March 31, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. A Retirement Trip.

Wendy and Ken decided to take a small trip, just because they could. They are both retired. Last evening, 4 inches of snow fell in Ontario, which is the reason they wanted to get out of town. They were looking at Nevada and Utah and Arizona. I suggested they come to Jackson and travel in the South, using my house as the headquarters. So they did. As well, they would visit with me and of course help me too. Their plan was a good one and I am enjoying their company. Yesterday morning they drove to Memphis. They enjoyed their visit and toured Graceland and ate barbecue. And they drove across the Mississippi River several times, something that is always impressive. After staying overnight just outside Memphis, they toured Oxford and the Faulkner home. And they brought me a wonderful book from Square Books. Next up was Tupelo. Then back home tonight at 7:30. It was lots of driving in the two days but they enjoyed their time in the country. Now they have a better idea of Mississippi. Tuesday they will drive to New Orleans and come home via Natchez, arriving back home on Saturday. I thought it was a splendid idea to get out of Ontario during the last of the winter weather. They are enjoying traveling in Mississippi and I em enjoying their company. Everybody wins during this retirement trip.

March 30, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. Clinton Nature Center.

The Clinton Nature Center looks a lot better on TV than it did today in real life. Mississippi Roads did a segment about the Center last week, clearly filmed another year. Large Cypress trees were discussed on the program. Pictures showed the trees sitting in water which is typical of them. But when I asked the young lady in the Center where the Cypres were on the map she did not know. I think she was a clerk, not a biologist. Keshina and I walked for a bit but not long so we were both disappointed with the place. We selected the wrong day. A wedding was being held in the amphitheater and the reception was being held on the deck of the building. The place was full of wedding people and workers. And we went on Saturday so families were there hiking the trails. It had rained in the morning so the wooden bridges and gravel walkways were slick which make Kashena anxious. The paths were too narrow for her to walk beside me to hold her arm. She did not want us to continue. "There were too many steps," she said. "We need to go back to the car because I am afraid you will fall." So after a 15 minute walk, we returned to the car and found a place for lunch in the historic district of Clinton, which is right beside Kate's college, Mississippi College. We were both disappointed with the Nature Center but we loved the restaurant and the students. Several students were taking parents and prospective students on a tour on the town. The girls all wore shorts and college T shirts. It was fun listening and watching them in action. Perhaps I will return with Ken and Wendy when I feel sure they will not be so nervous about walking the trails in the woods. I would like to try it again.

March 29, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. Vicksburg.

The most exciting part of getting to Vicksburg was driving over a short steep bridge. Ken had found us an interesting route, driving on small roads south of the main highway. When going through the small town of Edwards, Wendy could not see the other side of the bridge until we were at the crest. We all gasped. But we were fine. In the Military Park we watched the movie and drove the route, stopping here and there. Everything brings back the horror of that war. The Cairo was impressive. Ugly but impressive. We found a restaurant overlooking the river and we ate delicious New Orleans food. The biscuits were the best. At our late lunch we decided to drive north hoping to see the flooding on the Mississippi River. And we did. We saw houses surrounded by water. Both sided of the road were full of water, where we were supposed to be looking at fields. Many roads were closed, some with no barriers but full of water. Wendy had to concentrate to be sure we stayed on the road. When it was time to head for home, the roads going east were closed due to flooding. So in order to drive south, we were forced to drive further north. We saw much more of the Delta than anticipated. Finally we were able to get east in order to drive south. We had been told that Yazoo City was impassable but we were able to drive straight through., And we arrived home safe and sound at 6:30. We had a long eventful day. The beautiful weather also added to our enjoyment. We all agreed we had had a stellar day, thanks to Ken's navigating and Wendy's driving. All I did was enjoy myself.

March 28, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. Wonderful Wendy.

So far today Wendy has filled all the bird feeders, repaired several slats on the deck, cleaned out the leaves from the table with the fire in the center, used tools to open the door to the propane tank which would not open, oiled and repaired the latch, started the fire in the center of the table, thrown out broken flower pots, made us all lunch and came with me on my walk. She is a whiz. Wendy and Ken arrived yesterday afternoon. Ken had a bad cold so we all decided to chill out today and hang out at home. So Wendy went looking for things to do. And she found things, all of which I appreciated. They came to get away from the cold weather in Ontario and to visit New Orleans and Memphis. I live in the middle of the two cities so they decided to stay with me as well as tour the cities. While they are here we will take trips in Mississippi. Tomorrow we will drive to Vicksburg, then go north in the little roads close to the Mississippi River. Nebraska is flooding but the Mississippi down here is not yet at flood stage but we want to see for ourselves. Saturday they will go to Memphis. I will stay home. For the first time this season, we three sat on the deck enjoying the warm evening air. Boats were out in force, with three sailing boats making our scene perfect. I am enjoying having Wendy and Ken here in Mississippi. Sitting on the deck and sipping a glass of wine was delightful. I am glad they are here.

