Life in a Small Town

Let's face it. Living in a small town has its pros and cons. Some say smalltown life is not for them. Everyone knows your business, job opportunities are not prevalent, and retail necessities are limited. I get it. There's some truth to that. But others say smalltown living is the only way to go. The whole community looks out for one another, the cost of living is generally more affordable, and you just can't beat smalltown "nice".

I'm one who agrees with the latter. I wouldn't live any other way! (Besides - have you seen my city driving?) Oh, I agree. Sometimes news does travel faster than a toupee in a hurricane. And that "hometown nice" - it may be tested if you accidently say something unpleasant to a friend about their relative. Yikes! Need I mention that eighty percent of us are also related? Yep! Sixty plus years and I'm still learning who is related to who!

But ya know, this smalltown thing isn't really that bad. We may not have a Scooters on every corner, and we're certainly not just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the symphony or a broadway play, but does it really matter? Most of us would pass on any of those distinquished events, just as long as we can watch our high school boys play on the gridiron or basketball court on Friday night.

So the last couple of weeks, small God winks have gently reminded me of why I have chosen to live most of my life in this small town. You know, life sure is pretty good here in Avoca, Iowa. Listen up and I think you'll agree.

The other day, a local friend stopped by with a jar of fresh homemade salsa. And then another neighbor brought me a dozen eggs. He refuses to let me pay full price when he can get them from his daughter's farm for half. Only in a small town!

And remember when that windstorm went threw town and played havic on our trees? I dreaded going out to clean up the mess. But you know what? Before I could even grab a pair of gloves, another neighbor had already finished picking up all the broken branches and torn leaves. Only in a small town!

And sometimes, I swear there's a sixth sense between us. When I was feeling a bit melancholoy the other day, one of those local relatives gifted me with a very old picture of my father and his brothers. Amazing! And then, the very next day - another local dropped off old military photos of my mother's brothers. Both were such huge acts of kindness, especially since all those pictured are no longer with us! Only in a small town!

And here's one more "smalltown" moment. This one blew me away! A few days ago, a local gentleman called and informed me he was cleaning out his departed mother-in-law's belongings. She had been one of my elementary teachers - a favorite one at that. He, being an Avoca implant, must have fighure out my maiden name and he called to let me know he had something for me.

So here we are, just this week at a community event, when he hands me this envelope. I open it up, and much to my surprise is a picture of my third grade class AND - (Get This) - a poem, in my own 3rd grade handwriting,that I had masterfully created. OH MY GOODNESS! Do you have any idea how old that poem is? Well, let's just say, that paper had to be plenty dusty! Amazing! Only in a small town!

So friends, I'll argue you all day long as to where to live to experience the best life. But no matter where you live, I pray that you all experience at least once in your life- all the kindness and love - that you can find - always in a small town!!

Just the last two verses. Now you know why I don't post poems!!!

Memories

Are you ever like me - catching yourself wallowing in the memories of yesterday, when you know your focus should be on the here and now? It happens to me quite often, even when I'm trying my hardest to look ahead. However; I guess it's okay, as long as we relish the good times and learn from bad.

So yesterday, Jer and I celebrated our 45th anniversary, and with it came oodles of memories - some I can share and some I can't - but many of them could be labeled "firsts." So bear with me, as I open my book of "Yesterday." I wouldn't be surprised if your book is quite similar.

Firsts-
** The first time I met him.... We were at the bar and he was with a date. While she was in the ladies, he asked for my phone number. Of course I didn't give it to him. (After all - what lady gives out personal info to a man who's on a date with another woman!)

** Our first date.. Yep! He didn't give up on me. He bribed my cousins Keith and Kevin. They leaked my number, and as they say, the rest is history!

** Our first day as man and wife ... He forgot the ring!!! And while the soloist was singing, "You fill up my senses", he led the groomsmen in his own version of "You fill up my sinuses!" Lord have mercy!

** Our first home ... It must of been true love, cuz all the money in the world, couldn't get me to ever live there again!!!!!! (Enough said!)

** Our first vacation ... just a quick, little skiing trip to Colorado. Fun! However; a little "planning" may have been a good thing. A burnt out headlight on the way there, and an empty propane tank when we returned home, made the trip quite memorable. Yes, ice can form on the inside of windows when an old farmhouse is left without fuel to stoke the furnace. Needless to say, that was a really "cool" experience!

