cool busy florida

The little girl is still missing from Satsuma. It is very wierd. It will be a full two weeks tonight/tomorrow morning. There have been over 6000 manhours spent by various police agencies, helicopters, dive teams, and atv/horseback searches. And so far, NOTHING! The father and mother are not married, and are like two separate families. The police will not let the father back into his house(crime scene) so he and his followers are camping in a trailer on a neighbors lawn. The mother and her supporters are staying in a large tent on the main road. Both sites have people there all the time with fires, tvs, TV trucks, and police cars. all kinds of banners, signs, and stuffed animals are on location. Geraldo Rivera was on hand yesterday to question the father, who objected to being asked about his drug use and other things, so Rivera was asked to leave. We have friends who live right in the middle of this and we were there Friday to "jam" and heard all kinds of stories. The family to be polite, is described as dysfunctional. Any way both groups have stated they are staying to the "end". The sheriff says they have over 1600 leads, but nothing yet of substance.

We went to Seaworld again last week. We rode with Lester and Sue, who were joining up with friends of theirs from Cassadaga. We enjoyed it, even though I had to use the wheelchair, because it is still too much walking for me. I am slowly healing, but the knee still gets mighty sore wheh used a lot. It will be 7 weeks this coming Thursday, and I am tired of being unable to do certain things, but hopefully, eventually, it will be worth it.

We did buy the 1988 Pace Arrow motorhome we were looking at last week. It is 32 ft long with lots of storage, both in the basement and in the living quarters. Laura is busy right, now, cleaning cupboards and filling them. It is unknown at this time, whether said motorhome is going to come north this spring or not. we shall see. Now we have to get rid of "the wreck". anyway pictures now exist of the new one and will be posted soon.

gas prices here in Florida dropped down to close to $1.50, before they escalated back up to $1.99, but now are falling again to about $1.73. Unfortunately, it has been cold enough to reduce our time in the boat considerably, We are not complaining to you people in the north, but it has been a cold winter this year.

Bluegrass and local abduction

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we were at the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, South of Palatka for the 5th annual bluegrass festival. We have been to all of them. The music was good, the weather so so. The world famous" garbage can turkey" was postponed due to questionable weather on Saturday, and some of the attendees failing to show. This was our first chance to see the renowned Ricky Skaggs, and we were disappointed. He is a tremendous talent, but his showmanship is lacking. He has virtually no connection with his audience. Rhonda vincent, Nothing Fancy, Goldwing Express, Bluegrass Brothers and the Grascals, among others, all know how to entertain.

We took "The Wreck"(our 20 ft Transtar) over and used it as our base. It was considered to be a test for it and it failed. It is not quite big enough, when we have as much stuff to haul as we do. We are presently looking at a 1988 Pace Arrow, 32 footer with all the goodies and is in pretty good condition.

Sunday, we did cook the turkey(in the garbage can) because it was thawed out. We did it here at home, shared it with Jerry and shirley, Bill and Bev Weston(from Maine), Lester and Sue, and their visitors, Greg, Angie, and their kids, Judy, Abigail, and Christopher.

Monday, we looked at the Pace Arrow, and have discussed it, and probably will make an offer on it.

We also went back to the Dr (after two weeks). He said the knee was still a little bit red, but ok. new x-rays were taken. I have worked it harder than it likes sometimes, and it is often very sore. We are able to rest it more now, and go back in 3 weeks. And guess where we are going tomorrow. Sea World. The wheel chair is going as there is a lot of walking involved. The surgery was almost 6 weeks ago, but I am impatient to get closer to normal, as I have a lot of things I would like to get done.

The airplane crash in Buffalo was actually in Clarence Center, and was abour 3 blocks away from where Derek and Liza lived until they moved this summer.

Here in Satsuma, it has been a sad and trying period. After the initial discovery of the disappearance, there were helicopters in the sky, roadblocks, makeshift gathering places, a dozen different tv satellite trucks from Jacksonville, Daytona, and Orlando. There were police from all over Florida, as well as many volunteers. There were searchers on horseback, atvs, everything. The house that she disappeared from is fairly remote, and the surrounding territory is extremely dense. Anyway, after days of seaching, and finding nothing, the actual search is winding down and the authorities have relocated to Palatka. When we left yesterday afternoon to go look at the motorhome, all the tents and shelters and tv trucks were gone. Yet, when we came back a few hours later, there were dozens of State Troopers with a roadblock. They asked a few questions, wanted to see my drivers license, etc.

We know nothing of what actually happened, and why there have been virtually no clues or good information to go on. We hope it turns out well, but it seems unlikely afer this much time that it will. At this point, I guess, everyone knows where Satsuma, Florida is, but for the wrong reasons.

