H.A. Larson's Blog

Happy Friday, friends. It is the best day of the week as it is followed by two and a half days of freedom. I have things planned for this freedom, and the weather is going to be perfect. In fact, looking at the long-range forecast, I think whatever Winter we had is gone. Crazy talk for February. 
For now, let's dive into what my October looked like.



The first Friday of the month, I spent it with my best friend, Rebecca. We have a standing date most every Friday, and we take turns hosting. This particular Friday was my turn, and I put out a lavish charcuterie, paired with a bottle of red and white.



The next day, I took my other bestie's little girl for the day while he worked. He didn't ask, but my job was offering us a free day at the Kiewit Luminarium, the new science center downtown. I thought I could get her out for some fun instead of being stuck inside. Before we went, though, my daughter and I took her to Hummel Park's annual Fall Festival. Here, kids can color, paint a pumpkin....


and check out animal furs, among many other fun things. After she was done, we took her to the top area of the park where there is a shelter house and a playground. I had packed up the charcuterie from the night before, so we ate and played.



After a quick clean-up and an outfit change, we headed to the Luminarium. Elizabeth explored to her heart's content.



Even my big kid enjoyed some of the activities.



We took her out to eat before her dad picked her up, and I promptly fell asleep on my couch after they left. I forgot how exhausting toddlers can be. LOL



Sunday, then, was some much-needed adult R&R. The weather was nice, so Soaring Wings was doing their live Sunday music on the deck. I bought a bottle of wine with my wine bucks and waited for my son to meet me there from Lincoln.


I'll never get tired of this view.



A few weekends later, my son, daughter, and I gathered to celebrate my son's birthday. We headed back out to Soaring Wings that Friday. The next day, we went for a Fall drive and ended up in Nebraska City. We had appetizers and drinks (a non-alcoholic one for my daughter) at the Arbor Day Lodge.



The following Friday, the 24th, my friend Dora asked me at the last minute if I wanted to get some dinner and check out a show. I'm always down for something like that, so I met her in the bar area of the Holland Performing Arts Center. We ate in their restaurant, Zinc, then saw the show: The Life and Music of George Michael. It was a lot of fun!



The very next day was my Autumn Ladies Wine Day. Dora, I, Libby, and Rebecca get together twice a year to check out an area's wineries (and maybe a brewery or two). Honestly, it's a new tradition as we first did it in early April of 2025, and had so much fun we decided we should do it in autumn, as well. We have already planned for the Spring one next month.



In the Spring we moved south and west of Omaha. This time, we moved in a circle around Lincoln, with a few stops in Lincoln. We started at Junto Wine.



We then went into Lincoln and to the Whispering Winds tasting room. It was an interesting place, to say the least. Located inside Rock 'n' Joe coffee shop, you purchase a card, put money on it, and get your wine selections from a machine. Libby and I were recently talking about how we both have money left on those cards, which is a good enough excuse to go back there.
After a stop to eat dinner, we headed south of town to Capitol View Winery. 



They have a generous covered front porch with heaters, so we sat there.



Last, but surely not least, we headed over to Deer Springs Winery.



Deer Springs is the perfect autumn winery visit. They have hayrack rides, they decorate the grounds for Halloween, and they have mulled cider, which is best enjoyed around their firepit.






To wrap up the month, I headed up to the motherland on Halloween to spend the weekend at my childhood friend Amy's century farm. She and her brother inherited the family farm after their parents passed, and she's been working on turning it into an Airbnb.



It's quiet, peaceful, relaxing, and would you look at these autumn colors?! 






They own many acres of land, and this old pig barn sits on some of it. Amy's son manages the farm and has turned this old barn into his workshop and tool storage.



However, in a little old room in the corner, he's made a speakeasy. Whenever I visit, we always go down and have a few drinks.



I love all the fun signs, new and old, that cover the walls.



An old bar light hangs from the ceiling, and an old dresser holds a variety of liquors to enjoy.


And that's it. That's how my October went. 

Until next time, friends, enjoy your weekend.






