May 28 2018 (Monday) MEMORIAL DAY

Cape Girardeau County and the city of Cape Girardeau honors those soldiers that fell and died in the defense of our country with the hundreds of flags.

Glen also remembers those 17 names that he knew in 1969 that are etched on the Vietnam Wall.

May 28, 2018 (Monday) Holiday Week End (The Landing Point RV Park_

Where, or where, are the days going?  Can't believe it has been nearly ten days since I last wrote.

On May 20, Sunday, after church* we travelled to Iberia (from Greenwood AR), and parked on the farm owned by my sister/brother in law.  

We then attended the visitation of my cousin in law, Jessica. Jessica was 44 years of age, mother of two, and wife of Shawn.  She suffered a brain bleed from uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Life lesson: see your doctor and take your blood pressure medicine.

Monday we attended the funeral service. Of course we were able to visit with numerous cousins and other family members.  We were all preoccupied with the death of Jessica.

Tuesday Glen had an appointment with a new dentist.  We wish a happy retirement to Gary and Pat, dentist and friends for 37 years.
The dentist did prep work for a gold filling on the back jaw tooth that had lost the original filling and most of the shell of the tooth, and applied/installed/put on a temporary shell.

The rest of the week was filled with a variety of errands/appointments, such as a Tuesday baseball game. 

How much fun watching Zade's team.  This age finally knows the rules, and displays the skills to hit, throw, steal, slide, and catch.

We both got haircuts!  

This has been a quiet holiday week end.  Darin and Sarah have been busy with activities with friends.  Ashlynn and Zade have each spent the night with a friend.

* Sunday morning worship service at First Baptist Church:
the morning started with breakfast for the seniors and their families.  During worship service there was slide presentation highlighting each senior as well as announcement of future plans.  The parent(s) joined their senior for a time of prayer.  

This next week is filled with doctors' appointments.  When one reaches "senior" status (not graduating high school) there is practically a doctor for each body part.   

We will be in Cape Girardeau until after July 4.  Our days will be routine: visiting family.  Of course there is Darin/Sarah, Ashlynn, and Zade; Glen's sister Marcella and husband Jeff are also parked here at the Landing Point RV Park.  

I hope you are enjoying the beginning of summer.  There practically was no spring, at least here.  

May 19, 2018 Saturday: Graduation, Class of 2018 Tanner Wilkinson

 Tanner, youngest of Trisha, has had an exciting three weeks or so.  
    
     He has turned 18 years of age, "a man", he describes himself!'

     He has signed up and has a schedule of classes for the University of Arkansas, Ft. Smith campus   beginning in August.
         He will be an IT--Information Technology--major.  

     He graduated high school last night--Greenwood High School, Greenwood AR
          Tanner was one of 295 class members.  
           He received a "Honor Diploma", which means he had a GPA of at least 3.5, and included 9 
            honor classes.  

After graduation ceremonies the class enjoyed an all-night celebration called  "Bulldog Breakout!"

Here's Tanner, our proud graduate!  The weather cooperated and ceremonies were held outdoors at the football stadium.

Waiting for the ceremony to begin: front--Brady, Trisha, Jeff, and Landon

Proud Mom, Trisha, and Tanner

Proud grandparents--Gayla, Tanner, Gayla

The family--(L) Glen, Gayla, Brady, Tanner, Trisha, Jeff, Landon

The menfolk--(L) Jeff, Brady, Tanner, Glen, Landon

Brady, Trisha, Tanner

Brady, Jeff (in the land of the Giants), Landon

Trisha, Tanner, Gayla

Are you missing Natalie? She is in China on a mission trip!
+++++++

The past month has been busy, filled with family time.  Jeff has been in and out of home, flying for American Airlines.  Trisha is still teaching; Tuesday is her last day.  We have eaten lots of meals with everyone.  

We were escorted to two new restaurants:  "Joe's Pizza and Pasta" which served the best pasta dish I think I have ever enjoyed..."Lobster Ravioli";
 and "Diamondhead", a Chinese restaurant.  I enjoyed the best fried rice dish, and the rest of the family had "bowl and a roll".  The bowl contained various vegetables, rice noodles, and meats.  All dishes came with a homemade eggroll.

Tomorrow, Sunday, we will go with Brady, Trisha, Jeff, and Tanner, to First Baptist Church for a "senior breakfast", and then there will be "senior march" during the worship service.

Shortly after lunch Glen and I will drive to Iberia MO for a short, one night stay at my sister/husband's farm.
++++++
There were nine siblings in my dad's family.  Therefore, lots of cousins for us.

Our family of first cousins has suffered the lost of a cousin in law.  First cousin Mike and wife Beth lost a daughter in law, Jessica, age 44, from complications of a brain bleed.  Jessica is survived by husband Shawn (my second cousin? first cousin once removed? It has all been explained before.) and two sons.  

Visitation is Sunday evening; with the funeral on Monday.

We will go on to Cape Girardeau shortly after the funeral.  We will be there for several weeks.



         

May 5, 2018 (Saturday) "Airing of the Quilts" Bell Park, Greenwood AR

Sponsored by Alpha Delta Chapter, ESA, and South Sebastian County Historical Society

My vote for "People's Choice " Award--"Sunbonnet Sue and Baskets of Flowers", hand quilted

President's Choice Award", and Glen's vote for "People's Choice"

"Irish Chain", hand pieced and quilted

"Reflection of my Childhood" "Indian Girls" 

"Misty Mountain Pond" (my second favorite)

"Affairs of the Heart"

"Anniversary Eagle", Mayor's Award; quilter made as gift for husband on their 40th wedding anniversary

Glen and I enjoyed strolling through the "Airing of the Quilts" today.  There were 60 quilts on display.  Oh, my! how many thousands of hours in preparation and assembly and finishing of each project.