FIRE!

My heart is breaking for all of our friends and our church family in Spokane. There are three wildfires that have merged and are now burning in the city. As most of you know, we lived in Spokane for almost 30 years, moving back to Omaha to take care of Dennis's Mom who had Alzheimer's. We will always consider Spokane home though, and our friends there are like family, since we had no family living close.

This is a photo of the house we had built in 2002 with our sweet Chloe standing in the front. We loved this house and planned to retire there. We sold in it 2020. Well, this house is now in the "Get Ready to Evacuate" zone. Many of our friends have had to evacuate because the fire has either already burned their homes or is heading toward them. That's the "Get Out Now" Level 3 zone. Our old house is in Level 2. 

It would be so sad to go out there next month and see this house gone. It's already going to be tough seeing all of the damage.

Flames burning near a friend of ours home. They still don't know if their home is okay or not.

This is the perspective from the Gonzaga University campus. Terrifying. This photo is fairly close the to first home we lived in when we moved to Spokane.

According to the officials, this is the number one priority fire in the nation today, although there are hundreds of fires burning around the country. There are more fires in Washington and Oregon than anywhere else in the country. They have not had a drop of rain in Spokane during the entire month of July.  We know over 700 homes have burned and most likely many more.

Please pray for everyone in the path of the fires. Although we got used to having wildfires around us every year when we lived there, I never, ever thought one would be inside of the town and literally burning much of the northwest part of the city to the ground and it's still spreading. The fire began in Riverside State Park on Saturday morning and spread very quickly.

Please Pray For Spokane!

Blessings and love,

Betsy

Home Again

Hello my friends! We got back from our camping trip in the late afternoon yesterday. There was no internet at the campground. Sometimes we had one bar on our phones, but not enough to get online. I apologize. We're home for about three weeks before leaving on a month long trip to Montana and Washington to see our son, grandkids and friends in Spokane.

It was SO HOT. Sunday and Monday the "feels like" temperature was between 117 and 120F. Tuesday was marginally better. I spent a LOT of time in the air conditioning in the camper and everyone else came and visited me. :-) I don't do the outside when it's that hot. The humidity was absolutely awful. It sure didn't stop the others though. Let me show you around.

Mr. Bear was right next to our truck welcoming everyone to the campground.

For the first time we had a group site, which meant we were in a square formation with our camper doors opening onto a central area with the fire ring in the middle. Needless to say, we didn't use the fire ring at all! This was great and we're definitely going to come back, maybe in the spring.  Our camper is on the left, Curt & Barb's is the A-frame and Jeff & Angie's is on the right.

We always have so much fun together. Amanda joined us this time and stayed in our camper with us. Longtime readers will remember that we went to her Masters in Nursing graduation in Kentucky last year. She's a blast to be around and is the same age as our daughter Mandy.

Evening kayaking the day we arrived. Sorry it's a bit blurry. I took this from our campsite

There was a deer with three little fawns just about 1/4 mile down the road. So cute!

Everyone, (except me), went on a 5 mile bike ride around the lake on Tuesday. Oh my gosh it was hot! They are all troopers. Left to right, Dennis, Angie, Curt, Jeff, Amanda, Barb. Jeff is our preacher and you can see that he's not always serious. Ha! Can you imagine riding a bike in such heat? Dennis and Curt are both in their 70's and everyone else except Amanda are in their mid-late 60's.

Taking a short break to catch their breath. These six ride or kayak together about one night a week throughout the summer.

Curt, Barb, Angie, Amanda and Jeff went on a 3 mile hike yesterday morning. (Jeff took the picture.) Dennis opted to stay home with me and relax. It was terribly humid, even worse than normal with 98% and hot temps and he was over it! Ha! Amanda just had major surgery 6 weeks ago and these were her first activities for the summer as the doctor just released her last week to be active again. She was done for when they got back from this hike. It was a good thing we came home afterward although they did go for one more kayak ride after the hike.

