Visitations

Abby and Jo have been visiting me at the office quite often lately. Jo & Scooter live about 5 minutes from the office so it's on the way to Costco, Jo's favorite store for feeding 2, no make that 3 growing boys . It's good they stop in often cause Abigail changes so quickly. She certainly is the princess who knows what she wants and how to get it! As you can see she has not missed too many feeding times.



We also have some other visitors who are not so welcome. I've tried to get rid of these squirrels, but they know where their bread is buttered. Can't have the birds without the squirrels. When I visited Jeff and Dena, Jeff gave me a squirrel feeder, so now they have their own toy to play with.





Now I just try to co-exist with them so that we can all be happy. Maybe I need to invite the Bremer family for a weekend. Then we could take care of the squirrel problem and have some good eat'in!

Florida Rain

We are home from Florida now, but was one of the most rainy trips I can remember in over 30 years. Didn't do too much sun bathing!

In Memory of Dad Estes

Earlier this week we traveled up to Bushnell, Florida to the Florida National Cemetary to visit the resting place of Cdr. Leland F. Estes. We went with wife Ruth, eldest daughter Kim and son Steve.

It was amazing how many new graves have been added this past year. Our World War II heros are quickly passing on and it feels sad to lose this generation of men and women who so valiantly fought for our country's freedoms.

I felt honored to be in the presence of greatness as I thought of all the stories represented by each memorial stone standing so tall and proud within the boundries of this hallowed resting place.

It was a beautiful, sunny, peaceful day with a gentle breeze blowing across the fields of flawlessly placed head stones. Stones that reflected the faith of each person who lay at rest in this sacred place.

Thank you for your faithful service and sacrifice on our behalf.

Chocolate Factory

One of our first stops in Florida was to Diadre's Fine Chocolates by Design to witness the making of chocolate delicacies. Kim's brother, Steve took us to the chocolate factory where his wife Patti makes all kinds of chocolate designs made from molds. Of course we also benefit from her creative abilities. Fortunately she occasionally makes a mistake which comes home to roost around our waistlines. If it's going to go to waist it may as well go to mine!

We watched Patti make truffles using a $100K machine that keeps the chocolate at the exact temperature it needs to be to produce exquisite tasting chocolate every time.

Steve, Kim's brother shows us some of Patti's creations.

Sweet Tooth! Specialty chocolates made for a dentist.

The final product is truffles, perfectly made ready for consumption.
Bon Apetite!