I made the trek to Roscoe late yesterday morning. I was meeting "the family" at the church as the women were feeding a meal prior to Uncle Douglas's funeral. I was barely late, and when I entered the fellowship hall, the serving lines were still back up. I had opportunity to visit with several cousins, Aunts and Uncles prior to going through the line.

One of the first I visited with was Jerry Lynn. He is Douglas and Anna Joyce's oldest son and resides in Albuquerque, Nm. As we spoke he told me that Douglas had his stroke eighteen years ago. He continued, "we were blessed with sixteen relatively good years, but the last two were very difficult for Daddy". He went on to say this was much better than the way we lost Freddy and Terri Jo. We weren't expecting them to die. We knew with Douglas it was just a matter of time. But that doesn't mean it is any easier to say goodbye.

I visited with Anna Joyce and she told me that everything was going to be all right. I know she is exhausted, yet she will be lost without Douglas to care for.

Nephews served as Pall Bearers and as Honorary Pall Bearers. I served in the latter capacity. I wasn't aware of that distinction until the funeral director came to me prior to seating the pall bearers.

In the course of the service, which was officiated by Royce Clay, he made mention that he has had the funeral wishes of Douglas and Anna Joyce locked in his safety deposit box for close to twelve years. Everything from songs to scripture were included. The service concluded at the grave site with the singing of 'till we meet again.

For a funeral it was a good one, if there is such a thing.

The family had a pretty good turn out, even though it was all too soon, in an all too familiar setting.

I usually don't do funerals, that is why I'm not going to have one of my own.

This morning I decided to go to K.O.'s shop to work on our project. Monday would be three weeks since I had been able to work on it. I did about three hours and felt like that was enough. I may try to do it again Monday. I'm sore from all the up and down climbing on it but we need to get busy. From the transit incident with the project prior to the Sweetwater show, we suffered a crack in the transmission housing. We had been threatening to replace the gas engine and turbo transmission with a diesel engine and hydrostatic drive. Now is as good a time as any. So we are going to make a major change over prior to the show in Fairfield in July. If any of you have any spare time or expertise with air clutches let me know! Fabricators welcome!

Krl and I had been talking about Addison's predicament. We decided we would offer to let her come and stay with us, for how ever long, three weeks, the rest of the summer, until she graduates or marries. We would enroll her at Sylvan at our expense to try to get her caught up and hopefully develop some better study habits. She is such a precious little girl and just needs some intensive one on one with her schooling.

After we had discussed it, we decided it was the least we could do. It has been ten years since we "shared" our home with a kiddo. But, if that is what it takes, that is what we are willing to do. When Krl first approached Addie's "Nonnie" the idea didn't seem to be received too well. However, Friday morning Addison called Krl and told her she would be ready Monday. So Monday afternoon, we will make the trek to San Angelo and pick her up. We will take her in for an assessment, but preliminary talks with Sylvan suggest it may take a year of tutoring to catch her up. She will attend two to three days per week for two hour long sessions, the schedule will alternate between mornings and afternoons and the days will not be scheduled consecutively. The people at Sylvan sure seem to know their stuff. The proof is in the pudding! Our biggest fear is that once we begin the program, Addison or her mother might want to abandon it. It is our intention to be in it for the long run.

Pray for us in our new endeavor. Pray for Addison.

Have a day!

FATHER we ask YOUR blessing on Addison, and on our endeavor to help her. We pray that things will come together for Addison physically, emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. That our efforts would be fruitful!