Amazon Riverboat Exploration

So you are off on an exciting trip in South America! Have you been taking your Malaria and yellow fever medication and do you have something for altitude sickness when you get to Macchu Picchu? Coca tea and a day in Cuzco before the climb also can help keep you feeling well.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention for Brazil indicates that everything will be fine once you get used to the polluted Amazon. Anyway the best part is being away from the United States and the obsessive shopping for the holidays. I certainly sound like I'm in the holiday spirit, don't I?

I will miss your cheery, informative Christmas card signed, "Judy". Maybe you can get one to me when you get home on the 21st? Have a wonderful time. Your three-deck boat with the air-conditioned dining room sounds nice if I don't try to picture the local delicacies you'll be eating.

Adios or our old favorite, Hasta Luego!

Thanksgiving 2006

Alberta had a good time with her great-grandsons. This is the best photo I could get with the wiggly boys.

Today we went to breakfast with Santa. Cyd and the twins liked the silverware at the Davenport and Miles got tired early.



When do you leave for the Amazon?

China Trade Mission

Yesterday I slept the day away so tonight I am wide awake. Betty and I had a good time being transported through China as part of a 200 member group from Chico. Betty’s daughter lives there so she invited us. It was a great tour even though we spent 12 hours a day off and on busses. It is a tough way to travel as walking or biking is much easier.

I was impressed with the changes in the city of Beijing. When I was there in 1992 there were only bikes, trucks and busses on the roads and now there are beautiful freeways with millions of automobiles. I’m not sure the addition of automobiles makes anything better. The new hotels, upscale stores, and all the new construction was amazing to see also. They are really gearing up for the Olympics in 2008.

We went to Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Shanghai where we visited parks and factories that manufactured everything from silk, carpets, pearls, jade, and embroidery, In other words we saw the parts of China they wanted us to see as the Chinese government arranges these tours with the cities in the U.S.

My mom called me several mornings while I was gone and I’d answer the phone in a Bonsai Garden and it would be my mom saying, “I’m going to bed now dear”. She did fine while I was gone since she didn’t realize I wasn’t around. The cell phone coverage in China is good.

Walker and Peyton will be arriving tomorrow so I ordered a Thanksgiving dinner from the grocery store. Anna Marie said we could eat at her house as it’s larger than mine. We also have a Santa breakfast planned for Saturday. It all sounds like lots of work doesn’t it?

I am delighted to report that not only have I heard from Hanna but I also was included in a group email addressed to “Friends”. I just like being in contact with her so she can help remind us of details of our past.

Are you cooking a turkey?

The Chico Connection

Zoey has a home with a retired couple with a motor home. They recently lost their dog so they are pleased to have her. Zack is being listed on http://www.rescueeverydog.org. The volunteers who staff the organization seem so dedicated to the goal of saving dogs and spent hours on the phone with Cyd talking about options for the dogs. They want to make certain she doesn’t leave Zack at the Humane Society as then he would be put down in three days.

Jill visited Cyd and Dave with Josh and Jake Saturday and spent the night. I love it that Cyd has some connections with Johansons and she does appreciate all the help.

The China trip begins Thursday when we fly to San Francisco to meet the Chico Chamber of Commerce group. I am trying to pack with extra room to bring back a few comforters or maybe a small laptop. We are spending most of our time there in Shanghai.

Lucas and I were watching a children’s show about square dancing among other things. I suddenly remembered Jim Wildman (I can’t remember anyone’s name these days really and suddenly this name pops into my mind) and our matching square dance shirts and our square dance demonstrations. Who was your partner?