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

JULY 4, 2006 - WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES

I got on the road from Venice, Florida at the usual 9:00 AM hour, and headed for Palmetto, Florida. Palmetto is the home of a co worker of mine who has been reitired for about 12 years. Ray and Denise have lived here ever since. The directions given my Ray were just perfect and arrival at his house occurred without incident. I parked the bike, and he provided an escorted tour of the area. Had I not stopped there, I would have missed out on some wonderful scenery and local color. Lunch was caught at the Beach Café on Anna Marie Island, right on the beach of the Gulf. It was beautiful, with white sand beach and turquoise water. After lunch we strolled the beach looking for shells, etc. etc.

I had the pleasure of watching a guy show me how to catch crabs. I couldn't help but stare in fascination. I looked at Ray, and he agreed that that was a sure fire way to catch crabs. So, I had to give it a try. I will send the photos (I had someone else take them, I was sort of busy at the time).

After leaving there, I headed for the Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater area. I had met a couple in Key West, who had told me to call if I found myself in the area. I called and left a message at both the home and cell phone numbers. Not being able to reach them, I had prepared myself for the run north toward Pensacola. Just as I started the motorcycle, the phone rang. I turned off the bike, answered the phone, and was pleased to hear Brian Eye's voice telling me to get to the party. So I did.

I spent the afternoon and evening at the home of Jody Eye's parents. I have to tell you that Ned Frisbie reminds me so much of my Uncle Maury as to be uncanny. Wait till you see the photos. I really met a wonderful "family". Jackie and Ned have been married over fifty years, and are having the time of their lives in Florida. Both are very active and healthy. I explained my presence to many, but found that just as many at the party were already appraised of why I was there. The fact is that I had met Jody and Brian Eye at Kelly's bar in Key West and they had written down their phone numbers and address, with the express idea of having me spend the evening with them, should I find myself in the area.
I had one of the most unusual and pleasurable 4th of July celebrations that I have had. I was absorbed by those there, and accepted without question as "one of the gang". \Bob Colmer was one of the most colorful fellows I have met so far. He has an uncanny way of delivering a joke that almost had me losing stuff out my nose on a couple of occasions. I truly enjoyed listening to him.

While eating dinner with the gang, there were two dishes that I found on the table that demanded me to find out how they were made. The first is called
BIG RITA'S PINAPPLE THING
2 - 20 ounce cans of Pinapple chunks 1 ½ cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese ¼ cup of sugar 5 tablespoons of sugar ¾ cup crushed Ritz Crackers Stick of butter
Drain the two cans of pineapple chunks completely. Mix the flour and the sugar together completely. Place the two cans worth of pineapple into a flat dish. Cover the pineapples with the powder/sugar mix, and then place the crushed Ritz crackers over the top of the floured pineapples. Melt the stick of butter and drizzle over the top of the crackers. Spread the shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

The second recipe is quite different, and very good in its own right.

JOHN'S DREAMSICKLE PIE
1 - Prepared graham cracker crust 1 Half pint of vanilla ice cream (buiy one of the scoops from Walgreens Drugs)
8 ounce can of concentrate of Orange Juice
Allow the ice cream and the orange juice concentrate to melt and soften. Mix thouroughly and pour into the graham cracker crust. Place in freezer until frozen. Serve chilled.

Both of these (and please realize I am NOT a recipe gatherer, but I am going to try these two) were a complete surprise for me. What a treat.

Today, the birthday of this country, I was accepted and warmly welcomed by a group that did not know me when I arrived. Everyone got to know me by the end of the night. Isn't that a testament to the people of this nation? I had a truly meaningful and pleasant day. I celebrated with laughter, memories, tears and hope. I miss my family, but I am determined to do the best I can with the whatever I can, for as long as I can. (I paraphrased, Sarah) I love this country. I am renewed by the people I have met along the way. Tonight I sit in the home of Jody and Brian Eye, in the North Clearwater area.  Jody is the founder of a non profit company that clothes disadvantage kids. They service roughly 55 kids per day, with a wardrobe of clothing. There hope is to serve 2,000 children in 2006. This grass roots organization was started because Jody saw a need in the classrooms of the schools that she teaches in.

If a child meets the requirements for the hot lunch program, they are automatically eligible for the Clothes To Kids donations. Jody has noticed that kids who get clothes that actually fit them, are consistently raising their grades after receiving their wardrobe of clothes. I applaud the hard work that goes into such an Endeavour. I wish her luck in this. To find out more, go to www.clothestokids.org to find out more. Tomorrow, I hope to be in the Pensacola area, and from there, on to Alabama.

Happy Birthday to us; Happy Birthday to Us; Happy Birthday to US; Happybirthdaytous.

And many morrrrreee!!!!!

PICTURES WILL BE LOADED LATER. I STOPPEDAT A MOTEL LOBBY TO GET THIS LOADED TODAY. I AM HALF WAY TO PENSECOLA.