Happy 4th of July weekend to all! What are your plans? Tell me what you did so that I can share it in my next NEWSLETTER edition.
MAIL CALL
from Billy Jordan in Decatur, AL (taken off of FB)
I just got back from my annual fishing and camping trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area on the border of Minnesota and Ontario. We always camp and fish in the Canadian Quetico Park area. We spent seven nights out in the wilderness. The weather wasn't so good this year. For those in the south dealing with the heat, we had temps in the 50's. It was rainy and windy. There were a couple of good days, though. I caught some large small mouth bass and a Walleye. We saw lots of wildlife; otters, eagles, loons. Despite the weather, this is a heavenly place. Now it is on to Destin, FL at the end of July.
from Jayne Smith (TJ faculty member) in PA
Tell Hal Ross that I am delighted that he remembers, and likes, Thoreau!
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FOR ALL YOU CAJUNS (or wannabe Cajuns)!!
YOU MIGHT BE A CAJUN IF....
- Watching "Wild Kingdom" inspires you to write a cookbook.
- You won't eat a lobster because you think it's a crawfish on steroids.
- You take a bite of 5-alarm Texas chili and reach for some Tabasco.
- You describe a complete breakfast as some deer sausage and a yard of boudin.
- You refer to winter as "gumbo weather".
- When someone says, "Don't eat the dead ones" and you know what they mean.
- Your answer to "What are the four seasons?" is "onyons, celery, bell peppers & garlic."
- Your close friends all go by first and middle names or nicknames.
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4th of July
God Bless our Military who are protecting our country for our freedom. Thanks to them, and their sacrifices, we can celebrate the 4th of July. We must never forget who gets the credit for the freedoms we have, of which we should be eternally grateful. Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Soldier, prayer is the very best one.
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NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
We had a great time in New Orleans for my niece's wedding. It was held on a balcony over Bourbon Street at 5:00, (before the loonies were out in force). It was the same location where she met her husband in 2008. We karaoked into the night while throwing beads from the balcony. It was a lot of fun.
When I finish up this NEWSLETTER edition, Murphy and I are heading out the door to spend three days in Houston. We are going to take in the Astros vs Boston Red Sox series and stay at the Inn at the Ballpark across the street from Minute Maid Park. We were so excited because we were hoping to watch Lumberton hometown boy, Clay Buchholtz, pitch one of the games for the SOX. NOT TO BE!!!! He is on the DL and won't be back to pitching until after the All-Star game later in the month. BUMMER.
Please keep my sister, Gerry, in your prayers. She is really battling her bi-polar condition and the doctor is trying some new medicine to help with her mood swings. It is such a family illness when one is having mental issues. We are all involved with the daily grind of it all.
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FATHER'S DAY MEMORIAL
(sorry I am late on this)
Classmates who have lost their father's since last Father's Day of 2010
Gary Barbin
Sheryl Evans Graham
Jonnye Dee Doering Williamson
Frank Mirabella
Gayle Endsley
(Please keep me posted on any deaths that you might hear about.)
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SUPPORT
from Loretta LaLonde Myers in League City
My daughter, Michelle, got her results from the Spinal Tap. It is not MS, but they are still looking into something else. It is such a relief to rule out MS! Thanks to everyone for their prayers.
from Ellen Fawvor in Port Arthur
Please add me to your prayer chain. I was diagnosed with cancer of the kidney (early stages) when I had a CAT scan on my pelvic area. I am going to have surgery July 5th at MD Anderson. They are going to remove a portion on the right side.
Also, please keep my brother in your prayers. He is very ill battling cancer and has been having TIAs one after another. They gave him shots of warfin for 3 days hoping all the clots will dissolve. The doctor said he was lucky he did not have a massive stroke.
(Please contact Ellen or keep her in your prayers. She is certainly going through a lot at this time.)
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CONDOLENCES
from Pat Trahan Knox in Beaumont
I have sad news. I just learned that Darrel Mingle (class of '66) died July 26. He was such a dear friend of mine and a really wonderful person. He was like my big brother in high school and throughout college. He had a number or health issues in the past including Hodgkins, a heart transplant, a horrible car accident that he had no recollection of, and the prostrate cancer that he would not, with all of my begging, have treatment for. He felt he had lived a good life. He was in constant pain from all of his surgeries. "Mr Typical TEXAN" had repeatedly said he was ready to go. I guess God granted his wish. His family lives in Colmesneil where he lived with his mother. Services were held in Woodville, TX at Riley Funeral Home. Please keep them in your prayers.
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Please be careful this summer while traveling, swimming, etc. Let me hear about your adventures. I know many of you are out and about especially spending time with the grandkiddoes!
Stay safe and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden