Railroading Across the Great Divide

How did you spend your New Year's Eve? Many were partying til the wee hours of midnight and beyond. But not this troupe. We chose to purchase 4 Amtrak tickets and take a little jaunt on the Missouri River Run. This is a daily route that travels from Kansas City to St. Louis. We boarded in Sedalia and rode to St. Louis in a little under 3 hours (one way). And another 3 hours back.

So what influenced us to partake is such an excursion? A few factors were involved. One of the biggest is that we'd never taken a train ride before; not counting the amusement park trains. Or in my husband's case, when he hitched a ride on a freight train at the age of 13 or so. He does not wish for me to romanticize this fact as there were still hobos at the time and he could have had a very bad result. And his mother doesn't even know about it. (So, yes, it still matters in your 40's if Mom finds out.)

So this legitimate train ride was very enlightening. The most disturbing part is the lack of baggage checking. Yes, my retired-narcotics-officer husband was the first to pick up on this. He noticed a couple of familiar faces getting off the train, backpacks in hand, eager to avoid him. Imagine that?! (his reputation still follows him) Just for the record, we would Not have tried to play the part of vigilante or sheriff's deputy........unless??? We're human of course.

Another enlightening part of the ride was the dining car. It's not like in the movies. A little counter on one end with a person taking your order, microwaving it if needed, and taking your money. The. End.
Finding Gluten-Free was pretty difficult. Lucky for us, we did our homework and took some picnic items along. But my youngest and I let curiosity get the better of us and so we ventured 3 cars ahead to "see what it looked like". In short, you'd get a better choice from Quik Trip or whatever your local convenience store is called. Not impressed.

The positives:
*You could barely hear the horn. Surprising as I remember the days when trains traveled behind my home and it was most definitely heard inside my house.(before the rail was abandoned and made into a bike trail)
*The conductors were super nice
*The view was very pretty, even in the dead of winter.
*I learned that along certain parts of the Mighty Mo, houses stand on stilts 15 feet off the ground. Quite a sight to see a mobile home on poles. To each his own I guess.
*I had nearly 6 whole hours of crochet time. Only yarn-aholics will relate.

So in short, if my daughters decide to move away and I don't want to drive, take a bus or plane, train travel is an option.
Just make sure to sit close to the exit and don't plan on a meal like momma's.

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Question: Shall We Gather at the River?

My favorite activity to do with my daycare children is "Conversation Starters". There are good reasons to try this activity, even at home with your own children. First of all they love to talk. Second, it's so good for their self confidence, language development, social skills, and so so much more. I ask them a question and they answer while I dictate their answers. They'll make sure I get it all written down too. I hear, "Did you get that part?" So adorable. Parents get to see the conversations too since I post them on a large sheet of paper beside the coats. Smiles abound! And who couldn't use a smile after a long day at work?!

Things happen when we engage children like this. Curiosity is unlocked and they take an active part and become more involved with others. In other words, the little shy kid gets to shine :)

If you have time, check out my daycare blog to see one of our conversation starters from November.

Special thanks to Osage Plains Images for permission to use photos in the slideshow. Please take time to see his Facebook page Here


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Power in the Blood

Power in physics equals the rate of doing work. So while I think I do pretty good "powerful" work in my day job, there are many areas I lack "power". Here's a couple for sure:

• After 3 knee surgeries including one broken knee cap in the mix,

 I. Can't. Run.                            No Power there

• Pulling an all-nighter these days would be a Big FAIL.

On the positive side:

• Having enough power to do this A to Z challenge has been time-consuming, but do-able. Feeling some power as I made it this far for a 2nd year. Yay to me :)

•  I probably appear powerful to a child  when I can reach up high (even though I'm pretty short)
• And when a child runs to me for a hug, they feel powerful hugging as tight as they can.      Love that!!!

Most of the time we don't strive for power. We just use powerful means to help each other out. Like the times a family member or friend suffers health issues. Seeing and experiencing these hold us powerless many times (we initially think.) But what we learn is that by encouraging them and doing our part, we give them comfort, hope and time to regain their own Power.

 

Yep, another Bible Verse:

Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.     

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Only Trust Him

*Photos courtesy of Pinterest*

Have you ever Googled "Only" and looked at the images? I did and it's amazing how we use only as an exclusion.

 

"Only One"

"Only Today"

"For Teachers Only"

"Adults Only"

"Authorized Personnel Only"

"Ladies Only"

"For your eyes Only"

 

 

But to "Only Trust Him", it's more of a simple request. It's all you have to do and there are no exclusions. Everyone is included.

The song lyrics invites "every soul". By only trusting, He has rich blessings to bestow.

Trust is another word for Faith.

Explained in Hebrews 11:1 , "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

It's a hard concept for most of us these days. Too many have hurts and disappointments and hold back trying to Only Trust Him. The Bible never once says, "figure it out." But over and over it says "Trust God".

He's already got it all figured out.


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Church in the Wildwood

Happy Good Friday!
Pettis County, Missouri has plenty of country churches. In a recent Sunday drive, I chose three along the southern portion of the county to photograph. I love listening to the old hymns the most and in the little backwoods churches is where you're most likely to hear them. If you're ever near here, step inside and listen. You'll be warmly welcomed.
 I hope you'll enjoy this little journey.




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Beatitudes of the Banjo

Beatitudes of the Banjo
Blessed is the banjo; the players who are mistaken for being eccentric.

Blessed is the banjo; the famous people like Earl Scruggs, Pete Seegar, Steve Martin, who made it Cool!

Blessed is the banjo: For the endless hours of practicing to get it just right even after being 'sent to your room for the noise'.

Blessed is the banjo: You can make any song banjo-friendly....just wait and see.

Blessed is the banjo: May the teachers all get to Heaven.

Blessed is the banjo: Your audience is awesome!

Blessed is the banjo: Your mothers and fathers are teaching babies a new language of Love.

Blessed is the banjo: Short fingernails are your fashion accessory.

Blessed is the banjo: It's the most original American Instrument.

Link to the AtoZ Challenge Here