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Went to Iowa for a memorial service. Cyn's uncle Russel and aunt Ruth died earier this year.
We drove over on thursday. It was a lot quicker trip than we expected. That evening we hung out in the motel room with Cyn's aunt Joyce and cousin Pam, and drank some wine.
Friday was the service. I met a whole lot of relatives. Learned a bit about the deceased, too. Afterwards, we drove out to the cemetery, and then drove around the little town seeing the sights and taking pictures. Then we went to another cousin's house, and hung out with a bunch more relatives. I think I've got most of them straight by now. Later, Cyn and I went out for margaritas with Pam and cousin Carla.
Saturday morning, we drove up to Ames, and hung out with relatives again. Then we went to The Farm - the old family homestead. The new owner wasn't surprised to see us, since he'd heard about the funeral. He said he'd spruced up the yard for us. We weren't sure whether anyone there would be friendly, or let us wander the yard, but he was very gracious, and even invited us inside the house. Turns out he was interested in learning about the history of the farm, so he showed us around for quite a while, and listened to Marge's stories. Afterwards, we went to a nearby cemetery to see some more family graves.
We came home on sunday. A few stops along the way, plus waiting in line for 45 minutes to view a semi rollover, made for a long drive home.
I took a couple hundred pictures over the weekend. Marge had asked me to take pictures for her of the funeral, the farm and the town, and there were the usual family gathering type pics, and I always take lots of pictures at cemeteries. Now I've got to sort them out, burn them to discs, and mail them to various relatives.
I'm back at work, and the stress is starting to return. Tonight, we're going to be cleaning the house, since we've got company staying with us tomorrow night.
We drove over on thursday. It was a lot quicker trip than we expected. That evening we hung out in the motel room with Cyn's aunt Joyce and cousin Pam, and drank some wine.
Friday was the service. I met a whole lot of relatives. Learned a bit about the deceased, too. Afterwards, we drove out to the cemetery, and then drove around the little town seeing the sights and taking pictures. Then we went to another cousin's house, and hung out with a bunch more relatives. I think I've got most of them straight by now. Later, Cyn and I went out for margaritas with Pam and cousin Carla.
Saturday morning, we drove up to Ames, and hung out with relatives again. Then we went to The Farm - the old family homestead. The new owner wasn't surprised to see us, since he'd heard about the funeral. He said he'd spruced up the yard for us. We weren't sure whether anyone there would be friendly, or let us wander the yard, but he was very gracious, and even invited us inside the house. Turns out he was interested in learning about the history of the farm, so he showed us around for quite a while, and listened to Marge's stories. Afterwards, we went to a nearby cemetery to see some more family graves.
We came home on sunday. A few stops along the way, plus waiting in line for 45 minutes to view a semi rollover, made for a long drive home.
I took a couple hundred pictures over the weekend. Marge had asked me to take pictures for her of the funeral, the farm and the town, and there were the usual family gathering type pics, and I always take lots of pictures at cemeteries. Now I've got to sort them out, burn them to discs, and mail them to various relatives.
I'm back at work, and the stress is starting to return. Tonight, we're going to be cleaning the house, since we've got company staying with us tomorrow night.
