Summer

A long break it has been from posting......this summer certainly is flying by. Between the 2 midnight shifts and then leaving the next day with an hour of sleep to catch up to the MS TRAM bike tour at Wadena.....this week has just zoomed by. Hoping to catch on my sleep at some point this week......warning to the wise -- the trains that zoom thru Wadena (all night long) use their whistles very liberally!!

The MS Tram is a 290 mile bike run over 5 days that raises money for Multiple Sclerosis. This year over $1 MILLION was raised by 1200 riders. Youngest independant rider was 8 yrs old and the oldest was 88. There were kids riding on tandems that were 3 years old! And the volunteers that support these amazing people were a fun group to work with. This is a benefit that I would be happy and proud to help with again! As first aid I saw very minor medical things which gave me ample time to converse with riders. The farthest someone had traveled to do this, was from outside Manchester, England. Most folks were just good ol Minnesnowtans.

Kate has been gone basically for the last 5 weeks to church camp as a 1st year counselor. She reports that she doesn't want to leave! but then again she is a bit homesick at times. This upcoming week will be her last of the summer. I imagine next weekend will be tough as she will be leaving all of her new friends.

Well, more later as I am falling to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................................

<----Loch Katrine (yep that's the one Kate is named for) Did you know that this is the Loch that the "Lady of the Lake" poem written by Sir Walter Scott was referring to? Did you know that this is the home of Rob Roy.......Do you wonder why my daughter is such a unique and creative person?!? ;) Yes, you are going to have to suffer through the pre-trip wonders as we finish up our planning :) The more we work on what we want to see and do, the more we become aware that we just want to "wing-it". There were moments that we thought about dumping all the traditional castles, towers, etc in place for hiking the West Highland Way - a 96 mile foot path from Milnagvie past Fort William and ending at the foot of Ben Nevis. But since this is Kate's first trip to Scotland, a more historical and "sight-seeing" trip needs to experienced. Which is no loss as Dunnitar is waiting along with Glamis and the spooky Slains Castle - in which Bramm Stoker wrote "Dracula" ........note to self: bring silver bullet and crucifix !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUdMLTuphKw



Take a look - then vote for these guys! The bass player (in the lavender jacket) is the son of one of my co-workers. Excellent video work.

Of course

Of course you can come with Trish - but I'm only taking a backpack - so you might be a bit cramped in there! And I always have space when you need it! Got your back girl :)

And of course I remember the awful mess you left in Paris 007. The horse barn alone took months to set right. I, however, do not plan on parachuting off the Eiffel Tower. I am a bit nervous about the chunnel train though. Not sure I can hold my breath that long ;)

Alright I will admit it - I can't wait for our trip to Scotland! I spend hours drooling on the keyboard while looking at pictures or granite mountains and grassy glens; the Spey River and the North Sea. Yep - hooked - line and sinker! Now for the kicker - 36 hours in Paris! Hoho! What am I thinking!! Another adventure sidebar! So to those of you have been to Paris - let us know what your favorite site or event was. We plan on packing in as much as possible. Oh Kate, btw, I was able to get us into Paris!

You say the sweetest things

Mr. Bond - you bring the car and I will bring the Bollinger and glasses! Please do be sure the tank is full of petrol, won't you?
M

PS I get to drive!

Dear Mr. Bond

Having not had the opportunity to harass you of late (would it be 5 years?? at least...) anyway, I am sure you are in the "swing" of summer. That your game is excelling beautifully. And what is with your new film anyway???? I would expect more from an x- Calvin Klein under garment model. Seems we need to send you on a more dangerous assignment! M

P.S. Please return the Aston-Martin. I need it for my next holiday!!! WOO HOO back to Britain!