  I believe I'd like to see him run again from a distance.  These creatures are not to be toyed with as they are MASSIVE ANIMALS that have a mind of their own.  I suppose if you raised them from calves they might take a liking to you and be somewhat gentle knowing you tend to them and take care of them.

If I lived in the country away from the maddening crowd, I might have a baby Buffalo and some small goats.  Hum.  Life isn't over is it.  Still have thoughts about living differently out there amongst the English, as the Amish say. 

I need to go to a place in the country and just sit a bit looking out at GOD's NATURE, collecting my thoughts and discovering something new about the quiet.  What's going on in my head with well wishes of the mind.  Life is a discovery.  How do I want to live the rest of my days?  Not knowing how many I have left, I must stay busy getting this place in order QUICKLY if possible so I can go on to doing other things.

RUN DOWN OF THE DAY.  We had what I would call a productive day.  Did a great deal of driving.  Will feel it tomorrow.  I braved it and as we were passing through the tiny town of St. George, I did a spontaneous stop at a small town beauty parlor where there was a sidewalk sign out that said WALK INS WELCOMED.  SO I stopped and asked if someone would shampoo and straighten my hair.  They said yes and so they did.  Liked the stylist.  After she shampooed my hair I sat there with a towel around my head, she asked if I'd like to have my eyebrows waxed?  I said yes and she did.  She was great and I was blessed to find a new stylist!  

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄worked on kitchen
🎄paperwork and bills wkd on
🎄out of debt!
🎄mail pkd up
🎄safety deposit box fee pd
🎄bison/buffalo meat purchased
🎄returned HOME to place in freezer
🎄stopped by a small beauty parlor to have hair shampooed and straightened.
🎄went to storage unit looking for a punch bowl
🎄lunch at Olive Garden
🎄shopped hob lob where things were 75% off.  bought some large jingle bells.
🎄Menards for  AAA batteries for candles
🎄went to a different storage unit looking for punch bowl and granddaughter returned Christmas Tree she borrowed.🎄quick trip to store for milk 
🎄home to unload things
🎄rested
🎄hot chocolate
🎄movie
🎄wkd on kitchen
🎄bedtime

AT THE PACE I AM GOING, nothing is quick.
Think I'd better go water my house plants in the Utility room and put a load of laundry in,

~d

MID-WEEK WEDNESDAY THOUGHTS

Hello to my little corner of the world.

One of the sights we saw on the Kansas Prairie as we drove HOME from visiting my Mom on Memorial Day.  I wonder who lived here years ago?  A nice thought.  I wonder how it would be to have lived here before the highway was put in?  The peace and quiet would have fed my soul.  

THINKING ABOUT Memorial Day.  MONDAY.  Thankful we have a strong military to protect our citizens.  They deserve recognition and thanks for their service.  This special day is also dedicated to loved ones and friends that have gone before us.  Decorating graves and taking time to remember them is customary.  

Memorial Day.  'Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.'  Karen Carpenter's song comes to mind as it was raining and it was a Monday.  The ground was saturated and easy to sink in some mud.

Laying a wreath at my Dad's grave, I stood in the rain under a umbrella.  He has been gone almost 4 and a half years.  That doesn't seem possible.   54 months.  My poor Mother still is having difficulties without him.  

Visited my older brother in a nursing home with my Mom.  Lately he has been falling, losing weight and is frail.  One good point was his mind was clear and he made sense when he talked. There have been times he didn't so this was refreshing to hear.  We were allowed to sit in the same area as him and not be behind a glass window.  It seems that they are being more lenient with visits in the same room without masks.  Perhaps there is some normalcy beginning.           

We spent some time with my Mom and ended up in the Hospital ER due to her high blood pressure.  She is experiencing extremely high blood pressure.  Scary high.  Stroke territory.  She had gone to the emergency room the night before and was told to come back the next day for check up to have her BP checked.  I was glad to go with her.  

A nice visit and off we drove HOME in the rain.

Buffalo were out grazing some pastures so we observed them from afar until something spooked them causing them to stampede in the opposite direction.  This herd had quite a few baby calves nursing on their Moms.    

We stopped off in small town America for a few minutes to see Daughter and Grand.  When we finally got HOME, I was ready to take my shoes off and sit.

TUESDAY.  Yesterday was a very full day for me as I had two medical appointments, bills to pay, chores to run and much driving to do to get around.  SO much construction work about town and on the highways.  Recalling the days events.  

Busy day, but a pleasant one as the weather was nice with a light breeze.  Part of the time, I had my window down on the car enjoying a gentle breeze blowing inside my car.  My hair was in a pony tail, so it wasn't like I had to have a good hair day.  No make-up and fresh faced.  Lunch in the car under a shade tree and supper at a new restaurant.  We had supper early so there were discounts and few people to distract us.

