The Traveling Cardinal's are Truly Traveling Again!

Okay, this is my first time using Windows Live Writer to do my blog off line & then publish it here. Some good features, some bad. In order to see the pictures a little better you can click on it to open it larger. Hope you enjoy.

Since I don't have Internet Access at the Campground at Grand Canyon Caverns (near Peach Springs, AZ), I'm going to write this as I go & then post it when we are out of the "Boonies". Really, it is a quiet campground. Especially after having 5 months of close neighbors! It was really windy when we pulled in here on Sat. afternoon. We left Camping World, Mesa, AZ around 7:30 AM on Saturday morning with our new tires on & water heater repaired. Yes, Camilla & Roger, we did need a new Anode Rod & they got it out without any problem. Of course, their prices was a lot higher than yours! But we really do appreciate your trying and all the other things you helped us with! Oh yes, Roger, we tried our bikes in the back of the truck & it didn't work! So Bill took his apart & put it in the back & I hung mine up on the ladder. Then while we were at Camping World, I bought a coaster bike that folds. It's in the back seat of the truck. When we get someplace for a longer period of time & unhook, we will try putting them both in the back of the truck. They are just too heavy to lift up on that ladder rack.

We got set up at the park & then I went up to pay. The lady at the motel down by the road told us to just pick out a spot & then go to the Curio Shop to pay. Well, after we got all set up (you know you don't put up & tear down a 40' 5th wheel within seconds!!!) & I went up to pay, only sites 1-20 had the water turned on! She forgot to tell me that! I really didn't want to come back & tell Bill we had to move. So, the guys at the park were really nice & run a really long hose so we could fill our fresh water tank enough for the night, take a shower, etc. Then on Sunday they were going to turn on the water to the rest of the park. Low night temperatures had made the delay in turning the rest of the park on. Also, not many in the park (maybe 4). A couple more came in yesterday.

Sunday Bill & I got up really early & started our trek to the Grand Canyon West Rim. We enjoyed our trip down old Historic Route 66 (that is the route we are staying on). It is a beautiful 2 lane highway ride. It is amazing what is left along the roadway! We read many Burma Shave signs (remember them??? Watch your answer, you'll give away your age!) We found several that were missing the last sign or two. You know what that means.......those antique collector's just couldn't leave the signs for the rest of the world to enjoy! Shame on them! Along the way we found some interesting old stores & buildings. Of course you could tell the age by the state they were in. We also saw many rusty (and some not so rusty!) old classic cars & trucks. Since the speed limit was 65, it was a little hard to take some pictures, so I stopped on the way back & took a couple. The sun was at the wrong angle then. We didn't have time to take many on the way as we had a 2-1/2 hr. drive to get to the bus that would take us to the West Rim.

Pictures Along Historic Route 66

Caught one of the Burma Shave signs


Newer gas station finished in 2008, bought diesel here


Outpost Saloon along Rt. 66

On the last leg of the trip we had to stop & check out the cattle that were along the road. There were many signs that said "Cattle Crossing", but on the way back home we saw lots of them along the shoulder of the road. Long horns too. I decided not to stop & get out & take pictures. I was driving so we fore-went the picture taking of the steers.

See the baby calf laying to the left?

The Grand Canyon West Rim was nice. I don't know what I was expecting with the Sky Walk (glass cantilever horseshoe out over the canyon), but up close it didn't look as big as the pictures of it looked. We still didn't walk out on it. It cost another $29.95 plus tax & fees to walk out there. I don't like heights, so it was easy for me to say NO! I had enough trouble taking pictures. Because all of the West Rim is on the Hualapai Reservation (pronounced "wall-short I-pie"), there are NO railings anywhere along the edge of the canyon. Those kids running around scared the pants off me! I could never take my kids or grand kids to a place like that. I'd have a heart attack for sure! I couldn't even watch Bill get within 3 feet of the edge! My palms get sweaty just thinking & typing about it!!!! We took many pictures though. We ended our trip at the Hualapai Ranch & had a delicious baked chicken dinner. Were we ever full. Good thing we had a long ride back to the Park & Ride where the truck was, I slept most all of the way. Bill & I were the ONLY American's on the bus. We did good on the way up, since all of the group wasn't there, & they said we could ride the bus instead of a van, we got on & sat in the middle, but on the way back, we were the minority & sat in the next to the last seat, even though we were the first ones at the bus when the driver said to be there!

