Yikes, I was about into meltdown over not being able to post to the Flyer. Did you miss me? Some of you did…it is the first time people have actually sent me info without me having to dig it up (except for my sometime-correspondent–who I dearly love for the help)! I’ll get that info up shortly.

In the meantime, I just heard that Dottie (of North Shore Tavern fame) passed away. That may explain why not much has been going on over there. I heard her son is going to live in the cabin and that the property is up for grabs. No confirmation, just heard it.

Steve & Gail will be heading for other parts. Have some snaps to share. They sold their house.

Rumor has it that Dave & Sue’s place is up for sale and might already have someone interested. The couple had to move down the hill due to Dave’s illness.

Mary Lou and Bob are still down in the desert. Have not been around to get or give you the info but one of the gang said she is in good spirits.

A memorial for Reba Voltz has been place in the garden outside of the Post Office. Again, I have snaps to share later.

The Doo Dah Parade is coming along–I am happy to announce that I am one of the judges again this year! My FAVORITE event and role. Bribes welcome…also the Catz in the Hats will be the Grand Marshalls this year. Get those routines and costumes a’ready.

Okay, I think that is all I know for now. I’ve been sequestered away and busy in between. Still having a tough time over the loss of my aunt…

When I returned from NY I hoped the Fawnskin Market would be open. Unfortunately, it is not. The final electrical inspection was done–and they passed. On Tuesday they will be inspected for the handicapped access and on the 14th the Health Dept inspection will take place. Although hopeful they will be open within the next couple of weeks, Mark says it might be the end of June or beginning of July in the worse case scenario.

Once again, just a reminder not to hold your breath!

Yesterday was tough because when I began to return some of the calls that had piled up during my trip, the very first one informed me that my aunt, Beatrice Olguin passed away.

*sigh* I’ve hit an age now where people are dying in increasing numbers. In a three month period 2005-2006 eight people I knew passed away.

All I can say is that it sucks.

It is not that I worry about their passage because I believe we leave our bodies for another realm. But the grief process is hard. I worry about my friends and relatives. I cry until my eyes swell shut or turn horribly red. Nothing makes the process easier.

My auntie Bea was the one who took all of us kids under her wing during an especially ugly time during our lives. My aunts always provided the mothering we never really got. Today all of the families are spread out but we were blessed with having a whole village to raise us. I think we are all better people because of it.

I don’t have many memories from childhood because I blocked them. However, the few that I do have involve big family gatherings with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. I no longer see them often but we have the strong family love that seems to endure through the passage of time.

When I last saw my aunt she looked like her mother in the older years, her body was withering but her eyes twinkled brightly and she was good spirited.

I intend to head out for the service this weekend–not that I like those services but what I like to hear are the stories. The stories that tell about our lives. They reveal who we are at the core. They highlight the good.

Bea was really good.

As I head out to the town where I was born I know that the one thing I can look forward to is the stories and they will be fun and uplifting during a very sad time.