DAY 57 THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME TOTO! or not....

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than  by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bow lines-catch the trade winds in your sails.  EXPLORE DREAM DISCOVER"   Mark Twain

MILES LOGGED:  9,626.  They say you really never  know someone until you travel with them and there's nothing like a road trip to reveal their real Buddha nature, or in this case, their real Bubba nature.  Training a husband to travel was no easy feat.  I think husbands and wives have different expectations when embarking on a road trip together.  For most men a vacation is not a vacation unless you keep moving but in this case I was mover mamma and he was pinning to stop and relax.  As Bub learned How To Keep a Woman Happy- you must be well informed and armed!  And in the end go with someone you wouldn't mind sleeping with.  

Pit Stops- scheduled or unscheduled?  Be careful what you eat, you don't want to do the green apple quickstep.  And please try not to eat foods that give you gas Bubba- enough with that Broccoli!  And don't bogart that Good N Plenty Bubs. There is something about a road trip that gives you the munchies and makes you want beverages.   Boca's inconvenience tolerance improved greatly on the trip.

Dashboard Etiquette- who controlled the music and climate control?  This year we finally learned how to record the 100 CD's we brought along.  Never mind you are not in the mood for Celtic, Pavarotti or The Who.  You get what you get when you get it!  Did I drive him less crazy than he drove me??  I became WOMAN WHO STARES AT GOATS.

Gazing in the side mirror....note to self, next car will not have a passenger side view mirror.  I think all that mirror time drove the munchies level to the stratosphere....

Packing,...the SUV trunk is the whole car,the place for storage and like a vacuum and gas...we filled it.  We lived out of the SUV more or less which made for interesting outfits.  In addition, the packed to the gills vehicle, added pressure permeating the psychic space.  Wrinkled and mismatch was the new "black". A sense of humor is required.  And road humor is way better than road rage...well sometimes.  And regarding the speed limit, I notice if you're not going 10 over you might be the target of marauding highwaymen and trucks!  Bubba had to get his tough guy person on at times...hence colorful car language.

Our ROAD TRIP this year, NORTH TO NEWFOUNDLAND, redefined luxury....enjoying the company of family and friends, time, space, clothes that feel good (at least sorta clean), manners,  meeting a new friend,  a comfortable place to sleep, a good bowl of Chowder, good service to name a few.   We learned LIFE is not in recession.  Our theme song ON THE ROAD AGAIN suited our methods of travel.  

BUBBA and I hope you have enjoyed the ride with us this summer as much as we did.  I hope we made you smile now and again.  We are grateful for God's grace of good health and time to go exploring.  We are reminded of the joy of giving and embracing a lifestyle of generosity and giving out of gratitude.  Please keep our military and their families in your prayers.  And by all means give consideration to our beloved Fisher Houses in your hood.  And just like last year, one of the highlights of the trip was meeting the Fisher House Managers, staff, volunteers and "guests".  Many of you have been energized in learning about this stellar organization.  We thank you for your consideration in any contribution you make to your local Fisher House or even the Fisher Foundation  (www.fisherhouse.org).  As a matter of fact Bubba and I extend an invitation to join us at our annual Holiday Party and Boca Raton Boat Parade on Sat. Dec 19.  We will be honoring the Fisher Houses- one at the VA West Palm Beach and our newest Fisher House right here in Miami at the VA.   

 This has truly been a NOW AND ZEN ROADTRIP.  As we sign off, family and friends, know we love you and are ever so grateful you are in our lives.  God Bless!  

Pleep and Sis sang our new Road Trip song....look out Lee Ann Womack!

I HOPE YOU DANCE MY FRIENDS!  

