Hi Everyone - Aunt Sue asked us to post some recent pictures of Ellie. She is getting old enough now to experience lots of new things! These are pics of Worlds of Fun - we took John's niece and nephew with us. She really enjoyed Snoopy Camp and there were so many rides that she could go on. Ellie also had her first pedicure a few weeks back - she loved every minute of it and was so intrigued by everything the ladies did to our feet! We also included a picture of Ellie getting her face painted at her school carnival. We had them put a K-State PowerCat on her cheek, of course!!!!

This weekend, we are headed to Salina, Kansas for my nephew, Ryan's birthday party - he will be 3 years old and now has a new brother, Carson Taylor Henderson. He is only a few weeks old! I'll send pictures from the party - the rest of our Kansas relatives will bet there too.

Monday morning after a busy weekend. Talked to Pete Saturday with his usual weekly phone call. Things were good in Idaho Falls. He had talked to Joe who was enjoying the new sunroom. He said it was more glass than the old one. Somehow Pete knew I hadn't gone to the lake. Goldman came over and helped Rose and Shirley move some furniture around in the basement which hasn't progressed far in the renovation since my last post. The workers didn't show over the weekend and aren't here yet today and it's 10:40. The workmen do have lots of excuses for their delays.

Saturday night was a wondrous occasion! Rose, Shirley, and I went to a friend's 80th birthday celebration. She was an amazing guest of honor. She had also gotten her first pedicure on the very same day. I asked her if her granddaughters had made her get the pedicure but she said it was her daughters who encouraged her to do it. She is a woman of many accomplishments. She did not want gifts - only blessings - but had a gift for each household that attended. The gift is a copy of a book she has recently written and published. "Leafings and Branchings" by Leah Friedman

Leah is an accomplished hostess. I'm sure she made everyone feel as welcome to be there as she made me feel. She danced with several men and was still going strong as we were leaving the party.

There were many people at the party and a few that I knew. It was catered beautifully. As we were leaving and saying our goodbyes, I heard my name being called. "Sue, Sue, Sue," It was Vicki Lander, a good friend of Mary Myers. Mary goes back many years with me and Rose. I feel sad when I go by the site where Noah's Ark used to be. It's where the three of us, Mary, Rose, and I, would meet on Fridays after work for happy hour years ago. The Ark has been torn down for highway construction that's going through there.

I hadn't seen Vicki in quite some time and maybe the meeting was predestined. Vicki is a massage therapist or maybe is retired now but I'm looking for a healing touch therapist and hope Vicki knows Mary Lenihan who is a healing touch therapist that I used to see but have lost contact with. If not Mary, another good one. This blog began as "Sue's Journey Back to Health" and right now I feel like I'm having a 'turn for the better' as they say down in the country. I'd like to keep feeling like I'm improving.

Chris, Shelly, and Oliver came by yesterday on their way home from Purina Pooch Day at Busch Stadium. We had watched for them on television but didn't see them. Chris took my computer and is doing some maintenance on it. They said Oliver was well behaved during the game though he kept trying to run off while they were here.

Three workers finally arrived and they're really working. Rose and Shirley just left to go run some errands but I chose to stay home and update this blog. I'm also watching the workers and they ARE working.

Jana, would you post a picture of Ellie having her first pedicure? Karen and Mark had left their camera on the sailboat the weekend after they were at the lake and were going to Quebec for ten days so I'm not sure when we'll get those pictures.

I'm looking forward to Labor Day at the lake!!!

Tomorrow, August 24, is Dog Day at Busch Stadium and Chris and Shelly are taking Oliver to the occasion. Chris says you may see them on television before the game starts. It's also called Purina Pooches Day and the Cardinals will be playing Atlanta at 1:15 Central time. I'm not sure where the dogs go during the game but I think they're on the field before the game starts. We'll be watching for them and hoping the Cardinals do as well as they did last night - winning 16 to 3. Shirley is a Cubs fan and, since the Cubs haven't done as well in 100 years as they have this year, it's okay to root for the Cubs, too.

Margaret and Norm's grandaughter, Erica, was off to Westminister College in Fulton this week. This is her first semester. She is Randy and Lynn's daughter. Fulton is half way between St. Louis and the lake house and it's where Churchill coined the 'iron curtain' phrase. Caitlin, Pete and Janet's grandaughter, is back at Gonzaga in Spokane. Nancy drove her up there one day this week from Idaho Falls. I'm sure there's more news with school starting so I'm hoping for some more informative posts.