 

 

What? H.A. is bringing back the Healthy Life posts? You bet your ass I am.
The last time I posted one of these suckers was in March of 2024. I was making some effort at that time, but looking back, it was weak at best. Still, I shouldn't beat my past self up too much...I was trying.
At the beginning of the year, I made a post and discussed resolutions. One of those resolutions was to take my health more seriously. I realized that the discipline and consistency I apply to my financial health should also be applied to my physical health.
The first weekend of the month, I went hiking with my daughter both days. On Sunday evening, I said to myself, "H.A., that's it. You're going to start walking every day at work...just like you used to." When Monday rolled around, I did just that. And on Tuesday, Wednesday, and the rest of the week. There's a particularly steep hill right outside my building, and I was huffing and puffing pretty hard by the time I reached the top on Monday. Friday? Not as bad. 
I started sticking to a low-carb diet with a few exceptions. For example, one of my favorite meals is a kale-roasted sweet potato-chickpea bowl with a tahini-maple dressing. While not exactly low-carb, it is a healthy meal, so I substituted the chickpeas with actual chicken and made sure to eat a recommended portion.  Another example: I was gifted a box of deluxe chocolates from a co-worker, so I allowed myself one of those each afternoon, as a treat (okay, sometimes I eat two). While eating better, I also started being more conscious of how much food I was eating and began eating my food more slowly. This allowed me to notice the signs of being full or satisfied instead of gobbling everything down, then feeling bloated the rest of the day.
After killing an entire bottle of wine on the 6th, I seriously considered giving alcohol a break for a little while. Ultimately, I realized that I didn't want to completely give up alcohol, but, much like my food consumption, I needed to take control of the reins. I was gifted an expensive, high-quality bottle of brandy for Christmas, so instead of binge-drinking hard seltzers every Friday and Saturday night, I started sipping a double shot of the brandy while drinking four plain old seltzer waters over a three- or four-hour period. I get the mellowest of buzzes to satisfy me, then get a good night's sleep, and be able to get up on weekend mornings refreshed and ready to hike.
I was scrolling through YouTube (my only subscription) one day, and a recommended video caught my eye. The video chronicled a 50-something year old woman who made a pact with her 80-year old parents to start weight training. I had never understood the benefits of weight training before, and this video opened my eyes. So, I bought a simple set of adjustable weights.



They are adjustable from 2 to 5 lbs and have good reviews. Since I'm not about to spend money on a gym membership, I found plenty of videos (on YouTube, of course) on weight training for women in their 50s (me) using hand weights. I started on the lowest weight (2 lbs) and would do a 10-minute workout on Wednesday evenings and either Saturday or Sunday morning, depending on my schedule. After my third weight workout, I bumped up from 2 lbs to 3lbs, and started doing the workout every other night.
On days when I didn't have time to get outside for a workout - which was rare, but did happen a couple of times - I would spend at least 30 minutes on my walking pad. Thank god. I bought that walking pad over a year ago and then promptly never used it. So, I'm thankful now that it wasn't a waste of money.
Two weeks into jumping back on the wagon, I finally weighed myself. Long-neglected, my digital scale was dead when I pulled it out and dusted it off. I went for my rechargeable batteries, only to discover that they were also dead and needed to be charged. In my mind, the universe was saying, "Don't weigh yourself." I'm nothing if not stubborn, so the next day I was able to weigh myself. Seeing my weight was a mixed bag. On the one hand, it was more than I hoped, but on the other, it was less than I feared. Having said all that, I won't be stepping on the scale again anytime soon. I know where I am and where I need to be, so I'll wait until it's obvious I've lost weight.


It's been a month now since I woke up with renewed vigor and hope, and with a determination to get back in shape. So...how are things 30 days in? Great, actually. My clothes are getting bigger, I have more energy, and the biggest improvement of all? I have been sleeping well for a month now! I have spent years either having a hard time falling asleep or a hard time staying asleep, which means I averaged 5-6 hours a night and forget about sleeping in on the weekends. I'm happy to report that I can now do just that. 

Now, it's time to finish this coffee, prep some food for the week, and hit the trails for the beautiful day ahead. I'll be back in a few months with another update. Until then, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

It's time for a recap of September 2025. I don't remember it being such a busy month! I did a hell of a lot. So much, in fact, that I almost split this up into two parts. Still, I hope you enjoy.



