#62 IS UNIQUE FOR MY QUEST TO 70

It is about what was done for me not about what I did.

A friend John Love,recently sent me a book he authored. First i had no idea he was writing a book so when the package came we were surprised.In leafing through the book we quickly saw he autographed our copy. Nothing unique there as I have several books autographed by the authors.

It took Nancy to discovered we had been

"Acknowledged on the acknowledged page"

now that was a first.!!!!







It did not scan well but if you look real hard near the bottom you will see "Ed. and Nancy" WOW!!!!!!!!

Thanks John,for the special acknowledgement and for a job well done.

For those who like business books

"IT IS A GOOD READ"

Trunk or TREAT!!!

Last night our grand kids participated in a trunk or treat event at our church.





Photo one is!!!!!!! Hannah Montana




Darth Vader and a real baseball player







Not sure who he is supposed to be but I do know at first look I did not know my own grandchild.

Darth with the fisherman!!!!!

Repeat appearance of Hannah Montana

ALLEY SPRINGS, EMINENCE MO.

If I was to make a list of my top ten favorite places in the world, Alley Springs would be on the list.

This is at least my seventh visit to the springs and possibly more. My first visit was sixty years ago with my grandparents who grew up in this area.

The area is beautiful,serene quiet and powerful all rolled into one.










Down stream from the springs


On a trail above the springs



Top of Turkey mountain,Horseshoe Bend Ar.











Crown Point resort,horseshoe Bend Ar.

JAMES CELEBRATES HIS SIXTH BIRTHDAY WITH THE FAMILY!!!

Sunday found our family together to help James celebrate his sixth birthday that was actually on the first.

Most of us were also celebrating what was happening at the Jones dome.







Opening presents























Getting ready for the BIG BLOW!!!!!



THE BIG BLOW IS SUCCESS FULL











Patiently waiting for the first piece





Oh!!!! to be six again [this photo will get me in trouble]

A DAY AT THE RACE TRACK and DRIVING TOO BECOMES #61 AN AWESOME TIME!!!

Wow I am now in single digit numbers as I have only nine to go. I am not sure when I started that I would actually get to this point.

The group left to right

Standing, Susan, Doug, Jan,and Nancy

Kneeling,Joe, Emily,and the driver!!!






My first reaction was one of amazement at how big financially and number of participants it takes to be a driver in this sport.Later in the day after watching several races I became impressed with the skill, tenacity,and ability of the drivers.My guess is the age level of the drivers was between ages ten and sixteen. Joe is twelve but he is one of the leading drivers for the 2008 racing seasons.


Joe with his car #4



















Joe driving the back straight a way getting ready for the next curve and he was running in third place at this time.

















Doug with Emily who is a rookie driver as this is her first year.





















Emily going into the back stretch curve.




















I am receiving my final instructions from Emily.





















Guess who?????
























Doug escorting the moving car [is he expecting the driver to kill the engine]




















Driver coming down the back stretch as he gets ready to negotiate another curve.














On the straight away but you are always getting ready for the always coming up curves.





Tim a trust worthy man with his rookie driver and his car.









Thoughts from a new driver [never,ever driven on a racing oval] of three laps.




Stressful as the sensitivity between the speed of the engine and negotiating the curving oval leaves no room for error.




Thrilling as you drive the two straight aways with the engine running wide open.




Mind blogging as there is NO play in the steering wheel as it takes strength to move the wheel slightly.




Respect for the young drivers that negotiated the track at a much greater speed than I.




Bewilderment as I tried driving with skill but my mind kept reminding me there were NO other racers on the track.I did not have to worry about other racers trying to pass me or getting to close to my car.




A real sense of accomplishment that I had accomplished a life long ambition. I am sure that Jan. and Doug did not know that when i was Joe and Emily's age I was a spectator at many midget and stock car races at old Walsh stadium,and Lake Hill speed way.




Thank you Jan. and Doug for a thrilling and fun filled #61.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN!!!!!!!


Sorry about the lack of pictures but it is difficult finding photos of you without two wonderful grandchildren being included. Obviously I do not have pictures of your childhoon to embarrs you.

Nancy I wish you a happy birthday and hope you have a great day.

#60 IS UNIQUE FOR ME!!!!!!!

Last week Nancy and I spent seven days at Crown Point a resort time share condo complex in Horseshoe Bend Ar.

Early in June Sean M. and I met Vic Porcelli a KTRS radio personality at fox2 while working the phones for contributions to flood victims. Vic was interested in my quest for seventy and suggested several ideas including playing in a Texas Hold'em tournament. At the time I did not believe that it would be on my list of accomplishments. Proof positive that my quest list is fluid and flexible.

I had played poker from my teen years till the early sixties when marriage, fatherhood,and the Lord changed my life.I had played a fun game of Texas Hold'em one time when Shawn S. received the game for a Xmas gift. When I saw this on the list of activities and there was no gambling involved as it is illegal in Ar.except in Hot Springs. There was to only be an unknown prize to the winner.I knew I had to enter as I figured the prize would be a tee shirt.

I called Shawn S. and got a quick review and training on Texas Hold'em.

There were six players entered and we all started out with $2,500. in chips. My guess is two players were older than me, two slightly younger and one young man of about thirty. Near the end of the game there was only the thirty year old and me.

At the end I was the WINNER!!!!!!'

#59 BLANCHARD SPRINGS,CAVE,

and OZARK CULTURAL CENTER
We first went to the springs about 1/4 mile walk from the parking lot.For the majority of our visit we were the only ones there.

It was quiet,serene,beautiful,photogenic,and powerful all wrapped up together.


There was a couple there that took our picture as they were leaving.












Blanchard cave was about a one mile walk 21 stories below ground [elevator ride provided] but at the end they take you back in a bus.









Ozark cultural center was a cluster of buildings each housing a particular craft. You walk around and see the crafts being made and of course you can make a purchase. Nancy bought some leather earrings.


Mulligan stew, led by Joe Jewell on the dulcimer.