Fri. & Sat. Sept 29 and 30

From a warm, fall day in MO,

The past two days have been full. The four of us walked in the a.m. and then Jim had breakfast with the second old group on Friday a.m. and I had a doctor's appointment for 11:15 - arrived there and was ready to go in when the doctor was called downstairs for an emergency - so I will go back next Wednesday - no problem as the scales weren't being too good to me after the trip to Chicago.

Jim and I took a wagon load of decayed wood (from the tired old fence) to the dump yesterday afternoon and then we collapsed for a long nap - didn't wake up until after 4:00. We were at the chili supper by 5:00 and then on to the stadium to get our usual seats.

The game was a downer for Chillicothe and although we scored first - that was the one and only touchdown while Savannah had maybe three.

The four of us walked again this morning, but I seem to have developed a gimpy left foot. I don't think it is an ankle sprain as I don't remember turning it, so will see if it is still bothering me on Wednesday when I see Dr. Metry.

We took the girls on errands with us this a.m. and then while I was at HyVee, Jim went to the shed and brought the boat over. It has only been out of the shed once this summer - when we went to Pomme in early June. We are hoping to get back to Pomme in the next couple of weeks as the trailer needs to be winterized.

We dozed again this afternoon and I need to get supper ready now. I bought some pork chops today and will semi-fry them for supper and will fix a butternut squash. I am not sure what green veggie I will have - need to check the freezer and the shelves.

Abby is draped over my left arm as I am trying to type this and Trixie is curled up in a ball on the floor - both of them sleeping.

We don't have anything special planned for Sunday other than enjoying the newspapers and getting some more rest.

Be safe.
B.

We slept in this

Mon.-Thurs. 25th-28th

From a sunny, crisp MO,

This has been a full four days. The tour bus pulled out of Laclede at 6:15 on Monday morning. We picked up three people in Macon and another one person in Hannibal - then on to Springfield, ILL.

We had two and one/half hours for the Lincoln Museum and we only hit the surface of what could be seen there. It is fantastic and a MUST for anyone who travels through the area. The bus took us to see the Lincoln tomb, but we did not see the house - so we will be going back.

We arrived at our motel in Oakbrook Terrace about 5:00. After unloading and doing some quick unpacking, we headed to a buffet a few blocks away. It was a good buffet, but not exceptional - probably we were too tired to really appreciate it anyway. I was in bed by 8:30 and did not awaken until 6:00 the next a.m. - had not slept well on Sunday night and was totally exhausted.

We left the motel about 8:30 to 9:00 on Wednesday. First we went to the Field Museum and we had tickets for the King Tut exhibit - a fantastic experience - and then had about an hour to roam the museum and have lunch - of course we didn't make a dent in the museum.

We met a tour guide about 1:00 and we had a driving tour of Chicago. She was an excellent guide in that she was very proud of her home town and knew a lot of history, but by the time we returned to the downtown area, she kept giving wrong driving directions to our bus driver who had to have an elevated blood pressure by then for all the driving in the downtown area.

We did the Lakeshore Drive, Wrigleyville, Gold Coast, saw many, many parks and monuments, and ended up about 4:00 at the base of the Sears Tower where we had tickets to go to the top. Thank goodness the wind was not gusting as we didn't feel any swaying on top, and the view was excellent.

From here we went to Tommy Gunn's Garage for a meal and entertainment - vauldville style of the prohibition era. Of course they used people from the audience (thank goodness not me) and the evening was over too soon - and we got back to the motel about 10:00.

On Wednesday, we had the option to first shop on the Magnificient Mile, but we opted to go on to the Navy Pier to spend some time outside. This is a very developed and lengthy pier and it took us a long time to reach the end. We had an appetizer of calamari - along with a Corona Light for lunch - probably the best prepared calamari we have ever had.

We then were driven to a location where we took a boat ride - first on the Chicago River and then inside the barriers on Lake Michigan. The guide was very articulate and pronounciated his words very clearly. He did a lot of explaining about the drawbridges and the architecture. The bridges are interesting in that one weekend day or maybe two days during the latter part of October, the bridges are opened so that the masted boats that are moored on Lake Michigan (there are thousands) can be brought inland to dry dock for the winter. That would be quite a sight, but I guess driving is a nightmare then.

Where we got on the tour boat is very close to where the Trump building is going up so we were able to see the stages of development. I'm thinking that maybe close to 20 floors are now in progress with it going up to somewhere in the 90s.

When we met the north and south Chicago River - we went south - the smell of chocolate was overwhelming and I assumed that someone on the deck was devouring marvelous chocolate chip cookies, but it turned out there is a chocolate factory on the north branch and sometimes the aroma drifts from that factory - it was almost overwhelming and so delightful - but frustrating as I had no chocolate with me.

The Chicago River used to empty into Lake Michigan, but many years ago it was reversed and it now evenutally gets to the Missisippi River. That in itself is a fascinating story.

