Traveling North

As I continue to whine about my limited mobility, life goes on.  A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed a marathon sewing festival with five dear friends. My ever so smart sewing machine "Dinah" rebelled a few hours into my sewing adventure and jammed, breaking needles, skipping stitches and generally slowing my much needed progress!  Despite her tantrums, I did manage to complete a couple of projects.  Nevertheless the hours of fun, eating, and general chatting with friends was so refreshing. As we wound down our sewfest, my angry ankle made itself known. Ol' Abner was NOT happy and lashed out at Dancin' Girl that I just must not do this anymore.Little does he know how much I need my interaction with these friends. Oh well, this too shall pass.

A visit to the doctor on Monday morning after his declaration and the diagnosis was cellulitis in my lame foot.  Fractures are well healed but the toes are black, blue, and yellow with spots of green on my ankle and leg. The overworked doc, after agreeing to work me into her busy Monday, declared that I might be a good candidate for the ugly or perhaps most colorful foot pageant!  I'm not sure there is one, but she assured me I would be the hands down winner.  A round of heavy antibiotics and it appears I am well on the mend.  It's been a slow process and I'm back to the walk around a day and prop up the foot for the next day. 

We drove to Lubbock for an annual celebration and a little family time. On the way, I had the chance to stop in at a couple of quilt shops for more of our coveted Rows.  In Snyder TX, two shops are located on the town square.  All my sewing friends had viewed and loved these examples.  I had called ahead to be sure they had ample supplies and one greeted me as I limped in as "Hello, you must be Austin". Clearly she remembered my call and we had a delightful conversation.

I found two rows here

The previous visit to a shop just across the square had been just as pleasant.  The owner was anticipating much "row traffic" and was well prepared  for the coming weekend.  Her rows were unique and gorgeous, so of course, I bought both for myself and my friends.  As we left Snyder I posted a quick photo of some of my loot on social media and the private message thread activated immediately.  

This denim rag quilt was so inspiring,
I must share! It was displayed in Nana Bears!

The rows from these two shops will be a part of at least six more of the row quilts. My friends spoke up on line and by telephone as Ol' Abner drove the remainder of the ride into Lubbock.  Sister was thrilled at the rows I had brought to her and coveted some others.  I guess I will need to revisit some of the 
those earlier shops!

As we made our way into the city where we first met, Ol' Abner shared memories with me from his childhood and teen years. Some I had heard before, a few were new revelations.  We laughed as we anticipated seeing some of the subjects of those stories and mourned the loss of some of those dear friends.  I was reminded of our aging status as my foot rebelled and sent me to bed early that night.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

Coit Tower atop Telegraph Hill with a flag on the left and TransAmerica Tower to the Right

You  haven't truly sampled San Francisco without a taste of Sourdough Bread and Seafood.

Sea Lions cuddling and snoozing in the evening sun at Pier 39.

Standing on Twin Peaks with the city behind us. 

After a yummy lunch at the Fog Harbor fish House, the carousel was calling the little ones, and
some not so little ones!

Little daredevils wanted to ride on the top tier...can you see them waving?
I couldn't but I know they are there!

Atop Telegraph Hill is Pioneer Park where a statue of Christopher Columbus resides
beneath Coit Tower.  From the parking lot, beautiful views all around!

And of course we had to pose with Christopher Columbus!

We stayed at Pioneer Park until the sun  was almost down.

As the sun was setting on the Golden Gate side, it created a back light on the other
side showing the Bay bridge!

I kept seeing and hearing this huge mountain as "Mt Tam".  Locals are very familiar with
it's awesome beauty, but few tourists get to make their way to the summit!

Need I explain!  This was from the SF side of the bridge!

Of course I needed to pose with the Grand Lady of the Golden Gate!

In all my visits to the area, I had only viewed this icon from a distance.  This day I
visited and had a chance to know this beautiful space.

Seal Island...sans seals...but beautiful still!  This is the view from the
CliffHouse Restaurant window.  

After a delightful lunch the cousins soaked up the ocean views and breezes.

And off we Go!

Early in this year Ol' Abner and I decided it was time to follow some of our dreams.  He bought the lift for his shop and agreed that we should make that long discussed trip to the San Francisco Area.  A favorite aunt is not getting any younger and he adores his cousins who are her sons.  That was February.  

