A Merry December Together

 

A beautiful model in Gerbing gear

Who wants to buy Gerbings heated motorcycle gear, size small, $100.00?  Ron really, really needs to update that on the BMWMOA site.

31 Dec:  New Year’s Eve dinner is scheduled at Amore’s restaurant with Jon and Tina at 5:00.  But first we arose, exercised, ate oatmeal, sudokued and walked the 2 miles to the lake and 2 miles back.  Ron's weight has remained stubbornly high at 176.8 this morning.  Blood pressure was 83/58 with a pulse of 62.  Now that we are back home it is time to finish cleaning off the computer prior to a reboot.  Wish me luck.  Despite Ron's forgivings about noise and crowding, the dinner at Amore's was indeed very pleasant with great "privacy," no noise, and participatory conversation.  Ron was able to order a plain baked potato and Cynthia a plain piece of salmon at $90 apiece (New Year's don't you know).

30 Dec:  We are off to fitness training, followed by a walk to the lake, and then "running" errands.  Now it is time for the second walk to the lake for a total of 8.3 miles today.  YaaaY.  Ron updated his financial spreadsheet with the Fidelity statements for the year.  The goal is to have the RMD for next year calculated this January.

29 Dec:  Ron really, really MUST calculate his RMD this year.  No sense in giving Uncle Sam Biden more money to waste.  Also the flowers need clipping to extend their beauty and fragrance.  Ron finished both projects before our walk and even called Fidelity to transfer the RMD to his personal account.  But then he capitulated to a teaser to watch the video of the Oracle of Omaha talking about the impossibility of the current economic situation - that is to say that it will not last but who knows how it will end.  Warren Buffett is an entertaining speaker, especially throughout the interview with Bill Gates in 2017.  We walked 7.8 miles! WooHoo

28 Dec:  Ron hoped to be working on James Lea two weeks ago.  It would be great to start today and spend two months dedicated to getting it ready for final additions this spring in North Carolina.  Well, maybe tomorrow?  We walked to our fitness training this morning, but boogied back to the condo instead of continuing to the lake, due to rain spritzles.  Granddaughter, Kiira, and daughter, Roxanne, are diagnosed with Covid/Omicron, and we were exposed on Christmas Eve.  So far we are ok.  One benefit of our fitness regime is a strengthened immune system, and we kept that going with a second walk late this afternoon to the lake for 7.1 miles total.  Ron continues to close open windows (on his computer) by finishing projects left open.  After only a few more, he should be able to install the latest upgrades to Safari and reboot his computer.

27 Dec:  And we must go grocery shopping for grapes, spinach, blueberries, bananas, and frozen mango.  No telling what else.  We walked twice totaling 6.6 miles.

26 Dec, Sunday after Christmas:  After church, including a wonderful poetry reading and sermon, we lunched at the Yacht Club and then walked 5.0 miles.  Ron has exhausted his enthusiasm for writing notes accompanying the annual letter to many, many people.  It is depressing to be reminded of all the good friends who have "passed on" as he reads through the address book.  Fortunately most are still living.

25 Dec:  Merry Christmas!  And many, many more.  Now it is time for us to go on our morning walk.  And then Ron spent the day sending the annual letter first en mass via blind CC and then individually.  Here is that "brief" annual letter:

Cynthia is a photo shop whiz

Those of you we visited out West this year hardly need to read this, but for those of you in the East, this will all be news (except for those of you who read our blog - WhereIsRonNow.blogspot.com -  or follow us on Cynthia's Facebook page).

I owe a vote of Thanks to cousin Vince's wife, Janet, who said that she follows us on our blog and Facebook.  That prompted me to realize that I could send Christmas cards alone without this annual letter (to follow via e-mail).  Consequently I actually mailed Christmas cards on Dec 23 and 24 (not quite in time for Christmas, but a lot sooner than most years).

24 Dec 2021  (as we ride to Christmas dinner with Cynthia's family in Texas)  Everyone seems to be doing quite well, what with new great grandbabies arriving several times a year now, three more due in the next six months.  Life is good.

Our year just past was far too eventful for us complacent retirees.  Our plans to give papers at the National Genealogical Society conference fell through, so we opted instead to repeat our Western travels of last year.

Our first eventful event occurred soon after we got our second covid shot on the second of March.  We commenced this year's trip a day late by riding to Fredericksburg (in Texas Hill Country) and joined Cynthia's clergy colleagues for dinner.  After a delightful dinner, we retired to our hotel for the night, interrupted at 4 AM by a loud THUD as Cynthia hit the bathroom floor after passing out.  I rushed in to the bathroom and discovered her passed out but groggy on the floor.  She passed out a second time in my arms after I helped her to her feet.  Then she wobbled back into bed and awoke in the morning complaining only of sore ribs, presumably injured when she bounced off the tub on her way to the floor.

Since she declared herself reasonably OK, we walked a few blocks to a wonderful breakfast restaurant, enjoyed breakfast, and returned to the hotel without any difficulty.  Cynthia declared herself to be feeling well enough to ride all day to Lamesa, Texas, and all the next day to Carrizozo, New Mexico and all the next day to Springerville, Arizona where she suddenly decided that it was time to visit an emergency room for those ribs that were still sore.

Luckily, Springerville hosts the regional hospital with very good doctors, one of whom examined Cynthia, X-rayed her ribs and found no evidence of a recent break, ran a CT scan of her head and found nothing there, and ran a CT scan of her liver to be assured that the liver was not lacerated.  All those tests came back A-OK, so that should be the end of the story - - - right - - - except that the last CT scan revealed a nodule in her left breast.  Frightening news for a breast cancer survivor.

Once we were comfortably ensconced in Sedona, Arizona, we pursued diagnostic mammogram, MRI and biopsies of nodules in both breasts.  One was an oil cyst and the other scar tissue.  End of story - - - except that the doctor left little clips in her breasts to indicate that those nodules have been examined and are harmless.

Other than that our year proceeded as a carbon copy of last year.  We stayed three months in Sedona hiking every day and enjoying a new restaurant we discovered on the southern edge of town.  Then we visited friends in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a couple of weeks, without ever seeing more than two or three friends at a time, but at least we didn't have to wear masks all the time everywhere.

Things changed again when we went to Pagosa Springs, but this time due to elective surgery.  Cynthia had a sagging sagittal band that had become very irritating by allowing that extensor tendon to slip off its associated knuckle and then POP the finger straight with an associated pain.  The surgery was a success, but Cynthia's hand was encased in a brace for three weeks and mobility limited for six weeks.  That meant that we couldn't safely get Cynthia seated on the motorcycle to ride to more interesting forest hiking, so we had to be satisfied instead with hiking through the neighborhood to the lake two miles distant.

After a month in Pagosa Springs, we relocated to Butte, Montana as we did last year, this time detouring through Georgetown and Berthoud Colorado to see a friend and a cousin.  (Ron got a traffic citation for 75 in a 55 downhill one day on that leg.) 

In Butte, Montana, things were back to same old, same old - - - except that the smoke from California wildfires occasionally completely obscured the nearby mountains, again limiting our hiking.  On those days we walked the flatlands of the nearby cemetery for our exercise.  Cynthia bought cookies for the cemetery staff the day we left town.

Our ride east to Medina, Minnesota was plagued by strong winds trying to force us off the road every day.  On the second day, the winds were quite chilly out of the northeast and left Ron somewhat loopy by the time we arrived in Miles City, Montana.  Ron remembered a marvelous drug store lunch counter where we ate nice salads last year, and we serendipitously parked right in front of Vintage and Rustics, an "antique" shop that houses an authentic, working old fashioned lunch counter with marvelous mirror running the length of the counter.  Ron had not remembered the immense table of mouth watering pastries strategically located between the door and the lunch counter, but while eating our custom-ordered salads, Cynthia remarked that those pastries were practically irresistible.  Whereupon Ron (being loopy from the cold wind) suggested that if she wanted one, he could finish it for her.  Long story short, we consumed a cinnamon roll, two caramel pecan rolls and a quart of ice cream, after being so diligent about our diet for ten years now.

