Sun. May 27

From a temperate, sunny MO,

We had a few sprinkles during the night, but not enough to show any relief for the large cracks in our backyard - yes, cracks just a few weeks after the deluge!

We walked outside this a.m. with the girls. We didn't do the full route as we slept in and mass was beginning at the Catholic church - so we cut the walk short by a couple of short blocks. The girls just love this outing.

After listening to some suggestions in the recent dog book, we had the girls on "choker" leashes and I must admit that it was much easier for the adults. We had already stopped letting them roam to the end of the leash, but this kept them much closer and since they didn'thave halters on, they kept much closer to us - with only one or two episodes of trying to pull.

We left here a little after 11:00 to go to Trenton and the Fulkerson reunion. It was not held at Galt this year, but rather at Trenton - at the Wild Onion. There were a lot fewer people there than usual, but one family that has attended so well in the past has been in the Trenton area twice in recent months to bury parents. I am guessing there were maybe 30 to 35 people in attendance.

Margaret - I asked Mary Lynn to send either to you or to me a list of those in attendance as I thought you would be interested. Lucille looked good and Adelina looked better than I've seen her in recent times. The food was usual mid-west fare - fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, corn, biscuits and bread. A choice was available for dessert - blackberry cobbler with ice cream or ice cream topped with a brownie - then drizzled with chocolate syrup.

We stayed a couple of hours and I was ready to head to the nearest corner to sleep. When we did get home, I climbed in bed and slept for two hours - while Jim mowed the yard and filled the car with gas. I could easily go back to sleep now, but will try to stay awake until 10:00 - now 8:30.

I tried calling Doug a few minutes ago, but they must be out. I'll try again tomorrow.

I have the computer work for Mobile Meals in the a.m. and Jim will go with me to xerox. With it being a holiday, the office will be empty and it is in sort of an isolated area. Plus if Jim goes with me, it will save about 30 minutes of time.

Be safe.
B.

Thurs., Fri., & Sat. May 24-26

From what has been a warmish, humid MO,

Thursday morning saw maybe eleven "ladies" gathering for breakfast. We had so many that I couldn't keep up with all the conversations. We had two join us that are still working - Jean S. and Mary D. - but the others are all retired. Mary W. was absent as we found out later that her brother had died the day before. I am not sure where Ellen W. was.

Friday saw us walking in the a.m. and then Jim and I headed out to decorate at Marceline and New Cambria. I neglected to put flowers at one grave as I couldn't remember for sure - g,g grandparents on my paternal mother's side. Someone had already decorated graves for our family at NC - or at least some of them. Between NC and Marceline - the two brothers and one sister of my paternal grandfather are buried. I think I have mentioned that seven generations of the Jobson family are buried at New Cambria.

We left Chillicothe by 6:30 this a.m. to head to Jefferson City for the state track meet. Our female vaulter made the starting height this afternoon and then faltered at 9 feet - had cleared 10 feet one week ago. This is quite a venue at JC and I thought she showed a lot of poise clearing the starting height for a freshman.

I will soon be heading to bed. Jim is watching a John Wayne movie - am thinking it is called "The Quiet Man."

Oh, we listened to an excellent book today (well at least about 2/3 of it) - KITE RUNNER. I really wasn't in the mood to listen to a book, but was soon very much caught up in it. Julie A. had mentioned this book on Thursday a.m. and I said something to Jim. He had already read the book, but checked it out to listen to it again.

We are beginning to get a little thunder so I am going to sign off.

We are going to Trenton on Sunday to the Fulkerson reunion. Several of the older generation have died since we were last in attendance.

Be safe.
B.

Mon., Tues., & Wed. May 21-23

From a springish MO,

I had the computer work for Mobile Meals on Monday and thanks to excellent help from Ruth B., we were gone before 9:00. I am not sure Jim and I accomplished a great deal the rest of the day other than walking at the Y.

I met Helen, Mary W., and I am going blank for dessert on Tuesday afternoon. Helen was going to play tennis that evening. Jim and I went to Edinburg in the a.m. to decorate graves. I'm hoping the flowers will be allowed to remain on the graves, but it seems more and more people are "helping" themselves to flowers. Jim and I did some shopping at HyVee to take advantage of the "old geezer" discount.

Today (Wednesday), Jim joined both breakfast group and I headed to HyVee to join Pat, Gerry S., and Barbara L. Pat arrives first with Gerry following a little later. Gerry and Barbara spend quite a bit of time working crossword puzzles.