I began researching affordable plane tickets and checked the calendar for his upcoming medical appointments. It appeared we had a window in May of about eleven days.  Plenty of time for a lovely visit. I found a package with only one plane change during the roundtrip travel.  The package included a full size rental car and nine nights in Auntie's hometown. When I proudly showed him my plan, he sighed and said he'd been thinking.  He wanted to drive...yes DRIVE! I immediately felt extremely tired. I did not book the flights, reverted to my maps and travel guides checking realistic daily progress.  As the date approached I was going into preparation mode.  Last minute bookings depended on weather and factors unknown.  

The night before we left, he brought in the disk from Lucy's GPS. We began the update process of the maps and it appeared it would take about five hours.  That was mid afternoon.  Fine, I would do other things and finish the processes and bookings on my laptop when it was finished. I finally went to bed a little  after midnight with it still running...not the first time a computer download has made a promise it couldn't keep.  Oh well, we left the next morning with the feeling that much was left undone, but it couldn't be helped.  We had a reservation in Deming NM that night.  It was time to hit the road!

Our first stop- The Blue Bonnet Cafe

  
We left home with empty stomachs knowing that one of our favorite eateries awaited just a few miles up the road.   A hearty breakfast had us well on the way determined to enjoy every minute of this trip.  A pleasant drive through hill country and onto the Interstate Highway system. We discussed plans to make short trips to some of these towns later this year as we passed through.  Next stop was at Dairy Queen for a nice rest break and a blizzard.
By the time we reached El Paso with rougly a little over an hour of driving, we were ready for dinner.  Our ice cream lunch was long gone.

He remembered eating here many years ago

Traffic was heavy and we had lots of advice from multiple devices. Lucy's GPS advised of a 45 min delay and Lilly Tom on the portable TOMTOM agreed. Waze and Google Maps showed alternative routes.  All four recommended we take a loop (that neither of us remembered being there), but two suggested we go on the NB side and the other two recommended we go on the SB side. 
Ok, we agreed it wasn't a perfect system.  A bit of common logic and we took the side  leading away from the Mexico border.  He was anxious to see if a steakhouse from his days of working in El Paso was still as great as he remembered.

As we completed the loop he was sure we were further out from the steakhouse location, so we traveled back into the city via freeway with multiple construction delays and rerouting.  After about five miles, he concluded it must be gone.  We sadly made a turn around, not an easy process in rush hour traffic.  Once back on the freeway, we decided Las Cruces might be a good dinner stop.  He glanced to the left of the freeway just in time spot the steakhouse right where he had left it 27 years before!  We turned around and enjoyed a most delicious steak with cole slaw, spicy pinto beans, hot bread and a Hatch green chile baked potato au-gratin. An hour and a half later we checked in for a good night's sleep feeling quite pleased with our culinary traveling skills!

Setting Sail...FINALLY!

Beware of flying pigs! Inhabitants of the underworld should watch for icicles forming in plain sight! Ol' Abner has been booked for a cruise.  Of course, I'm going along, too. That is not part of the miracle, I've been planning this trip in some variation for twenty years or more. Three good friends, two women and one man, with a history as playmates can be traced to Ol' Abners elementary school days.  One of the women graduated high school with him and the other man and woman graduated the following year.  All three of their spouses have been following the same script for years.  Finally, these stubborn Westerner's realize the time has come.

We gathered over the past weekend and set our plan.  Excitement has been burning the phone lines, social media, and internet. We'll enjoy a four day tour of Denali National Park in Alaska, followed by a seven day southbound cruise. Two couples have never cruised, and the other shares our experience, one has cruised, one not! With my limited (only one cruise) expertise, I relied on a wonderful travel agent.  Ol' Abner is looking forward to the beautiful scenery, but finds stories of giant mosquitos a bit forbidding.  I'll stock up on insect repellent before we go!

Daisy is Driving

Driving in traffic, driving long distances, driving in inclement weather, driving with a carload of noisy kids has never bothered me much.  I like to drive and I love to travel the "roads less traveled" or any road I haven't traveled before.  The spontaneous turn on a never noticed road fills me with delicious anticipation. That said, I'm tired of driving. There is something to be said for always having a designated driver if I choose to take the path of imbibing.  Ol' Abner gave up alcohol many years ago when the consequences of diabetes took all the joy out of that little buzz. He took over the "designated driver" role then.  I love having the ability to enjoy the views as we cruise the countryside, sometimes demanding a stop for a better look at the scene through a camera lens. It's been just under a month since he received his fresh new lung. He's breathing well and so far has suffered few of the predicted complications. It's not surprising, he is always a very compliant patient. Driving is not an option for 8-10 weeks post transplant. That means Daisy Mae will continue to chauffeur him about the town.  I'm ready for someone to drive Daisy around and about so I can just gaze at the views of the city!