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder 
You get your fill to eat 
But always keep that hunger 
May you never take one single breath for granted 
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed 
I hope you still feel small 
When you stand by the ocean 
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens 
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance 

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance 
I hope you dance 
I hope you dance 

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance 
Never settle for the path of least resistance 
Living might mean taking chances 
But they're worth taking 
Lovin' might be a mistake 
But it's worth making 
Don't let some hell bent heart 
Leave you bitter 
When you come close to selling out 
Reconsider 
Give the heavens above 
More than just a passing glance 

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance 
I hope you dance 
(Time is a real and constant motion always) 
I hope you dance 
(Rolling us along) 
I hope you dance 
(Tell me who) 
I hope you dance 
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder) 
(Where those years have gone) 

I hope you still feel small 
When you stand by the ocean 
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens 
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance 

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance 
Dance 
I hope you dance 
I hope you dance 
(Time is a real and constant motion always) 
I hope you dance 
(Rolling us along) 
I hope you dance 
(Tell me who) 
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder) 
I hope you dance 
(Where those years have gone) 

(Tell me who) 
I hope you dance 
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder) 
(Where those years have gone) 

P.S. AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WONDERING WHAT WE CAME BACK TO....REMEMBER LAST SUMMERS INTERIOR/WALL LEAK...CONSTRUCTION STILL NOT COMPLETE FROM THAT DEBACLE....AND HOW ABOUT THIS YEAR...AS BUBBA UNLOCKED THE DOOR WE HEARD A HIGH PITCHED WHINING NOISE??????? The newly renovated shower blasting out steaming hot water.....the ceiling and walls looked like a science project.  We can hardly wait to get the water bill.  It turned on by itself?  Yup. Bringing us to the conclusion yes the place is definitely haunted.  Nothing like a little mold that says Welcome Home......

SO ALL THERE WAS LEFT TO DO WAS HANG OUR NEWEST SOUVENIR...

DAY 56 HEAD OUT ON THE HIGHWAY

TESTOSTERONE DRIVEN
Bubba knows this drive home by heart.  Must have made it a hundred times over the years.  Looking forward to driving on some flat highway.  The condition of the car- as they say in the south  " a hot mess"  and packed beyond the gills.  As mentioned we took waaaaaaaaay to much stuff.  Making it a royal pain to look for or find anything.  I have been wearing the same blouse for 3 days, an all time low.  Praise God it is black....same idea for the black jeans.  The shoes?  Caked with mud, from who knows where.   And we all know Dr. Oz says "don't wear the same shoes two days in a row, you need to let them air out".   Hmmmm.  A possible fungus amungus????  And this morning Bubs remarked, "aren't you going to put on some make-up?"  I knew he would heal up in a few days.

And wrappers from junk food, pop, water bottles, coffee cups, napkins, Kleenex, cd's, gas receipts, several pair of sunglasses and on and on.  There should be a realty show called "CAR HOARDING".  We definitely would qualify.   Another all time low at a gas stop today.   I bought $25 worth of candy.  Bubba hadn't had a Butterfinger in 30 years.  All that sugar did sweeten his cranky head cold infested personality.  I figured the money we were saving on gas now (compared to up North and Canada) more than covered the sweets.  I did have to listen to "I'm getting rid of this car.  I can't stand the way it handles.  It's too big.  I'm getting a beamer or lex.  I do all the driving,  you don't get to vote,  you need to go see a doctor about your driving anxiety".  The past few days have been very "cranky" as Bubba contracted a cold from all that rain and the no good (ha North Face) rain jacket.  And we all know how fun it is when your husband has a head cold- giving him the RIGHT to crab, blow and drive like a maniac.  When Bubs is ready to get home, THE MAN IS READY TO BE HOME.  Ain't love grand?   Oh yes, it is time for Bubba to go home.  But wait he's just going to turn right around and head back to Butch's for opening of tadaaaaaaa HOLY OF HOLIES- HUNTING SEASON!  Amen that South Carolina has the longest hunting season in the USA.  Hurrraaaah!

Heading home to FORIDA'S UNIQUENESS

What a state.......the Koran burning preacher, the party jumping Governor wannabe Senator, the oil spill of the century and just when we were trying to live down that hanging chad rep.  


 I must get back to the final days of this political campaign and election work.  As Bubba would say it " we've got a dog in this race".  Two of our favorites in US races are Allen West.  Bubba's kind of candidate.  And we are working hard, doing rain dances, rubbing rabits feet, carrying 4 leaf clover and praying like mad that he overtakes ron klein.  Go ALLEN!