Pictures from the Grand Canyon West Rim:

Eagle Point (Can you see the shape of the eagle in flight?)

To the left of Eagle Point

First view of Skywalk

One of Hualapai Tribe greeters

Sky Walk - I liked the pictures & it's the only close up I got - you might know I couldn't get the guy in the front out & I didn't like the saying on his shirt------so I superimposed the word "smile" on it!!!!

View from Guano Point (Guano meaning Bat Droppings) & NO we didn't hike to the top. If you look part way down from the peak in the forefront, you will see what is left of a metal tram. This was used to take the bat droppings out of the caves below & they were used for fertilizer.

View of Colorado River from Guano Point - Aren't Zoom lenses nice???? I didn't even have to get close to the edge!

Hualapai Ranch - I didn't take any pictures inside the Old West Town part

One of the greatest things at the RV park is they offer horseback riding. Now some of you know that was one of the things on my "to do" list for this winter. I wanted to ride in the desert, but found that here there is less cactus to watch out for! Besides, the cedar trees smell so much better & the landscape isn't so steep! So Monday morning we slept in for awhile & then while Bill was taking his shower I went for my trail ride. Another gal, Debbie, from British Columbia was getting ready to go. I asked if I had time to go with them. He said since she was a beginner & hadn't ridden since she was 10, I said well I guess I was a beginner too since I hadn't ridden for about 40 years! So he said that was fine as long as she wanted to wait. She said that was fine with her. We had a great time. Her husband mountain biked along behind or around us & took many pictures. I really appreciated that, since Bill was in the shower he couldn't oblige. I wasn't nervous at all, I really enjoyed it. We paid $20 for a 1/2 hr. ride & since the guide, Jim, had forgotten his watch, we rode for about 45 min. That was a real treat. Where we just came from they charged anywhere from $50 & up for 1/2 hr. I had originally planned on an hour ride for $30, but since we were "beginners" he only took us for 1/2 hr. I'd love to go again. Maybe next year! My horse's name was Buster, just like our dog we had so it was easy to remember his name. We got along real well. The guide told us they were working horses used to rounding up cattle at the ranch across the road, so they don't just stand around in a stable all day or out to pasture. Two of the mares here had just had colts. One the end of March & one in April. They were so cute.

Peg getting her instructions

Debbie & Peggy ready to go

Debbie, Peggy & Jim, the guide

That was fun! Jim, Peggy & Debbie

Peggy giving Buster his treat & a big thank you

Buster saying You're Welcome

Mare with colt born at end of March

Mare with colt born in April - All legs aren't they?

Later in the morning Bill & I went down in the Grand Canyon Caverns that leaves right from the gift shop here at the park. We weren't sure how he would do, but after talking with Debbie this morning, we thought he could do it. You ride an elevator down 21 stories, walk around the cavern & then ride the elevator back up. Because it is dry & not wet, damp or cold, he did well. There was one area that was a steep climb so he & another lady took the short trip around that & sat on the bench to wait for the rest of us. He didn't miss much except for the mummified bobcat that was in the cave dating back to 1850. Because of the dry conditions & average 56 deg. temperature in the caverns, nothing deteriorates. A 3 Toed Sloth carcass was found & reconstructed. It was huge! It was very interesting, but I can't remember everything the guide told us. The most important thing was that when the selenite crystals (which are very fragile) become wet, they disinegrate or become very smooth if the moisture runs down. Because millions of years ago it was under the sea, there are a lot of areas that look like coral.

Selenite in Grand Canyon Caverns

Looking down a deep crevise

Looks like coral under the sea, which millions of years ago, this was under water

Cavern picture

Near chapel where weddings can be performed. A wedding bouquet that has been in the cavern on a ledge for several years.

Water & Food supplies placed here during Cuban crises when used as a bomb shelter. Civil Defense placed these supplies here & they still remain.

Personal & medical supplies

Formations look like snowballs or mushrooms

Sign tells the story

Three Toed Sloth carcass was found & reconstructed. Huge!

Stone formation in cavern. Beautiful

After the tour, we had a sandwich at the restaurant, then came home & took a nap. Around 4:30 we went up to get a piece of pie (oh ya, that's a no, no, but they were Homemade!) to bring back for later tonight. It's 8:30 PM & we still haven't eaten them!

Well, tomorrow sometime we will be traveling to Williams, AZ. We plan to stay at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Park & then take the train for the 2-1/2 hr. trip to the Grand Canyon. Spend the day & then return by train.

I was looking at the map last night (finally got a new one from Flying J last evening). Got the laminated kind, maybe it will last me longer than 8 months! Cost a little more, but it has a spiral binding & I can highlight the trip & then erase it when & if I want. You know, those are the kind for women.....the woman's right to change her mind! That is exactly what I did. I figured out some of the mileages where we wanted to go in the next few days, so decided to stay in New Mexico & back track the back roads to Canyon De Chelly in AZ. That will be less miles than traveling there from Holbrook, AZ. Still are going to stay at Holbrook, but will go to Petrified Forest & Painted Desert for a day. This way when we get done at Canyon De Chelly we can do something else if we have time. This also gives us a chance to stay at Red Rock State Park again in Gallup, NM. We stayed there in 2000 & loved it.

Well, that gives you our plans for the next few days. I think we might be tired of canyons by the time we leave Arizona this year.

Looked out my window by the PC earlier & it looked kind of like being home. Over looking the pasture & fence line with an old fashion tree house built in the tree right behind the trailer in the pasture.

Well, until further adventures unfold, next time...................The Traveling Cardinal's

PS - We are now in Williams, AZ. Arrived around 11:45AM. Will take the train to Grand Canyon tomorrow. It is VERY windy!

Closer to Departure

This will be a short update with no pictures. Every once in awhile I wonder where my camera is. I haven't had it out in awhile. I guess I haven't been doing anything exciting! More like working in the mornings & evenings & enjoying the pool in the afternoons.

Today, Tues., it got up to 100 deg.!!! We've had a couple of days in the 90's & one more day of it I guess. So what else do you do when it's that hot except stay underwater!?!

I have cleaned out all my cupboards & reorganized them AGAIN, ready for travel. I took a garbage bag full of clothes to St. Vincent de Paul's 2nd hand store. No sense in hauling all that stuff around if you aren't going to wear it!

We are down to the list making for last minute things to do. Today we got the 30# gas tank filled so we can disconnect the big 100# tank we have had from the gas dealer. They will pick it up after we have gone. They have several in the park to pick up so I guess they do one big pick up.

I have the travel plans written down with campground information listed for the first leg of our trip. Found out one of them we wanted to go to we wouldn't fit. Too long. Oh well, this way we can stay at another campground farther away, take the truck & drive & look at the scenery without having to worry about the trailer behind us.

We plan on visiting the West Rim of the Grand Canyon (never been there). The public can't drive only so far, then an Indian Guide takes you by shuttle bus the rest of the way. This is where the new Sky Walk was built that is the glass horseshoe out over the canyon. I know I won't walk out on it, but I do want to see it. Then I want to take the train from Williams to the South Rim of the Canyon. Haven't told Bill we are doing that yet! Got to surprise these guys with something special sometimes!

So, I'll make up for no pictures this time in about a week.

