Misty, my new kitten

Here are some scenes of my new kitten, Misty, as she is having fun with one of the bags I use to carry things to and from the library. She has been enjoying the warmth of being inside during these cold Iowa days but does spend a lot of time gazing out the patio door where she often sees her mom, the neighborhood's "wild mama". This mama cat had 4 late summer kittens which I was told wouldn't survive unless someone "rescued" them. I thus decided to once again keep a cat for myself (I once owned several when I lived in Missouri back in the 1960s and then later owned two gorgeous white Persians while in New Mexico) and so Misty is now "rescued" until warmer weather returns at least.

Ice Sailing

Caught this picture of one of our local ice "sailors" yesterday on our now frozen Black Hawk Lake. Unfortunately the close up picture caught him moving thus the blurry image. So far we are having much less snow than this time last year but a "more significant" snowfall is forecast for later in these final days of 2010. These shots were taken from inside my lakeside home where it remains nice and cozy with my wonderful gas fireplace that was installed just a year ago. Ice fishermen have also been out ON the lake in their little huts as well as the snowmobilers. Haven't seen any trucks yet but with our below freezing temps. it may not be long before a few trucks will be seen as well. I am already looking forward to seeing BOATs go by my home instead of snowmobilers!!!

Our town's "new blue" look!

Here is a view of the new winter decorations to our downtown light poles. The silvery white garlands and corresponding white on blue banners so beautifully enhance our new blue street lights - street lights that at first caused somewhat of a "stir" among some residents until one got used to them! I think now the majority of our residents really find our uniquely colored utility poles to be quite an attraction to our small town. The deer and sleigh in the background are also a new addition.

The smaller picture shows how these unique poles looked shortly after being installed this past summer. Winter snow makes them really stand out in my opinion. I hear that some travelers come just to see our "new blue" look!

Storm of December 11, 2010!! A Night to Remember

This damaged gate to my home was minor compared to the trauma 11 college students and one 1 high school student had to deal with the afternoon of December 11, 2010. These 12 young people (some of who are pictured here) left Lincoln, NE at 11:00 a.m. headed for Storm Lake, Iowa and Buena Vista College. They got as far as the small town of Odebolt, Ia. around 3:00 p.m. in the midst of a growing blizzard. Their road to Storm Lake was closed to even snow plows so they opted to drive the 15 miles to my hometown since two of the students knew where I lived. It took them close to 3 hours to drive that 15 miles!!! As one student said, "it was the grace of God" that got them through zero visibility. To add to their dilemma, there was a snow drift so high just 4 houses from mine that was impassable causing them to even have to walk the rest of the way to warmth and food!!

My personal Christmas decorations

A few of my personal home decorations for this year. Of course, the real reason for the season is the Nativity scene which includes a miniature nativity "tree" that lights up. Then NOTICE my unique palm tree!! Since I won't be having any family "home for Christmas this year" I decided I didn't need a traditional tree. The 3rd item is a musical skating snowbear that also lights up. If you should happen to visit my home you will also see a lighted pueblo village on my fireplace ledge which represents my love of the Southwest. My fireplace has gotten a lot of use already this year!! Stay warm!

Library Moving Day 2010

Here are some scenes of a busy day of emptying out an entire library of ALL its contents!! Thanks to the many volunteers and city employees the library was ready for the foundation work needed to level and stabilize the floor. Two large trucks like the one seen here were donated for use by a local businessman and other large items were stored in churches and our local museum. We are still not entirely open as there has been a delay in delivery of the carpet for our childrens' area but we officially opened this week of November 22nd. The president of our library board has earned a "round of applause" for all the volunteer hours and stress filled hours she has given toward the completion of this awesome task. She will be ready for her annual trek south to warmer weather after the holiday season!!

Sega Fredo, Fl

After having to de-ice my windshield this a.m. I am wishing I were back in Florida!!! These sunny, warm scenes are where my son works on Lincoln Road, a high tourist outdoor-mall like area in Miami Beach. It is an area of about 5 blocks of outdoor eating places and a variety of shops. There is no east to west vehicle traffic from one end to the other which is what makes it a unique outdoor mall.

Deep, Deep Snow

Our first major snowfall since last winter fell 6 days ago and we still have some heavy piles of snow around. These pictures show how deep the snow was on my two lakeside deck tables-one measured 11 inches and the wrought iron table measured 8 1/2 inches!!! Fortunately since these are on the south side of my home all the snow has since melted. That is not the case on my northside drive way!! Oh, to be back in Florida where I was last month!

