Wednesday, March 23, 2011






The Thing of the Day is a nest that a Carolina Wren couple built in Sandra's front porch wreath. It, along with some lovely flowers, says that spring is here, and we're so ready for it.

Greg and Lori were with us this past weekend and on their way home to Chicago they stopped by Hannibal and saw where I lived for some 14 years of my life -- from age 6 to 20. I appreciated them wanting to see Hannibal and I would like to visit it again, if I can find the time. I've never been sorry that my life has taken me to many places away from Hannibal, but I still have memories (mostly good) of my time there.

Sandra and Mary Jane Bailey and I spent this evening with Gertrude Innes. We had drinks and good conversation and then salad and pizza. Gertrude is a most interesting, kind and amazing person. It is an honor to be able to know her as a friend, and ---- she will be 100 years old this September 3. So, if you haven't met her at some point in the past, I introduce her to you with the included picture. I rather doubt that I will make it to 100, but if I should, I would hope that I could do it with the grace, love and good humor that defines Gertrude.

We leave for Mountain View, Arkansas, this Friday and then to Ft. Worth on Monday. We should be back in Warrensburg by the following Friday or Saturday. Much love to all who are reading this.

Monday, March 14, 2011













Our trip to California was a fun and varied trip. We arrived in time to celebrate my birthday, and it was extra nice to be with John, Terri and our two wonderful little girls. Terri made me a very special birthday bread pudding with lemon sauce. I can still taste it. The weather was chilly, but we were able to get out and one day John shot off rockets -- one was left in a tree.

We had a great weekend at Truckee/Donner in the Sierra Nevada Mountains -- seven feet of snow on the ground when we got there. The weather was perfect. John, Terri and girls had fun at a snow park -- Sandra and I sat and watched. The next day we drove to Lake Tahoo and then to Truckee for lunch with John, Terri and girls. While we were at Truckee the eastbound Amtrak came through -- quite a climb to cross the Sierra Nevadas. Another six inches of snow fell our last night. John and Terri snow shoed for several hours before we left. The journey home on I 80 was interesting -- but very slow -- sometimes 10 to 15 miles an hour.

The flights out and back were uneventful which was good, but flying is not a happy venture. One thing we did notice is that the security people at the Oakland Airport were much nicer and more helpful than the KCI group.