Adventures with Valerie

Friday, May 1, 2026

Baseball 032126

I was able to attend one of Kashton's baseball games March 21st. Kashton plays "select" baseball and none of his games are local. They are all an hour or more away. He usually plays 1st base but he also pitches some.

He didn't have his best game but at least I got to watch him.

Have a good one!

Monday, April 20, 2026

Barbara Louise Shelton Curp Stephens

October 22, 1936 ~ March 30, 2026

Barbara Stephens, age 89 of Polo, Missouri passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, surrounded by her family as they sang “In the Garden.” After a long and quiet journey with Alzheimer’s and a stroke, she is now whole and at peace in the presence of the Lord.

Barbara was born in Pomona, California on October 22, 1936, to James T. and Frieda (Hemry) Shelton and was the oldest of five siblings. As a farm girl (and later a farm wife), Barbara learned first-hand the value of diligence and determination, resilience and resourcefulness, and grit combined with gratitude. She embodied these character traits every day of her life and instilled them in her children and grandchildren.

In 1954, she graduated as the salutatorian of her senior class at Polo High School. Barbara was united in marriage to Donald Lee Curp on December 24, 1954 and together they raised a family of six children. He preceded her in death on September 25, 1988. God never leaves nor forsakes us. He graciously provided a faithful servant to walk with her into and through the golden years through Warren Stephens. Barbara and Warren were married on June 30, 1995. Together they spent nearly three decades proclaiming the love of Jesus in churches they served, in their community, and to family and friends. He preceded her in death on August 26, 2023.

Barbara was an avid gardener and the fruit (and vegetables) of her labor provided countless meals to family and friends. Her waffles and homemade syrup were the perfect breakfast for family deer hunters, and her dinner rolls rivaled Lamberts! She loved Jesus and spent her life serving others with kindness and compassion.

Survivors include her children: Karen (Curt) Shonk, Breckenridge, MO, Mark (Teri) Curp, Lee’s Summit, MO, Sheryl (Brian) Franke, Lee’s Summit, MO, Darla (Mark) Moberly, Liberty, MO, Brian (Natalie) Curp, Kansas City, MO, Daughter-in love: Rebecca Goncalves, Ludlow MA, Bonus-Daughter Valerie (Doyle) Light, Mineral Wells, TX, Bonus-Son Wayne (Kelley) Stephens, Weatherford, TX, 16 grandchildren, 4 bonus grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren with 3 more on the way, and 8 bonus great-grandchildren. Siblings: Shirley (Houston) Rushing, Great Falls, MT, (Chuck) Sams, Cincinnati, OH, Sharon (Duane) Tindall, Lawson, MO, and (Barbara) Shelton, San Antonio, TX. She was also proceeded in death by her parents, son Brad Curp, sister Betty Sams, brother Jim Shelton and granddaughter Kelsey Shonk.

Note from Barbara’s kids: We deeply thank all those who came alongside us the past couple of years to help provide care and companionship to mom, including Lynette Goll, John & Mary Duncan, Aunt Sharon, Uncle Duane and Connie, the Lawson Manor’s kindhearted staff, & Michelle Gibson (our Lawson Manor sister from another mother), Liberty Hospital seventh floor (penthouse…IYKYK) and second floor staff, and Ascend Hospice. What a blessing you were to mom and to us.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to SBC International Mission Board (IMB). Checks can be mailed to Barbara Stephens Family in care of Stith Family Funeral Home, 301 E. Elm Street, Polo, MO 64671.

A service celebrating Barbara's life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Polo First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one-hour prior to the service at the church. Friends may call from 11 AM to 5 PM, Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow the services at Cowgill Cemetery, southeast of Cowgill. Arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of Stith Funeral Home in Polo. (660) 354-2214. Online guestbook at www.stithfamilyfunerals.com

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Number 13!

Kashton turned 13 on March 5th. Due to some scheduling conflicts Vanessa hosted the family dinner for him on Monday, March 2nd.

A close up of the card I made him.

All Kashton wanted for his birthday was money. Money he got. He is proud of his loot!

My cake that is requested by everyone in the family.

Kashton poses with Grammer.

Thirteen got here really fast!

Have a good one!

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Winter Storm 012326

Those of you who follow me know that I am a weather watcher. On Monday (January 19th) the National Weather Service of Fort Worth began talking about a possibility of a Winter storm this weekend. That's 4 days in advance!

Now as long as I have been watching weather I have learned that not only is winter weather hard to forecast, the forecast can change significantly that many days out! I typically don't start sharing posts on Facebook until the meteorologists are confident.

January 20th the National Weather Service of Fort Worth issued a "Winter Storm Watch" for Jan 23 - 25th.

Meteorologists are holding firm to their forecast with greater confidence. (We are in the dark purple strip on this map.

January 21st the National Weather Service of Fort Worth issued a "Extreme Cold Watch"

January 22nd Weather update. Confidence increasing at a winter storm.

Friday, January23rd the precipitation started as rain. It stayed rain until after midnight when it became sleet. We are extremely grateful we did not get the freezing rain!

Saturday, January 24th at 4:45pm

Sunday, January 25th all churches in Mineral Wells cancelled services. We had 1 3/4 inch of sleet. We did get a little snow toward the end of the weather system.

Some pictures of downtown (thanks to others who have shared photos). This view is looking west from downtown.

Highway 281 through downtown Mineral Wells, Sunday January 25th looking South.

Families flocked to a street in the Northwest part of town that has a really steep hill so they could slide down.

Schools were closed all week. I didn't go to work Monday or Tuesday. Doyle and I went to the office on Wednesday to access the condition of our church parking lot. It was still a sheet of ice. After discussing it with our pastor we cancelled Wednesday night services.

I did go by Mom's on Monday (January 26th) to check on her and take her some meals. 4 wheel drive is very helpful and I took it really slow. At least she only lives half a mile from me. This is the view of Mom's house from the street.

Tuesday January 27th

Thursday January 29th - The ice was very slow to melt once temps got above freezing, especially places that didn't get any or not much sun. The North side of Mother's house is the one she uses and it was going to need help.

I got out a shovel and went to work. I had a young man from our church build the wooden ramp for mother. He actually misunderstood what I really wanted him to do. I wanted a ramp from the door to past where the wooden ramp is. He is in the process of making something for her now. Plus he's going to smooth out the cracks.

A sample of the thickness of sleet.

Friday, January 30th - Almost a week after the winter storm we still had ice in front of the church and the rest of the building. This is looking out my office door. You can see my truck across the parking lot.

Doyle and I knew it wasn't going to melt before church on Sunday so we called someone we knew to use a skid steer to clear it out.

This is looking out my office door toward the part of the building that is the church. If you look close you can see part of the skid steer in the photo.

Have a good one.