Labor Day weekend, I took the kids down to Kansas City for the weekend. As you may or may not recall, I started giving my kids experiences instead of gifts for birthdays and Christmas. So, that was what this trip was.



We stopped at Jowler Creek Winery on our way down, a place I had always wanted to check out.



We then stopped at Pirtle Winery. I've never been here, but their meads are served at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.



It's located in an old Lutheran Evangelical Church, built by German immigrants, in Weston, MO.



The next day, we were up and at 'em for, what else, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. This was my third Renaissance faire of the year, as I visited the Colorado Renaissance Festival for the first time in June.



I always check out the Jolly Rogers while at the KCRF. They are hilarious...if you like bawdy humor (which I do).



Gotta check out the parade.






My son treated me to the mead tasting event. I've done this before with my friend Audrey.



My daughter enjoyed feeding the animals - some things never change.



We also checked out the adults-only section of the Festival. It did NOT disappoint.



Of course, we had to attend the main Joust.



The next Saturday, my daughter and I met up with my dad and stepmom in Manning, Iowa. They have a lot of fun things to see and do in such a small town. We checked out this maze installation that is a tribute to farming and sits next to the Milwaukee Railroad Trestle.



I got a cool photo under the trestle.



Then we headed over to the Hausbarn. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that we only had 30 minutes before they closed, so we rushed through the complex.



The Leet-Hassler Farmstead is located here as well.









They were the first home in the area with electricity, which is detailed in the next slide.






This was the farmstead barn.



Downtown Manning has a Veterans Memorial Wall, so we checked that out.
The Monday following, I lost my Grandma, so I had to fly down to Texas for a second time in 2025.



While there, I looked through Grandma's photo albums and came across this old photo of my aunt and I. I was about three years old at the time.



Of course, we went to H*E*B, a Texas staple. 



An evening shot from my mom's back porch.



My best friend, Keith's, birthday was the 19th, and some other friends had a party for him on the 16th. His sister was up from Florida. I grew up with both of them, so it was a nice little reunion.



That Friday, I went out to my happy spot, Soaring Wings Winery.



On the 24th, my friend invited me out to see the 50th anniversary tour of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.



Nell Campbell, who played Columbia, did a Q&A session before the show. The show consisted of the movie being projected on the screen while an acting troupe from Des Moines acted it out on the stage below it.



On that Friday, I did the usual thing of getting together with my bestie, Rebecca. We take turns hosting, and this Friday was at her place. This is the snack board she put together. Yum.



The next day, the last Saturday of the month, my friend Libby and I, along with her son, went to the 34th Annual Intertribal Powwow at Fort Omaha.



People gather at this event which honors traditional Native American dance, music, artistry, oral history, and food of tribes throughout Nebraska and the surrounding region, including the Omaha, Ponca, Santee Sioux, and Winnebago.



Free and open to the public, we brought camp chairs, bottles of water, and set up for a few hours to watch.



It was a fun way to spend a few hours.







And there you have it, September 2025 in a (sort of) nutshell. Until next time, friends!











 

After my last post, I set out to start fulfilling one of my NY resolutions: hiking more. Saturday, then, saw my daughter and me out at Schramm SRA.



It was a perfect 49 degrees. The fish ponds were frozen enough to lend to the sense that it was, indeed, winter.






I always love seeing fungi on trees.



It was gorgeous in the woods, and it felt fantastic to be back in the saddle again.



I had picked up a new pair of hiking boots a few months back, so I had to snap a photo of them. 



Geese, geese, everywhere.



Sunday morning, I made a big batch of chicken broth. It's soup, stew, and legume season, after all.



Later that day, my daughter and I went for a hike at Neale Woods.



It was a bit warmer, at 51 degrees, and it felt so good.



A bit shorter but more strenuous than the day before, it was amazing to hike two days in a row. Something I haven't done in quite some time.
And, I also am fulfilling another of my NY resolutions: post here more. Look at me go.

I went back to work this week (boo), but in a way, it was nice to get back to reality. Talk soon, friends.







