Man's Greatest Inventions

The Texas Aggie asked an engineer, "What was mankind's greatest invention?" and he replied that it had to be the screw, the wheel or the inclined plane, for they enabled the building of the world's greatest landmarks. The Aggie replied that he had thought about it, too, and decided that it must be the Thermos Bottle: "It keeps hot liquids hot AND cold liquids cold!! How does it know?!!!"

The T-Sipper (a graduate of the illustrious University of Texas), however, came up with the correct answer and is here demonstrating to said Aggie the preparation of what will ultimately be known as man's greatest invention: the S'More!!! The Aggie is listening closely (she explains it all slowly) and will (probably) be able to do this on his own in the future. We drove down from Edmond to Dallas and stayed with our good friends Jon and Geri Simms in their fifth wheel trailer, fixed S'Mores over a campfire, and danced with the Bluebonnet Scottish Country Dancers at the Texas State Fair. We performed four shows on Saturday and Sunday and had a great time being together again. Thanks, Jon and Geri and all the Bluebonnets!
Back in Edmond we had parties with the family, including Ryan's 6th. Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

One of Reagan's school lessons called for the development of this improv acting troupe. After their scintillating production before an admiring audience (Daddy) they received a prolonged ovation and, best of all, a delayed bedtime! Hooray!

All our kids pooled their money and surprised us with a dinner cruise on the Oklahoma River, which they gave to us at a surprise "41st Anniversary Party" at the home of Rodney and Linda Ross, Rod's parents. And what a surprise! They said we were going there for a "game night" and we fell for it.

Reagan and Ryan spent several overnights with us at the campground, treated each morning to Granddad's (soon-to-be) famous French Toast Breakfast. Mmmm! Makes me hungry again just thinking about it.

One of my favorite words comes from the French: "rapprochement", the reestablishment of cordial relations. Our word "reconciliation" is similar. One of the joys of our last decade has been the development of cordial relations and love with Roger's father's side of his family, many of whom live in the Oklahoma City area. His parents' divorce when he was six effectively severed contact until we were stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1995.

We had dinner together while on this visit. Here's Roger with Aunt Betty ("Boop"), flanked on the outside by his Uncle Bill and Aunt Debbie and their newest grandchild. A great evening!

After a wonderful time with family in Edmond, and having our motor home maintenanced by the great folks at Lee's RV City, (we highly recommend them if you're in need of repairs or an RV) we drove north toward Lincoln.

But we spent our night on the road in Hutchinson, KS at the home of Darlene Detwiler, a friend and nurse with whom we worked in Kenya over thirty years ago. We have written but not met since that time. She greeted us with a marvelous nostalgic dinner of Indian curry and we reminisced and looked at old pictures until the wee hours. (From L-R: Meg, Roger, Aineah (Kenyan), Darlene, Bill and Bea Anderson; ca.1970)

In turn we had Darlene over in the AM for breakfast together in our home (parked out front!) A blessed time together (more "rapprochement") and what we hope will be the first of many more.

Coming to Lincoln each year and staying with our good friends Fred and Janet has given us opportunity to keep growing friendships which have been in process for many years.
Lunch at a local restaurant with Sandy and Bill Thurmond, Baylor game day with Christ's Place friends at the home of Mike and Melody Kenney, a revisit at Wind Chimes Chinese with Carol Newsom, as well as lots of visits with Roger's brother Randy and nieces and nephews that have now moved to Lincoln.

Football!! Another in the list of man's greatest inventions!!!
There's absolutely nothing like a game day/or night in Lincoln, Nebraska! If you love college football, it should be on your "bucket list" to attend at least once before you die. The Sea of Red is phenomenal! AND there's NOTHING BETTER on game day than enjoying a Runza (also a recipe) at the stadium and watching the Huskers beat Oklahoma 10-3! Wish you had been there!!!