The Last of February

As much as I hate listening to someone tell their dream to me I have to relate this to you as this morning I woke up remembering Bill returning home with no front teeth and quietly motioning towards a Red Guard who had accompanied him into our house. This dream must have been a result of your questioning my interesting blog comments. I am very fond of Chinese people and after two visits to their country I hope they’re not targeting me for getting off my bike in 1991 to peer into their rural school. Some officials did shoo us away.

I am writing less frequently and perhaps you’ll notice there are no postings in the early hours of the day. Since my visit in CA where the sleeping was done in complete darkness, I’ve been avoiding food, television, computer and light during the middle of the night. It makes for a restful sleep but all my surfing hours have dwindled.

Claire and I have become a young boys’ entertainment team lately. We watch Lucas and Miles at gymnastics on Thursdays then Saturdays we try to get them to a movie, play or sports event while the parents get a few hours respite from the wrestling and running.
Besides we think Lucas and Miles are much more entertaining than their parents do I’m sure. Miles actually walks along with us without our death grip hold on him and Lucas might even occasionally talk to us while playing a game on the iPhone.

This week is the school carnival so Grandma is on a cake-baking theme starting tomorrow. Lucas has selected an alligator cake for the cakewalk so I’m off to buy the fancy plastic box from the bakery and then the homemade cake will look professional. I really don’t want Diana to know that trick as she’s stays way ahead of me in the children’s cake decorating department.

Our new, larger, early-morning walking group is doing amazingly well in spite of my reservations. Sometimes it is good to get some new friends with a different slant on the world. And now we all keep most of our personal griping to ourselves which may be better after all.

Bring me the news from the Shedd when you find the guy that has the information.

Happy Valentine's Day

You will be celebrating the true meaning of this holiday and its significance, I’m certain. I sat beside Lucas recently and dictated one by one the names from his 22 member first grade class list. He was getting the name signing and the addressing down to a quick response. Good grief, the names on this list were like this-Rheyse, Runer, Darric, and Thanyla. I have a feeling this will not be one of his favorite holidays in the years to come. That doesn’t mean he won’t be buying jewelry and flowers but it still won’t be his favorite. Surely you are preparing a special meal for Hank.

I loved your response for Uncle Ron’s request for snow. Your offer of two freight cars full was very generous especially since you had shoveled a good share of it. It must be bad when our government and our air travel are out of commission. We are enjoying 40 degree weather here.

Speaking of Ron he has not responded quickly to my invitation to travel with us to Borneo. Maybe he’s had a peek at the State Travel Advisory for that country. He’ll be missing out on a fine time if he doesn’t sign up as I’m already excited about planting seedling trees in the jungle especially so near the equator.

I’ve been talking to you too much lately to write much more. Claire and I are off to see the play Charlotte’s Web with Lucas and Miles.

Willie Wants Mail!!!

Here is his address:

PFC William Johanson 3rd PLT
BLDG. 840c Colorado Avenue
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473

Somewhere on the back of the envelope you must write 3rd. I’m not sure why that is so important but it is the military where rules are for rules sake. We need address labels to make it easier. He has no time to do anything especially sleep or eat. I think he writes letters while he stands in line waiting.

That’s really all I know except he gets worked out often which he calls “getting smoked”. Google tells me this is intensive physical training until you can’t do any more, and then you must keep going. It's just as much mental as physical, because you have to be able to push yourself beyond what you think you can do. I think I’ve seen Jillian use this technique on the Biggest Loser too.

So put your letter in the mail today. Willie is waiting for a Hi from everyone.