We talked with Pete and Janet today. The news they had from Bernie as of yesterday is that Bernie has to go back to his doctor on February 13. If the doctor says it is alright, Bernie and Maudie will head toward Quartzsite on the 14th.

Leslie was here overnight Thursday. We had a great visit and are glad to see Leslie so very happy in her newly-wed bliss. Leslie's son Jeff has volunteered to go back to Iraq after training in Alabama in explosives. Jeff is now in Fort Lewis, WA. Chase, Leslie's younger son, is in school in Denver. She is enjoying her empty nest.

On Friday, Mark, Chris, and I went over to Evansville, IL, where Brick is buried. We had lunch at a little "Muzzy-type" cafe as Brown's Tavern is gone. Our waitress told us that some of Brick's sister's family live in Grandma and Grandpa's old house. Grandpa's Southside Service Station is still next door but is no longer servicing. We drove through the town, which didn't take long, population 750. [Marshfield is probably four times that now.] My boys still have cousins in Evansville, but we didn't find any of them. We knocked on the door of one family, but no one was home.

Chris and Shelly came for dinner last night, toting a delicious apple pie that Shelly made. Chris, our technical guru-genius, hooked up Shirley's DVD player/recorder, something we were unable to do.

Maddog and I continue to sort through the memorabilia and trash as the Oakland House. I can't believe some of the stuff I've been hauling around for 40 years. Not good enough to keep but too good to throw away.

Rose led a workshop yesterday for the local St. Louis Jung Society about working with dreams. Shirley and I attended. It was an interesting and informative workshop. It was nice to see Rose in her professional role.

Pete's birthday is Wednesday, the Big One, Number 70. Today he told us he had been out riding on his new $10 bicycle and discovered that every direction from their Arizona home is UP.

Pete had talked to Donald yesterday. They are planning their annual fishing trip to Florida for April 27. Janet is to have surgery on her shoulder when they return to Idaho. Pete won't go on the fishing trip unless Janet is fully recovered by then. Their daughter, Merri, just underwent a similar surgery and is doing great.

Again, we are asking for feedback about the family reunion. All you need do is e-mail us or click on the 'Comments' icon on this blog and weigh in. We think Pete will make a fine MC and are hoping he accepts the job. It doesn't pay much, however.