Great grandson Hudson is now three years old, and upon being informed that Cynthia is his great grandmother, immediately began calling her great great grandmother.  Isn't that a sweet promotion?

The rest of the year was indeed a carbon copy of last year.  We visited friends and family in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.  Cynthia flew back to Texas from St. Louis on November 1st.  Ron stayed behind to visit sister and friends in Illinois, riding back on Dec 1st to 4th in much, much warmer weather than last year.

I continue to tell people that I had the perfect life as a bachelor, but leave it to God to improve upon perfection.  And I continue to tell Cynthia that I love her just the way she is.

And I deluded myself into thinking that I could write a short annual letter.  Welcome to the reality.

Merry Christmas !!

Next year we intend to travel east, God willing, so we look forward to visiting ALL of our friends east of the Mississippi.

May God bless you, comfort you, and give you peace.

Love from Ron and Cynthia

24 Dec:  Our family gathered for a Christmas dinner at Marvino’s Italian Restaurant, followed by Christmas Eve service with Ron, Cynthia, Jon, Tina, Lindsey, Roxanne, Ali, Kiira at dinner, joined by Rachel, Ryan, Blaire, Jill, David, Julie, Lamar, and Jade at church.  Into our stillness God comes and is known. We are thankful for family and friends, Ann Marie and Dale J, sent this beautiful bouquet.  With Jon and Tina’s marriage on May 13, we add two adult grandchildren to our nest, Chad and Lindsey. 

Lookie all these happy people waiting for food

Thanks to Ann & Dale for a lovely bouquet 

23 Dec:  We first walked to the fitness center for Cynthia's scheduled training by Erin, then walked to the Cafe on the Green for lunch (after an interminable wait), and then returned to the condo for Ron to address more Christmas cards.  We are enjoying a leisurely day, followed by our second walk totaling 7.5 miles today.  Ron has been sleeping very well recently following his eat-only-cornbread and three pretzels evening diet regime.  But now he needs to sign another dozen cards to get them into the mail tomorrow morning.  

22 Dec:  We were scheduled at 10:30 AM in Brenham, Texas to be fitted with eyeglasses, but the technician just gave us a prescription.  We are very disappointed to walk away without glasses after spending 3 hours driving to get there with that expectation.  We then stopped at the post office to mail Ron's Christmas cards and purchase more stamps for the remaining cards already signed and addressed.  Once we returned to Montgomery, Ron bought more cards at the Dollar Store for his next thousand best friends.  We lunched at Magnolia Diner, grocery shopped at Wally World and signed a release at First American Title.  Our walk this afternoon was very pleasant and totaled 5.5 miles  

21 Dec:  The arthritis pills apparently worked a miracle overnight.  Cynthia walked to the fitness center without pain and enjoyed another hour long training session at 10:00 AM, a great good!  We enjoy Erin, the exercise, and the feel-gooder benefit.  After exercise, we walked to the lake and home.  Ron bought Christmas cards yesterday and decided to send as many as he can get addressed before Christmas without the typical annual letter.  To which end, this blog entry is finished. 6.3 miles 

20 Dec:  Smooch, we are sleeping in this morning!  We did, too.  Ron walked before noon, whereas Cynthia has an appointment with a nearby doctor who specializes in arthritis treatment.  The doctor prescribed pills to combat arthritis inflammation. 

19 Dec, Sunday:  Thank God that we survived another week.  This morning we went to church, had Sunday brunch at the Yacht Club and walked our usual at 3 PM.  Ron walked again after dark but turned around after two blocks in increasing rain.  Cynthia completed a syllabus for a weekly Wednesday Workshop on prayer, Listening to God, for the month of February.  And her HS Class Christmas letter is now complete, ready to be mailed by Friday. 

18 Dec:  And we awakened on yet another wonderful day that God has given us !!  Today is raining.  Thank God that Ron rode the motorcycle to the shop yesterday instead of today.  And suddenly, it is time for our noon-thirty flu shots at Walgreens.  Ron also gets a DPT booster, now required to visit our newborns.  Three great grand babies due in the next six months.  All done.  We are both all shot up, and we accomplished grocery shopping too, for toothpaste, frozen mango and flowers to make Cynthia a happy girlie.  Ron's back is no longer painful after about six days, starting with extreme pain for certain movements, diminishing gradually daily.  After dark Ron put on his worn out shoes and walked to the lake and back, talking to Ed on the cell phone for the entire hour.

17 Dec:  BMW will be blessed with maintenance, although that means Ron must get outta bed before 7 AM (but failed 7:15 instead).  Ouch!  We retirees don't appreciate disruption of our leisurely mornings.  Ron arrived at exactly 9:00 on the dot, despite leaving at 8:19 and stopping at Walmart to put air in the rear tire.  Cynthia spent the day housecleaning, doing laundry and broke a fingernail completely off trying to lift the king size mattress to tuck the fitted sheets under the corners.  You might not need to know, but it hurts.  Ron spent the day organizing his notes about Bankston DNA and is nearly ready to put that puppy to bed.  He did manage to walk a mile or two looking for food without any real success, given our diet.

16 Dec:  Our fitness appointment was at ten AM, and we walked there on time for Erin to work us out well.  Dr. Cynthia has a Dr. appointment in the Woodlands, with stops at Jeff’s Jewelry, cleaners, and wally world for blueberries & bananas.  Our readers may wonder why we post Dr appointments, and shopping details on a blog.  The IRS demands mileage proofs.  We give the IRS a link to the blog.  They might quickly forget about us.  Ron washed the motorcycle preparatory to maintenance tomorrow, went for his walk at 8:21 preparatory to arising at 6:30 AM. 

15 Dec:  Clergy Christmas Luncheon somewhere, sometime.  Clergy invited, including the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde.  We had to be out the door by 10:15 to arrive at the new synod offices in time for the luncheon.  A fun time was had by all (although our diet took a tumble because the soup had forbidden ingredients).  Ron weighed 177.2 this morning; lets''s hope the soup didn't sabotage his weight too.  We did get in a nice walk at 4 PM and Ron walked a second time at 8:45 PM.

14 Dec:  O what fun!  This was a great day, like most every day we wake up   But, on this day, we boogied off (Cynthia-speak for walked) to the fitness center to begin working out for an hour twice a week with a personal trainer.  Erin is lovely and is trained to work with seniors.  We continued our usual walk to the lake and home.  A late afternoon walk on the point, behind the Yacht Club, brings our total to 7.5 miles for the day.  Ron intended to walk another time at 8 PM, but became absorbed by a sudoku and walked later until 10:15.

13 Dec:  What fun things to do today?  How about another walk to the lake and more genealogy DNA?  Fun, fun, the fun just never stops.  Oh, and Ron MUST get air in the motorcycle tires and lose weight - he was 179.4 at weigh-in this morning.  Also necessary is more groceries, but Cynthia needed to write a list, and Ron indeed got lots of groceries (but no pretzels yet). 

12 Dec, Sunday:  Bill and Merry S. are meeting us for brunch at 11:30, unless Ron misbehaves in church and has to write on the blackboard fifty times, “I will be gooder.”  We did indeed get to church on time at 10 AM and enjoyed another wonderful Sunday brunch at the Yacht Club with Bill and Merry.  Much conversation about everything under the sun.  Late afternoon we walked to the lake and back, our usual 4+ miles and counted 36 deer.  A couple of the bucks had large racks of antlers.  Ron decided against a second walk this evening and is ready for bed at 8:30. 

11 Dec:  Somehow, it got to be noon-thirty, and then one-thirty, and here we are, the un-walked Smooches.  The weather outside isn’t frightful (48 real feel) but inside it’s so delightful.  Cynthia baked banana and oatmeal cookies… yummy.  Finally, we did walk, 4.5 miles with real feel 43.  Ron is delighted to have completed his DNA projects for the moment and is looking forward to working again on James Lea.  Another one-walk day.

