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GAIL PURTAN FUND KARMANOS CANCER INSTITUTE 4100 JOHN R DETROIT, MI  48201
1-800-527-6266
"IN MEMORY OF MARY LOGSDON" - IN NOTE SECTION OF CHECK

JUNE 11, 2006

Since I had closed the drapes to my room last night, I woke up and looked at the cheap plastic clock on the table to see what time it was. I knew I wanted to get an early start, so I jumped up and ran to open the curtains. I was astounded to see that all was normal.

It was raining as usual. You know, since the start of this trip, I went from Resignation to Anger to Despair, and finally back to resignation; no make that RESIGNATION…… What could I do? I did the same thing I have been doing every morning (except that one where it DIDN'T rain) I rolled around on the carpet, kicking and screaming and beating my fists on the floor and whining.

Then I got up and got dressed. I packed everything up, and with two trips, got everything mounted on or in the motorcycle. Then I went to breakfast at the restaurant attached to the Best Western. Diana, my waitress, promised to follow along on the webpage, so I gave her a nice tip. Back to the bike to check on things, then up the stairs to the room and the ceremonial donning of the holy rain suit… not holy as in "it has holes" the other holy.

I was off and running by 8:03 AM this morning, which wasn't too bad, after a night of writing and sleeping… in that order. As I approached the south end of Portland Maine, I couldn't help but notice that there was a patch or two of blue up ahead. Hoping against hope I continued south.

Parts of I-95 are a toll road. My motorcycle was charged $2.60 for the use of the road. The car next to me was charged $1.00. When I asked why, the fellow taking the money (he JUST takes the money) said, "because you have a trailer"……. Wow, the things you learn.

I was able to take off the rain suit. For the first time in many days, I was rain suitless. Yep, there was even a shadow from the sun. Oh yes, it is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I was headed for Phil and Celia's in Reading, Mass. (photos later ) What was really cool was that both Meredith and Liz were both there. Liz was given a wedding shower for her shnookums, honey lips, poopsie woopsie, Steve. Meredith, the ever helpful big sister devised a devilish game that had Liz very nervous. The deal was that her fiancé was asked 25 questions, the answers to which were recorded. The same questions were asked of Liz, who, with great authority, I am told, proceeded to answer with an abundance of details. I guess, too, that they were totally inaccurate, based on Steve's input on tape. Very well done.

Meredith also had Ben Yoder with her. Ben is Meredith's husband. I think he has caught on very quickly on the ins and outs of being married to a Logsdon girl. I must admit, too, that my son in law, Adam, has caught on very quickly as well.

Man, this new generation, ya know?

I got to Phil's house and began spreading things out on the front lawn, because everything, including the underwear I had on, was wet. Some items were tossed in the washer and dryer, others were fine on the lawn. Once things were settled, I went to Jim and Sara's house from Middlesex County Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps.

Jim cooked a marvelous dinner of steak, potatoes and cheese. It was wonderful. We watched a video of the Tattoo in Switzerland that they did. What a fun show it was. I loved the drum solo. I was showing them the trailer on the bike, when I noticed that there was still standing water in the darn thing.

Towels were found and as much of the offending liquid was mopped up as was possible. It certainly has been wet these past few days.  It is better now, though.

Oh, by the way, Phil, ever resourceful Phil, found that motorcycle manuals, atlases and campground guides can be dried out in the microwave if you put them in "standing up", with the pages spread out. Set the microwave for 12 ounce cat and turn it on…..

Please don't write letters, I was kidding about the cat setting.  It's really the "Spotted Owl" setting. Phil actually got the things dry by putting them in the microwave and setting it for "Casserole Reheat".  He let me in on that little tidbit of info tonight as I was filling up my medicine pill boxes. Boy, I am amazed at the amount of meds I need to live with. Man, there's a lot. That duffle got wet also…

TRAVEL HINT NUMBER 4,000

Ziploc makes an extra large Ziploc bag and an extra extra large Ziploc bag that I purchased today. TODAY. TEN FREAKING DAYS AFTER I NEEDED THEM I BOUGHT THEM TODAY. Actually, Phil purchased them as a parting gift to me.They work well though. Thank you Karen for the information reminder.

You know what? I am very tired. So, this is coming to a screeching halt, but not as loud a screeching as the car did today that pulled out in front of me. But, that is a story for another time.