And another favorite is the not only darling, but articulate and driven Marco Rubio.  Our next US Senator- sorry Charlie.  I am sure most of you have seen him on TV (Fox of course).  This young man has a hell of a career in front of him...and I have told him and handlers...just stay on the straight and narrow.

 And back to business on the eating healthy again.  Fearful of getting on the scale I am doing a fast today with the hopes of fasting off 2 months of overindulging in every which way.  Duh Boca you'll be Zumba-ing your way to fitting back into those new pants you bought before the road trip.   I swore I would keep up my healthy eating and 5 day a week exercise....what happened?  The car is a calorie free zone?

Did I hear him mutter something enough of this wedded bliss stuff.  Yes he did all the driving over our 2 month road trip .   I tried to drive once but lasted a few mins.  I guess he felt it was better to have me beefing at him and his driving rather than white knuckle it with Boca at the wheel.

And he continued... I am getting rid of this car and no more road trips with this big truck, no more packing and taking along all this crap we don't need, I'm too old to do these kind of road trips, I want to go one place and stay there yada yada yada.  Didn't I hear somewhere " books and dogs make good companions"?  And Bubba retaliates "When cookies are passed, take one".

We have had a lot of laughs about the bad souvenirs and tourist traps including these lovelies.  A memorable trinket?  Ah yes Road Warrior gifts to bring back to who?  A dancing doll of Elvis from Graceland?  a kimono from Japan (guilty).  A huge blue velvet sombrero from Mexico (guilty).  Your name on a grain of rice.

Moose candy "poops"  (guilty).  Statue of Liberty M and M Dispenser?  Snowflake Globe of NYC (guilty)  anything MAO from China?  Magnets (guilty)  Little models of tourist landmarks such as Eiffel Tower.  Boomerang from Australia- Papou!  Russian stacking dolls (guilty).  Shot glasses.  Shells, Sand (guilty) and endless stream of really tacky stuff.  Moose on your mantle in Florida?  I guess they would go along with all those animal heads we have in the library.....

Do you collect anything in your travels ?  What?  What do you do with them/it over the years?  I'm not know for being GREEN but so much of the stuff in those "tourist shops" is a bunch of ..."waste". Ha and you were thinking of another word weren't you!

Bubba says, " it's a wast of time and money.  If you want some memorabilia of to the place go to Starbucks and get yourself a good cup of Joe in the featured cup.  This way you will remember your trip and have something that is useful."  Not a bad idea Bubs.  Now try telling that to Pleep.

Speaking of "drek"- Pleep and Sis's favorite from the trip.  They want Boca to use this picture of them sitting on top of the gigantor lobster for our Christmas Card.  Bubba is just happy it was too big to fit in or on the car.

DAY 55 SHENENDOAH VALLEY AND BEST BUDS FOREVER

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away".            PLEEP


Shenandoah National Park, was established in 1935 as part of the CCC work program.  Formed from over 1000 privately owned tracts of land, Shenandoah started as a patchwork of forests, fields, orchards and home sites.  People came to the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia for rest and recreation long before Shenandoah National Park was established.  President Herbert Hoover and First Lady Lou built their rapiddan Camp as a retreat to escape the heat and stress of the nations capital. The parks scenic roadway, Skyline Drive, follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105miles.  At its southern end it joins the Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches 469 miles to Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  We have visited the park  on several occasions  but this was Pleeps and Sis's first visit.  It was hard to get Pleep excited about Skyline drive after all his Battlefield fun yesterday at Gettysburg.  The pretty drive and viewing spots were more Sis's cup of tea.

"I DON'T WANT TO WORK, I JUST WANT TO BANG ON THE DRUM ALL DAY!"
                                                                                                                          PLEEP

Then Pleep saw the Plaque for Jackson and his excitement cranked up again.  And he also saw the Appalachian Trail where his pal Bob Knight walked....hey Bub how many people walk the full trail every year?  When was it complete?  How many have walked it since the beginning?  What inspires a person to do this?   After diggin a bit, we found since 1936 9000 (maybe up to 11,000) folks have hiked the AT-121 per year.  Only 25% that start out actually finish.  And the count includes those who complete the walk over years.  This really upped Pleeps impression of Bob- one walk, 2,179 miles.