 

Every year of my life seems to move by more quickly than the last, so it's hard to believe that it's now 2026. Happy New Year! 
My long-time readers know that my employer gives us a long holiday break, and there are only three days left before I have to return to work and face reality. It's been a good, if not odd, break. I felt a bit off this break. While I've had a lot of fun and time to relax, it was also a bit hectic at times. It was all rounded off when I had my annual holiday party on NYE, and my bff, Keith, and I managed (just barely) to stay awake until midnight. I opened a bottle of champagne, and we toasted while listening to Auld Lang Syne. New Year's Day was spent cleaning up, relaxing & recovering. I have three days left that belong to me, and me alone.
2025 was a great year, without a doubt. I usually do a recap of the year, but not this time. 
Recently, my daughter was sitting out in the living room with me, talking about her resolutions for the new year. While I used to make my own resolutions, it's been quite a few years since I made any. I figure that if there's anything I want to change or things I want to do, I should just do those things at any given time. 
Maybe it was because I felt so off this holiday break, but that conversation got me thinking. I woke up this morning and thought, "You know what? I AM going to make some resolutions. After all, there's something magical about a new year. It's a point in time, a new year, where hope arises anew, and possibilities wait on the horizon.
This year is my travel-abroad year. All of my lodging for that trip has been booked and paid for - using credit card points, obviously - and I'm really excited for another big adventure out of the country. 
Last year, I started taking my health more seriously again, but it's been a slow journey. I have made positive changes, but not as much progress as I had hoped. That's on me, so I'm going to be more consistent and diligent this year.
I'm also going to post a bit more often. Posting is a choice, and I would like to be more active again.
My only other resolution this year is to be even more financially conscious. Personal finances are an ever-evolving thing. I'm always looking at ways to improve how I spend, budget, and manage my money. No matter how good you are at it, there's always room for growth.
I'm going to spend some time out in the woods these next few days, and set myself up for a good first week back at work.
And that's a wrap on 2025. I hope 2026 is your best year yet and that you make the most of the hope & possibilities that it brings.

When it comes to August, you can be sure of two things: it's beautiful, and it's hot as hell. Now that the pendulum has swung in the other direction, let's revisit August.



While it certainly was hot the first weekend of August, I still went to an outdoor concert at Stinson Park with my friends Keith and Libby. We found a shady spot to set up our chairs, and there was a nice breeze, so it ended up being a comfortable evening.



The next weekend, I headed out to Schramm SRA early in the morning to beat the heat. I ate a light breakfast and took a light walk.



While the changes they have made here are beautiful, it just doesn't have the same vibe it did back in the day. I will forever miss the old view from this spot.



I ended my walk at the fish hatch ponds, where lily pads, along with their beautiful flowers, make their appearance for a short while.



I wasn't in the best of headspaces on a random weekday in the middle of the month, so I took a day off. I did the one thing that always clears my head and makes me feel better, a hike through Neale Woods.



I always enjoy a distant view of the Omaha skyline from this spot.
I had an epic day trip planned for the third Saturday of the month, so my bestie, Rebecca, and I hit the road. We started in Red Oak, Iowa...



...and discovered that they were having a classic car show in the town square.



It was a pleasant surprise.






After seeing all the cool cars, we went to our planned destination in Red Oak, the Montgomery County History Center. My favorite exhibit was this axe, used in the commission of the Villisca axe murders. 



There were plenty of things to see, though.



Another favorite was this miniature bar, complete with tiny bottles of alcohol and a tiny spittoon!



After a picnic lunch, we pressed on eastward to Stanton, Iowa. Stanton was settled by Swedish immigrants. I'm a Swede, myself, and I was excited to check out the Swedish Heritage & Cultural Center. 



There's a documentary we watched before we wandered around the center.



It was like stepping back in time to my childhood.



A Swedish couple that could easily have been my great-grandparents.



After we were done, we stopped by the Mamrelund Lutheran Church. Yes, it is Swedish, as is everything in this small town. So much fun!



We continued east until we made it to the Union County Iowa Historical Society & Village.



The complex is made up of buildings that represent a barn, the fire station, a barber shop, as well as a church, a train, and an old house.