Always a Texan

A few months ago I visited Seattle for the first time.  I loved every minute of my time there and understand why it's one of the favorite cities for living.  That's a tough thing for any Texan to admit.  At the same time I was in town, a young friend was being recruited as a new employee by one of the big companies based there.  We texted our locations and activities but never actually connected in person.  Still, we had a sense of sharing the trip.

Young friend was there on a lark...or so we thought.  Why not enjoy a few days in the beautiful exciting city and allow one of the most successful American enterprises a chance to wine and dine you?  She and her family were perfectly happy living in San Antonio.  True, however, to the theory of a "test drive", the ensuing offer was so very attractive that they found themselves moving to Seattle just over a month later.

We enjoyed dinner with young friend, her mother and her daughter tonight.  She is leading a team of recruiters to raid Texas for quality talent.  She has an understanding of the difficulty in choosing to leave the Lone Star State, but believes the opportunities she accepted will be inviting to a few fine ambitious Texans.  She accepted delivery of cowboy hats for the recruiters to wear during the presentations.  She can get away with it, she's from here!

Second Home

     Son and Daughter In Law love to ride their motorcycles to remote parks and outposts to gather with friends and family.  When they travel on the bikes, it's difficult to haul the gear needed for camping.  Someone must usually come along with a trailer to bring tents and other supplies to the destination.  Even more inconvenient is DIL's aversion to public shower facilities.  I fully understand this concept, so I was quite happy when I was invited for a tour of the new accommodations.  

     For several months they have tossed around a choice of purchasing a heavy duty truck to store in their already parking-challenged driveway.  A camper strong enough to haul both motorcycles in it's "garage" with all the other amenities required, would surely need the power of such a vehicle.  DIL wasn't willing to give up the parking space in the garage where her vintage mustang lives, and the motorcycles fill the other side.  The driveway in front of the garage is large enough to park her daily driver and Son's pickup, but the two big gas guzzlers fill that space amply.

     A solution was discovered when a sturdy lightweight, tongue pull, "toy hauler" was located in an RV dealership just a couple of cities to the north.  Further bonus included a bathroom with separate shower, toilet and sink.  It will sleep six (two of whom must be midgets, I think) and includes a propane refrigerator and freezer, indoor and outdoor speakers for the sound system, and a rear area (garage) that folds down as a ramp to load motorcycles.  Best feature though: It can be pulled behind the SUV that DIL drives now.

Ol' Abner went with Son to pick it up after the kids had gone prior to make their choice and arrange to pay for it.  DIL decided she just couldn't wait and joined them on the trip.  I'm thinking much will be learned in the weeks to come.  Discovery that two locks are included on each door and if both are not fully engaged, the doors will open at high speed.  It only took three episodes of flapping doors to find the second lock on each door.  Furthermore, DIL and Ol' Abner suggested that son might want to travel at a lower speed than usual until he was a bit more familiar with it's capability.  He quickly pointed out the 75MPH speed limit sign and told them it was clear he was doing just fine!  

They spent the remainder of the holiday weekend shopping for "housewares and linens" for their new vacation home!

Where to Go!

Everyone is traveling this month!  Everyone except me, that is!  I should probably be satisfied with short journeys around hill country and sprints through the capitol city we love so much.  While the views from these distractions are nice, the travel bug hasn't been squashed for me.  Hope to make a road trip to the West coast is slowly shrinking.  July is completely full with commitments and August just confirmed as full.  September was planned as a trip to the Ozarks and I still hope that will bear fruit.  All the teasers in my e-mail for bottom dollar flights and cruises for only a few dollars, are reminding me how precious my time may be.  Ol' Abner is sometimes interested when I show him the information, but seldom is he willing to follow through when the deadline arrives.

Medical tests and procedures seem to usurp more and more of our time.  We are learning the joys of aging!  I will enjoy a trip to San Antonio next week with Dancing Girl.  Her daughter is moving to Seattle and must be there following the upcoming weekend.  Because we really wanted to enjoy her company this holiday weekend, it was an easy choice to volunteer to supervise the movers loading her family's belongings.  Dancing Girl offered, and I offered to accompany her.  We promised ourselves a few days of eating out and drinking in!  I fear the sight of her daughter's empty house may bring reality crashing in.  We will need to hurry back to the peace and quiet of the lake to relieve newfound stress!

