Goodness!  I just looked at my watch and it's 4:30am!

 I've been pushing myself to work on the numerous branches in my family trees.  It really never ends!  I find I need a big span of time, without interruptions, to focus on the names and dates.  I have 8 different family groups going!
With it being the weekend and cold weather outside I made the choice to work on genealogy.  BTW - If any of you have family updates, please send them to me!
I do take breaks, stop and get something to eat, and of course, make necessary trips to the restroom.  Sometimes I let Alexa play music or I binge watch some series on ACORN or NETFLIX  in the background while I work. I came down to my library to work yesterday and have been here ever since! (yes, yesterday!)  If I get a wild itch, I like to pull an all-nighter, but I know I'll be paying for it the next day!
The big news everywhere is the flu and sickness going around!  I don't think there's anyone who hasn't been in contact with someone who is or has been ill.  My own 2 grandsons are recovering, as well as several nieces. Stay healthy everyone!
I started a new class about the literature of Kansas authors.  You have your well-known Wizard or Oz (Frank L. Baum) and In Cold Blood (Truman Capote) but I'm interested in other titles.
Well, now I AM getting tired!  Ha-Ha.  Until next time, have a wonderful day!

Who knew!

Art By Sandra Boynton

Yesterday, for the first time in a long time, I felt little or no pain in walking.  I hardly used my cane
all day.  I even walked more than my usual step count.  Steve says it's because I've been out-of-the-house so much this week.  I have volunteered 3 days in a row at Botanica Gardens Wichita, equaling 12 hours total.  I think I mentioned before that I volunteer there.  My usual shift is on Mondays from 1-5pm at the Admissions Desk. I filled in on the other 2 days.  Sometimes I work with another volunteer, sometimes I don't.
Next week I start my volunteer adventure at the Downtown Senior Services Center in Delano, KS (a town across the river from Wichita).  I'm going to facilitate a group discussing trivia.  Our first get-together is next Wednesday with a follow-up the next Wednesday.  I'm leaving the final direction of what we do up to the participants.  We may end up discussing Wichita and/or Kansas trivia, or share reflections/reminisces of our lives or simply gather to play Trivial Pursuit.  It's the first time the center has ever tried something like this so I'll just have to wait and see.  I'll keep you posted!
I'm now a WSU Shocker!  Wichita State University offers free, non-degree courses to people sixty-years-of-age and older each semester.  I've enrolled in the class, "Chisholm Trail" to be held on Fridays in October and taught by Beccy Tanner, WSU lecturer in history and Kansas History reporter at the Wichita Eagle Newspaper.  
From course description: "Kansas is considered  to be the crossroads for many of the historic trails of the Old West.  In its heyday from the late 1860's through the 1880's, the Chisholm Trail served as a cattle pipeline from Texas ranches to the stockyards and railroad hubs in Abilene, Newton, Wichita, and Caldwell.  It was an economic lifeline for Kansas, helping tp promote the railroad and making ranching profitable.  This next year, 2017, makes the 150th anniversary of the trail.  Class topics include the history and folklore surrounding the trail, famous characters, locations, and the long-lasting legacy the trail holds for the nation."  (Reminds me of my old Morningside College history class days, but where is Dr. Husband?)

Legacy Of Chisholm Trail  (From Wikipedia)

At least 27 movies have depicted a fictional account of the first drive along the Chisholm Trail, including: The Texans (1938), directed byJames P. Hogan and starring Randolph Scott and Joan Bennett, and Red River (1948), directed by Howard Hawks and starring John Wayne and Montgomery Clift. Walter Brennan co-starred in both films in his usual grizzled-old-coot role.

The trail is the subject of at least two pop songs: "The Last Cowboy Song" written and recorded by Ed Bruce, also performed by The Highwaymen, and the song "The Old Chisholm Trail." Among those who have covered the song are Gene Autry, Girls of the Golden West,Woody Guthrie, Michael Martin Murphey, Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, and Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter), although his version was titled "When I Was A Cowboy".

In 1964, Texas rancher Charles Schreiner, III, founded the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America. The next year, he conducted a cattle drive from San Antonio to Dodge City with a stop at the LBJ Ranch in Gillespie County, home of then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson. The drive was promoted as a centennial commemoration of the original Chisholm Trail drives.

• Chisholm Trail Heritage Center, located in Duncan, Oklahoma, is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of the trail. It has a large monument depicting a scene from the Chisholm Trail cattle drive, as well as a trail walkway.