Rose and Shirley are having a half bath installed in the basement and enlarging Rose's office down there and their contractor is way behind his promised schedule. He is such a likable fellow that it's hard for them to stay upset with them but I think they may have given him his LAST last chance yesterday. It maybe hasn't taken effect because none of his crew has shown up today. Rose and Shirley and Goldman have been down there working most of the day.

We're looking forward to the holiday weekend coming up and I'm looking forward to a full house.

I had some news that I wanted to post. Fat Jack called me yesterday. I had lost his phone number and hadn't heard from him in quite some time. Some of you may remember him from Den's funeral. He sang Amazing Grace so beautifully. He and I - and Margaret, too - all worked together at Midwest Recovery. He knew or has heard about my whole family and I knew or have heard about most of his. His brother, Mike, worked with Brick and me at GMAC for a long time. One of his grandsons, Andrew, is in his second year at St. Louis University. I told him both of mine are in Sanders Elementary in Louisville, Jalen in 5th grade and Brayden in kindergarten. Brayden is not caring for school. He says he doesn't like it because he has to wear his shoes all day. Must be the hillbilly in him. He doesn't have to take naps like he had to in pre-K, though.

Rose is going hiking in Yosemite next month for a few days and I'm going to spend part of the time she's gone in Louisville. I sure hope he likes kindergarten by then. I'm going to stay with Margaret and Norm some of the time, too. We're going to make a day's excursion to Alton which is where Fat Jack lives and spend the day with him. Chris and Shelly have also asked me to stay with them part of the time and I'll want to be at the lake as much as possible. I hate to see the summer end. It's been a really great one.

We need some news from our other contributors. Jana, post those darling pictures of Ellie that you sent me. Also, I'm sure there are things happening in Washington and Oregon and other parts of the country. Sabrina, we need an Abbott posting. Margaret called me today to say she didn't have anything to say. We did talk about the dreary weather. I'm sure there's more Abbott happenings.

Shirley is in the middle of making a wonderful dinner. Rose said she didn't want a potato so I asked Shirley to bake me a really big one. Rose tends to share mine when she declines having one for herself.

Labor Day is going to be an occasion at the lake. Scott and the boys are coming Thursday night. Josie and Lukas don't have school that Friday so Doug isn't sure he can get off that Friday but Suzanne is taking off and we'll be down early. Goldman has meetings and Maddog has to work so everyone else will be down Friday evening. I'm expecting and hoping for a full house. Doug got the waverunner going and the boat is running good. Maybe I should knock on wood.

Dinner's ready. The doctor told me my potassium was low and I should eat bananas. Shirley makes sure I get my potassium. She got me some fresh apricots but I like the bananas better.

I'm a bit behind on posting but so are a lot of other people!!

Pete called with his weekly checkup on Saturday. Kelly and the boys had been to Alaska salmon fishing and whale watching the week before. I think they stayed with a friend in a very primitive cabin out in the wilderness. They brought home 200 pounds of dressed salmon.

Shirley got home from her family reunion in Louisiana on Monday. Her family has a yearly reunion and it's usually in Louisiana. Rose had been in Chicago and she got home on Tuesday. Chris had spent some time with me and we had gone out to dinner on Monday bwith Goldman before Goldman picked Shirley up at the airport.

Weekend was another great one at the lake. I went down on Friday evening with Doug, Suzanne, Lukas, and Josie. Maddog and the 'Army' were there when we arrived. Jeffrey who is that King boy's stepson is on TDY at Ft. Leonard Wood. He came over with two of his buddies, Mo and Bobby, for a weekend of fishing and homecooking. Leslie came up from Springfield on Saturday morning and stopped by her favorite grocery store - HyVee - on the way. Suzanne made the breakfasts and said she had never been thanked so many times for cooking a meal. Leslie made lasagna for dinner Saturday night and Goldman was afraid there wouldn't be any leftovers for us to bring home to him but Leslie made a huge pan full and we brought some back.

The soldiers fished, relaxed, and swapped stories about their tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. (I don't think I even spelled it right.) They rode the Seadoo and we thought something awful had happened to it but Doug saved the day. He loaded it on the trailer, took it to a dealer, expected the worse, and found it was only the battery. What would I do without Doug???