Miscellaneous Fall Pictures

How about these extremely different pictures I recently took!! The beautiful fall tree is in the backyard of an Omaha, NE. friend, the center picture is what trees look like year round in Miami, Fl., and the sunset picture was another picture taken from my own lakefront yard! Since returning from Florida in mid-October, Iowa has been a roller coaster of temps. I returned to very chilly weather, then somewhat warmer to then cold enough to light my fireplace and now these past few days have felt like summer!! Did hear some good news this a.m. with a local tv weather lady saying Iowa WON'T be having as bad a winter as last year. Hooray!!!

Scenes from Miami

Notice all the traffic here!! That is one of the reasons I no longer live here but enjoy visiting my children who do enjoy the big city life. As a librarian I always like to visit different libraries. This one in North Miami Beach is quite small but within walking distance from my son's home.
Fortunately my two week visit this past month included great weather with little to none humidity --- until the day I left. One of these pictures shows the scenic high rise view my dauther has from her place of employment with Zyscovich Architects. She works on the 27th floor that overlooks the Bay of Biscayne and Bayside. The boat picture was taken at ground level at Bayside, a very high tourist area where one can take rental boat rides, shop and eat and attend various outdoor concerts, etc.

Enroute to Florida from Iowa

My 3 day drive from Iowa to Florida included several rest stops. Thought this rest area near Iowa City was quite unique. The Florida one was visited on my 3rd day of driving. It took all of day 3 to cross the northern part of Florida and then all the way south to Miami Beach. I was blessed with good weather the entire trip and arrived in busy Miami Beach just after sunset. The middle picture shows the view across the street from my son's new home in North Miami Beach. As I experienced the 2 years I lived in this city, the heavy traffic hasn't lessened ONE BIT!! One reason I love small town life if Iowa.

In memory of Kirk Hansen

This is one of my last pictures of a very dear friend taken at this year's Kid's Pioneer Day. Kirk will be remembered by many for his out going personality, his willingness to help in any situation, and as seen here his interest in history. He will be missed by not only his family as seen in the other two pictures posted here but by his many friends both in Omaha, NE. and here in small town Lake View. Heaven is even better with Kirk's arrival as he continues to visit with old and new friends as he was known to do in great length while here on Earth. Hope to see you again soon, dear friend.

more travel scenes

If you haven't figured it out yet, I love to take sky pictures. This one was taken on my way home from Red Oak, Iowa, after stopping in Elk Horn to visit this Danish windmill gift shop. Then later I tried out a great Danish restaurant next door to the windmill and ate an absolutely delicious and tender roast beef sandwich! Any one of Danish ancestry must plan a visit to this unique town. The log cabin pictured here is found in Red Oak. I didn't get to go inside and be able to see how it compares to one we just restored here in Lake View so will have to plan for that on another trip to southern Iowa someday.

Scenes from Red Oak, Iowa

I just recently attended an historical preservation convention in Red Oak, Iowa, and of course had to visit this unique library. I learned that they are still in the process of re-shelving and organizing items from their major renovation project of over a year ago. Hopefully it won't take as long for Lake View's library to be re-shelved and organized come this November. This is our last week for patrons to get any books they want to read during our closure.

Storm clouds - Sept. 15

Had to stop along the highway last night on my way home from Carroll, Ia. to take these sky shots!! The stormy picture was taken east and the sunnier ones were taken from the same roadside stop but facing west!! Awesome!! Right!? In fact I had barely pulled into my home before the storm from the east started pouring rain in my area around the lake.

The end of a season

Summer is almost over for 2010 and with it ends not only the many boaters who will "hang out" in the town bay area and the campers who camp at our two campgrounds, the one pictured is at 30 Acres BUT a very sad ending is seen with the sale of a special lake "icon"- the East End dining facility pictured here. It was just recently auctioned off and it will probably not be another eating place as it has been for many, many years. In years past boaters could not only boat up to the place but one could even gas up their boats from the dock seen in this picture. The gas pumps went out several years ago but it has remained a popular eating place up until recently. What will the area become in the future is not known at this time. Plans for another restuarant are "in the works" to be near our new Boulders Inn and Suites Motel but until that becomes a reality the above pictured restaurant has now disappeared in the annuls of Lake View's history.

Pioneer Sing a long 2010

NEW EVENT! This is another new "pioneer" event I initiated to bring people to visit our wonderful newly renovated log cabin -- a "pioneer sing a long"! We had 35 people attend this first endeavor and the weather cooperated perfectly --until of course close to closing when the mosquiotos came out! Because of a special grand opening at the museum and the fact I was suffering from a bad leg we opted to eat and sing closer to the museum and on flatter ground rather than up the hill close to the actual log cabin. A special thanks to my helpers who provided the fire pit for the hot dogs and marshmellows, a fellow Garden Club member who manned the food table and of course, my music director.