On the second weekend of June, Lockhart, Texas in Caldwell County holds a four-day festival to celebrate its place on the Chisholm Trail. Newton, Kansas also holds a three- to four-day festival combining it with the annual Fourth of July celebration.

On September 26, 2009, a historical marker on the Chisholm Trail was unveiled at the site of Red River Station in Montague County. The 5.5-foot concrete marker is the last of 12 erected in Montague County as part of a joint project of the Texas Lakes and Trails and the Montague County Historical Commission to outline the Chisholm Trail (as said inWichita Falls Times Record News).

In 2014, the North Texas Tollway Authority constructed a 26-mile-long toll road named after the trail, the Chisholm Trail Parkway connecting downtown Fort Worth, Texas to the nearby city of Cleburne.

This weekend, the United States observes Labor Day.  The public holiday, held on the first Monday in September, honors the American labor movement and contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country.  Thank you, Workers!

Celebrate on September 5th!


Take care and be safe!  Until next time - Theresa

And our Next US President is.......

Okay, I've decided who I am going to vote for in the next US Presidental Election.  I'm putting it out front.  I'm voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton.  If you have a problem with that, just exit now.  If you want to know why, please read on.

Let me say at the beginning, there are things about each one of them that I do not like or admire. They both  have traits of being crooked, liars, and true blood gamers.  Now that being said, I am left to decide which of these people I want to head my country.

I want you to know that I am not siding with Mrs. Clinton just because she is a woman.  I don't take gender into the equation.  Are you NOT voting for Mrs. Clinton because she IS a woman? That's a biased vote!

What I do look at, is how a person treats another person in public.  Time and time again, I have heard the words of Donald Trump blasting women, immigrants, Hispanics, disabled, Muslims, and anyone who doesn't fit in at the moment   I can not believe that this racism and bigotry will end if he becomes President.  What do they say?  "It's hard to teach an old dog new tricks."  Mr. Trump counters with,  "I was just kidding!'' or "The media is too serious."  Grow up, Mr. Trump!

"Trump says it like it really is!"  Really?!?  I find it hard to believe that educated, compassionate, religious people support a person who openly and publicly shames and debases other people.  And thinks it's okay to do so.  Mr. Trump calls Mrs. Clinton "Hitler-like."  Wouldn't his racist views make him "Hitler-like" too?

I already hear you yelling that Mrs. Clinton has tricks too.  But what about...?  On and on.  Right? The only thing I can say is,  if she is guilty then why hasn't she been arrested?  She must have a great staff! I have not heard her publicly voice such comments such as Mr. Trumps.

Face it.  Hilary Clinton is better qualified and more experienced to be President. She knows the political systems of the US.  What does Mr. Trump really know about running a country?  If the way he had operated his personal business and treated his clients is any indication, then we are in trouble! It scares me to imagine that Mr. Trump could be manning the nuclear war button.  Doesn't that scare you too?

In the end, we each need to vote our conscience.  God bless America!

Until next time.  BTW, I'm eager to hear your views too.
Love ya, Theresa

I'm Back!

Well, I completely blew off blogging for July and half of August!  I'm back!  For my defense, I want to say that I've added volunteering to my social schedule.
On Monday afternoons and every other Thursday evening,  I (wo)man the admission desk at Botanica Gardens in Wichita for 4 hours with another volunteer.  I'm one of about overall 900 volunteers.  Steve often does his Thursday daily walking at Botanica while I work.
Their big winter event is Illuminations.  Here's a link for info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNmqxXUlYAk.  It will also give some idea of the garden view at Botanica.

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens
Azaleas at Botanica in 2007
Type	Botanical gardens
Location	701 North Amidon St, Wichita, KS 67203 USA
Coordinates	37°41′46″N 97°21′50″WCoordinates: 37°41′46″N 97°21′50″W
Area	17.6 acres (71,000 m2)
Created	1987

Botanica, The Wichita Gardens was opened in 1987 as a collaboration between the Wichita Area Garden Council and the City of Wichita. Originally it had four gardens and now encompasses 17.6 acres (7.12 hectares) of botanical gardens located at 701 North Amidon, Wichita, Kansas, USA. They are city-owned as part of the Wichita Park System and are operated by Botanica, Inc. a non-profit 501(c)3.

The gardens include: an aquatic collection; butterfly garden and 2,880 square foot (270 m²) butterfly house featuring pansy exhibits during the winter; greenhouse for tropical plants; juniper collection with more than 30 types of junipers;peony collection of 104 cultivars; pinetum; rock garden with sedum and sempervivum; rose garden with more than 350 rose plants; sensory garden; Shakespearean garden; woodlands with azaleas, dogwoods, elm, hackberry, honey locust,mulberry, osage orange, and redbuds; and Xeriscape demonstration garden.