10 Dec.  We are exercised, oatmealed and ready to take an early walk, because of delays, early became late.  The wind-whipped autumn leaves swirled all around the parking lots.  At 2:30, we dressed up for dinner at Paul’s home with Jon and Tina.  Cynthia had told Ron that Jon would pick us up at 5:30; just a slight miscommunication: we were due at Paul's, an hour and a half distant, at 5:30.  Zoe returned home from college, after finishing her first semester junior year.  Cheryl made Greek lemon chicken soup, no added fat, low sodium, served with toasted pita bread topped with avocado.  Delicious!  Fyn decorated the Christmas tree.  Ron, Zoe and Fyn discovered a compatible passion for jigsaw puzzling.  It was late by the time we returned, so today was a one-walk day.

9 Dec:  We are up and exercised after Ron's pill alarm sounded; things are back to normal. Cynthia completed her class Christmas news letter, thanks to Ron’s edits.  And yaaay, we walked 7 miles today. 

8 Dec:  We enjoyed fine luncheon salads at Classic Events Cafe in Hempstead with bestest friends Carol and Sandy.  Then we submitted to ophthalmology exams by Dr. Beim in Brenham, Texas (home of Blue Bell Ice Cream).  Dr. Beim is a fun guy for Ron to talk with, a reformed motorcyclist who is planning a trip to Mexico including para-sailing.  Turns out they both collected coins in their youth.  (Carol has old coins Ron would love to see.)  Ron was tremendously surprised to discover that his eyesight has improved with age to 20/20 and 20/25.  When he was in college it was 20/40 or so.  Cynthia's is going the opposite direction, 20/60 and 20/100, marginal for driving, which perturbed her greatly.  We stopped at the Magnolia Diner on our way home, ate egg white omelets, and then walked a bit (todays total is 2.4 miles).  Ron went for a second walk after cornbread and genealogy.

7 Dec:  Reunited with mee beautiful, beloved Weefee at Lake Conroe three days early, and we've been enjoying being together again, Thank God.  It is still too early to know if Cynthia will be able to walk very far.  It is bright although cloudy today. And walk, we did! 4.4 pleasant miles that included brief shopping at Wally World. Yes, MSM!

6 Dec:  Unfortunately Ron still weighs 177.2 lbs -1.3 lbs too much to afford to purchase pretzels.  The Smooches were together until 10 AM when Cynthia left for Bryan, TX to celebrate Abigayle’s 8th birthday.  Ron behaved despite being without adult supervision most of the day.  The forecast for intermittent rain this morning was a dud - no show.  The motorcycle tire had only 29 lbs air instead of 42, and Ron discovered a tiny nail in the middle of the tread.  He did mail a sympathy card, collect various things from the storage locker, and purchase groceries before heading home at 4:45.  Cynthia arrived soon after and limped and grimaced into the house with her newest foot pains, probably caused by reducing the amount of MSM she is taking and our long walk on concrete to the Cafe on the Green Saturday.  Ron remembers that he went through this same learning curve with MSM about five times before he decided to never run out again.

5 Dec, Sunday:  We did indeed leave for Church at 9:15, stopped at Walmart for cornbread and dined at the Yacht Club with Jon and Tina at 11:30.  We had a great time, enjoyed visiting with Jon and Tina, enjoyed seeing all the familiar waitstaff and cooks at the Yacht Club, and arrived home in time for Cynthia to bake a birthday cake, a sweet potato casserole, red jello, and a veggie/fruit salad for tomorrow.  Whew!  Then we walked a total of 5.0 miles for the day, as recorded on Cynthia's Apple watch.  

4 Dec:  Ron surprised his weefee by arriving 3 days early!  This was the best day of the trip.  The roads were quiet and narrow, and there were many, many trees that shimmered practically iridescent with red, yellow and multiple shades of green leaves.  And best of all, it ended with Smooch and SmoochSmooch reunited.  Yaaay!  We walked to fitness center, then to the Cafe on the Green, 5.9 miles.  It was a shock to see absolutely no one familiar at the restaurant.  We are happy!   Route: US 59 S to R on TX 287 Loop around Lufkin (missed this turn) to R on TX 94 W (lovely, narrow, quiet road) to Trinity, TX, L on TX 19 S to R on FM 2821 W to R on TX 75 N to L on FM 1791 (lovely trees) to L on TX 149 (nice twisties) to L on FM 1097 to L on TX 105 E. 133 miles

3 Dec:  Ron rode from McAlester, OK to Nacogdoches, Texas to enjoy a delightful evening of conversation with cousin ElaRuth.  It was a longer ride than he had anticipated, 290 miles.  It was quite the change to see green grass beside the road and multi-colored leaves still falling from the trees.  Cynthia had excellent news from the retina specialist that her macular degeneration is stable, and she should pass her driver's license exam without difficulty.  Route: US 69 S to Atoka, OK, L on OK 3 E to Antlers, OK, R on US 271 S to bypass Paris, TX through Mt. Pleasant & Pittsburg to L on US 80 (5 mi) to R on TX 42 S to L on I-20 E (1 mi) to R on US 259 S to Nacogdoches, L on NE Stalllings Dr for 2 lights to R on Appleby Sand Road, 1 light L on East Austin St, L on Briargrove, immediate L on 2116 Creeekview Bend (driveway straight ahead but bearing right) (no tolls) 290 miles

2 Dec:  Ron plans to leave Kansas city today, but the big question is:  Will Clarence get in touch early enough for Ron to visit him?  Clarence did, but a crown and a filling fell out of his mouth necessitating a visit to a dentist.  Clarence last visited his dentist 12 years ago, and since then his dentist died and more remarkably, both of his partners also died.  Ron quickly decided to enjoy the warm day riding instead of waiting.  After a long day’s ride, Ron arrived in McAlester, OK about 5:30 PM, and is lodged at the Comfort Suites for the evening.  Denny’s, nearby, provided sustenance.  Walmart had a banana and frozen blueberries to use for breakfast tomorrow.  Cynthia is catching cold.   Route: I-35 south to US 69 S to McAlester, OK. (no tolls) 290 miles

Cynthia's sunrise Dec 1

1 Dec:  Smooch!  Arise now and greet the morning!  Ron plans to get started early, heading toward Texas by way of Kansas City, anticipating a warmer start, an unimaginable 60 degrees.  Cynthia is happily anticipating his arrival Tuesday next.  But early morning showers in Illinois dampened Ron's enthusiasm for an early start.  He was not on the bike riding until 11:30 AM.  Les and Joan in Excelsior Springs are forewarned of his potential arrival today.  We had lovely visits until Joan received news that a beloved neighbor was likely dying, and she did indeed die before Joan could get there.  Les showed Ron his newest craft projects and his lazer printer.  The Comfort Inn in Kearney, MO is neither clean nor comfortable, but it is cheap.

Nov. Thanks Be To God!

Smooch mail (pop-up card)

30 Nov:  Thanks be to God!  Smooch!  Ron gets one last day of cards with Don and Ann in Illinois, and he even won a game by going out on the last hand.  Today's rides were much warmer at 50 degrees morning and evening.  And Cynthia continues Thanksgiving in Texas with Smooch mail.  How incredible to find deep love at this stage of life.  Ending November the way we began, Thanks be to God!

Cynthia's sunset at Lake Conroe

29 Nov:  Smooch! Illinois Forecast calls for another 36 degree ride at 9 am.  Yup.  Meanwhile, “good morning” from Texas, Cynthia arose early, at 3:30, searching for people, not early-bird worms. 

28 Nov, Sunday:  Smooch!  Ron apparently intends to ride his motorcycle to church in 36 degree weather and return only slightly warmer at 4:30.  Done.  Ron was even reasonably warm on his 20-minute ride at 8:30 and 36 degrees to church.  He managed to walk the length of Don's Crackerneck Road to Hank's house and back before Don and Ann returned after church.  Then we played Liverpool rummy, and Ron even won a game!!  Indeed, the ride back to Mariner's Village was just as cold, and Ron was just as warm.  Things are looking good for Wednesday to Kansas City.

