Holiday Weekend~

Thanksgiving weather in Iowa, was as close to perfect as could be imagined.  Sunshine, high 40's with a light breeze.  We stayed home & cooked a turkey!  The house smelled wonderful & with Butch's help in the kitchen - our meal was a success.  

Friday, I took down my fall decorations & started putting up the things we enjoy during the Christmas holiday.  Butch was on the roof - putting the lights up!  We drove over to Greenfield & Creston on Saturday.  The Greenfield Christmas parade is usually the Friday after Thanksgiving.  This year, it was cancelled due to the virus, so there was no need for us to spend a night in town.  We did enjoy shopping on the square & came home with a couple treasurers. 

11-28-2020 Explorer on the square~

 Even this weekend, the square was quiet.  Only a few people shopping.  The Grand movie theater has closed.  Very sad, we enjoyed seeing a movie there so much when we visited Memorial Day of 2017. 

Adair County Courthouse, Greenfield

It was late in the day by the time we visited my parents, brother's & paternal Grandparents graves at the Cemetery.  The wind had picked up & it felt cold.  The artificial grasses & flowers we'd put in the vases in May, had held up well to the heat of summer.  

Back in Glenwood, Butch dropped me at the house, before going over to pick up Nika.  Doris told me later she really thought Nika was worried I would be gone for a long time - again...  I was waiting when Butch brought her in the door & she was so exited to see me home!

Sunday, we finished decorating the house.  We decided not to put up the big tree, but did most of everything else.  More than enough to wear me out, even with Butch's help!

11-30-2020 Our mantle~

This week has been one of firsts for me.  At least a couple first's I'd been unable to do in a long time.  I slid the Explorer's driver's seat all the way back & got my leg in!  I drove to the YMCA.  I did every piece of equipment for the upper body.  There were a couple I could do with my thighs too - but I paid the price the following day...  It's crazy how long it takes to build muscles up & what a short time to lose the gain...  (When Butch walked into the school bus barn on Tue. morning - all the drivers asked him; "Is Connie driving?!"  :-)  I can't go anywhere in this town!  :-)

11-2-2020 Back at it!

Not to be discouraged - I'm giving myself a couple days off.  The stiffness in the knee & ankle are my biggest concerns, but Butch keeps reminding me I'm in this for months, not weeks...

Next week, I see the knee Surgeon!  My local GP didn't bother to read any of the records I had Skagit Valley send his office from WA - so had sent us to the far side of Omaha to see a Ankle specialist!  He was a great guy & went ahead with X-rays of both the knee & my ankle. He forwarded them over to the Surgeon I should have been sent to.  They discussed my case over the phone.  Dr. Phillips said everything looked GREAT!  I've been allowed to put 25% of my body weight on the leg.  (No, I don't know how to figure that 25%!)  I will see him in person the end of next week.  I'm really counting on being done with the brace & walker.  At least done unless I feel I need the protection the brace offers.  My walking sticks will come in handy too.

Into the Second Week~

The worst of the huge crest of water, from what I've heard, came in late on Saturday night the 16th & into Sunday morning...  No one had any idea it would be as terrifying awful... 

This Monday, I had an appointment north of Omaha.  It was the first time I'd been out to see what the flooding looked like.  As we turned off I-34 & on to the ramp of I-29, the campground came into view...  Water had been more than half-way up the sides of the RV's.

Campground

On our way back, I had the views to the west.  Word is that the water is receding, slowly...

Southbound side of I-29

It looks like miles & miles of lake...

Photo - Silver Cloud Photography - March 24th

A large horse facility near Pacific Junction...

Silver Cloud Photography

Silver Cloud Photography

The destruction is now starting to show above the water.

Silver Cloud Photography

Meanwhile, in town, everyone is pitching in. The sign-in page for volunteers is full all the way to the first of June. 

The Mills County Storehouse

 At the Storehouse, our local food bank & thrift shop, donations are overflowing.  Now, the YMCA is taking donations & volunteers are cooking meals for everyone displaced.

(Thanks to Silver Cloud Photography for making these images available to the public.)

Interstate 29

The loss to the farmers will be immeasurable.  I was speaking with a lady today who had lived on the same farm since childhood.  She said the flood of 52 only brought water to the bottom step of the house.  Now, the farm is under water..

 Pets have been found floating on pieces of boards.  Several animal rescue organizations have come in to help.  They are hampered by the dangerous conditions that include pollution, floating propane tanks etc.

Pumper trucks have moved in to start pulling the water from areas where it's now trapped.  The weather has stayed mild, a blessing, but we have a forecast of rain & possible snow over the next few days, combined with high winds.

 It seems as if we've fallen off the national radar...  What was news a few days ago, is evidentially old news now.  For so many, who've lost so much, it's finding solace from friends & family.  Our community has come together & everyone is pitching in...  It's heartbreaking to hear the stories each day.  Recovery will be a long process...