Botanica opened the Downing Children's Garden in July 2011 and features several themed areas including the monster woods, salamander stream, granddaddy's musical maze, a rainbow and sunflower fountain and plaza.

A new events center opened in 2014 which will hold 299 people in chairs or 240 at tables. The inspiration for it came from the wood-and-glass Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. “It’s not a church but it can give that feeling, particularly when you have something spiritual like a wedding. It has that ambiance.” Botanica hosts more than 200 weddings a year, bringing in about 27 percent of its revenue, but it wasn’t built with such rentals in mind.

In May 2014, it was announced the 1949 Carousel from the former Joyland Amusement Park was donated to the Botanica and would be placed in the Downing Children's Garden.

In June 2015, the Chinese Garden of Friendship opened.  Here are some pictures I took from there:

Dragon Guardian

Leak Window

Foo Dog 

 Of course, there are lots of koi fish ponds!  The center picture shows the backbone of the dragon and his back legs. Two Foo Dogs guard the entrance to the Chinese garden. This garden borders the Lotus Room where many activities occur.
 This year they opened a coffee shop, visitor library, and children's library with storytime.  There's a big patronage of homeschooled children and.boy and girl scouts.  Many educational opportunities are offered for children and families of all ages.

There are always activities and events happening at Botanica.  Check out their website at http://botanica.org/

Until next time....
Stop and smell the flowers!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!

I took Steve out for breakfast at The Beacon, a well-known restaurant on E. Douglas Avenue in Wichita to celebrate his day.  Funny, tho, it was our first time to eat at the Beacon Restaurant.  It's only open daily from 7am-3pm, but serves breakfast all day.  It's been in operation for 40-some years and is located next to the Wichita Eagle Newspaper office.  I had the 'Hungry Man Breakfast' (2 eggs, 3 different meats, hash browns, & biscuits and gravy) and Steve had the 'Ham Steak Breakfast' (ham steak, 2 eggs, hash browns & toast).  And before you think I'm having a heart attack, I brought home the sausage, ham, and biscuits and gravy to eat tomorrow.  Steve is having the left-over ham for his breakfast too.  So there!

"The Beacon is a Wichita icon dating back several years. Located next to the offices of the Wichita Eagle/Beacon newspapers, breakfast & lunch find a full house crowd. Yet, service is efficient and food tasty. Who knows how many business deals take place here."  - from a TripAdvisor review.

The weather here in Wichita has been frightfully HOT!  We were in a heat wave last week and it looks like the temps will be warm again this upcoming week.  We're expecting upper 90's and lower 100's to read out on the thermometer!
I haven't been in the pool because the pump broke/wore out.  Steve is working on that today.  It won't be long until I'm enjoying clear, cool, water all around my body.  AHHHHHHHH.......

I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming weekend!  Not only will June 24th be my "SEXY SIXTY BIRTHDAY" but we will be having guests to help me celebrate!  Scheduled to come are Marie & her family, Lynne & husband, and my sister, Tina, and her daughter, Sadie & fiance. Plus there will be 4 dogs!  We are having a pool-side picnic on Saturday.

In reflecting on my b-day, the first thoughts that come to my mind are ...."How can I be that old?!?" and "Where did those years go?"  I remember when I thought 30 was OLD!  My, my, the years do fly by.

I couldn't end my blog without wishing my son-in-law, Jeff, a Happy Father's Day.  Or my Dad or Steve's Dad the same.  HAPPY FATHER"S DAY!

Jeff & Sam

S. Sherrill

D. Reiter

Have a GREAT day!

LFB's - Little Free Libraries

Hello, Family & Friends,
  It's hard to believe that next week will be mid-June!  Steve arrived yesterday and we're spending our last few days in Colorado together.  The Allen family returns today from their camping trip.

Little Free Library

Have you seen them?  The little boxes full of books that have been popping up around many towns and cities?  They're called Little Free Libraries or LFB's for short.
"The goals are to promote literacy and community for kids and adults, and the take-a-book-leave-a-book program functions on the honor system.  Borrow whatever you like, and return it or leave a favorite book of yours in its place." stated Allison Lecain in her article titled That's So NOCO - Book Lovers in the summer issue of Fort Collins magazine.  This is also a great way to recycle books.
The first Little Free Library was started in Wisconsin by Todd Bol.  He built a tiny model of a one-room schoolhouse, painted it red and hung a sign reading, "Free Books."  Today there are over 36,000 free libraries around the world.

