We're trying something new to many of us. At a gathering of Deboer cousins in MI it was decided to tap into the Facebook phenom and create a page. thanks to Anna Hoekstra it's up and running - with George Z. even! So, if you're a member of Facebook find your way to the "groups" tab [ sometimes on the right hand side - sometimes under "more"] and search for "When it's Noon in Doon" and join up. If you're not a part of facebook, you'll have to do that first. It's not hard. Ask your kids or a young person for help. It's ok. Our generation brought in space travel, computers and diet Coke. We don't have to know everything.
Spread the word to related children, parents and others. I can only list 10 addresses to notify of this post so please help. Questions, send to hollhoek@sbcglobal.net
Let's ride that cyber train!!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
visit to Denver
I had a conference in Denver last week and added some days to the trip to visit some members of this blog. It all worked out well and I visited cousins, aunts and uncles; and some cousins, once removed.
see this site to explain all that: http://www.genealogy.com/16_cousn.html
First off Randy Vander Laan picked me up from the hotel and gave me a detailed tour of the old dutch neighborhood, which the dutchies left, and is now inhabited by hipsters and yuppies. There are at least two sushi restaurants there! this area is terrific! small, well designed brick houses on small lots, with a good network of quiet streets, and Pearl Street - a great main street - 2 parallel parking lanes and 2 thru lanes. I was going to pace it off but forgot. Probably no more than 36 or 38 feet, curb to curb. Maybe 10 foot sidewalks. Perfect. Slow, low volume traffic; but thriving businesses. Later i went back for a bagel at the coffee shop, filled with sandal shod computer operators on the deck. (It is almost always nice weather in Colorado!)
Randy told me the names of many of the former inhabitants including his grandparents, and we found great aunt Etta's house. Somewhere grandma DeBoer live here for a year or so with Aunt Lou and Unc Bud. My mom stayed with Aunt Etta for a few months. I tried to imagine these folks walking around Pearl street while I ate my bagel.
The 2 CRC churches are still there and a reformed church. A few members I suppose.
This neighborhood is really awesome! There is even a light rail station a few blocks away. Why did the dutchies move away!? Big mistake. these little houses sell for $500K now. If we have a reunion in CO, we should have a guided tour of this pointing out where everyone lived, and what stores were where. Then maybe some of our cousins once removed will be inspired to reinhabit the homeland.
Randy had some good stories about his growing up there, climbing on the side of the church and being sent on to catechism by the candy store owner.
I also visited Aunt Lynn who was taking Uncle Bill finally out of the extra care section to their apartment. they were in fine fettle and good spirits. Aunt Lynn (how can she be 85? she seems like only 70 to me) plays golf and gets speeding tickets. She told me where to look out for the cops.
Then I visited Jim, Merial and Skye; we talked out the night and visited their new house, and some urban developments that I was interested in, and where their church used to meet. It was a big, failed mall; now it is a town. Ha! We found some common interests in organic growing and fair trade.
Tuesday I was lunching with Sandy and son Nate, who is going into film/video work; so we had to link him up to my son Ben who is eking out a living in LA in movie work. Also a second cousin husband is in LA in this business, but i have lost that link. Will have to study the family tree. While we were eating Linda Peter's son happened by, so met him. There are so many deBoers, so many.
On the way to the airport I found Bud and Wilma's house, and managed to slip in to their highly secure, gated community behind 5 other cars also slipping in behind the one person with a gate card. Oh its secure alright.
Linda was there as well, and word had spread across Denver that I had connected with her son. I guess there was a wacky cousin watch on. ("He's on Arapaho now, headed your way.")
We caught up on the latest news and what had been our worst jobs ever, and other important topics. By the way I did have to pay tolls on the e highway. Maybe Unc Bud has a way with the nice ladies at the toll booths.
So even tho I was 30 miles away from the most spectacular outdoors in NA, I spent my time with my fellow deBoers, talking about the pig killing episode, and other important aspects of
our lives.
