Happy Fourth of July!

This article will be short and sweet as the main message is right there in the heading.

These days, the Fourth has become the day to take in a parade during the day, watch local fireworks at night, possibly watch one of the good musicals on Public TV or one of the networks, BBQ a good steak or hamburger, possibly do a little yard work, or maybe just kick back and relax, with absolutely nothing on the agenda.

But while we do one or more of the above, we should remember that we have the FREEDOM to pick and choose which activities we will do and where we will do them. If we want to stage a protest against our leaders or a newly enacted tax or the government in general we can do that.

Not so in many places in the world.

Many of our friends and neighbors wherever we live, including several Rockport 35RV Park residents, served their country to make sure you and I can still enjoy those freedoms.

To-Do list for July Fourth:

• Thank a veteran.
  
  
• Explain to a youngster exactly why today is so special to Americans.
  
  
• Be thankful that we live in such a wonderful country.
  
  
• Enjoy!

PS: And if you live in Iowa, be sure to measure the corn! (Here, tradition has it that corn should be knee high by July 4.)

Lucille Update #4: GREAT NEWS!

This info was just received from Rick regarding Lucille, his Mother:

This morning she went into surgery to remove those external supports on her legs. This is the same surgery she was to have on Monday but she had some problems (her blood pressure dropped and her pulse rate went over 200 bps) they canceled it.

The doctor just stopped by and told dad & me when they removed the supports this morning all went GREAT. When they removed the supports there was not any infection and they didn't put the internal supports in.

The doctor said they are putting temp. casts on her legs (back and sides only), he is not sure she will ever need the internal pins and screws. She will not have to see this doctor for 2 weeks, at that time they will check the bones again and make sure all is well.

We asked the doctor if she will be here in the hospital for the next 2 weeks and he said no, she should be able to go to a facility that would give her physical therapy (PT), like the place in Rockport. No I don't know when that will be I will let you know asap.

As I am typing this mom was taken back to her room, this means she came out of recovery very fast. Dad went up with her and I'm on my way.

I'll update everyone when I find out anything more.

Rick

That's the best news we've had since the day she fell in March. Let's hope the news continues to be good!

Lucille Update #3

Rick has just supplied me with some bad news and some good news regarding his mother, Lucille Carlson. (For those just joining us, Lucille fell from the porch of their trailer in March. This resulted in compound fractures of both legs near the ankle. She's in a Corpus Christi hospital.)

First, the bad news:
In April, Lucille moved from the hospital to another medical facility where she could receive long-term care and therapy to keep her healthy while her legs healed.

Unfortunately, things did not work out as planned and her health actually deteriorated, possibly to crisis proportions last week. Son Rick and daughter Linda returned to Rockport to support Dick and Lucille get through this phase.

Now the good news:
A week ago (9th) she was moved back to the hospital. She was severely dehydrated and getting fluids into her has improved her condition greatly. Further significant improvement is expected over the next few days.

That brings us to today, June 16th. Rick said:

Mom is going to surgery on Monday (6/16) to remove the outer stabalizers (rods/pins) on her legs that were installed on March 14, but at this point I'm not sure how they will support her legs once the internal rods/pins are in place. Guess we will find out on Monday. Removing the external hardware will allow her to be more mobile, via a wheelchair; however, she won't be walking for a long time. She has been confined to her hospital room for the last 3 months and wants to get out of that room badly. This surgery will also allow her to participate more actively in PT, and this, we are hoping, will let her build her body back up so when her leg fractures are healed the rest of her body will be ready too.

Late update (2:30pm) from Rick: The surgery has been postponed until, possibly, later this week.

The Carlson family is in need of our prayers and moral support during this difficult year.

You can contact them here:

Lucille Carlson
Site 40
4851 N. Highway 35
Rockport, TX 78382

We're High and Dry, Safe and Sound

We had no idea people thought much about us, but the well-publicized flood in Iowa and specifically here in Cedar Rapids has resulted in phone calls and emails from all around the country—often from friends we've not heard from for months. And some were from Rockport 35 RV Park friends, which does not surprise us!

"Are you OK?" is the question, of course.

We're thankful that the answer is, "Yes!"

We're about 6 miles from downtown and about 4 miles from the river at its closest point. There are 1,000+ blocks downtown, homes, businesses—everything—which are under water. The first floor of those buildings nearest the river are nearly full. I don't think the water reached the second floor anyplace. In short, it is a mess of huge proportions.

The good news is that the water is going down faster than expected—down maybe 10 feet from the crest. Some are now getting back into their homes to find a discouraging mess.

Our only inconvenience is that I have not had internet, so could not post. Now I have re-subscribed to dial-up service so am back on the air—albeit slowly.

I apologize for not getting the comments to this blog up earlier. "The system" is supposed to send me a message as soon as someone submits a comment. It didn't.

Safe From Tornadoes in Iowa & Minnesota

Some have been concerned about your 35 RV neighbors who live in Iowa and Minnesota because of the tornadoes this week.

Iowa was hit particularly hard, with one town of under 2000 people losing 220 homes, with seven lives also being lost in the area. The pictures make it look as if the houses were all tossed into a giant blender, the power turned on for a minute, then what was left scattered over the area from which the houses came. It was total destruction for about 1/3 of Parkersburg, Iowa.

This tornado was on the ground for 43 miles, so was able to do a lot of damage. Based on the evidence left behind, the weather experts rated the tornado an "EF5", which means the winds were at least 205 mph. It was the strongest tornado to hit Iowa for 32 years.

This town is roughly half-way between the homes of Gene and Donna Lackore and Keith and Pat Williams. There was no damage at either of our homes.

Tornadoes also hit Minnesota, with one at Hugo, home of Tom and Julee Crever. This note from Julee:

"Thanks Keith for caring.....our RV family.....they are the finest! Yes we are fine. Our home is about 5 miles southeast of where the terrible destruction hit.....it is so sad. I will try to send you pictures our son took yesterday helping a very dear, close friend of his, do some boarding up and picking up items at his home which was in that area."

We are thankful that we are safe and sound and pray for healing of body and spirit of those directly affected.

Memorial Day

This morning I went to Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery here in Cedar Rapids to take a few pictures. It is indeed a beautiful resting place for generations of Cedar Rapidians.

The cemetery does a great job of recognizing and honoring veterans, as you can see in these pictures.

The same will happen in cemeteries across the country. In my hometown—Lime Springs, Iowa—the American Legion will put a brass emblem with flag at the grave of each veteran. Legionairs will hold a brief ceremony, then fire a salute over a miniature field of white wooden crosses, symbolizing Flanders Field.

Prior to the ceremony at the cemetery, there will have been a program at the local school gym, complete with band, speaker, and music.

Later, locals and those visiting will gather at the Community Center for lunch and, more importantly, a time of reminiscing about those who have gone before and genuinely enjoying each others company.

Our Great-Granddaughter Arrived

May 15, 2008, was the day she arrived. She was a week late, but I've always found that to make something perfect it takes a little longer.

Molly Nicole Woodrich is our first great-grandchild so was eagerly awaited, to say the least. Here you see tired mom Stephanie, happy great-grandmother Pat, and content little Molly, 7+ pounds and two days old.

Molly lives in Owatonna, MN. Her grandmother Woodrich also lives there. Grandmother Hawkins lives 14 miles away in Waseca, MN, Pat's hometown.

Both of Molly's grandfathers have passed away, so I am the only grandpa she'll ever have. It's a great responsibility, but I'll try hard to fulfill the role admirably.

"Molly" (Amalia, actually) was the name of Pat's mother. The new Miss Molly joins one other great-great-granddaughter in sharing the name.