Category: 2023

Just days before the wedding, we were so blessed to have visitors that came to celebrate. Not just any visitors, but HAPPY visitors that had nothing buy smiles about our impending wedding, just days away. Even better, the visitors included my oldest son and his family from Michigan, and my best friend in the world and matron of Honor, CC.

Looking back, nerves were rampant on that Thursday night when everyone arrived. With HHH’s help, we decided on a favorite meal of BBQed hamburgers, ranch-style beans and chips.

That night, we served eleven hungry travelers, while catching up on all the news. There’s nothing better than hugging a grown son and daughter-in-law while enjoying the antics of three busy grandchildren. CC’s watched my kids grow up since 1979, when we were all babies. A long and wonderful friendship between two women has flourished as we’ve shared everything life has thrown their way.

After serving dinner, HHH left early to catch the end of Thursday night football. The Michigan group left to settle into their hotel, while CC and I were left to visit and plan for Friday’s activities.

All this happened within the walls of Winterpast. Thinking back to my first days of widowhood, it was Winterpast that kept me focused. April blooms were waking when I picked up the key and closed the door behind me. My own secret garden. A place to fall face first in a luscious lawn and cry. A place to mourn and heal. Now, a place to welcome my new groom and life as a wife. Winterpast has been with me through it all.

A house holds love and loss from the past, as well. When I look around at her walls and doors, it’s obvious that during her 20 years, she’s been respected and loved. It takes a lot of work to keep a 20 year old home looking like new, and like her present occupants, she’s now entering her prime.

With a whirlwind of activities the next day, I can truly say that I don’t remember much. There were details about the flowers and food to check. More guests arrived. Another bestie arrived with her husband from Central California. California guests arrived to check into their rooms in the biggest little city to the West. My son and grandchildren went treasure hunting in the desert.

All the while, my rock, Miss CC, kept me focused and grounded. When the nerves started to rattle me a bit, I’d just remember the reason for the entire event. My HHH would be standing at the end of a very long aisle waiting for me. That thought alone was enough to settle any new-bride jitters.

Friday evening, Chef KFC provided dinner for our hungry crew of 15. Sadly, KFC isn’t what it used to be. Arriving cold, we really could have done better ourselves. 1/4 cup of cold slaw cost $3. Stale biscuits. Fake butter. In what world is that okay? The chicken was hours old, wet, and greasy. And yet, no one noticed that our $100 chicken dinner was less than delicious. At least the, empty containers showed everyone ate.

That night was the last time I kissed HHH goodnight as his “girlfriend”. The next time I’d see him was at the church where the music would play as I walked down the aisle into my new life. Everything would change in 24 hours, as everything has a habit of doing.

During my short and fabulous engagement, I remember some people emphatically insisting they’d never marry. There were days in widowhood that I said the very same thing. Getting married is like moving in some ways. You start out with all your possessions in orderly boxes. When you get to your destination, things you held dear have no purpose. It’s necessary to rearrange a lot to make everything work. In the end, the new looks nothing like the old. Marriage is the same, except you’re the box and the contents include emotions and habits. In our case, it’s chaotic, but working well!

Those fiends of mine that have chosen a solitary path are happy and content. It takes strength, courage, commitment, and beauty to embrace life and continue on and widowhood, whether newly married or happily single. Choosing Happiness along the way is am important key to contentment.

HHH and I are enjoying our new life as a married couple. In a few days, we’ll celebrate our first month together. It’s hard to believe that so much has changed in just a few short weeks. Next month, I’ll legally change my name, which will take hours of patience while waiting in long lines at Social Security and DMV. Plenty of time to reflect on the many blessings I received when this wonderful man answered the first question of many.

Whatever you do today, enjoy this season. Try a new recipe. Binge on a new television series. Watch some old movies. Plan a pajama day. Do all these things while remembering the blessings that you find in your life ever single day. They’re all around you. Just look for them.

More tomorrow.

The move continues and as with every move, it seems the boxes are multiplying in the privacy of the garage. It seemed so perfect in the beginning when the first boxes were opened. Of course, those held perishables or beloved possessions that fit perfectly. We are well passed that point. Now, shelf and drawer space are up for negotiation.

I’m in the enviable position of having lived here at Winterpast for four years. Having pared down from a larger house in Virginia City, I’ve spent four summers deciding which things would stay and which would go. Again, initial purging is a piece of cake. College texts. Ill-fitting clothes. Belongings from a late spouse. All those things were obvious, yet maybe not easy choices. I was approaching what I felt were the special things that would make the cut when I’m moved to an old folk’s home.

But no. Not even close.