I did manage to work in visits to three or four urban places that I thought were exemplary; and rode the light rail to the end and back.
Really tho, I had a great time and renewed connections that are very important to me.
Visit Denver, home of nifty neighborhoods, and great cousins, cousins once removed, uncles and aunts.
see this site to explain all that: http://www.genealogy.com/16_cousn.html
First off Randy Vander Laan picked me up from the hotel and gave me a detailed tour of the old dutch neighborhood, which the dutchies left, and is now inhabited by hipsters and yuppies. There are at least two sushi restaurants there! this area is terrific! small, well designed brick houses on small lots, with a good network of quiet streets, and Pearl Street - a great main street - 2 parallel parking lanes and 2 thru lanes. I was going to pace it off but forgot. Probably no more than 36 or 38 feet, curb to curb. Maybe 10 foot sidewalks. Perfect. Slow, low volume traffic; but thriving businesses. Later i went back for a bagel at the coffee shop, filled with sandal shod computer operators on the deck. (It is almost always nice weather in Colorado!)
Randy told me the names of many of the former inhabitants including his grandparents, and we found great aunt Etta's house. Somewhere grandma DeBoer live here for a year or so with Aunt Lou and Unc Bud. My mom stayed with Aunt Etta for a few months. I tried to imagine these folks walking around Pearl street while I ate my bagel.
The 2 CRC churches are still there and a reformed church. A few members I suppose.
This neighborhood is really awesome! There is even a light rail station a few blocks away. Why did the dutchies move away!? Big mistake. these little houses sell for $500K now. If we have a reunion in CO, we should have a guided tour of this pointing out where everyone lived, and what stores were where. Then maybe some of our cousins once removed will be inspired to reinhabit the homeland.
Randy had some good stories about his growing up there, climbing on the side of the church and being sent on to catechism by the candy store owner.
I also visited Aunt Lynn who was taking Uncle Bill finally out of the extra care section to their apartment. they were in fine fettle and good spirits. Aunt Lynn (how can she be 85? she seems like only 70 to me) plays golf and gets speeding tickets. She told me where to look out for the cops.
Then I visited Jim, Merial and Skye; we talked out the night and visited their new house, and some urban developments that I was interested in, and where their church used to meet. It was a big, failed mall; now it is a town. Ha! We found some common interests in organic growing and fair trade.
Tuesday I was lunching with Sandy and son Nate, who is going into film/video work; so we had to link him up to my son Ben who is eking out a living in LA in movie work. Also a second cousin husband is in LA in this business, but i have lost that link. Will have to study the family tree. While we were eating Linda Peter's son happened by, so met him. There are so many deBoers, so many.
On the way to the airport I found Bud and Wilma's house, and managed to slip in to their highly secure, gated community behind 5 other cars also slipping in behind the one person with a gate card. Oh its secure alright.
Linda was there as well, and word had spread across Denver that I had connected with her son. I guess there was a wacky cousin watch on. ("He's on Arapaho now, headed your way.")
We caught up on the latest news and what had been our worst jobs ever, and other important topics. By the way I did have to pay tolls on the e highway. Maybe Unc Bud has a way with the nice ladies at the toll booths.
So even tho I was 30 miles away from the most spectacular outdoors in NA, I spent my time with my fellow deBoers, talking about the pig killing episode, and other important aspects of
our lives.
I did manage to work in visits to three or four urban places that I thought were exemplary; and rode the light rail to the end and back.
Really tho, I had a great time and renewed connections that are very important to me.
Visit Denver, home of nifty neighborhoods, and great cousins, cousins once removed, uncles and aunts.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Little De Boer Reunion
Hey I think I finally did it! I've been trying to post this for several weeks and I think I finally figured out how to add the pics!
On May 8 the "DeBoer" family was well represented at the Dordt College graduation. Andrew Borger, my son (Mary De Wit), graduated along with Dillon Peters (Linda DeBoer's son), and Kevin Prins and his wife Melissa (Jana De Boer's son and daughter-in-law).
