Finally a five Sunday winter month has ended with much ice and snow
for a total of 57 inches for the winter months. The ice caused much tree
damage in Indianola and other areas of southern Iowa. A yearly supply
of salt and sand mix used to keep highways open was completely used up
causing more accidents than usual. School closings exceeded the number
of days allowed resulting in longer hours or extended makeup days into June.
Eleanor's 84th birthday, February 19th and Gene's catching up with
her on March 28th were both celebrated with friends in The Village and
a combined dinner in Des Moines with Duane, Deanne & Pat and Tom
and phone calls from Scott & Pam and Taylor. E-mails and cards from
friends away were enjoyed as received.
We grew up without computers, radios, television, microwaves
and VCRs. In 1924 a loaf of bread cost 9 cents, a gallon of gas, 11 cents
and the Dow Jones average was $120.51!
As my Vinton Brenton Bank boss Paul Shain used to say on good days,
"It just doesn't get any better than this" and that's the way we have felt
about our Happy Birthday days this year.
We are looking forward during the week of April 17th to hosting
a couple from the Friendship Force family in Australia that we visited
in March 1984.
Love is like a garden. The seed of love is planted, but unless
someone tends it with tender, loving care, a strong plant cannot grow.
Words can build a relationship or destroy it. Let your words be
those that build honesty and love. Speak words of kindness and appreciation.
