Koppy Christmas

Elvis on a snowboard....?

My niece emailed this picture of the resent snow in Las Vegas....it has me seeing Santa on a snowboard racing Elvis on a snowboard down the strip, past palm trees and Hawaiian shirted tourists....:) Welcome to Las Vegas and Merry Christmas!

Making Merry for Christmas

We have been hearing for months now the gloom and doom when it comes to the world wide economy. Every morning on the talk shows they have tips on how to make an economical and memorable Christmas.
It is not the size of your Christmas tree, but what is in your heart that matters. I have always enjoyed the traditions of Christmas, baking cookies and rolls and special dishes, making crafts and gifts and plans to surprise....when you open your heart to others, your heart fills up so full with love.....ask the Grinch how full... :D

um...well...winter

There is nothing we can do to change it, the approach of old man winter....he does as he pleases and boy, watch out when he sneezes!

Thanksgiving

Still My Baby

Ames, Iowa November16th, 2008

The Iowa Statesmen

She Got a Strike!

The simple pleasures in life are still alive and well in Jones County. At the local bowling alley, kids of all ages spend a few Saturday afternoons engaged in wholesome activity. You gotta love the Midwest! :)

Who are these Koppenhavers?

I recognize Aunt Nelda Koppenhaver, kneeling in the bottom right corner with the little girl on her lap. I think the lady seated in the middle is Anna Koppenhaver. Who are the rest of these relatives turned ancestor?

to Gram B, Millie and Clara

Grandma's Hands

HANDS



GRANDMA'S HANDS

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench.
She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the
longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her
at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and
looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she
said in a clear voice strong.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here
staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I
explained to her.

"Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really
looked at your hands?"

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them
over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at
my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have
served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled
shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to
reach out and grab and embrace life.

"They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the
floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my
mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled
on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off
to war.

"They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were
uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated
with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone
special

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I
buried my parents and spouse.

"They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and
shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the
rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken,dried
and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works
real well these hands hold me u p, lay me down, and again continue to
fold in prayer.

"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out
and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to
His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of
Christ."

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God
reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home.

When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my
children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and
caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my
face.


-- Author Unknown

Summer

Summer got her hair cut and it is oh, so cute!!!!

First Flakes

If you look closely at the roof of the bird feeder you can see the accumulation of some snow flurries that passed through today. It had to happen sometime...here comes old man winter....

The Gall

Mom had her gall bladder removed yesterday. It is an out patient procedure now a days. It is amazing that they can make a couple little holes and fix you up and send you home. By the time my sister, Amy and I finished our lunch it was over. We spent several hours visiting until it was time to go home.







Here is Mom all ready to go into surgery.
Amy and I had a nice lunch in the cafeteria.

Sweet Relief

Gas prices in the Midwest continue to go down. Good news for everyone! The News says prices haven't been this low since 2005.

Non-violent Revolution

Election Day

November 4th is finally here. We have stuck it out through all the ads, debates, mud slinging and fashion police. Now is the time to let your voice be heard. Get out there and vote, no matter who your candidate is, they need you now, more than ever, to do it...put your actions behind your words and get out there and vote.

On a personal note, I can't wait until tomorrow's 'The View' so I can see Barbara serve them all a big ole steaming cup of shutthehellup.......:)



















Carly Simon....Anticipation....anticipation is making me wait...it's keeping me waiting...




A proud voter...ain't he cute?

Fortune Cookie

Tonight I ate with my son at our local Chinese Restaurant. As is the custom, after the meal we were given a 'fortune cookie'. Most of us with a fondness for Chinese food have experience the anticipation of the fortune cookie, what will it say, will it say anything about me...
my girlfriends and I always played the game where you all read your fortunes aloud and then say 'in bed' after the fortune... tonight mine said, 'when we are finished changing, we are finished...'
Sometimes there are lessons in those little folded cookies.

Fried Pickles

If you have never tried them reserve judgment until you have a chance to experience fried pickles.

1963 Ford Falcon Futura

Check out Mama's Little Baby by clicking on the Flickr link on the left side of my blog.

Civil War Battle Flag Presentation

The citizens of Anamosa were privileged to see a presentation at the Anamosa Public Library honoring the battle flag from the 9th Infantry Jones, Co. There were infantry men and ladies in period dress. Several people spoke about the flag and it's significance. It was a very moving program.

Oliver

I have talked about my neighbor and his love for tractors before on this blog. Kenny never ceases in being delight to use his tractors in some sort of project or adventure. This past weekend Kenny got out the old Oliver and pulled our shed around the corner for us. What a good neighbor and the smile on his face is priceless!

where we journey

Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent. —Parker Palmer

I was intrigued by this quote so I set off to find out who and what this Parker Palmer is about...like Pandora, the lid flew off and I was irrevocably changed.
Parker Palmer is the author of 6 books, notably "The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life".
Through the magic of the web and digital libraries, I was able to read some of Palmer's book. This guy has 'it' just like Randy Pauch had 'it' and so many others whose talents are about teaching.
In a quote from his book, Palmer says;

"Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects, and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves."