Travelogue from Canada

The Parliament Building
Victoria is the capitol of British Columbia

I'm traveling with delight!  My collection of state capitols is growing.  The views are spectacular, the food is wonderful and the people are so very friendly.  Two friends and I flew into Seattle last week.  Gardener Gal from Dogpatch and her sis-in-law have been visiting with Gardener Gal's son and his family. They  welcomed me into their home and I have fallen in love with all of them.

The famous Empress Hotel
We didn't have time for High Tea

 The morning after our arrival, we traveled to downtown Seattle in early morning traffic.  I was counting my blessings that our driver was familiar with the city streets and highways.  Hopping aboard the Victoria Clipper just in time to sail off into the morning mist, we enjoyed a bit of breakfast at sea.

Craigdarroch Castle
Fascinating!

This was the main reason for MY trip

Our three days in Canada were filled with fun views and activities.  Traveling with two youngsters gave me an exciting perspective on places and  sights.  Beautiful trees became a part of fairytale fantasies and adventures of imagination.  Who knew it would be so much fun to return to the hotel after a day in brisk spring weather and journey downstairs to the beautiful indoor/outdoor pool for an evening splash.

After a busy day of sightseeing we're
 back to take in the view from the balcony!

Oh, the flowers, views of beautiful landscapes were constant candy for my eyes.  The island apparently has a perfect soil and climate for the blooming things I love so much.  The Butchart Gardens are the crown jewel of a landscape in full bloom.  I hear it showcases seasonal flowers yearround.  Now I need to plan at least four more visits (oh yes, they have "five" seasons there).

On the Road Again!

I awoke at 3:20AM and sleep would not return.  Never one to hug the mattress when other options are available, I got out of bed to finish preparation for my drive to the Ozarks.  It's about a twelve hour ride to my destination in Dogpatch.  A good night of rest is always nice beforehand.  Maybe the five or so hours I snoozed was all my body needed.  Perhaps I am just so excited about my upcoming trip or anxious to see friends I've missed.  At any rate, sleep is done and I'm about to load my stuff and hit the highway in a couple of hours.

A couple of friends will join me for a flight out of the Arkansas capitol on Thursday.  We will land later the same day in Seattle, a place I've never been.  Why wouldn't I be excited.  A couple of nights on Victoria Island will fall in the middle of the stay, and with family of my friends living in the area, we should enjoy lots of local flavor.  I hear they have a number of interesting excursions on our agenda.

For now, I will bid farewell to Texas and look forward to my return with brand new tales to tell!

At Sea

Our ship was a very very very fine ship!

My first cruise was wonderful.  How many times have my friends and family used that exact word? They were right.  From an idealic vista, I was indulged and pampered, entertained and intrigued.  The views from the balcony were incredible.  I've never spent time at sea and I understand the urge to simply board a cruise ship and never leave.  The sea was smooth and the water was warm.  I could go again right now, but alas home feels quite nice, too!
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Catamaran Rides

Sunset from the stern

New ships that look old

Some need no ship

The sights in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel were impressive.  The sunsets and sunrises were thrilling.  The sea is soothing.  Oh yes, I understand now!

Sea Breeze and Sunshine!

Tomorrow I leave for Galveston to board a boat cruising to the Caribbean.  I can hardly wait.  My bags are packed except for the carry-on that I will fill after I dress in the morning.  I'm thinking I will partake of all the sunshine and gentle sea breezes possible.  No internet access seems strangely appealing.  I will read a few unfinished books on my kindle, work a few sudoku puzzles, walk the decks and I'm sure a little gambling might prove interesting.  A daily swim sounds like fun and of course meals prepared with little effort on my part are always appealing.  My sister and her family will be my traveling companions, so even the trips to shore when in port have been planned for me.

While I'm away, Ol' Abner has plans to make major progress on the yard and maybe even get the garage started.  No doubt, he will spend some time at City Hall.  Oh yes, he's going to motorcycle races at the new Formula One race track for the next two days.  Son's birthday celebration will be on Sunday at the races.  We had dinner with them last night so I could remind him how he got here!

