Day 19 - A History Lesson I Hope We Have Learned From

What a wonderful day we had with Linda and Fred!

Today we toured the visiter’s center at Gettysburg with Fred and Linda; what a grand job they have done.  It was presented factually with out the prejudice that clouded my high school American History classes.  I cried through the entire movie because this was a real event, not fiction, and they were real people on both sides of the debate and so very many people suffered and died so that I could live in an undivided nation of free people of all races.  It’s a lot to bear.

Oh my, how camping has improved!

Camping sure has improved!  
Can you imagine - these were the best accommodations and used for the highest ranking commanders; most of the soldiers had no such luxuries.  I can’t help but put myself in the place of those scared, brave young men and women; and it makes me cry all over again.
                  

                              Long distant remodeling - I don't recommend it!

Here we are talking to Tom about the Sun room 

and other details as we wait to go into lunch in Gettysburg.

We spent a grand afternoon and evening with Linda and Fred, showing them the original pictures of our new home and the construction so far.  Our contractor, Tom, wishes we were there on site, but is patient with us and calls us regularly to confirm plans or discuss new ideas.  Many times I just say “Tom, it’s builder’s choice, you couldn’t do anything I won’t love”; he is an artist as well as a master builder and we value his input greatly.  

One example of the beautiful old barn-art.

Nice to talk to you today Kim! (Kim is our Interior Designer and is my eyes when I’m not there).  With the help of all the wonderful people that Tom and Kim know, we will moving into our West Coast dream home sometime in June.

This was just a cute log house on wheels that we saw
and I thought you might get a kick out of it!

Oh what a treat for me!  I received an e-mail from my sweet student, Alexis today!!!  (It seems everything today has been designed to make me cry;  thank you friend, Dana).  I miss my special sweeties and my very, very special friends at NES. 

This evening we were treated to another of Linda’s very special meals.  I have recipes!!

BOURBON SLUSH                                            VEGGIE MARINADE

steep 5 tea bags in 2 cups of boiling water mix together the following:

 stir 1 cup sugar into tea                                    1 can LeSueur Peas, drained

add 12 oz frozen OJ concentrate 1 can shoepeg corn, drained

add 6 oz frozen lemonade 1 sweet red bell pepper, chopped

add 2 cups of Bourbon and 7 cups water 1 green pepper, chopped

Stir well, freeze for 2 days 1 cup finely chopped celery

Serve in glasses with spoons                                9 green onions, both parts, sliced

     Oh, my!                                                            chill overnight in marinade:

                                                                      1cup sugar

                                                                      3/4 cup white vinegar

                                                                      1/2 cup canola oil

                                                                      1/2 tblsp black pepper

                                                                             yummmm!

We are off toward Boston tomorrow, stopping in Watertown, CT overnight before heading to MA.  I hope we can find a place to stay in Boston as this is (unbeknownst to us) the Boston Marathon Monday, (good grief, Charlie Brown).  Wish us luck!

Night to all, tonight especially Ed, Clyda & Jackie, Margaret & Brian, Cora & Bob, Kim & Tom, Linda & Fred, Diane & Ron, William, Alexis & Dana, Anita, Bill & Myra, Dick & Susie, sister-chick Libby & Steve and Albert & Deanna.  Thanks for all the calls, e-mails, prayers and love you have sent us; we are truly blessed.

Shalom,  Heather . . .