We came to Nebraska this fall a little earlier than usual. Roger's Sister Marilyn had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June 2007. After a year of treatment and doing very well, she took a very bad downturn in August of this year and was hospitalized for a few days. We spent much of the next two months in her home, where we were joined by her children,
grandchildren and our Brother Randy.
For the majority of this "dying part of living", she was up: visiting and playing games with us and enjoying the life she had remaining. But up or down, she was always upbeat, saddened only each time she awoke from sleep and found she was still here. She lapsed at the last into a short coma and entered the presence of her Lord on October 5. It was a joy to know her as our Sister for 61 years, and we look forward to meeting again. We are so thankful for retirement, our wandering lifestyle, and our good friends the Smiths and their hospitality, which allowed us to come north and stay for this important time.In October we flew to Texas for a celebration of of our Grandson Christian's 5th birthday. We rode a train together
in Landa Park 
in New Braunfels, had cake and gave Christian his new T-ball set.
While in the park we spotted this animal; do you know what it is? (see answer ***at the end of this blog)
We met family in the Houston area and celebrated the 16th birthday of Meg's grandnephew Cheyne. We had dinner at a great seafood restaurant, the Monument Inn in Deer Park, TX, named for its proximity to the San Jacinto Monument, erected to honor the heroes of the Texas Revolution.
Wonderful food! If you're ever in the area, this should be on your list.An annual October celebration is the renewal of the Red River Rivalry, between the University of Texas and Oklahoma University.
This year we Texans are celebrating!Texas 45-OU 35! Go Horns!!!
We attended a medical ethics seminar by Gene Rudd, MD
on "Professionalism in Peril". Gene is an officer of the Christian Medical and Dental Association, and a stimulating and encouraging speaker. We shared the time there with Roger's original partner in practice, Dale Michels and his wife Roylene, 
a reunion that is always fun!Of course, we're dressed in the official colors of Nebraska, on our way to the NU-Baylor game
(NU 32-Baylor 20, in case you missed it.) Great to be together again!
Our report from LA earlier this year described our exciting day as extras in the new Jim Carrey movie, "Yes Man." Here's a link to the Nebraska University newletter that gives many more interesting details. (It's on page 8!) The movie will be released December 19th.
We celebrated another life this month, that of Dwight Friesen, the husband of one of Roger's nurses in his pre-army Lincoln medical practice, who died suddenly on October 26th. His funeral provided another opportunity for old friends to meet. Here we are with wonderful friends. Linda and Margaret, who were Roger's first office helpers, the ones who did their best to keep him on-track,
and on time (largely a failing effort!)One of the joys of getting together with old friends is the laughter. Please, whatever you do and wherever you are, take time to laugh! Deep and long!
"If you are cheerful, you feel good; if you are sad, you hurt all over."
Proverbs 17:22 (Contemporary English Version)
A nice web source of quotes on laughter
*** If you said muskrat or beaver, sorry. It's a nutria, transplanted from South America to several wild places in the US. Click on the name for more info.
