Culver's

Teenage life cannot be complete until one has visited Culver's, so on my last day as a teenager, my dear Papa took me to Culver's in Marshalltown on our way home from chess camp where I was an instructor (more about that in another post).   

We each ordered a single-patty Cheddar Butter-Burger ($2.69).  The burger was very flavorful, and I loved the fresh tomato slice; it was a lot better than many other fast-food burgers.  And, did I say fast?  Culver's service is lightning speed!  I got our drinks and no sooner had I sat down when a waitress brought us our dinner.  

Perfection

I see perfection: the cry of beauty.

I see perfection: the crown of thorns?

I see perfection: the long sought for goal.

I see perfection: a sword-pierced side to nations shown?

I see perfection: the love of God.

I see perfection: the agony of a dying man?

I see perfection: Jesus Christ, He, and He alone loves me so.

I see perfection: 'tis perfection, 'tis greatest love.

I see Jesus, beaten, dying, and alone.

And what have I, what am I, that He should love me so?

What am I, that He would call my name?

What am I that my Savior, bruised and beaten, should make me His own?

© 2009 Bethany Carson

2014 Iowa Games Table Tennis

This morning I woke up at 6:00 A.M. as usual and subconsciously mentally prepared myself to manage the Daily 5 0, a chess tournament I direct every weekday morning on FICS.  Then it struck me: today was Saturday and instead of playing chess I would be going to a table tennis tournament!

I ate a little cold cereal, and Papa and I started our drive for Ames.  On our way a Ford F650 passed us; it was a big pick-up truck (I don't think I've seen one quite like it before).  We also noticed road work being done.

Liebster Awards

Many thanks to Noémie and Paige for nominating me for the Liebster Award.  The Liebster Award is a way for bloggers to learn more about each other by asking 11 questions and posting 11 random facts about themselves.

11 Random Facts:

1. Until recently I didn't realize powdered peanut butter was available.  Just add water!

2. I was a 5-time Iowa Girls Chess Champion

3.  As a small child my dream job was owning a doughnut shop

4.  I play the piano, guitar, accordion, and harmonica

5.  I've read the Bible through 14 times

6.  I've seen limestone fence posts in Kansas.

Hansen's Dairy

Our time machine today will take us back to June of 2009 when we toured Hansen's Dairy near Hudson, IA.  Hansen's milk comes from cows not injected with rBST/rBGH hormones, and their milk is non-homogenized (the cream floats to the top).  My family has enjoyed drinking their milk for years.

The dairy offers tours at $12 per person for a hands-on tour and $8 for a walk-through tour.  In 2009, when  I think (but am not sure) that it was less expensive; we took a hands-on tour.

The Nebraska State Capitol

Today I'd like to take you back in time with me to 2010 when my family and I visited the Nebraska State Capitol on our way to Texas.  It was one stop on one of the most memorable and exciting trips of my life.  At 400 feet high, the capitol is the second tallest statehouse in the nation.

The Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop

We recently visited the Matthew Edel Blacksmith Shop in Haverhill, Iowa.  Matthew Edel immigrated to the United States from Germany. He opened his blacksmith shop in 1883.  Until the family could build themselves a house, they lived above the shop in the attic.  They were avid gardeners, growing and preserving food from their own large gardens. This photo from 1915, which hangs in the shop, shows Mr. Edel (center) with his then 16-year-old son Louis on the left and a customer on the right.