Driving through the Storm~

 These last few days & winter storm Fern made, for some challenging driving for Butch!

1-24-2026 - 10:55 p.m. Love's, New Florence, MO

After making a delivery & picking up a load in Kansas City on the 23rd, the storm caught up to him as he was leaving MO Saturday morning.  He was heading east to make a delivery in Louisville, KY.

1-25-2026 - 1:36 p.m. 

The storm increased in strength as he traveled east.  It had taken miles for the lines of semis to sort themselves out when he'd left New Florence.  He was at the head of the line, behind a snowplow, until a flatbed entered from an onramp.  (Miles later, he passed the flatbed, stuck on the shoulder of the road.)

1-25-2026 - 2:50 p.m. 

The driving was non-stop.  Trucks were everywhere.  Every on & off ramp had lines of semis sitting.  If there was any incline at all, the tires spun & they were going nowhere.  If they pulled onto the shoulder, that's where they stayed, without enough traction to get rolling again.  

After making an attempt to find parking or take a break at a Road Ranger at the state line, he continued on to the Love's in Haubstadt, IN.  The Warner driver (in the above photo) pulling a Walmart trailer hadn't checked his hitch pin.  The trailer had disconnected from the truck, blocking the way out.

1-25-2025 - 5:30 p.m. Parked at Love's

This Love's at Haubstadt, IN was proactive & had a plow working to keep the lot clear of snow.  

1-26-2026 - 6:00 a.m.

Monday morning, the best of plans, changed.  Butch said the entire place could hear when the driver of the truck above started the engine.  The semi was making a loud banging noise.  The driver got out, lifted the hood, then shut the truck down, right where it was.  Another driver asked him to move it - the answer was no.  The angle made it impossible for other trucks to get out.

1-26-2026 7:25 a.m. 

Butch told me it was sheer luck that allowed him to leave.  He had to back up all the way to the fuel islands, make a U-turn, then go the wrong direction through the island to reach the entrance.  He said if even one of the trucks at the fuel island had been pulled forward, he wouldn't have gotten out at all.  By the time he was on the access road, he looked back to see a total tangle of semis.  Ahead of him was open road!

1-26-2026 By 11 a.m. he'd arrived at his delivery!  

He was the only truck that had made it in for a delivery.  Of course, that didn't mean they were in any hurry to unload him.  He was called to back to the dock by 1:29 p.m. & unloaded at 2:05 p.m.  He almost always gets his next dispatch once he's unloaded.  That didn't happen today.  He decided to go to the nearest Love's in Shepherdsville, KY.  When he arrived there, at 3:03 p.m.  it was full to overflowing.  He decided to go on to a rest area, but the next two were closed.  

1-26-2026 - 4:00 p.m. Pilot Pendelton, KY

Finally, by late afternoon he found a spot at the Pilot.  His dispatches came in too & he'd actually picked the correct direction to drive.

1-27-2026 - 3:40 a.m.

The Pilot, a busy place 24-hours a day.

1-27-2026 - 6:00 a.m. Clear Road! 

Always happy to be clear of a truck stop, I was happy to see he had a clear road this morning!  

1-27-2026 Arrival - 9:05 a.m. 

At his pickup, in Rushville, IN he was backed to the dock by 9:35 a.m.  By 10:30 a.m. he was loaded & leaving - heading west!  Next stop would have been York, NE but he was diverted to Omaha to drop his trailer so another driver could get home.  Hopefully he'll get a reprieve from the snow!

Brilliant Cold!

 The day after my last bike ride, the temperature dropped 30 degrees.  Mid-month we were still in somewhat of a cycle - consisting of a cold day followed by a warmer one.  At least that was the case until January decided to plunge us into bitter cold.  Thursday, we dropped during the day from a high of 15 down to 7.  Include blasting winds & by yesterday morning we were at zero with wind chills to -25.

The woods~

This morning, we had an inch of snowdust.  Just enough to almost turn the ground white.  At 9 a.m. when I went out, the sun was breaking through the clouds & the temperature was still zero.  Thankfully there was just a light breeze.

Armillary~

I blew the back deck & back walkway for Finn.  He waits for his coat!  Then, I went out front & blew the porch & sidewalk there - all the way to the Cabin.

What zero looks like~

It was simply beautiful out.  I'll do whatever necessary to get my outdoor time & blowing is easier than shoveling!  It was quiet except for the tweets of the birds that were coming & going from the feeder.