We had hoped the colors were in full force but not yet- still a pretty drive and so nice not being hot and crowded.  The park employs 100 people throughout the year and an additional 125 during the summer.  We saw quite a bit of road and retaining wall refurbishment.  Pleep asked the Ranger "Hey, where did ya get the dough?  Some of that stimulating money I bet".  You've got that right Pleep.  YOUR RECOVERY DOLLARS AT WORK.  (www.recovery.gov)- to the tune of $30 million.  Bubba chimed in "better than some things, but you don't spend that kind of money when you're  broke".  Here Here Bubs.

www.celebrateshenandoah.org

" A FRIEND MAY WELL BE RECKONED THE MASTERPIECE OF NATURE"
                                                                            RALPH WALDO EMERSON

BBF (BEST BUDS FOREVER)

We spent the evening and night with Bubba's BBF, Butch and his lovely wife Karen.   Butch has been Bubba's friend since 5th grade in Sarasota Florida- 1958.  He lived one house over.  They struck up their friendship with Boy Scouts, fishing,  camping, hunting..two peas in the pod.  Well actually more like Mutt and Jeff- Butch was small and Bubba was a biggin.  In 1964, Senior year in high school, they were caught skipping school.  So they decided, hey let's just not go back.  Let's join the ARMY.  Say what Bubba?  Both were underage, 17, so they had to have their parents sign.  Poor Mom Collins, was beside herself.  His Mom threatened to get his older cousin to beat some sense into him, but that didn't work either.  So off Butch and Bubba went to Fort Gordon and Fort Jackson, then on to Germany...  Bubba, how could you be stationed together over and over?   We went in on the Buddy Plan.  The what?  Yup, way to "recruit" those dumb 17 year old kids.  They actually compromised, Butch wanted to go into the Navy and Bubba into the Marines- so the ARMY was the logical sign up.  The BBF split off because on a trip home Butch got married and  Bubba volunteered for Viet Nam.   Notice how they both ended up in law enforcement too.  Yup.  BBF.

They remained friends through the years but became BBF's again through Bub's resurgence of his love of hunting.  Butch and Karen live in South Carolina so Bubba's farm (SC) was the perfect place to rendezvous.  Since Bubba sold his farm poor Karen has had to run a B and B for the boys to hunt out of.  Thank you St. Karen, you really raised the bar for Sainthood.   How do you define a friend?  SYMPATHY, EMPATHY, INTIMACY, HONESTY, UNDERSTANDING, COMPASSION, TRUST, GIVE AND TAKE..... Who is your BBF?  Do you still have childhood friends?  High school friends?  College friends?  Friends from the first "neighborhood" you lived in?  From your former jobs?  From your former clubs or sport teams?  Is there different criterion for man to man or man to woman friendships or woman to woman or woman to man relationships?  Sadly, a recent study (American Sociological Review) found that Americans have suffered the loss of quality and quantity of close friendships- going on since 1985.  How awful!   For me it is important and very special and a privilege to have those long time friends.  Bubba agrees...he's happy to know there are others out there willing to put up with Boca too.

We are blessed both with quality and quantity- happy to defy that research.  A big shout out to our dear and wonderful friends.  WE LOVE YOU GUYS!

DAY 54 GETTYSBURG NATIONAL MILITARY PARK, Pa

After another "country" breakfast made by the Chipmeister we were on our way.  Now that's a kitchen sink my man.  With all the rain and dampness Bubba's head cold wouldn't go away. Blow, Blow Blow.  He sounded like a fog horn and of course a stop at every drug store he saw for more "cold medicine".  And we all know how the Bubs loves a drug store.  The console of the car looked like a pharmacy.  As Bubba has done ALL THE DRIVING he asked if I could take over the wheel for awhile to give him a break as his sinus were killing him.  Sure Bub.   Between me getting anxious (all those semi's) and Bubs and Pleep yelling speed it up, get in the left lane bla  bla.  Boca only lasted for a couple miles and got off at the next exit.  Sorry Bub.