One Home

After hiring movers to bring the majority of our belongings to the new home, we were amazed at how overloaded the truck felt as we pulled away from Dogpatch earlier this week.  Things needed to exist in the house on the mountain had been left behind with the knowledge that we would return for a couple of weeks to finish local business and await closing on the sale. Other things still in the house were destined for charity and scheduled to be picked up the day before closing.  The plan was made and seemed workable.  It was NOT.  Luckily Mountain Girl had not planned to make her move to the house until middle of next month, and she agreed to let us "store" a few odd things in a cabinet and couple of shelves in the basement.

The next stop was in the Arkansas capitol to check into a hotel for the night.  Ol' Abner had a colonoscopy scheduled and had been on clear liquids for the entire day.  We were grateful for covered secure parking for our overburdened vehicle to overnight.  A well run endoscopy clinic provided early morning coffee for me and something a little stronger for Ol' Abner.  Two polyps were removed and an admonition to return in five years was added as we made our way out of town.  An early lunch at Brown's Country Restaurant for one last indulgence in fried green tomatoes and other delicious treats, and we were finally Texas bound.

Two days later, we are finally feeling like we can breathe.  I always thought it would be nice to have two homes in different places.  It is now evident that I need one place to sink my roots.  As much as we hated to give up our sense of home on the mountain, these hills feel like home already.

The men in the neighborhood are forming a cheering section for Ol' Abner to get his "manly garage" built, and  son and daughter in law are ever near and helpful.  I've made shopping plans with one neighbor and Ol' Abner accompanied me on my trek yesterday to find new winter boots.  It's good to have great places to shop nearby.  Its also nice to know we can return to Dogpatch for a visit when the urge strikes!

In or Out

It would seem our days in Dogpatch are truly numbered.  A call yesterday confirmed a closing date to transfer home ownership to the new owner.  Most of the furniture has been picked up and taken to new homes.  As I sit here this morning in the quiet house, the view is pretty stark.  Empty walls and ever more sparsely furnished rooms are giving that empty-house-echo.   We are clearly on our way out of here.

Ol' Abner was to have finished his dental restoration next Thursday.  After two prosthodontists have bailed from the Veterans Administration clinic, that final step was delayed again.  He has now been "outsourced" and they have asked him not to transfer his medical care to Texas until the process (well into its third year) can be completed.  The private dentist has been given a deadline sometime in mid-November to finish the construction of nine more crowns or caps.  Concern was voiced that a move to Texas for the care would require that another dental lab prepare the crowns.  Sometimes, they tell us, the results are not a good match and less aesthetically pleasing.  Apparently this lengthy process has alerted high level providers of care.  He has been called by administrators in North Little Rock and San Antonio.  Appointments scheduled in Texas have been cancelled to allow the "tooth fairy" to revive his mouth.

So what's the big deal?  It means he will have to come back to Little Rock at least three more times in the next couple of months.  Other diagnostic tests due will necessarily be performed in Little Rock, and he will have to continue to receive his oxygen refills through the Arkansas vendor!  All his prescriptions will still come to the address in Dogpatch.  We thought we were on our way out!

Decision Not Needed

As we plan the move to Texas, concern over transporting boats or selling here and replacing when we finish moving has prompted many lively discussions.  Ol' Abner decided it would work well to just list both boats for sale.  The one that sold first would be replaced and transporting one boat to Texas didn't seem like such a daunting task.  You see, I do NOT like to pull a trailer of any kind.  These two boats are large and heavy, not my idea of a pleasant 12 hour drive with either in tow.

Our boat dock remains on top of Dock 11.

Returning from the hill country house, we made a planned stop in the capitol city for an overnight stay prior to Ol' Abner's dental appointment.  Just after a text to his phone from the electric company notifying us of a power outage, both of our phones began to ring and text messages came from several contacts.  News of a nasty storm in Dogpatch was frightening.  While over 500 homes were without power, downburst winds hit the marina lifting one dock up and scattering it's contents before dropping it down atop another.  Our pontoon boat was berthed in the midpoint of the traveling dock.  Pictures being sent assured us that loss of life and multiple bodily injury would surely be the next news. The photo above was taken early this morning, after a week of clean up.  As we awaited news of the well being of friends and family, the thought raced through each of our minds that a choice between boats would likely not be necessary.