As you watch the corn grow you can ponder the question, what kind of world was I taught to weave and by whom?

tombstone_to_the_star

tombstone_to_the_star
Originally uploaded by akope

as night beats back the day
in a momentary bubble
neither day nor night
just between this breath and the next
time stands still

Pike's Peak

This weekend we traveled with some friends to northeast Iowa to see the changing of the leaves. It was an absolutely beautiful day with temperatures in the 70's and the sun shining and the sky an endless blue. There is nothing like this Midwest annual journey. We picnicked by the Mississippi and took hundreds of pictures of the scenery. We traveled the Great River Road along the eastern border of Iowa. There were many other site seers along the way. The ride through the countryside was just one beautiful vista after another. Here are just a few of the fabulous pictures nature provide us on our little adventure.

Tapken Webalbum

http://picasaweb.google.com/susiet64/TapkenFamilyPicnic2008#

Grandma Harriet , Andrew and Kati

26 September 2008


Battle's BarbaQue

The food was delicious and the ambiance of this little eatery was quite charming. A good time was had by all, and we got red velvet cupcakes! :)



Grandma Harriet and Kati at Battle's BarbaQue.
Kati played the violin at the wedding. It was just beautiful! She has been playing since the age of three. She is a very talented young lady!

The kids and Uncle Jerry

Hannah is ready for the high tech world!
What a sweetie pie!!
With Jill's help, so is Uncle Jer! :)

The Koppys

Aunt Cloann and Uncle Bill
Brian and Micah
Jill, Hailey and Hannah
Matt, Julie and Ella
Uncle Jerry

Cindy, LeAnn and them....

Scott and Kinsey make such a sweet couple!!
Maybe they will be next! :)

The Aunts

Sue's sisters and Les speak...

The Tapkens

Words for Andrew and Emily

Here is to you....

Echo Valley Country Club, Norwalk, Iowa
27 September 2008
The Wedding Reception of
Andrew and Emily Koppenhaver
Salutations and well wishes
from the grooms side of the family.
The Tunwalls

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Andrew and Emily Koppenhaver

Here in this little church, in front of God, family and friends, a new family was formed. We are blessed to have two such wonderful people gracing our family.
Love you both, always.....Ma and Pa Tapken

Baby Boy is Getting Married!

Baby boy is getting married.
Here are Gram and AD in 1991.

A giggle kiss for Gram...
At six years old...always the orator.

Always into wheels...

Dad and I couldn't be more proud of you and your beautiful wife!
Live Long and Prosper
Ma and Pa

Kathryn Ann is Here!

My sister , Kathi and her friend, Elizabeth are here in Iowa for the wedding of my son. The weather has been absolutely wonderful for their visit. Hailing from the southern part of Texas, they are used to hot weather and even hotter food. You know, the stuff that makes your nose run and your eyes water. Even now, to them, Iowa is an emerald green oasis. In the spring Mom and I drove down to Texas for a visit. We drove out of late winter into spring and on the return trip realized we had not missed spring in Iowa. We still got in on morrell season and the blooming of the apple trees....:) We are all getting excited about traveling to Des Moines for the wedding. Kevin has the buckles on his overalls all polished up to a high sheen. :) We both have our dancing shoes packed and are ready to bust a move (and hopefully not a hip).


Here are Elizabeth, Kathi and Mom at Fifth Street.

Techno junk

I went to the airport with my mom yesterday to pick up my sister and her friend who flew in for my son's upcoming wedding. We were greeted by the familiar 'running people', a huge sculpture that stands outside the airport. Once we found a parking spot and made our way into the terminal we went to see if the flight was on time. I was amazed to see a computer screen with a picture of the USA and airplane icons representing the flights due in and where they were on the map. How cool is that? You no longer have to sit and wonder where your loved ones are or what is taking so long for the plane to get here...:) you just watch the little plane get closer and closer to it's destination.

One Year Out

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my father's passing. The family got together in his honor at the Cork N Fork, a little sandwich shop my dad liked to frequent. Here are Scott, Kinsey, Mom, Marla, Les and Amy waiting patiently outside for the rest of us to arrive.

Here is Marla the clown in the family.

I miss my dad very much... mostly because he simply took me for me. I didn't always have to say things precisely and he still knew what I meant. I didn't have to be perfect for him. He loved me anyway. I could tell by the tone in his voice when there was trouble in the family and he could tell by my voice when there was trouble in me. Even when my father was displeased by my behavior, there was a hug and a smile and an I love you. There are many people in our town who still remember Dad; how good and kind and funny he was. He loved people and people loved him. Now that the hurt is not so new, it comforts me when people tell me stories about how Dad touched their lives. I think my cousin,Cara, put it very nicely when she said that my dad had a way of making each person feel like the special one.