We had a near catastrophe on Tuesday afternoon as another limb came off the gorgeous tree that we had in the front yard - with some going on the road and the rest was tangled in the power lines overhead. We lost one limb last year and Scott E. helped me get it back into the yard, but we were afraid to tackle this one because of being caught up in the lines. Jim called CMU a little after 5:00 (when it happened) and eventually a city truck came by and took a look, but they didn't say anything to us - in fact we hadn't even been aware they were here, but Bill T. saw them.

Nothing had happened relative to the limb removal this a.m. so Jim went by CMU and they contacted Jim B. - who was to call Jim at home - did so about 11:30. The city crew arrived about 1:00 and in minutes had the limbs down with only the trunk standing - then we had the problem of what to do with the debris. Jim was ready to get the black trailer out and for us to make several trips to the city dump (am not sure it was even taking debris today), but I suggested we call a lawn service in town and get an estimate for removal - which we did and by 7:00 this evening the limb debris is all gone and they will be back in the next few days to take care of the trunk and some of the roots. We will really miss this tree as it was always loaded with white blossoms in early May - with a very delightful aroma.

Jim joined with the guys going on the first Canada trip this evening to make plans for packing and departure. He is now on the phone with Dr. E about using the "horse coffin" to pack items. This item snuggly fits on the black trailer we have. One of the guys had estimated that taking two vehicles to Reed Lake would cost $1200 to $1300 (divided among six guys) and by taking on vehicle with the trailer, the cost would be reduced.

I joined Pat N. for supper tonight at Country Kitchen.

I join the ladies for breakfast on Thursday morning and then Jim and I will take off for Liberty. He needs to go by the fishing place to look for that "magic" lure and eventually will see an orthopedic doctor at 2:00.

On Friday we are going to decorate graves at Marceline and New Cambria - and then on Saturday we are heading to Jefferson City to the state track meet. On Sunday we are going to Trenton to the Fulkerson reunion - and they say that retirement is boring!

Be safe.
B.

Mon.-Sun. May 14-20

From MO,

The past week has been quite diverse. Jim left early last Monday a.m. to head to Pomme de Terre (via Hamilton and highway 13 - adding about 50 miles to the trip.) I had Mobile Meals and a couple of errands to do here. I dropped the girls off at the kennel about 10:30 and I followed his trek. (We had to detour as highway 65 south of Carrollton was still closed due to flooding.)

Monday was rather warm and by the time (about 2:30) that I arrived at the campsite that Jim had selected - the trailer was in place and almost in order. I unloaded the few things that I took and put items away in the trailer. Less than an hour later, I was outside and noticed movement on an old asphalt road maybe 20 feet from the trailer (might be 30 feet) and realized it was a long black type of snake coming towards our campsite!!! I an scared spitless of snakes and this one didn't help my attitude. The area around the campsite had not been mowed recently and the grass was probably about 4 to 5 inches tall - enough that I would not have spotted this critter had I not noticed it on the asphalt. Jim found the long metal tool that is used on the awning and proceeded to "rescue" me by somehow turning the snake around so that it headed back to the lake. I am not sure if it was a regular black snake as it was quite white on the belly area - but at least I didn't see it again.

We had heat in camp on Monday, rain for most of Tuesday, and then cool (in the low to mid 40s nights) and temperate days (upper 60s to low 70s) for the rest of the week. We have a good furnace in the trailer so we never really had to deal with the 40 plus degree nights. We only had the a/c on Monday afternoon and early evening.

Jim had switched the propane gas tanks on our previous visit and on Tuesday took the empty to a nearby all/purpose store where it was filled - for $15.00 - which I didn't think was bad. We've had the trailer since June of 2002 - so the tank did a good job for us.

On Tuesday a.m., we made a quick trip to Bolivar before the rain set in. I am not sure the outing was completely necessary, but there were a few items on our list. We spent the rest of the day resting and reading.

I finished three books in the time we were there. The first book was by Geraldine Brooks (a new author for me). Jan had brought YEAR OF WONDERS to a breakfast session several weeks ago and several of the group have read it. The setting is 1666/1667 in England during one of the dealings with the plague. The small community decides to quarantine itself and the book relates the interactions of various community people. The book is based on fact, but it is considered to be a work of fiction. The second book I read was TALLGRASS by Sandra Dallas. I have enjoyed most of her other books. The setting for this is WWII in southeastern Colorado where an intern camp for Japanese from the west coast was built. The third book was THE BODY IN THE IVY by Katherine Hall Page - a long term favorite light author of mine. The only problem with this book is that I finally made a crib sheet to keep the characters straight. Sandy Mc had said I probably would want to do this - and I quickly did.

