Prepared by Ann.

We knew Debbie as Debbie Trent, because that was her name when we lived in Alexandria, LA. After we moved away, she divorced and remarried a good man, Ed Villien. She and Ed lived in Lafayette and Abbeville, LA, until her death Nov. 17, 2011.

I met Debbie when I hired her to teach at First United Methodist Pre-school in Alexandria, LA. I was the director and she taught three year olds. We had a great group of teachers and parents and she was an exuberant, energetic addition to our staff. We were only a half day school until Debbie and I started an extended group three days a week called “Stay and Play”. The children who stayed brought their lunches, and Debbie and I knew all the parents and children so well, we would make the rounds looking at what looked good....kind of an “are you gonna eat that pickle” scavenger hunt. We were so brash we would compliment the parents when they came to pick up on what a lovely lunch we had.

When we first met, we had daughters the same age (2) and sons the same age (5). Amy and Heather were practically inseparable from the moment they met, and Matt and Brandon eventually were in a band in high school, even though Debbie's children went to Catholic schools and ours went to public schools.

Both Debbie and I lived in Pineville, LA, when we met. However, a few moves later for both of us, we ended up in the same subdivision in Alexandria. She and I walked together almost every week day. When one of us was away we couldn't wait to get back and meet up at the corner of Whitefield and Wimbledon and walk and talk. Oh, could we talk! We were in Junior League and American Association of University Women together. Besides, our teaching careers, we enjoyed a lot of the same things—cooking, sewing, walking, gossiping, reading and shopping.

Bob and I moved several times through out the next 40 years, but Debbie and I always talked and went to see each other as often as we could. We never lost that closeness. With each meeting or phone call, we could pick up right where we left off the last time.

Debbie was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease a few years ago, and she was being treated for that. However, within the last month or two, she started showing signs of dementia. Her dementia progressed very rapidly in the last few weeks. Her diagnosis was changed to Lewy Body Dementia. I talked to her several times in the past few weeks as we were planning a visit to Abbeville. I didn't notice many signs of dementia. She was hospitalized about a month ago and it was at that time that we realized the seriousness of her disease. We visited her about 10 days ago when we realized her prognosis was not good.

(February 15, 1947 – November 17, 2011)

Abbeville—Funeral services will be held Monday, November 21, 2011 at a 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret Street, Abbeville, LA honoring the life of Deborah Ann Dunstane Villien, who died Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Lafayette General Medical Center.

She will be laid to rest at St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Father Scott DesOrmeaux officiating the services. Pallbearers include Fred Villien, Dr. Barry Bohn, Rusty Citron, Jason Guidry, Andrew Hursey and Charles Hursey.

Mrs. Villien was born in Concord, NH on February 15, 1947. Debbie graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in Education. Her passions were teaching, cooking, entertaining, decorating, gardening and travel. She had a pure love of children demonstrated early in her life through the adoption of her own two children, through her many years of teaching and most recently, the love of her granddaughters. Debbie was an early childhood educator for over 30 years. For more than 15 years, she taught and later became the director of First United Methodist Preschool in Alexandria, LA. She then taught at both Lafayette Parish and Vermilion Parish schools. Debbie was a member of the Junior League of Alexandria where she volunteered her time and service to those in need. She was also a member of AAUW, American Association of University Women, and LACUS, Louisiana Association of Children Under Six. Debbie will be remembered for her love of live, many dear friendships, fun-loving spirit, sense of style, Southern etiquette and most importantly, as a nurturing wife, mother, friend and teacher.

She is survived by her husband of 16 years, Edward Villien of Abbeville, LA. Her brother, Paul Dunstane and wife, Colleen, of Alexandria, LA. Her son, Brandon Trent and wife, Erin, of Baton Rouge, LA. Her daughter, Heather Trent of New Orleans, LA. Her stepson, Ted Villien of Houston, TX. Her stepdaughter, Rachel Guidry and husband, Marcel, of Baton Rouge, LA. Two granddaughters, Olivia Trent and Madeleine Guidry, both of Baton Rouge, LA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Richard Dunstane and Laura Mae Ordoyne Dunstane.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles Street, on Sunday, November 20, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.; Monday, November 21, 2011 from 8:00 a.m. until time of services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Acadiana (260 Johnson St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or www.hospiceacadiana.com) or Lewy Body Dementia Association (912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 or www.lbda.org).

JoePa Didn't do the Right Thing (11/10/2011):

The reports about the recent child sexual abuse scandal at Penn State identifies several people who deserve blame. 

Some have already resigned or have been fired from the University, including the most well known of the all, football coach Joe Paterno (JoePa). I've been reading and hearing people say that it is a shame that JoePa was fired, especially after he agreed to retire at the end of the football season. The students demonstrated (rioted) in his support. Before examining the hard cold facts about what went on, I was tempted to feel sympathy for JoePa, arguably one of the best football coaches of all time.

But, after examining the facts of the case, I think JoePa got off light by only being fired.

Based on the Grand Jury report of the investigation of Jerry Sandusky, it appears that JoePa knew about the abuse but did not do enough.

In 2002, a graduate assistant at Penn State, now an assistant football coach, went in a locker room on campus one night. It was about 9:30 and he was surprised to see that the lights and showers were on. He said he heard rhythmic, slapping sounds, which he believed to be sound of sexual activity. He went to the shower to see a naked boy who he thought was about 10 years old with his hands up against the wall, being subjected to anal intercourse (BFed) by Jerry Sandusky who was naked.

The graduate assistant called his father to tell him what he had seen. His father advised him to report the incident to Coach Paterno, which he did the following morning. JoePa testified that he called his immediate superior, Tim Curley, the Athletic Director and reported to him that a graduate assistant witnessed Jerry Sandusky “fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy.” Really! Surely, the graduate assistant was not that circumspect about what he had witnessed. How does BFing become fondling or doing something of a sexual nature?

Even the news reports today indicate that Paterno was only aware of vague references by the graduate assistant of “fondling” or “touching” or “horsing around” by Sandusky and a boy. Really! I cannot believe that JoePa didn't understand what happened. I cannot believe the graduate assistant described the events he witnessed as “fondling”, “touching”, or “horsing around”. I'm not sure what words the graduate assistant used, maybe BFing, sodomy, anal intercourse, or perverted sex acts. So, I call bullshit on that. JoePa knew that a boy had been BFed by Sandusky in the gym. Now the question is, what should he have done.

He did the right thing by reporting the incident to his boss. Was that enough?

Yes, that would have been enough if within a few days an investigation had been initiated. He should have expected to have been called by investigators to learn what he knew about the incident. Obviously, though, no investigation was launched, because his superiors did nothing.

Given that he heard nothing about an investigation into the reported sexual abuse incident, he should have gone back to his boss and said, “I reported to you that Jerry Sandusky was seen BFing a child in the locker room shower. How come I didn't hear anything about an investigation?” If he had said that he would have learned that his University superiors had decided not to report the incident to the police. Then, JoePa should have said, “If you don't report this incident in a day or two, I will report it myself.”

But, he didn't do that. He didn't do the right thing. He deserved to be fired. What else does he deserve?

The Grand Jury found that Tim Curley, the Athletic Director, and Gary Schultz, University Vice President made a materially false statement under oath by saying that they were not told by the graduate assistant that Sandusky was engaged in sexual conduct or anal sex with a boy. In other words, the Grand Jury believed the graduate assistant, when said he told them the about the nature of the sexual act he witnessed. I believe both Curley and Schultz will be charged with perjury for their statement to the Grand Jury and for failure to report a suspected child abuse incident. It's a law in Pennsylvania that when a staff member of a school or institution reports an incident of possible child abuse, the person in charge at the institution must report the incident.

I don't know what all coach Paterno testified to under oath. According to the Grand Jury report, he testified that he called Tim Curley and “reported to him that the graduate assistant had seen Jerry Sandusky in the Lasch Building showers fondling or doing something of a sexual nature to a young boy.” Personally, I find that statement comes close to being a lie, but whether it qualifies as perjury before the Grand Jury, it's hard to say. But, it sounds like he was characterizing the sexual abuse incident before the Grand Jury in the same terms as Curley and Schultz did, and they will be charged with perjury. Maybe JoePa was not high enough in the University administration to be charged with failure to report a suspected child abuse incident, especially since he reported it to his supervisors.

I don't know that JoePa broke the law, but I do conclude that he didn't do the right thing. I can't be sad that he was fired; he deserved to be fired. I can't be sad that his reputation will be besmirched. He will be known as the greatest football coaches of all times who failed to report the sexual abuse of a young boy to the police.

I would want to ask him: What if the boy being BFed was your grandson or great grandson? Who would you have told?

Last Saturday I participated in the Big Dam Bridge 100. It's the largest bike ride in the state with over 2000 riders. I rode 68 miles (a little more than 100 kilometers). Other rides included 20, 50, and 100 miles. The ride started in downtown Little Rock and went west to the Big Dam Bridges, which we crossed. Then, we rode north of the city. With over 2000 riders the line of bicyclists stretched for several blocks at the start line. It was quite a sight. We had to ride very slowly at first to avoid running into other riders.