We have to be at Camping World for new tires at 10am on Fri. morning so we will be pulling out of here around 9am. I thought it would be hard to say goodbye, but most all of our friends, except one couple, will already be gone. Faye & Gene will be leaving on Sunday after us. They were told to lock the gate & put the key under the rock for the first one of us back next Fall!

Oh, by the way, LaVonne......I couldn't believe what I saw down on the corner from us!!! We call it the local "K-Mart". Really it's a bunch of vendors along the side of the road. One of them was selling 2 DEAD TREES out of the back of his pick-up!!!! I didn't have my camera, but I thought of you right away. I couldn't believe it!!!

So, until next time......................The Traveling Cardinal's

Happy Easter

Our Easter Blessings to each of you wherever you are. Indeed, Christ has risen! Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow.

We thank God for all He has given us from the blessings of two wonderful children & their spouses, 5 wonderful grandchildren and a host of wonderful friends. Bless you all for being a part of our lives.

Hope you all have a special day & celebration. We will be going out to Cracker Barrel for dinner with some friends here at our park. We know we will have a great meal & none of us will have to cook.

Last night we had friends over for supper and played Hand & Foot. The ladies had to celebrate with the men, they won. You know they say "All's fair in love & war", we love them but when it comes to cards, it's like war! Just kidding. We have a lot of fun & no matter who wins or who loses, we will be back to play again.

That's it for now.............so until next time.............The Traveling Cardinal's

Another Farewell

Tuesday one of the neighbors down the street said "Farewell" to her old trailer. On Wednesday morning the new one was delivered. I haven't been down to see the progress of today, but once they get going I'm assuming work will go fast. I wanted to take a picture of them pulling the old one out but my batteries died. Then yesterday morning I wanted to see them put the new one in & it was already in by the time I had my shower! Here are the pictures of the old & the new:

Ready to roll

Where did we get so much "stuff"????In with the newEntrance side view

Tonight we had another farewell party for our neighbors down the street from Manitoba - the ones that celebrated their 51st anniversary last Sunday. They will be leaving tomorrow. So a few from the Thursday Night BBQ gang gathered for one last pot luck & to share in the fun & fellowship. Happy, safe travels, Lou & Lynda.

Two others on the block will be leaving tomorrow too. Trudy & Wilf will be heading back to Canada & our good friends, Lyle & Joey will be leaving tomorrow for their home in S. Dakota. She had a call that her sister was hospitalized & knew it was for the best if she went home. We pray for a safe trip & will keep your sister & your family in our thoughts & prayers. We will miss you!

Do you know what all these people who have to clean out their winter park models do????? IF they have time they feed everyone in the neighborhood, if they don't, they pass all their perishables on to those of us who "haul" their homes along with them. My freezer is full, my cupboards are full & I haven't even been to the grocery store! Just kidding, we have bought groceries, but I have inherited: flour, Cranraisins, steaks, pork chops, wine, walnuts, maple syrup, Rice A Roni, & who all knows what I can't remember.

My niece, Dee, called me & told me I had to make a couple corrections to my blog entry of Sat., April 4th. One great surprise.....Donna's husband, Larry, who was in Pittsburgh, PA hospital for Leukemia treatments, came home on Mon. evening. Not sure how long he will be able to spend at home before he has to go back, but that was good news because they were waiting for his blood count to go up. Your prayers are working! God is Good!

The other correction isn't so good. I had posted pictures of the wood carvings that Randy was to enter in the World Woodcarving show in Ocean City, MD......well, he had to cancel because of a work situation. They will still get to see their son re-enlist in the Air Force, but Randy works for Lockheed Martin & just feels better about being at home & at work at this time. If any of you have been reading the newspapers lately, I think you will understand why. Keep them in your prayers also. This is a very trying time in these economic times.