Why does anyone own a 10 year old electronic foot bath with electronic foot scrubbers that has never been taken out of the box? Or 10 sets of towels in a varying state of decay? Extra bed sheets and linens for guest that never come?

Now, the stash of toilet paper is non-negotiable. Winterpast has a delightful garage area for storing up for winter. There is big savings in buying ahead for things you will use, like extra dishwasher detergent, garbage bags, and 90 extra rolls of toilet paper. Not just because “you just never know”. We did all know in the early spring of 2020, didn’t we? If things get really bad, my two-ply Kirkland brand TP might be worth something we need in the bartering world. Because, really, in this day and age, you just never know.

Wall space is especially sacred due to the fact that Winterpast is window rich. Every wall in every room has at least one. This provides needed light for plants, but is very troublesome when blending pictures.

Yesterday, we officially went from owning three bedrooms of furniture to two, the desired amount. HHH had found the most wonderful queen bed at a yard sale. Solid-oak, this four poster bed was beautifully crafted and without a scratch. HHH created a guest room down to new doilies under the lamps. New quilt and shams. The works. But, there was no room at this inn for two guest rooms. We rarely have one guest, let alone two at the same time. And, this chick-a-dee needs a place to write and craft.

In true gentleman form, HHH sacrificed his gorgeous guest set in order to keep his gorgeous king-sized set and leave my studio untouched. His granddaughter was the lucky recipient of a wonderful and very needed bedroom set from grandpa! How lovely is that?

Today, we are rearranging our storage and then tackling the yard art, shed, and garage. We’re a day away from one very empty house. At that time, cleaning and repairs will begin with a vengeance. Our deadline for renting the house is December 1st, and we’re right on track. Maybe even a little ahead of schedule.

Another relative is purchasing HHH’s extra car, leaving us with three. Our two closets are now nestled into one. You get the idea. Things are blending. At the end of each day, we share dinner and laughs while watching something on the television. Last night, it was Thursday night football and leftover Chinese. All the while, Wookie and Oliver nestle together by the fire while loving each other as brother and sister. Our little family of four is completely happy and happily complete.

Whatever you do today, think about the day you might need to downsize. Do you really need 10 crystal bowls and dinner service for 12? Probably not. If you haven’t looked at something for ten years, it could really go. Consider those in your family that might enjoy these possessions for a time. Hand Me Down’s are always better when they come with a family story. It’s fall. Time for cleaning.

I’ll be back Monday.

That Saturday, some weeks past now, was a day about which I’ll remember the smallest details for years to come. It all started with an 8 AM appointment at our little church to prepare for our alter appointment at 5 PM. The rings were complete. The marriage license awaited signatures after the ceremony.

Planning a wedding is a strange affair. The couple has paid $$$ to vendors who promise to provide a service at the proper time and date. Not a little change, but serious money. There is nothing to do but trust that those in the business of weddings are trustworthy people. With everything paid in full, time would tell if we spent our wedding dollars well.

CC and I ran to the church after sharing a little breakfast. At least, I think I fed the poor girl. As it turned out, the elders of the church had worked the night before to move everything into place for the wedding. There were eighty chairs in the sanctuary, with another 20 in the fellowship hall connected by sliding glass doors.

Guests sitting in the fellowship hall would need to watch everything on the big screen TV. Wow, I never thought my wedding would become the “event of the decade” with overflow viewing on an extra screen. Our sanctuary is very, very small.

As we worked to put flowers on the ends of almost half the rows, reserving them for family, golden morning sun poured through the cross above the alter. The morning light is amazing in this little church. Initially, I’d wanted to marry at 8 AM because of that very fact, but HHH and I decided our guests might have trouble getting there in time.

HHH informed me long before the big day that we couldn’t see each other before the ceremony. That was the only point on which he wouldn’t compromise. Bad luck is real and long-lasting. He’d hang out across town with his daughter as she created our wedding cake.

During the weeks before the big day, we had invited our church family. The buzz about the wedding was exciting, with everyone giving us a cheerful “Yes”. Covid would take out a few important guests, like Angel of the Aluminum Cloud, who was greatly missed,.

The rose bouquets at the end of each row turned out beautiful! A stem of three dusty peach silk roses wrapped with sparkly ribbon. Amazon…. $59.00 for six. Walmart…. $25.00 for eight. They blended perfectly with the fresh garden flowers in my bouquet.

With everything set for the big event just hours away, at 9 we checked on the flowers and then returned to Winterpast. My son and his children had plans to explore in the desert. They’d be looking for antique bottles at the old dump just outside of town. What they ended up finding was gruesome and interesting all at the same time.

