Wonderful Ottumwa Iowa

Ottumwa, the city of bridges, should be called the land of corn. Wide open spaces with golden corn fields and hay bales galore. In addition to being so beautiful, we had wonderful visits with known family members and family we have never met before filling our hearts with joy and excitement. We reminisced about old times and learned stories we have never heard before.

Rusty and I met his Uncle Charles, his dad's brother, his wife Thelma, and one of his daughters, Brenda. We listened to his stories of the old days when he and Dad Meeker were little, looked at picture albums, and got to know each other. There were seven kids in the family!!!

We spent the rest of our time with the Chisman side of the family: Aunt Joanne, Mom Mee's sister, Jannie, Joanne daughter, and Rick, Jannie's husband. We drove around town, listening to stories about how Granddaddy Chisman used to walk to work to Morrell Packing Plant and how the high school kids would "scoop the loop" down main street.

Cubby spent time with his cousin, Penny and the cat that Uncle Max didn't have, Andy. The story goes that Uncle Max always said that he didn't have a cat, but he spent a lot of time with this cat he didn't have. He is a healthy tuxedo cat that has a pad and a bowl of food on their covered porch. He gets a heating pad in the winter. Last night when Rusty was walking the dogs, Andy came along too.

We ended our evening at their favorite bar and grill enjoying beers and the nightly special, fried pork tenderloin.  You haven't tasted fried pork tenderloin until you go to Iowa. I have heard them talk about it for years but didn't understand until now how delicious it really is. So yummy!!! Oh by the way, the Chisman side of the family can fight for the bill just as good as the Meeker side.

We visited Janine and Rick's home. Met their dog, Jack, and son, Blake, and his dogs. Rick is a very talented taxidermist. He has some beautiful mounts. My favorite was a carribou that he shot in Alaska.

We created everlasting, heartfelt memories today with both sides of the family. It warms my heart to remember us sitting around table sharing a meal, laughing and having a good time.

We know that some of the family doesn't do email or social networking, do for those of you who are reading this, please tell the family how much we enjoyed seeing and talking to them and for everything they did for us!!! Happy birthday again to Aunt Connie!!