Still Busy

Saturday was a busy day. We went to Barberville to take part in musical seminars, clawhammer banjo, and guitar for me, beginning base for Laura. Then Jerry Burkley and I went on to the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona. Both races (ARCA) and shootout were exciting. Jerry really enjoyed them. On Sunday it was back to Daytona for the Nascar Flea Market, Supper at Ruby Tuesday.

I stopped using my crutches Last Monday, however, had to revert back to them at the race track, because of increasing pain in the knee when weight was put upon it. We did a lot of walking there.

This monday, it was back to the pool for water aerobics, and it was time for another boat ride, and off to Palm Coast for another free "Grand Slam" at Dennys. Norma joined us there.

Tuesday, we went over the Rodeheaver Boys Ranch to set up our chairs for the upcoming Bluegrass Festival. This morning were awakened by a 6:00 clock phone call from the local Sherriffs office. It was an amber alert for a nearby 5 year old girl who turned up missing during the night. We had helicopters flying low, diving teams , many police authorities, road blocks checking cars going out, etc. By evening, she was still missing, and tv trucks were showing up nearby in River Villas. We are situated about 1/2 mile away by road, about 200 yards as the crow flies.

Today, Wednesday, the girl is still missing and the police do not have much to go by. They say they are treating it as a stranger abduction. All the media are on it and there are 10-12 tv trucks in River Villas, with flood lights. There is now a $25,000 reward, and the local people want to help search. The area is very desolate and near the river, although it is quite rough with trees and bushes along the shore line. The local schools are now very concerned about how to handle the situation. of course, there is considerable speculation as to whether she is alive and whether someone in the famliy is involved. we hope this ends well and soon, but we shall see.

Meanwhile, today we went to the Deland Flea market, and had our third(and last) free Grand slam at Dennys. We also took our motorhome over to rodeheaver for the bluegrass, and set it up. It has not been driven much so we wanted it there. Lou"s again for music. Jerry is really enjoying this.

busy in cold Florida

Jerry and Shirley Burkley, from Orchard Park,(fiddle club) arrived safely Thursday evening, just in time for cold weather.

Friday, I was scheduled to see the Dr again, because of concern about infection in my incision. So we made a day of it. We all, Lester,Sue,Jerry,Shirley,Laura and I piled in the car to go St Augustine. We did yard sales, Grampas(music store), KFC, Bealls, and other stuff. The Dr looked at my incision, said was 100% better and all was well.

Saturday, was the long awaited Home Show at Flagler. This is a great home show with lots of give-a-ways. An ideal location for seniors to grab everything in sight, take it home, sort it out, and then throw half of it away. Sat night we went to a "jam" session At Lori and George's house in Georgetown. It was interesting , but cold.

Sunday was a casual day, with nothing on the schedule due to the cold weather. We did watch the Superbowl, while playing games.

Monday was a "Big " day. Laura resumed the water aoerbics, while I watched, and then to the Dr. He looked at my knee, and said I could wean myself from the crutches. He also said I could go back in the pool, and come back in two weeks. So as of Monday afternoon I have been walking without crutches. It is great although it is sometimes awkward. Each day gets a little better. Already, I can stand still on it without the pain I used to encounter after a few minutes. we are looking forward to a more active(physically) lifestyle in the near future.

Tuesday was a busy day, thanks to Dennys' promotion of a free "Grand Slam" for everyone in America. We decided to go to Port Orange and hook up with Wally and Joan Tanner, neighbors from Amherst, who live in Port Orange during the winter months. As expected, Dennys was crowded and we would have a long wait, however, they were giving out rain checks, good during the next two weeks. So went to Flapjacks in Port Orange, and then to their house ,where Joanie cut hairs off Laura, Sue and myself, Lester sorted out their TV system and everybody was happy. Stops at Aldies, Angelas, Harbor Freight and others were made prior to Supper at Alfies. On the way home, we stopped at Normas' to show off her new house to Jerry and Shirley.

Wednesday was quiet, but I did get back in the pool for aoerbics. It was great. Virgil visited for some music assistance, followed by a small group at Lous' at night.

Today being Thursday means we will go to the Senior Center for some "Pickin n grinning',, where a group of aspiring amateur musicians just play for fun. Depending upon the participants , some of it is quite good, some not so good, but it is fun for everyone.

While Jerry and Shirley are here, there has been some music, somewhat curtailed by the cold weather, Normally we sit outside and play, but not when it is this cold. Jerry brought his Banjo, guitar and auto harp. We are not used to seeing him with the harp, but he does a great job with it. Jerry fits in very well with the other musicians here in Putnam County Florida

The weather is supposed to improve stating tomorrow. Then boat rides will resume, and next week is the Big Palatka Bluegrass festival.