A Visit To Iowa

Dick and I spent the weekend in Runnells, Iowa.  Outside of visiting with our family, we attended Phyllis' High School Alumni Banquet with four of us who represented the class of 1959.  All those who graduated from the school were celebrating.  Phyllis only had 16 in her graduating class and five have already passed, so four was pretty good...but we did have a great time.  Dick attended with us even though he didn't attend that school.

Jeanette Grossnickle Cashatt, Ralph Busby, Phyllis De Joode Connett and Janice Kain Thomas

Saturday we visited four different cemeteries checking out the family who have gone before us.  All the cemeteries were beautifully decorated with the flowers and flags.

This tree was bad but instead of cutting all down, an artist came in and created an "angel" to look over the cemetery.

My mother and fathers grave site.  There were seven we decorated and could have done a lot more.

Dick with his sisters Alice and Bobbi, visiting his grandmothers grave site.

Again Dick with his sisters standing over their parents grave site.

We also had time to visit the Runnells museum.  This is in an old church where Phyllis attended as a child.  The town has bought the building and have created a very nice museum for all to enjoy.  The chair below belonged to Phyllis' family and all the kids once sat in this chair for their meals....If you haven't visited the museum you need to do so.

There were many interesting items that were all so familiar from the town and our family.  Below is an old "singer" sewing machine which I used growing up.  The black long wool skirt is one my great-great grandmother made and wore.  Notice the piece where my mother had once started to make another quilt for the family.  In the background is the original equipment from the town barber shop.  So many of our relation (including my sister Barb) who works so hard to keeping the museum organized for all to enjoy.

And of course we had to eat.  Had a great meal with sister Barb and her family.  This particular meal our youngest daughter Carrie prepared for us.  There was a lot more besides these pictures....

We just purchased an iron skillet for her and a iron skillet cookbook, so she had to give it a try.  A huge granny apple pie.  We headed back to Freeport to accomplish a few things and will be going back to Iowa next weekend for the big family reunion.   FUN, FUN, FUN....