A very, very dead mustang was returning to dust in the desert. Mostly mummified and very flat, it wasn’t something city boys would find every day. Wild horses and people have a hard time co-existing. Cars and horses are a deadly mix for one or the other, and sometimes, both.

One of the more interesting things occurring as the mail arrived was a solar eclipse called “The Ring of Fire”. How amazing that on our wedding day the heavens produced a burning ring in the sky! It wasn’t planned that way.

I’d heard about this early enough to purchase “NASA approved solar eclipse glasses” from Amazon. Amazon is great for everything from weddings to eclipses! I’d ordered enough to share.

That morning, as the neighbors were all outside getting their mail, I remembered the glasses. Running next door, I handed them to neighbors that would later be wedding guests. Looking like nerds, we all stood in the middle of the street and watched the sky in wonder. It took longer than I expected. Even the mail lady received her own pair of glasses with which to enjoy the event.

By then, I could no longer ignore the clock. My Bestie’s had arrived for makeup and hair and it was time to morph into the bride. On that very day when the sky produced an amazing “Ring of Fire”, I’d become Mrs. HHH.

Over the previous year, while making the best memories two sexagenarians could’ve, we’d fallen in love. In a few short hours, HHH and I would share our personal vows. Every heart-felt prayer we’d sent was now to be answered at 5PM, when we’d meet, front and center, at the end of a very long aisle.

More tomorrow.

Throughout the planning of the wedding, it seemed the stars were aligned for the perfect outcome. Needing a venue, we found the golf course clubhouse could be rented for $75 an hour, (including staff). Searching for flowers, we only needed to call our dear friend at the flower shop. Photographer? A professional walked into our life agreeing to do the job. Friends and family? They were ready to celebrate.

Every detail had been considered and planned except for my hair.

Up or down?

My salon experiences ended in 2020 when all the hairdressers shut down because of Covid. With no opportunity to whack off the locks, they grew. After four summers, my hair is longer than it’s been in decades. Long, straight as a board, and a beautifully appropriate color for my age. Grey with God-given highlights.

Just yesterday, someone commented about how lucky I must’ve been the 70’s. So true. My hair was Cher or Marcia Brady straight. It’s really the only way that I can wear it with any success, as it is truly course, thick, and straight. All the more to experiment with.

On most days, you’ll find me with the mess tied on top of my head in a pony tail or bun. There are many reasons for this, the main one being the Zephyr winds blowing across the high desert plains of northwestern Nevada . They can blow at a moments notice, making it impossible to see very well with a mop of hair flying in the eyes. The next best reason is that it’s just easier to tie it up.

It would probably be a great time to wear it short again, but at this time in life, I really, really like it long. It matters not what the masses think. I like it the way it is, long and straight. Besides, in the winter, it is super warm. No kidding.

So, when my dearest friend (who’s happened to cut my hair throughout our 40 year friendship) came prepared to style my hair for the wedding, she curled the entire mass. I’m told it looked beautiful. I can tell you one thing for sure. It was voluminous.

As my dearest friends worked over me in the bathroom, curling and teasing, I know one thing was certain. The women surrounding me were the ones I love the most in this world. They were there supporting me on my most special day. Rather like an Autumn version of “Steel Magnolias”.

They were also supporting me four summers prior when a different kind of celebration was held at Winterpast. VST’s celebration of life. The same women came to the rescue to help me through that week. Thank goodness the reason for their presence was filled with sheer happiness on my special October day.

Of course, it’d been necessary to slither into some Spanx. For goodness sakes, whoever dreamt up that contraption had some evil intentions. No matter the position in which you start, by time you are into the Spanx, you have done some interesting contortions and gyrations. No one was allowed to watch that show, but for those of you that remember the day I got stuck in a wet, long-sleeved swimsuit, the situation was similar. I started out dry but worked up a little sweat until I was tucked into the thing.

With something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue, the time came to slip on my beautiful royal blue wedding dress. The prettiest dress ever, it was chosen because it was HHH’s favorite color. Completing the look, sparkling navy flats that ended up being the most comfortable part of the ensemble.

Everyone ooh–ed and ahhhh-ed as they do for every bride. On that very afternoon, with loved ones surrounded me, at that moment I felt they just might be telling the truth.

That morning, I never developed nervous jitters or doubted my decision. I continued to think about that very long aisle and the wonderful man that would be waiting at the end of it for me.

I must say that this last month has been the happiest, busiest, and most carefree month I’ve had in decades. Maybe ever. Married life has been everything I hoped for. I couldn’t have married anyone more deserving of the precious title “My Husband”. I love you, HHH!