** Our first trip home with baby ... Scary!! What were we thinking? And by the way, what do I feed this kid? Of course the nurses asked if I had any questions before we left, but my bashful side quickly took precedence and sharply replied, "No!" Silly me!

**Our kids' first boo-boo, the first day of school, first ballgames, music concerts, and graduation - and all the time,as expected, he was the rock while I was the emotional mess! Thanks for being there honey. I couldn't have done it without ya!

** Our first loss... we weren't ready for this. Of course, you never are! However, it happened and we managed. Cuz we were TOGETHER!

** The first time we realized "tomorrow" is a day. We learned early in life that you've gotta plan for tomorrow, cuz if ya don't, it can nip ya in the butt! Right now, our "tomorrow" is today. We've worked hard, raised our kids, and reeped the benefits. We're finally retired and God willing, we'll continue living the good life for a long time to come. Yep! I'll wash and you dry, Baby. It's still teamwork from here on out!

And last but not least...
** The first time we realized "someday" is a day. Yep! It is and we have! And it's closer than you may think. So don't keep saying "someday" when you can do it today. TODAY - the present - the here and now! Make it a good one and live for today!

Yours May Have Been Super Man but Mine Was Popeye

Well it's Fathers Day - the day we all boast about the great dads we either have or had. In my case it's had... As much as I would love for him to still be around, there's nothing but memories left for me to cherish, and today I'm full of em.

Like many daughters, I remember my dad with much love and pride. Remember those younger years out on the play ground when we would argue about whose dad was best? Oh yeah!

"My dad's the best!"

"No! Mine is!"

"Well my dad's like Super Man!"

"So! My dad can beat up Verne Gagne!" (a 1960-70s all star wrestling hero, for those who don't remember.)

Yeah! We all put our dads on a pedestal, didn't we? And while you all compared your dads to a well known super hero, I compared my dad to a lesser known cartoon character. Popeye! Yep! Popeye! My dad was Popeye!

"Popeye?" you may have asked. "He musta liked spinach!"

Oh no! The only thing my dad liked out of a can was ice cold beer!
Anyway, it goes way, way back, and today that memory is so clear, I can almost reach out and touch it! My dad was Popeye!

You see, while I was growing up, often my dad would come home from a long day at work, and strip from the waist up, going down to his sleeveless, tank-type T-shirt, and then wash up for supper. With the washroom being right off the kitchen, us kids would wait at the kitchen table for mom to finish cooking and for dad to join us. I can still see it all - just like it was yesterday.

After a quick swish in the sink, many times my dad would pop out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, just like Tom Cruise with a microphone in Risky Business! He'd raise his hand to him mouth, clench his fist, and then stick out his thumb. Then he'd blow into that thumb like it was some kind of a blow pipe. Our eyes would grow bigger and bigger, as each breath caused his bicept to grow larger and larger! Soon his skinny little arm had the firmest, strongest bicept we had ever seen! What a show! We were all so impressed! We egged him on for more with hoots, and hollers, and thunderous claps! And then - he'd always follow-up with his special musical rendition of Popeye the Sailor Man.

"I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!

I like to go swimmin'

With bow legged women

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man!"

Such was the life at the Holtz Family supper table! Yep! My dad was the best!

You know, looking back, I never understood why the other moms in the neighborhood, always gave us a dirty look when we shared that song with their kids. I guess they just didn't appreciate good talent!

Miss ya dad!

Amenity - Convenience or Distraction?

When it's time to book a rental, do you pay much attention to the listed amenities? Are those promised niceties really worth the price tag, and do they truly make the vacation any more memorable? Sometimes I wonder about amenitites. Are they actually a convenience or could they possibly be a distraction? Hold on to that thought for a moment.

Recently the Jer-Bear and I went away for a few days. We were yearning for an early sign of spring, so we hopped in the car and headed south to the Ozarks - but not before doing our homework. Our research guided us to the perfect condo with all our required amenities - a fridge large enough to hold a week's supply of beverages, a sofa long enough to stretch out a 6 1/2 body, and a flatscreen TV vast enough to view from two room away. This week was going to be a couch potato week - no rules, no requirements, and no meetings. Splendid!

