April 15, 2007

We'd forgotten how far it is by motorcar from here to there .. virtually 2,000 miles each way, from Arlington to Marin County, San Francisco, northern California. It was only 3-4 years ago that we'd driven exactly the same route, a trip covered elsewhere here (Potpourri.) Back then, it was a piece of cake.

Not this time. The altitude affected both of us and the sheer distance traveled and days spent on the road really took their toll. Much as I hate the thought, next time we'll fly.

It was soooo well worth the effort, of course. It was JoAnne and Jim's 50th wedding anniversary. We got to visit with them, their kids, Barb and John and Ken, Barb's husband. They're all doing well and we had a wonderful time. The occasion was marked by a performance of Beach Blanket Babylon (Google it) and a stretch limo sight-seeing tour of the Bay area. My brother-in-law sure knows how to dazzle the in-laws!

Before we left, I promised JoAnne that when we got home, I'd share a couple of old pictures I'd run across..  it's taken a little longer than I'd planned.

JoAnne and me, in the mid 1930s, at Spring Creek in northeast Oklahoma ..

A year or so later, in the backyard of our house on West Cameron in Tulsa..

Same time frame, same house, front porch .. little house was still there when I last looked, a couple of years ago ..

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March 5th

We celebrated our own wedding anniversary in March. As old friends know, about 12 years into this journey called "marriage," Ramona and I hit a rough patch. We went our separate ways for a couple of years .. but we kept in close touch, and finally, while watching Big Ben toll in the New Year in London, we decided to get married again.

It was the best decision we ever made.

Before you even ask, we observe the date of wedding number one ..

The kids took us to dinner this year. Really nice place, wonderful food and the company was incomparable.

Left to right, Ric, Fran, Ramona, me, Judy, Nancy and Phyllis. Don't we look grand?!

We're really not in such bad shape, especially when you consider what we've been up to the last 45 years ..

Judy was there, too, looking good .. doing very well, the doc says!

It was a perfect day. Our youngsters are special ..

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Hi, Dick