I sat in the passenger seat relaxing in the comfort of a blue Ford Fusion. The car glided down the interstate at top legal speed. It’s getting a little warm-stuffy, I quickly pushed the button on the panel on the arm of the door, the window rolled down about half an inch. I looked at the driver, owner of the car, and smiled; my daughter, Marigold who was humming to a song coming from the car radio. Another daughter, Julianna and daughter-in-law, Hannah who is pregnant, sits comfortable in the backseat. Purses and small tote bags sat beside each lady. The trunk is filled with luggage, tote bags, spare tire/jack set, emergency kit, and flashlight/battery set.
During the last days of school; teachers and principal are encouraging students to go on a “Road Trip” with family & friends during the summer months. The trip can be one day of fun adventure, weekend, or a week. Please create a one page typed essay, write about your trip, take and print photos. Another option for students who are beginning to learn; draw pictures and put titles under the pictures (Homework! Noo! lol) Then it was explained: when the students return to school, your teacher will look over your essays, artwork, and answer any questions.
The principal suggested it might be easier to ‘ glue stick’ your essay and pictures on a tri-fold poster board. Someone handed out typewritten pages explaining instructions and some rules such as no criminal activity, no violence, bad language, or abusive activities. Each student who composes the assignment will receive a five dollar gift card. Their essays or poster board or artwork will be displayed in the hallways for a short time. An assembly in the school gym to read outloud your essay, show printed photos, or artwork.Parents and family members are welcome to attend the assembly and after school tour the displays.
The moment my grandchildren ran into their homes, they continued to talk nonstop, very excited about “Road Trip”, and begging to go. We were video chatting with each family and my grandchildren made “Road Trip” so exciting! For a brief moment; I thought I could write an “article” about historical events, take pictures, and find some stories for my museum. Grandma gets to relax, sleep, and spend time with her daughters. I am beginning to have mixed feelings about buying land and ancient fixer uppers in Kansas.
The resort is located in a charming Dutch town in Iowa; it has a lake view, best restaurants, and miniature golf. Rich with history and dutch settlers,hometown where famous people lived, tour of famous homes, and tour of farms cultivating seasonal crops and flowers.
Hannah married our son, Elijah, they are expecting their first baby-a girl! One nice thing about moving to Kansas-we are able to live closer to Hannah and Elijah and my sister and her family. Instead of driving to Iowa; Samuel and I, Elijah and Hannah paid a pilot to fly us in a small Cessna airplane to Iowa airport.
Father and son worked side by side at a distribution warehouse in Iowa before the closing happened. Elijah was offered a transfer and he took the transfer. He wanted to continue working at the warehouse to support his family, have insurance, and pay bills. Hannah is a beautician and has dreams of going to law school to be a lawyer.
A group of male members of our family; Mr. Snuggles, Elijah, Marigold’s husband, Dr. Lucas, their sons-Matthew, age 8 and Wyatt,age 4, Julianna’s two sons, Julius age 7 and Jack age 6 gathered together. Julius and Jack brought along a small igloo filled with ice packs, turkey sandwiches, grapes, granola bars, and juice boxes with straws.
”Yes mom, we will share”
Mr. Snuggles and Dr. Lucas was given the assignments to drive two rented R V campers to Minnesota National Park. Arrangements were made ahead of time; camp, hike, swim, sing, fish and ride small boats for the weekend. John drove separately in his car due to his work schedule, groceries filled the back seat, and he arrived at the park to meet his family. The weather was beautiful but the nights were cold in the mountains. The rains were heavy the last couple weeks, now the river has become choppy but still able to do water activities. The small boys were equipped with life jackets, bug spray, and sunscreen despite the arguments and stomping around.
Marigold and Dr. Lucas’s daughter, Zoey, age 6 decided to spend the weekend with my parents/ great-grandparents. For her birthday, Zoey was given a handmade blue cornflower dress, tights, and high heels-just her size. Now Zoey has an opportunity to wear her pretty outfit. Great-grandparents made reservations to a nice restaurant and tickets to a ballet. Grilled chicken and “Cinderella” sounds exciting to a sweet little girl.
Marigold and Julianna became pregnant at the same time. Zoey and Jack are 6 weeks apart. My father passed away and my mother remarried to a wonderful christian man who retired from a professional career. I called my step-dad ‘dad’ and called my mother and step-father ‘parents’. My mother’s name is Mrs.Sara Lou Stoneridge and my dad’s name, Stanley Robert Stoneridge.
Julianna already sent messages to her/our family; that she will host this year’s Fourth July party at her home. A cabin with panorama view of a creek, located in the country betrothed with a few acres in Iowa. Everyone was quite startled and excited by the news. Oh! By the way, everyone will be part of the talent show. “Talent show?!”
Julianna is divorce and was very thankful she was given full custody of her sons. But at the same time she expects her ex-husband to visit and stay in touch with the children.Julianna is cashier at a local owned home improvement store and teaches a semi monthly class, ‘Tile and Cement’. Then she teaches another semi monthly class at a farm store, ‘How to take care of Baby Animals’.
Marigold, Dr. Lucas, and their children are ‘next town neighbors’ to Julianna and her children in Iowa. The five children are attending the same school due to the small town’s low population and low attendance. Churches and businesses combined due to low attendance/customers as well. Dr.Lucas is a certified chiropractor, Marigold is a business manager; they work together in the same office, that is how they meet. The office is owned and operated through a large state community hospital.
Miracle transpired; the local grocery store manager hired Mr. Snuggles as manager assistant with good pay, benefits, insurance, dental, and vision. He was able to receive a mini vacation but Samual needs to work the next two weeks with no day offs. We are very happy the local grocery store closes on Sunday. There is a sign on the glass doors that read:
‘In case of emergency or urgent matter, here is the telephone number to call’ a number was posted.
‘Sorry no retirement.’
I took my smartphone out of my purse, pushed the button on the side, tapped my code, tapped on the screen. tapped apps; all done with a fingertip. Reminding me of the ad ‘Walking with your Fingers’ now it’s ’Walking with your Fingertips’. Once again, I felt sorry for people who lost their jobs and companies closed due to progress and technology. On a happier note, I tap a message, ‘Happy Father’s Day! Are you enjoying your gift?’ sent to my sweetie.