We were so impressed on how clean the downtown area was and they were in process of changing the many flower containers from a summer display to thousands of crysanthiums (I know spelling is wrong). I guess in the winter they do holly and other winter greenery - anyway the containers are changed with the seasons. We didn't notice trash along the sidewalks or gutters and spotted only one person that appeared to be homeless - am not sure where the others must be hiding out.

We left downtown Chicago about 2:30 and made a stop heading south for gas and a pitstop - then on to Springfield for supper, stopped at Hannibal to leave a person, left three at Macon, and arrived back in Laclede at 10:50 - ETA had been 10:45. The weather was great for us and other than the boat trip a jacket had not been needed.

I had breakfast with the ladies this a.m., we finished unpacking, picked up the girls at 11:00, went to A Piece of Cake for a sandwich, dozed this afternoon, and am now ready to fix a taco salad for supper.

I have a few more items to go through that I picked up at various shops, but other than that the laundry is caught up and we are ready for Friday.

Jim did walk this a.m. and the girls and I will join him on Friday a.m. I had planned on walking this afternoon, but seem to be quite stiff - so will take it easy.

Jim will join the second breafast group in the morning and I have a quick doctor's appointment in the morning. Tomorrow is Homecoming for our high school so I am not sure if we will take in the parade, but we do have tickets for the chili supper - then will go on to the football game.

Be safe.
B.

Sun. Sept. 24

From a sunny, but somewhat crisp MO,

I should clarify the above in that it was crisp when Jim and I walked this a.m. - about 7:30 - but I've not been outside much the rest of the day. It has been sunny.

The house is so quiet that even Jim commented this afternoon that it feels like a morgue. We are so used to having action - or pups on our laps - that their absence is very noticeable.

We added an extra block to our walk this a.m. and did the last part of the slope going south from Sixteenth street. We have yet to do the slope that comes up on the west side of Morningside, but that will eventually come. We actually did the slope without stopping and the rest of the walk seemed almost like a cool down.

We are packed and will put the suitcases in the car this evening as we will pull out of here between 5:00 and 5:15 to head to Laclede to meet the tour bus.

The major sight for Monday will be the Lincoln Museum in Springfield, ILL. We will then go on to Oakbrook Terrace (just outside of Chicago) and spend Monday and Tuesday nights at the Comfort Suites Hotel.

On Tuesday we are to first see the King Tut exhibit at the Field Museum and then will have a bus tour of Chicago in the afternoon - ending with the Sears Tower. Our evening entertainment will be dinner and performance at Tommy Gunn's Garage.

On Wednesday we will begin our day with shopping on the Magnificent Mile and also lunch and shopping at the Navy Pier. We have a cruise on Lake Michigan in the afternoon and then head back to Missouri - arriving supposedly just before 11:00 at Laclede (about 25 minutes from our home.)

I may or may not be on the internet on Thursday as if I can get my old body out of bed, I'll join the ladies for breakfast and then we pick up the girls about 11:00 - after a toe nails being trimmed and a good bath. We will probably spend much of the rest of the day with them - if they will forgive us for leaving them.

Be safe.
B.

Fri. & Sat. Sept. 22 & 23

From a moist Saturday morning in MO,

Friday was a full day. The four of us walked about 7:00 in the a.m., cleaned up, and then Jim headed to join the second breakfast group. I decided to have a full breakfast at Country Kitchen.

I puttered some around the house when I returned and then left after 10:00 to head to Marceline. A first cousin of my father's had died earlier this week. Now this is only one cousin of that Jobson generation alive. I had corresponded with this lady for the past few years and she had been a great help in filling in her branch of the Jobson family. Her first husband had died more than 30 years ago (they had six children) and she remarried and for the past several years had lived in Manhattan, KS. I had never met any of her children so I joined Aunt Maxine and Bobby in going to the burial service at Marceline.

I returned to Chillicothe in time to get clothes changed to more of a football need and we were soon on our way to the NKC area. I needed one more top for the outing to Chicago and Jim had a book to pick up at Barnes and Noble. We enjoy eating bison at Ted Turner's at Zona Rosa so had a delightful sandwich and veggies there.

The game was very one-sided in Platte City's favor. I wasn't sure we could win, but would have felt a lot more comfortable had the game been closer. It was a beautiful evening and just before the fourth quarter started we had a few drops of rain. By the time Jim returned from the truck with our rain jackets - the rain had stopped - guess it is good to go prepared.

We got back to Chillicothe about 11:00. The girls and I have spent the last two nights in the basement family room. They had some adjustment the first night, but settled in much quicker than I expected. Jim is trying to adjust to the bed upstairs - which he much prefers to the one in the basement as it is softer - and I prefer the firmness of the mattress in the basement. At some point the girls and I will return upstairs.

We awakend to light rain this (Saturday) morning. We had planned on walking, but that has gone by the wayside. We will be taking the girls to the kennel in the next 30 minutes as they close at noon (vet's office). We will pick them up on Thursday a.m.