They found a beautiful water lily patch on the lake during that last kayak trip and got a couple of gorgeous photos. I think Jeff took both of these.

The view of the lake from our campsites. There was hardly anyone else in the campground, maybe three or four campers scattered around. It was so quiet and beautiful. Just too hot. We've all agreed no more camping in July or August around here. Maybe if we could all go to the mountains, but Jeff is still working and of course, so is Amanda and the mountains are at least an 8 hour drive away.

We've all had our picture taken in this chair and since it was Amanda's first trip with us it was her turn.

Proof of the temperature on Monday. This was without the humidity factored in. It was even hotter when we arrived on Sunday but we didn't take a picture.

Here's Jeff and the proof that we eat very well on these trips! Ha! We share our meals, with one couple responsible for dinner each night. Breakfast and lunch we pool resources. It's always a feast. 

Sunday night Dennis and I made chicken fajita's, refried beans and Watergate salad. Monday night we had  pulled pork sandwiches, watermelon and grape salad and chips. Tuesday night was a baked potato bar with leftovers from the other nights. Baked potatoes in the crockpot are a great way to do it on a hot day. 

Well, I hope you've enjoyed our camping adventure. Admittedly, I sat inside crocheting on a baby blanket or reading while the others were out on these grand adventures. Between my back and the heat, I can't participate in them, but we have plenty of fun at the campground too. We laugh, we eat, we talk, we joke around and play games. Good friends, good times and a love for God among us that is always the basic foundation of all that we do. 

We have our next trip planned for October after we return from Spokane. Needless to say, it should be cooler and we'll even be able to make s'mores on the campfire. Yum.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

Make Me A Blessing [Lyrics]
 by George Stark Schuler and Ira Bishop Wilson

Verse 1

Out in the highways and byways of life
Many are weary and sad
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
Making the sorrowing glad

Chorus 1

Make me a blessing make me a blessing
Out of my life may Jesus shine
Make me a blessing O Savior I pray
Make me a blessing to someone today

Verse 2

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love
Tell of His pow'r to forgive
Others will trust Him if only you prove
True ev’ry moment you live

Verse 3

Give as 'twas given to you in your need
Love as the Master loved you
Be to the helpless a helper indeed
Unto your mission be true

It's been awhile...

Hello Everyone. It's been awhile since I've put a post up. Nothing earth shattering has been happening here. We've had several people at our church pass away and Dennis and I have been working at the luncheons and helping to organize them.  It's also been blistering hot, with a feels like temperature of 113F three days ago. Today it's a bit cooler and I thought I would try to get a post out. 

I've been going to water aerobics at the pool here three mornings a week and then I've just collapsed in the A/C for the rest of the day. Seriously. I haven't even been crocheting or knitting much. Mostly just coloring on my iPad and watching movies.

This coming Sunday we have a camping trip with our gang planned until Wednesday. We're going to a Corps of Engineer park in Iowa that we've stayed at before. It's only a little over a hundred miles away but I'm really not excited about it. It's supposed to be 100F again one day and in the upper 90's the other days we're there. I DO NOT tolerate heat well so I'll probably be sitting inside the camper most of the time. I truly enjoy everyone's company and we also have one lady staying with us in our camper so I know we'll have a good time, but I really don't like the extreme heat and humidity.

I did finish one blanket and have another  being made now, but for almost a month this is pitiful for me. 

I don't know if I'm just a bit down or what, but I have no excuse for not visiting your blogs or posting on here. I feel like I don't have much to write about that's different. It's the same old, same old every day. I've just kind of been a "blob." Well, except for the water aerobic's which I've truly enjoyed and I didn't think I would like and the funerals that I really would have rather not had to go to. I've gotten to know several ladies here in the condo's at the pool that I didn't know before ,which is really nice.