This morning I went to my last scratch art class. Another sad time to tell everyone goodbye. We have such a good time in that class. A time for the women to let down their hair & laugh about most anything. If you felt your ears burning, we were probably talking about you! LOL

This afternoon I went to my friend Marquita's & we made 2 pair of bead earrings. I wanted some black ones & some red, white & blue ones. It's amazing how time flies when you are having fun. I looked at my watch & it was 5 to 4 & I felt like we had just started! We need to do that again some afternoon before we both leave. I'm not very creative, but she was very helpful. Thanks, Marq, I had a great afternoon. It was a "let's do it again" day!

Well, that's about all for this time so........until next time.............The Traveling Cardinal's

Another Beautiful, Warm Day in AZ

Just a very short note to say HI & let you see the pictures of "my" (ya right!) Harley leaving the park. Karen & Kerry left this morning. I think he's excited about getting that bike home! The beginning of the trek to Oregon:

Don looking to make sure everything is hitched okay

Quite a train!
Turning the corner

Karen bringing up the rear, all by herself!

Bill's pool partner, Richard & his wife Mary, left this morning too. Hope they have safe travels back to Minnesota.

I guess I should take some time this morning to clean out & rearrange some cupboards so I won't have so much to do later on. We want to make arrangements to go to the Desert Botanical Gardens again in the next week or so. They are featuring a display of Chihuly, The Nature of Glass until May 31st. Dale Chihuly is known for his innovative glass sculptures, and his work is immediately recognizable for its grand scale & vibrant colors. His creations are found in more than 200 museums worldwide. This is his first exhibition in a desert garden environment. In the evening the exhibit is shown with lights. Everyone says it is fabulous & we don't want to miss it. Also a live butterfly exhibit is going on right now. We need to make reservations & a lady told me this morning that Monday's & Tuesday's are the best. Not quite so crowded. Since a lot of the desert flowers are in bloom at the garden it should make for some nice pictures.

I forgot to blog yesterday that my niece said her husband Larry's bone marrow test came back good. So if he continues to improve & they can get his blood count up, he might be able to come home for a week. Then he would go back for more Leukemia treatments. Keep praying!!!! They both are doing good & are giving each other strength. He has lost his hair, but has been having fun with one of the cleaning staff that comes in who also has a wig. He puts his toupee on & they laugh. I'm so glad to see him with an uplifted spirit!

I guess that is all for now until next time................The Traveling Cardinal's

Check One Off My Bucket List!!!!

You all aren't going to believe this unless you see the pictures below!!!! I always said I'd NEVER, ever do this, but you know those quick decisions you make??? Well about 3 or 4 days ago I asked a friend if he would mind doing something with me & he said Yes. I thought Bill would pass out! Okay kids, family & friends, here it is.......................

Kerry says: Are You Ready??????

Peg & Kerry - Here We Go!

This is the bike AFTER the ride - No scratches to the bike or either of us!!!

Yup, it was a Harley!!!!Peg & Kerry W.

Before the bike ride, I spent the afternoon painting 2 cardinals on our steps that we are going to leave here on our lot. I didn't have quite the right color for a female, so she's rather red too. Oh well, at least with our names on them, maybe people will be more apt to leave them on our site.Rather bumpy material (siding) to write on

This is the sign that our friend Don S. from Minnesota cut out for me. I drew it from the PA map & he cut it & designed it to fit over our hitch. I painted it & then lettered it. I probably should have done a NY State one too & then hung this from the bottom of it. Oh well, I guess PA is considered our "home" state.

Sunday evening we went down the street for wine & cake to celebrate Lynda & Lou's 51st wedding anniversary. A nice little gathering & I can't believe they are old enough to have been married this long! After all, some of us don't look "old"! LOL Oh, by the way, that's a knife she's holding, she was cutting the cakes!