We had pushed far enough east that we weren't too far south of Winterset, Iowa, a place I visited on another day trip. Of course, our destination was Covered Bridges Winery, a place I've now been to four times.



A half mile up the road from the winery is Winterset Cidery. I have lamented here before about how it's always been in the off-season when I've attempted to stop here. Luckily, this time, it was OPEN! 



As you can see, we were pretty excited to get our hands on a cold, delicious glass of cider. Especially since it was about 96 degrees outside that day.



On the 22nd, I finally made it to the Omaha Greek Festival. It was a lot of fun to indulge in the cultural dancing, entertainment, beer, and food!



The next morning, I headed back to Schramm SRA for a hike.



That afternoon, Rebecca, my other bestie Libby, and I went out to Cellar 426, one of our local wineries. We enjoyed wine and charcuterie outside in the comfort of shade umbrellas.



After a glass or two of wine, we finally got to visit Ashland Brewing Company, a brand new brewery in Ashland. It's a huge structure with plenty of seating, indoors & outdoors, outdoor games, and of course, cold beer. I'm excited it's here. Cellar 426 and Glacial Till are one mile apart, and now Ashland Brewing Co. sits halfway between them. 


That's what my August was like this year. I had so much fun, and I hiked more than I remembered, that's for sure.









 

Well, well, here we are in November, and I'm posting about July. This year has gone by so quickly that I haven't had time to think about it much. I still have posts to get up from my vacation this summer, but I haven't had the time. And now, I've done so much between summer vacation and now that the thought of compiling a post for each thing is laughable. If I can't get the vacation posts done, how am I going to create a slew of others? 
I decided, then, that it would be best for me to just do a monthly recap. So, welcome back to July! I'm skipping the 4th as that weekend really deserves a post of its own. 

__________________________

The second week of July, I accompanied my dad to Mayo in Rochester, MN, for some tests. The tests came out quite favorably, which gave us an extra day, so we did a bit of road trippin' - an activity my dad and I share in common. 



After an interesting stop at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, we ventured up to Pepin, WI, to check out Villa Bellezza Winery. 



It was the best winery I've ever been to! Not only are their wines fantastic, but their winery is a sight to behold. Set up like an Italian town courtyard, we enjoyed a delicious glass of wine while Italian music played over the speakers.



There's the winery tasting room, a church, another building I'm not sure what it is, and a restaurant, all surrounding a courtyard with hanging lights and a fountain. I would have loved to be here in the evening to see it lit up.



We moved around a bit because it was really cool to see it from different perspectives. That, and there weren't a lot of people there at the time.
After this, we stopped at a little dive bar just back across the border in Minnesota for one last drink and some pub grub.



The next Friday, my bestie and I were at my favorite local vineyard, Soaring Wings. We enjoyed the setting sun while listening to live music, eating some charcuterie, and drinking wine...of course.



The next evening, Saturday, I took my daughter to see Alabama Shakes, a band we both really love. They got back together this year, so it was a birthday gift for my daughter.



It was an amazing show. 



My daughter looked at me before the encore and said, "I hope they play Sound & Color." I agreed, and luck was on our side, because they absolutely did.



The following Sunday, the last of the month, I took a little road trip. First up, a short hike at Hitchcock Nature Center.



While July is unbearably hot, the scenery is breathtaking.



I ventured further north and had to wait for this train to pass before I could enter Missouri Valley, Iowa.



From there, I meandered over to the Harrison County Historical Village/Iowa Welcome Center, a place I've been to numerous times. I wandered the familiar buildings and walked the familiar trail. I went to the overlook before I left to take one last look at my beloved Iowa Mountains.

_____________________

Like I mentioned, the July 4th weekend will get its own post as the kids and I went on a few-day road trip. Until then, enjoy the beautiful Autumn days while they're still here.













 

Well, well, here we are in November, and I'm posting about July. This year has gone by so quickly that I haven't had time to think about it much. I still have posts to get up from my vacation this summer, but I haven't had the time. And now, I've done so much between summer vacation and now that the thought of compiling a post for each thing is laughable. If I can't get the vacation posts done, how am I going to create a slew of others? 
I decided, then, that it would be best for me to just do a monthly recap. So, welcome back to July! I'm skipping the 4th as that weekend really deserves a post of its own. 