My sister went to our cousin's retirement party a couple of weeks ago and she had these photos on display. Melanie texted them to me and it was a lot of fun to see them. The first is our paternal grandparents on their wedding day sometime around 1918. Andrew John Saathoff and Dena Wilhelmina Hoefling Saathoff. They both came to the US as immigrants as babies in the late 1800's by ship and through Ellis Island. 

This is the Grandma that taught me to crochet, bake and sew. She left me her treadle sewing machine but my step-mother wouldn't let me have it. My step-mom was not a nice lady. I loved my grandma so much. I spent two weeks with her every summer until I started working. I loved that time with her. We would have tea and cookies every night before bed. Mine was more milk than tea, but I felt so grown up. It was our tradition and we never missed doing it. I also loved watching Lawrence Welk with her. So many wonderful memories. I was told that my grandpa's hands were so big they couldn't find a ring so he had a piece of pipe cut for him to wear. He passed when I was very small so I don't remember him as well.

This is my sister Melanie and me. I'm the little one. :-) She still has that same smile and mischievous spirit. When we were little, I never would have thought we would be so close and I would love her so much as adults. (She was a "bit" mean to me as kids.) And by that I mean a LOT mean to me. Ha! Ha! Now she loves me too and we really enjoy spending time together. That is one of the biggest perks to being back in Omaha for me.

That's about it. Dennis and I took Piper to lunch today at Cheddar's and then Papa came home and Piper and I went to three different Targets in search of school supplies. I can't believe that things are already sold  out. We still didn't find everything. She came over Tuesday afternoon and spent a few hours at the pool with Papa and me. That made four hours in the pool for me that day and even with sunscreen I got a burn. I'm trying to stay out of the sun for a few days to let it heal.

I hope you're all well and I'll try to be better about visiting you all. 

Blessings and love,

Betsy

Tuesday, Tuesday

It's a beautiful sunshine day here in Nebraska. Temps are only supposed to be around 80F which is very nice and relatively cool. We slept with the windows wide open for the past two nights and it was so nice. Dennis just texted that they had so many volunteers at the Mission this morning that he and Curt, his cousin, were going to Amanda's to measure the area under her porch. If you remember, Amanda was the lady that we attended her MA graduation in Kentucky last year.

Also you may recall, she had a double mastectomy last winter. Last Monday was reconstruction surgery. On Saturday the four of us, Dennis, Curt, Barb and I went to her house to help out. The guys set to work ripping out a lattice "storage" area under her porch that was dilapidated and she couldn't get her mower into. They dug post holes and poured concrete as well as cleaning out the area. Meanwhile, I did her laundry and a few other household tasks. Barb, a retired nurse, helped her shower and re-wrap the surgical area.

Now the guys are getting ready to start building the lattice gate for the storage area. They sure keep busy. Yesterday they rebuilt a lift on Curt & Barb's camper. Tomorrow they work all day at the food bank. Most days they find something to get into "trouble" together with. Ha!

I have a few more photos of South Dakota before I finish up the trip we took with Piper. First is the redecorated Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. It's all decked out for the 250th Anniversary of our great country.

When you remember that the entire thing is decorated with plants and seeds it's a stunning work of art. These photos were all taken off the computer.

Below is a photo I took as we drove by on I-90. It is the "Dignity of Earth and Sky" sculpture at the rest area at Chamberlain, SD. It overlooks the Missouri River and is 50 foot high. The other side is just as beautiful but we didn't stop this trip. Also at this rest area are many objects and displays that would have been used by Lewis and Clark on their expedition. If you're ever driving down I-90 and have a bit of time to stop, this is definitely a very educational and fun stop for all ages.

I missed the soap giveaway by Debbie at Araignee's Tangled Web and she graciously sent me four beautiful, yummy smelling bars of soap that she made herself. Oh my goodness, they smell divine! I love using her soap and was completely out, so I'm especially thankful. Debbie, thank you for being so generous to all of us. 