Cardinal on the ground to the left of the post~

In the photo above, the little square black box to the right is the sonic Cat Repeller.  I lost two birds to cats over the summer months.  The neighbor who owns one of the many that run free, bought it rather than contain his cat.  It does seem to help, at least I haven't found any more feathers.  (I saw a post yesterday from a local group working to control the feral cat population in town, by trapping & neutering.) 

Ceramic ball by the Cabin~

I'd never noticed before how prominent the star at the top of the ball is with snow.  The air was so fresh!  Brisk is the kindest word I can use to describe the cold.  By the time I was done - I was sure even with his heated pad - Finn would be ready to come in.  He wasn't the only one!

Echinacea~

I was surprised at how many seeds are still on the Echinacea.  Last year they were stripped by the end of winter, even with the bird feeder kept full.

When I came in~

Butch has been south, making a delivery in Kansas City.  With too much time in his schedule, he's taking a 34-hour reset in New Florence, MO.  He wasn't bragging but mentioned temperatures in the 40's this week.  It seems today the cold has finally caught up to him.  He woke to 4 degrees & about the same amount of snow we had. He'll leave tomorrow for Louisville.  

Butch's view~

We have single digits today, teens tomorrow.  The long-range forecast is for temperatures warming slowly into the 20's with a day or two breaking 30 degrees, into the first week of February. 

Finn is already bored with being inside.  Yesterday I found him in the craft room, sharing the sunshine coming in the south window with my plants.  We're working on a couple new commands to keep him occupied & have play time twice a day.  He's worse than having a toddler!  :-)

A Ride & A Run-a-way ~

 Our winter weather has been one for the books.  Cold to warmer, back to cold.  The weekends usually get the blast of cold, then during the week we get a day or two that's too warm for the time of year.

Heading east~

I keep watch for those warmer days & today was supposed to be the last for at least this week.  It was crazy warm - the day topped out at 64 degrees.  I took my vest & coat but would have only needed a windbreaker over my vest.  

Stern Oil, Tank Farm #3

The park was busier than last week, which surprised me.  The Lake Manawa rides will probably get a little stale by the end of the season.  I won't complain though.  Having hard surface trail - mostly without traffic - anywhere close to home is a good thing!

Underpass~

The strong shadows give this underpass a futuristic look.  The upcoming corner is where I spooked the deer a couple weeks ago.  No deer again today, so they must have been passing through.

Break spot~

There was meltwater showing all over the surface of the lake.  It was the next day I saw a news story where a dog had to be rescued from the water this same evening by emergency personnel.  The ice looked to be so thin, I was surprised the dog made it as far out from shore as he did.  This happened shortly after I'd left.  I'd been sitting watching the Eagles flying over the lake, too.  What a beautiful sight on such an incredible afternoon.

Shadow at the lake shore~

The ice formations had melted down since last week.  The photo above shows all the open water.  This is the first time I've ever seen the lake in January without a full cover of ice.  Usually, people are out on the ice, fishing.

Sun moving low in the sky~

I'm taking advantage of these days.  The air is so fresh & sky so blue.  This January will go down as one of my favorites so far - if this trend continues.  The temperature always drops through the section above.  If we've had snow, this is where it takes the longest to melt.

Just a short way further though, you come out into the sunshine & the area I call a savanna.  It's home to wildflowers in the spring.  

The mini savanna~

I'd left Finn home & made it back to the Bronco about my usual time.  Finn met me at the door, yawning.  We'd had a terrible experience this morning as I'd parked at the church for our Wed. mat making.  I'd taken Finn out of the Bronco, put him on the ground & was getting my bag when he jerked the leash out of my hand & took off after a loose dog.  The stray had been sniffing around in the flower bed in front of the building.  

The large black dog took off running away from Finn - toward the busiest street in town with Finn hot on his heels.  I dropped everything & took off after them both - my heart in my throat.  Cars were coming from both directions - but both stopped when they saw the scene unfold.  I yelled at Finn to STOP but was totally ignored.  They actually made it across the street!  The black dog cut over between houses.  The marble in Finn's brain finally fell back in place.  He stopped, turned & started back toward me.  I grabbed his leash, thanked the people who'd stopped traffic with their cars & returned to my bags.  

A friend walking down the hill, saw the entire event.  She & I both were shaken.  Everyone heard the story & Finn knew he was in BIG trouble when he was completely ignored all morning.  When another friend stopped to see him, she said he was trembling.  He understood at the least - how upset I was.  Upset - but ever so thankful he hadn't been hit.  The leash loop will be completely around my wrist from now on!  I have no idea why he is so aggressive toward other dogs...

