I think you knew we were planning to sell out, but we thought it would be next year. Ken has decided we can do that this spring instead of waiting. Many reasons to come back home, among them we want our health care to be in Iowa and at our age things change in a hurry as we found this year. Ken went to doctor a couple of weeks back and he didn't have to have a catheter and there has been no more problem. So we are comfortable traveling to Alamo now. But his last check up will be February 24th.

Meantime, back at the ranch ....

When Frank knew he was dying and he gave us all those plants I just loved them, so when we left we contracted with Espy and Phil in the park to water our plants. Been paying them $50 a month and she is really good taking care of more than just watering. So, while we have turned the water off for 15 years when we leave for Iowa, this year we left the water on for Espy. Long story short: water leak, mold through our bedroom, bathroom, new room and walk in closet. Service Master has been called in and the insurance people and hopefully most will be taken care of by the time we arrive February 26th. Lavern and Bruce have been wonderful letting the people in. and keeping an eye on things for us. Basically everything from those rooms is being thrown out. When we saw the pictures Lavern and Bruce sent, then the facts sunk in. But after reeling with this news for a few hours we are over the shock and fine now. We didn't have anything worth much at all and we are insured. The biggest thing of course is the carpets and floors. If they have that done by the time we arrive we won't have to sleep in the living room. And, even if we do it won't be a problem knowing we have only a short time to be there. We will price the place to sell so not worried about that, Worried more about having to pay the monthly rent while waiting on workers to show up and do the work. Service Master will replace carpets and floors and bathroom - have to have new tub, shower, whatever else they can't salvage. There may be some things not in their bailiwick. Waiting for report to see.

So, there's that story. 

As for the winter in Iowa, we actually loved building a fire and being snug and cozy at home. One of my girlfriends lives on an acreage and gives us wood, cut and chopped for free. Our cars started - Ken has battery contraption that keeps them strong. But we don't go out as much as we used to at night. We do go to an Irish jam at Cooney's in Beaverdale and 3rd and 4th Tuesdays and I play cribbage the other two Tuesdays. My autoharp is in Texas so Judy gave me hers to play. No piano allowed.  A friend here in Ankeny has been picking me up for cribbage when it's this cold - he has to come my way anyway so I don't feel guilty imposing on him. He's an excellent cribbage player and has been teaching me a lot. There is a larger group now - anywhere from 12 to 24.  Sixteen is the norm. I won first place once and the prize was $75.  That was FUN. Got 2nd and 3rd place a couple of times.

I have coffee with my girlfriends once a week - we have not started back to church yet. Waiting for COVID to die down. But Blake has a weekly podcast that I enjoy listening to.

Ken asked that I add his message:

" I enjoyed being concertmaster of the Winter Texan Orchestra and playing in the chamber music group called Singing Strings and I felt that I should continue playing with them because I enjoyed it and because they needed me.  But the Dupuytren's contracture and the rheumatoid arthritis diseases attacking my hands have crippled them to the extent that I can no longer play at the level needed to make me valuable to them.  So, my absence will not be a big loss and health matters now take priority."