Dreams come true

This week, I had the opportunity to do something I have only dreamed of doing. I got be a speaker at a major genealogy and family history expo. It was held in St. George, Utah, and was the 7th annual expo held there. Some of the attendees have come every year!

Speaking, presenting, teaching was absolutely as enjoyable and rewarding as I hoped it would be. The number of people who came to my classes wasn't high (14 and 21), but they were friendly, attentive and positive. They asked questions, offered comments and experiences, and complimented me. I can only hope that at least one person took home something that will be truly helpful in their research.

I am applying to speak in June at the Loveland, Colorado, event. I hope they'll take me!

The really big bonus to this trip is that I am staying with Silas and Robyn and their adorable children. Now that the expo is over, it will be like a mini-vacation. They have gone out of their way to make sure I got to St. George two days in a row - early hours, too. My first class today was at 8 a.m. Silas took a day off and went with me on Friday. The whole family piled in the car today! We hit snow going both ways. That always makes me nervous, but we're safe and sound at home.

Cora is being blessed tomorrow (Feb. 27th) in a gown I made. Since I don't leave until Wednesday, I'll get to spend a few comfy days just reading books, eating good food (diet when I get home) and just enjoying each others' company. Lucky me!

Latest outing

Today, Sarah and her children picked me up for a field trip to the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph. We went through a car wash in Cameron and then headed west on Highway 36 for that city rich in Old West history.

Just under eleven miles short of our destination, we got a very flat tire! Thank goodness for AAA! Unfortunately, it took about an hour and fifteen minutes of anxious waiting before our friendly and funny repairman arrived. Kizzie had already come and made a restroom run for the most desperate among us!

Needless to say, the museum trip will have to be made another day. Never fear, however! Consolation was sweet. We got lunch at McDonald's before returning me to my home and Sarah's family heading to their's.

The Blizzard

Well, it is cold here! This morning when I got up it was seven degrees below zero - no wind chill involved. It's a balmy three degrees above, now! I've lived in Missouri more than 17 years, and I just can't get used to seeing that kind of number associated with the temperature. Then, to actually call it a blizzard is just unreal. Having lived through the 'blizzard,' I have to say that I'm disappointed. Yes, it snowed for more than 24 consecutive hours. Yes, the wind howled and howled. And, yes, sometimes I couldn't see my neighbor's house across the street. But, the aftermath is just a snow-covered world like after almost any other snow event. Very beautiful! I don't know what I expected. 

Keenan's car in the swirling snow

 My tendency in this weather is to hunker down in the house, and stay there. I have ventured out to get firewood. I also had to go out because the little cap at the base of our stovepipe was blown off. We had ash all over the east side of our yard. 

Mostly, I like to look out the window for little visual surprises. I found one this morning. It may not make you smile, but it is interesting to me. It is how the melting snow looks on the sill outside after the sun shone on it yesterday. I wonder how long it will take to really melt away?

I also love the way the wind blew the snow into 'steppes,' like a desert. While the blizzard was swirling around us, it reminded us of sand dunes. Now, the drifts and layers are frozen in place and have a glistening top. It's like a wonderland.

Thanks to Kevin, our driveway is all clear and we are free to go - out into Wonderland!