The soldiers took back a mess of fish. Wasn't it about 50 years ago that Bernie was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood? This is a school that Jeffrey is attending and a temporary assignment but there's a possibility it could be a permanent assignment. His wife is from Washington which is where he's stationed now and their baby (Hannah Anna) is due January 1 so there's mixed feelings there.

We didn't take any pictures this weekend. I guess no one had a camera. I'm still waiting for pictures from the weekend before. Karen has to approve them before we could post them and I haven't seen any of them.

I hope I'm doing this right! I'm on Rose's computer and she has lots of blogs. Just had a call from Scott. It's the first day of kindergarten. Brayden is a bus rider and he insisted on riding the bus with Jalen. First day of school for him was probably harder for Rose, Scott, and me than it was for him. He's a bus rider, you know, not a walker. His Dad and Uncle Ding were only walkers.

This was a great weekend at the lake. Maddog and I went down early Friday and then Maddog went off to be with his Dad. Mark, Karen, and Drew came from St. Louis and Kate and Austin came from Lawrence, KS. All five of those kids enjoyed the lake, the boat, and the waverunner. We've got this big round tube big enough for three people to sit on. If you get the speed up on the waverunner fast enough, it will spin the three that are on it around in circles.

Saturday was Kate's 25th birthday. She is a grown, educated, working woman now, but her Dad still baked her birthday cake and got her a Wii for her birthday. When I told Rose about his cake making abilities, she was impressed that he could even master the fancy hi-tech lake oven. She said she may try 'frying' up a cake herself. She never has. He also treated us all to dinner at my favorite restaurant, Ruthie D's.

Pictures were taken all weekend and I'm expecting some to be published. I'd do it myself but I don't know how.

Brother Joe emailed me last night and said he needed to borrow a lot of money, $28,000.00, to put a new all-season room on their house. As the conversation progressed what he was doing was replacing the old one! It was worn out.!!! Taking such special of his better half put a lot of wear and tear on that room. He was going to email Pete next.

Last week Joe and Donald and three of Donald's grandsons visited me at the lake. Joe and I both made a mental note to keep the boys' names straight with no luck. Joe was the one with freckles and belonged to Jennifer. Donald and Vita were up from Birmingham celebrating the birth of their fifth grandson. Between the two of them, they're caught up with Mama, male wise. Some pictures there would be very welcome. We would see they get posted.

After lunch that day at the lake, Joe had to rush off back to Springfield. Probably to fix supper and serve it to Mary in the new all-season room. Donald, did he need a loan that day? He whispered that maybe we should call some 800 number to verify Pete's credit card.

Hi Brayden, Your Dad told us you read the Blog. We are so happy you are learning to read! Good job. Keep up the good work. Love, Granny, Aunt Rose, and Aunt Shirley

Hi Family!

Thanks to Uncle Joe for posting the link to the Marshfield fire. I did tell him I would post it, but didn't get to it before now. What a sad event. Just glad I got the chance to "drag-the-gut" with the family in the Square before it burned. It just wouldn't have been the same with a burned-out building there.

Hey, I had the idea the other day of doing a posting on Remember My Dad. I woke up with it on my mind and thought of putting something together. So, I'm posting a few pictures in his memory. As some of you may know, a few of us got together on his one year anniversary on June 3rd this year and attended a Mariner's baseball game. We wanted to be together and missed having Mom with us. She was on her way to Montana to meet with her friend Fran Marlar as they were embarking on their Missouri trip, so she couldn't be with us. Four of us, as many as were able, since it was a Tuesday evening, met in Seattle and had dinner and went to the game. Dad loved the Mariner's and was a faithful fan. He was watching a game when he died a year ago, so it was fitting to commemorate his passing with a fun event that he would have enjoyed. I think it was Cyndi's husband Dave's idea, but he wasn't able to attend.

I drove to Olympia and picked up Cyndi, we drove to Seattle and met Doug and Tammy. Tammy was in Seattle on business and had carpooled there so she rode home with us. Doug lives just north of Seattle in Bothell, so it was perfect to meet at a restaurant across the street from Safeco Field. As luck would have it, it was raining like crazy!!! We met for dinner and had more fun chatting and reminiscing than we did watching the game. We reluctantly left the restaurant about the 3rd inning and headed over to the game. You'd think the M's could have at least won the game!! At least they were true to form!

Cheers!! (l to r) Sandi, Tammy, Cyndi and Doug.

