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.

#27 is different than 23 but still is television!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you want to verify my second appearance on the screen go to

myfoxstl.com click on business,click on contact 2,then click on Elliott Weiller's report.

Last night I had the opportunity to answer phones from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM for a " Ask the Banker segment of contact2" In addition I was asked a question by Elliott from a listener. The answer required some quick thinking as Elliott changed the question ever so slightly yet it did significantly change my answer. The question was to be on refinancing your mortgage to pay off credit cards. the change was to get a home equity loan to pay off credit cards. Very similar questions but the answers would defiantly be different. Thanks to Dale Carnegie training I quickly responded.

I am starting to like appearing on television. In the two hours I fielded thirty three phone calls. The majority of the calls had to do with managing your debt, but some on retirement planning, IRA and 401 investing,and changing investment strategies as you age.

Thanks again to my friend for giving me a great opportunity for an interesting and challenging evening while completing number 27.

Remember I am the rule maker and score keeper.

#26 IS A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE!!!
Today I saw my first ever Beep Ball game. Beep ball can best be described as softball for the visually impaired. In addition I was asked to be the field announcer. Since my first month of retirement I have been doing a radio show for the visually challenged through Minds Eye.

The half circle is the line that the batter must hit the ball past. There are two bases kinda like first and third. The batter must get to one of the bases before the fielder gets the ball.{ they run toward one of the bases blindfolded}

All batters must wear a blind fold.

How would you like to hit a softball blindfolded?

The fielders must also wear blindfolds. Each team is allowed two sighted fielders to guide them toward the ball.{they must not touch the ball}

MY FAVORITE OBOE PLAYER!!!
GIVES A STELLAR PERFORMANCE

Kelsey is the third player from the right
This is her second year of performing with the concert band.
Her musical talents obviously comes from her mother and grandmother.


Again third from right