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Before landing in Tucumcari on Friday evening, I discovered that Marshall had eaten his leash. How am I to walk this beast? Not to worry, Mom. I love you. He was a perfect gentleman. After all, he knows who feeds him. On the way to Elephant Butte yesterday I took pictures of the black-eyed Susans taking over the high desert. Not to worry again. When I arrived home, they had taken over Marshall's west 4o of the property. It's good to be home. From emails and correspondence in route, I'll have a busy week. One of the pictures is of "a weed" in the front yard that was quite beautiful. As of tomorrow, it's history. As I was checking out my pictures, I forgot some of the wild flowers I shot along the way on Friday. I guess I need to get a book to identify them. I just can't pass up beautiful flowers. Mom always said that I had to marry a florist or a doctor to take care of my bronchial asthma. My sccond husband Gary the surveyor measured the land and all its flowers. When we were out on a job, he hated it when I would pick up "pretty" rocks for my garden. Needless to say, I thank God for my wonderful life!

This picture is in the woods on Bernie's property. I couldn't resist the beautiful wild ferns.


Yesterday I drove from Jackson, TN to Henryetta, OK. The weather finally cleared after lunch. Most of the rain was only drizzle. No opportunity to take pictures. I have to get the oil changed in the truck. Luckily there's a Pennzoil place up the street. I saw the strangest thing in Russellville, AK. There's a thing that looks like a nuclear power facility that was spewing smoke all over. If it hadn't been drizzling, the effect of the smoke would have been more pronounced. Many years ago on a cross-country trip with Tess Lopez in the RV, we attempted to stay at a state park on the lake adjacent to the facility. The smell in the water was too awful to stay. If this is the way this facility operates, I can't believe the residents don't complain. Darn, I should have taken a picture, but again there was no opportunity to stop. Marshall is just going to have to learn to take pictures. On Wednesday for dinner, I made my green bean, tuna and tomato salad with my sister's home-grown green beans and tomatoes. The green beans were awesome. Thanks, Diane. I'm looking forward to another one tonight.

I forgot to mention the really great dinner I had Tuesday at Beef O'Brady's in LaGrange, Ky. It was a black and bleu burger with 2 onion rings and lettuce and tomatoe on a toasted bun. Very tasty. Yesterday was wild and crazy. I went through a monsoon outside of Louisville. It was terribly puckering. On 65 south, a young woman going north crossed the grass median in front of 3 semi's and me and ended up on our right bank. I'll never forget the look on her face. I guess angels were watching over us. Then there were the two fat ladies stuffing their faces in the left lane going under the speed limit. I'm surprised one of the truckers didn't try to run them off the road. I'll be leaving Jackson, TN hopefully not running into too many storms. I've been watching the weather channel trying to get a heads-up on the storms. My experience from yesterday is too fresh in my mind. There are a lot of hurricane survivors at this motel. When we get out of this rain, I hope to take some more pictures.

Tonight Marshall and I are 20 miles east of Louisville, KY. It is hot and humid; something we have not suffered the whole trip. Garmina did an excellent job getting me here. I guess I'm learning to understand her better. I'm working on Humane Society issues as I travel so I'll be up to speed when I get home. I haven't picked my route for tomorrow yet; whatever it is, I hope it's picture-worthy. I'm being a little backward. This morning Diane and I had a tearful parting; Lily gave me a hug before she left for her first day in third grade. I should have taken her picture; she looked so sweet! I just had to post this picture of Annabelle in the pool Sunday. We all had so much fun.

I had a fantastic weekend. On Saturday I had my Sharon High School reunion and took some pictures of people at my table and my cousin Teddy Snyderwine and his wife Darla. On Sunday, John and Diane had a picnic and a lot of his family was in attendance. There are pictures as proof. Today we did nothing but play in the pool.

Apollo Not on the Moon

I went to Apollo, PA last Saturday to visit my cousin Bernie. His family was having a birthday party for him to help celebrate 79 years. Marshall was the hit of the party running from one end of the property to the other. One of my pictures shows the Russian chapel that Bernie built. He copied the design from those he saw on one of his many trips to Russia. On Sunday we visited cousin Maryann and her husband Vince at their golf course in Saltzburg, PA. We toured the house being built by her son Larry for his son Michael and his wife who is expecting a baby next week. Pictured are Bernie, Maryann, Larry and Michael. She was a big help with the genealogy portion of our visit. I think we could have talked for days. Bernie and I went to dinner at Red Lobster in Monroeville and had great food and a good time. Monday morning cousin Bill Grebosky came by and we discussed more genealogy. He is going to visit more cousins in Export, PA and get me a copy of my grandfather's naturalization papers. Pictures include: the inside and outside of Bernie's new house and some grandchildren fishing at the gazebo on the pond. The property is beautiful and I have many more pictures. I came home Tuesday in time to meet Lily and Diane at an Italian restaurant in Hermitage. Plans are being made for a big picnic for Sunday, because we want a day to rest before the "world starts to turn" again on Tuesday.

Tuesday was a busy day.

