TRIP TO GETTYSGURG AND LANCASTER

It was a beautiful clear fall day for a trip to Gettysburg, PA. Upon arriving we were greeted by thousands of Black Eye Susans gracing the entrance and parking lots to the visitors center. I have not been to Gettysburg in years and forgot about the beauty of the area. Recently I heard about the restoration of a 377 foot painting of Pickett's Charge was now on display. I am still in awe seeing it and listening to the narrative. This alone was well worth the drive up.

After lunch in town we went on to Lancaster, PA. I have always enjoyed browsing through the little Amish towns at a slow pace. I enjoyed the feeling of getting out of the madness around Washington for a couple of days. Turning off the radio, TV and not looking at a, newspaper helped me tune out the bull**** of the election. I also needed to stop thinking about the credit mess and lower my blood pressure. Why some of the greedy bas**** haven't been put in jail and why they are allowed to spend thousands of taxpayers (bailout) dollars for a luxury week in California while I worry about my retirement fund, which is less then they spent that weeek. I am sick of the whole situation and was happy to turn my attention much more pleasant things even if it was only for a couple of days..

Birthday Party in Raleigh, NC

Last weekend I went to Raleigh, NC to celebrate my sister's birthday. She lives in Hilton Head, SC and Raleigh was halfway point. Joni (birthday girl) and John came up from Hilton Head. Beth and A. J., Madge, Bob and me went from the D.C. area. Cory(Joni's son and Katrina) came over from Winston-Salem area. Niece Chris with Gerri arrived from SC and niece Candi came from Texas. Tropical storm Hanna was expected later Friday, the day we arrived. It never amounted to much there. Let's just say it didn't stop us from celebrating for 3 days. I had a wonderful time.

HARD TO BELIEVE

It is hard to believe it has been 2 and half months since my last posting. Labor Day was yesterday, so I guess summer is over. It has been a busy summer. Redoing my kitchen. I have gone to my sister's lake property and attempt start landscaping a acre and half of woods. First I had to clear out the underbrush and poison ivy. Yes! I did it in shorts and short sleeve shirts. Oh yes! I did get a good case of it. Fourth of July and spent at a Bar-B-Q on the 12th floor condo overlooking DC. Great view of the fireworks. Every year near the second weekend of August we have a family reunion at my niece's lake property. It now last from Tuesday thru Sunday. Original it was to celebrate mother's birthday. We do have fun and it is great that we can get together. Couple of weeks ago a friend and I went over the Skyline drive and hiked one of the trails for an hour or so. It was a great day. The butterflies were out in abundance. Way back in the woods we heard running water and came upon this little falls and creek. This coming weekend we are going to Raleigh NC to be with my sister for her birthday. This is a very special birthday in that last May she discovered she has stage 4 stomach cancer and sure she would be around September 4 for her birthday. Not only is she here to celebrate but she will coming the first of three series of chemotherapy. She looks great, acts great and said she feels wonderful. She has a very positive attitude which has a great deal to do with it.

Wedensday June 18,2008

I had a great father's day with my two daughters. They took me out to lunch at Austin Grill in Springfield. Afterwards we stopped at Wal-Mart. Back at they home we had dessert and they gave me some presents. We played Clue for an hour or so. Then it was back home for me. Later that evening I had a call from my son in Florida. We spent about an hour on the phone. It was a great day for me. I will be spending this week helping my sister with her front door and then part of next week I hope to go to Lake Anna for a few days. It is nice and quite and I can walk to the lake and reflect.

Monday June 9, 2008

I have returned

I just got back from Hilton Head last Wedensday. I took the train back during one of the worst rain storms in the D. C. area for years. When I got home at 10PM, after 9 hours on the train, I didn't have electricity. It didn't come back on until 8 the next morning. Then my computer wouldn't work. Ended up spending my stimulis check on a new computer.

May 28, 2008

I made it through the week. It was a trying time. My sister came from Hilton Head to the Lombardi Cancer Clinic. Her prognosis is good. She will start chemo next week in Charleston. My sisters from Baltimore and Florida also came. We had a gathering at my sister's in Alexandria. All six of us was there. I am going to help my sister and her husband drive back to Hilton Head. Hoping for some beach time before coming back to the busy life of a retired person.