May the Force read with you!

If you would like to know if there's a LFB where you live, check out this website for a searchable map of every LFB:  www.littlefreelibrary.org

There's a reason for me to tell you about LFB's - besides the great way they promote reading.  I've "commissioned" Steve to build me one to place near our house.  There's a little patch of ground in the center of our cul de sac that already has trees and a picnic table.  What an ideal place for a LFB!!!  And I reminded Steve it would be a great way to recycle (read "get rid of") the books I don't want.

If you're looking for a female-centered read for your elementary or older daughter (or son), might I suggest the Enola Holmes Mystery series by Nancy Springer. Enola is the 14-year-old sister to the great detective Sherlock Holmes.  In the first book of the series, The Case of the Missing Marquess (IL: 5-8, RL: 7.1), Enola discovers that her mother is missing. She sets off to find her in London using disguises, deductive reasoning, and her own prior experiences. However, while searching for her mother, Enola becomes involved in a kidnapping of a young marquess and must escape from murderous villains while trying to elude her older brother. Will she piece together the clues to her mother's disappearance? There are currently 6 books in the series.  I enjoyed this book.  It was an easy read and kept my interest.
Nancy Springer also writes the Tales of Rowan Hood series.  Rowan is the daughter of Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.  Rowan Hood, Outlaw Girl of Sherwood Forest is the first book in the series.  There are 5 books in this series.

I'm currently reading Knitting by Anne Bartlett.  From the book backside: A chance meeting sparks a friendship between two very different woman who share a fascination with knitting - Sandra a recently widowed academic and Martha, a self-taught knitter with a secret store of grief who spends her days knitting elaborate projects with personal meaning.  As the two women collaborate on a new project, surprising events help heal them both.
I'm not very far into the story, but I like it so far.  P.S. I don't knit or crochet.


Let's hear it for Little Free Libraries!!
Until next time, Read On!

June Is Busting Out All Over!

It's hard to believe that June starts tomorrow!  The year has flown by so quickly!  I now measure the month by the activities that are occurring.  June's big events will be me dog-sitting in Colorado and my 60th birthday.

But a little bit more about some past May events....

San Antonio, TX - 2014

May 16th marked the 2-year anniversary of my bad car accident in Texas.  I can not believe how far I've come since then.  I truly credit the help and love of Jesus, my family and friends, and the many prayers with my recovery.  I could not have functioned through that time without the nursing care of my husband, Steve.

100 Years Young!

On May 21st, Steve attended the 100th Birthday Party of his Grandma Margaret Boetger in Missouri.  Margaret is his father's mother. I heard many friends and family members helped her to celebrate this milestone!

I wasn't able to accompany Steve because I was in Iowa moving my Dad out of his house. My sister, Trudy, was up from Texas with a small crew and we packed up his belongings and cleaned the house.  After Trudy and I left, my other sister, Tina helped my Dad until our brother, Tim, came up later that week to put stuff in storage and to return with Dad back to Atlanta.

Damon Dotson

While we were in the Okoboji Lakes area, we were able to attend a Full moon Party at the Barefoot Bar featuring family friend Damon Dotson.  Tina and Kevin took us by boat to the bar.  What a great time we had!  The Barefoot Bar has a concert every full moon       during the summer.  It was really nice to hear Damon sing again!  He even took a short break between songs to give Trudy and me a hug.  He's my man!!

 Now it's June and I will soon be heading out to Colorado to dog-sit when Marie, Jeff & Sam attend their annual Allen-Family summer get-together.  I'll bring Cricket with me and be there for about a week.  I always enjoy being in Fort Collins and by now I pretty much know my way around.  Wild Boar Coffee Shoppe and Rocky Mountains here I come!


On June 24th, I will be Sexy Sixty!  (I remember when I thought 30 was old!  Well, they say 60 is the new 40)  Marie and family and Lynne and Dave are planning to be here along with Tina and her daughter, Sadie and Tony (Sadie's fiance).  I'm looking forward to a cookout by the pool. And a few liquid toasts to my happiness.   Anyone else want to stop by?


Here's a family picture from Lynne and Dave's wedding last April. From L-R Jeff, Marie, Steve, Dave, Lynne, Theresa, Geoff & Jenna.  Little Sam is out front.  As I said before, the day was wonderful!

I promise to write more often!  So until next time....  Happy June!