The first picture is (front) Don and Lou with grandson Andrew Borger, Bud and Wilma, Melissa Prins (Jana's daughter-in-law) and Ashley Huisman (Jana's daughter). In the second row is Matt and Dillon Peters (Linda's sons), Jill and Derek Peters (Linda's daughter-in-law and son), Kevin Prins and Aaron Huisman (Jana's son and son-in-law).
The second picture is the old "car pool" gang. I wish I had a picture from the "car pool" days to compare it to. These are Linda's sons and Mary's son. When we lived in Denver we lived close to Gary and Linda and so we "car pooled" to school together. These boys played ball together and had a lot of fun. I think they had a lot of fun at college too!
It was great to see all the cousins and their kids. Unfortunately Mary's two daughters, Jenny and Emily missed the picture. Jenny will be attending Dordt in the fall. Also, Sandy's youngest son Nate, who also attends Dordt, walked in right after we snapped the picture.
We had a wonderful time and the De Boer family is well represented and has been well represented at Dordt college for some time.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
de Boer's are in charge
From New York Times article:
Yvo de Boer, the U.N. official who oversees the climate change talks, said Stern's negotiating style suits the compressed timetable. "He's very clear, he's very concrete, and that makes understanding much easier," said de Boer. "If you spend a lot of time in the trenches you tend to be traumatized, so in that sense it's refreshing that he hasn't been in the trenches in recent years."
Saturday, April 11, 2009
April post
I'm taking a beak from doing taxes :( and thought I'd test my techno moxie. Daughter Cara is now married - all went super - and some of the activity was captured by brother-in-law Tim and nephew Walker, post edited into a cool video. The link is on the sidebar.
I promise there will be serious talk on family reunions soon - promise, promise, promise!
Anybody else feel old when doing Facebook? Seems like an overwhelming technology. Maybe it's just me. Where's my Slinky?
Happy Easter, all.
Dave H.
I promise there will be serious talk on family reunions soon - promise, promise, promise!
Anybody else feel old when doing Facebook? Seems like an overwhelming technology. Maybe it's just me. Where's my Slinky?
Happy Easter, all.
Dave H.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Old memories
I thought this was kind of interesting:
Our daughter Cara is getting married the end of Feb. and she's found this renovated barn to have the reception in. She and Sally went to scope it out the other day and Cara was very excited about the place. She told me that it reminded her of family reunions/get-togethers, especially one time we went to "somebody's" farm in Iowa [ had to be the D&D farm] and had a big picnic. The reception menu is pulled pork & stuff so it fits her memory, which she thinks is cool.
The past shapes the present.
Stay warm y'all.
Dave H
Our daughter Cara is getting married the end of Feb. and she's found this renovated barn to have the reception in. She and Sally went to scope it out the other day and Cara was very excited about the place. She told me that it reminded her of family reunions/get-togethers, especially one time we went to "somebody's" farm in Iowa [ had to be the D&D farm] and had a big picnic. The reception menu is pulled pork & stuff so it fits her memory, which she thinks is cool.
The past shapes the present.
Stay warm y'all.
Dave H
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Greetings from the snowy Pacific NW
We have been struggling with two feet of snow over the last couple of weeks in Washington...highly unusual since we rarely get the white stuff in the first place. We tend to be more spiritual here regarding snow removal...if God brought it we wait for Him to take it back.
As for a DeBoer reunion. We are travelling by RV to NW Iowa to be there in time for a 4th of July celebration in Inwood. Jay will be flying back to Seattle while Marlys stays and visits with the Van Engens for a few weeks. When Jay returns we plan on travelling to SW Iowa to once again be part of RAGBRAI along with several other Washington friends who will join Jay as he bikes across the Hawkeye state. At the completion of the ride we will be travelling back to Washington via Colorado. Maybe a get to gether in Colorado the first week of August???
