Home Sizzlin' in the Heat

First of all, we are home. Have been since August 9th. I just haven't worked up the motivation to post. Those "return home blues" that set in, you know.

We zoomed across the eastern portion of the U.S. to attend the annual Anderson Family Reunion in Hugoton. I hadn't been in 9 or 10 years so it was an overdue trip for me. After leaving Emporia, we visited Wichita and Dodge City, KS. Played a little golf in Dodge City. Mom showed me where she went to school and what it was like when she lived there as a child. She was vehemently lamenting the loss of all the saloons along the railroad. Hmmmm. Interesting that.

Some serious rain clouds viewed from our RV park but, alas, the downpour went right around us!


On the Mariah Golf Course in Dodge City.

Our visit in Hugoton was very nice. The weather cut us some slack and we enjoyed seeing everyone over several days. We played some golf, pitched in with the table decorating, played some rousing games of cards, and enjoyed seeing everyone again.

The table with all the family handprints and names. Good thing Sherry had a stash of paints in her classroom!



Some of the gang. I didn't focus on getting a lot of photos so I may have missed someone. Sorry 'bout that, if so.

As always, the food was plentiful and yummy. I always have such a battle trying to choose what to put on my plate and just how much I can pile up before it topples to the floor.

Main food table

Dessert table

One event that stood out for me was how my very dear and mischievous cousins sandbagged me during the auction. Thank you Loren and Ben! If I had even a wisp of ability to think on my feet, Ben, you would have bought back your own bucket-o-golf stuff. But, alas, I do not possess that quality and, for that, it cost me fifty bucks! All for a good cause, though, so I forgive you. But, next time, I'm sitting behind you both where I can keep my eye on you.


Everyone with their much prized auction purchases.


The longevity that runs in the Anderson clan is amazing. It is heartwarming to see all the families gather and honor the memory of Papa and Grandma Anderson and wonderful to see their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and more sharing the weekend together. I don't know how many generations were represented but it was more than a few.

After leaving fair Hugoton, we visited Tom, Susan, Clayton & Landon in Wichita Falls. With school starting again, we didn't know when we would get another chance to see them! Clayton was heading back to OSU, Landon is starting his senior year, and Susan is now teaching full-time. Tom, of course, is playing golf and occasionally working at that lawyering hobby he has. It was a lovely, visit/food/golf filled visit.

So, we're home and planning our next adventure (into the mountains, pleeeeease). We're fine tuning our golf equipment (there is no end) and enjoying San Marcos and friends while here.

Until our next adventure, ta ta.

P.S. Bonnie now looks her well-groomed, adorable self again. Actually better since her regular groomer (Julia at the PetsMart in S. Austin, if anyone needs a referral) smoothed out the haircut from hell and gave her a sassy summer do.

From the Frying Pan Into the Fire

A quick update. We left Maine last Tuesday and headed across the country toward Kansas for an upcoming family reunion. After the smaller, slower roads up along the coast, the interstate system seems a blessing. That is, until I'm surrounded by 5 or 6 aggressive semi's. Then I feel that, perhaps, improvements could be made.

We've spent the last few nights in a suburb of Kansas City. Took some time to get all of us groomed. Mom and I came out better than Bonnie. She looks like a 6-year-old got hold of her with some electric clippers and perhaps a chainsaw. I was so livid when I saw her that I was shaking. Of course, I did not PAY for that lovely piece of work and we now have to put a bandanna around her neck to hide the worst of it. So, needless to say, but I will anyway, you won't be seeing any photos of Bonnie for a while!

Back on the road this morning to lunch with Sean, Keb's youngest, in Emporia, where he is working for the university (something to do with computers), then on to Wichita for some visiting and on to the reunion.

The title you ask? Well, I might have mentioned that it was much cooler on the coast albeit foggy much of the time. As we proceeded west, the temperatures rose rather rapidly. By day two, we were hole up in Minerva with a/c at full speed up to bedtime. The heat index here yesterday was 108 or some ridiculous number. Just reading the temps in southwestern Kansas makes me sweat much less being out in them. I have a theory that we are all being slowly baked, for tenderness you know. The aliens will be landing for their buffet sometime the third weekend of August. For those of you using tanning oil, their favorite is the coconut flavored.

Later.