Doug and Tammy were remembering some of Dad's quirky sayings. I didn't remember this one: "That fits like a sock on a rooster!" He had so many funny ways of putting things into perspective. It sure made you think about it!

I remember so fondly his laugh. Sometimes he would get so tickled he couldn't breathe and you started to wonder if he was alright. We'd have to give a look to Mom for reassurance that he was okay because she could always tell if he was going to start breathing again. He enjoyed his family! I'll bet you all had a taste of him bragging about his kids - I don't think he did enough bragging about our mother! She is the reason his life was so successful and long!

Train ride at the beach with Mom! Sept 2003

He loved projects! He loved hard work! He and Mom instilled in all of us the value of a good job done right! They both had raised us with a deep sense of fairness and loyalty. I value those traits they taught us along with honesty and integrity. They demonstrated them to us by their example. Looking back at Dad's life I remember his character more than any accomplishment he had - and there were many. Just raising 10 people to live productive lives is enough but there was so much more. I realize as I write this that I am not an authority on all the accomplishments of his life. He was a big brother, a son, an uncle, a patriot! He was a businessman, husband and father. He was a community leader and a mentor. He loved to travel, enjoy his family and friends and a treasured a good conversation on the deck at home. He cared for all of us and insisted on feeding us annually with the steers he and Mom bought and tended to all year so we could have meat on the table for our families.

Sitting on the deck with Mike and Cyndi.

Tending the Fire at the annual meat wrapping weekend!

I have lots of fun memories of my Dad. As a little girl walking into church holding his hand and saying, "I'm happy Daddy!" and feeling him squeeze my hand in reply. I wish I could tell him that now because I am happy in my life and owe a lot of that happiness to him for his influence in my life. I know there was so much more to his life than I can recall here.

I would like to invite others to put in their two cents. Anyone can comment by clicking the red comment field at the end of this posting. It would be fun to hear some of your memories of the "Old Guy". To remember some of his funny sayings or cherished stories of how he affected your life. Got pictures? You can send comments or pics to my email address as well, if you'd like. I can be contacted at safelli@hotmail.com . Thanks for indulging me as I reminisce. So many of you have helped us through this past year as we have learned to say good-bye. We look back fondly with smiles mixed with tears and are learning how to make new memories in these days ahead.

Have fun recalling your own memories!

Love,

The 2Ls

Thursday morning at the lake. Scott told me I should proof read before I post. It was Jalen and Brayden who were so checking so often for our Kansas relatives to arrive and it was the boys who were trying to learrn to ski that first day down here. Scott could ski when he was younger and thinner but didn't try this time.

Pete said in his weekly call that he had been trapping raccoons and he had heard that marshmellows were good trap food. We found something even better. BEER!!!! One morning last week Goldman went outside to put the trash in the big trashcan. He could tell there was something moving around inside it so was afraid to open it. He got Doug and Maddog and a 5 gallon bucket and they were going to catch whatever was in there. They tipped the big can over and opened the lid. Out staggered a RACCOON. They called me up to see and he was really staggering. He stumbled around and half walked down the steps between the houses and half fell. They followed him down a few houses and he finally sobered up and was walking pretty good. I guess he got a beer can or two with some left in it and finished it off. They're careful about closing the can really tight.

Groves came on Sunday and brought Omaha Steaks and twice baked potatoes. They may have been the best steaks I've ever eaten. He may have paid for them with his winnings from Texas Hold'em. Stakes were't that high so he had to come back Tuesday to play again. I'm not sure who won. I had to go to bed. Rose and Shirley are eager to learn how to play Texas Hold'em when I get home.

Shelly got here Sunday evening. We saved a Omaha Steak for her. Chris had to leave. Shelly stayed until Tuesday. I think it was frustrating for her to let the boys do the cooking. We had pork tenderloin one night - Maddog's recipe. It was scrumptious. She did make some cookies which Scott said even went well with beer when they were right out of the oven.

Scott just left. He came back in to tell me there is another critter trapped in the trashcan. Mike Lynch got here yesterday. It rained all day but cleared up toward evening. We're expecting Chris and Shelly tonight and Suzanne and Trish and Ray tomorrow evening. It's supposed to be very hot today though it's cloudy this morning. I plan on going for a boat ride either today or tomorrow.

I'll post later after they let the critter out of the trashcan.

Sunday morning at the lake and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day. Everyone is still sleeping except me and Chris. Chris is out for his morning run.

