The Current State of Affairs: circa March 2019
Such was the case 12 months ago when my big sister, Rory,
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| Heather Circa 2018 |
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| Shawna, Heather and my daughter, Kelly circa 1983 |
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| Shawna Circa 2018 and me. One of us stuck there for who knows how long,  and the other two tag teaming the task of keeping her company, and trying (unsuccessfully, for the most part) to get answers out of the doctor(s) (especially the oncologist). |
While Rory rested on and off all day, I was whiling the time away researching colon cancer online. I kept seeing chatter about "Lynch Syndrome" (https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/prevent/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwrZLdBRCmARIsAFBZllFV0g_wLZnMionLyQ9LHiRtKOV3m51qwLZl3Fx9n8JmZfbZhqoekvkaAuVXEALw_wcB) and I posed the question to the oncologist "could this be Lynch Syndrome?" She gave me a withering glance and looked away before answering....."no, this isn't Lynch, Lynch only presents itself in 3% of colon cancers, this isn't Lynch". When I pressed further, requesting genetic testing due to family history, the doc tells me "if her markers come back with any indicators, we will". Five months later we had heard nothing more about it.
A few days later, as Bill and I were headed back to Georgia, I received a text from Shawna (my sister's daughter).......it turns out my other niece (Rory's other daughter Heather) had recently had genetic testing done. Lo and behold Heather comes back positive for Lynch. HHHMMMMM imagine that!
My research tracks it back to my mother's, mother.
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| My maternal Grandma Herrmann and I, circa 1976 |
1: Schedule colonoscopy (2 years early-don't care)-check
2: Schedule hysterectomy-check
3: Give blood sample for genetic testing-check
Oh, but wait, the insurance company doesn't think it is necessary to test my genetics, and that means the hysterectomy is a no-go. Oh Really??? Let me tell those insurance execs they have less than 5 years to live, and see how fast they get their genetic testing approved!
My life is at stake here, and they are saying "no"! Something is wrong with the system.
Some more fun events of that week in April:
Rory and I trying, unsuccessfully to learn Snapchat. Still, the pix was worth it.
Supplying Rory with a shower chair (I want her safe) and a "safer" step-stool than what she had been using, (custom made for her by Bill) to help Rory navigate the high bed, was simply a joy....a small thing we could do.
Having fun with socks: I couldn't resist these:-)
Shawna gave me a tour of her property
and discussed future plans for it:
I also chatted with Shawna's Dad, Chuck, whom I had not seen in over 30 years, when he stopped by her place to do some yard work. Now that was a surreal moment!
We are established at a new location, Hyland Court RV Park (http://www.hylandcourt.com/),
IN Ellison Bay, WI where we are working 8 days/month to pay for our lodging, allowing us to spend the rest of our days volunteering at Camp Zion (https://www.campzion.com/Camp_Zion/Home.html). Camp Zion has been our "every other summer" gig, a place Bill attended camp when he was growing up. And, here's a teaser.....Camp Zion may soon be benefitting by our more regular presence. But you'll have to wait for the reveal:-)
Once again, we have lucked out in our employ...great co-workers (3 other couples) and an awesome boss, Cameron. The job works out to be 2-3 days/week
with me in the office
And Bill doing outside maintenance.
Who has the better job here? HHHHMMMMMM? I can't complain, though the office can be very intense, we have a lovely campsite
backing up to the cherry orchard, which, when we arrived, was totally visible though the thin row of trees. The view out of our rear living room window was AWESOME, as those cherry trees came into full bloom, soon after our arrival.
Too bad, in my ignorance, I waited a week to photograph this, it's brilliance was already diminished in that short time frame
When our Hy-Land days are fulfilled, we head over to Camp Zion where Bill is completing some long awaited woodworking projects...this 1st one in Carole's office
,
while MY first task was to clean and re-arrange the pantry.
With a humongous freezer pumping heat into this claustrophobic space, and the warmth of late May, I was sure glad to complete this project and get outside.
