Tennessee News

Family and Friends
Our time in Tennessee was somewhat bittersweet. As most of you know, on our first night there, we took my mother to the emergency room. We soon learned that her shortness of breath was caused by blood clots in her lungs. That diagnosis then lead to her hospital stay of four days; she then was released to rehabilitation and therapy at Adams Place. At this time, she is still there; however, we hope for her release very soon so that she can return to her apartment in assisted living. Needless to say, this wasn’t the home visit with Mom that we had anticipated. We are just so thankful that she is recovering and my sisters are there to oversee her care.

Around the Pool Before Mom Went to the Hospital

We did enjoy some brief times in between hospital visits with my sisters, in-laws, nieces, and nephews to relax around the pool or time to dine out. Frank found time for a few rounds of golf with his bud, Smitty, and I always enjoy seeing my best girlfriend, Sherry. I also got to meet my niece’s friend Melissa’s mom, Carolyn, who I have on my Facebook page. I have known Melissa for years…she and Lane have been down to stay with us on several occasions, so now it’s nice to know her mom, too!

Meeting At Newk's for Dinner with Lane and Adam

Carolyn and Melissa

Classmates
One event that I wasn’t going to miss (once we were sure Mother was going to be ok) was the party that was put together by my high school classmates…SHS Class of 1968!! Last year I missed my 40th class reunion, but over the past year several of us had been emailing and keeping in touch. So when I knew the dates we were coming into town, the wheels started turning and an event was put together. An “all call” invite was put out by the class party organizer, Karen…what would we do without her!! Jackie offered her home for the gathering and everyone brought food and drink. Viola! A party!

Of course not everyone could attend, but many who still live in the area were there; we also had some long distance travelers! Reggie traveled from Texas via Chicago, and John drove in from Gainesville, FL…that was a big surprise for everyone. It was great seeing old friends and catching up! Some of these people I have known since the first grade or later from middle school through high school. So imagine the stories!! It was a happy night and one we should do as often as possible!! We aren’t getting any younger!!

Classmate Collage

Butch With the Twins Corrine and Carole

Aaron, Sam, Jim, Jerry, Myron, David

Dale, Karen, Myron, Carole, Pami, Connie, Reggie, Brigette, and Jackie

Joy, Sam, John, Sandra (she caused me to get my first spanking in 1st grade!), and Myron

Our Hosts...Mike and Jackie...Old Friend Myron with Me!

Spouses....Frank and Dale...Jerry with wife, Roberta

The Greatest Class! SHS 1968 Classmates...Go Bulldogs!!

Gatlinburg

We continued with our travel plans once we knew Mom was stable and will soon be returning to her home. Our next stop was a few days in Gatlinburg. We really didn’t do much while here…we were too tired after all the “hubbub” in the Boro! We stay in a campground called Twin Creek…have been here before…and really just enjoyed the pool, relaxed, and did a bit of roaming about. Always the traditional breakfast at the Pancake Pantry, watching taffy being pulled at the local candy kitchens, and there is always the people watching! Some sights to behold!! Oh! forgot to tell about our incident while coming through Knoxville! Kids dropped a rock from an overpass and hit our windshield!! It caught the right corner and smashed it…now we have to have a new windshield!! We have one ordered to be put in when we get to Massachusetts. Seems we have problems with windshields and rocks!! Guess we were lucky, though; if it had landed right in the middle, we could have had injury or wrecked! I hope those kids are caught!!

When passing through East TN, we always try to connect with our friends, Marty and JoAnn. They live in Dandridge on Douglas Lake. Frank knew them while living in Ohio, meeting them when they were members of the German Shepherd Dog Club. It was a coincidence that they moved to TN a year before Frank moved to TN and married me. Anyway, Dandridge is about a 45 minute drive from Gatlinburg…if you know the back roads! We enjoyed dinner with them…Jo is an excellent cook…and all the old Ohio stories they could recollect!

Frank with Jo and Marty ...The View from their Deck in East Tennessee

Yum! Jo's Blackberry Torte!!

Now we are in Wytheville, Virginia for a three night stay…June 14-16...to visit Frank’s son, Marty, and grandson, Logan.