Ye-haw!

It's 40* this morning!  Some different from the 92* we had a while back.  That's Maine for you, if you don't like the weather just wait a bit and you'll have something different.  Dad and I will have to bundle up to go for our walk and hopefully Noodles won't go with us.  He whines and cries the whole way, gets behind then comes running past us and sometimes wants to be carried.  We try to sneak off without him leaving him in with Mom but sometimes he is already out.  Last night we took Kipper with us and evidently he didn't like that as he turned around and went back to the house.  Yea!  Guess Kipper will be going with us more often!

I was going to do part two of Memorial Weekend but now I can't remember what we did when.  I do know that Dad marched in the parade again this year with the other veterans.  FIL was unable to do so as he needs a hip replacement.  He and Son are on their way to Boston this morning for an appointment with the doctors to see about a time for the surgery.  At 93 he is very busy, still works at the office every day and lives alone next door to us.  He and Dad are both WW2 vets and have always enjoyed marching in the parades together.  Dad was in Europe and FIL was in the South Pacific.  We owe so much to those who did and continue to serve our country to preserve our freedoms.  I get pretty tired of hearing people complain about things here when we have it so good and can do what we want and say what we want.  Not to sound too rednecky but I agree with one bumper sticker I saw that said if you don't like it here go back home!  I think we have it pretty darned good!

We went to Miss T's program at school on Thursday night.  It was Nifty-Fifty, all about the states and the flag and what each thing stood for.  It was an amazing program with the little second graders just belting out the songs and reciting their pieces without a flaw speaking into the mic well so that you could hear every word!  Miss T looked so grown up to me in her cute little skirt and patriotic shirt!

I snapped a couple of pictures of Mom and Dad in the garage on my way out to the program.  They have been married 66 years!

We had our Humane Society Appreciation Night at the Muddy Ruddy Restaurant a couple weeks ago.  We have been working on it for some time and it was nice to have a packed room with animal lovers and supporters of Bangor Humane Society.   This is my son and the Executive Director.

Mr. Bill Irwin was our guest speaker.  He is the only blind person to hike the Appalachian Trail along with his guide dog Orient.  He captivated the audience with his stories about his adventures with his different dogs.  He has had five all together and now has Colby his faithful companion.  Colby is a black lab and Bill says he is the most dedicated and hard working of all his dogs.  Colby loves everyone and we were able to pat him and talk to him when he wasn't snoozing under the table by Bill's feet!  :o)    If you haven't read the book about Bill's experience hiking the trail you really would love it.  It is called Blind Courage and once you start reading you can't put it down!!  In this picture he is being interviewed by one of the local television stations.

Here I am with Renee who is also on the board.  We didn't sit down the whole evening as we were trying to get around to thank everyone who was there and let them know how much we appreciate their support.

                                                  Hi Colby!

People in line getting their books autographed and chatting with Bill.

Bill's lovely wife Debra taking pictures of all the goings on.

If you would like to read Bill's book let me know and I can put you in touch with them.  It's well worth the read and talks a whole lot more then just about the trail.  It is an amazing story of God's deliverance from a life style of addiction and a road to destruction. A call for help from a cocaine addicted son started Bill on the path of recovery. They can be reached at www.billirwin.com or info@billirwin.com

We head out to Tenn on Thursday!  Yea! Can't wait to get to Blackberry Farm in the mountains outside of Knoxville.  I have signed up for some horseback riding (of course) but am wondering if they have a western saddle available!!!!!  All the pictures in their website show people riding English and I haven't ridden hunt seat for 20 years!  Gulp!  I think I will sew some Velcro onto the seat of my pants!  We also have signed up for some carriage rides plus I would like to try fly fishing while the Hubs is in classes.  We have functions each night and they sound like they are going to be really nice and not all formal and stuffy like some we have to go to.  I'm just not a formal and stuffy person if I have a choice.  The last night we are supposed to wear our jeans and boots!  Yippee!  Now that's my kind of party, bar be cue and s'mores!!  Pictures to follow as you can well imagine!