Be Careful what you wish for, because I next tackled the "garden area" behind the dining hall.
THIS 2nd project, the re-building of the Camp's central garden. Never much more than a rockpile, and my goal was to turn it into a beautiful "flower" garden.
Under the gun to finish the garden by July 4th for the annual "Open House", I turned to my rock (so to speak), as I do when in a pinch, and Bill and I tackled it together and "got er done", re-building this garden space.
And because I am simply a glutton for punishment, I then tackled the long awaited repainting of the swingset. 15 feet in the air with my new grinder tool, much of the time reaching overhead with one arm holding that monster.
I was able to finish it just before we left for warmer climes:
One of the most satisfying projects I have ever tackled.
While I was making my way around camp, Bill was still in the office installing some long awaited trim work...
From there, Bill moved on to one of his favorite pasttimes.....painting signs:
Tessa was amongst the many admirers of the restored signs.
ALSO near the end of summer, while I was perched up on that ladder working the swingset, Bill was buried in the basement of the "old dining hall", building storage racks for the winter toys:
It was a lot more organized when he was done!
AND just for fun, Bill restored the Hyland Court sign.
Sure enough, it ended up in front of the office:-)
Good at it, isn't he?
Never fear, we aren't in this alone, Tessa helps as much as she can
AND coming:
, while MY first task was to clean and re-arrange the pantry.
With a humongous freezer pumping heat into this claustrophobic space, and the warmth of late May, I was sure glad to complete this project and get outside.
Be Careful what you wish for, because I next tackled the "garden area" behind the dining hall.
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Upper garden before...
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THIS 2nd project, the re-building of the Camp's central garden. Never much more than a rockpile, and my goal was to turn it into a beautiful "flower" garden.
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Mid-Garden before
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Under the gun to finish the garden by July 4th for the annual "Open House", I turned to my rock (so to speak), as I do when in a pinch, and Bill and I tackled it together and "got er done", re-building this garden space.
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The finished product
This garden space hides the ill kept secret that ALL of the "ground" in Door County is actually ROCKS! I was bound and determined to convert this space into a lush green and colorful garden. I was aiming for 6 solid inches of black dirt, but after
moving 16 tons of rocks, I gave that dream up and just managed to have dirt where I was actually planting. |
And because I am simply a glutton for punishment, I then tackled the long awaited repainting of the swingset. 15 feet in the air with my new grinder tool, much of the time reaching overhead with one arm holding that monster.
I was able to finish it just before we left for warmer climes: One of the most satisfying projects I have ever tackled.
While I was making my way around camp, Bill was still in the office installing some long awaited trim work...
From there, Bill moved on to one of his favorite pasttimes.....painting signs:
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| Before |
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| During |
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| After |
Tessa was amongst the many admirers of the restored signs.
ALSO near the end of summer, while I was perched up on that ladder working the swingset, Bill was buried in the basement of the "old dining hall", building storage racks for the winter toys:
It was a lot more organized when he was done!
AND just for fun, Bill restored the Hyland Court sign.
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| Before I told Bill it looked too nice to go back to its original location by the fish cleaning station.... |
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| After |
Good at it, isn't he?
Never fear, we aren't in this alone, Tessa helps as much as she can
One of the neatest things about being "on the road" is meeting new friends, like Linda here....
(who was at Camp Zion on a retreat) and just happens to know a friend of ours from Alpine Chapel (Kathy Kompass). Small world!
(who was at Camp Zion on a retreat) and just happens to know a friend of ours from Alpine Chapel (Kathy Kompass). Small world!
And then there is the reconnection with old friends.....Camp Zion alumni often show up for spontaneous tours and Bill is able to reacquaint with them....some of whom he has not seen in 50 years.