Jay & Mar
As for a DeBoer reunion. We are travelling by RV to NW Iowa to be there in time for a 4th of July celebration in Inwood. Jay will be flying back to Seattle while Marlys stays and visits with the Van Engens for a few weeks. When Jay returns we plan on travelling to SW Iowa to once again be part of RAGBRAI along with several other Washington friends who will join Jay as he bikes across the Hawkeye state. At the completion of the ride we will be travelling back to Washington via Colorado. Maybe a get to gether in Colorado the first week of August???
Jay & Mar
Thursday, December 25, 2008
links
Let me say again, if you have a website you'd like to share on this blog, send the address to me hollhoek@sbcglobal.net
and I'll put it on.
these are my son jeremy and his wife's respective sites. Let us know what y'all are up to!
and I'll put it on.
these are my son jeremy and his wife's respective sites. Let us know what y'all are up to!
Merry Christmas
Well it's been too long since I've posted anything on here. It seems life gets busy and takes over in spite of best intentions. Thanksgiving happened and before I knew it Christmas was here. Throw in we're re-doing the kitchen [ great timing, I know] Cara is getting married in Feb and there are planning things there, though it all is going very well. So, I've gotten a bit distracted. But on this Christmas night let me offer greetings and best wishes, good cheer and ho ho ho!
It struck me the last couple of days ,in these times especially, how important the gift of our Saviour is. Good thing to remember.
So the story on the blog name goes like this;
During our visit this summer to Iowa we experienced a ritual that I found to be interesting and enjoyable. At a given time of the day individuals pause, gather together and share a libation. Some may know this as "happy hour" or other handles. What seemed to set our experience apart, however, was that this was nicely defined; no copious amounts of drinkage, just good conservative moderation. And all that tied to making connections with people. It may have been just a couple or maybe more, but to set aside time to connect was a good concept in my mind. Doing so over a beer or whatever is a bonus! [ ginger ale would work too] So I asked when you know it's ok to do this and was clued in to a local NW Iowa phrase that is a benchmark for some, "when it's noon in Doon........" I guess anytime after noon in Doon you're good to go. I found this funny because growing up in Doon we never heard about drinking beer unless Dad happened to stop in at the local "cafe" [the one on the corner] while making a trip to the elevator or something, probably at the urging of a Reformed Church guy! Things change I guess, though Gramma DB was known to have a bit of beer, as I recall.
So I thought that since one goal of this blog is to connect the clan maybe the phrase used to indicate the "connecting time-outs" might be appropriate. Plus, I still think it's funny. There ya go.
After holiday celebrations are over and kitchen cabinets are hung we'll get down to business and start talking about a DB reunion - time and place. I'll see if I can figure out a cool way to tabulate opinions. Put your thinking caps on.
Blessings for the new year ,all!!
Dave H.
It struck me the last couple of days ,in these times especially, how important the gift of our Saviour is. Good thing to remember.
So the story on the blog name goes like this;
During our visit this summer to Iowa we experienced a ritual that I found to be interesting and enjoyable. At a given time of the day individuals pause, gather together and share a libation. Some may know this as "happy hour" or other handles. What seemed to set our experience apart, however, was that this was nicely defined; no copious amounts of drinkage, just good conservative moderation. And all that tied to making connections with people. It may have been just a couple or maybe more, but to set aside time to connect was a good concept in my mind. Doing so over a beer or whatever is a bonus! [ ginger ale would work too] So I asked when you know it's ok to do this and was clued in to a local NW Iowa phrase that is a benchmark for some, "when it's noon in Doon........" I guess anytime after noon in Doon you're good to go. I found this funny because growing up in Doon we never heard about drinking beer unless Dad happened to stop in at the local "cafe" [the one on the corner] while making a trip to the elevator or something, probably at the urging of a Reformed Church guy! Things change I guess, though Gramma DB was known to have a bit of beer, as I recall.
So I thought that since one goal of this blog is to connect the clan maybe the phrase used to indicate the "connecting time-outs" might be appropriate. Plus, I still think it's funny. There ya go.
