When we got to her home and she exited the car, a bit more stressed than usual, she simply said with a chuckle,  ”You’d think I was an old lady.”

 My mother is 87 years young. She continues to work full time at the Five Star Wynn Resort on the Las Vegas Strip. She is known as Grandma Mary in the employee gift shop. She has NEVER been late for work. Has won employee awards, and greets each customer as if he/she were her first.

Live your life and forget your age.

~ Norman Vincent Peale ~

I think he knew my mom, Mary Kepler

Honoring all Veterans today. On this panel, 04E – Line 3 of The Wall in Washington D.C. is the name of LCPL – E3 Marine Corp – Larry Dean Borschel, from my hometown of Iowa Falls, IA, who gave his last full measure of devotion in South Vietnam on Dec. 9, 1965. The Vet. is John Roberts from PA who made the encased flag for friends whose names are etched next to Larry’s. The letter is from a class of sixth-grade students from Omaha, NE. I corresponded with them. My family was recently there. My Humpty Dumpty was there also and left the only American flag he has ever left on his travels. Today, 11-11-11 is a day of rememberance, rededication, and honor.

Wish I could have been part of this awesome 45th class reunion.  I was here in Las Vegas thinking of all of the wonderful memories and my friends. I remember something special about each of your endearing faces. We certainly had it all in Iowa Falls. “This feeling will not end.”

To Craig and Mary Sathoff

by Art Sathoff

Memorial Day 2011

He was a giant man but
Full of humor, soft of heart.
She was a quiet woman
Iron-willed, doing her part.

They were Christians and parents
Role models and workers, too.
They put down roots deep and strong
Lived lives both honest and true.

Family dinners on Sunday,
Playing cards with family friends,
Teaching us to chase our dreams,
Before the fading daylight ends.

Rummage sales, antiques, auctions
Backyard hoops, lawn darts, croquet
Simple things and common folk
Remembered on Memorial Day

Mother Mary and C.E.,
Not forgotten and not gone
Carried with me every day,
In my heart you come along.

Green River

A Green River at the Princess Cafe in Iowa Falls, Ia is like a holiday to me. The green liquid bubbles shimmer in the fountain-style glass as it’s placed on the jet black countertop. I love it and the memories it evokes soak my mind.

The Princess–Sweet Shop is an outstanding example of Art Deco design from 1935. The Carrara glass façade, and streamlined woodwork are typical of Art Deco design of the 1920s and 1930s, but a rarity in a small town in Iowa. This building replaced a brick building, which burned on Christmas day 1934. The owners displayed a great deal of faith in the architect, and in the people of Iowa Falls too. The community was somewhat surprised when a drawing of the new façade was released to the newspaper. Not only was the design modern, both inside and out, but the equipment was utmost in efficiency and convenience. It was the first building in town to be air-conditioned. Gas ranges replaced the old wood and coal stoves that had been used before the fire, and gas water heaters provided sufficient water for the washing and sterilizing of the dishes. The total cost for the building and equipment of the Princess was approximately $30,000, a surprising amount during the years of the Great Depression. (read more and see the pictures right here)

If your travels take you to Iowa Falls, you must visit the Princess.  Don’t go there without ordering a Green River, however. And when you do, dedicate one sip to me, then enjoy the rest all by yourself.

Iowa Capital

Iowa Friends

FRIENDS: Never ask for food. 
IOWA FRIENDS: Always bring the food.
 
FRIENDS: Will say ‘hello’.
IOWA FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.
 
FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
IOWA FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad
 
FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
IOWA FRIENDS: Cry with you.
 
FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
IOWA FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together.
 
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
IOWA FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you
 
FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
IOWA FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds’ back-ends that left you.
 
FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
IOWA FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, ‘I’m home!’
 
FRIENDS: will visit you in jail
IOWA FRIENDS: will spend the night in jail with you  
   
FRIENDS: will visit you in the hospital when you’re sick
           IOWA  FRIENDS: will cut your grass and clean your house then come spend the night with you in the hospital and cook for you when you come home
 
FRIENDS: have you on speed dial
IOWA FRIENDS: have your number memorized
   
FRIENDS: Are for awhile. 
IOWA FRIENDS: Are for life. 
   
FRIENDS: Might ignore this. 
IOWA FRIENDS: Will send this to all of your Iowa Friends.
     Which one are you?

• I cannot take authorship for this piece ~ but I love it.
• Copy, change the state and send it on to YOUR friends.
• We all need to show kindness and love to everyone.

Iowa Falls, Iowa

Popcorn Stand

On this 2011 National Popcorn Day, I want to honor the Iowa Falls, IA Popcorn Stand. Oh, the memories that tickled my taste buds so many years ago with bags of caramel corn and buttered popcorn. Walks through Estes Park with music pumping from the Bill Riley Bandstand as friends from this small town in the middle of Iowa greeted one another in a simplier day.

The good news is that the Iowa Falls Popcorn Stand is still standing on the corner where kernels are heard thumping against the drum as they heat in the sizzling oil. The children and adults march to-and-from with bags of fresh corn as they pop it into their mouths.

Can you find my Humpty Dumpty as he sat on top of the Popcorn Stand last May? He’s there alright. I’m sure he could smell the lingering scent of popped corn from days gone by.

My sister, Julie Kepler Richey, made this large, ceramic nativity in the 1970′s in Iowa Falls, IA. Even though Julie has been gone for several years, I display her Christmas gift every year in my home.

Julie, on the right at five years of age and me, at three.

I miss Julie, especially at Christmas.  I’m sure that many of you, my readers, have sisters that you miss as well. Let me know their names and I’ll list them.

Kathie~
Hello, I am from Iowa Falls and know your family. I have always wanted to tell you how much your book on Autism helped me. I was a teachers Associate at Pineview Elementary School for Joe and didn’t know anything about autisim so I went to the library and checked out your book and it was wonderful- it helped me so much with Joe. Joe’s mom is Rose and she is amazing. Her son and my son are in the same class and like brothers, Joe, is a part of our family. I can read Joe like a book-thanks to you. I stopped being an associate for him in 2nd grade with my son in the same grade. It was hard to have mom there every moment! I could not have done what I did without your guidance in your book! Just wanted you to know you made a differance in my life with your stories.
Have you ever met Rose? You will have to ask your sister about Rose or even call her sometime, I am sure she would love to talk to you- when Joe was 5 we were always thinking ahead what would 10 be like, his preteen years, puberty, high school etc…. how will he adjust, now Rose is looking at college- I must say Joe has come so far since Kindergarten and I feel blessed to have been a part of his life story.
Thanks so much,

Deb Hoover

I want to thank you, Deb. You certainly made my day and warmed my heart with joy.

The family’s success is your success, and your success is my success.

It’s a circle that cannot be broken.

“God Dealth Me a Teddy Bear” is a true story of a one-eyed Teddy bear that I so wanted as a little girl. My older sister, Julie, thought better of getting me that “disabled” bear for Christmas back in the 1950′s. Well, you’ll have to read on to see what happens. Funny, isn’t it how my life evolved around a son with autism and children with disabilities. Maybe that one-eyed Teddy bear gave me more for Christmas than I ever knew.

You’ll enjoy all of the short stories in The Treasure Box, after all they belong there.