Home

In 1919 my grandfather moved to our family farm. He celebrated his 5th birthday here in December. He then spent his lifetime here nurturing the land and livestock. The rust has replaced the paint through the years, but the legacy lives on through the next generation. It is not an easy life, but to me it is home. My childhood memories come alive here...



in the blustery, cold prairie winters.



Not much has changed...except the address.




Kiahra never fails to warm us with her famous Chex mix...and the aroma makes it feel like Christmas!



Then following the lunar eclipse early on December 21, the evening moon was utterly magnificent. The orange orb glowed in the nighttime sky welcoming winter solstice. The longest night of the year was welcomed by this moon. Everyone stopped to appreciate the majesty of the moment that the camera couldn't do justice to.



Astronomers estimate there was maybe one day like this in the last 2,000 years when the lunar eclipse coincided with winter solstice. It will happen again on December 21, 2094.

Wi-Fi

Living on the edge of Silicon Valley, my wireless internet access is unlimited and speedy. I rapidly acclimated myself to this. Perhaps I have even taken this level of service for granted and become the lady asking if wi-fi is available everywhere we go. Generally it is not. The eyes betray their irritation with my inquiry--like I have an addiction issue. Perhaps I do. I have seldom had internet access during my vacation. Initially it stressed me out, but I have slowly discovered that I can survive without it. No treatment necessary.

Redneck

Belle Fourche, South Dakota.

The little cow town now has it’s own wine label. Of course, this meant we needed to bring a bottle back to the house only to discover the Klinghagen household does not have a wine opener, but you know you are from Belle Fourche when this doesn’t matter.

It isn’t exactly a corkscrew…




But with a little help from the claw…PRESTO!





However, you know you have been in California longer than you thought when the wine lacks a smooth finish…perhaps too many tannins?



California wine was served up redneck style the next time!

Sunday, December 19

Four inches of snow fell overnight, so we stayed snuggled in our warm little beds until nearly 7 AM. Delighted with the fresh snowfall Kiahra snapped this photo from our room window. Shortly we were loaded and ready to roll. We grabbed a quick donut…and a snow globe…and a keychain…and something else that eludes me. Beware of travel centers.

As we were ready to leave, we noticed some fine feathered friends huddled together in the crisp morning air.

At 9 AM we were on a snowpacked and icy interstate moving slowly with rest of the Sunday morning traffic…the truckers. Eventually as the miles slipped by the roads became slushy. The snow showers remained light and scattered. The GPS didn’t want to go the way we wanted to, so I kept changing the programming in an attempt to outsmart it. Was this my feeble attempt to justify our route by seeking approval from the GPS…really??

Delighted, my eyes drank in the endless sage brush and distinctive buttes from my window as we rolled on down the road. It meant I was getting closer to home. Admittedly, the familiar landscape has never looked so good; however, Wyoming is a big state, and patiently we tried to endure.

For a change the wildlife outnumbered the people. Kade called, “Look, cantaloupe!” The Yukon rollicked in delight as California was miles away. The antelope didn’t mind, as they just kept grazing peacefully. Of course then the jack-a-lope became a conversation because unsuspecting folks from other parts of the country and world are simply not savvy with this critter, creating fun for us. Kiahra was snapping photos as “proof” for later use.

Luckily when we stopped in Casper, we remembered that during our cross country move this summer, Kade had requested a stop at Taco John’s. Pennsylvania doesn’t have the chain, and he figured California wouldn’t either…so thus his request for his last supper that ultimately went unfulfilled. Recollections of this resulted in a unanimous decision for our lunch destination. Potato oles and nacho cheese, and Kade smiled the rest of the trip!

As we neared the South Dakota border, we paused for a quick pit stop in Newcastle. Within an hour, my cousin was baling out to join his mother, and we were minutes from home.

When we pulled into the familiar driveway, I heard someone comment that our arrival had been noticed from the soft glowing windows. Soon cousins were running out the door to embrace the weary travelers. The noise and laughter echoed across the vast, cool prairie.

Home.

1,481 miles. 26 hours on the road.

Saturday, December 18

6:58 AM--Seven of us piled into the car in the drizzling California rain. Soon we were cruising down the interstate in the gray dawn. Quietly the crew settled into the rhythm of the windshield wipers and lull of traffic.

