WE ARE BACK FROM MICHIGAN

Today is my son's (JOHN) 40th Birthday------gasp---I can't be old enough to have a son that old(!) and my granddaughter's 12th birthday (KATIE KARP). A happy day......

We got back home yesterday from Michigan. We could drive it in 2 looooong days but we break it up into 3 days, usually one 8-hr. day and 2 six hour days. Now that Dean is retired we are able----for the first time---to take our time. Yesterday we stopped in Lebenon MS at an outlet store for Denby China, and had a ball looking at stuff and even buying some things. If you like "spode" that's the place to get bargains! Bought some lace curtains and some cutlery at great bargain prices!! FUN!

We had a great time. The weather though, was COLD. It hailed twice while we were there, and we had to wear a jacket about 1/2 of the time. We forgot how cool Michigan is in August. I was able to see almost all of my first cousins on my mom's side of the family. They have all aged----luckily I haven't. It was just so fantastic to see everyone, and especially some of my female 1st cousins that I'm very close with. Some of us went out for a 3 hour lunch the day after the reunion and remeniced and talked and laughed and even cryed some.

The smells and sights of Northern Michigan are like balm to the heart. It's home. It's where home used to be. Lake Huron was beautiful. Both Dean and I grew up on this beautiful gigantic lake. Lots and lots of spruce and evergreen trees. Across the lake (you can't see it) is Canada. I really miss it. But this is home now....

As I'm writing this, Bekah called to tell me all about Katie's b'day party, and I need to get all the stuff together I'm taking over there for Katie's (real) birthday today. Also I got some pickled balogna for Sherri. We all love it, and you can't buy it around here----it's a northern thing folks---don't turn your noses up at it. Ha-ha.

Oh----the other thing that was great about "up north" is that practically everyone plays "spitzer" ---- a card game that we dearly love. We played several times, and I've decided I HAVE to teach the kids so that we have partners here we can play with. By kids, I mean Noah (age 9---an excellent card player) and Katie, who enjoys wholeheartedly playing games.

Also we've decided to go next year and spend 2 weeks to a month up there, and take Sherri and Brian and kids with us for at least part of the time. It's time to keep in touch with life-long relatives and friends before they are gone.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, time to put it into "hooey-hooey" (as my mother would say) and get stuff done. First things first----I have to make a card for card-swap this week FUN!!