GETTYSBURG -TOURING THE BATTLEFIELD

The fighting at Gettysburg is history.  Upon these rolling peaceful Pennsylvania fields more men died than in any other battle fought in North America before or since.  Many of the Union soldiers who died here are buried in Soldier's National Cemetery where Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address-outlining the future of our nation.   Sis loved sitting on Honest Abe for a photo.

The Civil War is Bubba's favorite-to read about and Gettysburg is his favorite battlefield.  A  few years back he did a Father-Daughter visit to the Battlefields of the Civil War so Alexandra could see first hand history of her country and have a better understanding of the scope and magnitude of the sacrifices made by soldiers and civilians alike.   The "new" Visitor Center and Museum (a couple yrs old now) are outstanding.  Bravo National Park Service.  This now park, was a pivotal battlefield  of the Civil War and has much meaning to Bubba.  Even though his roots were with the south, his family fought for the south, he was glad the Union won that Battle and Won the war preserving our nation as one.

Bubba plots his method of attacking the battlefield of 1863....

And you can bet the Pleepster loved touring the battlefields.  Of note, being a Florida monkey he was happy to find the Florida Memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of Florida.  Florida had the highest % of casualties at Gettysburg.  And also had the largest % of it's population in the Confederate Army, although smallest in actual numbers due to the spareness of it's population.  Each year more than 1 million visitors explore the site.  The new visitor center was A plus.  Good job park system!

While the Junior Secret Service program (self guided activities and new agents are awarded a badge and certificate) was a hit with the other "kids" but the Pleep would have nothing to do with it as he has his own real badge- no monkeying around for him.

Pleep's favorite was cannon butting.  From one battle filed to another wanting to try out all those cannons.  Eventually one of the Park Rangers caught up with him (and once again his reputation preceded him) and made it clear while the Ranger was glad that Pleep was such a civil war buff that he would have to control his exuberance.


As a matter of fact the ranger invited the Pleep back to the area for some Civil War reenactment fun and recommended that he get a subscription to CIVIL WAR TRAVELER.  Come on Dad ENOUGH OF ALL THAT READING ABOUT THE  Civil War -I've found us great places to play and stay!

The Pennsylvania Civil War Trails system opened officially this year with 40 "story stops".  Oh joy, said Sis.  "Isn't there an Outlet Mall around here?"   As Pleep reminded us what Napoleon said "Armies march on their stomachs"  and it was time to stop by the Civil War Saloon for some grub.  No time for the Eisenhower National Historic Site next door.  Pleep and Bubs were all about experiencing history on THE battlefield.  Pleep get off that dang statue!

www.gettysburgfoundation.org

DAY 53 CHIPOSIT AKA DEPOSIT NY

HUGGIN COUSINS
Saw cousin Chip in the city at the SS reunion in NYC and we had been threatening to visit his "farm" one of these days.  He drives 3 hours most every weekend for the past 10 years to his farm in Deposit, NY.  Deposit?  The town name was derived from the deposits of logs made by lumberman, prior to forming rafts to float down the river.  The town originated in 1880 and the census of 2000 claimed 1,687 folks live here.

Technically, Chip is my second cousin (we have the same great grandparents).  Ah, relationships with our cousins-double cousins (2 siblings reproduce with 2 siblings of another family), double second cousins, third cousins, double fourth cousins, half-cousins, 1 1/2 cousins, step cousins, cousin-in- law and the ever favorite first cousin-twice removed.  I really adore my many cousins- closer with some more than others.  And of course there's a few whackadoos in the mix.  Can you imagine their take on Boca?   What is your relationship like with your cousins????  Oh and for those of you sleeping with your cousin (not uncommon)-ewwwwwww!

