THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!


To all of our veterans and those in active military service I simply say thank you for the sacrifices you made and continue to make to keep our country free.


I was motivated by my friend Kathryn's recent wonderful tribute to her father on her blog. Then today at church her husband John talks about his father as a marine {bringing the whole church to tears] that I had to honor my dad with this blog


I was only four when my dad was drafted into the U.S.Army and sent to the south pacific.[no I do not remember his leaving} However I do remember one phone call from the Philippines because the Red Cross called about a week before and said he might be able to call the next Sunday and he did. His official discharge was Jan. 31,1946 but I vividly remember New Years eve of 1945. I was at my grandmother Tritschler's house and about 9:00 PM he arrived from Jefferson Barracks.{reasonably certain the family knew he was coming home that night} My dad served in the Philippines and in Luzon. My mother always told the story that he arrived on Iwo Jima with General MacArthur {day after the surrender}as he was one of many assigned to protect the general.{not sure if that is a true story}


In the first photo my dad is on the left and his brother Wilbur is on the right. Somehow they were both in the Philippine's and somewhere they got together.


Second photo my dad has the x.

My dad

Ernie Pyle was a famous journalist that was killed in action Mar. 1945 in the Philippines.

Below I assume is a piece of WW11 trivia.

Military currency for the Japan area.

I was never privileged to serve our country due to poor vision in the left eye.{ until 1981 I could hardly see the big E} in my left eye.

On this special holiday I again say

"THANK YOU"

NUMBER THIRTY TWO LEARNING A NEW SKILL/TECHNIQUE!!!!!
I began experimenting taking our picture together with the scenery in the background. I had never ever tried this technique. You are looking at the results.

On top of the Hot Springs Tower.


The flowing springs in the background

Garvin Gardens with Lake Hamilton in background.

Lake Desoto less than 1/2 mile from our condo.

Photo on left is taken normally but Nancy wanted to show her new jacket along with Lake Balboa.


End of the trip was a cafe in Cherokee Pass, Mo, with Nancy and the KING!!

GARVIN GARDENS PART TWO

ANTHONY CHAPEL

Truly a beautiful chapel in a serene setting in the woods.Designed by a firm founded by Frank Lloyd Wright the world renowned architect.























If you look closely I am making my traditional three points

Garden of the wind

NUMBER THIRTY ONE IS TOURING GARVIN WOODLAWN GARDENS HOT SPRINGS AR.

First of all it is totally different expierence from our Shaw's garden. I guess it is the rugged woods and lake setting that gives you a different expierence. It might be the most serene place I have ever visited.To enjoy you better like walking.

Lake Hamilton






A sun bather along the path [king snake]

NUMBER THIRTY IS GOING TO THE TOP OF HOT SPRINGS MOUNTAIN TOWER

On May 12TH Nancy and I rode an elevator to the top of the tower. In 1967 we rode an outside elevator on a wooden tower to about 3/4 of the way and then walked up wooden steps to the very top. With two little girls 1967 was a lot scarier and physically harder than today's ride.

















In both our pictures you can see the famed Arlington hotel in the background.

If you look real close you can see the smoke coming up from the spring water.

The city of Hot Springs can be seen in the background.

NUMBER 29 HAPPENED IN HOT SPRINGS AR.!!!!!!!!!DRINKING FROM THE SPRING

Last saturday the 10TH Nancy and I had an interesting day in Hot Springs.We were in Hot Springs in 1967 with two little girls. We spent one night on our way to Oklahoma to show the girls an oil well on the State Capitol grounds.Nancy gave me permisson to have a hot bath and a massage while her and the girls slept in.Then the motel we stayed at took us for a tram ride. The driver over turned the tram and one of the girls received some cuts on her arm.We can't remember which one but maybe Sherri as she seemed to get hurt more than Terri.Today we would proably sue the motel but forty one years ago we cleaned her arm and headed for Oklahoma.The famous Arlongton hotel is in the background and we had a great lunch in their dining room.







The famous Arlington hotel has the spring water piped into their lobby.

















The water comes out at 140 degrees but they cool it to 110 degrees.

This photo shows the spring coming to surface on the mountain.


Nancy is drinking the spring water from a paper cup sitting in front of the famous Fordyce bath house.

I AM AT FORTY PERCENT WITH


#28 THE CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY!!!!!!




On our way to Hot Springs AR. we stopped off at the Clinton Library in Little Rock AR. I must admit this is my least favorite presidential library. Starting with the exterior architecture and the inside was primarily reading and looking at the various exhibits.After the living history of the new Lincoln library this one seemed standard museum fare.




The presidential limousine





Sitting in the Secretary of State chair in the cabinet meeting room.

The President and his saxophone

The presidential office

A DAY WITH TODD
Last Sunday 5/11 Nancy and I drove about two hours north of Hot Springs Ar. to Searcy Ar. and spent the day with our oldest grandson Todd.
We went to church,Chilies for a great lunch, and toured the Harding campus.The campus has really changed since his mom and dad attended.
We had a great visit and it was well worth the drive.

ON MAY 9TH NANCY and I CELEBRATED FORTY NINE YEARS TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We traveled to Hot Springs Ar. to celebrate our anniversary for a week of food,fun,and fellowship.Living in the village are friends of long standing Keith and Joanne. They took us out for a great prime rib and even better fellowship as we caught up on our families. The condo was nice,scenery was beautiful, and the week went by too fast.

The foursome


Keith and Joanne

Keith,and some of his trophies. They left about as many as I show here back in Maryland and I did not photograph all that he had displayed.

The next three photos were taken especially for son in law Shawn. There are two different bear rugs shown.

We had a great trip and thanks Keith and Joanne for a wonderful anniversary evening.

JAMES GRADUATES FROM
STEPPING STONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today we drove over four hundred miles in order to be at the graduation.It was worth the effort. After all he will graduate only once from pre school.[A good friend taught me a life lesson about the importance of one time family events]
Pictured is the proud graduate with his teacher Mrs. Christy.







In the second photo we have the proud graduate with his mom,dad,big brother, and four proud grandparents.

His alphabet letter was J and he gave a short talk about his J.

Singing several activity songs in the next four photos..

Congratulations James you succeeded in making all of us proud.