The Muench Bunch

 For several months Mark had talked about going on a trip with Jake. They mentioned battlefields, going to a truck show, going to visit Cousin Jim, and going to see Uncle Lavern. They had a few different ideas, but when it came down to it, they went to Lavern's. It was not the road trip that Jake had hoped for, but one that Mark really enjoyed. I know from my own perspective, I would have felt about the same as Jake. They spent many hours in the truck with Lavern driving to cemeteries and seeing tombstone's of distant relatives. They also drove past old homesteads that no longer exists. I recall taking a similar trip to multiple cemeteries all over with Karen and Verna Mae many years ago with a small child in diapers. Jake didn't complain and always enjoys visiting Lavern and Verna Mae. 

 5/24/22 President Biden is coming under heavy fire for appearing to praise the painfully high gas prices that are hurting American families, calling it part of an "incredible transition" away from fossil fuels. The average national gasoline price in the U.S. is now a record high of $4.59 per gallon, up a painful 50%-plus from a year earlier, according to the American Automobile Association. Some states are seeing prices jump even higher. On Monday, the average price for a gallon of unleaded gasoline in California topped $6.06, higher than Alaska at $5.19 a gallon, and Hawaii at $5.33. During a visit to Japan, Biden spoke at a press conference saying, "When it comes to the gas prices, we're going through an incredible transition that is taking place that, God willing, when it's over, we'll be stronger and the world will be stronger and less reliant on fossil fuels when this is over." But Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) says that's not true. "One of the r

  My husband is very thoughtful in brightening my day with flowers. Sometimes he will bring home a lovely bouquet. He knows I love lilies and he knows I like purple. He also knows I love lilacs. In the spring he will bring me a bundle of lilacs when he comes in for lunch or a flower from a plant. My boys have watched this over the years and will sometimes bring me flowers too. I love that and someday their wife will love it too. 

 Friday Mark gave the crew the day off, so he, Jake, and I went to Brushy Creek trail riding. It was a great day for it and nice to have a little time with our soon to be college student. I think Jake enjoyed it too.  Saturday was much cooler, 39 degrees when we woke up. Mark had the boys mowing by 8Am on the cold day. Later Jake had lots of grad parties. Mark and I went to Ledges and roamed the trails. Pictures do not show how high we were or any depth. We walked high onto a ledge rock overlooking the river. We also followed an unmarked trail along some slim path with steep drops. It was fun and adventurous and I am pretty sure the trail was not for beginners and a bit sketchy. The view was great and we enjoyed the hike.  On Sunday we had Kelly and Adam's family from our connection group come and ride horses. It was a sweet time and their family so appreciated it. They later sent thank you notes. The kids were all smiles on the horse and I am always entertained by the funny things

Spring brings green grass, fertile fields, and warmer sunshine. I love this time of year. The boys get busier and have more jobs and involvement on the farm. There is always a semi or vehicle to was and a yard to mow. There is field work to be done as well, tillage, fertilizer spreading, and planting. If I want to see my husband or my kids during the day, I usually climb up in a cab and make a few rounds. Some days I only see Mark coming and going on the road. He hits the pillow late after I am in bed and rises when the sun is coming up long before I get up.  This week we started in the field Tuesday after lunch, and in 3 days we planted 1,000 acres of beans and finished!! We started on corn and in one day planted 500 acres. The planter starts rolling early in the morning at 7 and goes until 9 or 10. The crew takes shifts with the Salford and runs long hours. Tuesday we finished planting at the Dayton farm just in time for the rain to come in. Wednesday we were too wet to be in the fie

In April Jake bought a 1776 Red Thunderbird from a man in Fort Dodge. He paid around 2500 for it and was super excited. It is bright red with the coolest interior, white leather with red trim and red shaggy carpet. It is referred to as the lipstick edition. I thought it was a cool find and hope he will hang on to this one. The interior is pristine for its age. It was well taken care of on the inside.  Jake ran into lots of problems right of the bat. It reminded him of a cursed car in a movie called "Christine" about a possessed red car. He named the car Cheryl and got to work on fixing some of the issues. It leaked a lot of oil, it left him stranded on the road more than once. He had to add his personal touch with changing up the tires and giving it a loader exhaust. It is a great car for a car show.   

 Sometimes Karen watches Everly, AKA Peanut. She lets me know so I can stop over and see her. Evie is a character.  She is always  busy, doesn't take naps, and when she is mad, she throws a little fit . She also has never held her own bottle, just never would and she drinks it like a little  calf. Evie is tiny and petite, weighs almost the same as Titus and they are 10 months apart. She doesn't smile, these photos are the closest I have ever seen of her smiling and here she is making silly faces. She really looks you over, but no smiles. She is a cutie with her little curls and cute outfits Libby dresses her in.  Ali also has had me come up to her house a couple times to babysit when her daycare provider is unable. I have to be at  Ali's at 7:00AM, it takes me an hour and  15 minutes to her house. Titus was pretty easy and cuddly. He has too have a bottle every 3 to 4 hours and really loves to eat! He took 3 naps just under an hour each. He is soooo  cuddly and super easy t

 The week started wet and cool on Sunday. It rained enough on Sunday to keep us out of the field Monday. By Tuesday noon, Mark was in the field planting. It was still too wet for field work, but it was great they could finally get in the fields. The sun came out and we had great weather as the week went on. Monday was humid and hit a high of 90 degrees! In Iowa some years it feels like we go from winter to summer overnight. I love 70-75 and sunny. We dont get enough of those days. Tuesday was pretty warm as well. The rest of the week it was sunny and beautiful. The planter rolled along and we finished planting beans, planting approximately 400 acres per day. With the perfect weather, We missed church on Sunday and the planter kept rolling. Over the weekend, Jayden went to a big event in Abilene and set up a booth to sell her products over a 3 day period. She did well, just didn't like the long hours, and set up and tear down work. She can post a few items on social media, take some

 Some of the board members, along with our family got to explore the Grand gym/school for the first time. Entering the doors on a rainy day really showed us where each and every leak was. Starting on the west side, we entered the room to the back of the gym, which used to be the head start kindergarten/preschool room. It is in really good condition. This has the potential to be a daycare center. The stage has a solid nice finished floor just like the gym. Above the stage there was leaking and pooling onto the stage. The floor was still solid and seemed unbothered by the puddling water. Wes hopes to patch the leak immediately. The gym looks so good, such a beautiful gym with strong structure and bleachers, scoreboard are all in tack and in good shape. Unfortunately the basketball hoops were removed and taken. There are lots of rooms around the gym that will be part of what is going to be saved. There is a large shop, several classrooms, an office, lunchroom, and lots of restrooms and lo

 March 30,  I read a post on Facebook about the Boxholm School being demolished and showed it to Mark. It made us feel both mad and sad. It stirred up a lot of emotions for Mark. He went to that school, and has many fond memories. Both Ali and Jayden attended school there and we attended many school events, carnivals, concerts, sports, history day, awards ceremonies and more. Mark likes to hold on to the past and history. This bothered him and he wasn't going to just let it go. Two nights later he had a conversation with Wes P. who felt very strongly about the school and gym as well. They decided to do all they can to save the gym.  These photos were posted along with this articel, the first we heard about the plans. Demolition Planned for Boxholm School- By Kelli Bloomquist More than a century after the cornerstone was placed at the Boxholm school, its demolition is being planned. For 106 years, the school building for the Consolidated Independent School District of Grant Townsh