Ruth Dickson

From David:

Today, Ruth Dickson is moving to Houston, Texas - to a new facility, which is near to her daughter, Cousin Debbie, her grand daughters and her great grand sons.

Over the weekend, Paula and I drove down to Lancaster to visit with Aunt Ruth, Debbie and her husband Rod, and to attend the going away party that Homestead (where Auth Ruth and Uncle Bob lived).

We got to meet a lot of her friends, and to meet once again. Aunt Ruth's brother in law, Willis Shenk, who was kind to include us on Saturday night at the Lancaster Country Club. He is an amazing man, still on the Board of the Lancaster newspaper, several trusts and more, and is still driving, all at 96.

I have attached two photos taken at the reception for Auth Ruth. Both include Willis, who at one point got down on his knees to talk with her (I also have proof that he got up with just some balancing help - I know that I won't be able to do that at 96.)

Auth Ruth has taken some spills over the past several weeks, and while nothing has been broken, she does have the bruises to show for it. Her mind and her hearing is very sharp. While she does have sight issues, she is able to compensate.

It was a sad but nice weekend, and we are glad that we went. 

Live from Dickson City

Soooooo, we are making our second attempt to get back to Ottawa for Winterlude. Undaunted by last year's micro blizzard, we have been so far fortunate with the less than seasonal temps helping. You see the irony of course. Those temps are helping us get there but the reason we're going is to frolic in those temps. Alas, we heard yesterday the Rideau Canal was closed to skating.

In any event, here we are in Dickson City PA. How could we not stay here?

A lot has happened in the last two weeks. It all revolves around work! Yes, Mr Rubitinyourface Retirement has been on the job for two weeks so far so good. Commute is by car, with a friend. Work is interesting, helping oversee Fulbright program. We went to Atlanta last week for meetings and conference. Highlight was side- trip to Ebenezer Baptist Church and MLK Center.

I figured out it is Mary who has in her work a memoir. She has stories, sad and funny. Yesterday's was about a student named Unthony only because someone, not the parents, misspelled the name on the birth certificate.

Work and unseasonal temps mean that we are starting work on our garage! Johnny has been good to send photos of the framing work to date.

We spoke with Dan last night who had just gotten back from Baja California for a two-week trip to see Timmy. Sounds like fun and sun along the coast, even if the water in the Pacific was cold.

Who will we see in Canada? Margaret. And her friend Andrew who came to the same idea as us quite separately. Fun. They came by last weekend to celebrate a birthday. That meant we also heard from Joe and Annie. All of us still recovering from the last minute of the Super Bowl.

Annie has been infected by the capitalist drive around her and is making plans to start her own business. She says everyone she knows is starting a business. Next question? How many of your friends are starting one?

Joe is back at school, back at work. He's planning on coming to DC soon to finalize a job when he finishes school.

Other than that: Daunton Abbey, waiting for baseball, yoga, Bible study and Iron Lady (which was not the sequel to Iron Man, which is how Mary got me to go)

Hope you're well. Love from Dickson City!

Dundee

It was just about a week ago that Peter and i were heading across Pennsylvania, on rte 80, happy on our road trip and oblivious to what lay ahead.  Peter had decided at the last hour to join me in taking a half a truckload of furniture out to Andrew and Lur.  Spontaneity!

Shortly after dark we started seeing a few snowflakes.  Within a couple of minutes the snow was so strong, it was like someone had thrown a white blanket over the car.  It no longer looked like such a fun, smart, cost-effective idea!  With luck, it was a thin band of snow cutting across the state, but it was decidedly no fun for about 20 minutes.  Did I mention Peter was driving at that point?

Anyway, the following day, we got up early and went to downtown Cleveland to walk around the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.  We were only there for about 90 minutes, but it was definitely worth a trip to return.  I liked the way they set up exhibits around cities, so there was Memphis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Liverpool etc.

And then we got to Dundee, and surprised Andrew and Lur with Peter's arrival!  Hard to believe that we were only there two nights since we did so much.  We saw Daniel's sneakers, we had two great dinners, we talked to Claire about colleges, we met Miles, we saw Bill and Jen, we walked the dog, we talked football, we unloaded the truck, we took naps and we went to Dunkin Donuts, twice.  Wednesday, we took a stretch limo to the airport and headed home.  I acted like a teenager in the limo.  Surprised?

So, I had to get back early to start my new job.  So far so good.  

And today is the Super Bowl.  Mary has been busy getting ready for a small group who is congregating here for the game.  Margaret is here for the game, with her friend Andrew.  We spoke with Joe who was on his way to a party to watch the game.  We understand Annie is going to get up early and take the day off to watch the game tomorrow morning in China.   We think there are a few Giants fans in other parts of the family. The suspense is killing me.  So much that I started a Twitter feed (@DicksonJohn2) and will tweet the game!  www.twitter.com      

Last night Mary and I went and saw "Iron Lady" which is not the sequel to "Iron Man."  Meryl Streep is incredible, so good we figured she could not possibly win the Oscar.  

Last week, before going to Dundee, I spent a few days in Pittsfield, painting and taping the steps to the old basement and attic.  John and Marilyn came over with pizza Friday night!  Thank you!  Mary came up to New Jersey for the weekend, and we went to a very good play called "The Convert" with Peter and Janet.  It was set in southern Africa in the 1890s.  And thank you!

That's about all from here. Kickoff in one hour.  I noticed the pre-game shows started at noon, but turned it off for the part about women in Indianapolis knitting hats for the volunteers.  Oh well.

I would say may the best team win, but I am afraid the Giants may be the best team. 

Love from down here.