=Jan 20 2006
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW!!
The new year has started and we hope that it will be more peaceful and with fewer disasters than 2005. This is a time for me to wish all of the viewers of this blog and very happy new year and best wishes for all of your endeavors.
Here in the middle of Kansas we have had very little winter weather and it is approaching the end of Jan. As with much of the mid-west we are in need of moisture, but we have not had the prairie fires that have been so bad in TX and OK.
I have been lax in making postings to the blog. We are in the process of making changes in our living situation by moving into a retirement living facility. The process takes time and making decisions during the downsizing process. I am very pleaed with the facility, we will have our own apartment and no yard work and very little cooking, as two meals a day are provided. There will be adjustments but I am looking forward to it. The process of getting things ready for the move is slowed down by having to read over old things that you have tucked away and nearly forgot about, It is good to see them again. I have found pictures that were lost, re-read old newsletters, reunion booklets etc which have broght to mind many memories of old friends. Also it is somewhat startling to see the names and pictures of class mates who are now with us only in spirit. I found a Haiku that I wrote on the occasion of a class reunion.
"Old high-school memories
Flowed like well-aged golden wine
Laughter, fed the heart"

We start our mornings with quotations of the Dalai Lama, we were given a day calendar for Christmas, A recent quotation--
The three R's of life
Respect for self
Respect of others
Responsibility for all of your actions.

I am reading a book about Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Title: TEAM OF RIVALS The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.
It is good but big and filled with a lot of information--not real fast going. I need to split up reading time with frivolous, so went to the library today a checked out a Rita Brown book with Sneaky Pie cat and her friends.

I am cutting back some on my involvement with the senior center computer program. I will spend more time with Mary and transportation etc. She has started on some physical treatment session to see if her strength. balance and endurance can be improved.
We were surprised to learn that an old school mate from Ellsworth High is moving into Drury Place about the same time that we will be moving there. Once we get settled I hope to get out my brushes and do some water coloring, it has been probably 12 years since I have wet a brush so we will see what happens--hope for what some call "happy accidents".
May the wind be at your back and the sun on your face
AF AKA HAPPY DOC