We went to the Outlet Mall in Grove City and got some killer deals at

Vanity Fair. Then we stopped for an excellent lunch at The Iron Bridge. Then we went over to Dan and Jess's new house to watch the twins and Annabelle while Danny cut the lawn. Wednesday I had lunch with Sandy and then went over to her house to look through the reunion booklet and reminisce. Diane cooked walleye wrapped in foil on the grill and I made green chili rice. Johnny invited some friends over to help eat all the food. We did our walk this morning in record time and I'm having lunch at the Sharon Rotary Club. Then I'm going to spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool. What a great vacation! Pictures: Diane and Dannie; Lily and Kaylee; Diane and Lily at the outlet mall.

Busy Weekend

Erie Canal lock along the Shenango River

Top right picture: Queen Anne's Lacy taken this morning on our walk

Bottom left picture: Cousins Carol and Leah and Leah's husband Joe; Bottom right: Fran and Steve Kusmus at class reunion; Far bottom right: Great-neice Annabelle wearing water balloons

The ice-breaker Friday night was a lot of fun, but slightly embarrassing. I didn't know anyone but Sandy and Steve Kusmus; however, everyone knew me. I didn't take any pictures, because Allegra's husband is putting together a DVD. Everyone seemed the same; the nice people were nice, and those that I remember as being not so nice were the same. Saturday evening at the country club we had name tags and things were a lot more comfortable. The food was excellent and we even had a two-man band that was quite good. My pictures turned out lousy, so I'm counting on Allegra's husband and anyone else (and there were quite a few who were taking pictures) to help me out. I was home by 10 PM and everyone was in bed. Before I went to the reunion, Mike brought the walleye and promised to be back early on Sunday. That didn't happen because he hurt his back lifting a TV and couldn't sit long enough to drive over here. Sunday was a slight disappointment because Michael couldn't make it and none of Leah or Carol's kids could make it. So the picnice was just Leah, Joe, Carol, Larry, John, Diane, Johnny, Danny, Annabelle, the babies Dannie and Kaylee, Jaymie, David and Lily. Marshall was under everyone's feet playing with a dead field mouse. We defrosted half of the walleye and Diane cooked it in her deep fryer. It was the hit of the picnic. John smoked a turkey, Diane and I made a huge salad, and Carol and Leah brought dessert, and some fantastic beets and macaroni and cheese. We were stuffed. After all the anticipation, preparation, food and clean-up, I was exhausted and went to bed at 8 PM. This morning Diane, Marshall and I went for our almost 5 mile walk and I got some great pictures of flowers.

Today was nice and relaxing. I should have taken some pictures at the pool, but was too busy soaking up the sun. After all, I can't let my tan fade. Diane and I went for our almost 5 mile walk this morning accompanied by Marshall checking all the smells the whole way. I was trying to identify all the wild flowers and brush along the way. I need to quit relaxing and get some pictures of all this stuff. Marshall got bored and ate his leash last night, so we had to go to Walmart today to get him a new one. I'm off to my pre-class reunion cocktail party at 7 PM. These people would be surprised to know that I ususally go to bed between 8 and 9. Perhaps I should be taking a nap right now.

Yesterday was probably the most frustrating of the trip. At lunch time I stopped east of Indianapolis after congratulating Garmin for getting me through Indy with such ease. I called my sister Diane to tell her that I would probably arrive in Greenville late afternoon. I told her that if something came up, I'd call her (little did I know). On the outskirts of Columbus, I noticed some by-passes that Garmin should have warned me about, but nothing happened. When I got to a point where I was going to go through downtown Columbus, I gave up and pulled off. Garmin had lost her voice. I pulled into a park and played with all the buttons and got out the directions. I don't know what I did, but she finally started working. And when we got back on the interstate, she wanted to take me to Cleveland and I wanted to go to Wheeling, so I shut her off. I might turn her on later this morning, if she talks nicely. I had to call Diane and tell her I'd be there after lunch. No pictures yesterday even though the weather was beautiful. We are at a nice Comfort Inn in Zanesville and will pick up I-79 a few miles east of here and head north. Marshall continues to be the perfect travel companion. Garmin, the bitch, should take lessons from him. When we were coming in from our walk this morning, a trucker was standing outside his room staring down the corridor. He didn't hear or see us, and you should have seen the look on his face when Marshall walked up and sniffed his crotch. It scared him to death. He said, "I thought I'd been eaten." I apologized and he petted Marshall. I told him to have a good day. I'm sure that surprised him, because no one around here says anything like that. I'm off to get a shower and get on the road. I hope to have pictures later on today.

It was another interesting day on the road. Kansas is a total speed trap and the motorists do obey the law. I had a local sheriff watch me for several miles and then turn around. The state police were also very active. I was a good girl and followed all the good Kansas people. My Garmin is finally working properly and is directing me to PA, although she whines when I stop at roadside rests, gas stations, and restaurants. Trucks dominate the interstate and there is still a lot of building in spite of the notion that times are hard in our country. I think it depends on where you are. The rest stops in Illinois are beautiful, so I captured the outside of one. There bathrooms are gross. My other picture is of Marshall telling me which bed he wants. The whole thing was staged: he knows he's not allowed on the bed. It took way too much energy for me to get him up there, but he loves the camera; it's almost as good as a treat.