When we returned from South Dakota, Piper's Dad, Brad, had been busy. He bought her, her very own airplane! Well, technically it's his, but it's a learner airplane. It's a Grummon and only has two seats, one for the instructor and one for the student. He has been a flight instructor for years and Piper is finally old enough for her pilot's license. If I am honest, it scares me to death, but I have to accept that my baby girl granddaughter is growing up. It's a very nice looking airplane and fits perfectly into the hanger with Brad's Piper Comanche. (Guess where Piper got her name?) You can see the Comanche's wing on the left of the photo. That's Brad's full size pickup in the back right, so you can see the size of the hanger! It seems huge!

I finished the "Grace" baby blanket in blue that I showed you in progress last week I really like this pattern. It's free on Ravelry. I used Bernat baby yarn in a multi color of blues, green and white and plain white Bernat Baby with a "J" hook.

The picture below is my first attempt at the "Cooper Blanket" which is also free on Ravelry. My friend Terri at the "Yarnjoy" podcast on YouTube made it and it looked fun and interesting. We had lunch with Terri and her husband last year when we were in Texas. It's always nice to meet online friends face to face. This blanket is really fun. You make the mitered squares and then join them. Then you crochet each triangle corner piece individually, putting a border around the entire thing when you're done. Mine turned out to be about 40 inches square. I did use a "K" hook so it would be extra cushy and I think some little boy is going to love it. At least I hope they will. I used Big Twist yarn in White, Emerald, Sage and Turquoise. Can you tell where I ran out of sage in the upper right triangle? I had more but it was a different dye lot. I just kept going though. I hope it won't be too much of a difference and it will still be loved by someone.

That's about it. A quiet day is planned here. I took Zoey to the vet yesterday because her separation anxiety has been getting worse. When we got home Saturday after helping at Amanda's, her paw was bloody where she had been pawing at the door. She's so small that there was no damage to the door, but she barks the entire time we're gone. That's a no-no in a condo. We had a note on our door that said she barked the entire five hours we were gone! Oh no! We can't subject our neighbors to that. The vet is trying a medication that will hopefully help. We ordered a nanny cam that will be here today so we can see what she actually does when we're gone. She's such a sweet dog and obviously loves us so much. She is truly terrified when we leave her. Obviously we can't take her everywhere with us so we have to find a solution. Any suggestions from any of you? Have you ever dealt with anything like this? It does seem to be getting worse the older she gets. She's absolutely fine when we're with her.

Take care my friends and I hope you have a wonderful week full of blessings. Please remember to keep this world in your prayers. It seems to be spiraling out of control at an alarming rate but we know that God is in control and is with us through everything. He knows every hair on your head and loves you endlessly.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

All Creatures of our God and King

Text: St. Francis of Assisi

Music: Geistliche Kirchengesange, Cologne, Germany 1623

1. All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam,
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

2. Thou rushing winds that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in Heav'n along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice.
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

3. And all ye saints of tender heart,
Forgiving others, take your part,
O sing ye, alleluia!
Ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
Praise God and on him cast your care:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

4. Let all things their creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, al

More Black Hills

 Good Monday morning to you, my friends and thank you for coming to visit me today. I have a LOT of photos for you today but it will finish off our Black Hills trip last week with Piper. I hope you enjoy them.

First is a view of some of the rock formations on the the Needles Highway. They are so impressive up close.

This one is a view at an overlook on the same highway. On a clear day you can see 50 miles away to the Badlands.

More Needles Highway views near The Cathedral Spires.

I meant to put this photo with last weeks post. As we went through one of the tunnels on the Iron Mountain Road there was a perfectly framed view of Mt. Rushmore which is miles away. A couple of the tunnels were designed with this view and it's pretty impressive, especially the first time you see it when you're not expecting it.