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| Bill and Doug |
We planned a dinner with Doug Harrison, his wife and friends of theirs, for the next night.... before we remembered a nieces wedding the next day. So, the next crazy day we dressed up and shot down to Northern Illinois for the wedding ceremony
, briefly stopped in at our grandsons graduation celebration, zipped down to my BFF'S Audie house for a quick hug and still made it back to the Shoreline (http://www.theshorelinerestaurant.com/) Restaurant at 5:50 for a 6:00 dinner with these new/old friends. Yup, we just made it!
, briefly stopped in at our grandsons graduation celebration, zipped down to my BFF'S Audie house for a quick hug and still made it back to the Shoreline (http://www.theshorelinerestaurant.com/) Restaurant at 5:50 for a 6:00 dinner with these new/old friends. Yup, we just made it!
This may seem like a lot of driving in one day, but for us, it is just another day on the road.
AND the old friends just keep on coming:
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| Nancy Hough (an old friend) and Bill |
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| Kim Richards, Daughter of Bill's best childhod friend |
AND coming:
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| Bill and Cindy Beem (Bill's sister Jane's BFF) |
| AND coming
 And coming..... Betty Weborg, who fed Bill a lot of Super Sugar Crisp when he was building his cabin in Gil's Rock back in the 70's.  Annie (we used to work together at LZPD) is Tessa's FAV
 Cyndy (Bill's daughter), well, family is extra special...and she is not even a dog person  Nephew JJ and Dave-Bill's brother: family, like I said  Johnny, Christine and Tessa And the Grands, well, they're too easy  Papa, Moira (youngest grand)and Tessa  We get to see Daughter-in-law Katie and her family (mom Pat) up in Door County every summer  Angie, well she is family too, since 1968! To run into Cousin Lynn and her friend Jennifer at the Lavender fields on Washington Island just makes life better!  Blake is one of our young friends from Camp Zion I do not mean to minimize the importance of new friends ......  Elizabeth and Tim-met us at Lookout Mountain  Cathy and Don (http://www.mytripjournal.com/Rudolph?fbclid=IwAR3lisL7H_aO1P7SGcNzL8xQLww6ldLcYypiK7LFqNRwtV4PdRTa7Bi5NiU) Check out their BLOG! We met them at Camp Hy-Land  Emily and Sarah (interns at Kings Mountain then, now Rangers)  Marie (runs the Eastern National Store at Chicamauga)  Cathy(met her at church)  Caleb and Meredith (LE at Kings Mountain)  Walter: sold us our new land  Carmen is an occasional Door Countyite who we met at Government Canyon   Cindy and Indy Gabe and Tessa (not all of our friends are two legged) | ||||||
 Angie and Everyone at Camping World, Saukville, WI
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Our final days at Chickamauga and Chattanooga NMP were crammed with final goodbyes to new friends/co-workers who proved themselves not only FAB to work with, but generous in the end game. Our going away dinner was held at Thatcher's
as was the company..
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| Will, our fearless leader, was not able to make it, due to an event with one of his little girls. Now, That's a good Dad |
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| Moose (fellow volunteer) and Chris (Interpretation Ranger) |
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| Ranger Brian (with menu) |
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| That smiley face is Emily, then an intern, now a Ranger |
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| Ranger Chris and his little guy |
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| Marie-bookstore manager |
Disclaimer: not everyone that was there is pictured.
What was not expected was the outpouring of gifts these fine folks showered down upon us....books (and to show how well our Rangers came to know us in two short months, the books they gifted us with were the same two books Bill and I had purchased on our first day at Chickamauga...(they were gladly exchanged), maps (Bill loved to use the maps when talking to visitors), a poster of the Battlefield (once again a FAV tool for Bill), a green Jamestown glass vase (which I had admired and waxed eloquent about a trip to Jamestown when I was 12 and my Mom and Dad and I watched this glass being made). My Mom had purchased a green vase, and I had carried on about the fond memories I have of that trip. 
FINALLY..... THE BLANKET!!!! What about it???
