Yeehaw! I’m in Abilene, TX

Posted on by Penny Parker Klostermann

Hello from West Texas. I’m excited to be here in Abilene!

The skies are filled with puffy clouds and the temperature is 60°. I have to say these are “wide open spaces” out here…but my hostess says there is plenty to see.

I’m skipping up the sidewalk to check out my digs.

My host, Penny, was very excited to see me. She said she is a Phyllis World Tour groupie. She wears her April Fool Phyllis t-shirt when she reads the World Tour posts. The t-shirt puts her in a special groundhog mood. She introduced me to Flo, the flamingo, who lives in her backyard. Penny read to Flo. Flo loved the book so much that she insisted on reading it herself. I didn’t realize that flamingos could read…but I didn’t realize groundhogs could go on world tours, either.

I feel very special to have gotten a guest room with the perfect bed for burrowing. Look at that mound of pillows.

Do you like my sunshine pajamas? They should be perfect for a good night’s sleep. We are going to read April Fool Phyllis before I enter a short hibernation to rest up from my world travels.

This morning I woke up refreshed. It is very windy outside and will be in the mid 70’s today. We started the day with my favorite breakfast…yummy, syrupy, buttery pancakes.

Oh! I’m soooo full. I ate like a groundhog.

To start our day,  we are off to visit some prairie dogs.

We are both rodents, but I am from the marmota monax  species, whereas prairie dogs belong to the cynomys species. If you would like to read more about us here is a link for groundhogs, and here is a link for prairie dogs.

Even though we aren’t the same species, they sort of felt like cousins because they live in burrows, too. I had no idea I had cousins in Abilene, Texas…but I do…lots of them. They were a friendly sort. I guess they have to be friendly, because they live in their own little prairie dog town within one of the city’s most popular public parks—Red Bud Park. This video shows just how friendly one little prairie dog was on our visit.

Next, I had a chance to visit the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL).

Abilene is very lucky to have this special place. Here is a quote from their website. “The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature collaborates with award-winning artists to produce exhibitions of their artwork that are distinctive, appealing to museum visitors of all ages, and of the highest quality. In addition to this unique artistic partnership, following its debut at the NCCIL gallery each exhibition travels to museums, public libraries, and galleries nationwide.”  Here is a list of the artists whose work has been displayed at the NCCIL. Here is a link to the NCCIL website.

Currently, Dan Yaccarino’s work is on display. Click here to view his website.

Penny doesn’t have any kids at home, but she took me on a quick road trip to visit her great nieces and nephews. They were thrilled to be a part of the my world tour.

Before I left Abilene, I got to experience a little of the West Texas flavor! Here I am in my new red cowboy hat.

And here I am riding an armadillo. The armadillo is the official small mammal of Texas.

As you can see, Abilene was another fun-filled adventure for me as I tour the world. I am being dropped in the mail and it is 57° and rainy.

To see more details and to follow Phyllis on all her world tour stops, click HERE.

We had fun making a short video to entertain you while I am traveling to my next stop-Parsonsfield, ME.

Enjoy!

 

 

48 thoughts on “Yeehaw! I’m in Abilene, TX”

  3. Love your post! And I am jealous about the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature; I want to go visit it too! 🙂 Your kids are adorable!

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  4. You have a Phyllis t-shirt! Very cool. We enjoyed reading the names in the book when it arrived today, you introduced her to so many people! This was such a fun post to read and I love what you did with the badge and cutouts of Phyllis in different outfits. Thank you 🙂

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    1. I made the t-shirt by printing on my printer with transfer paper and then ironing it on a t-shirt. The World Tour art would be so cute on a t-shirt, wouldn’t it? I had fun dressing Phyllis up!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. This made me want to be in Texas with Phyllis! The PJs and the cowboy hat were too cute!

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  6. Phyllis is having the time of her life. I bet that Flamingo was thrilled to read about Phyllis. I need to get thinking where I could possibly take her.

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  7. Penny, this was a fabulous post! I thoroughly enjoyed giggling as I watched you, your flamingo, and Phyll all having a great time together. Loved meeting your nieces and nephews. GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  9. This is so great! Phyllis has been very busy, and it looks like you’ve enjoyed it Penny! You’re a very creative lady and I’m sure Phyllis has loved every minute being with you and your darling nieces and nephews!

