Jeannie's on her way home hopefully!!

hi all, HAPPY ST PATS DAY. my last few days in yuma and ITASKA couldn't hel p but have one more epidsode. this morning, it refused to engage in a gear again. i spent some time trying to engage the transmission, and then succumbed to calling the last transmission repair place that i had been to in yuma. they suggested i get in touch with the installer in kansas and get their suggestion of what i should do. they said to have it hauled in to the repair shop in yuma and they would stand behind the repairs or replacing a failed new transmission.

it was noon by the time i called the good sam rv road emergency. the first call was responded to early afternoon but the driver was not able to hook onto my mh. i called back in for another tow vehicle which could haul my wide-body vehicle and it got to me later in afternoon. in the mean-time, i noticed the parking break light was on and called the transmission installer who also repaired this break. he said if i had it towed, the drive train would have to be dropped. the second tow truck driver looked at it and said he would have to disable the parking break and then i could drive to the transmission place. this is because there is nothing wrong with the transmission, but the problem is the hanging up of the parking break.

so i followed the tow truck to the transmission place in time to get parked on the outside hoist before they locked the gate and went home for the day. the good news is that this is where the fruit trees are loaded and i will be checking them out before dark. the other good news is that i am plugged into electricity and am watching tv. it's also very nice in the 70's, down from the 90's a few days ago.

never a dull minute right up to the very end! if they get me out of here tomorrow, i still should get to aunt doris's on wed or maybe it might be thurs. unless they have to order a part, then who knows.

i see on the tv news that mn is thawing with 30's. i am actually looking forward to getting home, i've had enough toughing up for one year, not much of anything phases me anymore. see you all soon, love, jmp

Happy Birthday Annie

Annie Stalboerger is my daughter, wife of Doug, mother of Nicole, Allie and Matthew Stalboerger; Jackson Middle School Health teacher, Blaine High School Head Track Coach, Soccer and Hockey mom, and Girl Scout Cookie Mom. Hope you have a great Birthday, I love you, mom

Request for Support

This year, I'll be participating in a very special event called the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

I'll walk 60 miles over the course of three days on September 19th - 21st with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,200 in donations. I've set my personal goal at $2200.00. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation of what ever you can? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone.

My wife ( Fran ) died last year after a very long battle with breast cancer, After seeing what Fran went through I made my mind up to put my body to the challenge of the 3 Day Walk, we need to find a cure or a least more information as how and why people get this awful thing called cancer. So please help me raise my goal and help people like Fran find a cure for breast cancer.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,
Keith Stangler

356 3rd Ave NW.
Forest Lake MN.
55025

PS. You can make your checks out to 3-day walk.
And feel free to pass this e-mail on to others.

Spring has sprung in the Desert


hi all, the prickly pear cactus bloom is truly exciting for me, i did'nt think it would come before i had to leave. the color is outstanding here in the wild desert and is quite visable. it is on one of the donkey trails i take, but haven't been on for a few days. i was so amazed when i saw it. soon, they will be covered with blooms. i have found an ocotilla cactus that had budded out and is very near blooming.

this is the week the knickknack paddywack is having grand opening on thurs. i hope the girls are going to be ready! i'm really sorry i can't be there to help. i'll help with re-stocking when i get there.

i hope dan is'nt overdoing it, playing computer with those technical students at NTI. what an amazing turn for him!!

aunt doris and i are planning a few days together. top of the list is getting stuff out for a garage sale in her park. i'm sure we'll find some trouble to get into.

haven't heard about a purchase yet, but janet says she will be into her new house soon. watch out for a house warming party soon after. i'm making the beans.

spring will be there soon and so will i, love, jmp

Grandma is losing it!

Happy 12th birthday, Katie Kieckers Katie plays soccer, hockey and runs like her dad. She is in 6th grade at Coon Rapids Middle school and is a great student. Katies birthday was March 2, so I'm a little behind. Love, Grandma m

The Wind Blows in Arizona too!

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hi all, signs of spring continue to emerge. the blooms below are a bush that is particularly showy for a few weeks. the prickly pear cactus are beginning to show buds, but as with anything else in the south, it will be a while till the blooms burst.

yesterday we had 40 mph wind gusts all day. i stayed in, baked a chicken and sweet potato, finished a book and started another. sometimes the wind would make a sound like a low note on a trombone. i think it was the refrigerator vent. i had to take in the slide out, it was making a lot of racket and was in motion in and out. today, i'm going to get up on the roof to see if all is well. once yesterday, i went out to look at things and noticed one of my wheel covers was missing. looked around and saw it in the small wash hooked onto a cactus. i retrieved it carefully and will pluck out the needles today with a pliers. trish and i learned that you respect the cactus, it's needles go in very quickly, not so easy to get out.

day before the wind, i pulled a muscle in my back, so i wasn't planning on going out yesterday anyway. i was using frozen smoked fish for cold packs and did streching ex's. it's better today and i'll test it today with atleast 1 walk. a normal wind is still blowing, but it's sunny and warm.

other spring signs are the return of the turkey vultures-they ride the wind currents and 40 or 50 of them will collect and circle up into the clouds. i saw a bunch of roadrunners, they're not as big as the cartoon one but are very quick. the ocotilla cactus have greened up, but haven't seen the buds for their orange bloom yet.

only a couple weeks left to get what i need out here, i think i'm making progress. thanks to all of you for the various kinds of unconditional support. i never would have made it this far and i am so grateful for all of you!! love, jmp