national park #52 in South Carolina

national park #53 in Virigina

national park #54 in Ohio

The parks that we visited on our trip back to MN.  We now have 1 left in the Continental US, that is Arcadia in Maine.  There are 4 outside of the states.
We had a rainy day yesterday and I think I had a rainy day inside too.  It may be adjusting, it may be looking at too many projects or it could be many things but I was tired and did not get a lot done.  Terry got the little garden ready for planting and we will go to the farmer's market this morning to get plants.  Not sure they need to go in yet as the temp this morning was 47 and the highs the next few days will be in the 60s.
I did get my book pictures resent with the correct labeling and LuLu did send an e-mail back saying they were okay this time.  I THINK most of the work for the book is now done!!!
Also got the battery in the pickup and started that so it is now parked on the street and the camper is near the garage.
We purchased a book about Lincoln when we visited Ford's Theater and the Peterson House where he died.  It is great so I need to carve out time to continue reading.
We are still staring at MUCH to do with the things we brought from FL so need to get to those things in the next few days.  After that it will be making a list and checking it twice to see what work needs to be done first.
For some reason my FP tasted extra good this morning, maybe that is a positive sign. 
My right leg, well there are concerns there yet but maybe time will heal.  Given everything, I have no complaints.

arrived

We arrived in St. Paul about 4:30 yesterday after being with family or on the road for 14 days.  We celebrated Terry's birthday for three days, one in South Bend and two in Madison. 
Terry and I had a fun day Wednesday, her birthday.  We visited the Frank Lloyd Wright visitor center and then the house on the rock.  We were fascinated by the things at the visitor center and the house on the rock, well it is interesting to visit and I would say very worth while but would I visit it a second time, no.  Terry announced when we went to pay for admission that it was her birthday and she got in free!!
On Terry's birthday Aaron and Amy took us to the U of Wisconsin terrace where there must have been several hundred people and they said it was not busy!
We stopped at several brew pubs on our trip so I was able to add to my growler collection in the wood shop.  Of course, they are all empty---now.
As I sit in the den typing and looking out the window I see and sense that there is a lot of work to do on Niles Ave but will get to it in due time.
I was informed by e-mail on Tuesday that I need to change some things on the book so will work on that this morning. 
There is a bit of French press coffee left but it is almost cold.

Later

We are ready to pack up the camper in South Bend and head to Madison WI this morning.  We are 2200+ miles into our journey to St. Paul. 
We have enjoyed 3 more national parks and now have only one left in the continental United States.  We really should have taken in Arcadia in Maine but thought it was not a good idea on this trip.  Will have to do that another time but when??, not sure.
We had a decilious meal at John/Mary's last night and they sang an early "Happy Birthday" to Terry who will become as old as I Wednesday.  I fear I have not done well during her "birthday month" this year but I will blame travel, back issues and "book".  I will make up for it this summer!!!
As we visit family, makes no difference if they are into little kids or teenagers or older, it always brings to mind that in retirement a person tends to forget HOW BUSY familes are!  I am thankful for the slower pace of life Terry and I have during these years but the visits bring back memories of the "hustle" that used to be. 
Terry and I have not talked a lot about projects when we arrive in St. Paul but we must do that soon as there are MANY to do. 
As I write, the house here at John's is quiet but soon it will be alive with kids getting ready for school and John off to work.
As we headed out on our trip from Naples I realized that the FP maker was not in the camper so NO FP for a few days.  I guess I will live.
Enough!

AS ALWAYS

As always, we packed too much and we could have used another day BUT we will be on the road by 10:00 AM or so.  We plan to camp near the FL border the border will put us about 340 miles from Naples tonight, and arrive in Peachtree City GA Saturday. .  Will head out from there Monday and go east to Congaree NP, then north to Shenandoah NP.  We will stay there 2 nights as we have tickets to visit the Ford Theater on Thursday. From there we will take in Cuyahoga NP in Ohio, then go west to South Bend, Madison and finally to St. Paul on the 28th.
It will be kind of nice to leave the 90's, temp, behind for now.  Summer weather has arrived early here as we are having 90's, humid and rain showers most PMs.
For the summer it will be woodworking, house projects and a tiny bit of travel.
My back, I am assuming that it will be okay.  If someone were to ask if it is fine, I would have to say not really but it will be fine down the road.
We have, perhaps, two hours worth of "putting in the car and camper" and then it will be "on the road again"! 
I asked Terry, yesterday, if there ever had been a time where she arrived at the season home and had forgotten nothing!  I think she said never so we will see what happens this time.  I will physically touch my wallet, the check book, the computer and some other things that a person can not live without today.  I know I will not leave the computer on the campgrounds parking lot as I did one time at a hotel in SD!!!!!  Not one of my best moments.
We are hoping and praying for a safe trip with no illness, no accidents and no car/camper problems. 
The computer gets closed for the day as my FP is gone except for the "cup to go" that is sitting on the counter.