27 Nov:  Smooch!  Thanksgiving, part 2, at nephew Eric’s house in Wood River, Illinois.  Denise provided a marvelous meal of salad, potato salad, jello, turkey and potatoes.  Ron is happily full.  The ride there was chilly at noon, but the return was frigid at 4 pm.  Ron was shocked upon entering the house to see everyone already seated and eating since he had understood that the agreed upon time was 2 pm and he was 3 minutes early.  Apparently he was the only one to misunderstand the agreed upon time.  Meanwhile, in Texas, in the midst of sputtering rain, chilly and getting colder by the hour, Cynthia met the loveliest angel in disguise going into Walmart.  Annie and I had a most delightful conversation.  God works in surprising ways! 

26 Nov:  Smooch!  Will the motorcycle start this frigid, 15 degrees above zero, morning?  The temp should be 30 degrees by the time Ron attempts to start the bike.  Suspense!  Drum roll! Yaaay!  Great bike!  Everyone in Carol's house awakened at 5:00+ as usual, did their morning exercise routines as usual, and Ron then packed all his possessions early enough to suggest lunch at Ruby Tuesday for all.  Bill graciously picked up the tab.  Ron then loaded everything onto the motorcycle, and it started !!  The 50-mile ride to Carlyle at 35 degree temperature was chilly but pleasant, thanks to wearing enough warm clothing in multiple layers - 6 on torso and 3 on legs.

Noah is the only great grandson this old

This cutie must be baby Blaire

Get your plate and GO

Cynthia between two grandsons, dwarfing them

25 Nov:  God of all blessings, Source of all life, giver of all grace, thank you for the gift of life, the love of family, children that delight us, and the abundance of food to sustain us, bless our food that we may be strengthened to live our lives in daily gratitude.  Thank you for Life Together.  Happy Thanksgiving!  Thank God for cold weather that has convinced Ron to NOT pull bush honeysuckle today.

24 Nov:  Ron is pulling mountains of honeysuckle at Carol’s tree farm, but he needs three full-time volunteers to help him.  The qualifications are hand strength and passionate motivation to eliminate bush honeysuckle from Carol's tree farm.  Ron and Bill enjoy morning meetings on Carol’s road as Bill returns from town and Ron walks to the mailbox and back.  Cynthia sent Thanksgiving messages to family and friends, drove to Hempstead to pick up eight pies, moved them to the second floor condo.  Whew!  That’s a half a pie apiece.

23 Nov:  Another day only slightly different from other days.  Ron pulled bush honeysuckle in the morning, and the change was that Carol, Bill and Ron drove into town and ate at Ruby Tuesday, shopped for groceries and returned early enough for Ron to pull more bush honeysuckle.  Our evening smooching was shortened when Cynthia could not stop yawning.  She housecleaned, and prepared a sweet potato and a mashed potato casserole for Thursday’s gathering of 22 people. 

22 Nov:  Our evening SmoochSmooch phone call was delayed by phone problems zzzzz. 

21 Nov, Sunday:  Ron spent the day helping Eric with his RPM coins web site.  I love you! 💕  Cynthia worshipped at Grace Lutheran Church; duly inspired, she wrote the meditation for her annual Class Christmas letter.  It awaits her favorite editor's stamp of approval. 

20 Nov: Awake, we are, Ron in Illinois and Cynthia in a Texas Town, oatmealed, exercised, smooched, and onto the day’s events.  Ron mended a zipper, pulled bush honeysuckle, moved an A/C, and researched genealogy.  Sistah Carol fed him salmon and sweet potatoes for being a good brother.   After his moonlit evening walk, it is time to sleep. 

Marilee, Cynthia and Bonnie

Cynthia’s sister sent a fun photo of the three sisters and Jim Reid. 

View of the marina from Cynthia's balcony

Adam, Noah and great grandmother Cynthia

19 Nov:  The leaves are falling; the clock is ticking, eleven days to December.  Autumn sun bathes the marina in glittery, glowing gold.  Grandchildren’s watercolors are lovely.  Cynthia enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Yacht Club, entertained by baby Noah.  Ron pulled 247 bush honeysuckle, using his left arm this time and was surprised to gain relief from previous back pains.  After hacking his way through a large stand of multiflora rose, a deer passed by 20 feet from him on the path.  Ron stood very still and the deer must have sensed his presence, but did not see him; once it even gazed directly at Ron for thirty seconds without seeing him.

18 Nov:  I love you at 6:07 AM, Texas Time.  Smooch!  Cynthia had a hearing test this morning, a challenge for OCD folks who only accept A’s.  The left ear passed the test with the recommendation to keep important people on the left side - and her talkative Smooch on the right.  That same Smooch finally discovered a Mechem descendent who matches cousin Ray.  Carol & Bill needed Booster shots, so we all drove into Litchfield and enjoyed a Ruby Tuesday salad bar lunch before searching Walmart shelves for tart pie cherries and pretzels.  The cherries were on the top shelve reserved for excess stock, but the lower shelves were bare.  Ron only walked to the mailbox and back once, this evening.  Lots of DNA today, but very little exercise.  (It was a cold, windy day.)

17 Nov:  Deep in the heart of Texas, Cynthia walked five miles!  Recommended reading: “Becoming Mrs. Lewis,” a biographical novel found at Amazon, or IBooks download.  The writing is almost as good as Ron’s.  Excellent wordsmith, indeed.  Ron awakened too early and was in time to join Morning Stretch for the greater part of today's excruciating session.  After recovery and oatmeal he walked to the mailbox and return talking to his beloved WeeFee most of the way.  Since the forecast calls for afternoon showers, he spent the morning tending a fire before venturing to the edges of the property to pull bush honeysuckle.

16 Nov:  Only 15 more days in Illinois.  Ron is en route to Sistah Carol’s for ten days of pulling bush honeysuckle.  Meanwhile in Texas, Cynthia thanks God for Ron.  Beautiful weather for a motorcycle ride today in Illinois; warm and sunny with a mild breeze.  The only drawback is that the leaves have all fallen off the trees so that the scenery is less that spectacular (much less).  Ron parked the bike at the Hampton Inn and remembered that last year, when he retrieved it to ride south, he had to thread his way through patches of ice in the parking lot.  Then we went to Ruby Tuesday and were delighted to see that they are now open from 11am to 8pm daily.  After two plates of salad plus dessert salad, Ron was very happily full.  The grocery shopping that followed was anticlimactic, and Ron fell asleep just before 9pm after dinner of leftovers.

Cynthia enjoys lake views

15 Nov:  This morning at 11 AM Ron rode to Trenton for gasoline and added air to both tires en route to O'Fallon, IL where he and former classmate Dick drove to Hooters for lunch.  (Ron was disappointed that Hooters waitresses were dressed in their winter garb, and the salad wasn't very good either.)  Dick and I had a nice long conversation about our respective spouses and our mating dances.  About 2 Ron then rode to the Belleville Public Library and found a few items about James Bankston in Illinois prior to statehood.  At 5:45 he rode to Freeburg looking for Reifschneiders where he joined the BTHS class of '65 reunion committee meeting.  It was indeed a day of uninterrupted fun, thank God.  In Texas, my beloved little SmoochSmooch was delighted to receive an email captioned: Morning Smooch Revisited: I love you, you cute little SmoochSmooch. 

That very same SmoochSmooch went with Tina and Jon to a C.S. Lewis movie, her first movie in over 20 years! 

Ron at lunch, bowl of spinach, mango, peas, etc.

14 Nov, Sunday:  Praise God, we woke up !!  Time for Ron to ride over to Trenton to attend 9 AM church with Don and Ann.  Ron got to the church early and unannounced and enjoyed surprising the Cryder twins.  (They still look terrific even though they were in Ron's high school class.  Apparently they have learned how to make time stand still.)  Ron, Don and Ann played Liverpool rummy, ate lunch, and played more cards.  Meanwhile in Texas, Cynthia slept late and missed worship, so she cleaned the condo and walked to the fitness center where she pounded on the treadmill until her feet hurt.  (I never shoulda left her without adult supervision.)  She baked six healthy cookies for the dressmaker and she ate eight. 

Mama-to-be with great grandmother to be

Baby Adam

I guess that is Baby Blair looking much older than a year

13 Nov:  And a weekend day just like the last two for Ron except for 38-degree rides morning and evening.  Ron is in Illinois visiting old friends.  Thank God for dear friends, for the pearls of memories that keep them in our hearts.  In Texas, Covid Negative Cynthia is going to our granddaughter Lauren's baby shower, with a bag of bunny books and a Velveteen Rabbit.  Hilarious: Cynthia told Ron she was going to take a shower.  Thirty minutes later Ann texted Cynthia, “Ronnie arrived and said you are going to shower, send pictures!”  HAHA!  Two different showers here!  What a disappointment, Cynthia only sent pictures of the baby shower.  The baby shower was marvelous, but it was mind-boggling to see boxes upon boxes of baby items; new baby girl will have a clean outfit every fifteen minutes for two years.   Ron actually won an entire game of Liverpool rummy by going low on the final hand (knowing he never draws a joker unless he is buying every possible discard).  It is hilarious to be one of three old fogeys playing cards despite the confusions caused by memory lapses, conversational lapses, and seating changes.  AhhHaa, old fogeys are named for the fact that they are in a fog most of the time.  Ron is now convinced that he has enough warm clothing to tolerate above freezing temperatures on the motorcycle ride back to Texas.  Ron's only walk of the day started at 8:30 and ended at 9:50, walking 3+ miles across the dam and back.

12 Nov:  Another day just like yesterday (maybe). 😍 I LOVE YOU.  (Those who read our blog regularly will recognize times when Cynthia and Ron are apart from the surfeit of I love yous.)  The day was different and much colder.  The motorcycle temperature gauge read 41 degrees for Ron's return to Mariners Village at dusk.  Ron was overcome with sleepiness after cornbread and popcorn, so he called Cynthia and went to bed at 6 PM, woke up for the 9 o'clock pill alarm and slept again until midnight, then in smaller segments until arising refreshed at 6:30 AM.  Cynthia was self administering an at-home covid test in hopes of a negative that will allow her to attend Lauren's baby shower tomorrow.

11 Nov:  I love you again and again, and I'm glad that you got your vaccinations that undoubtedly blunted the covid.  AttaGirl.  I do wonder what the Dr. Peanut Butter was on the 5th.  I love you, I love you, I love you - at 6:20 am.  I win.  Little SmoochSmooch had plans to overdo exercise but got caught up into a book about Elvis.  (Imagine that !!)  She is feeling entirely recovered and well again, thank God.!!  Ron awakened at 4 am after sleeping for five hours uninterrupted.  While that long episode of sleep was very welcome, he was unable to fall back to sleep and arose at 4:45 to begin his day despite being rather tired.  The rain stopped before 9 AM and Ron "washed" the motorcycle quickly then went to Walmart for mouthwash and a covid Booster, arriving at Don and Ann's house just before 11.  After "the Waltons" and lunch, we all commenced Liverpool Rummy.  As usual, Ron was thoroughly trounced by the experts.  After a baked potato and steamed veggies dinner, he walked across the dam in rather chilly temperatures with a bracing breeze at times before "dessert" of popcorn, pretzels and cornbread.  Goodnight.

10 Nov:  I love you, you poor little sick SmoochSmooch. (Ahhh! Thank you!  She is weller!)  Apparently the Walmart here in Carlyle will give me a covid booster.  Stay tuned (as the excitement builds).  Ron finally broke free from the chains of sibling affiliation to ride down to Edwardsville en route to Carlyle.  Now his sore thumbs will have a chance to recover from severe overuse syndrome (pain).  So you haven't hear much from Ron recently because every day has been identical: arise too early (somewhere close to 5 AM), exercise, be grateful that my exercises last long enough to excuse me from Miranda's classes, eat oatmeal with blueberries (often 2 bowls), walk Carol's driveway to the mailbox (0.8 miles) and back, eat frozen mango plus frozen veggies, walk off into the woods - but the first stop is to stare into the clover patch for perhaps five minutes to find a four-leafed clover, continue into the woods to clip & poison vines and pull bush honeysuckle, return around 2 PM for a beer and a little sliver of pumpkin pie.  Back into the woods to battle vines & bush honeysuckle until 4:30 dinner bell.  Both Carol and Bill readily admit that a cooked dinner is a huge part of their relationship.  (I thoroughly enjoyed being caught up in that arrangement.)  The sunset walk to the mailbox took a turn for the worst after "Fall back" pushed the walk into darkness.  The uneven gravel surface was jarring at times, but canopy of stars was sublime.  Goodnight.

9 Nov:  In Illinois, Ron is harvesting honeysuckle, and encouraging his sister’s remodeling projects.  In Texas, the mobile monoclonal antibody team came to the condo to administer the infusion. ZZzzzz 

Get Well Grandmother

8 Nov: In Texas, Cynthia is scheduled for monoclonal antibody therapy tomorrow at noon at home; the infusion center has a mobile unit.  Seven year old granddaughter, Fyn, sent a get-well drawing. 

7 Nov, Sunday:  Smooch!  Cynthia, despite not feeling well, has been pushing herself until odd symptoms, like the smell of dirty diapers, a yukky taste and a headache propelled her to go to urgent care this morning where they gave her a fifteen minute Abbott Covid test. Yuk.  It is positive, and she is forced to rest.  A ZPak was prescribed and immediately begun.  Oxygen level is good.  Nap was good. 

6 Nov:  I love you!  Guess who won!  Meanwhile, in Texas, Cynthia was on a roll: grocery shopping, walking (5 miles) wrapping gifts for Lauren’s baby shower, creating a menu for Thanksgiving, and BOOM, just like that, she plopped down and sat mesmerized by a blue heron!  Sunlight and shadows are shimmering on the lake.  At two AM it will be time to arise and turn the clock back an hour… right?

Cynthia's view from the condo

The lion is awake and roaring against Woke!

https://www.city-journal.org/mit-caves-to-wokeness

5 Nov:  I love you!  Awake at 3:45!  Dr. P.B. Appointment at ten.  Everything is good except for four extra pounds.

Mee beloved Cynthia is the short one

4 Nov:  Smooch (he) and Smooch Smooch (she) !  She is racing around the freeways in Texas.  Smooch got points for first "I love you" of the day.  Ron's Bill alarm again went off too late for him to finish his daily exercises before Miranda was finished on PBS.  After oatmeal, he walked to the mailbox and back, enjoying the mist rising from the fields as the morning sunlight evaporated the dew and highlighted the autumn leaves. (Ahhh, beautiful imagery!)  Cynthia's trip to the dentist is done!

3 Nov:  Thanks be to God!  Another day like yesterday… Cynthia exercised, oatmealed, and prepared packages to be returned.  Ron’s shoes and Glucosamine/ Chondroitin are en route to Mariners Village.  She has an appointment with Aesthetician for manicure and pedicure.  She tried “New Green Protein powder” mixed with skim almond milk instead of water.  Eh?  It will be ok.  Several more stops to make, but the rain is H.E.A.V.Y. !  It has been a long time since she has driven in such a deluge.  Smooch must be sleeping.  Zzzzz.  (No, but he and sister were in a no call zone returning from Eric's house.)  Ron thanked Bill for his wake up call yesterday, but today it came late - at 5:30, too late for Ron to finish his exercises until Miranda was demonstrating the final excruciating moves.  Ron spent the day organizing genealogy notes on his computer, then walked in the woods for an hour or two before Carol decided it was time to deliver deer burgers to Eric's house, stopping first in Edwardsville to buy a ceiling light shade and a pillow.  Then we accompanied Eric, Denise, and Kyle to Geno's 140 Club for dinner and returned home with a belt sander.  We stopped at Bill's IGA in Staunton for pretzels, frozen mango, etc.  (Since Ron's weight is to high, he bought pretzels for Bill.  If they are Bill's pretzels, Ron won't eat them all at once.)  Bill again was quickest with the daily sudoku.  Carol and Ron stayed up late watching a documentary about the migration of the "blue stones" of Stonehenge on PBS.  Fascinating.!!

2 Nov:  Ron was awakened at 5 AM by Bill crashing into the table that he moved to straighten up for Ron's arrival.  Very thoughtful to provide a 5 AM wake up so that Ron had time for his mandatory exercises before joining Carol for Miranda's grueling workout.  Nice that Cynthia used her ipad to inform Ron (via this blog) of the reason that his calls last night were unanswered.  Carol's bathroom scale reports that Ron weighs 183 pounds.! 8 pounds too heavy.!!  This might require drastic measures, like going hungry for several hours several sequential days. - But let's not rush into this as he feels the need for a bowl of frozen mango to pep him up this morning.  He did sleep quite well from 9:30 to 2:30 after eating a bowl of cornbread with pretzels.  Then he laid awake until Bill's crash re-awakened him.

In the meantime, in Texas, Cynthia had a haircut, an audiologist appointment, redid the contract on the rental car, voted, bought groceries, paid the rent, moved several loads of contents from the storage unit to the condo, organized the closets, did laundry, put batteries in the bathroom scale being careful not to rest even a thumb on top, arranged our appointments with an ophthalmologist for 8 Dec., and organized a dinner with friends afterwards, and now the angels will bless her with sleep. 

1 Nov:  My sweetie hired a Lyft ride to get her to the plane to Texas (thereby avoiding the motorcycle ride in cold of December from St. Louis to Texas).  I will miss her dreadfully.  Sweet pumpkin!  She misses Ron already.  The flight was delayed an hour, but miraculously arrived only ten minutes late.  How funny, Roxanne and Kiira arrived at the same terminal from Minneapolis mere minutes ahead of her.  Jon was on time to pick her up, having arranged a rental car waiting at the rental dealership, and drove ahead of her to the condo.  Unfortunately, she left her phone in his car.  Maybe that is fortunately, because she thought she lost it.  Good night.

October dressed in fall finery, yellow, red, orange and green

Ron is surrounded by sumac in various reds.

Cynthia prefers the "Beatty handsome guy" to the sumac reds. Smooch!

31 Oct, Sunday:  Happy Birthday Dean!  Sunrise this morning was briefly glorious.  We celebrated your birthday with Don and Ann by going to lunch at Guzmans, and we all belted out the birthday song.  Unfortunately, the video is too big to go through email.   Cynthia returned to the hotel to finish packing while the rest enjoyed the a scenic drive to several locations around Lake Carlyle.  We even saw that quick brown fox of typing skills fame.  Granddaughter Corrie sent a cute photo of her three little ones holding pumpkins next to a very tiny little pumpkin with an announcement that a new pumpkin is in the pumpkin patch with delivery expected in July, which will be Cynthia's ninth great-grandchild.  She is sad at the thought of being apart for five weeks.  8 miles today.  Yaay, this brings our ten day mileage total to 81.6.  Hmm, only 19 more miles to 100.  We can easily do another 20 in four more days, so that’s Cynthia’s personal goal while she is in Texas.   

30 Oct:  Sat, the countdown begins... This is TWO days before departure.  We got off to a late start because eating vegetables in the evening causes Ron to awaken every hour throughout the night - so he dozed after dawn.  Two hours after Cynthia finished breakfast we walked into Carlyle to the Old 50 Cafe, another small town restaurant.  The cook did not have cooking spray, but was able to cook our egg white omelets without oil.  I'm guessing that his grill is well seasoned. Ron received an email addressed to His Lordship about his property in Scotland (a 1 square foot gift from his WeeFee).  We walked again across the dam and enjoyed a marvelous sunset of off-red fluffy clouds.  Our mileage today was an exceptional 9.0 miles.  WOW!  73.6 total. Will we reach 80 tomorrow?  

29 Oct:  AHA, We awoke to rain blessing the earth.  Fortunately by the time we were finished eating breakfast, the rain stopped so that Ron could ride to the NAPA store which accepts boxes for UPS to ship. (Cynthia’s motoccycle helmet and heated gear will ride in comfort to Texas.)  Thereafter we walked across the dam again but were disappointed that Los Amigos is closed for three days.  Towards 4 in the afternoon, Cynthia was looking for alternative places to eat with Don and Ann on Sunday and discovered that Guzman's is only a mile away, so off we went (walking) to check it out.  They agreed to our dietary restrictions and gave us good meals.  The rain, however, returned as an intermittent drizzle for our walk "home."  7.6 miles (64.6 total since ?)

Baby Blair, a cute pumpkin

Baby Noah entertaining parents

28 Oct:  The rainy forecast did not happen.  Nope, that forecast shifted to Friday, but it did rain last night, so the grass is too wet for us today.  We will have to stay on the asphalt and concrete and hope our bodies tolerate it.  Yaay!  We trekked 4.0 miles this morning.  One of the blessings of hiking is the people we meet, like delightful, effervescent Kris S. today, someone we immediately liked.  This evening we hiked the dam, now that the workmen have opened the gates.  Ron has been busy trying to understand what he has seen, and decided that the crane lifted huge bulkheads that slid down guides to block the flow of water into a spillway while the workmen inspected the spillway for damage.  WoooHoooo!  8 miles today!  Yaaay!  57.2 miles this week. 

Carlyle Lake dam and gates

27 Oct:  We did get in a quick walk to the suspension bridge before noon (3.5) before we departed towards Collinsville to meet Carol, Bill, and Lisa for a 1:30 lunch at Denny's.  We all participated in an animated conversation touching on our individual early histories and philosophies.  Eric, Denise and Kyle joined us for dinner at Los Amigos next door at 5:30 PM.  Despite eating two meals, Ron was still hungry enough to finish a bag of sourdough pretzels, and despite best intentions, he spent too much time on DNA projects to get to bed "early."

26 Oct:  Don and Ann S. will join us for lunch here at 1 pm.  Can we walk 2.5 miles before lunch?  Yes, we did!  We outdid ourselves with 3.5 miles by lunchtime and a grand total of 6.2 by eventide.  Ron and Don walked while Ann and Cynthia talked. 

25 Oct:  begins a week of walking.  Well, due to 20 MPH gentle breezes propelling brrr temps deep into our bodies, we walked only one mile this morning.  The evening walk must improve (according to Cynthia).  Aha!  The wind had indeed died down considerably so that the walk was merely cold rather than frigid.  We had a grand total of walking five.

24 Oct, Sunday:  We slept in a little late, considering that we had arranged to meet Kevin for lunch at Ruby Tuesday in Litchfield at 11:30.  Despite a full breakfast (of oatmeal), Ron was still able to down two plates of salad at Ruby Tuesday.  We enjoyed Kevin and Jennie, now Chicago residents, in a safe part of town (lower crime rates than Peoria).  Delightful duo, Kevin and Jennie!  Ron, Carol, Bill and Cynthia performed their normal conversational comedy routines to the amusement of all concerned.  We walked 4.5 miles upon our return  Yaay for us! 

23 Oct:  Our 5.1 mile morning walk was enervating. We ate a baked potato with steamed veggies for lunch, followed by frozen mango and grapes respectively.  Cynthia ate a lot of grapes, so much so, she fell asleep.  ZZZzzzzzz.  Ron discovered new DNA insights for a Bankston cousin.  Up before dark and off we go, 7.4 miles Yaay  

22 Oct:  Morning has broken, and we have good news that Brett and Family are anticipating in July.  Cynthia suggested they name him Cynthia.  We moved from the third floor, room 301, to the second, room 211, because we could not get good wifi in the previous room.  We still have a nice lake view.  We did four miles on the morning walk.  We will repeat at 4:30. Maybe.  WooHoo… 8.1 miles today! 

21 Oct:  We are awake on Thursday and surprised by the commotion two youngsters can create when indoors for breakfast, especially during piano lessons.  We were too full to walk immediately and Ron spent an hour in the motel lobby, where there is a better internet connection, to research Camblins.  Cynthia requested that our walk be limited to grassy pathways, so we were unable to walk across the dam.  Ron supplemented by walking to Walmart for frozen mango and veggies.  After another two mile walk together on grass, we dined on baked potato and veggies at the Mexican restaurant next door.   2 miles 

Moonrise over Lake Carlyle

20 Oct:  We were up early enough to leave Litchfield at 10:30, heading east on IL 16 to Hillsboro, where we turned south on IL 127.  Both of these roads were smoother than Ron remembered, so the day went by pleasantly until the winds cranked up after we passed through Greenville.  For the last 20 miles, the wind tried to push us off the road into the furthest ditch.   Cynthia has us booked into Mariner's Village in Carlyle, Illinois for 11 days until Nov 1, and it was a delight to resume acquaintanceship with our genial hosts.  After unpacking luggage, we immediately resumed riding to GNC in O'Fallon to get strawberry-flavored Isopure protein powder and melatonin.  Once we had those in hand, Cynthia revealed her true reason for accompanying me - lunch of egg white omelets at Denny's.  At sunset we walked across the dam for 5+ miles today, a good day all around.

19 Oct:  Another tomorrow is today!  We were sorta lazy until noon when Sistah Carol picked us up for a ride through rural Illinois with a re-introduction to Eric's rough, narrow, gravel driveway.  (Carol's is much longer).  Carol's mission for the afternoon was to retrieve five buckets of walnuts Eric had collected for her to plant on her tree farm.  Carol and Bill met Ron and Cynthia at Ruby Tuesday for a meal of hearty laughter, accompanied by food. 

18 Oct:  Another marvelous day in Litchfield, Illinois!  After a four mile hike on loose gravel yesterday, Cynthia opted to not go to Carol’s tree farm, but instead to walk on grass nearby.  Interesting to consider that our readers have to deal with our focus on food and feet.  We are forever foraging for food and looking for places to walk.  Ron rode the motorcycle on the loose gravel to Carol's house and back.  The only snafu was going into the ditch briefly (because he was a bit chicken to make the sharp turn off the newly graveled driveway onto the paved Panther Creek Road, also coated with recent loose gravel).  Ron and Carol walked several trails on her property, especially to see "mud slide hill."  We then ate salads at Ruby Tuesday, and Ron walked to Dollar Tree to get pretzels.  Munch, crunch, munch, crunch.

Rambo descendants all with 375th reunion tees.

Ron and sistah

17 Oct, Sunday:  Litchfield, Illinois is a small town that boasts the only Ruby Tuesdays Restaurant in all of Illinois.  Unfortunately it is now closed from 2 PM to 4 PM, which is when we are most likely to desire to eat.  This is still better than most others of that wonderful chain which are closing their doors.  Carol and Bill picked us up at 10:15 for our second breakfast at Denny’s.  Then, being too-much-over-full, we sat for an hour discussing the incredible lack of common sense in today’s world before walking four miles to test new loose gravel on the road.  It’ll do.  Carol prepared a salmon feast with fresh squash, baked sweet potatoes, and a lovely salad.  Mmmm!  Carol and Bill ferried us back to our Hampton Inn early enough that Ron was able to go for another walk to see if ALDI has frozen mango - and they do.  Goodie - - - and goodnight.

16 Oct:  Again we got on the road early, leaving Keokuk at 9:30, so we arrived at the Hampton Inn in Litchfield, Illinois at 1:59 PM, whipped by wind, but still upright.  Carol and Bill joined us for lunch at Denny’s.  We were hugely disappointed that Ruby Tuesdays is now closed between 2 and 4.  At least the Ruby Tuesdays in Litchfield is still open for business.  Cynthia’s final Lea YDNA research report is complete and is now being sent to participants.  Our route for the day utilized many smaller roads that were quite pleasant until we turned south at Jacksonville: US 136 E across the Mississippi River,  immediately south on IL 96 S to L on county road 1120, R on county road 850, L on county road 900 through Bosco to R on IL 110/ 94 S through Bowen continue US 61 S to L continuing IL 94 S to L on US 24 E through Clayton to Mt Sterling to R on IL 99/ Pittsfield Road through Versailles to L on IL 104 through Meredosia to R on US 67 S towards Jacksonville and south to L on Woodson/ Winchester Road (missed this one) to R on IL 267 S through Greenfield to L on IL 108 E through Carlinville to I-55 S to Litchfield.

15 Oct:  We left from Ottumwa early and arrived in Keosauqua to visit Ron's cousins.  Gorgeous day until it rained, unbeknownst to us, while we were visiting with cousin Scott and his wife, Nadine. Cynthia’s helmet and gloves were outside, and they got soaked. Regardless, we rode into Keosauqua and had a terrific time visiting with cousins Doris and Marvin at the 1st Street Grill. We then surprised Rex and Susie by walking a half mile from downtown to their lovely home for another cousin visit. The helmet and gloves did not fully dry out by the time we left for Keokuk before dark. The pink cotton candy clouds and golden sunset were spectacular; the wet gloves and helmet liner, not so much. Route US 34 east to Fairfield, then south on Iowa 1 into Keosauqua. Visits, then Iowa 1 south to Iowa 2 east to US 218 south to Keokuk.

14 Oct:  We got an early start out of Atlantic and took the simplest route: US highway 71 south, then US 34 east to Ottumwa, Iowa.  The cornfields and bean fields made delightful scenery at this harvest time of year.  Iowa has many, many more rolling hills than we remember.  Since we arrived early enough, Ron rode alone east on US 34 to a right on Iowa 16 through Eldon to Selma and Douds crossing the Des Moines River on highway 98 to catch a left on county road V64 all the way to Lebanon to visit cousin Ken.  Ken and I looked at dozens and dozens of old postcards addressed to great aunt Alma Mechem in Selma in 1912.  We shot a couple of baskets in his garage before Ron hustled back to Ottumwa as darkness fell.  This was the first Hampton Inn ever to not have oatmeal in the morning, but the manager did run out to buy us some as soon as we requested it.  Now that is service.!!  No wonder we like Hampton Inn. 

Leaving Elkhorn

13 Oct:  We joined Bob in Atlantic, Iowa for a noontime luncheon.  Heavy storms were forecast for the morning, but had dissipated by the time we walked ten blocks to lunch.  Our B&B is in a 122 year old mansion; the master bathroom was added 110 years ago; Cynthia was unable to turn on the ancient faucets, because the washers must be a thousand years old.  No way would she climb into the yellow-stained tub.  This spacious house, once a grand-old-lady, looks mighty tired, in need of paint, new bath appliances, and an owner not starving for someone to listen to her.   Our dinner in Anita, IA with JoNell was delightful.  

Cynthia and friends in Elkhorn.  Much fun !!

12 Oct:  We rode from Des Moines to Elk Horn, Iowa to visit Cynthia's friends for a few hours before leaving to spend the night in Atlantic, IA.  It was a marvelous, comfortable day with wonderful Iowa harvest scenery, cornfields, bean fields, cleared fields, forested streams and more hills than Ron had remembered.  The variagated scenery was quite enchanting and traffic was light.  Lots of grain haulers full of harvest or empty driving to and from elevators.  Lots of combines attended by grain haulers.  (The big ones hold enough produce to fill a semi.)  The route was I-35 from the hotel to north on Iowa 141 two miles to west on IA 44 to IA 173 south (18 bumpy miles) to Elkhorn.