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    1. I know!!! It was a great stop! And your precious little girl looks adorable in those Mr. Potato glasses! Phyllis was very tired when she left. I hope she wakes up when she arrives in Maine 🙂

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    1. Oh…that was Phyllis’s talented singing!!!! Ok…ok…I helped a little. There is an iPhone app (VoicePlus). You can record yourself and then change the voice. There wasn’t an actual groundhog…believe it or not….so I used “Mouse”.This app provided hours of entertainment when I was driving all over West Texas selling books. Yep! It doesn’t take much to keep me entertained. 🙂

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  12. This was fantastic! Loved reading about every minute of Phyllis’s visit with you. How cool that after seeing a museum prairie dog when she visited me, she got to see a REAL one on her visit with you!

    love your t-shirt, too!

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    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, I was glad that Phyllis had already learned about prairie dogs. She was even more excited about her visit to the prairie dog town after having been with you, Beth 🙂

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  13. Oh dear. I just let my two boys watch your video, and I fear we may be watching it over and over today. It was hilarious! And I love the Phyllis paper doll. I hope you sent that on as well. It’s so very “Flat Stanley.”

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  14. What a fun visit to Abilene. Great post Penny. Phyllis is sure traveling at the speed of light to reach her destinations. Very creative Penny, the red hat, riding the Armadillo, the cute designer PJs. Can tell you had fun!

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    1. I had sooo much fun. I would like to be a guide for picture book world tours…wouldn’t that be a fun job???
      Thank you, Patricia, for checking up on Phyllis as she traveled through West Texas.

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  15. Such a fun post Penny! I enjoyed learning about Abilene and it looks like Phyllis had a terrific visit!

    We also have a flamingo in our yard. I agree 100% that they make fun pets and are easy to care for!

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    1. Thanks for coming by to read about Phyllis’s Abilene stop. One of my sister’s was visiting as well as my parents. They helped with the prairie dog town visit so that we could get some good pictures. My sister is so creative and she came up with the idea that Phyllis should ride the armadillo. That armadillo is actually a huge sculpture…it’s 23 feet long. We took a picture and went from there.

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        1. His name is Wingo…he is a combo lawn decor and child sprinkler. When you attach his legs to a hose, the wings thrash in circles, spraying water all over the kiddos. Yet one tube has become clogged, so Wingo only sprays on one side..alas!

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  16. Too cute, Penny! I love your creativity and pink flamingo. Phyllis should join Alvin and the Chipmunks!

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    1. Thanks, Natalie! I did love teaching school. I actually taught computer to Pre-K through 5th grade the last several years of my career. Before that I taught K through 5th grade Physical Education. I loved it all! I hope your kids enjoyed hearing about Phyllis’s visit.

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      1. Why did I think you were a first grade teacher? 🙂 I must have you confused with another 12x-er. I was a Special Education teacher. I pretty much taught it all, across all SpEd environments. My favorite year was co-teaching 2nd grade. I love that age! 🙂 –My kids loved your video! 🙂

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  18. Penny, this is SO FANTASTIC! Phyllis clearly had a wonderful time with you! She and Flo will probably become pen pals, and you may never see that armadillo again – Phyllis looks like she’s having way too much fun riding it in her read cowboy hat to give it back 🙂 I love that you got to visit the National Center for CHildren’s Illustrated Literature – how fitting for Phyllis 🙂 I love her sunshine pjs – you are like a fashion designer 🙂 Your great nieces and nephews are so cute! And I loved the videos – especially the one of Phyllis’s visit with you. What a great idea! It must have been a lot of work! Thank you so much for having Phyllis!

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    1. I had a lot of fun with this. I used Photo Story 3 to create the video with photos. It is very simple to use. My students made Photo Stories in class back when I was teaching, and came up with the cutest results. I don’t think they have it for Mac, but I’m sure there is something similar. We are lucky to have The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature. They did make it very clear that I couldn’t take any pictures inside 😦

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  19. This is totally… AWESOME!!!!! I didn’t know Phyllis could sing! I love her red cowboy hat, sunshine pajamas, and your great-niece’s Mr. Potato glasses! 🙂 I love Dan Yaccarino’s book “Unloveable” (the one with the cute pug)! It’s cool that Phyllis got to see his artwork!
    Erik 🙂

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    1. She can sing….she really took to it. Once we had her song chosen she was ready to perform. I haven’t read that book by Dan Yaccarino. I plan on reading it, though. I’m glad you enjoyed hearing about Phyllis’s Abilene stop.

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  20. This is so wonderful Penny, I loved it. Love your pink flamingo to. Phyllis certainly had a great time and enjoyed meeting your great nieces and nephews. So lovely, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Aren’t my nieces and nephews the cutest? I wish they lived right here in Abilene. They are sweet, sweet kiddos. Phyllis did have a great time with them, and they had fun with her. Thanks for stopping by to read!

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