Wednesday January 25 2017  ANOTHER ADVENTURE

When two “elderly” ladies are on a trip together it is an unending adventure.  The adventure may be something as a good laugh, or talking together as you fall asleep, learning how to use new shower controls, taking the wrong turn on the interstate system, or not being able to climb up on the bed because it is too high.  The adventures just do not end.

Today was another awesome day on our lists of adventures.  Let just say we became acquainted with the city of Des Moines, and that was just on the way to the capitol building.  And then I became very acquainted with the capitol and all the one way streets encircling the building.  ONE-WAY?  What does that mean? 

Since Marilyn fell and hurt her ankle she cannot walk very far without pain.  I wanted her to come into the capitol and let me push her in a wheel chair but we had one problem.  The capitol was surrounded with lots and lots of steps leading up to the entrances.  I stopped a sheriff and asked if there was a disability entrance so I could drive close to drop Marilyn off.  He wasn’t from the area and did not know.  I then asked a lady in a crosswalk the same question.  She said yes there was, but I had to go around the capitol and enter at the opposite side.  So I went around the capitol again and found out I was then trespassing because the area I was in was only for workers and were reserved.  I ran into the capitol and left Marilyn sitting in the car hoping she wouldn’t be towed away.  I was actually more concerned about the car being towed.

One of the staff retrieved a wheel chair and came out and wheeled Marilyn into the capitol.  Whew!  She didn’t need to wait in the car afterall!  That is what she wanted to do because she did not think she could walk on a tour.  I would not hear of that idea.  Once she was ensconced in a comfortable seat and she realized how easy it was for me to push her on the tiled and marbled floor she agreed to come along on the tour.  WE BOTH ENJOYED THE TOUR IMMENSELY!

Of all the capitol buildings I have toured I must confess that this capitol is the most unique of all.  Its beauty is beyond words.  The workmanship, the creativity, the way it was built, how it was constructed, the talent that is displayed in its creation is beyond imagination unless you are there to see it yourself.  It is a building I would love to see again and I have not yet left the area. 

Our next adventure was discovering the fine dining event we looked forward to.  We drove quite a distance to go to a restaurant which was referred to us by a local.  Once we arrived, we realized if we couldn’t understand the menu when we read it, perhaps we shouldn’t’ eat there.  Besides, Marilyn preferred a juicy hamburger from Burger King and I yearned for a customized pizza from Subway.  We found both restaurants side by side.  Marilyn ordered the hamburger, I walked next door and ordered my pizza at Subway and joined her at Burger King where we ate together.  It was a perfect adventure because we both ended up quite content.

Now if our “exciting adventure” doesn’t impress you I just don’t know what will.   Perhaps knowing that wherever we drove on the city streets and highways it snowed constantly will make our day seem a bit more interesting.  I must admit that trying to stop a car during rush hour at a downhill light was truly quite the adventure.  And it always seemed like we were going downhill.

We made it back to our abode and had interesting conversations with the couple we are staying with. 

A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY FOR ANOTHER DAY

Kathleen Martens

January 25 2017

www.visionsofpoetry.com

Thank You Lord for the wonderful day

With sunshine in my heart and snow at play.

White sky, white land, white cars in mass

And driving downhill was quite a task.

Easy to go down on slippery streets,

However the breaking was quite a feat.

What a day to be out and about,

When the heavens were pouring out.

But all is well and I’ll soon be in bed

And what a joy to lay down my head.

Another adventure tucked safely away

A beautiful memory for another day.

Thank You God for Your protection.

Thank You God for the fact that we escaped the worst of the snow by coming early.

Thank You Lord that Marilyn and I had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful family at our host home.

GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU