41 degrees

This morning’s early low temperature is another reminder fall is on its way to Nebraska. My response to that reminder included turning on the furnace – the earliest I can ever recall doing so – and wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt and cotton gloves for my early morning walk (fortunately, walking shorts provided enough protection for my legs from the chill).

What I did not do, and hope not to do, is focus on what follows fall. Instead, my thoughts turned to a recent observation that leaves from one of our neighbor’s trees are turning and falling. For me that means we will be enjoying the season’s beauty soon. I already sense nature beckoning me to once again experience its grandeur.

I intend to do just that with an upcoming trip to the Niobrara and as many visits to nearby prairies as getting a house ready to sell and on the market will allow me. My mind’s eye can picture a setting sun highlighting the tall grass’s beautiful golden color, migrating birds and a glimpse of wildlife at places such as the Saline Wetlands and Audubon’s Spring Creek Prairie.

I am ready to be out there! 

Just a thought

How easy it is to criticize. Praise seems to be a bit harder.

And one more thing

Gasoline for our trip cost as much as thirty cents a gallon less than it does in Lincoln. The most expensive per gallon price we paid was fifteen cents per gallon less than here. Hmm.

A tale of two weeks

Last week seems like a whirlwind. This week seems overwhelming.

The Louisiana trip, which began Thursday, went well and included notable events.

First, I hope we have no reason for another trip to Kansas City until Interstate 29 is open. The Highway 75/36 detour between Nebraska City and St. Joseph, Missouri is a mess. Monday was particularly bad with the backup consisting of more than 50 cars in each direction.) 

Friday morning, after spending the night in Russellville, Arkansas, brought the first of two accidents we would happen upon during the trip. Rounding a curve along a twisty section of Highway 7 – previously rated one of the ten best drives in America – we stopped for a motorcyclist who had failed to negotiate the curve on his Harley. The result was a motorcycle on its side and a rider with at least a dislocated shoulder. Our efforts to assist were resisted. The rider insisted he was okay and his buddy would be back once he was missed. We believe the rider was quite lucky. He was not wearing a helmet. Arkansas law does not require the use of one.

We arrived at the tree farm Friday afternoon to find much grown trees since the last time we were there two years ago. Until this year we were able to see over the trees. Not anymore. Our two stands are thick with loblolly pines, many between 15 and 20 feet in height. We were relieved at what we saw as where the trees are located has been experiencing drought conditions as I have mentioned in prior posts. Three years ago; the tree farm received over 70 inches of rain. This year’s total through eight months is just over 20 inches. Thankfully, tropical storm Lee brought 1.41 inches of rain to the tree farm while we were in Louisiana. Much more is needed.

The primary reason for our trip was the other reunion (see the previous entry for an explanation) and it too went well. My “classmates” were welcoming and made Sharleen and me feel very much at home at the Friday night reception and dinner and Sunday’s informal gathering. Reconnecting was a lot of fun and a group of us have pledged to get together on our, hopefully annual, tree farm inspection trips.

We returned to Russellville Sunday night and got off on the last leg of our trip early Monday morning in anticipation of the detour mentioned above. 558 miles and many hours later we were home to wonderful, moderate weather conditions and the need to accomplish much.

That is because the Wednesday night before leaving we finalized a purchase agreement for a town house in South Lincoln. The tentative closing date is November 18 but our realtor wants us to have our house emptied and on the market “in a week or so.” Huh?

Can you imagine how much we have accumulated in our current house since purchasing it in 1975? Well, I’ll tell you.  A lot. Nevertheless, our efforts are underway and we have put fun aside until the “for sale” sign goes up or we go to the Niobrara the end of the month.