Jim caught several fish on Wednesday - keeping four large bass which he cleaned. I froze them and brought them home for us to eat here. He also fished on Thursday, but had already decided he wouldn't clean any fish.

On Wednesday night we went to an eating establishment called "Becky's" just west of Galmey at what is called the triangle. One of the camp hosts had commented on the large size of the jumbo tenderloin. We ordered this with the idea of splitting. They brought it to the table on a turkey server and with two large buns and trimmings. Jim estimated that the tenderloin was probably about 12 inches by 15 inches - anyway we cut it into four portions - eating only two. I froze the other two portions and have used them to top off good salads after we have returned home. Not too much goes to waste around it - guess it goes to our waist!

We left camp about 10:30 on Friday morning hoping we could get through at Carrollton, but the call to the state road condition number told us otherwise. We were back in Chillicothe about 3:00 as we stopped at Higginsville for a sandwich and to return a call to Jim's sister.

We unloaded and then picked up the girls from the kennel. We spent quality time with them the rest of the evening - and were up with them several times during the night - a usual procedure the first night home from the kennel - or if we have been gone all day.

We left here about 9:00 on Saturday a.m. to go to Kearney for the sectional track meet. The top four individuals or teams in each event qualify to go to the state track meet this coming weekend. Our senior pole vaulter had a difficult day and did not qualify, but the freshman girl placed fourth and will be competing at Jefferson City on Saturday afternoon - guess where we will be going on Saturday. I thought I had applied suntan lotion adequately, but I managed a royal burn. I bought an "old man" hat (with brim) last week before the track meet and this helped save my face last week and this weekend.

We have accomplished several things today - have been through two newspapers, mowed the yard, did some edging, did two loads of laundry, vacuumed upstairs, and I must be forgetting something - oh, yes, a good nap this afternoon. We did walk with the girls this morning - the full mile or is it a mile and a quarter.

I have Mobile Meals in the a.m. and then some errands to be done either by myself or with Jim. We have a couple of insurance notices that we need to take to our local agent to have him explain them to us (seems to us the printed information is contradictory!) - what else is new.

Be safe.
B.

Thurs.-Sun. May 10-13

From a sunny MO,

We have had several full days. I joined the ladies for breakfast on Thursday a.m. I had a good night of sleep and thought the world was great, but by the time 10:00 a.m. rolled around, I was exhausted and headed for bed. Jim rousted me about noon and we went to the Steakhouse to split a sandwich and each have a side salad - then back to bed for me until almost 4:30.

One of us tried to be around the house on Friday as we were to get a call about an upcoming appointment for Jim to an orthopedic person in KC, but never received the call. Jim called about 4:30 and the nurse had not been able to take time for the call. I joined Helen and Mary W. for dessert at 3:00.

We left here about 7:00 on Saturday a.m. as we had decided to drive to Perkins at Liberty for a good breakfast and then sort of back-track to Excelsior Springs for the district track meet. We usually no longer stay to the end of the meet as we are usually tired after the pole vault - girls and boys. Two vaulters qualified for sectional - Dustin M. and Samantha F. We were back in Chillicothe about 6:00. We immediately headed to the showers at the sun had been in full force all day and the only things that probably saved us were taking in lots of water and the fact that usually there was a slight breeze.

Jim had noticed that the "Beer Garden" at the Wabash BBQ place was having an opening that evening so about 8:00 we headed there. The main female singer sounded a lot like Janis Joplin and overall it was a good outing. We stayed about an hour and then returned home as I was ready for bed and the smoking was also getting to me. There was quite a large area set up outside to enjoy BBQ sandwiches or slabs - along with your drink of choice. I think they are planning this for upcoming weeks as well.

We walked with the girls this a.m. and both are worn out - as well as us. Jim has mowed the yard and I have mainly puttered inside.

We are heading to Pomme on Monday (Jim early and I will leave after doing the computer work for Mobile Meals) and do not know yet whether we will be able to take the more direct route of highway 65 as it was still closed between Carrollton and Waverly on Saturday evening. Otherwise we will add about 50 miles to our trip as we will need to take highway 13 south from Hamilton and then do some heading back to the east when we get to highway 54. We will return on Friday as we want to go to the sectional track meet this coming Saturday.