After holiday celebrations are over and kitchen cabinets are hung we'll get down to business and start talking about a DB reunion - time and place. I'll see if I can figure out a cool way to tabulate opinions. Put your thinking caps on.
Blessings for the new year ,all!!
Dave H.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Home in the Heartland
Hey Everyone,
I don't have much to say, but it is kind of fun to read all of your posts. Warren and I are still living and farming in Edgerton, MN, where we have been for the past 32 years. I work in the local Christian High School working on computers and stuff. For those of you wondering who I am: I'm the second daughter of Bud and Wilma De Boer.
Debbie (Grandma Moo to some)
I don't have much to say, but it is kind of fun to read all of your posts. Warren and I are still living and farming in Edgerton, MN, where we have been for the past 32 years. I work in the local Christian High School working on computers and stuff. For those of you wondering who I am: I'm the second daughter of Bud and Wilma De Boer.
Debbie (Grandma Moo to some)
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Inspiration Hills
While I was unfortunately unable to attend the reunion in Inspiration Hills, I do know someone who did attend - and I got a wonderful keepsake. I knew it would come in handy someday!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
update??
Greetings all..
a reunion sounds great and Jim's ranch even better, but the when was the last time a reunion was held in Iowa.. ??
Also just an update, remarried on March 10, 2008.. Diana Marie Elder... Kansas girl.. :)
Ciao
George D (Butch)
a reunion sounds great and Jim's ranch even better, but the when was the last time a reunion was held in Iowa.. ??
Also just an update, remarried on March 10, 2008.. Diana Marie Elder... Kansas girl.. :)
Ciao
George D (Butch)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
lost password and found it
I found the blog, but lost my password, but was able to reset it. I seem to be typing in the right place.
I havent been getting recent blog entries, but pushed an orange icon so may do so. (I am not computer illiterate. I work with them all day, but not this way, I said defensively.)
So anyway I have been doing some offblog emailing. the Obama supporters have been cheering each other on. I suppose the Bush supporters are too weary and forlorn, counting up the remnants of their house value or IRA stocks.
I also got advice from Floyd about how to kill hogs. Which helped Floyd! Of course I did watch utube movies of it being done too. The reason for it being that Anna fattened two pigs this summer and Penelope and Peanuckle, or whatever their names were, reached the requisite 200 plus pounds and couldnt be kept over winter. so anna toughened up and got her friends and family to do the deed while she was gone.
I supplied theory while anna's friends family (originally from Mexico where they did their own butchering.) carried out my anxious instructions. Or so I thought. I told the shooter where to shoot and advised him to "Shoot now! Shoot now!" Many of you will not appreciate graphic details so I will use euphemisms from here on. So I also used floyd's advice about where plunge the device to get out the life force. then we tried to hoist up by rope the carcass, 4 to 6 of us hefting as well as we could. One noting that his face was very close to worst end of the pig. so then we lowered the body and the father from the old country, whose english is limited - so of course led to some excited exchanges of incomprehensible verbiage, sometimes lacadaisically translated. But the life force fluids were out, and father meticulously reduced the hog's weight and redistributed it into a bucket, which they valued and took home with them. There were some tricky parts in there that Floyd did not have time to explain, so it was essential for Father ( I cannot remember his last name althought is common Like Cordosa). to be there. Very neat. Then 6 of us hoisted with difficulty the carcass into the back of the pick up and Katie and I took it off to the butcher shop. I volunteered to accompany her so she wouldnt get lost. and as it happens, by the time we returned the other hog had been turned into a carcass, put on the back of another pickup and was on its way out. so it all worked fine Floyd, thanks to you and Father Mendosa - thats not right either! Penelope is now called chops, roasts or bacon; but her spirit is represented by the 4 animals spoken of in revelation in heaven I suppose.
Hope to hear of you alls adventures and experiences soon, if you can find your password. You may use mine if you can't.
