A Wish for Rick and Cindy

The LP tank at the extreme right of this picture is the only evidence left that a family once lived on this spot by the Wapsipinicon River. My husband's childhood friend, Rick and his girlfriend, Cindy have lived along the river for a number of years. They have been through floods and a tornado and yet had seen nothing like this last devastating flood in June of 2008.
"It's just gone." our friend Rick told us one day when he ran into us at Casey's. "Everything that was in the basement and on the first floor is down in the Gulf of Mexico by now."
Where do you begin to rebuild your life? It is a daunting task. So, you begin with hope, hope for the future. You have to have enough hope left in you to say there is hope, we can get our life back in order. We can rebuild, things are only things and what is important is that we have our families, we have each other....
My husband and I have hope that we will soon be seeing the start of a new home for Rick and Cindy on the same spot Rick's grandfather had lived for so many years before...

Rick, a long time dump truck driver, gets his home razed with the help of some friends.

Dump trucks and an excavator along Lead Mine Road in Jones County, Iowa.

Free Speech heard in Olin...

This is America at it's finest. This poor guy has been so harassed by his neighbors that he has written an explanation on the side of this bus in Olin, Iowa. That is Jones County for mind your own business!

Max Arthur's 80th Birthday

Uncle Max had his 80th birthday on the 20th of July 2008. It was a lovely party with a slide show of Max and family over the years. It was fun seeing people that I haven't seen for a number of years. Max and his wife, Irene, have four children, they have several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

July in Jones County

...some see the storm coming and some see the light...

Southern view from the Iowa Street Control Center.












Grant Wood country for sure! This is just one of the majestic views of Jones County, Iowa. Taken from Highway 64 looking south towards the Olin area, the palette of greens exude summer at it's height. With the passing of months this view will slowly be transformed into a wonder of golds and browns.

Tigerlily

Like a glimpse into the past Iowa ditches are alive with the native plants that covered this land when our father's, father's, father lived here in the cradle of the heartland.

Do you really have to sing?

Scott's 24th Birthday

The Koppys gathered to celebrate Scott's birthday. The weather co-operated perfectly with sunny skies and a breeze to keep us cool. Amy and Les rode their motorcycles. There is something about the sound of a couple Harley's...:)
Marla arrived by Jeep and Mom by van...Scott and Kinsey in big red. With greenie out in the yard it looked like quite the bash!! :) We missed sister, Cindy, who had to work...(you were missed, Girl!) A good time was had by all. :)

Fire Works

Kevy T
the ultimate blogger... :)


Jones county, Iowa...July 4th 2008
The camera cannot compare to the eye...

Independence Day at Pookie Park

We have been fortunate to participate in the 3rd Annual Pookie Park 4th of July Brunch. Uncle Dan and Aunt Rhonda host the event at their beautiful country home. Dan cooks bacon and eggs on the grill and it is a treat not to be missed. There is alway a wide variety of other dishes made by the party goers. It truly is a feast! This year the kids had a waterslide to play on and squirt guns to soak Uncle Dan with. :) It was a beautiful day and a wonderful time was had by all.

Fun at Pookie Park