To HHH —

On our joyful wedding day,

We began a brand new life.

Friends and family gave their gifts

To happy husband, blissful wife.

But the greatest gift we’ll ever get,

A gift from heaven above,

Is love forever, ending never,

Everlasting love.

We’ll share life’s joy and pleasure;

We’ll have plenty of that, it’s true.

But love is the real treasure

For this happy bride and you.

And when life hands us challenges,

As it does to one and all,

Our love will hold us steady

And never let us fall.

Our first month was full of joy

Tomorrow we cannot see.

But one thing’s sure for the two of us–

The best is yet to be.

_{Borrowed from Ashish Gutgutia}

More tomorrow…

Over the past month, we’ve enjoyed receiving pictures from our wedding guests. Every once in awhile, we’ll be surprised with another batch of digital memories. Some people couldn’t wait to share on Facebook. Others sent them privately, for our eyes only. I must say, some were excellent and others cringeworthy. But, all of them reflected the day one moment at a time.

The funny thing about photographs is that they point out one’s worst faults. I never realized how easily I could be identified as a teacher. Oh my. I should practice listening more. So many pictures showed me in the midst of another story. But they also show every human emotion there is. Tenderness, happiness, shock, awe, and the silliest dance moves.

One thing is for certain. Our guests all had a great time at the reception. The food looked wonderful, although I only managed to have one piece of turkey on a delicious roll. The cake looked divine, although the only piece I enjoyed was the one that HHH fed me so careful not to get a drop on my dress. By the end of the reception, there was nothing left, so I guess the food and cake were a hit.

Thinking about pictures in general, so much is lost through them these days. Attention to the present moment is lost when taking selfies. Attention to all the little details that one could absorb through other senses is lost as one reinspects the pictures taken moments before. Other than the professional photographer, I was happy to enjoy guests that weren’t stuck to their phones, but engaging with each other.

The next worst thing is that digital pictures might as well not exist. How many times does one look at a particular day 3.5 years ago to examine the 35 selfies taken that day? Probably never. Change a phone and forget to take the pics? Well, too bad. Years of enters and interactions, gone. I hate cell phone pics. If I can’t remember a special day in my brain, it’s probably not worth remembering.

The afternoon of our wedding, all the kids and families arrived. Shined up, one grandson wanted to know if there would be any other captive children at this shindig. Actually, there were going to be many kids. That seemed to cheer him up.

Then, my dear friend, the flower lady, arrived with the most breathtaking bouquet I could have imagined. I swear she listened to my every desire as I told her what I would like.

“I want my bouquet to look like I walked through a fall garden and created it that morning. Nothing structured. Just natural beauty. “

She created a bouquet proportionate to my body, while complimenting the color of my dress. Embracing the essence of fall, I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect.

CC’s corsage was one that she wore on her wrist. Intricate and lovely, it had many different flowers that nestled against one another in a tight pattern. Although I never explained CC’s dress to the flower lady, she absolutely nailed the colors in her dress, too.

As soon as the photographer arrived, we moved into the gardens of Winterpast. That day, the Nevada sky didn’t disappoint. With the lighting at the perfect angle, the last of the fall blooms gave us some color with which to work.

He began his magic by spending time photographing me from every angle possible. The victories and losses over sixty-seven years show when you are being photographed in harsh sunlight. Just one big mass of squints and wrinkles on one very happy woman. The only saving-grace is that while they might not be the best pictures I’ve taken throughout my life, they are much better than the ones we’ll take on our 20th anniversary. For that, I can be sure.

We took pictures of the different family groups. Even the rings got their own photo session. And then, there was one last picture of all of us together.

As the minutes evaporated, it was soon time to make our way to the church. I’d almost forgotten to reserve a parking place for the bride. Gosh, if that space hadn’t been reserved, I might’ve needed to park at the Tee-Pee Bar and Grill on Main Street and walked.

Someone questioned whether I was driving myself to the wedding. Well, who else would’ve done that? My car needed to be there to take us to the reception. Just like the rest of the wedding, if HHH and I wouldn’t have taken charge and run with it, the wedding wouldn’t have happened. Weddings are a little different when you are the one planning AND paying.

So, off I set with my bouquet balanced in a vase full of water between my bridal knees. Nothing could go wrong with that, right? Luckily the short drive was uneventful. As I pulled in front of the church, the word was sent out that the BRIDE had arrived. HHH was escorted away, while I could safely run to my safe spot. Those minutes were precious. The last minutes I’d ever be single again.

