What a great day! We survived the storms last night although Gretchen's flagpole broke and her flag and half the pole are stuck up in a tree. We tried to free it today but need a taller ladder so will tackle that tomorrow. Mom's cousin, Mary Ellen, and her husband Jim took Gretchen and me to lunch at the Red Apple today and we had a wonderful visit. They're both 89 and not in great shape, but they're clones of Frank Wiggins and cannot stand the fact that they need help walking. I insisted that there was absolutely no reason to be embarrassed and that we'll be there, too, someday, but it wasn't much help.

Then tonight I had dinner with some teacher friends, both of whom I love. It was like we'd never been apart and that to me is the sign of true friends. I don't miss Heber Springs at all, but I sure do miss the people here that have meant so much to me over the past 12 years. I'm so happy I came back!