They Say. . .

. . .Aktau (sometimes spelled Aqtau), Kazakhstan is a growing city.  It used to be called Shevchenko in the USSR days.  Fifty years ago it almost NEVER rained or snowed; but recently it does both.  Aktau lies on the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea about a third of the way south.  It is about the size of Pittsburgh at this point, and is the largest port city in Kazakhstan.  As of August 18th later this summer, it will have one more inhabitant--at least until June 2011.  That will be ALL. 

. . .This is the view toward the school from an apartment of  a preschool teacher who was there last year, and is returning.

. . .It is a start-up school serving mostly children of oil company empolyees. Total enrollment for K-8 is just about 25 as of now. 

. . . The garden at the school is nice and well watered. 

. . . The playground equipment is the envy of all Kazakhstan elementary schools.  Obviously shown above in winter. 

. . . Rachel, the preschool teacher who is already a friend, went shopping for a melon late last summer.

. . .The ferrel cats of Aktau are fatter than those in Cairo. 

. . .Uncle Harry and Aunt Vivi changed their airline tickets so they would arrive in Maryland on Monday the 24th.  Aunt Jenny may visit in Punxsy before  Uncle Harry & Aunt Vivi leave Punxsy.     Conny has not come over along because of work obligations.

. . .Uncle Maury is doing well with recovery from his hip replacement operation.  He got home on May 14th.  He and Aunt Mary are moving to Ohio from South Carolina this month.  I have not heard if they are moved yet.

We miss you, 

Aunt Margaret 

          Aunt Mary and Uncle Maury 

. . . Aunt Margaret, from Mississippi, has been promoted to the higher dimensions as of about 3AM Wednesday morning, May 19th.  She was diagnosed with stomach cancer that moved into her lungs.  She was diabetic for a while; and, that complicated things.  Mississippi family  arranged for her remains to be flown back to Maryland for burial beside Uncle John.   A graveside memorial service was held at the cemetery.  Her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law were present.  She was okay with this being her ticket to the higher dimensions.  WE LOVE HER SO MUCH.  She lives on in the memory of many.  

Peace and safe passage. . . . .

^Aunt Vivi, Uncle Harry, & Conny> 

. . .Dad's arm is looking almost all better.

. . Hoping .MomM's ankle is almost good as before the fall.  Drop me an email when you have time.

. . . Tanner took a summer job down near his university working a construction project that one of his buddies is also working.

. . .Diany is doing better and had the trach hole sewed shut.  She is capable of getting herself to the toilet; but, the staff folks are not that thrilled about her doing so until they sign off on it.  The Dr. told her she needed to move around more.  She is talking about getting back home here soon.  She may have to risk surgery on the fistulas if they don't heal on their own in the next month or two.  She was so happy to have been able to attend the pinning for Keenan.  It might have been a bit too much bumping around in the traveling; but, seems ok now.  Check out the Eastern picture gALLery for shots of that evening ceremony.

...DadL's Hawthorn was blooming the last time I was in Punxsy.  That silver maple to the right in the neighbor's yard had totally polluted the whole block with seeds. 

. . .the new bobcat kitten (Tuff)>> belonging to TR is doing well.  TR is a friend of Brittnee's boyfriend Chris and this is the 2nd bobkitten he has bought from Montana. The first one is named Nala.  See the Western picture gallery for more bobcat pics.

Sixteen heads are better than one, right?  ?????  None of these are talking heads though. 

Taken at a scarf vendor in the Khan el Khalili in Cairo,  Egypt.  The story of my travels is slowly unfolding & can be explored on the "ALL Abroad" page.

. . .Aunt Jenny may be up to Punxsy for a visit before the Danish return to Europe.

She's been helping a friend who is fixing up a house in Delaware.

    Self in September 2008, walked much more, ate much less. I sort of miss my old lighter and healthier self.

. . .Melissa, MomL, Donna & Sam, and Mason will be driving north again today (Saturday).

<< Diana's birthday went well.  She pretty much missed it last year--still rather 'out-of-it'.  This year was loaded with cause to celebrate!  Keenan, Tanner & Nicole took Duchess and Vivian down to the home to visit.  

....Mimi got a new hairdo.  No picture available yet.  

Diany's girlfriends had a pizza-party birthday fest for her a few days before the actual day.

For more news about what is blooming here or has already bloomed, go to the Family Garden Goodies site, or the "ALL the Latest" page of this site. 
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