Report from Kansas City

This week I am in Kansas City, visiting Andrew, Abbi and Morgan. Morgan, at eight-and-one-half months, continues to be a perfect grandson, and he has really learned what the camera is all about! Let's just say he puts the "H" in ham!



He is a little under the weather with a virus, but still perky and happy. It's so much fun to see him enjoying life -- his pleasure in the way a little strip of ribbon feels, or his delight when the cat slinks by. Or just how much fun it is to play with a pair of socks!




He has his pensive moments, too. But you have to catch them fast!

Settling In

Shortly after I arrived, my sister and my cousins took me to a quilt show. Here are my cousins admiring a cat quilt. It was a fabulous show. Obviously, Carolinians really know how to make quilts.

After the show, we went to Mills River to have dinner at the Mills River Restaurant.

Apparently, the Millses were movers and shakers in this area when it was settled. We are trying to capitalize on the name, but my cousin Sharon reminds us that she is the only one who still has it!

My sister Nancy and her husband Ware took me on a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway a few days later. I had taken a ride on it when I lived in Virginia, but found it is just as beautiful in North Carolina. Here are a few shots, which would have been better on a less hazy day!

But you get the idea. Fabulous!

The Big Move

On June 24 I moved from West Lafayette, Indiana to Hendersonville, North Carolina -- and retired while I was at it.

Here is my new home in the Carolina mountains.

Just kidding! That's an odd little house nearby.

This is where I really live -- a twilight shot:

And this is my own little patio on the back:

It's a great life! Not going to work seems weird, but weird in a nice way. But I'm so busy with all the little things I need to do to get settled, I'm not really getting the rest and relaxation part -- not yet.

I had a beautiful retirement party before I left:

But the best party was this unofficial one at Triple XXX:

I miss you guys!

Stay tuned for more about my mountain adventure!