Chips Farm, BROOKHOLLOW, has been a work in progress from day one-bricolage.  Starting with jacking up the house and putting in a new foundation for starters.  He has done much of the work himself with some help from friends and his Dad, God rest his soul, Uncle Bootsie.  Uncle Boots grew up with my Mom and gang on my Grandfathers farm in Green Bay Wisconsin.  Maybe this farm thing is part of Chips DNA?  I am so thankful he and his Dad spent many hours, days and weeks working side by side on a lot of the renovation.

Bubba says "this is my kind of place- how long can I stay?"  Since Bubs sold his "farm" in South Carolina a couple years back he has been itchin to dig in the dirt.  Poor Bubba, been surfing the net routinely looking for a little something somewhere so he can get back to riding his tractor.  He rents out cheap for plowing your dirt...hell, he'll pay you!

His house is 90 years old, located on 370 acres.  This beautiful bucolic mountainous  area is just the perfect anecdote to life in the city.  Chip and his partner have a lighting business and I would guess could get a little intense at times.  So the weekend farmer was therapy I guess.

Bubba always found going to his farm and doing physical labor was very therapeutic.  Boca found the grape therapy to be beneficial.  The "garage" was even moved...oh so authentic.  Lots of deer, porcupines and even a neighborhood Bear!!

Chips very own Walden Pond.  Ah a place to relax and think a bit..
This is a spot to write the great American novel- our very own transcendentalist and philosopher Chip Thoreau....LIFE IN THE WOODS  with Chip.  This place is really off the grid.  He pumps in his electricity via generator.  It's a 2 mile drive from the road to his house.  It was a little scary driving out there the first night, in the dark.  Boca rolled down the windows and listened for Banjo music.....

OPEN HOUSE IN DECEMBER
This is Chip's post Obama business venture...a coffee house in Deposit.  Coffee House- an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages.  A bit like a bar?  A bit of a restaurant?  A bit of a cafeteria?  From a cultural point of view, coffee houses can serve as centers of social interaction- a place to congregate, talk, write, read, entertain each other or just past the time.  The coffee house originated in 1555 in Constantinople (now Istanbul) right up to today's billion dollar coffee house Starbucks.  I suggested to Chip he could name the shop in Honor of Bubba,  PERMANENT ADDICTION or in Honor of Boca BEAN AROUND THE WORLD.  No he is sticking with BUTTERFIELD.   But he did promise to name a special brew in Boca's honor.  Excellent- how about....WIRED ON BEANS or BOCA'S ATOMIC GRINDS, BOCA'S IT'S A GRIND OR PAM'S PREMIUM EXPRESSO or BOCA'S JUMPIN JITTER and my personal favorite  BOCA'S DIURETIC DELIGHT.   And your vote goes to?

Hell, by the time I got done with the town tour I had Chip running for Mayor and signed up for the Chamber of Commerce and and and..

Besides being so smart Chip is also talented and can work with his hands- and doing a lot of the work on his soon to be open shop.  He will be open for the Christmas Holidays.  All you coffee lovers show up please.  Chip and Bubba mug it out on the back patio.  Ah yes, I can see Bubba enjoying a cup of Java out here.  And there is an apartment over the shop just for hunters.  Perfection!

Of course a visit to the local farmers market is a must.  Pleep was very entertained by the goats.  He begged the Bub to buy him one as a goat would be a lot more fun than Sis or Lulu.  It was no easy task explaining how a goat on the intercoastal would not work...."just wait till I get my farm Pleepmeister, we're gonna have all kinds of fun".

So who knew Brussels Sprouts grew in a row?  on a stalk?  Boca thought they grew one by one on a Brussel Bush.   Oy.  Those cute little mini cabbages, oh so healthy, but oh so smelly.  So Boca justifies drowning them in cheese of course.

Sasha the great hunter brought Boca her farewell kill.  EEka Volts!  Time to go Chip...Bubba will be back soon I am sure.



ol'Chip lets them hunt the property just like they did for many many years.  Chip, you can pick Bubba up at the Newark Airport - hunting season in New York is just around the corner.  As Bubba said, IT'S 3 HOURS AND A MILLION MILES AWAY FROM THE CITY".  Thanks for such a great visit COUZ.  XXXXXXXX

DAY 52 FISHER HOUSE ALBANY NY VA HOSPITAL

FISHER HOUSE ALBANY STRATTON VA MEDICAL CENTER

The Fishers selected Albany in their home state of New York as the site for the first Fisher House supporting VETERANS.  Located at the Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center, he home sits in the shadow of the Sate Capitol Building.

