HOPEFUL SPRING GREETINGS, CLASSMATES!
The trial issue of The Grapevine was well received and I do appreciate all the kind words from those of you who replied. Since I don't need much encouragement, Issue #2 is in your hands. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy putting it together.
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Peg Householder Jones wants to share a couple of personal experiences, one aggravating, one terrifying. Here is how she tells her stories:
Peg Householder Jones' "story": WARNING -- If you plan to leave the good ole USA and need to renew a passport, APPLY EARLY! We didn't; rather Kent (my husband) didn't. Three weeks were not enough. Even with phone calls to our US Senator and US House of Rep's offices in DC, Kent's passport arrived two days AFTER our departure date. I went to Mexico without him, as our son and family (who live in Mexico) were counting on Grandma to babysit their two little ones at the beach with them. It was very sad to leave Kent at home. But, he says WE will go again before too long. So I get two trips out of the deal! That's pretty nice.
Peg Householder Jones' second "story": Thanks to many of you who inquired about our safety after a tornado tore through Jackson, TN on February 5th. We had no damage. Union University is just 1/2 mile from our house. The campus was hit very hard. We are VERY thankful to the Lord for sparing the lives of their students. Hundreds found themselves homeless and without any of their 'stuff'. They all are growing tremendously through the experience, realizing that 'things' don't matter; people do. A local motel turned into a dorm, serving just college students until new dorms can be built. We have a sophomore student living with us for the semester. He is great, and we are enjoying 'housing' him till summer. When you hear the sirens blowing, take cover. Tornados come very fast!!!
P.S. to Peg's second story. Through the generosity of countless individuals and organizations, rebuilding on campus is well underway. http://www.uu.edu/tornado/ and http://www.uurebuilding.com/ are but two sites that document the recovery. There were many injuries but it is truly a miracle that no lives were lost.
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On March 16, Mary Carson Cross, Shirley Brimhall Welsh, Terri Norris Bischoff, Vicki DeVries Mills, Karen Oller George and Sandy Patrick Woods treated Terri's mother Anne, "Mom" to all of them, to lunch at Damon's in celebration of her 88th birthday. Yes, I see a family resemblance. Cheers, Mom!
On the subject of parents, Mary still has her mother who is 91, and Sandy has both parents, who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
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Roger (Hille) Gledhill has traveled around the world and has taken many photos. After a great deal of viewing, choosing and changing my mind, I have narrowed the field to 28 for his Hobbies & Interests album.
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As one of her New Year's resolutions, Cathy Crosby Vigor has started a blog. Check it out.
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A Neat Thing
Out of the blue, Darlene Winship Creasy had a visit from a horticulturist at the Columbus Zoo asking if she would be interested in donating some of the bamboo growing in the backyard to feed the red pandas in the spring. Of course she agreed but she has no idea how the bamboo was spotted. It can't be seen from the street so how did they know? Once the bamboo has greened up, the Zoo people will return, around the end of May, to harvest.
Of course I had to research red pandas. I learned they are nothing like the black-and-whites we visualize. Unlike the Giant Panda, they are not bears. They are slightly larger than the average cat, they look like raccoons right down to the striped tail, and they are endangered. According to Wiki, fewer than 2500 mature animals are estimated to exist. If you are interested, there are cute videos to watch.
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Attention, all you bargain hunters and savvy shoppers! There are savings galore at Brad's Deals, a site passed along by Sharon Kiernan Maggard.
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Quote of the Day
Hanging is too good for a man who makes puns; he should be drawn and quoted. - Fred Allen
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Congratulations, congratulations...
No, I am not stuttering. Roger Gledhill recently announced that his first grandchildren are on the way--twins! And Shirley Welsh has learned that she has twin great-granddarlings coming in the fall. I told you it was a long cold winter in the midwest!
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RECOMMENDED READING
Campfire Cooking by Russell Upp
Never Forget by Dooley Noted
Avoiding Responsibility by Art Phil Dodge
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APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Don Robinson
Sondra Parks Duffy
Mary Ann Wareham Knabe
Dallas Evans
Tom Schmick
Judy Myers Rosebrough
Kate Burdette Stults
Sue Donovan Mooney
Liz Amick Murtfeldt
These birthdays were listed in the class directory. If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know.
Do you have an interesting tidbit to share? A fun experience? A provocative opinion to discuss? Let's put it before the class.