My safe space at the church happened to be the children’s classroom, which was nothing more than a very small utility shed. There, with the music piped in, I’d wait until it was my turn. Through a cloudy window, I could hear HHH greeting guests. Thank goodness, he’d arrived on time.

Was he just a nervous as I was, sitting alone in that little playhouse? I suppose he was. But then, that’s recorded in another set of photographs of that special day. You’ll just need to come back tomorrow to learn what happened next.

More tomorrow.

When I opened the door to the little playhouse in which I would hide, there was something for which I wasn’t prepared. THE MUSIC. Our Pre-wedding playlist was playing through a little speaker as well as inside the church. All of a sudden, the songs we’d chosen as soothing “Pre-Wedding” tunes were playing one last time. The thing was, they weren’t so soothing at that moment. This would be one of the last times I’d listen to them.

Tears welling up, so many thoughts raced through my head. 1988 and the last time I’d been a bride. Four long, hot summers traveling on my journey as a widow. 2023 and the very last time I’d EVER be a bride again. So many memories, hopes, and dreams all tied into those six little songs that would play for 20 minutes 45 seconds before the “Down the Aisle” song would play.

Squinting to look out of a lace-covered window, I could see key people in my life as they arrived. There were so many people, I doubted that those inside would even pay attention to the music, which made me a little sad. Each song held special memories. Left up to him, HHH may have chosen a differently, but he agreed to the final selections.

All alone in this little house, there were minutes to calm myself as a few stray visitors who were in the know came to offer support. Of course, CC was nervous as a cat running back and forth to check with Da Girl who had come from so far away to help me with my hair and calm my nerves. My two life-sisters, chosen from the minute we said “Hello”, came to support and love me.

You’re probably curious about the music. You might even want to listen to some of the songs yourself. Here are the songs that made the cut.

1. The Thorn Birds — Henry Mancini
   • If you are a woman of the 80’s, you probably remember a “mini-series” on television. Many of my friends need only to hear the title “The Thorn Birds” and drift away to a sheep ranch in Drogheda, Australia. The theme song is one of my favorite musical selections, regardless of the fact the movie, in today’s politically correct world, seems a little creepy.

1. Better Together –Luke Combs — Well, I had to put one GUY song for HHH

A 40 HP Johnson
On a flat bottom metal boat
Coke cans and BB guns
Barbed wire and old fence posts
8-point bucks in autumn
And freshly cut corn fields
One arm out the window
And one hand on the wheel

Your license in my wallet
When we go out downtown
Your lipstick stained every coffee cup
That I got in this house
The way you say I love you, too
Is like rain on an old tin roof
And your hand fits right into mine
Like a needle in a groove

Would just sound better together
And probably always will
Like a cup of coffee and a sunrise
Sunday drives and time to kill
What’s the point of this old guitar
If it ain’t got no strings
Or pouring your heart into a song
That you ain’t gonna sing
It’s a match made up in heaven
Like good ole boys and beer
And me, as long as you’re right here

3. Can You Feel the Love Tonight — Elton John

There’s a calm surrender to the rush of day
When the heat of a rolling wind can be turned away
An enchanted moment, and it sees me through
It’s enough for this restless warrior just to be with you

There’s a time for everyone if they only learn
That the twisting kaleidoscope moves us all in turn
There’s a rhyme and reason to the wild outdoors
When the heart of this star-crossed voyager beats in time with yours

Can you feel the love tonight?
It is where we are
It’s enough for this wide-eyed wanderer
That we’ve got this far

Can you feel the love tonight?
How it’s laid to rest?
Oh, it’s enough to make kings and vagabonds
Believe the very best

5. You are the Sunshine of my life — Stevie Wonder

“You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”

I feel like this is the beginning,
Though I’ve loved you for a million years,
And if I thought our love was ending,
I’d find myself drowning in my own tears

You must have known that I was lonely,
Because you came to my rescue,
And I know that this must be heaven,
How could so much love be inside of you?

You are the sunshine of my life, yeah,
That’s why I’ll always stay around,
You are the apple of my eye,
Forever you’ll stay in my heart

6. Chapel of Love — The old version, which is the ONLY version

Fall is here, the sky is blue, whoa
Birds all sing as if they knew
Today’s the day we’ll say “I do”
And we’ll never be lonely anymore

Bells will ring, the sun will shine, whoa
I’ll be his and he’ll be mine
We’ll love until the end of time
And we’ll never be lonely anymore

Because we’re goin’ to the chapel
And we’re gonna get married
Goin’ to the chapel
And we’re gonna get married
Gee, I really love you
And we’re gonna get married
Goin’ to the chapel of love

7. A Thousand Years–Christina Perry

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I’m afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubts
Suddenly go away somehow

Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What’s standing in front of me
Every breath
Every hour has come to this

I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don’t be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I’ll love you for a thousand more

While I stayed hidden in the little playhouse, CC helped seat guests while The Mayor helped calm HHH and his nerves. Finally, everyone took their seats, while waiting for me. All the while, I fought back tears listening to beautiful music in the little playhouse, alone with my thoughts.

