Michigan Trip

We're home. The weather was nice, two days of sunshine and the 50s and one day of rain. The leaves were about 40% changed, so I hope you and Bob get to see them in full bloom. We had lunch with Morgan (Gary's daughter) and Andy and their new 5 month old daughter Harper Shay. She was being baptized on Sunday, but we were heading back. We saw Gary Nearman. He was home from Cleveland Clinic (10 days) to gain weight, get rid of the infection and prepare for lung and heart surgery. He has another day of doctor visits on October 18th at the Clinic. He will see five doctors and be evaluated. In the 10 days he has been home, he has been back to the local hospital with congestive heart failure 3 times.He is on constant oxygen. He has a large flapped hole in his side that Debi has to clean out every 8 hours. She can see his lung and get her whole fist in there with the gauze. The idea is that the infection is draining out of the body instead of in. He looks pretty bad. They both are depressed. I hope with all that he has been through since January that he makes it. The reunion was fine. Rick enjoyed talking to his old schoolmates. This was the 45th high school reunion and there were about 25 grads there, 12 deceased and the rest not found or just didn't come. He had 67 in his graduating class. Thursday we leave for Orlando for the American Dental Association annual meeting. Last year it was in Hawaii. We'll be there until next Wednesday. Rick will be in meetings all day and then there will be receptions and dinners at night. There will be two nights when he'll wear his tux. I'm wearing the same dress too, so I won't need to send a picture. I don't know what I'll do all day. In Hawaii I went to the beach and walked around the shopping area. I'll take my suit, but it has finally started to feel like fall. The weather report says low 60s to low 80s for the next week. Hot dog! Baxter loves this weather. I leave the porch door open and he goes out whenever he wants. He'll be in the kennel when we are gone. Ryan left today for South Carolina with Tracy. Her brother is getting married this weekend. Kyla is getting As and Bs. She is tired of gymnastics and wants to try karate. I don't think she will like karate, too much standing still. We'll see. Got those pumpkins out yet? Take care, have a safe trip, love, Marilynn