Nice to be Home

We left Houston and drove to Dallas on Sunday. Basically that part of the trip was pretty boring although we did drive past an enormous statue of Sam Houston. Then we stopped in Dallas to eat lunch with Amy and Lee (It was delightful) and pick up my stuff which I had left there.

We were able to press on to Muscogee where we stayed overnight. I think I told you all of this before. We used the Mapquest map to get home and it took us North on 71 which was closed so we had to go over and come up US 69. The same 69 which runs through Ames. It was raining when we started out so we were not as able to go as fast as we could on the interstates but we made good time and got into Ames about 3:30. They had had a lot of rain down there and the creeks were full and there was water standing on both sides of the road in many places. The countryside was beautiful but the prettiest part of the trip was in southern Iowa.


The House was stuffy and hot because Jon hadn't turned on the Air Conditioner. I unpacked and threw things around and made a mess. Then I jumped in the shower and got on clean clothes and drove to Des Moines for the Acanthus stated meeting. I know I was probably crazy but I really didn't want to sit around in the heat and what better place to go than to Lodge to be with my Brothers?

After a good meeting I waited while the officers had a meeting and then adjourned to Christopher's for the sixth Libations and good conversation. When I got home Jon was here and we had a good chat but I was exhausted. I got to bed around 12:30 and the boys wanted up around 6:20. I put them off until 7:00 and here I am writing the last entry about the trip. It was a good trip but I am happy to be home. Now the work begins again. You are loved! Be Happy! Hugs, j

Police/Court Headlines

(Thanks Anne)


- Police begin campaign to run down jaywalkers

- Safety Experts say school bus passengers should be belted

- Drunk gets nine months in violin case

- Juvenile court to try shooting defendant

- Killer sentenced to die for second time in 10 years

- Drunken drivers paid $1000 in '84

- Stolen Painting Found By Tree

- Judge To Rule On Nude Beach

- Police Discover Crack In Australia

- Men Recommend More Clubs For Wives

- Two Convicts Evade Noose; Jury Hung

- Deaf mute gets new hearing in killing

Pictures Tomorrow

How can they say my life is not a success? Have I not for more than sixty years got enough to eat and escaped being eaten? -Logan Pearsall Smith, essayist (1865-1946)

I took a picture at Amy and Lee's around noon. We stopped there and Amy fixed us lunch but I left the camera in the car and I am tired. We left Houston around 9 AM and got to Amy and Lee's around noon. Then we drove North until about 5:30 and are at a Holiday Inn Express in Muskogee, Oklahoma and I am going to watch the Tony Awards.

We should be home tomorrow afternoon. Almost in time to go to Acanthus but I will probably stay home as I will be tired. It would be great to see the guys however.

Stay Happy and Remember You are Loved! Hugs.

Last Photos from Houston

After a perfectly delicious banquet of snapper and fillet with Key Lime Pie for dessert the United Grand Imperial Council closed with entertainment by Rex Allen, Jr. He was wonderful. When he talked about his dad there wasn't a dry eye in the house. I think that the neatest thing about him as an entertainer was that you could see that he was just having fun. Probably more fun than anyone in the room and for an hour an a half he sang songs and told jokes and it was a perfect ending to a great session.

The other thing that was good about the Grand Banquet was that there was no Head Table. Everyone was on the level and there were no introductions of dignitaries. What a good thing.

As Willie Nelson says tomorrow we will be "on the road again" and should be home late Monday night. Will try to post from Amy and Lee's tomorrow. Be loved (You are!) Stay Happy, Hugs. j

Saturday

Ties and pocket scarfs - $250.00 each - Why does that impress me? Probably because I know someone who wears them.



Congratulations to the new Grand Sovereign.

I really enjoy watching the Knight Companions of the Red Cross of Constantine. Probably because most of them do not have an axe to grind. They are all Past Grand somethings and have already accomplished a lot for the fraternity. The meetings are generally just as boring as most Masonic meetings (I shall probably be struck down for saying that) but the titles are very impressive.

Red Cross of Constantine is essentially a social order for the Knights Companions and their ladies. It is an honor to be asked to join and not everyone can be asked to join as the membership in a Conclave is limited. You must be a Royal Arch Mason and generally have accomplished something in the fraternity or will be going to accomplish something in the future. Our membership in St. Bartholomew Conclave is limited to 50 members and we may also have 15 emeritus members. (That number was just increased from 10 at today's meeting) The other Conclave in Iowa has the same limit so for a Mason to be asked to join is quite an honor. We have twelve Past Grand Masters of Masons in our Conclave.

The members in attendance come from all over the world. Those who came the furtherest came from Italy. There are three of them and I have watched them for the past several years. They don't speak much English but seem to enjoy themselves.

The ladies are the most fun to watch (aren't they always) as they attend several of the functions and always seem to be loaded with shopping bags when not attending the functions.

Today we had luncheon with the ladies and were again entertained during the meal. It was a salad with salmon and a piece of chocolate cake (I only had three (big) bites) and it was super. The entertainment was singing and several were trying to eat their salads and sing at the same time. He was so good that we wanted to sing with him.

This afternoon there was a memorial service and an Installation of Officers and tonight the Grand Banquet (Tuxedo with Jewell and sash) - Rex Allen Jr. is to be the entertainment. I am looking forward to that and will put up some pictures if time. In the meantime I am really looking forward to being back home among my friends and getting my nose licked by Bailey. Be Loved - Stay Happy. Hugs, j

Friday in Houston

One thing they do at the Red Cross of Constantine is feed us well. Tonight was an informal banquet with chicken and rice and a wonderful ice cream dessert. Earlier today we had our choice of chicken, sea food or a rib eye steak at the Monument restaurant - my rib eye was super. We were entertained all through dinner by a man playing the piano who sang a lot of Texas songs. He was great and almost made me wish I was from Texas. Here are some more snaps of the dinner. I am tired. We had to walk a lot today and I am not used to that. Be Happy and Loved. Hugs. j





Singing "God Bless America"