But I forgot that I wanted to go buy some soup spoons.  Oops.  How'd that happen?  I'll return another day to buy some soup spoons that match my silverware set.  As much soup as I have been eating lately having a soup spoon would be a blessing.  That special ritual one does while eating soup using a comfortable spoon to dip the portion out and place in mouth would be helpful.

TUESDAY.  Early appointment... which meant I drank a V8 for my breakfast.  Self checked in for medical appointment.  I was weighed and it was the same weight as at HOME on our scales.  Home scales are accurate.  I lost a little more weight.  Pleased about that.  Forging ahead in this downsizing journey.  

30 minutes later the appointment was completed, went for iced tea, drove HOME for paperwork I forgot, made a Bank deposit and shopped at the newest DOLLAR TREE in Manhattan.  The store was nearly spotless.  Nice shopping experience.  The mask mandate had been lifted.  I don't know how to behave.  

Lunch was a Wendy's salad in the car.  I was starved and this meal tasted great.  Paid the house payment.  Off to Target for bra shopping and other supplies.  Rested then went to Physical Therapy appointment.  I exercised and felt it.  Pretty tired afterwards.  Shall see if I am sore later. 

I could see my huge figure in a mirror while exercising and it didn't rest well with me.  I have to take ownership of how I look.  Lord, I beseech thee.  Let the weight come off and bless me with keeping in mind what I should eat and drink.  Give me energy and ambition to exercise so I can be healthier.  Please.  In Jesus name I pray.  AMEN.    

While in MANHATTAN, I wanted to locate a health food restaurant which led us to a business that sells smoothies.  Closest thing to a health food restaurant around here.  I miss People's Grocers which folded up where you could order organic foods for lunch.  Not sure this area has a restaurant like that anymore that serves organic meals and snacks.  

As we sat outside, we noticed a new restaurant on the corner, NICO'S Little Italy.  Decided to eat supper there.  It was wonderful.  Not rushed.   

 

I had a large tomato and lettuce salad with Kalamata Olives.  Drank water.  Very nice experience.  Slow paced meal and no clean up.  Will return when I can eat small portion of spaghetti with meatball again.  Hubby had this and I told him, 

I want to return when I can have that!  grins.

The meatball was the size of his fist.

After Supper, I drove HOME and rested.  Took a nap.  Ahhh.  Wonderful.  Ready for the rest of the evening.  Sometimes I need a POWER NAP.  

WEDNESDAY.  SOME GOOD OLD FASHIONED HOUSEKEEPING needs to take place today.  Quick to vacuum and dust for a house blessing.  Vacuum the Living room and Dining room.  Some laundry will need to be done.  AND I should walk through a exercise video.  

Watched a good PG-13 2004 movie, HIDALGO.  

I liked it.  In 2004 it was viewed as a disappointment, but not to me. It's a clean movie and family friendly.  Perhaps that's why it was viewed as a disappointment by the critics. 

Hidalgo is a 2004 epic biographical western film based on the legend of the American distance rider Frank Hopkins and his mustang Hidalgo. It recounts Hopkins' racing his horse in Arabia in 1891 against Bedouins riding pure-blooded Arabian horses. The movie was written by John Fuscoand directed by Joe Johnston. It stars Viggo Mortensen, Zuleikha Robinson, and Omar Sharif.

WEDNESDAY.  TODAY, I have the French doors open letting fresh air inside.  Listening to the neighborhood children play across the street.  Birds are chirping and I have begun dusting the Living room's wood floors.  I'll vacuum in a moment.  I found myself watching videos of TINY HOUSES.  One was so cute that it gave me ideas for decorating the cottage.

All in a days work of surfing the net.

God bless you and your HOME.

HOPE Memorial Day was uplifting to you,

d👵

HOME On The Range

THE FOURTH OF JULY blended into a long week-end where the fireworks were observed from our front yard with small town america having one of the best and longest FIREWORKS SHOWS in the state of K A N S A S.  Pictures later this week. 

A 30 minute presentation took place at dark topping off a day of walking in the City Park to view vintage automobiles and trucks.  We walked through the Museum as well as the Historical buildings opened to the public.  

ABIGAIL the Museum Buffalo 

was a sight for sore eyes. 

I did have a small amount of HOME-MADE STRAWBERRY Ice-cream to help cool off as I felt faint from it all.  This being a Thyroid Cancer Survivor has side effects that I was not told about.  The 'one day a pill for the rest of your life' doesn't highlight the other things that are going haywire in the body.  I have not stabilized on my TSH numbers the entire time I have been without my thyroid.  sigh.  It's maddening.