I had just returned from Kentucky where I had noted my sisters attachment to her "blankey"....
her attachment was strong! It seemed like destiny, when I found myself in the Chickamauga Eastern National Bookstore at our Visitor Center and I spotted this throw (lower right hand corner of the photo)
sporting the imprint of the Chickamauga Battlfield. I thought "man would my sister LOVE this! " (She was a big history buff!) Then, I TOUCHED IT! Never, ever, have I felt something so soft! Like cloth butter! I had to get one for my sister. She would LOVE this "blankey".
Then, I checked the price! After recovering from my fainting spell, I told the cashier, why I was so interested in this particular throw. Guess what showed up in the gift bag at our going away dinner?!
So, the deal is this.....I send Rory the blanket and when she is done with it, Shawna has to send it back to me
Yes, all of our co-workers had been spying on us and reporting back to our fearless leader, Kim. Still, it was heartfelt and we cannot express our appreciation enough!
Though it was extremely hard to leave the Battlefield, the pain was lightened by our signing up to return Oct., Nov., Dec. of 2019. Oh, we fell in love with the place and the people!
So long's (for now) were also said to Lydia (who, BTW, is the person responsible for us becoming "full-timers") and her paramour, Paul. Our lunch at Thatchers (different location than our going away dinner) led to my purchase of a quart of their "fiery Red BBQ sauce", and another sad goodbye.
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| At Thatcher's We have made so many acquaintances during this journey, and some of them have become family. Lydia is one of those:-)  |
We took the opportunity, after lunch with Lydia and Paul, to complete the (now) short drive to Atlanta to visit the Martin Luther King NHP:
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| Visitors can join "marchers" on the Edmund Pettus Bridge |
https://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm. 
This visit created a flow of emotions, not the least of which was anger, and the sadness that arose upon realizing we still have so far to go.
This visit created a flow of emotions, not the least of which was anger, and the sadness that arose upon realizing we still have so far to go.
Speaking of "so far to go", I shall here and now share with you a major downside to this nomadic life we live:
In an attempt to make good use of this day, this time, this driving distance, we had squeezed in a luncheon with Lydia/Paul, made a quick walk thru MLKNHP, awa a scheduled dinner with our friends Len and Anne (who live near Atlanta).
But first, we decided to make a "quick" trip to Rockler Hardware. This seemed to be a good idea, whilst we were making the best use of every minute and mile. My research appeared to reveal Rockler was directly across the street from our dinner destination. In that we were, at that time, within a mile of that restaurant, we decided a "quick run" to Rockler would be the best way to optimize our time. Being mindful we were really NOT that knowledgeable of the area, save that which I could gleen from Google Maps, it was Atlanta rush hour, and we were on a short leash (2 hours), THIS was a gutsy decision
So, turn to our trusty On-Star (trusty past tense), we did. On-Star took us to a Rockler all right...1 hour 59 minutes later we were pulling up to the restaurant. And, as to put salt on the wound, we spotted the "real closest Rockler" right across the street as we were turning in to the restaurant, as I thought it would be! In spite of the MASSIVE traffic jam and many miles out of our way On-Star took us, we did make it to dinner with Len and Anne on time, and with great relief spotted them waiting patiently in the parking lot........so much for ON-STAR.
Why do we have On-Star then, if it is so unreliable? Good question.....when we first got On-Star about 7 years ago, it was FABULOUS, but lately it has gone waaaayyyyy down hill. The above case in point.
We had a wonderful time with Len and Anne before we headed home to a very late night arrival.
The next day as Bill was back to work in the woodshop at Chickamauga.
I had occasion to stop in for a visit. Taking Tessa with me, we opened the electronic gate and entered the maintenance courtyard, where we ran into this guy .
Some other interesting things we have seen around The Battlefield include this local truck:
The much more historically correct canon firing:
The cloudy view of Lookout Mountain-sometimes the clouds were so thick and flat, you felt like you could walk right across them.
Wild Turkeys in the road:
Wild Turkeys in the road:
And, in the woods, trying to get a date, while the curious deer watch.