Jay Hoekstra
I havent been getting recent blog entries, but pushed an orange icon so may do so. (I am not computer illiterate. I work with them all day, but not this way, I said defensively.)
So anyway I have been doing some offblog emailing. the Obama supporters have been cheering each other on. I suppose the Bush supporters are too weary and forlorn, counting up the remnants of their house value or IRA stocks.
I also got advice from Floyd about how to kill hogs. Which helped Floyd! Of course I did watch utube movies of it being done too. The reason for it being that Anna fattened two pigs this summer and Penelope and Peanuckle, or whatever their names were, reached the requisite 200 plus pounds and couldnt be kept over winter. so anna toughened up and got her friends and family to do the deed while she was gone.
I supplied theory while anna's friends family (originally from Mexico where they did their own butchering.) carried out my anxious instructions. Or so I thought. I told the shooter where to shoot and advised him to "Shoot now! Shoot now!" Many of you will not appreciate graphic details so I will use euphemisms from here on. So I also used floyd's advice about where plunge the device to get out the life force. then we tried to hoist up by rope the carcass, 4 to 6 of us hefting as well as we could. One noting that his face was very close to worst end of the pig. so then we lowered the body and the father from the old country, whose english is limited - so of course led to some excited exchanges of incomprehensible verbiage, sometimes lacadaisically translated. But the life force fluids were out, and father meticulously reduced the hog's weight and redistributed it into a bucket, which they valued and took home with them. There were some tricky parts in there that Floyd did not have time to explain, so it was essential for Father ( I cannot remember his last name althought is common Like Cordosa). to be there. Very neat. Then 6 of us hoisted with difficulty the carcass into the back of the pick up and Katie and I took it off to the butcher shop. I volunteered to accompany her so she wouldnt get lost. and as it happens, by the time we returned the other hog had been turned into a carcass, put on the back of another pickup and was on its way out. so it all worked fine Floyd, thanks to you and Father Mendosa - thats not right either! Penelope is now called chops, roasts or bacon; but her spirit is represented by the 4 animals spoken of in revelation in heaven I suppose.
Hope to hear of you alls adventures and experiences soon, if you can find your password. You may use mine if you can't.
Jay Hoekstra
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Checking In
Greetings all from Minnesota! I am trying to navigate blogging for the first time so here it goes!
It's great to hear from all of you in this cyberspace format and to renew relationships! Spread the word.
Thanks Dave and Sally for taking the initiative to establish this, it's a good start. Sorry we missed you in Iowa but I am glad you were able to come.
The idea of a reunion is excellent. We are willing to do our part. I see some ideas have been submitted, we can go where ever. It more important that we do it. Some where centrally located for all due to the variety of abilities to attend.
That's enough for now.
Blessings to all!
Brian VE
It's great to hear from all of you in this cyberspace format and to renew relationships! Spread the word.
Thanks Dave and Sally for taking the initiative to establish this, it's a good start. Sorry we missed you in Iowa but I am glad you were able to come.
The idea of a reunion is excellent. We are willing to do our part. I see some ideas have been submitted, we can go where ever. It more important that we do it. Some where centrally located for all due to the variety of abilities to attend.
That's enough for now.
Blessings to all!
Brian VE
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Family tree link
After some head scratching, a little coffee and help from Google I found the Deboer family tree website. I haven't looked at it for a while. It looks nicely kept by Uncle Bud [or his designee!] Thanks for that, eh? Then, a little more keypunching and a beer later, I think I've got it onto this site. [look to the left of this post, on the sidebar]. Should help with who's who questions. I know what you mean, George. We have discussions like, "who were their kids?" and I respond with a blank stare and "I forget..."
Thanks all for your responses and participation. Let us know if there are other folks to add or ideas you have.
Dave H
P.S. If you all have family or personal websites you'd like to share, let me know the addresses and I should be able to add them to the list on the left.
Thanks all for your responses and participation. Let us know if there are other folks to add or ideas you have.