I forgot on my last update to put in that Angie Slayton stopped in on the 18th and spent the night with us. She was calling on customers in Versailles on that Thursday and had to go to Columbia the next day and preferred staying with us instead of a motel. The guys did all the cooking and cleaning up and she was frustrated with nothing to do.

Also, a correction - It was Briana who loved addog's porksteaks and had them for dinner on Saturday and also for lunch on Sunday.

Joe's Lydia and Lisa got back from Costa Rica last Tuesday. I'm sure he was glad to see them. David is in Ohio. Joe never brags on his kids but did say that he was going to Beth's MBA graduation ceremony on Saturday night. This is worth bragging about, Joe.

Jeff arrived on Wednesday. The Army furnished him a rental car and he enjoyed the fishing and company. Leslie and Sam had gone to St. Louis so we goy his company right away. Maddog and Goldman made chicken and dumplings for dinner and I think he ate three bowls full. I went to bed but I think the three of them sat up til all hours exchanging Denny stories. Jeff had to report to Ft. Leonard Wood Thursday morning.

Doug got here Thursday evening. Chris arrived Friday after he got off work. Scott gott here Saturday afternoon. Groves got here sometime in the night last night.

MORE LATER ABOUT PETE'S CALL AND RACCOON TRAPPING.

Last night I met Margaret, Norman, Catrina, and Lizzie for dinner in Clayton before all of us attended "The Miracle Worker" in which Lizzie and her dad are performing. We had a wonderful Italian meal at Cafe Napoli, which Lizzie told her mother later was "such a fancy restaurant I will remember it my whole life." Lizzie is ten years old and one wonderkind. She charmed our waiter, and she and her mother entertained us old folks through the dinner hour. Catrina is surely a McGiver Girl--you know, one of those women you could send into the jungle with a toothpick and a cottonswab, and she would build a shopping mall. I don't know when I have had a better time.

After dinner we picked up Shirley, who couldn't join us for the dinner, and all of us went to the Clayton Community Theater (part of Washington University) for "The Miracle Worker." And it was a miracle. We saw Robbie, Catrina's husband, transformed into "Captain Keller," the brusque, blustery father of Helen Keller. HE DID A SPECTACULAR JOB OF INHABITING THE CHARACTER and showing how people can be transformed through hanging in even in difficult life events. Lizzie had a smaller part and did a wonderful job with it. She told us she tried out for the Helen Keller part but was "really happy to be in the play whatever her role." [She is ten going on twenty, you see.]

More from Joe about the Marshfield fire:

Got more pictures from Joe


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jgfelin
To: MarthaBoaz
Sent: 7/22/2008 8:34:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Marshfield Fire (Continued)


To view the pictures, one needs to click on View The Gallery in the related content of the article, same for
Marshfield Mail: Thrift store manager remains hopeful after blaze
Marshfield Mail: Downtown building destroyed in blaze

Related Content
Marshfield Mail: Thrift store manager remains hopeful after blaze
Marshfield Mail: Downtown building destroyed in blaze
View The Gallery

Sue forwarded this e-mail from Brother Joe for posting:

From: JO from MO
To: MarthaBoaz
Sent: 7/22/2008 2:25:48 P.M. Central Daylight Time
Subj: Marshfield Fire web page


Sandi provided this web site yesterday and asked me to let her know if it works. If so, she was going to post it on the blog. Donald called yesterday (before I received Sandi's e-mail) and was back in B'ham, all their company had also gone back home to ID and MO. Donald was asking about the fire so I did forward the web page to him, figuring you would read it on the blog. It has about 10 pictures of the fire. I don't think it gave the reason for the fire?

Thanks for the lunch and good visit Saturday. Bet it will be lonesome there when all your company leaves.

http://www.kspr.com/news/whereyoulive/webster/25055414.html


Thanks for the link, Joe.

Catrina's husband (Robert King) and their daughter (Elizaeth "Lizzie) have parts in a play at the Washington University theater. The play is about Helen Keller. Robby plays Helen's father, and Lizzie plays one of her schoolmates. More information at: http://www.placeseveryone.org/

Late Thursday Scott and the boys arrived from Louisville. They woke me up and we soon were all in bed. Scott and Goldman did the grocery shopping Friday morning to get ready for the weekend. While they were out they bought some children's skis as the boys were determined they could learn how to waterski. When they went out in the boat to try it, Goldman first got in the water and was going to show them how it was done. (It's Sunday now and he's still sore from the attempt.) Scott and Brayden tried several times but couldn't master the skill.

