2/28/09 (Saturday): Well, I didn't intend to do a blog today, but we had such fun with our friend, Troy, that I wanted to share it with you.

We left the campground early to drive to Apopka for breakfast with Troy. On the way, I just had to pull over and take this shot of a big old gobbler courting 12 hens! (I couldn't get him to turn around for this photo.)

After a scrumptious breakfast at Barnhills, we took a drive along Lake Apopka, stopping at a couple of parks along the way.

Troy spotted this eagle in a dead tree beside the road. I guess it was just a good day for the birds.

Wiley's gone off fishing and dinner's in the crock pot, so I've got the rest of the day off. Think I'll take a walk.

Life's not great right now, but it's pretty good, and I'll settle for that.

Be healthy.

2-26-09 (Thursday): Greetings from Sorrento, Florida, where we're adapting to a whole new adventure. It's not as much fun as some of the adventures we've had over the past three years, but we're figuring out how to make the best of it (with lots of help from family and friends). We're at Wekiva Falls Resort, a very nice campground on the Wekiva River about 45 minutes east of Orlando (near Sanford, FL). Life has been a constant round of doctors and hospitals, a little pain, some anxiety and, surprisingly, some wonderful moments. I intend to dwell entirely on the good stuff for the next few months.

For starters, it was wonderful to visit with my sons. For the past few years, my visits have involved lots of attention to the grandkids, which is great, but it was terrific to get to know my sons as adults. I did a good job raising them, if I do say so myself, and I'm so proud of the men they have beccome.

I also got to spend a lot of time with my mother- and father-in-law. They've just been wonderful for letting us stay with them, ferrying us to appointments, taking care of us and offering encouragement. I don't know how we'd have made it without them.

My friends have all pitched in, too, especially Julie and John, who came all the way from Ocala and stayed with us when I couldn't drive. And Troy has been a great chauffeur and faithful visitor.

My cousins have all been in touch and all the friends we've made in our travels are so supportive. I am humbled and grateful beyond my ability to express it to you all.

We've even managed to fit in a little fun. These wildlife shots were taken on a river cruise with Julie and John. We're so fortunate to be living with so much beauty in our back yard!

I start chemotherapy next Tuesday. I'll take it every Tuesday for 3 weeks and then have a week off for four months. Then, I may be eligible to participate in a study for a vaccine, which will take another few months. We hope to be able to stay here through the summer and then maybe head back to Boone, NC, for a month or so in August or September. We'd also like to spend a couple of weeks near Tom and his family in Michigan, depending on how I handle the chemo.

Thanks again for all the support. I'll try to blog whenever I have anything interesting to report.