March 27, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. Prostate Cancer.

Prostate Cancer must run in a family. In 2017, Cousin Ian had his prostate removed because it had cancer cells. Radiation followed. Now he has negligible numbers with the test. He is fine. When we were in Mexico in 2018, the doctors found that Ken had prostate cancer, so he had surgery to remove it. He was required to have a shot of something every four months. Other than that, the prostate cancer gave him no trouble. Late in February, when son David was having his annual physical, the doctor was running down the ailments in the family and David said that Ken had his prostate removed last year due to cancer. The doctor suggested that the test be done, just to be sure. To everyones surprise, David's numbers on the test were very high, in the high 350's. For a young man under fifty this was stunning. A biopsy was done which was positive for cancer, so the doctor urged David to take out the prostate. Yesterday the surgery was done successfully. David is at home resting. And the rest off us are relieved. Next we await the report from the pathologist, which will determine whether or not David will have radiation. David as you would expect has put it out go his mind until the deal needed to be done. He is positive about the outcome, as are all the doctors. But it does raise anxiety in the family. I for one am pleased David is home and resting, with the family keeping him company. It does seem that prostate cancer runs in families.

March 26, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. Major Watkin.

Major Watkin was a quiet man, not a normal image of a Salvation Army officer. His wife was little and quiet too so they were a good pair. He worked as the assistant to the head of the Public Relations department, who was Major Flannigan, the father of a good friend of mine, Jeannie. In 1954, I was asked to work in that department for the summer. I helped out doing whatever needed to be done but mostly I worked with Major Watkin. We had lunch together every day, both of us bring lunch from home. His wife fixed his lunch. He was nice to me but I could not imagine how he could put up with his tedious job for the whole year. One day I was asked to fill in for the telephone operator at lunch. In those days there were plugs that had to be connected and pulled out. I was a quick study, they thought, so I soon got the hang of it and was doing great, until Major Flannigan came out to tell me that I just disconnected him when talking to the Chairman of the Board. The call from the big guy came in and I apologized and connected the call to Major Flannigan. But I did it again. Again, no yelling. But I felt terrible. After my shift and was having lunch with Major Watkin, I told him my tale of words. And he giggled. I could have hugged him. The reason why I was thinking about Major Watkin is that the son, Fen Watins just died at 96. Fen was a marvelous musician. He was a whiz on the piano and also was a conductor, arranger and composer. But what he received the Order of Canada for was to run the musical in Prince Edward Island of the Anne of Green Gables story. He was the musical Director for 40 years. It was famous. But right to the end, he played the organ at the Agincourt Corps of The Salvation Army. Major and Mrs. Watkin attended our Corps, Danforth. I knew of the expertise of their son Fen, and I could never fathom how such an outgoing marvelous musician was brought up by those two little people. They did not seem to fit. But this Friday, Fen's funeral will be held at the Agincourt Corps, which used to be Danforth before they moved. Everyone will be sad that Fen will not be playing the organ.

March 25, 2019. Madison, Mississippi. March Madness.

Once upon a time, many years ago, our family spent a lot of time and energy on the NCAA basketball tournament, called March Madness. The boys were in high school and played on the varsity basketball team. Ken printed us all the brackets so we could select our winners. We watched as many games as possible. We had great fun. One year, Ken selected his winners by flipping a coin for every game. The rest of us knew the odds for each game and we had favorites. But that year, Ken won. He had more winning games than the rest of us. Not fair we said. Over the years we lost interest. Often we were in Mexico. No tournament on Mexican TV. Last year I did not see a game. But not this year. I have had great sport this past weekend watching the games. I had 4 games on the television at any time. I always cheer for the underdog except for the teams from Mississippi and Maryland. All those teams are out so now I can just cheer for the lower seeds. I was delighted when it appeared that Duke was going to lose. I still don't know where UCF is from. I never watch one whole game. I switch around from game to game. I never watch commercials. I am like the mad clicker sitting by myself in the TV room switching every few minutes. It pays to have a bit of ADD. Now I look forward to the weekend for the Sweet Sixteen games. One problem. I don't think that Wendy and Ken like college basketball and they are coming on Wednesday. It is years since I paid any attention to March Madness but I am paying attention now. And I am enjoying every minute.