We are supposed to go to Edinburg this afternoon (about 5:00) for a reunion, but it will not be held if it is raining as it is outside. We'll call about 3:00 to see what Charles and Wanda are planning - then rather than me cooking I'll go by HyVee and pick up some things to take if the gathering is on. Charles and Jim were boyhood buddies in Edinburg and usually Jim Manuel (another buddy) is also there. The stories about their daring lives get a little stronger each year.

We will do packing on Sunday for our three day bus outing - Springfield, Illinois and the Lincoln Museum, and then on to Chicago for a fast paced two days there.

Be safe.
B.

Thurs. Sept. 21

From a cool, dampish MO,

This has not been a gorgeous day, but we are getting some much needed moisture - so I guess we will just let the day go by.

Jim was moving early this a.m. and rousted the girls about 5:30 - they had been quiet in their sleeping crate since 8:30 last night so I can't complain - and I also had a good night of sleep.

Jim walked this a.m. even though a little moisture was in the air - and I headed out to Country Kitchen to meet the ladies.

We had a good group there - Clara, Pat, Judy Mathew, Margaret, Ellen, and yours truly. I feel I'm missing someone, but the old mind is blank. Pat brought three examples of her Scottish baskets that she had made - with willow. Ellen reported that Mr. Meek was having carotid artery work being done at St. Luke's this morning, Clara had a good weekend in St. Louis with children and grandchildren, Margaret is getting ready to go to Birmingham to spend a few days with Amy's children, and I think I am just surviving.

I puttered around the house for a little when I returned home and then set out to get my haircut. Then I went to Friends and found a knitted top to take to Chicago.

Again I returned home and puttered and then left again just before 12:00 to go to the Senior Citizen's bldg. to attend an RSVP board meeting. It only lasted about 20 minutes and I walked over to the library and did some reading on a booklet we had received last month - I had scanned, but had not really read it.

The library board meeting was a little longer than usual, but we digressed some on a few issues. We are really a diverse group on the board, but I think we feel comfortable with each other and bring up issues that we need more information on and don't worry about being "put down." I will miss seeing these people on a monthly basis come next summer as my second term expires and I will be going off the board.

I had put some butternut squash in the oven when Mary Willis called this afternoon and I met her at Boji for a fruit drink. She had helped on several projects today and had not been able to come to breakfast. Mary always has several projects going and volunteers for so many activities.

We have a full day on Friday. I'm hoping the weather is okay in the a.m so that we can walk as I haven't walked for a few days. If Jim can go then the girls can also get a walk - and Trixie especially needs the activity. Abby probably doesn't have an ounce of fat on her, but Trixie and I stand too close to the trough!

I will leave here before noon and go to Marceline to attend a burial of a cousin of my father's. I am sure I have met her in the past (do remember her parents), but have never met her children. Her first husband died in 1974 and two years later she remarried - he survives her. With her second husband, they have lived in Manhattan, KS for a number of years.

When I get home, I will quickly change to "football" clothing and we will head to Kansas City. I just heard part of the weather forecast and it sounded like strong storms are possible, so we may change our minds about the football game. Jim has a book that needs to be picked up at Barnes and Noble (at Zona Rosa) and he is going to drop me off at either Dress Barn or Coldwater Creek to look at medium weight sweaters. We will eat and then go north to Platte City for the Chilli/PC football game. We won't get home until late so you may not hear from me on Friday.

Be safe.
B.

Wed. Sept 20

From a now dark, but still early MO,

This has been a full day. The girls slept through the night again and didn't start raising a ruckus until Jim came upstairs - about 5:00 a.m. I took them out and then they cuddled in beside me to get some more sleep, but Jim was in and out of the bedroom a couple of times so sleep was not easy to come by.

Jim rousted me about 7:00 as he was almost ready to leave for breakfast. After I showered, dressed, and got the girls into their pen (adjacent to their trap door so they can go outside whenever they wish - or come inside whenever they wish - I headed to HyVee to see if Pat might be there. She has been in two different areas of North Carolina for the past two weeks attending art camps.

I left HyVee a little after 8:00 and headed to the parking lot at the old WalMart to meet Jim - then off we were to the Liberty area to see his ENT person and audiologist. His hearing hasn't deteriorated anymore so unless he has trouble with his hearing aids, he won't need to go back for a couple of years.

From there we headed south on 291 to Independence Center and ate at Joe's Crab Shack. There are so many possibilities in that area that it is hard to make a decision. Afterwards we went to Macy's as Jim is looking for a specific top to take on our outing next week and I need one or two tops - but found nothing we really wanted at Macy's or Kohl's. Macy's had one top that I sort of liked, but their XL looked more like a medium to me - oh, well.

We headed home on highway 24 and stopped at a couple of stands along the way - found some butternut squash and banana squash to our liking and Jim also found some jonagold apples- actually I'm thinking he ended up with jonagolds.

We were back in Chillicothe a little after 4:00 - would have been home a little earlier, but had to detour south of town because of roadwork - detour took us several miles out of our way on blacktop roads.