__________________________

The second week of July, I accompanied my dad to Mayo in Rochester, MN, for some tests. The tests came out quite favorably, which gave us an extra day, so we did a bit of road trippin' - an activity my dad and I share in common. 



After an interesting stop at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN, we ventured up to Pepin, WI, to check out Villa Bellezza Winery. 



It was the best winery I've ever been to! Not only are their wines fantastic, but their winery is a sight to behold. Set up like an Italian town courtyard, we enjoyed a delicious glass of wine while Italian music played over the speakers.



There's the winery tasting room, a church, another building I'm not sure what it is, and a restaurant, all surrounding a courtyard with hanging lights and a fountain. I would have loved to be here in the evening to see it lit up.



We moved around a bit because it was really cool to see it from different perspectives. That, and there weren't a lot of people there at the time.
After this, we stopped at a little dive bar just back across the border in Minnesota for one last drink and some pub grub.



The next Friday, my bestie and I were at my favorite local vineyard, Soaring Wings. We enjoyed the setting sun while listening to live music, eating some charcuterie, and drinking wine...of course.



The next evening, Saturday, I took my daughter to see Alabama Shakes, a band we both really love. They got back together this year, so it was a birthday gift for my daughter.



It was an amazing show. 



My daughter looked at me before the encore and said, "I hope they play Sound & Color." I agreed, and luck was on our side, because they absolutely did.



The following Sunday, the last of the month, I took a little road trip. First up, a short hike at Hitchcock Nature Center.



While July is unbearably hot, the scenery is breathtaking.



I ventured further north and had to wait for this train to pass before I could enter Missouri Valley, Iowa.



From there, I meandered over to the Harrison County Historical Village/Iowa Welcome Center, a place I've been to numerous times. I wandered the familiar buildings and walked the familiar trail. I went to the overlook before I left to take one last look at my beloved Iowa Mountains.

_____________________

Like I mentioned, the July 4th weekend will get its own post as the kids and I went on a few-day road trip. Until then, enjoy the beautiful Autumn days while they're still here.













 

 

I recently realized that my blog is less of a writer's blog and more of a traveler's blog. It's no surprise, really, as a large chunk of my content revolves around travel, whether it's a day trip, an overnight trip, a domestic trip, or an international trip. If it's not a trip post, it's an adventure one. 
Let's face it, I'm not much of a writer these days. I put out my last (the 8th) book in March of 2022, and nothing since. While I have several books and short stories in various stages of completion, I haven't had the drive (nor desire) to finish them. I've discussed this a few times here on the blog, but I'll repeat it again: I'm not sure if I'll ever get the desire to write again, and that's okay. 
What I do have a burning desire for is travel and adventure, as evidenced by a cursory glance at this blog.  
So, I guess that's what this blog is now: a (mostly) travel blog. And you know what? That's okay, too.


Until the next adventure, friends.

 

My grandma, her ex-boyfriend Gene, and my mom circa late 70s or early 80s.

I lost my grandma on Monday, September 8th. It's been a very long time since I lost someone so close to me, and it's a tough blow. I'm 53 years old, and for all of those years, I've had a living grandparent. You reach a point where you almost feel like they're going to live forever, even though you know better. She was 93, so she lived a long life...just not long enough.
Last year, I had a gut feeling that I needed to take my kids down to Texas to visit my grandma (and my mom), so in June, that is what I did. She's had a few hard falls the past handful of years, and I could see the toll it had taken on her. She was thin, frail, and her memory just wasn't what it used to be. 
Like she had during the previous handful of visits, she cried as I went to leave and said, "I'll probably never see you again." In the past, I'd always say, "Oh, you'll see me again." This time...I just hugged her tight. I knew in my heart that this was the last time. I made sure to tell her how much I loved her. 
I'm thankful and grateful that I got to see her one last time. Still, there's a huge hole in my heart where Gramma used to be. 
I miss you, Gramma, and I'll love you forever.