1-8-2026 Rain!

Just to prove my point, the above photo is of the rain Thursday.  By evening we'd received an inch of badly needed moisture & our high temperature was over 25 degrees below Wednesday's.  The forecast evening snow didn't happen, but rain in January isn't our normal.

2025 - In Review ~

 Our ninth year in Iowa~  It was a bright & sunny start to the New Year! 

New Years Day~

By the middle of the month, Butch was driving a new semi!  Maverick II was almost identical to his old semi, but with a slightly longer cab & a more comfortable interior. 

1-18-25 Maverick II - Butch's new truck~

After only just over a month - Butch found a pool of oil under the truck while he was backed to the dock at a warehouse.  Under warranty, it was towed to the nearest Volvo Dealership.  Butch caught a ride back to Omaha with another driver & went right out again in his original Nationwide Volvo - Maverick.

2-5-25 Butch's new Semi breaks down~

Besides the snow mid-month, the weather was nice enough I managed three rides at Lake Manawa.  I also finished a latch hook project I'd started in September of 2020.  Finn & I were taking our winter walks on the Wabash & most afternoons at home.

2-13-25 Snow in the woods~

March, I started burning the brush pile.  I also caught a day when the Wabash was dry enough & rode from Malvern to Silver City & back.  This was just two days before the biggest snowstorm of the season.  The wind drifted the snow & I dug through 2' drifts just to get to the Bronco.

3-5-25 Snow anyone?

Butch made it home three times in March.  The 11th he flew to Columbus to pick up his semi from the dealer who'd replaced the engine.  Twice he pulled in at home for overnight stays & the last of the month for a few days home time.  On the 19th, we received our last snow of the season.  

3-27-25 Butch & Finnigan~

April, I mowed for the first time.  It was the earliest in the season I'd ever seen a Swallowtail butterfly!  The Daffodils, Grape Hyacinth, Tulips & Trout Lily's were all in bloom.  On the 17th we had a wonderful heavy rain!  Mother Nature's perfect timing.  

Butch was home for Easter & reached 400,000 OTR miles!  I managed to get in five rides, most on the trail.  

4-8-25 A Swallowtail comes to visit!

May, my red Clematis finally produced its first bloom.   The wild Iris was in bloom & the woods were positively lush.  We made our usual Memorial Weekend trip to Greenfield & Creston.  We rode our bikes at Green Valley St. Park.  We also found a small microbrew - Hot Air Brewing - only to discover they were closing due to a lack of business.

5-24-25 Butch at Green Valley~

June, the Daylilies were spectacular & Garden Phlox were almost 4 ft. tall.  My Hydrangea bushes were blooming as were all the Zinnia's.  I was mowing the front yard twice a week to keep up & alternated between mowing the woods & marsh.

I ended up in the hospital later in the month, a surprise to me.  Butch was rerouted to get home.  The day after he arrived my condition improved enough, I was discharged.  On the 24th we had another good rain & the next day Butch was back on the road.

6-27-25 Full on Lush~

July, I was back to riding my bike.  The plantings in the woods looked the best they ever have.  All the Hosta's are maturing, growing larger each season & really filling in.  Butch came home the 5th & again on the 19th.  Summer was as usual, very hot & very humid.

7-21-2025 Mulberry limbs cut~

We hired Fermincho Tree Services & Landscaping of Omaha; to cut down the large limbs two big windstorms had broken from the Mulberry tree.  They started early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat - but couldn't escape the humidity.  

Fermin was interested in purchasing both the horse trailer & the utility trailer.  We hadn't used either one in years.  We'd bought the horse trailer new in 1995 & it was hard to see it finally go.  Instead of hauling horses, it will be hauling a rock crushing machine!  

8-10-2025 The horse trailer is sold~

August, Butch & I went shopping for another storage building & found a Tuff Shed at Home Depot the size we needed.  Fermin & his crew leveled the area where the trailers had been parked & hauled in several loads of rock.  By the 21st, the two-man crew from Tuff Shed arrived & had the small building built in half a day. 

9-16-2025 Shop painted~

When Butch came home in Sept., he painted the Shop building to match the Cabin.  I mulched & planted Hosta's around the side & back.