I have a very full day tomorrow - breakfast with the ladies, haircut at 10:00, RSVP meeting at 12:15, and a library board meeting at 1:30. I need to do some reading for the library board, but that will have to come tomorrow as I'm tired tonight.

Be safe.
B.

Tues. Sept. 19

From another gorgeous fall day in MO,

I am not sure if the temperature reached 70 today, but the sun was brilliant and it was very pleasant being outside.

I thought maybe the girls had died during the night as I didn't hear them until after 5:00 this morning - and we had gone to bed a little after 9:00 last night. I sure needed a good night of sleep and evidently they did as well. We found a smaller "tennis" ball at WalMart the other day and they love to chase it when it is thrown. When we toss it down the hallway (with doors closed) they delight in bringing it back to us. They haven't quite mastered this outside yet.

The four of us walked this a.m. and I am not sure who enjoyed the walk the most. The temp was in the forties and a second sweatshirt was needed, but the walking was great.

After cleaning up, Jim and I went to Piece of Cake to try their breakfast burritos. Jim decided that because of the egg and sausage that he couldn't have one daily, but might use it as a "reward" if weight stays off. The burrito wasn't as good as the marvelous one we had in Austin, but quite good for Chillicothe.

I fixed turkey bacon and tomato sandwiches for lunch. We no longer are picking the tomatoes off the vine, but these have ripened on the sunporch - still better than store bought tomatoes.

I am not sure where the afternoon went, but we did several things - tried on clothes for the trip to Chicago, did some organizing, and I did some errands about 3:30 - then remembered it was Tuesday so went by Washington Street and had "champagne" cake with Helen, Mary, and Peggy. This is really a light cake and probably a lot less fattening than the apple pie - or at least I rationalize this way.

We finished off the split pea soup for supper tonight. I used a Marie Callender mix to make a small batch of muffins - so much better than the mix I used the other day.

Jim has mowed the yard today. He used the push mower on the smaller area in the back where the girls are kept and then this evening used the riding mower on the front yard and the rest of the backyard. He is hoping it will hold until after Chicago - we'll just see what happens in the rain department the rest of the week.

Jim is joining the "old fogies" for breakfast in the a.m. and then I will meet him a little after 8:00 and we will head to Liberty for him to see his audiologist. I think we are then heading to the Independence Center area for lunch and then will take highway 24 towards Waverly, Carrollton, and then north to Chillicothe on 65. We are looking for apples, butternut squash, acorn squash, and who knows what else.

Be safe.
B.

Sun. & Mon. Sept 17 & 18

From a sunny, fall day in MO,

We awakened to rain yesterday morning - or I'm thinking it was Sunday a.m. - maybe it was 24 hours before. We ended up with only about 1/4 inch of rain, but we needed it.

I guess it was raining on Sunday a.m. as I slept in late, much to the satisfaction of the girls. We really didn't do too much during the day and eventually watched some football.

Jim has taken care of several errands this morning and I have watched Ron Wilder do the Mobile Meals - can't remember if he even asked me a question this a.m. so he is doing well. Darla will be doing it next Monday.

I have been puttering with some Jobson genealogy today, but don't seem to be making any headway - things will fall into place at some time.

We have no specific plans for Tuesday - and that sometimes spells trouble.

Be safe.
B.

Fri. & Sat. Sept 15 & 16

From a warmish, breezy MO,

We had a full day on Monday - the four of us walked in the a.m., I went to Country Kitchen for breakfast, Jim joined the second group of old geezers for breakfast and then he later went to the Meadville junction for lunch with this second group (decided it was a waste of gas to go there), we puttered in the backyard some, and then we went to the football game in the evening.

The girls were terrors on Thursday night as I was up every two and one/half hours with them, but they managed much better last night. I think it is the blonde, Trixie, that instigates these outside activities, but who knows. She does puddle each time I take them out and just doesn't seem to have the bladder capacity that Abby does.

The four of us walked again this (Sat.) a.m. and then settled down to oatmeal. Between the two of us, we managed three loads of laundry (one very small, but it was the first time I had washed a red lightweight jacket and it recommended washing with "like" colors.)

We have watched football on tv most of the afternoon and will continue this evening. Jim is quite frustrated as at one time there were three games he wanted to be watching at the same time and this evening there are at least two.

We are having taco salad for supper tonight - one of Jim's favorites and certainly easy to fix -- and yes, I have pitched all the bagged spinach in the refrigerator.

We have no specific plans for Sunday other than enjoying the newspapers and the girls. I am sure there will be some football on, but Jim hasn't gotten that far yet.

Be safe.
B.

Thurs. Sept 14

From a sunny MO,

This has been an active day so far. Jim walked this a.m. and I headed out to join the ladies for breakfast. We ended up having eight present - Clara, Jan, Mary W., Sandy, Margaret, Ellen, Marsha Leopard, and yours truly. The conversations were going so fast that when we decided to finally end - we "voted" to then go to a new eating place in town called "Piece of Cake."