It would be moments now. Just moments until CC burst through the door.

“It’s time!”

More tomorrow.

Since August 28th, 2022, when I first met this wonderful fisherman who is now known as my Hubba-Hubba-Husband, I’ve been given a precious blessing from God. Having spent many hours in deep conversations about his plans for me, I would often ask God for a strong Christian man to enter my life. He blessed me with HHH.

When we first met, we shared many interesting conversations. One of the more serious ones involved our mirrored desires to honor God before all else. Through widowhood, the single life, and dating, God guided us to that very moment when I walked down the aisle into my new life as a Christian wife.

Our minister had asked what song we’d chosen for the processional. There were so many on the list. Of course, we could’ve gone traditional with “Here Comes the Bride”, but that didn’t see right.

“Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flats was a contemporary front runner. Its lyrics spoke of the hard times through widowhood both HHH and I had experienced before finding true love.

“That every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like Northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I’d like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You’ve been there, you understand
It’s all part of a grander plan that is coming true” _{Rascal Flats}

We’d already decided on that song, until another made us both cry. It’d be the perfect song to play as I walked down the long aisle towards the man with the bluest eyes and the smile of home. The song was The Prayer, The English Version song by Mikalene Ipson and Eric Dodge. Although their were other versions by more famous people, this version fit the time and place.

The Prayer

I pray you’ll be our eyes and watch us where we go. And help us to be wise in times when we don’t know.

Let this be our prayer when we lose our way. Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace to a place where we’ll be safe.

I pray we’ll find your light and hold it in our hearts. When stars go out each night, Remind us where you are.

Let this be our prayer when shadows fill our days. Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace.

Give us faith so we’ll be safe.

A world where pain and sorrow will be ended. And every heart that’s broken will be mended. And we’ll remember we are all God’s children reaching out to touch you while reaching to the sky.

We ask that life be kind. Please watch us from above. We hope each soul will find another soul to love. Just like every child needs to find a place, guide us with your grace. Give us faith so we’ll be safe. _{Mikalene Ipson/Eric Dodge}

With no time left for last minute changes, the time had come. CC burst through the door.

“It’s time.”

It was time to exit my hiding spot and look once more to the late afternoon Nevada sunshine, nearly finished for the day. The overflow room was filled to the brim with smiling friends and family that were excited to finally see me.

Just me. 67 years old. Wrinkled. Hair, some would say is way, too long for a lady of my age. Standing behind the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I’d have picked myself if they’d been blooming at Winterpast. The retired teacher type who loves gardening, hoodies, jeans, hot coffee, and tall UGG’s. The desert gal who spent the last year falling in love with HHH, who just happens to be in the top 1% of great guys!. Now the Spanx-i-fied bride, feeling the prettiest I’d felt in many, many years, both inside and out. Just me.

Our song was playing. HHH, The Mayor and the Pastor were in place. CC was already floating down the aisle in front of me, and then, it was my turn.

I tried to make it all the way to the aisle without doing anything outrageous, but then, there SHE was.

MISS FIRECRACKER!!

MY MISS FIRECRACKER!!! I have talked about her so often that HHH knew her without an introduction for SHE is the SPICY ONE that no one can miss. Her smile fills the room. I knew she would be there, but seeing her was the best surprise ever!! There was nothing else to do but stop and give her a hug on my way down to HHH.

Family and friends were there, waiting, as the song finished and it was time to get married.

HHH and I wrote our own vows. His made me swell with pride and then it was my turn. The crowd found it humorous that with all my intense planning, I managed to forget my glasses at home and had to borrow his. I think it won’t be the last time he’ll help me out when I’m without.

We promised all the traditional things Bride’s and Groom’s do. We did decide to leave out the part where someone might think it appropriate to object. No objections or rude comments would ruin OUR magical day. Besides, no one would be so rude as to attend a wedding that they weren’t celebrating! At least not anyone with manners.

At that moment, there was no one else in that crowded chapel except HHH and me. With one very sweet kiss, it was done. As Man and Wife, we exited the chapel to “You are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder.

We were both surprised that the husband and wife don’t sign the marriage certificate. Only the witnesses do, so The Mayor and CC handled that for us.