Our Kansas relatives arrived late Friday afternoon. Scott and Brayden must have asked us 50 times 'When are they going to get here?' Debbie and Joe, their daughter Sabrina, Sabrina's three - Joshua, Junior, and Martesia - and their son Thad's daughter Briana finally arrived about 5:30. The kids immediately jumped in the lake and swam until until Maddog's wonderful dinner of pork tenderloin was ready. The kids played like they had known each other forever. Though Brayden is only 5 and all the other kids were at least 5 years older he did his best to keep up.

Pete called with his weekly call. Things were okay in Idaho. He had just talked with Joe and let us know that Joe was coming for the day. Joe wasn't sure the day before. Joe got here and we all had a good day visiting and watching the kids in the water. The boat is running good and we have this spinning thing that three kids (or grownups) sit on and the boat pulls it. As the boat picks up speed, the thing spins. It was the first time we have had 3 kids with semiequal weight and it really made a difference. The kids had a ball. When they weren't doing that, they were in the lake or in the pool. Goldman hogged Joe some when they discussed their chronological research and Goldman says he could have talked with Joe much much more but Joe had to leave and be home by five. We could all have visited much more with him. He missed a great dinner. Maddog made BBQ pork steaks. Last year Martesia said he made the best BBQ pork steaks she ever had and she remembered and said these were as good too.

Today the kids swam in the lake and rode the spinner whenever they could get anyone to drive the boat. One of the Kansas grandkids said "Grandpa, we're going to have to have one of those." I saw Joe go down to the dock and write down the name and manufacturer of it. They all had a long drive so Goldman got up early and put a brisket in the oven using his Grandmother's recipe. Debby sais this place smelled like a restaurant. Junior made sure the trash was emptied throughout the house before they left. The kids were all helpful and polite. Grandpa Joe said it must be the Missouri air.

After the Kansans left Jalen begged Scott to let him try waterskiing one more time. I think he didn't want to try when the other kids were there in case he couldn't do it. Though it was going to make Scott very late getting back to Louisville he gave in and JALEN GOT UP THE FIRST TRY. JALEN CAN WATERSKI!!! He was smiling from ear to ear having mastered the sport. When he tried on Friday Goldman was in the water with him. Today he was in the water by himself. He fell a few times but got right up when he tried again. Brayden was so tired from running with the big kids all weekend that he didn't even want to try today.

I want to add here that Scott made some very good breakfasts while he was here and Debbie and the girls did anything we ask them to do. One thing my guys had them do was kitchen cleanup. Debbie loved our potato peeler. Potatoes are a favorite vegetable down here. We've experimented with several peelers and Goldman's mother got us this one.

Maddog and Goldman take very good care of me and make sure that I never miss a dose of my medicine. They're pretty good housekeepers too.

I'm behind on updates so I hope I can remember all that's happened. We celebrated a great July Fourth. Doug, Suzanne, Lucas, Josie, Maddog, Goldman and I were the regulars here. We had a great new couple for the event - Mel and Tony. Eric and Julie and their boys along with some friends of theirs came over for the fireworks. We could hardly wait until dark for the presentation to start. It was spectular.

I had to go back to St. Louis for an overnight stay in the hospital for my IVIG on the 8th. I don't have to have another one for six months. The nurses and aides missed me since I hadn't been there for quite some but most of them remembered me. Chris came up and brought me Steak and Shake for lunch and also some stuff I'd forgotten.

Shelly and I spent the 1st through the 3rd here at the lake and then the evening of the 3rd the rest of the crew rolled in. Meals were delicious. Doug did a fish fry on Saturday. Denny taught him well. Maddog has been my steady companion whenever I've been here. He either goes to the store for me or accompanies me.

Goldman and I came back to the lake on the 11th. Goldman had to go back to St. Louis on the 13th to finish teaching his summer school session and then came back here to the lake on the 15th. He and I plan to stay here as much as we can until school starts to work on his book. He's writing the book and I'm editing it. I'm sure it's going to be a bestseller.

Leslie came up on Tuesday and left this morning. Meals were gourmet. Her son, Jeff, who is in the military and is stationed in Seattle will be in next Wednesday. He's going to do a two month school at Ft. Leonard Wood. His bride will come for a few days later on. I haven't met her yet so am looking forward to that. She's from the Seattle area. Jeff loves to fish and is going to come over here when he can. Chase, Leslie's other son, called me this morning from Baltimore and said he will be in Springfield in about 2 weeks and will try to get up to see me.

