Spring?

Spring has arrived in Mason City.  Although those that were here last year keep reminding us that they had 9 ½ inches on May 2 & 3, 2013.  My signs of spring are a week-old single daffodil, day-old grape hyacinth and a very dedicated mother goose.  So far I’ve never seen her leave her nest.   (the arrow is not naturally occurring)

 

 

 

Mason City

We’ve lived here almost nine months and this is what I’ve learned about Mason City.

The tallest building in Mason City is the Brick and Tile building.  Clear Lake (the town) is about 9 miles from downtown Mason City.  If I stood on top of the eight story Brick and Tile Building I would be at the bottom of Clear Lake (the lake)!

 

Mason City grew around and in between Cheslea Creek, Willow Creek and Lime Creek.  Cheslea and Willow empty into Lime Creek.  It seems with the fame of Mason City’s Meredith Willson’s The Music Man and its River City the locals campaigned to have Lime Creek promoted to a river…hence the Winnebago River renamed in 1961.

 

John Long arrived from the eastern United States to the home of Sioux and Hocak (Ho-chunk)/Winnebago Nation.  He named the heavily wooded area near Lime Creek Masonic Grove in honor of the Order of Free Masons and hoping to bring more settlers because of that connection.

 

The Park Inn Hotel (now the Historic Park Inn) in Mason City is the only remaining Frank Lloyd Wright designed hotel remaining in the world.  Mason City has the largest collection of prairie style homes in a natural setting in the world.  The area is Rock Crest and Rock Glen on Willow Creek.

Snowshoeing

With this winter of polar vortexing and jet streamings and snow falling what is there to do but embrace it?  Before winter was upon us I had asked for snowshoes for Christmas and I received them. They came with trekking poles and modest directions.  After watching a video twice I sized the snowshoes to my boots and started out. 

Behind our house we have a creek that provides a wonderful path.  Someone on skis also uses it along with deer and other four legged critters. 

Quickly I’ve learned that it pays to know the wind direction and sweating is a part of the experience….even when my face is freezing.  The wind has quickly covered paths along with fresh snow.  Many days I’m first to make new trails. 

 

Sneakers was eager to accompany me the first two times but after that he’s opted not to hike along since he’s always sinking to his belly.

 

 

Sneakers

 

From our Deck

July

August

August

September

October

October

October

November...note ice on Willow Creek

November 11 - first snow

Master Gardener

This fall I signed up for Master Gardener through ISU extension.  This is a comprehensive class consisting of 40 class hours and 40 volunteer hours to complete the first year.  To say I’ve learned the content is a stretch….I’ve been taught more than I ever knew about gardening.  ISU Horticulture professors present a 3 hour segment and start by saying “I’ll be presenting tonight everything I teach in a 3 hour semester course!” 

I’ve started some of my volunteer hours at the garden surrounding an old schoolhouse located on the North Iowa Fairgrounds.  On various days I’ve worked there for 7+ hours cutting dead material, raking, discovering labels and wooden cutout whimsy.  and of course there is always litter.



Mike cutting out a volunteer (tree)

hosta clean-up

I’ve also done some exploring on the internet for some of the plants like Tabby grass which looks like it is something cats like to eat.

THE SUMMER OF MY DISCONTENT*

Our summer has been interesting to say the least.  I’ve always admired the way my Sioux City friend accepted change and dealt with all that has come her way.  In our move to Storm Lake I lived with her for nine months.  I think of her when I can’t sleep and get up to play computer games!  I think of her and her moves that she did with grace and dignity even when circumstances precipitated change. 

July and August haven’t been grace and dignity for me ---they have been awkwardness, inelegance, resentment, and also ineptness.  This has been a hard move….for a whole assortment of reasons.  I’ve also felt isolated and lonely.

Mostly our house is unpacked…although there remain several “categories” that now need to be sorted and made accessible…like sewing, office files, photographs, and travel mementos.   We’ve made numerous trips to Goodwill. And the double garage housed just one car until about a month ago. 

*With apologies to Steinbeck and Shakespeare

Bell Choir

After twelve years with no bell choir and before that playing for just 4 years - I attended bell choir practice.  When I arrived someone was playing Amazing Grace solo!  The intimidation factor soared.  Other bell choir members began arriving and I was assigned G and A above the treble staff and the necessary flats and sharps…and it was apparent that the soloist was the conductor.  Next was terminology.  Did I ever know all these terms and symbols? Thumb damp, LV, diamond-shape noteheads for chimes, shake, martellato lift and on and on.  Everyone was introduced….more to learn, performance dates announced and we read through 3 pieces.  I wonder if I even rang 50% of the time.