9:22 AM--Traffic stopped. "Oh my gosh, SNOW!" uttered one of our sleeping travelers. We were approaching Donner Pass. It was snowing/sleeting. In California it is law that one travels with chains in the winter. Eventually, we understood why the traffic was nearly stopped. One lane was closed for all those required to install chains. Men in bright yellow slickers were directing traffic into their areas to put on chains in exchange for $30. The truckers were crawling around in the water putting on their chains.

Slowly, we climbed over the pass lost in traffic. My dad had told me the Donner story the day before. Then my uncle emailed my cousin commenting on the Donner experience. Conspiracy? We weren't sure. So in all fairness, we paused to pose the question of who we would eat first...

Luckily we made it over the famous pass and cruised down the mountain uneventfully and reached Reno, Nevada.

11:06 AM--Olive Garden seated our large party of seven. Afterwards we pulled into the filling station to feed the Yukon. Ron discovered his debit card was missing, so back to Olive Garden we went and retrieved the pesky plastic.

Cautiously we cruised across Nevada with near freezing temperatures and scattered rain showers. The horizon was magnificent. The blue winter sky was glazed with white clouds. The basin that Jedediah Smith was the first to cross in hardship was picturesque.



5:34 PM--The endless Great Basin slowly brought us across Nevada. In Wells as darkness settled in, we fueled up again and then went for a quick cruise through the sleepy little town where occasionally the neon lights were reflected in the snow. Luckily traffic was minimal (nonexistent) and our search for food ended at Quiznos. A quick pit stop for some truck stop movies and we were on the road again!

The Astronaut Farmer lit our "big" screen as we cruised across the Utah salt flats. The lights of Salt Lake City glowed in the distance as the rain started again.

With renewed momentum we reset our destination goal for Evanston, WY.

As we drove through the mountains the falling temperatures and sleet required diligence in navigating road conditions. Elevation changes brought snow. As the hours wore on the traffic disappeared and the snow reappeared. We cruised past Evanston and on into the night.

The snow started coming down heavier...and heavier. Finally at Little America we decided to stop for the night.

12:21 AM--I step out into the cool night temperatures amidst the swirling snowflakes to join the end of the line of weary travelers waiting for a room.

1:32 AM--All was quiet throughout the room.

928 miles logged on the odometer...and the Yukon rested below slowly buried in a blanket of snow.

A Date

Ron and I went for a late dinner at a local restaurant last night. The waitress asked about the kids... Evidently we don't get out enough. Anyway, we chatted and ate and chatted and ate and reluctantly decided we needed to return to our responsibilities. As we leisurely walked, I had my arm on Ron's. Still talking he unlocked the door on the passenger side, waited for me to climb in, and closed it before walking around to his door. Then he heard a voice..."They definitely are not from here." Grinning, he jumped in and relayed the story to me, but the speaker was right...men do not open doors here.

Love at First Sight

The beautiful baby girl arrived to make my sister a mother and my brother-in-law a father. Kaiya has made them a family...each member with a new name. Each name special and beautiful.

Though mommy and daddy are not new names, they are handed down as a rite of passage when a family is created. Names that make me smile in their unfamiliarity as they define new roles of a family...of Kevin and Kristi. A journey that simply cannot be described, but one I can hear in my sister's voice and in the words she uses, see by the softness in her adoring gaze, and even feel in the quiet pauses. The utter overwhelming love of a mother has permeated every cell...and it makes my heart overflow with happiness.

My kids tease me about my enthusiasm at Kaiya's arrival...but when the first pictures arrived we squeezed tightly and excitedly together to admire the tiny baby...and again on the streets of San Francisco we happily huddled around the tiny cell phone screen for a glimpse of the new family...completely enamored.

We practice her name. The kids comment that it is weird to think of Kristi and Kevin as parents. So many changes. So many smiles. So wish we were there to hold and admire our 8 lb. 15 oz. niece with curly black hair, soft, fluffy cheeks, and tiny, tiny toes.

We are so proud to welcome Kaiya into our family and so grateful we will get to watch her and her family grow in love together. We love you, Smyth family! We miss you!