Rose and Shirley spent last weekend in Chicago. I talked to Margaret yesterday. They are home from the Valley for a few days. Norm has gotten one tomato from his garden. Margaret saw both doctors last week and doesn't have to go back to either for 3 months. They took the boot off of her foot and she said she's getting around pretty well.

Chris turned 39 on the 13th. Seems like just yesterday he was born. Goldman stopped by their house on the way home from here to wish him a Happy Birthday. I know he went bike riding and Shelly made him BBQ ribs but I'm not sure how else he celebrated.

Scott and the boys will be here tonight. I'm hoping the Kansas relatives will show up. Jana, John, and Ellie can't make it but I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of you.

I'm sure I left things out but will update again sooner next time.

Aunt Virginia (Madden), photo provided by her son Mike. Aunt Virginia is the widow of mother's brother Curt and the last living relative of that Madden generation.

Joe sent us some further information about Sandi's post:

For additional detail (if needed?) It is a real challenge adding anything beneficial to Sandi'ls well worded travelogue, but for the ones missing out on this very enjoyable trip, the following is added:

This picture was taken where the pear tree used to be and they have added a driveway on the north side of the house The cat is shown on this driveway. The driveway ended in a circle drive. (for lack of a better description). The steps on the north side of the house have been removed, along with the entrance door. In place, a new door (not pictured) was built on the west side of this part of the house. The window just above the good looking guy was probably an enlargement of the old pantry window?
Any questions, please let me or Sue know.


----------------------------

Thank you, Brother. The house is so much changed I hardly recognized it. You post helped.

Hello Everyone! Greetings from Oregon and Washington. We are enjoying some great weather - free of tornadoes, thunderstorms and humidity! Ahhh...to be home again in the northwest. Lol!

Tasting Gooseberries for the first time! Now you see me smiling....

I had a wonderful visit! Thanks to everyone who rolled out the red carpet for me. Rose, Sue, Shirley, Margaret, Norm, Joe, Lisa, David, Lydia, Stephanie, Chris, Shelly and all the Larimore clan. (I hope I'm not forgetting anyone!) Even Jalen and Brayden helped me feel at home. I wanted to thank Aunt Rose especially for giving me such a generous opportunity to move freely about Missouri in her comfy car. I hate to admit how many miles I put on that vehicle, but having the benefit of her loaning it to me and helping me with my air fare made the price of gas affordable! I bought a map on my first morning there at the news stand in Clayton at Aunt Rose's recommendation and a coffee at Starbucks and was on my way! I feel like a true world traveler - savvy, experienced and now can say, "I'm from Missouri - Show Me!" (Not everyone can make that claim!)

I finally got my pictures and videos downloaded to the computer and will post a few of them. I enjoyed every minute of my trip! The highlight for me, honestly, was meeting and starting to get reacquainted with my cousins. I LOVED spending time with Sabrina and am still heartsick about the change of plans that made me cancel our lunch date! (Sorry Sabrina!) I got initiated by Randy by falling for one of his gags - I should have known. I caught a glimpse of Stephanie, Dan and Catrina at Nathan's wedding and regret that two weeks didn't afford me enough time to get caught up. I did have a nice phone conversation with Stephanie the day before the wedding and missed a phone to Catrina because time ran out...(Drat! I hated missing that, too!) I brought my Draw Four game to play with Catrina, but it didn't happen. I enjoyed meeting Robbie's sons and was savoring how they love their Peepa and Meema. Blessings to Nathan and Nichole as they start their life together.

The Bride - Nichole.

My few days at the Abbotts were so nice. I felt like I was at home at my folk's house. We went up to Winfield one day and then on up to the Mississippi river. It was interesting to me because I had never been to the Mississippi before but also since my job is a run-of-the-river operation, I was impressed to see the Corps of Engineers and the military, (Marines?) among volunteers working together to mitigate the flooding.

Uncle Norman's garden is impressive and I had quite a bit of work to do in mine since I got home. Thankfully, brother Glenn came by to help "fix" the sprinkler system while I was away. It wasn't really broken - it was working just the way I programmed it to. Too bad I didn't mean for it to run constantly - just once a day. Monica kept the lawn mowed and held down the fort so I came home to a pleasant homecoming. I have been pruning my tomatoes like Uncle Norm showed me, but mine are just now blooming so I won't see any tomatoes for a while.