No carnival rides this year as I walked HOME in the heat. 

HOT DOGS for supper.  The all beef dogs still had corn syrup in them amongst other additives that are surely not good for you, but the plump up flavor of these dogs was outstanding in a bun topped with mustard, ketchup and relish.

OUR CELEBRATION MEAL was centered around the ALL AMERICAN HOT DOGS, potato chips, St. Clair's Potato Salad, Bush's Baked beans and a home-made cuc salad.  Root beer and water to drink.  Ice cream would come later and I'm still waiting to bake brownies to serve warm from the oven.  
The Potato Salad is awesome.  Creamy good.  The calories are outrageous for a 1/2 cup serving of this delicious stuff.  OUTRAGEOUS.



CURUMBA.  I must have had 5 cups of this stuff instead of a dainty helping.  BUT who's counting calories?  Well, I sorta am.  Unfortunately.  Still aiming for more vitamins and veggies.  

MY HOUSE KEEPING BLESSING TODAY is: 
Wiping down the Bathroom's sink and toilet.  Sanitized.  This afternoon I have got to crawl around on the floor dusting the wood floor then using the electric vacuum to suck up dirt from the area rugs.  My goal this afternoon is to dust and vacuum the Living room and Dining room.  The Kitchen needs a serious going over in the worst way.  Company is expected to come by next week and if I get after it I will have finished my HOME BLESSING in time to share with loved ones in the comfort of our HOME.

Hubby has been overhauling the water pump of the old car we have the privilege of calling our own.  He has put umpteen hours into working under the hood of our GOLDIE.  God help him be successful.  He gives it his all and it takes time out of our life.  Fighting to save money so the auto doesn't go to the shop.

I am sipping cold coffee after eating Chinese Food Leftovers that were decent.  Deliberately ate more veggies.  Only 2 slices of potato, a cup of long green beans and 1/2 cup of broccoli.  A slice of raw carrot.  My stomach is content.  I can enjoy the coffee and finish air drying my hair as I type.  

By 2 in the afternoon I will put my work clothing on and begin tweaking in the KITCHEN.  Dishes away.  The floor swept and items in the center of the room boxed and hidden until later when I can decide where they should go.  A quick fix doesn't always mean order.

Late in the evening I will watch the PBS series JAMESTOWN.  The costuming is spectacular along with the stage setting filmed in Hungary.  The scenery is very convincing to the layman.  Almost finished with season three.  As I learn about the characters of the show I become attached to JAMESTOWN of 1620ish. 

I am blessed.
I have running water and air conditioning.
Food on the table and clothes on my back.
Time to sit and type out my thoughts.  
HOME on the range is truly a 1883 house on the prairie in the year 2019,
d 

Kansas Buffalo

Picture found on the internet, but what I saw looked similar.

Did it again.....left home without it....my camera.
Yesterday the temps were in the 20s so we had to bundle up to greet the day.  Powdered blue skies with no moisture.  Sun shining.  Wind blowing.  Stopped off at the Library to return some movies, purchased some 50 cent videos and hardback books that they had for sale.

Traveled on over to Manhattan to have lunch with Hubby and then do a little grocery shopping.  Needed some Cheese Sticks, Milk, Micro-wave Popcorn and Baby Carrots.  Wasn't overly hungry so I had a Bagel with Creamed Cheese and Strawberry Jam.  Sipped on the Chef Cafe House Brew.  Thought this might warm me up.  Chilled to the bone due to the Kansas Wind.  

Decided to keep the trip short and get home before it turned any colder.  The temps continue to drop.

On the way home, THE BUFFALO were out grazing the pasture by the Interstate and it was then that I WISHED I HAD MY CAMERA.  I would have captured The Herd.  Only in the movies have I seen Buffalo running.  I drove down the side road which I'll just call BUFFALO ROAD to watch the Buffalo for a spell so Lil Miss could see them as well.

When I did, it was as if one of the mature Buffalo was showing off.  He started to run toward us from way across the field even though we were in the car.  Perhaps he thought we had come to feed him on this ultra cold day.  As he ran, we could see his breath in the air as he galloped.  A magnificent sight to behold.

He stopped and turned to run the opposite direction.  Came back and ran on the ridge of a hill.  All four legs were going in the same direction at the same time.  Spell bound and amazed that these large creatures can move at a fast rate.  Imagining a stampede of a herd.

Baby Buffalo were romping and playing in the distance.  They didn't seem to mind the cold.  If I could have stayed longer to observed them, I would have.........in the comfort of my car.

It's moments like this that I want to remember.

Went on to pick up the Post Office mail and head home for a coffee break.  Sorta tired and ready to sit.
d