By the way, be on the lookout for Gramma Varden - she's on her way up there if she hasn't arrived already. Tell her thank you for all the wonderful dinners when I was little,, and DON'T tell her that I think Noni busted the all-time record for out-cooking kitchen angels. They were both great at it, just different, Must be Gramma Magic. And tell Gramma Enid and Granpa Cecil I miss them and we are going to hang out some when I get up there because we didn't enough when they were here in school. I intend to be awhile yet, though. Lots to see down here in the classroom.

I think that's OK for now. I'm going to do my best to come up with at least one memory a week. That would be good, and It will give me a set goal to reflect on Mom's life. I guess that in a way, this how I talk to her now. Some of the things I would say are, say hi to Noni & Nono, tell them I miss them. Say hi to Uncle Ross whom I never got to meet. Say hi to Great Granpa Keeney, it was fun when I got to meet him, wish it had been earlier in life. Say hi to Elvis, 'cause I'm trying not to wreck his songs too bad when I sing 'em. Hope you take Samantha Joe out to play and go Bye-Bye every day, and don't forget her coffee in the morning! If you go camping, look up and spot a shooting star and remember I'd be doing that for hours while we swapped campfire stories if I were with you. Love you, Mom.

I remember when I gave Mom an Un-Candle for Mother's day. I was in high school, I think it was the first time I'd bought her a gift with my own money from my part time job. That's the candle that uses a little oil with the wick floating on what looks like a glass of water. I think she liked it, but as usual I didn't know what to get her, so I picked something I liked.

It seems strange to me that it's been so long since I've been here. there are so many memories, but at times it's hard to pull them up. Let's see what I can find....

Missed Mom this past Mother's Day. Lori was too. She couldn't get here to post, but I talked to her and know it. I went to Sheboygan and did some good environmental work, in her memory. I'm going to spend time the rest of my life trying to help improve the region around me, that we all called home. That's in honor of her memory. Whatever little bits I can do.