This new eating place is across from KCHI. It does have a breakfast menu of two or three quiche possibilities and a burrito that sounds quite good. There is a good range of coffees available. The lunch menu includes quiches, three or four sandwiches (all look divine) - Jan and I split a multi meat stromboli, Clara and Ellen split a chicken salad on a croissant, and Sandy and Mary split a sandwich I'm thinking of smoked turkey, cheese, and a cranberry spread. All of us were pleased. We opted not to have pies (looked delicious) as we had breakfast not too soon before.

Duke Worthington has made progress on the north fence this morning while Jim has done a couple of loads of laundry for us.

We are going to clean up a variety of veggies for supper tonight and I am going to make the no fat refried bean burritos - Jim has been asking for the latter for a few days.

We plan on walking in the a.m. with the girls, Jim will later join the second group for breakfast, and then this same group is planning on going to the Meadville junction (what used to be our beloved Evans Cafe) for lunch. I'm not sure what I am going to do, but may get energetic and take on some more decluttering. We do have a home football game with St. Joseph Lafayette on Friday evening.

Be safe.
B.

Wed. Sept 13

From a sunny, somewhat warmish MO,

This has been a full day. I had a good night of sleep as the girls didn't get my attention until after 6:00 this morning. I was walking by 7:00 and Jim left about 7:15 for his first breakfast. I had forgotten that Dr. Eden picked him up the week after his surgery and then Jim either drove or was picked up for the second week, but it has still been a long time for him to miss the "old fogies." He did a few errands after the first breakfast and the joined the infamous group for a second round - oatmeal the first time and toast the second time.

I puttered around here after I walked - started the split peas and other items in the crockpot, read newspapers, and finally showered.

I really don't remember where the rest of the morning went, but we left here again about 2:15 for his visit with Dr. Kozminski and the new implant. Dr. K caught us up on his four boys - the oldest at Northwestern in Illinois (is that right), the second a freshman at U. of Mich. and the other two boys are in their junior and freshman year at Savannah High School. Dr. K lives just a few houses from where Lorraine's cousin lives in St. Joseph.

Kathy Doosing was working at the clinic today and after receiving the implant, she applied the needed pressure on the bandage - allowing time for us to get caught up with her two children. The older child - Melissa - was a pole vaulter for Jim and she is in her senior year at Truman State at Kirksville and will be at MU this next fall as a first year med student. The second child - Brandon - will be finishing his AA at Trenton this semester and will then be transferring to MU.

Duke is working this afternoon on the fence and now is working on the north fence. When that gets done, then only the gates and adjoining sides on the north and south sides of the house will need to be repaired - or replaced as needed.

We had an e-mail from Debbie Willard this afternoon indicating that her mom is being moved to a dementia unit in the St. Louis area. Debbie will go down this weekend to check the facility out. Debbie's father died a few years ago of colon cancer and her mom remarried.

I have breakfast with the ladies in the morning and beyond that our dad is open.

Be safe.
B.

Tues. Sept. 12

From an overcast, coolish, MO,

The four of us walked this a.m. - the full 1.25 mile surface street walk. The girls always love this and even though they hold up well during the walk, they are ready for a nap when they get home. I guess they see so many stimulating things while walking that tiredness doesn't set in.

After cleaning up and having our oatmeal, Jim and I headed to HyVee with a lengthy (for us) grocery list and also to take advantage of the senior discount. With the HyVee coupon, gas was ten cents off today - making the regular with ethanol 2. 29.9 and the regular 2.31.9.

Because of the discount, we decided to make a quick trip to the Amish store just south of Jamesport. We bought some Havarti cheese there last week and it is delicious - maybe too delicious. We bought a larger batch this week. I do enjoy toasted cheese sandwiches at times. I also picked up some split peas and will make some split pea soup on Wednesday - leftovers are in the offing for supper tonight.

Jim is now mowing the yard with the riding lawnmower - actually probably not all of it, but from inside it sounds as if he has changed his mind and will do most of the yard. We are due some more moisture this coming weekend so it probably wise to get it mowed.

The CT last night indicated that the two people killed (murder and suicide) were from Brookfield - neither name was familiar with me.

We went to the Boji Stone for lunch today and had quiche and salad - very tasty.

Jim will rejoin the 7:30 group for breakfast on Wednesday a.m. (he is really looking forward to this as he hasn't been with them since June 21. I feel sure he will also join the second group as well. He sees Dr. Kozminski tomorrow afternoon to have the new implant inserted into his arm - with the old one being removed. Thank goodness for insurance as the price quoted the other day was $7,000.

Be safe.
B.

Mon. Sept 11

From what started as a dampish morning and now a sunny afternoon,

We had a little moisture early this a.m., but by the time I left the RSVP office at 9:30 - the sun was out in all of its glory. Ron Wilder did the computer work this a.m. and had only one small glitch - which he would have figured out. I wrote a couple of checks, xeroxed, collated, and balanced the checkbook (after getting help from Ron as I had one item wrong).

