Nov. 26-27

From a snowy MO!

On the 26th (Wednesday) we met Doug and Dara about 4:00 and then headed to Lake Travis and the Oasis. The latter is a multi-leveled bar/grill overlooking Lake Travis - with a marvelous view of the Lake and eventually the setting sun. We had margaritas - of course - with Jim being allowed two. The sky was rather cloudy, but we still could see the setting sun. Someone rings a bell when the sun sets and everyone applauds.

On Thursday (Thanksgiving) we puttered at the motel - eating breakfast and doing some packing. We arrived at D&D's about 11:30 so as to watch a football game. Dara is a great cook and had the turkey already in the oven and had made a chocolate pecan pie as well as a sweet potato pie topped with carmelized pecans. She had made some cranberry sauce and a marvelous lettuce and pear salad with walnuts. They had invited two couple to join us and it was the first time we had met them - so had a good time. By the time we sat down to eat, mashed potatoes and gravy had been added to the meal as well as hot rolls. I am sure I am forgetting something, but the three or four wines we had made things easy to forget!

We finished packing when we arrived back at the motel and were leaving the motel about ten minutes before 7:00 on Friday a.m. We had thought we would stop at Topeka, but it was still early and we seemed to have a second spurt of energy - ended up getting in Chillicothe a few minutes after 8:00 p.m. Jim and I unpacked the truck and had clothing put away and several loads of laundry ready by the time we went to bed.

On Saturday morning we made a trip to Nick's for breakfast and then returned home to finish the unpacking process. We picked the girls up about 11:30 - and returned home. Of course they seemed to be delighted to be home - or at least we were convinced.

We have few plans for Sunday. I have made a long list of things that I need to get done this week and hope to make a little dent in that list on Sunday. We go on Monday to Liberty to see the doctor for Jim. He is thinking the pin will come out of the little finger, but I have my doubts. I am not sure how easy he will be to live with if the pin remains. We have a couple of things to do while we are in the Liberty area, but we should be home relatively early.

Be safe.
B.

Tammy

Read your comment this (Wed.) afternoon. We will also be looking forward to this spring. Thanks for your kind comments. B.

Nov. 26

Jim's selection of pancakes from Kerbey Lane was sweet potatoes - they were marvelous!

B.

Nov. 25

It is rather interesting to watch people here having winter coats on when the morning temp is in the upper 40s or the morning of the 26th - about 60.

Tuesday was a full day! Dara had to leave early for her drive to San Marcos and her teaching assignments. We picked Doug up about 8:00 and headed to a new Hoover restaurant only to find it did not serve breakfast so we ended up at a new Kerbey Lane. Jim had a speciality pancake - maybe will think by the end - and Doug and I had omelets. Jim's pancakes were far superior to our omelets - good by Chillicothe standards, but not up to Kerbey Lane standards.

We then did a series of errands - wine for Thanksgiving, food items for Thanksgiving, etc.

We picked Doug and Dara up about 4:00 and soon were heading to downtown Austin to a Brazilian steakhouse. The salad buffet was magnificient and then we had a choice of 15 meat entrees to sample. The waiters would bring the meat around (one kind at a time) and we could indicate if we wanted a sample. Doug had chosen a good red wine to go with the meal. The manager came to our table later and Dara indicated a wish to have more wines by the glass available. The visit with the manager eventually indicated a Fogo de Chao would be opening on the Plaza in KC. He ended up bringing a special apertif (spelling) to the table as a complimentary closing to our evening.

We then headed to the relatively new Long Center for Performing Arts and saw a marvelous production of Cirque Dreams - am thinking it was called a jungle fantasy. The performers were marvelous for their physical contortions, aerial acts, juggling, and various gymnastic performances. The costumes were also spectacular.

Be safe.
B.

Nov. 21-24

From a now overcast, but supposed to be later a sunny day in Austin --

We left Chilli on Friday morning and after a good drive, spent the night at Ardmore, OK. We ate at a delightful place called Santa Fe Cattleman's something or other. Food was good and the atmosphere was great.

We arrived in Austin about noon on Saturday. We were able to get into a room and eventually had our things inside. We just don't know how to pack lightly. We then joined Doug and Dara for the afternoon.

The phone rang and it was Mark Z. - a Chillicothe boy who now lives just about 5 minutes away from D&D. He is in the Texas National Guard and has lived in the Austin area for several years. I eat breakfast with his dad about once a week at Nick's - back home. Doug and Mark had not met officially as he is about 6 years younger.

