comings and goings

Today, Saturday, the 14th, Jerry and Shirley Burkley left for their home in Orchard Park, NY. They were here for 6 weeks and enjoyed all of it, I hope. They lived in their 27 ft camper in between Lester and Sue and us. Among other things they enjoyed, they went to the Flagler Home Show, the Bluegrass Festival at Palatka, various flea markets, Bike Week at Main St, Beach St. and cole slaw wrestling at Samsula, and card games at night. Jerry got to go to the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, played music with us at Lou's and the Senior Center, and got to go fishing a few times with some success. They should arrive home tomorrow afternoon and settle down to their normal Northern routines. They have been foster parents for many years and Shirley needs her "baby fix". They have been foster parents to 83 children. and lately, the children have been newly born, with many of them being crack babies.

I forgot to mention that they also went to Disney World for a whole week, courtesy of their daughters' family. A whole week, with everything paid for, meals and all.

I went to the Dr again on Monday. New x-rays showed everything OK. The knee is still sore and tender, but gradually getting better.

We have one more set of visitors coming in a few weeks, then will be alone for a while, until time to come North in late April.

We had our big Musician Jam Picnic on Tuesday. We wanted to have it before Jerry left. We had 41 people come and enjoy garbage can turkey, ham, pies and everything good. The weather was perfect and everyone had a good time. local musicians included Chuck Hardwicke and wife Vernie, Virgil Jarrett and wife Helen. Dan and Nancy, Roy and Alma, Ebo and wife Mary Ellen, Frank Trivette and son Frankie , Jr. We also had a visitor from North Carolina, as Greg Folts and Melanie , as well as Norma , all showed up. Greg seemed to enjoy himself, even though I am sure the music was different than he is used to playing.

Laura and I went to Silver Springs to see John Michael Montgomery, but his brand of country music did not do much for us . one song, that he called rock and roll was 5 minutes of noise. we did ride three of the boat rides they have and these are always pleasant. Did you know that the water from the Springs forms the Silver River, which joins the Ocklawaha River, then flows into the St Johns River a few miles south of us?

The amber alert situation next door is still ongoing, with no new info that we know about. With the father marrying the babysitter, the picture is very clouded. I am predicting that the babysitter is very much involved, that she and the father cooked up this deal for some unknown family reason, however, it ballooned into a bigger situation than they could handle, and they are trying to figure out to have her show up with out themselves appearing to be involved.

Two more shootings in Jacksonville Today. I think they average one a day. what a world.