Until I am back on.

Be safe.
B.

Sun. - Wed. May 6-9

From a comfortable MO,

This has been full days for our area of the country. We received a lot of rain early in the week - over 4 inches - all coming rather quickly. Needless to say, the rivers and creeks were soon out of their banks. Flood stage on the Grand River is about 24 feet and it was predicted to crest at 37.5 today. The paper indicated tonight that it might be .75 feet less. The flooding rivals the infamous "93" flood when you look at the surrounding areas.

Highway 36 is a two lane highway between Chillicothe and Utica - a little less than 10 miles to our west. Highway 65 going south out of Chillicothe is closed about two miles south of town. If you have watched national news you will hear of several communities along the Missouri River that have been flooded - and the news just keeps going.

In Chillicothe, some of you will remember the large "Churchill" building on the southwest area of town - some of you will think of it as the current school district central office - anyway, when we returned from a track meet on Tuesday (held in St. Joseph) we noticed that the entry way to the basement area of this building had many sandbags. Jim had been to the south end of town this a.m. and wanted me to see the area this evening. The central office had been surrounded by sandbags and the CT reported this afternoon that as of press time there was at least 10 inches of water in the basement area. The office workers left at noon.

To the west of the central office a modular home place had several "sample" homes on display and these were moved to the eastern area of the old Churchill lot - and it appeared this evening they had been moved from where we had seen them on Tuesday - to even higher ground.

The Mautino "three-wheeler" type of business to the west of the central office obviously has water in it and the various modes of transportation had been moved eastward and seemed to be safe.

Areas on the west side of Chillicothe - just to the north of the above areas that have been discribed have water in the homes.

I took our winter bedspread to the laundrymat this morning and one lady there had two loads of clothes being washed - all she and her husband had salvaged from their home in the Sampsel area. They had refurbished their home after the 1993 flood with the idea that "everyone" said that had been a 500 year flood. She and her husband obviously did not have money to spare and both looked as if life had not been to easy for them. She was worried about two trunks that had been stored in their garage as they contained items that she had received from her deceased mother.

I sometimes wonder about "Mother Nature." Earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods should make us take count of what we have.

Anyway, we have had rain, sun, humidity, etc., but here we are still safe at least.

We went to St. Joseph on Tuesday to the Benton Relays. It was a lovely late afternoon and early evening for a track meet. This is the final regular meet of the year with District coming up this Saturday followed by Sectional the following week - then State.

Jim mowed the yard (riding lawnmower) today and then we puttered until it was time to see Dr. Metry this afternoon. Jim has been in a lot of pain with his left knee and left hip. We will hear on Friday when Jim can see Dr. George at Liberty.

I am flying to LA on the 23rd to spend a few days with Jim's sister as she is having back surgery on the 21st. I will return on the 27th. I don't think I can be of much help to her, but maybe I can save her a few steps.

I have the computer work for Mobile Meals coming up on the 14th, 21st, and 28th. One volunteer that does this is in Europe and the second is driving the 101 in California.

Jim had breakfast with both groups this a.m. He noted that I had mentioned he had oatmeal with one group and toast with the second and he "corrected" me that he only had coffee with the second group.

I will join the ladies for breakfast in the a.m. and then have a few errands to do. I finished the newest book by G.A. McKevett this evening - am thinking the title is something like FAT FREE & FATAL. These are certainly light reading, but I do enjoy the characters in the book. I finished SOVEREIGN by CS (or is it CJ) Sansom on Tuesday and it is in Pat's hands now.

We walked about 10:00 this morning with the girls on the surface streets. They are rather out of shape (and of course they aren't that large), but they have been sort of tired the rest of the day. We have been listening to the man who does "Dog Whisperer" on tv - that isn't the title, but is close. We have thoroughly enjoyed the CDs so far and realize we have let the girls become the "Alpha" characters in this family so we are trying to retrain ourselves. One of the things we have done is to allow the girls to roam (on a leash) as we walked, but the author claims this lets them be the Alpha when they need to be actually the follower.

Be safe.
B.

Tues. - Sat. May 2-5

From a warm and muggy MO,

We actually have had a rather quiet past few days - or at least until today. Jim joined both breakfast groups on Wednesday while I headed to HyVee to join Pat and Jerry. A few of us got together at noon for lunch at Washington Street, but other than that the day was calm.

I have started the third CJ Sansom book, SOVEREIGN, and about one/third of the way through it. It is not a difficult read, but requires a lot more attention than the light mysteries that I've been reading.