At the edge of the Mighty Mississip!

I hated to say good-bye to the Abbotts on Father's Day, but was also looking forward to a few days at the lake with Aunt Sue and our much anticipated Turnbo Tour hosted by dear Uncle Joe! For those of you who might not know, we had this trip planned for last summer and were looking forward to having my Dad and Uncle Joe give the tour. Can you imagine how valuable and memorable that would have been? As it turned out plans changed and so this year was especially meaningful to me. Thank you Uncle Joe for being such a fun and gracious tour guide. I couldn't have loved anything more than spending that time with you all!

Uncle Norman and three sisters at the Lake of the Ozarks!

I learned about Marshfield, Route 66, "Dragging the Gut", Grammie's shop, Aunt Louise's house.(uh oh, now I'm forgetting - was it Louise who lived at the little white house where the four darling boys greeted us in their anti-chigger footwear?) I got to see the Cannin' Factory and the Springhouse firsthand. We hiked through briers and brush along with my Mom and Aunt Sue and picked ticks off each other and waded in Turnbo Creek by the falls. When the time came for us to head back into Marshfield, I couldn't have been more disappointed for our day to end. I had my Mom and Aunt Sue and Aunt Vivian, (Mom's sister) to keep me from feeling blue, but it makes me cry just thinking about it as I write this now. I am indebted to you!

At Grammie's house in Marshfield! (AKA draggin' the gut with Uncle Joe!)

Lisa was profound in her assessment of what things might have been if our Grandad hadn't have died so early. All the family were tough and none afraid of hard work. The land there is beautiful and rich - the heritage we hold is richer still. Aunt Rose reflected that our lives are held by a thread. I agree and would add that the thread that is woven through each our lives and holds us together is strong and valuable - I don't want to take it for granted.

Mom, Uncle Joe, Aunt Sue, Lisa, Lydia and David at the Marshfield Cemetery.

I then spent several days in Conway with my Mom, Aunt Vivian and cousins! We attended church at the Washington Christian Church where Uncle Oral is buried. Aunt Viv said she has been attending that church for over 50 years! I got to tour a dairy farm and meet almost all of my cousins on my Mom's side. The "girls' have an annual garage sale which is a good excuse to sit in lawn chairs and drink iced tea and visit all day long. They didn't have much traffic so exchanged "stuff" with each other. I came away with some of my cousin Terrie's bracelets. Nice. Aunt Viv is an avid Cardinals fan so several afternoons/evenings were spent paying attention to the game. We ate at the Rocking Chair which was good food and met after church on Sunday at my cousin Beverly's home for a big meal.

We visited the graveyards where my Grandma, Aunt and Uncle are buried and drove around the gorgeous countryside capturing the vision of times long ago when my mother was a girl growing up. We traveled Route 66 which used to be the main drag and is now the back road to Wal-Mart. I enjoyed the fire flies and the southern cooking and easy pace of a little town. I slept great each night and the heart of the land and the family there has enriched my life. Thanks Mom for sharing your "home" with me.

I guess I should cut my travelogue off right about here in lieu of boring you all to death! There is more I'd like to say about the warmth of all I met and how meaninful it was to me to be a part of your lives for a few days. I look forward to having some of you visit us up here. We have skiing, snowboarding, the ocean, the mountains, the desert, the Columbia River Gorge, Seattle, The San Juan islands, Canada - and yes, coffee and granola!! Who wouldn't want to come for a visit? The company of folks is also of the highest quality! Please, think about letting us return the favor!

See ya!

Brother Joe sent me this e-mail with sad news of the death of Mary's sister:

Lisa, Lydia and Mary went to Conway to see Mary's sister, Louise on Wed. Louise passed away Saturday. Also Harriet Lafoe Natale came by our house on Wed. She seems to be doing very well with the recent knee replacements.

Lisa and Lydia left for Costa Rica Thurs. Morning. They were instructed to be at the airport two hours early, which they were. Then they put them on an earlier flight out of Springfield so the time at the Springfield airport was brief but the layover in DFW was longer, as their outbound flight out of DFW stayed the same.

Glad you got back home OK. Hello To Rosey Po and all.

Bro Joe

Dave & I have listed one of our sail boats for sale on Craigslist (Similar to e-bay)

More later.

Bro Joe

==========
We are sorry to hear of this loss.