Clara called about having lunch today, but Jim was still debating about going to KC. By the time he had resolved his "debating", Clara and Jan had gone somewhere to eat. Jim and I ended up going to the bowling alley - split a sandwich and each had a side salad.

I am fixing a spaghetti squash for supper along with the appropriate meat sauce so that aspect of our evening has been settled.

We are planning on watching a track meet that was held this past weekend (taped for later viewing) this evening and then who knows what we will watch after that.

Jim did get his PSA done this a.m. as he sees Dr. Kozminski this Wednesday (changed the date from going to St. Joseph on Tuesday). I had completely forgotten about the need for the PSA until this weekend and Jim had also not thought of it. Jim is to have the implant replaced on Wednesday.

We don't have specfic plans for Tuesday - sometimes that spells trouble for us. We do need to walk so after that the day is open.

We had a murder-suicide at our local state correctional facility on Sunday afternoon. I guess working personnel are not routinely checked for what they are carrying in and a guard carried a gun in, shot a female guard (or employee) and then killed himself. Names have not been released when last I had the radio on. I had assumed that all people entering the facility were checked - especially after the incident in Kansas a few months ago.

Be safe.
B.

Sat. & Sun. Sept 9 & 10

From a comfortable MO,

We came up a little short in the football game on Friday evening. It was a beautiful evening to be sitting outside - just needed a few more points!

We had some rain early on Saturday a.m., but we still strolled through the annual Chautauqua. The sprinkles didn't seem to stop the crowd and sure helped the temperature. Afterwards, we did a few errands and then retreated home to watch football games and to enjoy the girls. We watched some of the MU game and I went to bed at halftime of the Texas game, but Jim managed to stay awake one more quarter.

We decided this a.m. to walk to the Chautauqua again. There wasn't much of a crowd this a.m., but I am sure it picked up after the various church services. We found a couple of Christmas gifts yesterday and another couple this morning.

We watched some of the KC Chief's game today - then retreated to the bedroom for a nap. Jim has the Manning brothers programmed to watch later today.

Jim will be at a lost on Monday a.m. as he doesn't have rehab, but I will be going to the RSVP office to watch Ron Wilder do the computer work for Mobile Meals again. He will be fine in doing it. Beyond this we have the day open.

Be safe.
B.

Fri. Sept. 8

From a little warmer, but still comfortable MO,

This has been an active day so far. Jim had rehab this a.m. and took the veggie tray and I went by Francine's to pick up the cookies. Of course he had already "presented" the healthy goods when I arrived and indicated something to the effect as to how they had stressed "healthy" living. All had a good laugh when I showed up with the marvelous cookies from Francine's.

Jim joined the infamous group for breakfast - Grand River Inn did have oatmeal today - and then when he got home, we tackled a project in the backyard. The gate on the east fence that used to be in the southeast corner will now be located about in the center of the east fence. Jim dug out a flat area where the gate will be and somehow we managed to move the large concrete slab that we had put into place at the previous gate - 18 years ago. Both of us were soaking wet when the project was done and Jim suggested cleaning up - and then going to the Boji Stone for lunch.

More tables and chairs have been added at the Boji Stone which should make it much easier when there is a large crowd. The original tables were filled today. We ended up not having a meal, but opted for the infamous "turtle" frapee - am not sure I spelled the last word correctly. The coolness really helped make us more comfortable.

We have avoided dozing this afternoon and will be leaving a little before 5:30 for the stadium.

At this point we plan on walking through the Chautauqua tomorrow morning. That walk (stroll) from our house should be equivalent of our usual 1.25 mile trek, but will also include the infamous hill that we will have to climb to return home. We'll see how it goes.

Be safe.
B.

Thurs. Sept 7

From another gorgeous, temperate day in MO,

I awakened with the alarm this a.m. and realized I had not taken the girls out all night. It is somewhat like the first night when a baby sleeps through - I rushed to be sure they were breathing. Actually even when I got to their sleeping crate, they were still drowsy - good for them!

We had a good crowd at breakfast this a.m. - Clara, Mary W., Sandy, Ellen Whitmer, Margaret, and yours truly. I feel as if I am forgetting someone, but the old mind is tired this late afternoon.

Jim was waiting on me to get home this morning as he was eagerly awaiting using the riding lawnmower. He went a lot slower than usual, but seems to have no negative after effects - we'll see what he feels like in the a.m. He does a much better job at getting closer to the perimeter than I do so I didn't have much mowing to do with the push mower.

Clara's husband was in KC today so at the last minute we decided to have lunch at HyVee. It made me realize that I've had many breakfasts there, carried out many tenderloins, but have only once eaten there at noon - even then split a tenderloin with Jim. Anyway, the special today was a taco salad and it turned out to be really good. Clara went through the salad bar line and when Sandy joined us, she had already eaten at home so picked out a piece of pie - made Clara's mouth water and she went back for pie. I had expected to find the place packed, but seating was very easy to come by.