Friends Mel and Sandy
....on their way from their home in Nashville to the Atlanta airport.
....on their way from their home in Nashville to the Atlanta airport.
Such a treat to see these longtime buds from Alpine Chapel (https://aclz.org/) our old "home" church.
Yup, that last week at Chickamauga was BIZZZZY, and as I have said before, "a tough place to leave".
THAT night an overnighter found us in a new campground nearby our Indianapolis family:
Mound State Park (https://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2977.htm)
A great place to stay short term!
Yes, it's pretty typical for us, who are incapable of going in a straight line, to enhanced our trips by taking detours to see family and friends.
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| Bill and Amber |
Bill's niece Caryl 
and her daughters Amber and Erin
and their daughters, live near Indianapolis (kinda on the way home).
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| Love and miss you Jeff |
They are the family of Bill's nephew Jeff (and Bill's doppelganger)
They are always a sight for sore eyes. The icing on the cake was meeting Vic, niece Amber's
husband and their new little guy, William.
William's looks evoke memories of his Grandpa Jeff and his Daddy Vic.
As I have previously mentioned, this is one of the great perks of this lifestyle.
This visit was one of the highlights of our year.
The next day found us back at our FAV Northern Illinois campground, Camp Reinberg (http://fpdcc.com/camping/camp-reinberg/).
Here, for only a short period of time, we are geographically very close to family, and get to visit:
Cyndy and the kids,
Teagan (2nd to youngest grand)always loves to see Tessa
And friends: 
my BFF Audrey and I spend as much time together as we can.
Angela and Adrian must be seen.
AND then, there are those visits which are complete happenstance, and are enjoyed every bit as much as those meticulously planned...Thankful to God for these moments, short though they usually are:
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| Catching up with Wayne Riendeau, who just happened to be out for a jog in the old "hood". |
It was soon time to deliver the RV to Saukville, WI Camping World for some minor adjustments. Perfect timing, as we were about to fly out to Scottsdale, to spend a week with Don and Lisa.
This visit to Don and Lisa's was the price of our "rent" at their house in New Lisbon, where we spent last winter.
Dinners out 
days in the pool,
checking out their new Scottsdale church,
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| Highlands Church, beautiful campus, great service |
and taking the obligatory horseback ride (if there is a stable nearby, we will go),
were just some of the moments in time that can never be replaced or duplicated.
This was very much the case during our get together with Bill's cousins Nancy and Judy and their sweet husbands Ted and Ray, who live nearby in Phoenix.
We missed the 3rd cousin, Teddi, very much.
During this trip we were also able to take advantage of our close proximity to Debi, the partner to
Bill's BFF Dick (now passed) to meet up with her for lunch in Wickenberg, AZ.
...one of our FAV towns and restaurants!
A week of running around the dessert and we were happy to return "home" and pick the RV up to re-settle in a Camp Reinberg...that leads us to....
Funniest Moment of this blog
Going to sleep there that 1st night, we looked over at each other and the humor did not escape us.
In the end it turned out to be the busiest summer ever, taking on Hy-Land Court AND Camp Zion. I begin to wonder if we took on too much? We don't feel as though we have accomplished much at Camp Zion, and we know we haven't had enough down time, as I am physically at my limit and I feel quite sure Bill is as well.
I am sure the situation has been exacerbated by our search for a more "permanent" home in Ellison Bay......Did I say "permanent"??? Yup, well, as permanent as we want it to be.
We had recently begun to consider a "sticks and bricks" home to have a place to settle down to, whenever that time came. So, while we were on that road home from Chickamauga we began a list:
NON_NEGOTIABLES
BILL Jan
"I don't want to spend any money" "I want to be within a 4 hour drive of your kids"
Trees (real trees) Trees (real trees)
Friends (at least 1 set) Friends (at least 1 set)
Privacy Privacy
A church A church
#1 on Bill's list....well, you can see. #1 on my list......quite different. When it came down to it we were pretty much in agreement. While at Don and Lisa's (Scottsdale, AZ) we were seriously considering Payson, AZ. A week later, while driving into Door County, WI we realized that, that is where our hearts were AND it met most of the requirements on both sides of the list (except the "no snow" part).