This morning around 9:30AM, Bill & I went for a walk/hike up at the end of our road into the Usery Mts. where we hiked last year. I told him we would walk for 1/2 hr. to 45 min. & then turn around so he wouldn't get too tired. The wind was blowing pretty good so that kept it cool. There weren't very many flowers out yet. Last year we left here April 1st & the mountains already had been covered with poppies & other wild flowers. This year there are none! They say it's because we haven't had any rain. Last I knew it was about 52 days without rain. Maybe by next week we will see a few more out. They are just beginning & there are a lot of blossoms on the cactus.
Bill trudging up the hill
We went as far as fish rock (so someone named it). Does it look like a fish????
This cactus reminds me of the burrow tail cactus my mom used to have. At least the parts that are hanging down. The prickly part doesn't. These grow numerous ways - short, fat, tall, whatever. Of course I can't remember the names of all these. I'm not a very good botanist. I can remember the barrel cactus, the saguaro & the prickly pear & that is about it.

This is some of the rocky trail that we walked. Really have to watch your ankles walking through this, especially on the way down.

This little guy scurried in front of me. I don't know what it is, but looks like some kind of toad. Sure blends in with the ground.When we got back to the truck, Bill found out that he had lost his beloved Hidden Valley cap that he won at the horseshoe tournament last year at Hidden Valley. So I told him to stay at the truck & I'd back track to see if I could find it. Remember, we walked for 45 min. I walked all the way back to Fish Rock (where we originally stopped & turned back). I only looked to my left on the way up so I could concentrate on the trail. No luck. So on the way back I looked to the left again. Of course I had to go through all that rocky trail again. Well, right after the rocky part I found the hat. Had I been able to look on both sides of the trail at the same time I wouldn't have had to walk quite so far. Oh well, what us wives don't do for our hubbies! He was very appreciative. He started out walking a little ways again & brought a bottle of water with him for me. I should have taken one but I left the truck in such a hurry I forgot. I didn't think I would have to walk that far. By then it was 11:30 & getting pretty warm!

Since I was driving, I told Bill I wanted to drive some of the back roads off Meridian Rd. So we took as many roads as we could that didn't say Dead End (the ones that end at the mountains). We went from the $700,000 homes down to the $10-20,000 homes & back & forth. There sure is a mixture of buildings at the foot of the mountains. New, old, stables, you name it. I don't think they have any zoning in Apache Junction. But it was interesting. Some of the homes have a beautiful view of Superstition Mountains. This picture is from the end of Idaho Rd. which is one of the last N/S roads in town before you head out on the old Apache Trail.

Then we took McKellips Rd. to as far as it would go. Didn't see any Dead End signs but we ended up on Bulldog Mine Rd. which was a dead end. There was actually some type of mine there. This was the view from across the road from where we had to turn around & head back out. It never ceases to amaze me at all the different rock formations in the mountains.

Well, that about sums up our weekend & our Monday. Bill is down playing cards tonight, so I guess I'll go to the club house & take in a movie. It's called The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. Don't have a clue what it's about, but it is 6:30pm & 88 degrees. It was 90 when I looked about 15 min. ago. I don't really want to run the air conditioner, so I guess I'll go to the movie instead.

So, until next time..................The Traveling Cardinal's

Just a Short Update

I know I've been lax again about updating. So this one will be rather short.

This past week we said goodbye for the summer to several of our friends here at Superstition Sunrise. Hopefully we will all be back again next Fall/Winter. Our friends, Phyllis & Tom, made it back to Iowa safe & sound. They called us a couple of times to let us know where they were & when they were pulling in their driveway. They had quite a bit of wind on the way home, but I think that just made them go faster!! LOL We sure miss them. The corner of John Garfield sure is quiet!

Wednesday night our friends from Georgia stopped in & said come on, let's go to the Casino, so we went with them & then had supper. Bill had a some luck again & after I spent my $20.00 I went & listened to the country music. More fun doing that. But we had a good time with Diane & Dave. They left on Thursday morning for California & some traveling with their friends who had come out here to meet them.

Thursday night was our last BBQ Potluck. There were 48 people there! Pretty good for having several people gone. Saw some new faces too. Norma B. celebrated her 80th birthday so we had a big cake along with several other desserts & goodies.