Jim and I did a few errands when I got back from lunch and then the four of us went down for a long nap.

I am fixing fish for supper tonight as well as a yellow squash stir-fry - and we will finish off the butternut squash from last night.

Jim will have his last rehab session in the morning. He will go by Francine's first and pick up a couple of dozen of her good cookies and will also take the veggie tray that we picked up at HyVee this afternoon. I want to walk in the a.m. - beyond that the day is open until the evening football game with Benton - here.

Be safe.
B.

Wed. Sept. 6

From another day of temperate weather in MO,

The girls slept well last night - meaning I got up with them about 2:30 and then didn't hear them again until after 6:00 this a.m. I opted not to walk this a.m. as I planned on tackling some yard work - ended up staying in bed until almost 9:00! I am not sure I slept, but I sure dozed.

Jim had rehab this a.m. and while he was gone - and then on to breakfast with the infamous group, I got into yesterday's clothes and began tackling weeds and brush in the backyard. I had almost another large plastic bag filled by the time Jim got home and also had given about half of my "tomato" area a fall digging.

After Jim had changed clothes, we went around the perimeter of the yard where the girls couldn't get to poison. After I had cut a young tree, Jim would put some strong killer on the base - and we continued around the yard. We still need to do this in the front yard, but that will probably be a project for tomorrow. We also got the two wren houses down, cleaned them out, and they are now in storage for next spring. We usually get two families raised each summer - we think probably by the same parents, and it sure adds to the activity in the yard.

We have a small black cauldron in the back yard that we use as a "burn" barrel and I filled it with dead debris - and since we had basically no breeze this a.m. - I set that afire. It has been a long time since our collection area has been bare.

Jim and I ended up eating a late lunch at Francine's. Mary Willis and Eva Danner were there and invited us to join them. Jim ordered a couple of dozen cookies for a morning pick-up on Friday to deliver to the ladies at the cardio rehab area - as Friday will be his last morning. We will pick up a veggie tray on Thursday afternoon and he plans on walking in with the veggie tray - with me following a few minutes later with Francine's good cookies. He is looking forward to getting back with the original group of "old fogies" next Wednesday, but he is also going to miss the trio of young ladies.

We have basically rested this afternoon and supper will be leftovers - easy for me.

Thursday is our garbage day so that needs to have final organization this evening as ours gets picked up about 7:30 in the a.m. I will be joining the ladies for breakfast in the morning - always look forward to that.

Be safe.
B.

Tues. Sept 5

From another gorgeous, temperate day in MO,

The girls slept well last night - at least better than I did. For some reason sleep did not want to come easily for me, but after taking them out about 2:30 - I slept like a log until I heard them about 6:30.

The four of us walked the 1.25 mile walk this a.m. - temp. in the mid 50s - absolutely a delightful temperature to walk. The girls seem to do the walk easier than we do, but then they go into a deep sleep when we get home. Jim's legs are getting stronger and stronger and I have difficulty keeping up with him. He is still quite weak in the upper body, but that will eventually strengthen as he feels more comfortable with the "cracking" sounds going on in his chest.

We "enjoyed" our oatmeal and morning newspapers - then set out on several errands. Eventually, about 10:00 - we set out for the Amish store just south of Jamesport. A doctor on TV yesterday was saying that if you take in some honey (processed in our area) that it will frequently relieve allergy symptoms - and I am game to try it. There used to be a honey place south of town, but we haven't found its honey at HyVee and it wasn't at the Amish store today. We may make a trip to Carrollton or Waverly to check out the produce stands.

We dozed during the middle part of the day with Jim even attempting to doze on our bed upstairs - he was successful and was quite pleased that he didn't even try to turn over - of course it was for only about two hours, but he needs some positive things to happen every so often.

We left here about 5:30 to go over to the stadium to watch the last of the freshman football game and stayed for the first half of the junior varsisty game. Maryville has a large high school squad out this year. We sat in the area of Mr. O'Dell as well as the second Doug French. Later Scott Stephens (our Doug will remember him from football, wrestling, and Rolla) sat in the area. He has one son playing varsity (a senior), a second son playing on the freshman squad, and the youngest is maybe an 8th grader. The oldest boy has applied at Rolla and UMKC for their civil engineering programs (Scott received his civil eng. degree from Rolla).

We have now eaten supper (leftover pasta mixture over lettuce) and I have Abby sound asleep on my lap with her head draped over my left arm. Trixie is also here, but on the floor - apparently sound asleep.

Jim has rehab in the a.m. - will check to see if Friday is his last visit or will be he going back this coming Monday. He has so enjoyed the young gals there that I almost think he is regretting the time being over. We have a few errands to do and then want to continue working of fall debris around our lot. We now have two bags ready for Thursday pick-up and hopefully we will get another one filled on Wednesday - have plenty to fill it, we just need to do some pruning.

Be safe.
B.

