1964 - It was a very good year.

Dear Family and Friends,

Chuck and I flew to Atlanta on Tuesday and rented a car.  We drove to Columbus for the big event... the 50th reunion of my high school graduating class.

On Wednesday we started the pre-reunion partying.  Thursday...some of the same.

Here are friends Danette and W.A. pre-partying.  I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see and visit with them.  Fifty years melted away instantly.

Before the real reunion, I met up with my friend, Billy Ginn.  I asked him to show me where he spent most of his younger years in Columbus and he took me to the Columbus Stockade.

Friday, the real reunion started.  We met downtown and went around looking at name tags to identify each other.  It was funny because as soon as I read a name tag and took a second look at a classmates face, I instantly saw their old self.

Here is my long time friend, Carla and her husband, Paul.

Here is Billy Ginn with John and Jack White.

Chuck and I stayed until the band started playing and we couldn't hear ourselves think.

Saturday morning we met at the school.  We had our class picture made and were treated to a band concert by the Bob Barr community band.  Bob Barr was our beloved band director.  We had the best band in the land (literally).  Upon the death of Mr. Barr, a community band was formed in his honor.

After the concert we had barbecue in the school cafeteria.

Here are some of our teachers that came to the concert.  They looked better than some of us students.

Here are the ROTC guys posing.

Saturday night was the big event.  Chuck and I got gussied up and went to the Green Island Country Club for the dinner and dance.

Here we are just as we were leaving my sister's house.

We had a wonderful turn out.  The committee that put this together did a superb job.

Here is my friend, Sheryll Clark.  We went all the way from kindegarten to graduation together.  I was so happy to see her again.

My friend, Danette and I, also went all the way though school together.

And here is Chuck and me.  Having a grand ol' time.

Even though the reunion was officially over on Saturday night.  We dragged ourselves out of bed on Sunday morning to go to a fun picnic at Flat Rock park.

Wonderful, fun filled weekend.

We are flying to Seattle today to visit family and friends in Washington state.

Looking forward to the next leg of our trip.

FOTO FRIDAY - 4/25/14

Dear Family and Friends,

When Chuck and I were visiting Germany we came upon this ol' time Organ Grinder.

It was interesting enough to see him, but adding the monks made for a real interesting pickture.

Love,
Nancy

Lunch with Aunt Opal

Dear Family and Friends,

Today Chuck and I had lunch with Aunt Opal.

She is doing great as you can see.

On her right is my sweet cousin, Linda and on her left is my sweet sister, Mary Anne.

I don't think it would take too much to talk her into coming to visit in Cuenca again.

Love,
Nancy

TIME TRAVEL - Backwards 50 Years

Dear Family and Friends,

Chuck and I are heading out this morning for a trip to the U.S.

I have just one more task to do .....writing this post.  Then I will throw my computer into my carry on and off we go.

We will start our trip in Columbus, Georgia, where I was born and raised.

This weekend we will be attending the 50th reunion of my high school graduating class. I have been looking forward to this for weeks.  I am so excited because most of these friends I have not seen in half a century.

During the past few years, Facebook has helped many of us to find each other and get reconnected.  We have been able to see each others children and grandchildren through posted pictures.  Now that we are going to actually be able to be together in person is just awesome.

Folks, this is a picture me 50 years ago.

Yes, time has taken it's toll on my body, but not on my spirit.

In a few days there will be a group of "old folks" traveling back in time.  Reliving their youth and sharing their lives.

God bless us all!

Love,
Nancy

FOTO FRIDAY - 4/18/14

Dear Family and Friends,

Today's photo still makes me laugh when I remember taking it.

This little tyke picked up his dad's trumpet.

I guess these little girls have had some experience with his playing.

Love,
Nancy

Celebrations in Cuenca, Ecuador

Dear Family and Friends,

It seems like every year Chuck and I are traveling when this celebration rolls around.  The founding of Cuenca was April 12, 1557 and each year this city celebrates with lots of parades, concerts, art exhibits, fireworks and food.

This year, we are fortunate to be in Cuenca for this celebration.  Since we have missed out the last few years, Chuck and I are taking advantage of as many events as we can fit in.

Here are some pictures of a parade downtown on Friday morning.

Lot of dancing in the street.

Colorful costumes..

Cholas and Senoras were parading..

These guys were not in the parade but they were having a great time.

The weather was nice and sunny....just perfect for a wonderful parade.

So glad we are not missing out this year.

And to add to the mix, today is Palm Sunday.  Lots to see and enjoy!

Love,
Nancy

FOTO FRIDAY - 4/11/14

Dear Family and Friends,

Today's photo is of the worlds largest cuckoo clock.

We visited a lovely German family in Meinz, Germany.  They took us to Wiesbaden to see the "World's Largest Cuckoo Clock."  It is located on Kaiser Friedrich Square as the storefront of a souvenir shop.  The shop was built in 1946.

It still works just fine.

Love,
Nancy

A little bit of the Amazon in Cuenca

Dear Family and Friends,

It is getting close to the anniversary of the founding of Cuenca (April 12th) and festivities are already starting.

Yesterday there was dancing at San Sabastian by dancers from all over Ecuador.

The folks from Pastaza in the Amazon were very striking.

This lady was one of the vendors.

The dancers were fantastic as they put on a great show.

Very high energy.  This fella looks relieved to be finished.

After the performance they were happy to pose for photos.

I asked Chuck if he enjoyed the show.

What do you think???

Love,
Nancy

FOTO FRIDAY - 4/04/14

Dear Family and Friends,

Today's photos are from signs posted inside toilet stalls.

I took this picture in the new Quito airport.  It really got my attention because it was so unusual.  Here in the downtown area of Cuenca it is quite common to see signs asking patrons to throw their toilet paper in the garbage.  This sign however, was the first time I saw a sign asking patrons to flush their toilet paper down the toilet.

One thing about traveling to different countries is learning and accepting the culture of the country.

I saw the next sign several years ago when we were in Malaysa.  It was posted inside the stall door.

What I find interesting is that the sign was written in English only.  For some strange reason, I would think that the person needing to learn how to use a western style toilet would speak another language.

Have a great Friday folks.

Love,
Nancy