The search began as soon as we arrived in Ellison Bay for our summer "jobs".
We 1st looked at a 38 acre old tree farm with a house on it. Though the house was a "tear down", the "bones" were there. 
Problem???? Even though we could not see highway 42, we could hear it.
Property #2 in the middle of a 350 acre conservancy, designed and built by "a famous Chicago architect" in the early 60's, came fully furnished. 
We fell in love with the place and made an offer on a Friday ($5000 earnest money), which was supposed to be delivered on Monday, after the bank paperwork had been transmitted. We were excited!
On Sunday, after church-knowing that the house shared a driveway with a 2nd house (built by the same man) nearby, Bill decided to drive by and see what that 2nd house looked like. Down the drive we went, and when the driveway ended, thru the meadow, until we saw it. Similar, but smaller, than the main house, it had an even more spectacular view.
Exiting the truck to have a look around, the meadow sprawled out before us uninterupted (for 2 city blocks), with tall graceful grasses bowing this way and that in the wind. Like the "main" house there was some recent landscaping- new mulch. As we peeked inside it was apparent there was a single guy living there, maybe doing some landscaping for his rent? Pizza boxes on the floor, clothes everywhere, mattress on the floor. It had to be a single guy, just sayin! We drove off into the day with this new found knowledge
Sunday passed, Monday passed. Tuesday morning arrived and what had been eating away at me for two days came to a head. "Honey, there is something I have to tell you"....Bill "what?".....Me-Jan "well, ever since realizing I have no clue who is living in that other house, I have been thinking......If you were gone for a few days, for whatever reason, I would be afraid being in that house alone". Bill..."Well, that's easy, we're not buying that house!" Jan....."what about our earnest money?" Bill....."don't worry about it". Bill would be placing a call to the realtor about 10 am. But, before he could, she called us.....Realtor...." we haven't received the paperwork from the bank", Bill...."we got our copy, do you mean you didn't get your copy?" Realtor..."No"....Bill ...."so you haven't made the offer?" Realtor...."no";-)
AND THAT IS HOW GOD WORKS! Our offer was retracted without forfeit of our $5000.
On to Property #3: The Hannenberg property, a 7.15 acre lot of mostly hardwood trees at the end of a short road owned by Camp Zion.
Dale, the director of Camp Zion, had shown us this piece of land after we had spent a month looking all over the Ellison Bay area for just the right parcel.
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| Everything in the "V" back 7 acres is now ours "The Road Less Traveled" |
Dale saying to me "jump in the golf cart, I have something to show you".....down the lane and around the corner we went.....One look at it and I said "THIS is exactly what we have been looking for!"
The only reason the Hannenberg land had been relegated to "Choice #3" was a complete lack of desire on both our parts to build again. Still, after 6 other houses had already "sold" before we could get our offer in, building seemed in the cards for us. Besides, the Hannenberg property had really been my FAV from the minute I saw it:-)
So, call the Hannenberg brothers (Walter and Richard, the owners of the land) we did. An agreement was reached in about 3 weeks. With a closing date of August 29th we became official "cheeseheads". Now, on to choosing a builder and a house plan.
The builder may very well be "Norb"....who lives just a half mile as the crow flies from this property. Our meeting Norb was pure happenstance. Out one day looking around, we saw some real estate signs on a few pieces of property that interested us. Curious about the price, we called the number looking for "Norb". We liked Norb right off, and when he directed us to a house he was currently building (he is a realtor AND a builder) we had to check it out. We liked what we saw, and a few weeks later met Norb at our new property for an "on-site" interview. Now, no offense to anyone, but Norb got our vote right off when I learned he was of German descent.