We went to dinner at the Ruby House saloon in Keystone one day. We took Mandy & Jamie well over 40 years ago and it looked exactly the same! It was built in the early 1900's and has the Ruby Saloon attached where there were "entertainment" girls back in the day. Today they have have reenactments of gunfights throughout the day. I just enjoyed looking at the photos on the walls and the antiques in the cabinets on on furniture around the restaurant.

I was able to show Piper the same exact table where we ate so many years ago.

One day Dennis and Piper hiked around the perimeter of Sylvan Lake and another day we drove up and they went kayaking in our double kayaking. They had a great time exploring the nooks and crannies of the rocks around the lake. My back was not cooperating for the majority of the trip so I did not get in the kayak at all. I would have never gotten back out without a crane! :-)

I sat in the truck and read my book and took pictures of them. They paddled closer to me and waved. 

Our campsite was only down the road a couple of miles from the lake and the lake is one of our favorite spots.

We drove the wildlife loop as always and although we didn't see nearly as many bison as usual, we found this one guy all by himself. We also saw a lot of prairie dogs.

There were lots of antelope scattered around the loop too. 

I thought this was a beautiful photo of the red rocks. This land borders Wind Cave National Park. 

I think I took this picture on the Wildlife Loop Road. Isn't she a sweetie? We sure do love this girl. When we got home, she asked Papa to leave the truck at her house for the afternoon. When we went back to get it, she had cleaned the entire inside. That was no easy task because Zoey's hair clings to everything. It's wiry and short and takes a LOT of effort to clean it out of cars.

This little kitty was at our last campsite on the way home. Dennis was outside hooking up the electricity and I was inside putting out the rugs, slides, etc. I kept hearing a cat and when I looked outside this little guy was on our picnic table watching me inside. I went out and sat down and he immediately climbed up on my lap and fell asleep. I sat there petting and snuggling him for almost an hour! I sure miss having a cat but Piper is very allergic to them. After he wandered off, I went in and showered and washed the clothes I was wearing so I wouldn't bring the allergens into the camper. When we were getting ready to leave the next morning, he came back to say goodbye. He must live there at the campground although we've never seen him before and we stay there on every trip westward.

I finished this blanket while we were gone. It's the Grace baby blanket which is free on Ravelry. I used 2 Mandala cakes in the Diagon Alley color way and an "H" hook. Zoey decided that her flamingo needed to be in the photo. :-)

I've also begun another Grace blanket using some scraps of white and a skein of variegated blue/green/white baby yarn that I have with no label. I like the way it's turning out.

I haven't been crocheting as much because my best friend Jenny from Spokane was here on Wednesday, just a couple of hours after we got home. She stayed until Saturday before leaving early in the morning and arriving in Maryland yesterday evening. She's on a 28 day road trip by herself that will have well over 9000 miles driven by the time she gets back home. She is visiting as many National Parks and relatives as she can fit in. Her southernmost point will be Key West, Florida before starting her journey back home to Spokane. She is quite an adventurer. She loves driving alone across the country. She retired last year and wanted to do this trip before she turns 70 next spring.

I hope you're all having a wonderful June so far. I apologize for such a long post but I wanted to finish off the Black Hills photos. Before we left there we made reservations for another week in August at the same campground and even the same site. We will go there on our way to Spokane for our annual visit. We'll also be stopping in Helena, MT for a few nights to see our son and grandkids there. Of course, all of this depends on whether diesel fuel is available for the truck. 

Our oldest granddaughter, Kyleigh, is flying to London next week to spend 10 days with our son's, (her uncle), family and meet her two youngest cousins. Kyleigh just finished her third year of college in Bozeman, MT. We're excited that she will meet our two youngest grandchildren and she is too.

I'll be back soon.

Blessings and hugs,

Betsy

JESUS LOVES EVEN ME

by:  Philip P. Bliss

1

I am so glad that our Father in heav’n
Tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n;
Wonderful things in the Bible I see:
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me.

 

I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
  Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me;
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
    Jesus loves even me.