Jerry Jensen, house manager, was proud to tell us HIS house was the first VA Fisher.  The house opened 15 years ago and Jerry took over the helm from Joanne Saulsbery 7 years ago.  We learned that Joanne, a registered nurse at the VA hospital, wrote a moving letter to the Fishers about the need for a comfort home in Albany and they were eager to help.  Jerry's background includes 4 years in the Air Force and 36 years in the VA system.  40 years of service to the military and military families.  Hey, Jer, any plans to retire soon?  Nope.  Love my job.  I meet so many nice people.  I love the people I've met here and keep in contact with many.

The smell of chocolate chip cookies  being made caught Bubba's attention immediately.  We had the pleasure of meeting Marilyn White, Volunteer Extraordinaire.  She has been coming to this Fisher House 2x a week for 14 years!  She is quite the baker and makes cookies, sour cream coffee cake and many other delectable treats for the families.  Marilyn's dedication is certainly a Beacon of Light for all of us.  Her smiling face and happy nature makes her the PERFECT volunteer for Fisher.  She said "Jerry, is perfect!  His laid back style really works well at OUR house."  We also heard about another volunteer, Dorothy, who at 85 gives her all since the house opened-weekly as well.

We are talking major league pastry chef!  MMMMM.  Marilyn is patiently waiting for HER kitchen upcoming renovations.

Keith enjoys meeting and chatting it up with fellow Vets.  This guest was a Marine and did 3 tours of duty in Vietnam.  He lives in upstate New York and loves to deer hunt.  And you can imagine they had a lot to talk about.

Jerry is quite proud of his Meditation Garden.

A "salute" again to Zachary Fisher, who left high school at 16 to help his father and older brothers in the family construction business.  Early on he suffered a severe knee injury in a construction accident which prevented him from serving in the military.  He then went on to spend much of his life along with his wife Elizabeth serving the country by volunteering time and donating money to family oriented military efforts.  They were true patriots and continue to be an inspiration to Boca and Bubba.

New side walks in the works.  Most Fisher Houses are a never ending work in progress.  Jerry had hoped the sidewalk was complete before Boca showed up as he heard she has two left  feet.  Pretty much.

Bubba and Boca were so happy to find the parking lot "empty".  A rarity for a Fisher House.  Oops.  The brand new parking lot was waiting for it's dedication....ayia yia.  Sorry about that Jer.  Well at least we didn't step on the newly seeded lawn.  For more info about this wonderful Fisher House or how you can help FisherNY@aol.com

Of the 35 LOCATIONS of Fisher Houses (remember some locations have more than one house) Boca and Bubba have been privileged to have visited 24 with 2 more to go this year (Hines in Chicago and the soon to be dedicated Miami).  We continue to be in awe of the wonderful house managers, volunteers and guests.  And as most of you know we love to share the story of the wonderful Fisher Houses- a home away from home- "dedicated to our greatest national treasure...our military service men and women and their loved ones".  Roger that!  We remain steadfast and loyal and look forward to visiting all of them.  Lansdstuhl, Germany summer of 2011.  Oompa pa!

and our sign off for the Fisher Houses...

WITHIN THESE WALLS

Beyond this door,

You will find peace.

A place where understanding eyes can see your needs.

A friendly smile

A restful sleep

An outstretched hand that offers moments of relief.

So please come in

You are now at home.

This house was fashioned by love, stone by stone.

And you're not alone anymore.

You will find peace,

Beyond this door....

One man and woman with a dream that would not die,

One patriotic vision, that has now been realized.

An army of angels goes before you.

Bringing peace in the night, 

Bringing hope of what you'll find....

Beyond this door, beneath this roof, within these walls.

Written and composed to music by Nicole Nordeman, a Fisher House Volunteer, while she was a student at the University of Colorado.  Bravo Nicole!