9-27-2025 Skyla in Greenfield~

The highlight of the year was when Granddaughter Skyla flew out from WA to visit!  We spent almost a week having a wonderful time.  When we moved from WA, Skyla was only five years old.  We'd visited the family just last summer & she & her family had visited us in 2023, but it seems like the years in-between went by in a flash.  Now, she's a young lady & getting a chance to know her was a gift!  It was so much fun to have a teenager in the house & So quiet when she left...

10-17-2025 - Our 9th Anniversary on the Home Place~

Butch made it home a day early this year, for our 43rd anniversary.  We spent three wonderful days at Lake Okoboji.  We rode our bikes on the new trail, had dinner at our favorite restaurant & didn't come home empty handed after I found a must have antique shopping.  

10-31-25 In the Caves~

The end of the month was Butch's 2nd anniversary driving for Nationwide.  He was enjoying his new semi & made a trip to the caves in MO.  This Volvo is just a bit longer than his other truck, but he managed to fit!

11-29-2025 First Snow~

November was a beautiful month.  We had one cold snap, but otherwise it was dry.  Perfect weather for being outside.  No bugs & cooler temperatures.  Butch was home for Thanksgiving & we received our first light snowfall.  Finn & I hiked at the Glenwood Preserve.  

12-23-25 Butch & Finn at Glen Cunningham Lake~

December, Butch was called for jury duty.  He asked to be excused & after two attempts, his term of service was reduced from a month to Christmas week. The weather cooperated & we had our first ride in forever at Glen Cunningham with Finn.

The new furnace we purchased the first of the month required more venting, so Butch tore out the old doors on the utility closet & installed new louvered bifold's.  He ended up having to reframe most of the closet & redo the sheetrock.  

Garden Club formed a committee to work on next year's program schedule.  Officers from last year, plan to continue in their positions.  We have some great excursions planned.  The mat making group continues to meet & crochet Wednesday mornings at Trinity Lutheran.  I hope to get my bike out a little more often, I was just under 150-miles behind this year.  

Butch too, has plans for this coming year.  He'll be starting his fifth year of OTR driving.  He wants to find time to organize his Shop & work on projects he's had in mind for several years.  He's coming very close to the OTR half-million-mile mark!

Wishing our family & friends a healthy, safe & prosperous 2026~  Happy New Year!

Past year 2024 ~

Last Ride of the 2025~

 Up early, it was 28 degrees & the sun was burning through the morning haze.  By the time I was leaving mat's, the day felt warm!  Warm enough - that after picking up a few groceries - I loaded the bike on the Bronco.  

On the loop trail, Lake Manawa~

It was just after 2 p.m. by the time I'd parked & was on the trail.  The temperature registered 52 degrees on the drive up.  There wasn't even a hint of a breeze, which made for perfect riding. 

Looking north - Mid-American~

I took my time & rode out again where I'd seen the deer my last visit.  No deer today & very quiet.  It's always a little warmer out in the open & away from the lake.  Steam was rising from the Mid-American coal plant.

View from the old campground to the lake~

The cleanup crew I'd seen clearing the landscape of tree debris this fall, had opened up the views from the campground to the lake.  The For Sale sign is gone.  Either the land was sold or will still sit awhile longer, undeveloped.  The second option is my choice of course.  Any open space near a city is golden.

Coming off the Indian Creek Bridge to the trail heading east~

As I pedaled along Indian Creek, I enjoyed one of the rare times I don't ride directly into a gusting wind!  I did see two other riders going the opposite direction.  I've told Butch I want to try to ride from the park to the Bob Perry pedestrian bridge one of these days.  I don't want to try it on my own.  I don't know if it's all established trail or might include road riding.

The moon over my break spot~

As I soaked up the sun from my usual break bench, I couldn't believe my luck, getting in three rides in the month of December.  The sun was already moving lower in the sky & the temperature was dropping.

Shadow at the shore~

There were some amazing ice & snow formations all along this side of the lake shore.  Possibly made from the short windy dry snow we'd received on the 13th.  The lake itself was still frozen over, but very thin in places.

Lake shore ice/snow formations~

Above is another photo of the forms created on the dry plants sticking up along the shore.  They were some of the most unusual I've ever seen.  As I drove out, I watched along the shore & this was the only area where they seemed to have occurred.

I'd left Finn home, so turned back.  He's always waiting right at the door when I get home, so excited & happy to see me!  Of course, he gets one of his special big cookies (the teeth cleaning waffle type) for being so good about staying home alone.  Traffic was lighter than I expected, with the upcoming holiday tomorrow. 

A sunshine ride was the almost perfect way to end the year.  The only thing better would have been enjoying it with my husband~