Dave H
P.S. If you all have family or personal websites you'd like to share, let me know the addresses and I should be able to add them to the list on the left.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Commissioner Dave
Since we are all probably a little out of touch and this is a way to reconnect, wouldn't it be great if we could somehow post our family trees on the site? Or one big family tree? Then when we are not sure of who someone is, we can check it out on the tree! By the way George Z, I am Larry DeWit, son of Louise (DeBoer) Don DeWit. Not really sure who should be in charge of getting this accomplished, but let's start with commissioner Dave H. (you can always deligate)
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone again. Love the pics!! Keep them coming!
Larry DW
I am looking forward to getting to know everyone again. Love the pics!! Keep them coming!
Larry DW
Hi all:
This is a test to see if I can do this. I have read a few blogs but never posted. This sounds like fun if we all can manage the technology. Thanks Dave. I have been so out of touch I may need help on who is who, not just who is doing what. For example, who is Mar, and the person who misses her dad and now her mom is dying...who's that?
I am looking forward to checking in to this blog now and then and reconnecting. Thanks again Dave and Sally.
George Z
This is a test to see if I can do this. I have read a few blogs but never posted. This sounds like fun if we all can manage the technology. Thanks Dave. I have been so out of touch I may need help on who is who, not just who is doing what. For example, who is Mar, and the person who misses her dad and now her mom is dying...who's that?
I am looking forward to checking in to this blog now and then and reconnecting. Thanks again Dave and Sally.
George Z
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Reconnecting
Thanks for your efforts on reconnecting the DeBoer family, Dave and Sally. My first time blogging. I hope I remember my password! Our trip to Iowa this past summer was great. We camped in the new campground in Rock Valley, which was quite pleasant, especially the fireflies at night. (No fireflies in Washington). So where is Jim VL's ranch? Might be a good place to meet. Fairly central for us. We may be the only ones this far west. Jay will want to know about the cycling. Have bike will travel. Jay is already planning to do RAGBRAI next summer, which means I support in our 5th wheel. Maybe we can add on a reunion to our trip as well. Any DeBoer cousins want to join us on a bike ride? (No motors, Dave and Dianne)
Love to all who enter here!
Love to all who enter here!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Homeland
Roots are interesting things. It's understood that most growing things need roots to survive but most of the time they are out of sight and we pay little attention to them. They do on occasion make their presence known. I have roots reamed out of our house's aging sewer pipes every once in a while. Hard to imagine they find anything attractive in there, but what do I know? In a less stinky sense, I find myself drawn back to N.W. Iowa. It's often years in between visits but the urging is there and I can't exactly put my finger on why. Granted, there is Pizza Ranch and Casey's Bakery, numerous eateries, corn, ethanol and wonderful, fun folks to visit...and Doon! But it goes deeper; maybe it's a sense of purpose or place. I'm sure I look like a doofus doing this but I love to stand in and look over a field, hearing the wind and the bugs [must be a city guy]. I remember again where my family came from and even though now greatly dispersed and regardless of whatever else life throws at us, the strength of family history and stories and people give great comfort. That's something we should remember and celebrate!
So I guess you could say this is an attempt at re-connecting. To what degree that happens is to be seen. We know how life is these days, what with megabytes and talking cars and smellular phones and all. But, every journey begins with the first step. So here we go.
The title of this blog comes from something we learned during our recent visit to Rock Valley. Iowa people are hip to it, I think. I'll explain the significance in a later post, but it's all good!!
Blessings, peeps. Be well.
Dave H.
So I guess you could say this is an attempt at re-connecting. To what degree that happens is to be seen. We know how life is these days, what with megabytes and talking cars and smellular phones and all. But, every journey begins with the first step. So here we go.
The title of this blog comes from something we learned during our recent visit to Rock Valley. Iowa people are hip to it, I think. I'll explain the significance in a later post, but it's all good!!
Blessings, peeps. Be well.
Dave H.
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