Tuesday, April 12th 2022

When I'm 64

Another week goes by with the temple closed and we are off to Mississippi/ Tennessee. We stopped in St. Louis to stay in a B&B and it had a large jetted tub! Perfect gift for my birthday! I reached the age of 64 years old. I have been looking forward to that number because my mom passed away at age 64 and 10 months. It has kind of thrown me a bit emotionally but I have determined this year to be one of gratitude and celebration! 

We drove on to Hannibal, Missouri and learned all about Mark Twain in the museums there. He was a very remarkable man. Then on to Counce, Tennessee. Our friends, Dennis and Wanda Mayes have a two bedroom trailer on their property that they generously let us stay in. They are the creators of this Karaoke group of which we were so fortunate to be included in while Dave was working in Mississippi. We love these people so much! A couple of the group has already passed and we have our Johnnie who is fighting cancer, so we wanted to be able to spend some time with them all. There were 11 of us on Saturday night and we sang and sang and sang! 

Once upon a time I had a lovely soprano voice and was even asked to do solos now and then, well, then I had breathing problems and one surgery after another through my vocal cords did a lot of damage so my voice was changed permanently and I mostly croak when I sing. When I sing in this group with songs that are changed to my range I can belt them out! I am filled with the joy of singing! I'm filled with gratitude that I can't express in words. This group is so supportive and cheer us on! Dave's voice also blossoms and we both enjoy this wonderful activity with these wonderful folks! 

We drove around the area and visited with many of the people we have grown to love from the ward we were in. Just loving on these people and them loving on us! It was a great trip! 

This is the monument the Church placed in Quincy acknowledging the gratitude felt toward the people for taking in the Saints when they fled from persecution in Missouri. 

You can see Missouri across the river

Old time bicycle in Samuel Clemens'/Mark Twain's era museum

Don't think I'd ever be riding one of those!

Lunch in town down Hannibal. It is a very cute little town.

Our room at the bed and breakfast. The tub was amazing!

Cool carving out of Elk horns at the B&B

An official bear hug!

Really cool place

Loving on Santa Floyd. Her husband Tom died 3 years ago. 

Dave was their home teacher 

Loving on the Whites. 

Members of the ward but she is homebound with COPD

Pickwick Karaoke group. Salt of the earth kind of people. All members of the ward. Ricky and Johnnie Howell weren't able to make it because she is just feeling too weak. We went to see them but didn't get a picture.

Loving on the Mayes'  Dennis and Wanda

Loving on the Baths, Alison and Kent. 

They had us over for dinner and games

Members of the ward and Dave and Kent worked together.