I joined the ladies for breakfast on Thursday - am thinking we had seven there. Mary W. had gone to Sparks, KS to do some antiquing with her husband and was absent. Judy M. was also gone, but found out today that she and her brother had gone to Iowa for a funeral.

Friday saw Jim joining the second breakfast group while I headed to HyVee, but Pat was not there yet. Instead I made a trip through McDonald's and then stopped by the post office to get a few more of the current stamps. I am trying to keep from having more than necessary come the 14th. I joined Pat N. for lunch at the Boji Stone. It had been ages since I had eaten there and the food was quite good. Afterwards, we went to Clemens greenhouse where I picked up six tomato plants along with flowers for five containers. The latter probably need something planted in the center, but that will come on my next wave of ambition. I finally got everything planted except for three tomatoes and that ground needed to be spaded for a second time.

We left here about 8:00 this morning to go to Cameron to the conference track meet. Jim helped the regular pole vault coach run off the pole vault event. The day began overcast and probably in the low 70s, but ended with bright sun and probably closer to 80 - along with humidity. Jim was ready to sit down when the event was finally through a little before 3:00. I am afraid we didn't stay to see the last 4x400 relays - came on home.

Jim mowed the yard when we arrived home as we are supposed to get rain starting on Sunday through the rest of the week. I did some minor pick-up in the house. I spaded half the small area for tomatoes and Jim finished it for me. I now have a total of six tomato plants out and have space to add a few green peppers. I need a few more flowers to plant, but will wait and see what the weather is like on Monday to do that.

I am sure we will be resting on Sunday. We always enjoy the two Sunday newspapers - and beyond that - nothing is scheduled.

Be safe.
B.

April 24-May 1

From a somewhat muggy MO,

We have had quite a week. Jim went to Pomme on the 23rd and I followed on the afternoon of the 24th. I had numerous errands on the morning of the 24th - including dropping the girls off at the kennel - as well as a meeting to choose a recipient of the Retired Teachers' scholarship. I left here about 2:15 for Pomme.

We had rain on Tuesday night, Wednesday - off and on, Thursday off-and on, and as I remember even a few showers on Friday. We at least escaped the heavy winds that seemed to go around us. Jim had a perfect camping site towards the point, but of course that also made us more susceptible to winds.

The first evening I noticed a buzzing noise around me and realized it was a hummingbird. I fixed the "nectar" that evening and put up the feeder the next morning. We had a hummingbird pair as well as a Baltimore oriole use the feeder.

Jim made a trip to Bass Pro in Springfield on Tuesday morning and both of us went to Springfield on Wednesday as it was raining. We really didn't do much, but I had a marvelous time at Barnes and Noble.

I read several books by Robin Paige while I was there. Pat N. had started me on this Victorian mystery series and they soon had me caught up. They are light reading - just right for the lake.

We joined the Wheelers on Saturday evening for a fish fry. Jim had caught one fish on Friday and he and John took out one of John's grandsons (and his friend) on Saturday to get more fish. Of course we had to have hushpuppies as well as fried potatoes. Jill also threw some canned biscuits (cut in half) into the fryer and then rolled them in a cinnamon/sugar combo - they were definitely a hit.

We started to take up camp on Sunday evening with the plans of getting an early start on Monday - but the slideout - didn't want to slide in on Monday a.m. We are guessing the motor has gone bonkers as we couldn't even get a humming sound. We eventually arrived in Chillicothe about 3:00. After unloading, we picked up the girls at 4:30 - and they didn't want to let us out of their sight.

We managed to get the laundry done, items put away, and I even was able to get most of the last of the paperwork done relative to the scholarship. I just need to take the certificate to the high school (part of our errands in a little while.)

We have run several errands this morning, Jim has mowed the yard (almost looked like a jungle), and we are about to set out on a second round of errands. We did walk with the girls this morning about 7:30, but Jim had a difficult time on the uneven road - so we will probably be back to the Y on Wednesday.

Forty-four years ago today I was in labor. It is hard to imagine that Doug turns 44 today. Dara forwarded a photo of him as a birthday party with "44" on the football jersey.

We don't have too much coming up the rest of the week. Jim joins the old fogies on Wednesday, I'll be back with the ladies on Thursday, and Jim will again join the old fogies on Friday. I think the conference track meet is on Saturday, but Jim maintains it is on Friday - so we need to double check that minor detail.

Be safe.
B.