D&D had gone to the KCHI website and we listened to the first half of the game with Cassville. Every so often we would seemingly lose the signal. Doug tried rebooting the computer and then we were never able to get back on - guess the computer in Chilli just could not manage all the incoming hits. I eventually called Sandy W, but she had trouble hearing me so I called Charlene C - neighbor across the street from us in Chilli - as I knew she would be listening. The sad ending is that we lost 14-13 at the end. The season is now over for our boys and Cassville will play in the finals on Friday.

Sunday morning we left early with D&D and drove to Marble Falls to a diner for breakfast. It was a good thing we left early as the place was full by the time we left. Breakfast was good and the sights going and coming were enjoyable. We did eventually stop at a pecan place of business and we were enticed by several items there.

Jim worked out in the workout room at the motel in the afternoon and I slept. We joined D&D for a light supper and then headed to downtown Austin to see "Tuna Does Vegas" - a verrrry funny production and had the crowd laughing most of the evening.

Dara works today, tomorrow, and Wednesday morning. We are joining Doug and little later and we are heading to someplace southwest of Austin to a Lockhart. There is a very uniquely made county courthouse there and the photos Jim took last year did not work out. I think Eva would enjoy adding these photos to her collection of county courthouses. I have some things that I am look for and Doug will drive us to the appropriate places.

Tammy, please tell Clint that we are so proud of him!!!!! Give him some extra hugs!

Be safe.
B.

Nov. 17-20

From a cold, windy MO,

This week has been busy with lots of errands and with several meetings for me to attend.

Tammy, please give Clint an extra hug or two from us (if he will let you). We will be getting updates from Debby W. from the game on Saturday.

B.

Nov. 12-16

From a MO that can't decide to be cold & blustery - or sunny!

We had a big day on Saturday. We picked John and Sandy up about 9:00 and then headed the drive south towards Pleasant Hill - our opponent for the quarter final game. We had loaded the back end of the truck with all kinds of cold gear as the high for the day was to be in the upper 30s - with little sun. We arrived at the football field about 15 minutes before the stands opened, kept warm in the truck, then when the gates opened paid our admission and took blankets into the stands. Actually we were not the first Chilli people into the stands as some had stood waiting for the gate to open.

We returned to the warmth of the truck until we could see several people beginning to take their seats and had realized the seating was quite cramped so we headed to the stands.

To give you some idea of warm clothing, I had long handles on beneath my jeans. Then the upper half had a silk underwear, followed by a heavy turtle neck, followed by a red lightweight topper, followed by a hooded sweatshirt, and finally a very heavy winter coat with a hood. To top all of this I had a very old sleeping bag that with some effort I finally managed to get settled into, zipped up to my underpits, and settled in for an afternoon of football.

The game was played with an overcast sky for most of the time and a cold wind (definitely not a breeze) for the northwest. The end result was a victory for Chillicothe over what was probably a surpised Pleasant Hill team. They were actually quite good.

We will play Cassville in the semi finals this coming Saturday. One of the interesting sidelights with this game is that one of my breakfast buddies has a daughter-in-law whose "baby" brother is a senior and starter on the Cassville team. The husband has already declared his allegiance towards Chilli. By the time the game starts, we should have arrived in Austin. The coach's wife will be calling us with updates on the game.

The next few days will be rather active for us as we begin to pull out items to take to Austin - with final packing on Thursday afternoon.

Be safe.
B.

Nov. 2 - Nov. 11

From a coolish, misty, overcast MO,

We have been rather active since the last blog.

We went to Liberty on the 3rd for Jim's check-up with his orthopedic doctor. The original cast came off, gauze that was stuck (quite ugly) was carefully removed, and both of us noted the "pin" sticking out the end of his finger a short ways and then has a right angle. Jim decided that if he made the angle a little less, painted his pinkie an appropriate lure color -- that he could go fishing! The doctor seemed to think all looked good and fixed another cast (quite interesting to watch this process) that could be removed for showering, etc. We were to see him again the 24th, but since we will be in Austin, Jim will see him on Dec. 1.

Afterwards we headed south (gas is much cheaper) to our beloved WilJenny's in Overland Park for good BBQ. We also stopped at several of our favorite haunts - pet store, Border's, etc.

Last Wednesday our football Hornets played their first play-off game against a KC private school. We won big although it took two nights to get the game played as the lightning arrived about half-way through the third quarter - and continued, and continued, etc. The final part of the game was played on Thursday. Again we won large. One of the fun activities of the evening was the half-time performance by our high school band - all dressed in Halloween costumes.

The team played again last night (Monday) and we went against a team that we had defeated only a couple of weeks before - won even larger this time. We are really limited now as to knowing the boys on the team and probably could only recognize three - isn't that sad. Jim's pole vaulter had a fantastic night blocking punts - then running them in for touchdowns, blocking for the other backs, etc., etc., etc. We are so happy for him - Tammy we will see you at P. Hill!

