Saturday - May 16

 Big day for we nomads.....left KK around 8ish and went to Revive in Goodfield for coffee and shared a bacon/egg/cheese sandwich on some delicious grilled bread.   Then to Costco in Davenport for some supplies for Philip and Brooke.

Met Tessa (Drew's wife) who drove over from Cedar Rapids at the Machine Shed in Davenport for lunch and great visit.    So good to have these one-on-one visits.   Drew is in NC with his family this weekend after working in Cincinnati.

Tessa, our granddaughter-in-law

Midwest  folks with ear of corn outside Machine Shed

Pat, Tessa, Mark

Bye bye to Tessa - hope to see she and Drew for Thanksgiving in NC.

Next stop was Sterling, IL to visit Mark's sister Joan and Joe.    Joan had the recent ankle surgery and a long recovery.    But she's a trooper and was working away in the kitchen and had made a 4-berry pie (cherry, blueberry, raspberry and blackberry) - delicious!    Her surgeon said she should stay active so just has her leg propped on her wheeled walker and moves around the kitchen like a champ.    We also got to see their son Tim and his daughter Sophie.    Great visit and Joan will be going back to Cleveland Clinic on the 27th for next check-up.

Joan and Joe

And finally arrived at KK at 5:20 - big day but lots of fun!

Walked around KK - Montana is a new state tonight.

Friday - May 15

 WOW....11 years ago today Mark and I closed on our Jackson Street home and became full-time Nomads!    Who would've thought.....and we're still having FUN!!!

Rained earlier today and after one calm day, the strong wind is back!

Liam is back from his junior year at U of Iowa!    Now in a few weeks he'll start his summer internship in Minneapolis.

We went into town at 11 and picked up Nancy, a long-time friend (Jim and Mark worked together at SF), we went to the same church, etc.    Jim passed away April 10th.    Such a nice guy.....it's been awhile since we've seen Nancy, so.....let's do lunch at Lil Beaver Brewery.  We had a great 2 hour visit over lunch with tears, laughs and memories.    3 of  4 of Nancy's kiddos live in the area, along with many grands and 23 great grands scattered here and there.

Mark, Nancy, Pat

We took Nancy home with hugs and went to Starbucks to get some coffees for Donna Rae and us.    She had just returned from the beauty parlor and looked as good as ever.    What a delight she is at 94.    Another 2 hour visit catching up on a little bit of everything.

Donna Rae

And then to Martin Health Care to visit our friend Paul who was admitted there from the hospital a few days ago to regain some strength.    This was a short visit as the nurses, occupational therapist, etc. were coming and going in his room.   We wish Paul the best for recovering his strength and going HOME which is where he wants to be!

Next stop was O'Reilly Auto Parts for new batteries for our key fobs.    Then to Culver's for a small cup of their flavor of the day - "chocolate toffee crunch".    Yummy and finally on home!

We walked and then chatted with Greg and Patty from Ocala, FL.    They are originally from Clinton, IL where Greg was a chiropractor before retirement.    Now they travel all over and usually spend a month here at KK.   We've been with them at least 3 springtimes and just a real neat couple who used to boat.     In fact, before they moved to Ocala, they owned a lot at Cypress Woods next door to Cypress Trail (CT).    They are going to be in Sandusky, OH in September but we'll be leaving Port Clinton right after Labor Day.

I watched the last episode of "Call the Midwife" tonight for Season 15.    Lots of tears and such a heartbreaking story but yet joyful, too.    

Connor received his Associates degree tonight from DACC (Danville Area Community College).     Proud of him and wishing him all the best as he pursues an engineering degree from the University of Illinois,

                                                                   Congratulations Connor!

 

Thursday - May 14

 I went into town - gas for Ruby at Loves, stopped at Anne's, then met Claire for breakfast at Fort Jesse Cafe.    I had not been there in ages and it was sooo good.    Busy place for breakfast and lunch.   

This was our last outing here in IL................Claire and Kathy will be visiting me in Port Clinton in August.    We've sure had some good times and meals.

Claire and Pat

On home.    It is a gorgeous day.   Mark had walked while I was gone.   He took a nap, I visited with Micci in the office and then walked.

Tonight the Monday Night Friends met at the Pickled Radish in Eureka - sooo good and everyone was very happy with their meal.   Marsha's daughter Laura joined us.    Fun evening.

Sue, Laura, Marsha, Pat, Ruth, Jody, Nadine, Brenda, Donna

Wednesday - May 13

 More crazy wind here at KK - what a "windy" spring we've had!

Our Champaign friends, Joyce and Butch arrived around 10:30.   We visited them at their Frostproof, FL home in March and always look forward to our yearly get together here when we enjoy the Mackinaw tea room, Braker's and Scottwood Floral in Eureka and then Revive for coffee in Goodfield.    

Another fun day with these dear friends we first met in Okeechobee in 2016 when we were on Daisy and all together at Water's Edge.   

Joyce and Butch at the Depot

My lunch - garden salad, chicken salad croissant, mint chocolate pie 

All DELICIOUS

Pretty spring decor in the dining room

Us in Mackinaw

Anne will have her 1st "slow" Moh's procedure on Monday afternoon.

 

Tuesday - May 12

 Said our good byes to George and Susan - so many connections - both Air "Streamers" (a new term George used), Notre Dame, Brady knowing Professor O'Rourke and his namesake "O'Rourke's Irish Pub", Susan a pilot along with our boys, etc.    They are headed to St. Louis today to visit friends.

I left for town at 9:45 and had several errands before I met the BBB gals for lunch at Rob Dobs.    Many years ago we bridge friends formed this club - "Babies, Bridge, and Books"    Well, we haven't played bridge in a LONG time, we now talk about grand kiddos (no more babies) but we all love our books.     In fact, for several years, we would all bring our favorites to trade and share.    But that was long before the kindles, I-pads, etc.,     It's been many years since we got together and sorry that Karen and Holly could not join us today.

Ruth, Pat, Sharon, Sue

But the rest of us enjoyed yakking away for 2.5 hours over a yummy lunch.    Ruth was our inspiration.....91 years young and sharp as can be.    It was a delightful afternoon!

It was a VERY WINDY afternoon - crazy out here in the country.  Mark and I caught up on our day and read and played games rest of the time.

Had a very light rain - walked later - no new states tonight.

I watched the 7th episode of "Call the Midwife" and then Anne and I beat the computer 2 of 3 games of euchre.   And we had some heavy rain!