11 Oct:  We enjoyed a pleasant visit all afternoon with cousin Sandy in Des Moines.  The rain paused at 10 AM long enough for us to drive the 7 miles on mostly dry pavement.  It rained off and on … all the live-long day!  Fortunately it stopped raining by 6 PM when we headed "home" to the Hilton Garden Inn for the evening.  Poor Sandy hadn't been told (oops) that we would be lodging elsewhere, so she had no idea what to do about feeding us.  Spaghetti was a wonderful choice as was fresh fruits.  We enjoyed it all.

10 Oct, Sunday:  Tanna, Melissa, Kole, and Bria came to watch Ron eat oatmeal this morning.  After entertaining them (and visa versa), we mounted the motorcycle and rode on south county road 828 to west on county K38 to US 69 south.  There are not a lot of towns on that route, and we were on fumes by the time we reached Jewell, Iowa where a Casey's convenience store was open.  Ron enjoyed being on smaller roads with virtually no traffic.  The wind from the southwest was a bit bothersome, and the sun was blindingly bright for the first 60 miles, but it hid behind clouds by the time we rode through Ames (where Ron was born) and on to the Hilton Garden Inn in the Des Moines suburb of Johnston.  Eureka, there is a Ruby Tuesdays nearby, and we are now stuffed totally full.

Photo from last year when Ron visited Carol.

9 Oct:  Upped, exercised, but no oatmeal at breakfast, so we had to use some of our private stash.  Ron is supplementing with bread that Annie baked.  9:30AM Cynthia is awaiting Jane and Dick.  Fun, fun, fun to talk with Dick and Jane - endearing because they agree with our views.  Sad to see the country going down the tubes with this "entitled to everything free" society and the self-centered "I'm right, you're wrong" divisive discourse.  We stopped to see Ann and Dale at 2:00 PM; what a relief, they look great and new meds seem to be controlling Ann's arthritis.  Misty's wedding at 4:00 PM was lovely, officiated by their years-long youth director.  We did not stay for the reception although we did enjoy seeing Penny and Paula. 

8 Oct:  And it was indeed lovely to enjoy lunch with Danny, Deanna, and Julie east of Kensett, followed by a couple of enchanting hours of conversation and photo opportunities.  Climbing the stairs to the second floor was not as risky and exciting as portrayed.  Now we are sauntering out for our evening walk towards dinner.  Maybe we can discover the location of Cynthia's ancestral Turvold farm on the road south.  Our second walk at sunset took us nearly there.  Now I know where Cynthia's incredible memory comes from.

Ron & Cynthia on the trail.

Happy couple closer.

Thanks to Tracie for photos.

7 Oct:  This morning at 10 AM Annie and Dave picked us up along with Jerry and Betty to go hiking way up north in Minnesnowda.  Connie and Tracie rode in another car to hike with us.  The trails near Albert Lea Lake were marvelously fun, and Annie surprised us by providing a snack of cookies that I can eat (nothing but smashed bananas and oatmeal).  The second big surprise came when the rain began.  Fortunately our hike and picnic were finished, but it did rain on us all the way back to the hotel - thankfully inside their car.  Jerry and Betty picked us up at 5:10 to take us to dinner at Annie and Dave's.  Boy-O-Boy is Annie ever a good cook; we are painfully over-full, and it was delicious besides being totally kosher according to our diet.  WOW !!

View of Diamond Jo's from the Holiday Inn

6 Oct:  Cousin Ray was a mere trifle late at 11:00+.  He drove to see us at the Holiday Inn and took us to lunch at the Bean and Bistro in Northwood, where they were forewarned and prepared to serve us (Cynthia and Ron) egg white veggie omelets.  Good food and good conversation were enjoyed by all.  Ron even ordered a second omelet.  At 4 PM and again just before dark we walked on the "closed" highway 105 for a total of 6.5 miles.  Ron is heartbroked that he could not find a photo of the incredible vase of flowers that Annie gave us last year.  Thanks again Annie.

Ron & Cynthia w/ Dave between

Pat & Dave with Ron between

5 Oct:  We checked out of our Hampton Inn in Eagan by 11 AM.  Isn't that a miracle?  Ron had planned a route east on Lone Oak Drive, south on Minnesota 149, southwest on Minnesota 3 to county road 9 west (and here we found our first ever stop sign at a railroad crossing !!)  We then crossed I-35 to a parallel highway, turned south and merged onto I-35.  Traffic there was fast, but not heavy, and the road surface was pleasantly smooth, so we stayed on it all the way to Diamond Jo's Casino and our Holiday Inn, arriving about 1:30 PM.  The hotel clerk had packages ready for Cynthia and remembered us.  Not only did she remember us, but as soon as she saw our name, she checked to be sure that they had adequate "Original Oatmeal" packets for our breakfast.  When I remarked about her excellent memory, she mentioned the gorgeous bouquet of flowers that Annie had delivered to us last year.  Dave and Pat arrived shortly after three, and we were elated that the Wood-fire Grille was open so that we could enjoy a salmon dinner.  A marvelous meal and great conversation constitute an excellent evening.  We posed for one photo in our Rambo teeshirts with cousin Dave and a second photo with Pat.  Ron went for a long walk after dark on the country highway adjacent to the hotel (Hwy 105).

4 Oct:  Lance called in sick for our planned walk today, so Cynthia and I walked through Eagan Central Park and around the Delta building this morning.  We are now trying to eat everything available so as to reduce bulk and weight on the motorcycle tomorrow.  Our second walk helped us reach 6.5 miles.  Gorgeous day!  Cynthia did not shut the washing machine door tight.  38 minutes later, she was puzzled when the clothes were not washed.  The desk clerk was equally mystified until we inserted another $2.25 and started the machine.  It displayed the same 38 minutes timer but made no noises until Cynthia banged the door shut.  Then the water began filling the machine.  Problem solved.

3 Oct, Sunday:  in Eagan, Minnesota, up, exercised, oatmealed, but too late to walk before Ron rides off to Hastings to see Greg & Donna again.  Because it was a bit chilly, we sat inside today, looking out, until we decided that the four little songbirds were more entertaining and turned to face their cage.  They were even more noisy and hyperactive than a three-year-old.  After three hours of feathered entertainment, we said our goodbyes, and Ron returned to the hotel, stopping at three groceries without finding suitable bananas.  In consequence, our evening walk proceeded through Eagan Central Park over to HyVee where suitable bananas were finally corralled.  The Sperry Tower was a brilliant red this evening, signifying what I do not know.

2 Oct:  Exercise, Eat, Exercise again by walking to Eagen Central Park and trimming overhanging branches from above the sidewalk.  Cynthia is responding to condolences.  The forecast is absolutely uncertain.  Half of the forecasters call for rain, the other half forecast no rain.  Since we have dinner this evening at 4 PM, it doesn't make sense for Ron to tempt fate by riding to Hastings despite the rain/ no rain forecast.  At 3:30 the color radar forecast predicted downpours to soon engulf Mendota, so we rode to Axels early and were very happy that we did because the downpours began soon after we arrived and were seated snugly inside.  Also, along the way we passed within ten feet of a couple of turkeys foraging alongside the roadway.  Carolyn thoroughly enjoyed the dinner, and we thoroughly enjoyed her company.  We even answered many of her questions about bro-in-law Ron that she was too considerate to ask.

1 Oct:  Somehow getting to bed early last night backfired in that we both woke up at 3 AM unable to get back into a sound sleep.  We did doze off several times and felt fine enough to go for a long walk after breakfast (and sudoku).  Then Ron rode off to visit Greg in the nursing home.  We walked again in the evening before Ron called Lance first and Carolyn second to make arrangements for dinner Saturday and a hike along the river on Monday.  There is something about this month, about the air, the fall colors, that cries change.  An unwanted change is that Cynthia’s sister Merrilee did not recover from Covid pneumonia.
Merrilee Vold Reid, 21 Feb 1944-1 Oct 2021, RIP.  

Yes, the tree is much taller than Ron.  More colorful too.