Evolution of Windpower in Iowa as pointed out by my Cousin Tom

OLD - The windmill on my fathers farm near williams, Iowa

These pictures represent the evolution of windpower in Iowa. The single windmill still stands as an ICON of a fading era. The new Wind farms are the new generation.

NEW - MidAmerican Energy Wind Farm (Across the road from my gransfather's farm)

Aunts

Yesterday we went to Webster City to visit family. My cousin Tom came back from California to visit his mother, my aunt. I hadn't visited her in a while, but as soon as I walked in her house pleasant memories came rushing back. My Aunt Helen had the "best" junk drawer in the world. You know, that drawer, usually found in the kitchen, that has all sorts of 'stuff" in it, all kinds of batteries, nails, screws, and just good old plain "stuff". I fought off the urge to go into her kitchen and look for her current "junk drawer" - but, I imagine she has one. The picture above is an oil painting my aunt made of my cousin - it was during her "oil period". It has always been in the living room, or sitting room, and it just wouldn't be her house without it.

Pictured below (L-R) are my Aunt Helen and my Aunt Dorothy. I spent a good amount of time growing up in their homes. They were fun times -