I have one more class of scratch art & then I guess I'm on my own. It doesn't seem possible that so many of the activities have stopped for the season. As Bill & I drove down several of the streets in the park today on the way back from the post office, several park models were all closed up & no one around.

Bill is still going to the pool hall to play with the guys in the early mornings though. Today we took a trip to Wal-Mart so he could buy a pool stick. Now he has his own. Not sure where he will play, except here, but he will enjoy it I'm sure. I even beat him 2 games the other night. Pretty good for me. Of course, I wait until he gets most of his balls in the pockets first, then I have a clearer shot!!!! I'm not very good at calling where the 8 ball will go though. A lot of lucky shots for me. Some just amaze me that I get them in! I've had some good mentors though. Bill has helped me a lot as did Roger & Camilla when they were here. We miss playing pool with them.

Today was very windy again. I did laundry while Bill was playing cards. I got in the pool a couple of times, but it sure was cool when you got out! Once you got dry it was okay. After I came back to the trailer I painted 2 cardinals on the side of our steps. We are going to leave them on our space as we are going to reserve the same space for next year. Hopefully no one will want steps with 2 cardinals & our names on them! Then I dusted off the truck & the trailer. It sure gets dusty around here when the wind blows. Unfortunately we have the windows open & it gets rather gritty in the trailer too. I mopped the floors & then washed the throw rugs when I did laundry.

Yesterday I went shopping with my friend Marquita. We went to several places, but I got a bargain at the Goodwill store. I finally found a jean jacket that I could afford! $9.99 - pretty good. It was with the men's clothing, but I think it is a woman's. Today I washed it & then I bought 2 butterfly iron-ons & put on the back yoke. So now it really looks like a woman's. Not too bad. Last week I bought 5 T-Shirts & put designs on 4 of them. 5 T-Shirts for $10.00 plus the designs - bargains again!

I finally got my computer backed up on an external drive. I took the computer class on how to do it, but of course, it didn't work quite like it was suppose to. I didn't do anything wrong, but the external drive was set up different than we thought it was. Fortunately I was still here & our head computer geek, Dick, was still here too. He stopped to see how I made out & I said I don't think I did it right. He came in & spent the next 1-1/2 hrs. making things work right. We started over & then it worked. Good thing he came. I didn't have a clue about NTFS (or NFTS whichever), FAT16, FAT32. Greek to me!

I talked to my niece, Dee, this morning. Today was her birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEE! Doesn't seem possible I used to babysit her! Now she runs a daycare! The patience of Job! She said she had talked to her sister Donna, & her husband Larry who has leukemia & is in Pittsburgh, PA hospital, is doing pretty good. His bone marrow test looked good. They had to take it twice, not sure why, but glad that it looked good. He still has fever & chills (his bodies way of fighting the disease). We keep emailing him to keep him encouraged! Hang in there Larry! Donna was feeling down this weekend as she has a cold & couldn't travel down to see him. At least they can call each other.

My brother-in-law, Bob, is all done with his radiation treatments in Buffalo, NY now too. This week was there first week home after spending 6 weeks of treatments in Buffalo. I'm sure my sister & him are really glad to be home! He did well with his treatments & we just hope that the outcome will be good for him also.

My friend Barb in Erie, PA has had her first surgery, now she just has to heal so she can go back & have the second surgery to have her thyroid removed. She is a fighter, so I know she will do well.

We will keep all of them in our thoughts & prayers!

Speaking of talking to Dee, her & her husband Randy will be traveling home to Frewsburg for Easter, then to Andrews AFB to see their son re-enlist in the Air Force & after that to the World Woodcarving Show, I think she said it was at Ocean City, MD (am I right Dee?) Here are the carvings he is entering in the show:

Kestrel

Harris Hawk

Blue Birds

Beautiful work Randy! We wish you luck & let's hope you get a blue ribbon for all your hard work.

Well, I guess I'd better get this posted. So, until next time..............The Traveling Cardinal's