About a month ago, Jim's only surviving aunt passed away. Her wish was to be cremated and then buried near her sister at Trenton. Family members arrived on Sunday, we had the opportunity to spend a few hours with them on Monday (I met most of them for the first time), and then we joined them at Trenton today. The children had chosen photos for a display and the service was carefully planned following their mother's wishes. An Abba song, "In the Garden" - or maybe it was "I Have a Dream" was sung and the service ended with a John Denver song "Take me Home, Country Road."

One of the son's told of a story his father told in his later years indicating that many war veterans do not wish to share their stories. It seems he had been sent to the Great Lakes for training as a welder. He had developed these skills as a younster and the teachers soon realized that he was more capable than what they were. They had his transfer with his classmates changed (much against his will) so that he would stay at the Great Lakes as an instructor. His fellow classmates became shipmates on the Arizona!

There was one young lady present who was not a family member. It seems she had spotted an old "name" quilt at an antique store - Trenton High School - class of 1940. Interspaced with colorful blocks were names of members of the class - including the name of the lady being remembered that day. This woman had started the project of trying to track down these individuals to get their life story so she could compile their stories. She actually had a photo of the quilt to show (and give) the family. Wade remembered seeing a letter from this woman to his mother and the photo that had been sent. What a wonderful story!

One of the more distant cousin's and his wife who live in Lee's Summit also were there for the services. He had been a playmate of the deceased when they were children in the Trenton - Edinburg areas. He had memories to share with the children as well.

We took the girls to the kennel early on Monday morning as we were not sure the family members would enjoy the zeal of their activity level. We picked the girls up this afternoon. Both are ensconed on Jim's lap right now.

We have a number of errands to do on Wednesday including weighing in. I will regret that we couldn't do it today as my weight had really dropped - guess we will see what Wednesday will show.

Our activities in the days coming up include the play-off game at P.Hill on Saturday (KC Star indicated the high of 37 on Saturday with snow showers possible! Will definitely take the sleeping bag again as well as plenty of plastic - poncho and a large, large leaf bag to put over the sleeping bag. It is much easier when the game is home because you can do several layers of clothing before the short drive to the stadium.

Next week we will settle in to getting items organized for our departure on the 21st to Austin. We are looking forward to our time with Doug and Dara. On Sunday (23rd) we are going to the Zachary Scott theater to see a "Tuna" production and they also have tickets for us to see another production elsewhere.

Be safe.
B.

Oct. 17-Nov. 1

From a foggy evening in MO,

We have been somewhat active these past several days. I don't know if I mentioned that we joined a weight loss class at our county health center, but we are slowly getting some tonnage off. The first meeting was Oct. 8 and Jim has either 8 or 9 pounds off and I am at the 5 pound stage. That is only a small amount of what needs to go off, but at least we are eating better - and we are walking!

Our high school football team continues to win and with a win this past Thursday - are district champions. We will be in our first play-off game this Wednesday. It is a home game so that is good for our gas consumption. The team continues to be a delight to watch and the stands are packed like they were for so many years.

We joined long time friends for a carry in at Sandy and Bernard's the middle part of October. There was a good variety of food. The MU football game was on, but that was a disastrous defeat and it didn't take long and no one was watching the game.

I volunteered one morning for a four hour shift at the library when the Friends had a used book sale. It is interesting watching the people go through and check was is available. Several of our Thursday breakfast group have also volunteered.

We had a big day today - walked first at the Y - did some errands in town - and then left about 11:00 to go to KC to see "The Lion King" at the Music Hall. I knew it would be a good production, but I was unprepared for the marvelous clothing, set, music, etc. Half of the audience must have been small children and I was first worried about their not being caught up in the performance, but they were super. About the time that the action slowed and they became restless, another scene came that caught their attention.

We have a full next three weeks - Jim will see Dr. G on Monday at Liberty about progress on his severed tendon, on Wednesday sees Dr. K about some follow up issues (not related to cancer), and next Monday there is an appointment with his foot doctor. In the meatime I have a meeting on Thursday and Friday to attend along with the usual preparing of the Mobile Meals envelopes on Friday. On Friday evening we are going to the UMC for their annual chili and soup supper - along with marvelous desserts.

The following week sees cousins of Jim's on his father's side coming into this area for the graveside service for an Aunt. The lady died about a month ago and will be buried at Resthaven at Trenton. We will also have a second play-off game on Monday if the team wins the first play-off game.

The week after that we will be getting things organized for our trip to Austin. We plan on leaving Friday, Nov. 21. We couldn't get in to our usual digs at Norman because of a home football game so we will stay at Ardmore. The following day we will have a short trip on in to Austin.

Be safe.
B.