Sun. & Mon. Sept 3 & 4

From an almost temperate MO,

We have had two relatively peaceful days - and just what we needed --

We had a little rain early Sun. a.m. - maybe about 1/2 inch, but we will take it as we are way below where we should be at this time of the year.

Jim and I didn't accomplish much on Sunday. We took the girls on our morning stroll, but it was a little later than usual as they let me sleep in until almost 9:00. Jim read and watched a lot of tv during the day and I decided to take advantage of the good weather and bagged our tomato plants - taking off the better remaining tomatoes. The latter are now on the sunporch to ripen. Even though they were picked green, they will still be better than store tomatoes.

I fixed a multi-grain pasta salad yesterday morning and added crab meat to it - then add it over a good bed of lettuce for supper - very tasty.

I had Mobile Meals computer work on Monday a.m. - actually I didn't do it, but Ron Wilder did it with me sitting in the background. He did an excellent job and is ready to do it solo, but would like for me to "supervise" at least one more time. Ruth Benson joined us and did the checkbook work as well as the xeroxing and then collating.

Jim had decided on Sunday that HE would do the riding lawnmower on Monday (today). When I returned from Mobile Meals he asked if I would be willing to do it as his chest hurt a little (not heart, but bone) and of course I was willing. I am thinking that his picking up Miss Wall on Saturday set him back a little - hopefully no damage has been done. I only mowed the area where the girls have access in the backyard as well as the area between the Haney house and us. All of this area takes very little time and I also did not use the push mower to do the edges. The girls can now do their "thing" in the backyard and not get their tummies moist with the dew.

We have nothing specific for Tuesday other than errands.

Be safe.
B.

Fri. and Sat. Sept 1 & 2

This may be a little iffy tonight as Abby is stretched across my lap with her head on my left hand - oh, well - just bear with us!

I walked Friday a.m. and after my return, Jim left for rehab and then his breakfast with the second group of old geezers. I think he has one week of rehab left and I think he will rather miss it - other than missing his 10 years of Wednesday breakfasts with the first group of "old fogies."

We had some errands to run and then I went down for a nap during the middle part of the day. We left here about 3:00 to begin the drive to Maryville - first stopping at St. Joseph to have good "half" salads at Applebee's.

It was a delightful night for high school football - t-shirt was sufficient even though I took a light pullover as well as a light jacket. I am thinking the final score was maybe 30 to 14 in favor of Chillicothe. We were back in Chillicothe just about 11:30.

The girls were barking their heads off when we returned. They were not welcoming us, but am guessing they had a visitor in their back yard as when they insisted on going out about 2:30 - Trixie (who usually has to be carried outside) led the charge to go outside and headed to the same area on the fence where they had been barking when we arrived home. It is probably a wonder the police were not camped in our front yard when we arrived home.

The four of us walked about 8:00 this a.m. This was the first time Jim had walked with a girl "pulling" him since the Friday before his surgery. He kept Trixie on a short leash and I think they got along fine. Abby would probably be easier for him, but Jim prefers leading the way and Trixie almost "demands" being in the lead. We'll see how Sunday a.m. goes. Both girls slept long and hard when we returned home.

We got out a little after 9:00 to check out the Farmer's Market. Jim found some yellow tomatoes that he thought would be good and also some yellow squash. I'll need to fix a stir-fry in the next few days. Miss Wall tripped on a curb while we were there and had to have help getting up. For those of you who don't know her - she is almost an institution in our community - taught English for over 40 years - most of them in our local high school. She was the senior class sponsor going back to the 50s and seldom misses a reunion - or weddings. She asked for some assistance when she retraced her steps over the curb - then drove off in her usual manner.

We saw Clara at the Market and she and Jim got into a discussion on gooseberry pie. She had not been able to locate any canned gooseberries and we said we would check HyVee when we headed there next. We did find canned gooseberries so delivered them to her house - and she showed up here this afternoon with three pieces of gooseberry pie. Jim is in "hog" heaven!

Jim dozed in the recliner this afternoon. In fact he was so far into sleep that even when the girls and I began moving about - he stayed in the recliner and eventually the two girls got onto his lap and dozed as well.

Jim has watched a lot of college football since awakening and I have mainly puttered. I made Clara's recipe for Dr. Pepper spaghetti sauce this evening - Jim used spaghetti squash and I used whole grain pasta.

Bill and Mary Thompson are back from their bus tour - thoroughly enjoyed their overnight stay on Macinaw Island - probably the highlight as far as they were concerned.

Other neighbor hood gossip would be that Chuck Haney has a contract on his house to sell - Jeff and Kim Grozinger Marshall are the buyers. We have also learned that the young couple to our north will be moving. He will be the State Farm agent at Hamilton beginning Jan. 1 and residency becomes a requirement.

The duplex is now filled as well. Grace and Clithro Anderson moved in last week and it would appear that Charlene Coleman is now moved in. Several people helped her the latter part of the week and she indicated today that I should come over and see her apartment.

We have no specific plans for Sunday other than another day of rest.

Be safe.
B.