So upon our arrival, the condo appeared to be perfect. Key word "appeared". The furnishings were plush, the decor was divine, and the long couch was stategically placed in front of a humongous TV. But just one tap on the TV remote, and we soon realize we are short an amenity. Say what?

Knock, knock! Charlie, the property manager soon shows up and before you can say "how much wood could a woodchuck chuck," he announces, "Houston, we have a problem!"

Are you kidding me?

"Hotspot," Charlie announces. "What you two need is a hotspot."

A "hotspot?" Jer and I give each other a quick side-eye. Isn't that a bit personal?

Well, it turns out a "hotspot" is what you need when you have no router to power your smart TV. Yep! Someone had taken the router! But thanks to Charlie, he created a "hotspot" on Jer's cellphone and within minutes we were watching TV. Whew! Mission accomplished!

The next morning, we both are awaken to the sound of dinging cellphones. We simultaneously grab our phones as a rude message is scrolling across the screen. "Your cellphone has exhausted its data usage limit." Welp! There goes another convenience!

So, what's a person to do? I gently grab Jer by the face, look squarely into his hazel eyes, and I say, " Honey - we have no TV. We have no cellphones. I can only think of one other thing to do..."

"Read books!"

Of course, we could have increased our cellphone usage, but what fun would that be? So after a week of no TV, no cellphone, but plenty of books, we came home a heck of a lot smarter and a whole bunch happier. The books were just what we needed! Sometimes it pays to unplug!

So, the next time you are deciding upon those amenities, give it another thought. Are they a convenience ... or are they a distraction? It's totally up to you!

Birthday Mates - Thru the Years

Do you get psyched when your birthday draws near? Please tell me yes, cuz I get totally stoked for mine! Actually, as a matter of fact, upon the opening of my final Christmas present, I most always announce that my birthday is just 41 days away! Yep! Just so nobody forgets!

So, it was no surprise that when I met my hubby, Jer, on that cold January night so many years ago, that I revealed my birthday was just weeks away. Little did I know, his was too - and - on the same exact day! So when he proclaimed February 4th as his birthday also, I thought, "That's the biggest line of BS I've ever heard in my life!"

But it was true! I guess it happens. My maternal grandparents shared the same birthday, so why couldn't it happen to me?

So to make a long story short, my fellow Aquarian and I married, and it's been a great zodiac match. Heck! Birthdays aren't the only thing we have in common. Believe it or not, we both started new careers on the same exact day, and we even have the same anniversary! Bwahahaha! Yep! There's one thing I could forever be sure of - HE COULD NEVER FORGET MY BIRTHDAY!

And as luck would have it - he never has! They've all been memorable - for better or worse! So I thought I share the birthday sentiment and excitement we've experienced throughout the years.

Year 1: Just a short 6 months following our wedding day, our first shared birthday was glorious: Beautiful flowers, a lovely sentimental card,fine dining at our favorite spot in the city, slow dancing - just the two of us - and closing the place down at 2 a.m. And of course - romance!

Year 5: Now there were kids, but my birthday buddy still pulled out most all of the stops: A nice card, dining and a beer at our local hangout, and country dancing with friends - but only till midnight, because - don't forget - we needed to take the babysitter home. And - um - just a bit of romance!

Year 20: "I didn't get you anything, so don't get me anything." A goofy card. Celebrating at the kid's basketball games, a hotdog at half-time and yeah - romance - a peck on the cheek between games!

Year 30: Where's my card? Supper to-go from Burger King, "Dancing with the Stars" on TV and asleep in our recliners by 9:00. Romance? Love ya hun!

Year 40: "Gosh it's cold outside! What's that cake for? Isn't that your favorite cake? Where's mine? Birthdays? Haven't you outgrown that?" Creighton BB on TV. Romance? "Night hun!"

So, there ya go - birthdays in the Stamp house. Have you ever heard the phrase, "The more things change, the more things stay the same?" Well, that couldn't be any truer! Our celebrations may come and go, changing from year to year, but the good thing is - they still roll around every year, and Jer has me, and I have Jer! Yep! God is good!

Happy Birthday Jer!