I told you....No internet service for SIX days! ***Cape Camping and Rv Park, MO - Jun 21, 2012

It's been nearly a week since we arrived at my mother's. I warned you there wouldn't be internet service...nor cell service.

It was a usual visit with Mom's of a certain age (83). She likes having a cook, someone to watch GameShowNetwork with, a driver to take her to the dentist and WalMart.

This time there was a unscheduled surprise for her and us. Our daughter called, offering to deliver our two oldest grandsons (Brady and Tanner) to the nearest airport to spend some days with us. Jeff, her friend, flew the four of them to Lee C Fine Airport, located in the MO State Park, near Kaiser, MO. This all took place Tuesday night.

Mom went with us to the airport, thrilled to see the airplane land, and her family get off. We all then went for a late supper at OutBack's, then back to the airport for Jeff and Trisha to return to NW Arkansas. Mom's comment: "it's amazing that planes stay in the air!"

Wednesday was the dental appointment. When we returned, Brady, Tanner, Glen and I, along with Laney and Carter, my brother's grandchildren, went for a tour of the farm on the Ranger and 4-wheeler. That was great fun.

Last night all of us met my sister Jan and husband Bruce at Appleby's for an early supper.

You might be thinking that we like to eat out...and we do, but the pantry was fairly empty, hence the excuse for eating out! Plus, we got to visit with Jan and Bruce!

It was up and away about 9 this morning. With only one fuel stop near Perryville, MO, with diesel at a price of $3.32/gallon, we made the trip to Cape Girardeau in about 4 and half hours.

One afternoon, I think, Tuesday, Glen helped Bruce in the hayfield. Glen's tractor was cabbed with air conditioning and a radio. My, how times have changed, especially since the summers spent as a teenager hauling hay. Glen pulled the rake behind the rake. I think it took about 3 hours; Bruce was right behind the rake, baling big round bales.

I tell you: you can take the boy off the farm but you can't take the farm out of the boy! Glen enjoyed the time on the tractor. Thanks, Bruce and Jan. Also for supper last night. The treat was not expected but is appreciated very much.

Since we have the grandsons with us we are at the rv park with the pool! It is a wonderful pool, filled with saltwater as opposed to chlorinated water. Nothing to burn the eyes, doesn't damage suits, and feels wonderful.

Darin and Sarah hadn't told Ashlynn and Zade that we were coming, and we hadn't told them Brady and Tanner were with us. Surprises all around tonight when we met Darin, Sarah, Ash and Zade at the swimming pool where Ashlynn and Zade have been taking swimming lessons. Tonight was the last night and there was "play time" for the swimmers. Ashlynn jumped off the diving board into the deep end--with the instructors in the water of course--but popped right up and swam to the edge of the pool. Zade, at age nearly-4, isn't ready to jump off the diving board. It may be the age, or genes. His Poppy Glen and cousin Brady don't do hights, either.

Two of us four are in bed, breathing deeply. Brady and I have been catching up on all things computer.

It is good to be back in the land of connectivity!