2

Though I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me whenever I stray;
Back to His dear loving arms would I flee,
When I remember that Jesus loves me.

3

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.”

Homeward Bound

 Good Morning to all of you! It is 9:05 mountain time and we are leaving the Black Hills. Boo-hoo. We are currently driving through Custer, SD. We will stay tonight in Mitchell, SD and be home tomorrow afternoon. My best friend Jenny from Spokane will be at our condo tomorrow night. She's currently in Teddy Roosevelt National Park. She started a 9000 mile solo driving trip across the country and back to see all of the National Parks that she can. We'll just miss her here. She's planning to be within 20 miles of where we were camped by this afternoon her way to Wind Cave Nat. Park and Rushmore. But she'll spend three days with us, from tomorrow till Saturday and I'm so looking forward to it. It's been a year since we were together to gab and chat like teenagers. One time we drove all the way from Spokane to Portland, OR when we moved Mandy years ago. The guys were in the moving truck and we were in my car. Mandy was sandwiched in between in her car. The guys didn't talk much, (they're best friends too). Meanwhile we couldn't believe it when we got there. We talked the entire trip! To say I'm looking forward to seeing her would be an understatement.

And now back to the Black Hills. I have just a few photos today and more next time. I didn't want to make it too long. This is the Needles Eye Tunnel on the Needles Highway. (obviously). There are three more tunnels like this on the highway. Our big truck barely fits through.

We had to wait in the middle of this tunnel until the goat decided to stop eating. :-)

Then it joined the rest of the family outside the tunnel. They weren't bothered by the traffic at all. The baby was so cute. Piper was enthralled.

Papa and Piper went to Mt. Rushmore. My back was NOT happy and spasming so I stayed at the camper and did laundry. I've been there many, many times so it didn't bother me too much, but the night lighting never ceases to raise every patriotic feeling you've ever had. 

Two of my favorite people.

Beautiful.

Just a bit of the beautiful drive through Custer State Park.

We always enjoy driving the Pigtail Bridges. It's hard to get a good photo because of the many trees but you go round and round on log bridges. The begging burros used to be on this road, (Iron Mountain Road) years ago when our kids were small. Now they have migrated to the Wildlife Loop Road. Here's a little information on the bridges if you're interested.

And around we go!!

The engineering is amazing on these bridges.

I have lots more photos of the Wildlife Loop Road that I'll show next time. We had such a fun week with Piper. Yesterday we hung out around the campsite and just had a great time. Piper made a music video with Papa and I. She had us doing things all over the campground. Dancing, holding hands etc. It was lots of fun. We ate leftovers for dinner and then watched The Princess Bride and Ever After. Lots of thunderstorms throughout the last two days we were there and during the night last night. Hail, lots and lots of hail. Dennis checked the solar panels this morning because it was BIG hail during the night last night. All is well. The camper hooked up perfectly and now we're beginning our journey home. 

I finished one baby blanket and started another, read 6 books late at night. (Christian Intrigue Romances, don't judge me.) :-) They are light reading and yet leave you guessing who did it. Perfect for vacation. Piper snuggled with me every day. I love that girl. She loves her Papa and me too. She and Papa went to Evans Plunge twice and had such a great time. It's a mineral hot spring indoor pool with water slides and water basketball. Again my back had me staying behind but since I'm not much of a water girl, that was fine. They had a blast. At 70, Papa still does all of the things with her. Waterslides, rings, hiking, etc. She's a lucky girl to have him. 

I lost a few photos that I uploaded and now I have no internet available as we drive so I have no Bible meme for you. I'll share my Mom's favorite Bible verse instead.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. He who watches over you will not slumber or sleep." Psalm 121:1-3

I'll see you all soon.

Blessings and love,

Betsy

(We're now in Rapid City with internet so I'm going to try to send this. Fingers crossed.)

HOW GREAT THOU ART

Verse 1]
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

[Verse 2]
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

[Refrain]
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

[Verse 3]
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin