THE WEDDING

Sunday was my friends, Steve and Dalene's, daughters wedding. It was on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Gary Beach Aquatorium building. Both downstairs and upstairs. Upstairs is where the ceremony was held as well as dinner and dancing. This is all open to the elements which was a little chilly and very windy. The ceremony was beautiful as was the bride, Jessica and the bridesmaids. As windy and chilly as it was, nobody seemed to mind as their thoughts and eyes were on the young couple exchanging vows to love and cherish each other forever.
After the ceremony there were cocktails and finger food downstairs which was enclosed. This was the place where you would greet and talk to old friends and make new one's.
Soon after, dinner was served upstairs, and I must say the food was excellent as was the music to go along with dinner. When all tummy's were full the music started giving those who chose to participate a chance to work off the great meal. I of course did not partake but used my energy to watch the beautiful young girls dance and show their stuff. My my how times have changed!!!!!. It is not good for a old mans heart.
I must say Steve and Dalene you did a wonderful job in making the center pieces and setting everything up. You did a GREAT job.

HALLOWEEN COMES TO YOGI BEAR

I know it is not time for spooks and goblins to roam the streets but this past weekend at Yogi Bear Camp Resort in Plymouth Indiana it was. Since the park closes on or about the 15th of October we kind of push Halloween a little early. This past weekend was the day. There were games, prizes, wagon rides, trick or treating and a haunted forest wagon ride. Starting at 9:30 there was a parade which kicked things off. Around noon there was a party (or lunch) of hot dogs, cookies, chips and drinks. A welcome treat for young and old. Later that day there were games with prizes and also door prizes were given out to the lucky winners. And of course there was trick or treating for all of the youngsters and some oldsters. As night approached and the wagon rides started you could hear the screams of frightened riders and the all familiar sound of a chain saw. Campers were decorated with spooky figures and lights casting an eerie glow combined with the glow of campfires throughout the campground.

My granddaughter Delaney was dressed as an army girl, uniform and boots while my neighbors son, Zane was dressed as a biker dude. Zane's cousins were also there dressed for the occasion.

Everyone could not have had a wonderful time if it had not been for the Recreation Department and the many, many volunteers that were part of this day. Many thanks to all of you.

THE CAMPER

If you look up the word camping the definition reads "temporary living area", "to live outdoors". This may be true if you tent camp for a week or weekend as many people do. My family and I camped in a pop-up camper that you pull behind a car. We did this for many years and had some good times. About fifteen plus years ago we had camped for a week. It was one of the hottest weeks of the summer and of course no air conditioning. The wife and two of the kids came down with the flu. Good thing we were next to the comfort station. Upon going home at the end of the week I put the pop-up on the driveway and opened it to get our food and gear out. Being that it was late I didn't put it down. That night a freak storm came through the area and flipped it upside down, wheels up in the air. When we discovered it the next morning I swear I heard my wife say under her breath "Thank you Lord". Years later she got the bug again and said lets buy another camper. I said pop-up? There was a quick reply NO a park model. We bought the lot at Yogi Bear Camp Resort in Plymouth Indiana, bought our park model with running water and a porcelain flush toilet. My wife and I have really enjoyed it but unfortunately she passed away almost three years ago now. She loved that place. I thought of selling after she left but then I thought this was our place so I should stay. It is nice and peaceful there because it overlooks a lake and I have made some good friends whom I share campfires with as well as jokes and good conversation on the weekends. Id like to show you our home away from home.

GETTING READY FOR IKE

As I have mentioned before, my daughter lives in a small town in Texas called Shiner. Population the last time I saw the sign was 2007 people. They are getting ready for the arrival of Ike, the hurricane approaching the east coast of Texas. In it's path is Houston, Victoria. Galveston, just to mention a few. My daughter is about three hours from the coast. 100 miles from Houston and 48 miles from Victoria. The decision was to be made at 10:00 am today if it was a mandatory evacuation but turned out to be voluntary. She and her neighbors have boarded their windows that face east, tied down anything that can blow away, cleared the deck of all furniture and plants, stocked up on food, water, batteries and flashlights and candles. They have evacuated the nursing homes in Victoria and have placed 300 patients into the nursing home in Shiner as well as Molten. Not only have they received the new patients but there are also regular citizens arriving to get out of harms way. My daughters husband is on a oil rig north of Houston and will be leaving there tomorrow to head home to be with his family. Being in Indiana, all I can do is wait for phone calls from there and watch the weather channel and pray. At this time all prayers are welcome.

FOR WANT OF A PIZZA

Lake Station Indiana. Three people sitting around, 38 year old mom, 18 year old son and 30 year old boyfriend. One says lets get a pizza and it turns out nobody has money to pay for it. Mom comes up with a brainstorm and it concerns robbing the pizza delivery person. The order was called in giving the address of an abandoned home down the street. Upon arriving at the address she was struck in the head by one of the men with THE CLUB a device that locks the steering wheel of a car. The mother is the one who gave the men THE CLUB and told them to beat the delivery person with it. The delivery person was hit in the head and hand but was able to get to her car and drive off. The criminals did steal three pizza's for their efforts. After the assault the men threw the weapon into a river where it was later recovered when one of the men showed police where they had thrown it. The 18 year old also threw his shoes into the river because they had pizza sauce on them, they were also recovered.

The result of this stupidity is that the delivery person received a plate in her head and four metal pins placed in her hand. As silly as it may sound, any delivery job that involves going to a home a night is dangerous and not enough care can be taken to avoid this kind of thing happening. I can only hope that the three of these people get more that just a slap on the wrist. How about one year for each pizza they stole, one year for each pin in her hand and two years for the metal plate she has in the head. I will watch the paper to see the results of this deed and pass it on.

IT'S OVER

Yes folks, it's over. The summer festivities I mean. Lorri and the kids are back in Texas going to school, Delaney is going to school here and the last big weekend of the camping season was this past weekend. What a beautiful weekend it was, at least where I was, beautiful blue skies, warm and a lot of activities for everyone to enjoy. Sure we have some weekends yet to enjoy but it doesn't seem the same as when they happen before Labor Day. The campground closes around October 15 so that ends the camping season until next April. It's only for six months but with the cold weather, ice and snow it seem like an eternity. But it's something to look forward too. During the winter months one doesn't keep in touch with the friends you have at the camper except for a Christmas card, so it is nice to see them when the season starts again.

Like I said before things are back to normal so I am taking this opportunity to spic and span my house. Today I am cleaning the front part, spare bedroom, computer room, foyer and small bathroom. Shampooing the carpet, dusting and washing the ceramic floors. Good exercise. Well it's time to get back to cleaning so will talk to you all later.