Puppets

In 1989, I decided that I would like to make some puppets to entertain my grandchildren. I sat down at my sewing machine and "created" from scratch a little family of "special" friends for the grandchildren and those adults that are "young at heart". These puppets came to life while on my arm and developed a personality of their own. I soon starting taking them on trips with the Midwest Bus Nuts, Converted Coach Chapter of the FMCA and found that many of the members enjoyed these quiet, little friends that I had brought to life. I have spent many happy hours putting smiles on faces of those who are entertained. I have Cuddles (3 yr. old size), Puddles (baby), Amanda (3 yr old size Panda Bear), Critter (who knows what he is?) and Candy ( a little koala bear) in this little family of creations. These puppets can't speak but their actions say it all.

While traveling I took many pictures of them while sightseeing to make the scenery pictures more interesting.. Now after 14 years, I still enjoy bringing them out even though my grandchildren are teenagers. This past October, I dressed up a neighbor lady and we went out "Trick or Treating" as the Three Bears....had lots of fun.

While at an Family Motor Coach Assn. Convention in Tampa, Florida...Cuddles made a new friend who was a famous TV Star....Willie...along with his sidekick. We had a chance to interact a few times and it was fun for all of us. Cuddles and Willie became good friends.

While staying at Port Canaveral Florida, Cuddles caused a big "fuss" when I posed her in her chair with a fishing pole. I was amazed when the Carnival Cruise Ships docked within 30 feet in front of the coach. It was quite a spectacular experience watching the shiphands tie these big red ships up with ropes the size of a telephone pole. The "manatees" were lazily swimming in the channel in front of a gazing crowd hard to imagine that they are so large.. Pairs of porpoises gave everyone a show as they "flipped" in front of us as they would race in front of the ships coming in. Scallop boats, submarines, and shark fishing expeditions used the same channel so the variety was wonderful. There was never a dull moment in that "overflow" campground. We had the chance to see a missile launched from Cape Canaveral while we were there. I attended a Sunrise Easter morning service on the shore of the Atlantic and as the sun rose a Carnival Cruise Ship passed by the sun on the horizon...it was beautiful.

I had a chance to fish for Flounders, Shark, Grouper, Sailors choice, Whites, Blues and lots of fish I've never seen before. They were netting Mullet right in front of where they fish...the rods are gigantic...some are 15 ft long and huge reels. I am used to fishing in Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri. All of those fish had "big teeth" and were very quick to use them. The brown Pelicans were swooping at the fisherman's hooks and bait as they were casting their lines. A few got hooked and caused quite a commotion until the game warden would cut them loose. None were mortally wounded by the hooks. The pelicans got pretty "testy" when a fisherman would catch a fish...they thought that they were going to have them...quite a tug of war getting a fish in and away from the big birds.

Traveling from Coast to Coast in the winter, found us in Arizona and Nevada several times. The Hoover Dam was always an alluring spot to stop and see if there were any changes over the years. Here Cuddles and I look at the gigantic dam.

Along the way, a stop at the Colorado Belle for a buffet dinner. This little town of Laughlin is the new gambling destination in Nevada. It is named after the man who developed Laughlin, Nevada. Mr. Laughlin is from Owatonna, Minnesota and is the owner of the Riverside Casino there.

Every little bear has to eat her Rice Krispies so she can go sightseeing and then when the day is done she will need to take a nap before she goes fishing and driving a boat.