Will this change our plans to go to Alaska next summer....probably, but as a friend said "Alaska isn't going anywhere".
In the midst of all this hubbub we were invited to a headstone laying party for Marge and Dave (Bill's Mom and Dad). All of the arrangements were made by Tim Allen
, our brother-in-law. When we saw the stone Tim had designed, it radiated Mom and Dad's spirits.
, our brother-in-law. When we saw the stone Tim had designed, it radiated Mom and Dad's spirits.
Time at the cemetary with family was followed by a luncheon and a getaway, for all who could, to Starrett Lake, Sayner, WI. The lake where Marge and Dave honeymooned 100 years ago, and raised their 6 kids 
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| Moira, Teagan (our youngest grandes), Jacob and Olivia cutting up. |
during extended, 6 week camping trips every summer. Most likely, due to our ages, the only family able (or willing) to escape to those idyllic shores were Bill and I and Tim and Jane (Bill's sister) with 2 of their grands, Jacob and Olivia.
That's the Readers Digest version of that weekends events..... here is the whole story:
A: seeing Audrey (my BFF) 
and
and 
(Bill's youngest sister who has William's syndrome (https://williams-syndrome.org/what-is-williams-syndrome) and lives in a group home in Arlington Heights, IL) for a 2 week visit with her and Bill's sister Joie 
(Bill's surviving older sister) andC. Having lunch with Bill's brother Dave:
D: Seeing family who live so far away, we rarely get this opportunity.
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| Niece Brianne, Brian and the boyz |
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| Anytime Papa can see his youngest grands, it its a special day! |
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| Bev readies the candles for Kathy |
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| Melanie's Mom (Bev), Aunt Jane and Cousin Olivia serve. |
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| I guess Kathy, with niece Ruth, enjoyed the treats |
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| Cousins |
You can't know why (I don't know why) Marge and Dave's (Bill's parents) graves have gone so many years without a headstone, but they did. This to someones shame, who shall remain nameless here. Tim and Jane stepped up to the plate and organized a family fund raiser, designed and arranged the purchase of the stone. Tim, also looked after having the stone set and coordinated the ceremonial event, all long distance from San Antonio.
So, pick up Kathy we did....well, actually I had Bill drop me at Audies so we could visit an hour or so while Bill continued on to get Kath.
Eventually we were all saddled up and heading to our crash zone at Joie's in Zion, ...you do not want to know how late we arrived, but that is sometimes how our days go!
Up early the next morning and off to the cemetary, we were greeted by family representing all 5 of Dave and Marges' kids who had had their own families.
Actually, all 5 of the remaining children (they had 6) were present, 
and it was a sweet/sad moment when those 5 gathered to have their picture taken. Angie, the oldest, was painfully absent, having already gone home to her beloved Savior Jesus Christ.
and it was a sweet/sad moment when those 5 gathered to have their picture taken. Angie, the oldest, was painfully absent, having already gone home to her beloved Savior Jesus Christ.
TO our Joy, both of Dave's (Bill's brother) girls were present and and all 4 all of Bill's children were present, or represented
, and it was a comfort to have them there. The headstone was absolutely beautiful, with Dave and Marges favorite plaee, Starrett Lake, captured in stone, along the bottom. 
After a few memories were shared, the group was off to Stone Creek Restaurant, where the family filled up the screen room while we caught up on each others lives. After many pictures and words we continued on with our normal daily routines, except for the 6 of us who escaped to Starrett Lake
and continued to honor Dave and Marge's memory.
and continued to honor Dave and Marge's memory.