A ride to the marina the next afternoon as we arrived in town just reinforced the belief that our boat probably didn't ride out the storm unscathed.  We were shown to the area where retrieved boats were parked awaiting identification from owners.  Some showed little damage while others barely resembled a usable craft.  Over the next few days, topsy turvy boats were righted and pulled from the water, but ours still remained among the missing.  Last night while I was at a knitting class, Ol' Abner made one last sojourn to the docks.  One of the owners mentioned a boat that was moored at the end of an inaccessible  point.  It had been in the middle of the fray and had to be towed there to make way for dock access as they worked.  A shop worker took him out on a boat and went under water to find the identifying number on the side rail.  That confirmed what Ol' Abner had already determined from the life jackets and giant tube sprawled along the other side.  Our boat had been found and it wasn't pretty.

The sad remains of a really fun boat

A fifty year collection of fishing tackle, some very expensive fishing rods and reels, several other life jackets, flotation toys and beach towels were not to be found.  I had to go down this morning to see for myself.  Looks like the other boat will make the trip to Texas and this one will become a massive paper work headache. We called the insurance adjuster and he tells us it may be weeks before the area is cleared for them to get near enough to boats not pulled from the water safely.  Because of its waterlogged state and punctured pontoon, ours may be one of the last boats out.

We didn't have time this week to be out cruising the lake much.  Boxes need to be packed and repairs must be completed on the house following the inspection.  I think I'd rather be floating.

Movin' On

It's been a busy week on this mountain.  Ol' Abner has been extra busy getting his boats ready to move to the other lake.  I have been sorting through treasures that may have become junk, and the junk had to go.  The basement is still filled with plastic totes that probably need to be reviewed and revised.  A recent flurry of activity in town has sparked new interest in our home, and yesterday we accepted an offer.  A mover will be here this morning to plan for a furniture move later this month, and sister and bother in law are here for one last visit to Dogpatch.  They brought PaPa back from Texas to spend some time with brother and sis-in-law.  We've enjoyed gathering around our big dining room table for a couple of family dinners.  The mid-restoration mustang convertible has been sold to a friend for completion and he will pick it up this weekend.

Everything mentioned heretofore was planned for this week with a trip to the Texas hills to follow.  Sister and Brother in law will follow with a pick-up load of treasures as we travel with a few boxes loaded in the covered back of our pick-up.  Just in case you missed it, Yes, our home in Dogpatch is now under contract for sale!  The long awaited process has begun and the interview with the mover will involve a bit more to load.

Our buyer is Mountain Girl.  She has long admired this property, but many obstacles precluded her decision to buy.  Yesterday the resolution evolved into decisive action and she contacted our mutual realtor to write an offer.  The proposed timing for the transfer of ownership was very generous and I have a sense of peace with thoughts of a future occupant in the house we have called home for several years.

On the Road Again!

Windshield time has stacked up fast in the last couple of weeks.  We drove home from the hill country to  pack again for a trip to West Texas.  We took PaPa to my sister's home and spent a couple of days visiting with them before checking into a motel for Ol' Abner's high school multi-school, multi-year reunion.

The Reunion was a raging success.  With over 300 registered attendees, hugs, laughter and introductions were plentiful.  I had never met most of this group, although I'd heard the names many times.  The idea sprouted during a previous high school reunion when a few folks from the same junior high gathered to delve further down memory lane.  During the sixties, the hometown was growing rapidly and students from one junior high might be split to another middle school halfway through that stage.  Those same groups were later graduates of any of four, then five possible high schools.  One man urged that a reunion must be planned, another told him to "go for it" and a co-ed from the era was recruited to help.

Ol' Abner first heard about it on a social network site and asked my opinion.  When he mentioned names already on board, I told him to absolutely make our reservation.  That was over a year ago, but the much anticipated date arrived with no less enthusiasm.  Childhood friendships and teenage acquaintances were renewed and strengthened with mature knowledge of their importance.

As the evening wound down, we faced another twelve hours of drive time, only to sleep a night and send Ol' Abner off on a six hour journey to get a tooth repaired.  One day to pack and load a trailer, then back to the Texas hills.  With several medical visits in the near future, pressure is on to do what we can now.

Son brought one of his company's backhoes out yesterday and began to remove some of the cedar trees from the empty space behind the house.  The goal is to have the monster garage (male type playhouse) ready for layout by the weekend, so plans can be prepared for requesting a building permit.

For now, we'll anticipate a bit more windshield time.  More bugs will assuredly commit suicide this week.