CHECKS TO:
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 12, 2006

I woke up to SUNSHINE. I had missed Celia and Phil, since they had left for work. I busied byself with putting everything away. Now, let me say this, once things got wet, they got very very wet. The dryer was blazing at the Logsdon house, to be sure.

I got all the gear packed and the GPS programmed for Laconia. On my way up I 93, I stopped at a rest stop, and met two guys from New York. Jack was a retired cop, I am assuming that John was also. I gave them my card, and Jack was telling me how his wife was doing a similar trip. She even has a web page. Believe it or not, it is: www.oldbagsonbikes.com . So, you might want to check that one out. They were on the way to Ashland, a bit farther north than I wanted to go, so I left them at exit 20, the exit for Laconia, and the oldest motorcycle rally in the world.

Once I got there, it was very interesting. Again, I have to say, that there are SOME people who sported fashions that, well, were a bit wrong for the physique. It would be like me wearing a "Speedo" with dress socks and sandles….

Or just the Speedo, I guess. I hope you get the idea. I don't want to make you think I am trying to make you ill. So, there were some instances where I knew, deep down in the center of my soul, that I just LOVE summer. 

One guy at Laconia, was walking around in his boxers; a t shirt that said "Ask me about my chicken", He was wearing a hat that looked like a chicken had stuffed it's butt around his head. He was also carrying a rubber chicken. His socks; oh, how beautiful they were; bright read knee highs festooned with dyed chicken feathers and wrapped around his chicken legs. I believe he was in his late 80's because he was wearing dress black shoes.

He must be a regular there, because there were no takers at all. I picked up the fact that people were trying to ignore the man, but I was so intrigued with his chicken hat, and feathered socks, that I was tempted to get into a conversation with him. I managed to talk my way out of that. I left Laconia and found myself slap in the middle of a back up that extended for what my GPS later told me was five miles.

Construction - yep, you guessed it.  The funny thing is, when I got to the construction zone, the guy closest to the lane, was positively jubilant about the conditions out here on the "road".  Oh, very funny. I was more than enthralled.

From Laconia, I went to Jane and Bill's house. Bill used to live at Ft. Wayne, and Jane was one of the origirinal members of 1st Michigan. They are both with MCV. I found the home that they had purchased without problems, and was given the grand tour.

Their home has such neat "vibes" about it. I feel very comfortable here. The place reminds me of my Grandfather Logsdon's home, back in Upper Sandusky. I believe that the homes were built about the same time. If there are any "spirits" in this old house, they certainly are working to make everyone feel right at home.

Again, I had a good dinner, expertly prepared by Jane. It seems she has two secret gastronomical delights called "company dinners". You know, dinners for when company comes over. I had pork loin tonight. Wow, it was very good, indeed.

Then we walked down to an ice cream stand that is close to the house. I was struck by how similar the situation that ensued between us and the proprietor.

He's a very entertaining fellow that could be thought of as a very benign Soup Nazi type. I was talking with him (he had been calling me "MICHIGAN") and just like that, he says, very matter of factly - "Look are you through talking to me now?" I indicated that I guess I was, indeed. He began speaking with someone else.

Ballard's Ice Cream is inConcord New Hampshire. They have sugar free ice cream. I had sugar free Moose Tracks. It was very good.

What wonderful weather today. I did NOT need my rain suit once, TODAY.
Talk to you all soon.