May 21, 2008

It was so strange. Shortly after I posted yesterday's message I get a call from a friend wanting to know if I wanted to go to the Nationals baseball game. Read yesterdays message to see why it this was strange. It was the first game I have been to since a was a teenager. about 50 years ago. It was a great deal of fun and of course it also brought back my times at Griffin Stadium.

May 20,2008

This is a picture of my great-great-great grandfather's home in Loudoun County, Virginia. Want to know more about my family go to www.compher.com .

When I see pictures like this I like to sit back and reflect on my youth. How upset my parents were when I got in a fight at school and broke my glasses. The day we got our first TV and got to play in the big carton box it came in. My father taking me to the Washington Senators baseball games. Learning to drive. The times all the family got together.

Today it is rainy and will be a great to get indoor chores done or just relax and read a good book. Maybe some of both. Last Saturday's yard sale went good. This will be a busy week. My sister and her husband from Hilton Hill are in town. She has an appointment at the cancer clinic on Friday. My prayers and with her and I hope for healing. I am getting together with my brother and four sister and their spouses Friday for dinner and again Saturday evening. I have a yard sale with my daughter on Saturday.

May 15, 2008

Thursday morning and it is time to meet another day. Another busy day here. The dust bunnies are multiplying like rabbits. I am getting ready for a yard sale at my sister's on Saturday. I am still working in her yard. I have the front almost ready for mulching. One more bed to do. Then it is on to the back. Next week my sister from Hilton Head is coming to town for an appointment at Georgetown's Lombardi Cancer Clinic. She found out a couple of weeks ago she has a rare stomach cancer. My prayer and love goes out to her during this time and always. Then on to another yard sale on the 24th with my daughter. I still have more work at the lake. Hopefully this will keep me out of trouble for a while.

May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's day

May 9, 2008

This was taken just before we left San Diego for 3 stops in the Mexican Rivera. It was taken from the cruise ship in Dec. 2007. It was my first cruise. I took it as a great omen and it was. It was a wonderful cruise and I did not get seasick.

May 8, 2008

This morning I got back from Lake Anna. I spent 4 days at my sister's vacation home. The weather was wonderful. I was able to stain her deck and start removing some of the underbrush in a wooded area. This week I also have 2 airport runs on Saturday. Help my daughter. get ready for yard sale on the 17th and 23rd. Help my other sister with some more yard wowrk, which I love doing since I live is a condo now. Who said retirement is boring? Not me! I enjoy doing what I want when I want to and not being tied down to a work schedule.

May 3, 2008

Today was my day to finish up projects before I start the next one. I got the website active. I sent my monthly newsletter out. I went over to my sister's place and finish the project in the yard. There is more to do, if she wants me to9. I will play it by ear. This coming week I plan on going back to Lake Anna for a few days. The porch deck staining needs to be completed. Since I love working outside in the yard I, I can always fine something to do. Who said retirement is boring? I have been retired for over a year and I have more fun things going now than before. True I don't have a work schedule to follow and that is the best part.

May 2, 2008

Today I finish the website and notified others it was up and running. After several months of work I am pleased with its appearance. Is it prefect? Not by a long shot. It is my first attempt and I have learned a great deal. As I learn more I will be able to improve it on a regular basis.

May 1, 2008

I am finishing up the work on a new family website. I hope it will be up and running by the end of the week. It has been cool and rainy this week in the D. C. area. Warmed up this afternoon and the sun came out for awhile.

Monday April 28, 2008

I spent the past few days at Lake Anna.... I needed to get away from this computer. After I had worked several hours a day for over a week on a family website,I had to get away. While working on the flower beds, removing weeds and sitting on the porch/boat dock with Corona in hand at my sister's vacation house, I had time to get my thoughts in order to finish the site. I will have the site active later this week for all to share. But remember this is the first take. As I get feedback and updated/corrected information, I will keep updating the site.

Website

Each day I get closer to finishing up the family web site. I am hoping to have it active within the next week.