let's take a drive...

there are open places on the prairie even with the crops in and up...

the corn tends to hide things...

and there are fun things in this small town that people do that just make you grin...

and of course, there is corn...

miles and miles of corn...

but not all the land is tilled and planted, as much as it seems like it is sometimes...

we do have spaces for fun...

that old scoreboard was the last improvement that I did as president of the little league many years ago...

but the new leaders have moved on and kept it going...

and this year they are adding roofs on the dugouts...

the 4x4s replaced a chain link fence and the roofs are going on now...

and they have had a sign like this...

(if not this one)

for as long as I can remember...

there is a state highway, quaint brick streets, old country roads and everything in between within a couple miles of our home...

the dam holds back the town's lake...

our water supply used to come from there, but now comes from way up north...

piped in underground...

from a huge underground lake...

and there are places that some people reserve for preservation...

this area has all original prairie plants that would have covered the ground 100 or more years ago...

we have serious people and then those who have a sense of humor...

(yes, its a mailbox)

we have professionals who work out of town, around town, retired folks winding down their years and a whole lot of farmers...

and when someone is grateful, they let you know it...

like one of our little cafes here...

its their customer appreciation week...

and there is a new special every day just to say thanks for keeping your business at home...

and we are not so different from any little town around America...

we love living in our home town...

and we love those who protect us from anyone who wound want to take that away...

prayers for all the men and women who wear a uniform and their families...

and thank you for keeping us safe every single day...

these small towns are worth fighting for...

;0)