Keeping up with the Joneses: dad

About three years ago, after retiring from his job with the city for 30 years, my dad decided to sell his home (that we moved to when I was 7), buy 20 acres of land in the middle of nowhere in Missouri (the small town of Mansfield, home of Laura Ingalls Wilder) and build a small cabin on the property. He is well on his way to becoming That Eccentric Old Weird Guy. :) He is blissfully happy and has plenty of acreage on which to tool around, raise random animals and grow organic herbs and veggies. He even has his own creek on the property that provides endless entertainment for him, my stepmom Amanda and my little sister Susan.

On our way home from Iowa, we made a detour in Missouri to hang out with Dad for a couple of days. I totally feel like a little kid again when I'm at his house, and I'm reminded of the old days when I was a fearless child, not a wussy adult. :) We played in not one, but TWO creeks (one at his house, and another larger one about 20 minutes away), fed his farm animals, checked out the local health food store (at which Dad sells his homegrown herbs and garlic), drank sodas on the porch of an ancient "store" in a "town" that is approximately 2000 square feet, drove his jeep with the top down and our hair flying and picked wildflowers on the side of the road while he quizzed me on their names (i.e. Queen Anne's Lace, black eyed susans). It was a great weekend!