Greetings from our little corner of the world – NW Arkansas. All the best to you for your Christmas holidays and all year long in our upcoming 2015 New Year. If you find yourselves out and anywhere near us, stop in for a visit.
It's been another quiet year with a few ups and not too many downs; little in our lives has changed. I guess that is good considering the alternatives. We are very fortunate that we are able to maintain reasonably good health and a comfortable life style. Sadie the Dog brings us a lot of joy. She will be ten years old in April and is slowing down with us.
Sylvia continues to keep our home and the local Habitat for Humanity Re-Store operational. They have just celebrated their first anniversary since moving into a newer, larger store on Bentonville's busiest street. That year was very successful, but most weeks Sylvia worked nearly full-time to support the growth. She has threatened to retire soon, but only time will tell if she actually goes through with it.
Jerry is pretty much the stick-in-the-mud, staying at home and maintaining the property – not a trivial chore. As much as we enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the lake, it makes the efforts worthwhile. The “Big Guy,” who is a woodchuck and also a mother, still lives under the boat house. Unfortunately, the armadillo, who loves to root in our garden, still lives next door as well. Jerry also continues to serve as secretary on our Property Owners' Association's Lakes Committee and attends to other communal projects now and then.
We had several visitors through the year and made a few visits ourselves. Roy, Sylvia's younger brother, came from England for three weeks in July. We showed him quite a bit of the local atmosphere, including Branson, a rodeo, a professional baseball game and our local Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Little sister Judy and hubby Tom visited just a little later. Tom is still trying to figure out why we were the only ones not catching fish. We made our own long weekend jaunts a half dozen times during the year to visit friends and family at Branson, Charleston, Omaha, Sarasota and Sioux City.
Like most other years we enjoyed a trip with sister Joyce and husband Kenn. Our three-week trip to southern Africa this year was very special. It included three-night safari stays in four different countries - Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. We also spent three nights in Victoria Falls and six nights in Cape Town. The experiences, sights, and wildlife were spectacular. The company was even better. Even the weather cooperated. Instead of writing a lengthy description, we invite you to look at our photo album at:o.ggol/3lhp3e\ If you find your own self out and anywhere near this lovely corner of Arkansas, stop in for a visit.
A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You!