Married, there was nothing to do but head to our reception, and about all that, I’ve already written. We enjoyed cake, threw the bouquet, tossed the garter, and enjoyed every second until the party ended. Memories that will warm our hearts for as long as we live.

Whatever you do today, remember your own wedding day and the sweet memories that unfolded. There are only a few days in life as precious as the one in which you marry the very person that you cannot spent another day without. HHH and I are so blessed to have found one another in this, the last and best chapter of our lives!

Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back Monday to fill you in on our honeymoon travels.

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After the weeks of careful planning, our wedding day came and went without a hiccup. Our guests are still talking about the best wedding that happened on that beautiful October evening. It was truly an event to remember.

Early on, we had a few ideas for a blissful honeymoon. Some had suggested it might be silly to take one but that though never crossed our mind. Of course, we’d enjoy a honeymoon. Deciding on the destination took a bit of time. Many honeymooners choose the largest towns in Nevada. Those certainly weren’t a fit. We’d planned a trip to Maui, but, Maui burned, no longer an option. We’d considered the coast, but those plans didn’t come together like the rest of the wedding.

One evening, I mentioned my favorite place in the world. WYOMING. Our plans quickly came together. Although sharing a bit of Yellowstone with Montana and Idaho, 96% of the park lies in Wyoming. Yellowstone National Park in October would be the backdrop for beautiful memories as a brand new man and wife.

After searching online, we chose a little cabin in West Yellowstone. Not too far from the grocery store and restaurants, this little home would be the perfect place to begin our new lives together. We’d drive there, taking time to stop whenever we’d like, just like HHH had promised me we would as we danced to our song one night while we were making dinner.

We’ll follow the rainbow
Wherever the four winds blow
And there’ll be a new day
Coming our way …_{Keith Urban}

Our little town is 550 miles away from West Yellowstone. We’d need to stay the first night in Twin Falls, Idaho. This was a bonus, as I’d only driven through Twin Falls once, never stopping to see the falls.

After taking Sunday to enjoy breakfast with our kids, worship with our church family, and open presents at Winterpast, we were ready to hit the road on a bright and sunny Monday. The weather was perfect as we drove east on the interstate.

Before we left, I took some water based paint and wrote “Just Married” in big letters on the back of our luxurious ride. It’d be fun to see who would make comments along the way. Little did we know, it would spark some of the highlights of our trip.

After driving for a few hours, we decided to have breakfast at Sid’s in Winnemucca. If you are ever traveling through, do stop. They have the friendliest staff and the best food we’d eaten in a very long time. My white “BRIDE” fanny pack didn’t go unnoticed, as many shot smiles our way. It’s weird to blast along at full throttle for weeks and then STOP to live in the present.

Did you ever take a walk through the forest?
Stop and dream a while among the trees?
Well you can look up through the leaves right straight to heaven
You can almost hear the voice of God
In each any every breeze

You got to stop and smell the roses
You’ve got to count your many blessings everyday
You’re gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road
If you don’t stop and smell the roses along the way …… _{Mac Davis}

Back in the car, we talked and sang familiar songs all the way to Idaho. On the way, we entered into big-sky plains, still green from the rainy year. The conversations were easy as they always are between us. There were no cross moments, no tensions about the raging war, no mentions of new shootings. Just miles and miles of peaceful driving.

Traveling through the high desert, we saw miles and miles of nothing. Not an antelope or deer, although there were overpasses built just for their migrations. No highway patrol to ruin our moods. Just wide open roads on the way to Yellowstone.

We had lots of time to talk about plans for HHH’s big move to Winterpast, which is occurring as I write this blog. Moving, contacting businesses, and changing one’s name are three things that add to the stress of the moment. Top that with preparing a house for a lease, and you could see there are many stressful things that could have distracted us from our fun. Didn’t happen.

That night, settling into the “Best Western Plus”, we sat in our comfy clothes while watching the World Series.

Watch a little, talk a little, watch a little, watch a little,
Snack, Snack, snack, talk a lot, watch a little more.

That is how HHH and I spend our days together. With sports playing in the background, there’s always something interesting to question, share, or laugh about. Thank goodness for the pause feature on YouTubeTv and a patient husband that uses it often.

Well, that sums up the first day of the honeymoon. Romantically perfect for us in every way.

Whatever you do today, think about planning a road trip. You don’t need to travel far to discover beauty in the surrounding area and also in your travel partner. Be part of the great migration, even if it’s just for a day.

More tomorrow.