As we figure, those of us with the camping spirit, which Dave and Marge embodied, could best honor them by loving the place they best loved. So, we set up camp, Bill and I, yes, that night at 10:30 PM. Tim-Brother-in-law, Jane-sister, Jacob and Olivia (2 of their grands) joined us 2 days later after having an interesting visit at the, once elegant, Froelich's Sayner Lodge (not recommended) http://www.saynerlodge.com/. With the kids along, it seemed reasonable for Tim and Jane to take site #1 (butts right up to the beach)
Then:
and we set up on 25, directly across from them. A typical (well, with a few modern amenities added) Starrett Lake vacation commenced (less the aspect of cooking, as Bill and I decided to forgo the usual kitchen duties on this particular holiday and eat most of our meals out. TENT STORY INSERT HERE
Lazy days/nights by the campfire, going in to town to eat... either by ourselves or with the whole crew, the requisit visit to The Blueberry Patch (Jane and my fav Boulder Junction store)
AND the Boulder Junction Flea Market
AND the Boulder Junction Flea Market 
where Tessa likes to make friends-as she does everywhere, and exploring new (to us) Restaurants like Boulder Beer, where Jake and Olivia spontaneously began helping the, short handed, wait staff clean the tables and having ice cream as often as possible.
Fast forward to the Current State of Affairs again:
At this moment we are anchored off a small island in the middle of Frank Lake, after having skirted about 1/3rd of the perimeter. Frank Lake is an extemely remote/pristine, unsullied lake where few people find themselves. 
Being on Frank Lake makes you feel you are back in the time of dinosaurs. The Loons pop up just in front of the canoe. As quickly as they appear, they tip over and with a small sploosh, they are gone again. 
This is the place where the eagles fly and beavers fell trees right in front of you (as they did 28 years ago when Bill, myself, Kelly and James were the canoeists), The place where I want a small portion of my earthly remains distributed.
Being on Frank Lake makes you feel you are back in the time of dinosaurs. The Loons pop up just in front of the canoe. As quickly as they appear, they tip over and with a small sploosh, they are gone again. 
This is the place where the eagles fly and beavers fell trees right in front of you (as they did 28 years ago when Bill, myself, Kelly and James were the canoeists), The place where I want a small portion of my earthly remains distributed.
The time to leave arrived all too soon. Meeting up for breakfast on our way out of town, 
we were convicted that we must attempt to do this every summer, Lord willing!
we were convicted that we must attempt to do this every summer, Lord willing!
Never ones to let the grass grow under our feet, the hectic pace back at home drove me to consider a week with my sister Rory (for whom this blog is written in memoriam), knowing that at least some of the time would be spent in quiet reflection and sharing history, while she copes with the ravages of her illness. It would be our final week together.
And we had some great fun....driving to her doctor, we got lost coming home and saw some great Kentucky tobacco barns (her Fav). This one, in particular, was close to Rory's home. We were driving by one day and she said "there's a barn back in there that I always meant to stop and photograph". So I said "well, let's do that". Rory responded "No, you'd have to walk way back into the woods". Me...."OK, I will" 
So, she got to see it.
We (Rory, Shawna and I) also went to "Bardstown, KY" on one of Rory's "Adventures"...she wasn't
up for the Stephen Foster Review 
(I was sending her video during the event)
(I was sending her video during the event)
or the "My Olde Kentucky Dinner Train" 
( once again, I was sending her video during the event)
( once again, I was sending her video during the event)
BUT, she was up for the distillery, where she and I picked a bottle out for Bill. 
From that visit to the end we talked with each other almost every day on "Facetime"
Often in the middle of the night when neither of us were sleeping. I miss her AND those late night chats.After she passed, I considered no longer Blogging. Rory was my greatest fan and I felt the wind taken out of my sails. But, I realized she would want me to go on, so I will, despite the 1 year gap in entries.And since I dedicate this blog to my big sister, I also add a promise to get back to the "once a month" schedule I have strived for since the begining.
And that bottle of Bourbon? Bill and I opened it up minutes after her passing to toast my big sissy!
And in Bill's words "It's goooooooooood!!!!!
Vaya Con Dios Ror!!!! My sister and my friend!
This posting is very different from my usual blog style.....but, it's really all about my sister! Thanks for reading :-)
BIBLE VERSE OF THE MONTH
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV / 118 helpful votes
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ...