San Francisco at Christmas

Into the city we trekked with six kids. We started in Union Square with all the famous department stores. Then I wanted to ride the trolley to Fisherman's Wharf, but the trolley was not operating, so we opted to meander the streets of San Francisco.

The fog hung overhead, but the temperature was a comfortable 60 degrees.



Slowly the leaves are falling.



At the official entrance to Chinatown, we paused for a group photo.



The festive lanterns and banners zig zag the streets of Chinatown.



Sipping Starbucks, the girls absorbed the sights, sounds, and energy of the city.



Up the hills and down, we eventually arrived at Fisherman's Wharf.



The infamous Alcatraz was shrouded in fog.



Look! My mother rode a horse like this when she was a little girl!



This smile proves the carousel on Pier 39 was a magical adventure.



On the Pier we stopped at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company for lunch. Ironically, we had just recently watched Forest Gump again, and the restaurant is dedicated to this movie. Afterwards, we browsed the varied and eclectic shops. Chocolate Treasures was my personal favorite. The chocolate covered peanuts were wonderful! Sorry, Dad, I couldn't resist...there are none for you!

As the sun set, we boarded the trolley back towards Union Square where we were parked. As the trolley clattered down the street, I wearily smiled at the days adventures and memories.

Gradually, San Francisco is becoming home...

Road of Life

My sisters and I are sitting here in the middle of the country road that runs by the family farm. A few miles down the road we grew up...together.

I left home first, and I remember the homesickness that would creep into my heart at night for those pesky little sisters. Then they grew up and left home too. Now we are miles apart. However, we still travel down the road of life together because we are close in heart.

Today I sit here remembering the arrival of my oldest daughter. I remember labor...delivery...and looking at her face for the first time. I remember my sister, Kristi, holding her for the first time. In her face, I could see she was enamored too with this little girl. Later I remember Kristi and I sitting with Lisa in the labor and delivery room together waiting for another baby. Sisters sharing and waiting. Today, as the nostalgia floods me, I am waiting for another baby to arrive. This time Kristi is beginning the offical journey into motherhood.

Another bond for us to share as we travel down the road of life. Together we are sisters. Together now we will be mothers. Together we cry, laugh, celebrate, mourn, and live...

and wait...not so patiently...

Dear Karen,

Yesterday.

When I saw the rose bud in my yard, I thought of you.

When the kids tumbled into the car, I thought of you.

When I gazed up at the vast, clear California sky, I thought of you.

When we joined hands around the table last night and said grace, I thought of you.

When Kade grinned at me, I thought of you.

When Chayse kissed me good-night, I thought of you.

As the days slipped by this past year, I have thought of you often. It was never contrived, as your memory always slips in at random moments. Sometimes it strikes my fancy and I smile. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes my heart was lonely and I would want to call, but instead I had a conversation with my heart.

You were always there.

I miss you, though.

Gingerbread Houses

Saturday night.

7 kids. 4 pre-made houses compliments of Costco. 2 patient parents.



The race is on...



Sweet trimmings. Some for the house. Some for the tummy.



Sticky sugary fingers.



Houses and trees still standing amidst the chaos and laughter.



A gingerbread lane fills my mantels and amidst the drippy sweets I can hear the laughter and love echoing!

Dreidel

Last night a knock on the door brought the energy of Hanukkah as neighborhood kids tumbled inside. Around our table, we gathered and the game began as pennies were distributed. She carefully removed the dreidel from its bag and soon it was spinning around our table as we each tried our luck with the Hebrew symbols.

Learning. Stories. Laughter.

The game drew nigh and into the night the host departed for her second night of Hanukkah.

On the second of December, Chayse proclaimed she wanted to stay up on Christmas Eve, so she can talk with Santa because she really wants her very own girl Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, so she can fly too.

"I am sure there is a girl too, Mommy!" she responded to my quizzical look.

It is what she really wants for Christmas, as she enjoyed her Hanukkah chocolates.

Our Christmas road trip is approaching. We were chatting about the details of our travel. Hours and hours and hours in the car. The paradox of packing light and warm.

When...

out of her chair, Chayse arose with a clatter.

"Mom, I know! We will just stay up very quietly until midnight, and when Santa comes down the chimney, we will just hop in his sleigh and ride to South Dakota with him."