One very short but interesting stop along the road from Twin Falls to West Yellowstone involved some inscriptions from long ago. Driving along, we’d notice signs mentioning Massacre Rocks State Park and Register Rock.

Located along the Snake River west of American Falls, Massacre Rocks State Park features a famous configuration of boulders along the south bank of the Snake, known alternatively as “Massacre Rocks”, “Gate of Death,” or “Devil’s Gate.”

A famous spot along the Oregon Trail and California Trail during the mid 19th century, emigrants gave this name to the narrow passage of the trail through the rocks, from the fear of possible ambush by Native Americans. According to diaries of emigrants, settlers in five wagons clashed with Shoshone just east of the rocks on August 9th and 10th, 1862. Eleven emigrants and 20 Shoshone died in the fight, which involved four wagon trains.

The remains of an extinct volcano, the rocks were often used as a campsite for wagon trains along the trail. Many emigrants carved their names and dates on the rock face, now protected by a shelter. The actual passage through the rocks is now Interstate 86 along the south edge of the park.

Look closely at the picture above. H. Chestnut signed the rock on August 20, 1862, just days after wagons fought with the Shoshone. How many children sat and read by these rocks, resting their feet after running alongside the wagon trains all day. Of all the things we saw on our honeymoon, this is one that still haunts me.

Troubled by conflicting accounts, I found actual diary accounts to read for myself, after so many have rewritten the facts. History is most interesting when one can find first hand accounts of events that took lives. There are those that believe any talk of massacres were just tales of the wild, wild west. Of course, the Native Americans were the most peaceful of peaceful. The settlers had nothing better to do than kill as they traveled through. Read some actual journals where truth is written on both sides.

Here’s a suggestion. First, go out into the desert on a moonless night, at least 20 miles from the nearest town. Then, only protected by a thin blanket, sit on the ground and listen to everything from breezes to coyote howls. After having listened to stories of attacks all day long and near the point of exhaustion, wait for the attacks to come to your wagon train. Staying alive took courage, stealth, and quick reflexes of people from both sides.

Just this week, there was a televised statement from a Native American man that no indigenous people ever scalped anyone. All-rightly then. Gotta love historical accounts of 1862 rewritten in 2023.

How could there be an actual count of men, women, and children killed in the action from either side? I’m sure both sides embellished stories that never happened, while those accounts too horrendous to tell died with those at the scenes.

In the diary of Henry M Judson 1862, he mentions, Jas Crawford, J Adams, John Walker, A. J. Cassidy and many more were wounded. I’d much prefer to read their journaled accounts to thoughts of historians writing today. As a writer, I’m thankful to Mr. Judson and other settlers for taking the time to write down their personal accounts of their journey.

Windmills???? In such a sacred place???? I hope H. Chestnut and T.J. Wilcox understand. I also hope they understand the need to hide their “Register Rock” behind chain link fencing to prevent defacing. Our world is certainly a mixed up place.

As Thanksgiving draws closer, remember your own ancestors and the bravery it took to survive and thrive in our beautiful country. The sacrifices they made to start new lives in the west were breathtaking. Bloodshed and illnesses be damned, the pioneers of 1862 had set their goals. Taking time to carve their names in rocks, they’re still remembered 161 years later by two honeymooners.

Although still considered the wild west by some, I wouldn’t trade my life on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada for anything. Hope you feel the same about your home town!

More tomorrow.

Family has been coming and going this week. Some of our desert peeps are in Kentucky, while Arizonan’s have dropped in for a surprise visit. And so it goes around the holidays. Families doing their best to get together for a few days of great memories.

This will be our first Thanksgiving as a married couple here at Winterpast. Ollie and Wookie will be hanging out under the table hoping to score some handouts along the way. HHH is a master chef and has been planning our meal for a week or more. I plan to be his sous-chef, already having set the dining room for a party of five.

There is something admirable about a man that needs to cook a 20 lb. turkey for five to insure lots of left-overs. We’ll be up tomorrow morning at dark:30 to stuff our bird while waiting to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade. With careful planning, there’ll be plenty of time left to enjoy the day.

On this eve, Thanksgiving 2023, having HHH in my life is the biggest blessing of all. I’m thankful for the love of family and friends that surround us all year long. I’m really thankful to be able to enjoy a Mother’s love once more in my life. The beauty of the desert that surrounds us makes me glad to be alive.

Whatever you plan to do for the holidays, please spend time with those you love. Start a list of all the blessings in your life. Once you get started, the list will practically write itself.

I plan to eat too much turkey, sleep in, and enjoy some Christmas movies. I’ll be back on Monday with more stories from my little town that sits proudly on a dusty wide spot off the interstate on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.