Okay, it is Tuesday and we need to get our bodies in gear!!!

Our agenda says that we will leave Friday and arrive in St. Paul in 14 days.  We plan to take in 3 national parks, visit Kim and family, John and family and Aaron and family on the way. 
Not sure how we are going to take care of so many things and be ready by Friday AM but it has to has to happen.
My back is about a B at this point.  The full effect of the shot could take 5 days and this is day 5 soooo.  I have a bit of weakness in my right leg but other than that I am fine.  I can now sleep without pain and walk without pain.  I think tennis is in the cards for the summer.!
The book, I am tired of it.  The manuscript was sent in Monday AM. I received an e-mail today saying the it has been sent to the Copy Polish whatever so I think we are on our way---maybe!
We need to see what is happening in the places down the street so I am finished

We have news

Terry took me to my appt today so that I could get the shot in my lower back.  Before it happened the dr. went over the MRI with me and labeled my back condition "severe"!  Actually that does not sound all that great but I feel it will be fine this summer and we will take it from there.  IF I still have pain in a week, I will have one more injection before we leave for MN.  I think camping is out.  We will stay in the camper a couple of nights on the way back as that is certainly better than a hotel.
The BOOK is back.  I received an e-mail from LuLu on Tuesday afternoon and then a follow-up phone call on Wednesday AM.  They recommended I avail myself of their "content editing" which would cost $3400+!!!  I almost fell off my chair.  I, in a good way, said no thank you and so now Terry is going through 164 pages!!!!!!! Of course, then I am making the changes.  We worked on it yesterday PM and this PM and are about 40% finished.  I am expecting to send in the "final" manuscript Monday and LuLu assured me that my book is simple so that I can have a book in hand by July 1st or so.  IF that is the case, look out Lee Family Reunion as I will be peddling the soft cover and hard cover for a lot of $$$$!!!!!   No, that is not true of course as I plan to give books to children, grand children and sibling.  I don't care if they want them or not, they are getting them!!!!
I am beat, I think the injection did me in so it is all for today.

Happy 2nd birthday Agatha

Agatha turned 2 May 4th.  She is the 10th of the 11 grand children and she is cute as can be!
We love you Agatha from Granpa Lee and Terry

No news yet but happy May 2015 even if it is the 3rd today

Thought I would post this picture of my boxing career!  I am in the front row, second from the right.  I have a story in my upcoming book about boxing.  Out of the blue, in 1957, Dad told Dave and I that we would be taking boxing lessons in Lidgerwood.  George Brakean (spelling) in Lidgerwood was involved in Golden Gloves Boxing and he had a boxing school that went for several weeks.  I am not sure if Dave and I wanted to go but regardless it was a non issue because we were going as Dad said!!  I remember the thoughts that went through my head as we arrived for the first night and were told to weigh in after we stripped!!  There were naked boys every where on the stage and I was mortified.  I was also aware that my shorts were different than most, my shoes were not so great and I am sure I had those lumps in the toe of my shoes because my socks were always way too long!  I also knew that I had to box against 5th graders and I was only in the third grade but they went by weight and I was kind of big for my age. Anyway we went for several weeks and then there was a tournament.  I came home with a little gold boxing pin and I thought it was really special.  The next Monday I had to figure out a way to show my teacher without bragging so I brought it to school and at recess time I asked her to keep it so I would not lose it.  I guess I had my ways at an early age!  I don't think it took very long to lose it and I remember looking every place I could think of but it was gone but not forgotten!   There have been many times, when I was scared, that I have thought back on that first weigh-in when we were told to strip.  Perhaps it was my first venture into a man's world where there are no secrets--well not many.
Terry and I had a fun day yesterday.  The first Saturday of every month is free day at the Naples Zoo and we took that in.  After that we drove downtown to take in the Palm House, which is the oldest house in Naples.  We took in a lecture/tour for over an hour and it was fascinating.  The history of Naples is very very interesting.  We also took in the Derby at home.  Our horse did not win but came in second.  Really, the only reason we wanted this one horse to win is the jockey.  He was 52 years old and had been injured last year.  His story was great and we wanted him to win but perhaps second was not too bad. 
I had my MRI Thursday and will talk to the Dr. tomorrow.  I thought it would be on my lower leg but my Dr. still thinks it is in my lower back so I had to go into the tube and listen to the rattle and thumping for about 20 minutes. 
I e-mailed LuLu Thursday and got a response Friday.  I was not happy with their timeline so I will call tomorrow.  It appeared that their timeline is a whole lot longer than the one we discussed in March so will see what they have to say when I call.
I just came back from the kitchen and much to my dismay the FP is empty and I guess I am too.