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So March is about to go out in a few day, hard to believe as
it has gone so fast. March straddles winter and spring while the weather is
confused as to where it does stand. It has been freezing with snow flurries
only hours after the sunshine made temps hit 70! It is a month when I feel like
a team of horses chomping at the bit, raring to pull out and go forward. But…the
days don’t cooperate and I am locked down in winter-like routines, still
cooking soup, using up the last of last season’s frozen produce, and utilizing
the supply of dried beans.
Despite illnesses and such, there were a few moments of
interest during this March. I worked hard at seeing and searching out some mind
challenging things where I was at. I conjured up possible stories in my head. I
ordered books on off the wall subjects like prostitution in the Old West
(really!).
The exercise group tried to break the boredom rut by having
lunch out one day. They choose to drive to Maggie Mae’s Tea Room in Miller,
about 45 minutes away. It was a slow drive and full of pastures just beginning
to hint of grass green shades. Lunch and
conversation were good followed by taking the long way home through small bergs
like Lockwood and Avilla which suited me fine because a few minutes north and
the land stretched into my beloved prairie. It is similar to land in Cedar
County where some of my ancestors landed. The landscape and the Lockwood Main
Street reminded me of days gone by which ignited stories of people and events that
COULD have happened in the past.
Century old store fronts in Lockwood, Missouri
Last weekend we went to Jefferson City to see our oldest son
and family. Illness and death hindered the weekend, but our son did take us for
a drive about the city on the way to the park with children. Missouri’s capitol
is a beauty for sure! The nearby river reeks of stories and history. The old
state petitionary is now giving guided tours for tourists. I want to go! There
were 11,000 visitors taking the tour in 2011. Think of the stories THESE walls
could tell. Immediately I loaded a small book about the Missouri State Petitionary
onto my Kindle and began to read. Amazing history happened behind the walls. I
met Kate Richards O’Hare on the page and ordered a book about her too. She was
from Kansas, imprisoned in Missouri, and spent rest of her life fighting for
women’s and children’s rights.
Front door in main building of the old Missouri State Pen
This morning we spent a fortune on lampshades, pillows,
office supplies, deck sealer, and weed killer. It was a little too chilly to
begin spring projects but we could be ready! We also picked up the video of Imitation Game to watch between March
Madness basketball. It is a fantastic movie and I am thrilled to finally have
seen it this afternoon.
Isn 't this a lovely cover? Lace and tea!
In today’s mail, a new book arrived! This is a cookbook put
out by the Willa Cather Foundation. It has recipes but also pictures and
tidbits from author Willa Cather’s life. I have been to Red Cloud, Nebraska…beautiful
prairie land where Cather sets her stories…but I am ready to go again. I think
it might happen this summer.
So tonight when basket balls hit the court again, I will
tuck myself in warm flannel to read and dream. Tomorrow the weather is
to be sunny and rather warm. I intend to brew tea, dream up stories and
practice my deck setting in anticipation of real spring and warmer days!
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I am getting complaints that readers can't leave comments. Are you having trouble? Should I give up on Blogger and go to Word Press? Email me at bookwoman1015 at sbcglobal.net if need be.
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I am getting complaints that readers can't leave comments. Are you having trouble? Should I give up on Blogger and go to Word Press? Email me at bookwoman1015 at sbcglobal.net if need be.
9 comments:
Claudia--I hope you get to Nebraska again this summer. (The cookbook cover is quite lovely.) And I've never had any trouble leaving a comment, if that helps any.
Sleep well, and dream well. I love your reading too. Real people's lives are frequently more amazing (and at least as interesting)as fiction. I really regret that when I was at school history was taught as dates and battles rather than an examination of how people lived.
We are two of the women who can never say we are--or be accused of being--bored. I order a new book nearly every week, it seems, as you must do, too. They are always available when the swarm of 'must-do' activities get done. May you--we-- have strength to do all the things we want to. AND, I hope you stay with blogger. It has been nothing but great for me. xoxo
Claudia, happy to hear you Are so busy.
Hi Claudia,
It's great to read you are keeping busy. The MO State Pen is on my list of places to visit.
After our carrier upgraded our system I've been struggling with computer difficulties. I think everything has been fixed finally. Over the past few weeks I lost a lot of emails, including one from you. I read it one day and intended to answer and the next day it was gone.
I'm happy spring is here and am looking forward to warmer weather!
Hi Claudia. No problem with blogger from this end. Enjoyed your post. Glad you got out to visit your son and your grands. The penitentiary tour would definitely be a "go" for me, too. ha! Susan p.s. Thanks for all your visits.
Well, Claudia, I note that the alternating weather patterns did not slow you down any. Sounds like you managed to have a lot of fun in spite of the weather. :)
March does straddle both winter and spring, Claudia. What an excellent description.
I had to laugh at your book choice. I just bought a book at a yard sale--WICKED WOMEN--and some of the examples are amazing. We do what we can to keep our writing minds fresh!
Happy Easter to you.
I love that part of the state, don't get there enough, and would like to visit the pen, also. And Nebraska!
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