I had all kinds of weather yesterday. It was mostly cloudy with light misty rain and very little sunshine until I got here to Emporia. I stopped in Dodge City and toured their museum and Boot Hill. It was very commercial and expensive, but interesting. I hate to take pictures when there's no sun. Marshall continues to be the perfect dog. He picks up on changes in routine very quickly. It's time to get on the road again. I've got to take the interstates from here on out, or I won't get there by Thursday.

Well, here we are in Guymon, OK. We achieved our first scheduled stop. Marshall has been the perfect companion. We take our potty breaks together and when I pour water for him to drink, he drinks it. I still haven't manage to make him lick his chops, so he doesn't get water all over the place. We are staying at a Comfort Inn. The other places didn't want Marshall, and they were so crummy, I didn't think humans should stay there. I had dinner at a mediocre Chinese buffet. Ugh! The pictures are from our first stop west of Mountainair. I'm afraid that this trip is going to be the same as my others as far as picture-taking is concerned. When I see something I want to snap, I can't find a place to stop, and when I do stop, the opportunity is gone. I guess I'm going have to teach Marshall to operate the camera. The kids are going to be upset because I can't call them tonight. I have no cell phone service. They'll just have to check the blog. My bluetooth didn't work either, because my ear piece needed charging. Tomorrow should be better.

Rain

I love it. It means I don't have to worry about watering, but the down side is the weeds. I don't intend to get rid of them before I leave for PA. Unless Marty and Sue weed while I'm gone, I'll have a monumental task in September. I have so much to do to get ready for my trip to my 50th high school reunion, but I seem frozen with things whirling through my head and lists to be made. I talked to cousin Bernie Thursday and he is anxious for my visit. I talked to Diane the same night and I warn everyone that I have a DOG. It doesn't seem to phase anyone. Bernie could only talk about our cousin Bill Grebosky and how he was going to come meet me. I am thrilled. The Grebosky side of the family is mystery and intrigue to me. Last year when I was there, it was for genaology purposes and I didn't accomplish as much as I wanted. I did stir up a few people. I'm in charge of setting up a meeting of the Schultz and Petricini cousins, so I'd better get in gear.

Really Great Weekend

I honestly don't know why I have two blogs; however, this one has been sorely neglected. Marty and Sue and I had a wonderful time on the lake this weekend.

Sunday the skyscapes were magnificent, but we neglected to bring a camera. And then, while we were exploring coves and canyons, we found some young people who were extreme mountain-biking off of the cliffs. It was quite a treat, and then they gave up because they ran out of memory in their camera, and we felt like we needed to explore some other places. Susie took a picture with her cell phone, and we do know where that spot is. I guess what we thought we were doing was going back to "Burgers & Buns." I think Marty was hungry. We all had fun driving the boat, but ended up at Lost Canyon playing in the water and telling lies.

Saturday, Annette cut Sue's hair while Marty and I sat in the bar and talked to Eddie and Mo. The happenings with the water board are very interesting, and Eddie agrees with all my theories. I'm so glad that is behind me: what an education. Mo and Eddie confirmed that Patch Roses' brain cancer is back. I feel so bad for him; he is so young.

Then we went to The Club for dinner and Mariah Heschler ran into me in the lobby and had to tell me about everything. She has three wonderful boys. She is the size of a peanut and her husband is a giant. She is teaching south of Las Cruces where she lives and had a huge camera around her neck that could have knocked her over. Plus, it was her 10th class reunion and she wanted me to come. Sarah Stagner was in that class and she came by our table telling us about her American Idol try-out. We all ordered Fish & Chips and it was very good.

Well, today it's Monday and it's another round of wonderful living. Thank you, God.

I LOVE this blogging thing. I'm learning so much when I take the time to get into it. I just finished reading a cute book by Fern Michaels that I think I read before, but it has consumed my whole day. I've had ants on my kitchen counter for the past two days, but I sprinkled it with Comet and I think they're gone. They were even in my hot pad shelf: stupid ants, there's nothing to eat there. I've been looking at other people's blogs to know how to do mine. It seems most people use it for an outlet for their business, only on a more personal scale and talk about their lives and families. I guess this has replaced scrubbing floors from when I was raising kids. This a really cool picture of "Squawk" our ballooning friends special shapes balloon taken at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta about 2003. My husband and I sponsored these ballooners at our Elephant Butte Regatta for 10 years and all of our family got to ride in their balloons. What a great time!

How My Blog Got Its Name

I guess I would probably scare off any readers if I called myself "kapusta" mama. It's really hard to think up cool names when you're posting in cyberspace, so I decided to use the translation of my childhood nickname Kapusta which means cabbage in Polish. I feel like Paul Harvey and the Rest of the Story. Then I chose the green color to represent shiny, new cabbage heads, since this is a new experience for me. And one that I'm having a lot of fun learning. I must leave off from this frivolity to read a story that a young lady is allowing me to look at. She's visiting her mom from out of state and fancys herself as a writer. Who am I to judge? But you know old English teachers never die, they just go on to read everyone else's work. Ciao, for now!