The weather really has been a joy, hasn’t it? It could stay this way all year for me. I’m not a lover of heat, so when the temperatures soar, I usually try to stay in air conditioning if possible. Even though I don’t enjoy cold weather days either, they are easier for me to handle than the other extreme. It is no surprise then that I love both the spring and fall seasons. This time of year I love to see the beautiful contrast of the brilliant green in the trees and grass along side the rich black dirt fields all dug up and newly planted.
On Sunday we took a delightful drive to LeMars, Iowa, to meet up with some of our extended family from the Omaha area, including my mom who was traveling back “north” to spend some time with us again. Our plan was to enjoy Mother’s Day afternoon at the Wells Blue Bunny Ice Cream Shop. We spent about four hours enjoying some visiting, laughing, and of course, consuming our favorite ice cream flavors and treats.
If you have never been there, it is a fun little day trip. The ice cream parlor is in an old bank building downtown on Center Street, and it is just a beautiful, welcoming place. As you enter, a grand staircase is right in front of you, which takes you up to a great museum of the history of Wells Blue Bunny. Also on the top floor is a spacious party room that can be rented for special family events. Downstairs is the soda and ice cream fountain, a unique gift shop, and plenty of tables and booths to relax and enjoy your time. Or there are several tables and chairs outside to provide shade and more visiting space.
When we were there, the line to pick out your favorite cone or other ice cream delight was almost non-stop. It was definitely the choice for many families on that gorgeous Sunday! I also found out that there are about fifty-five large ice cream cone creations all around the city. You can get a map and try to find them all just for fun. They are about six foot high and painted and decorated so creatively! Many families were taking photos right outside the shop by one of them to help remember the memory.
It was fun to watch my youngest granddaughter, Selah, eat some of her mom’s peanut butter fudge ice cream. She just loved it, and couldn’t get enough. I’m not sure if her mom ever had time to spoon some of it into her own mouth…Selah certainly was not patient waiting for her next bite! It reminded me of when she spends days at the farm with me. On those days it is red grapes…she double fists them off the high chair tray almost before I can cut them in half and place them there. She is addicted to those juicy little fruits!
She spent some time with me today, while her daddy helped Dan outside. She was a year old in April, so there isn’t much that she misses or doesn’t have a curiosity about. Selah isn’t walking yet, but she walks around most things and can crawl faster than I can usually get where she is going. She is my exercise plan on the days she comes to visit! She loves being outside, and likes our walks to the mailbox. Her big, blue eyes just sparkle and she is quick to flash her big smile our way most of the time.
Great Grandma June had fun making faces with her today. It made Selah just laugh out loud. I’ll have to get some pictures of the two of them next time. They are ninety years apart in years, but still can have a fun connection. Pretty amazing, when I thought about it.
Some days when Selah waves good-bye and heads home to Slayton, I have to sit down and take a little breather! Whew…it takes energy to keep up with a one year old. I admire greatly those grandparents who, because of circumstances, are raising their grandchildren. God bless them; I am not sure I would have the stamina to do it on a daily basis. I am sure there are struggles, but rewards too.
It sounds like we will experience some rain showers this week before the sunshine returns again in a few days. However you spend your week, do enjoy the beauty of spring! And those dandelions!! Pretty, little golden yellow flowers, but tough, weedy plants to get rid of. Stubborn too. Mow them down and they seem to stand right back up with their white, hairy seeds! Fortunately they don’t last too long.
Oh! That reminds me to remind you…please watch for the bright red VFW Poppies this Friday, May 19th, around Fulda. Please be generous and give a donation for a worthy cause. Thank you!!
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