I rode with about 8 other riders that I ride with frequently. We stayed together for about the first 15 miles, when 2 of the slower riders dropped back. The rest of us rode together for about 50 miles until we encountered some very steep hills and some of the weaker riders (including me) couldn't keep up the pace. I finished the ride alone.

I got leg cramps riding up the hills and had to ride slowly. After I got over the steepest hills, my legs felt better and the cramps subsided. I had a cold the week before the ride and wasn't able to train as hard as usual. I believe the lack of training for that week affected my performance and contributed to the cramps. I felt pretty good after the ride. Ann came for the finish and took my picture as I crossed the finish line.

I just bought new tires for my bicycle. I bought good, strong tires (Gator Skins); I could have bought less expensive tires, and I could probably have bought more expensive tires. These tires cost about $50 apiece. I rode 6625 mile on my old set of tires, which were identical to and cost the same amount as the ones I just bought.

Let's do a little analysis. $50 divided by 6625 miles equals $0.0075 a mile. Using this formula for car tires, if you bought a tire which would last 45,000 miles it would cost $337. I'm pretty sure you can get a good tire for less than $300 that would last for 45,000 miles.

The moral of this story: stuff in a bike shop is very, very expensive.

Bicycle Wreck (08/04/2011):

Yesterday, I had a little accident on my bike. I was riding with a small group on the Arkansas River Trail. We hadn't gone 3 miles when a woman hit my bike from behind. We were both riding rather slowly looking back occasionally for another man who was riding with us. That threw off our rhythm, and she hit my back wheel (It was his fault). Then some part of her bike hooked the shifter cable on my bike. She fell, but I didn't. However, because our bikes were hooked together, my bike fell over when she fell, but I was able to get off without hitting the ground. I got a small abrasion above my ankle. She had a bloody elbow and complained of a wound to her hip. She didn't appear to be seriously hurt. She rode her bike back to her car.

Because of the damage to my bike, I couldn't ride it. I had a flat tire (the valve stem was ripped off), a couple of bent spokes, and the rear derailer (shifting mechanism) was bent outward at about a 45 degree angle. So, I pushed it back to my car. On the way back to the car, I saw the owner and mechanic at the bike shop, who looked at my bike. He bent the derailer back into position, but didn't think the bike was ridable even if I would fix the flat. He also recommended that I get new tires.

I took the bike to the shop yesterday and got it back today. They didn't have to replace the derailer. They replaced a small part that attaches the derailer to the bike, because it was bent. They replaced the damaged spokes and trued the wheels. The mechanic said they basically did a tune-up—replaced some cables, cleaned it, and put on new tires. The total bill was $129. I couldn't believe it. The tires cost $50 apiece (which I knew, no surprise). But, all the other stuff they did only cost $29, including tax!! Because I bought the bike at that shop, I'm sure they gave me the good customer rate.

I can't wait to ride it tomorrow!

I called the clinic today to ask about the results of my biopsy. The results provided good news and bad news. The good news is that 11 of the samples were benign, meaning no cancer. The bad news is that one of the sample showed that I had “high-grade” PIN (prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia). It's worse to have a high-grade PIN than a low-grade PIN. PIN is a premalignant growth in the prostate. There is evidence that PIN will progress to cancer. PIN is a highly significant predictor of prostate cancer. That means that men with PIN have a much higher risk of having cancer or developing cancer over the next few years. That fact that PIN was found in only one of my twelve biopsy samples, is good news among the bad news.

I haven't talked to the Doctor and I'm not sure whether he will contact me. According to the nurse, nothing is done for PIN except to have another PSA test in 6 months, and based on the PSA results, determine whether another biopsy should be done. But, I read that a repeat biopsies every 6 months are sometimes recommended. I may arrange an appointment with the Doctor to discuss the options.

Prostate Biopsy (7/21/2011):

On Monday I had a biopsy of my prostate. This is the second one I've had; the first was three years ago.

In both cases, the biopsy was triggered by a “rapid” increase in my PSA. For years my PSA was between 0.7 and 0.9 until it shot up to 2.6 in 2008. Although 2.6 is within normal limits for a man my age, because it jumped so much in one year, the urologist thought I should have a biopsy. That biopsy was negative for cancer.

After that my PSA dropped to about 1.3 for a couple of years. But, this year it went from 1.3 to 2.45. Because of the same reason as before (rapid velocity of increase), the urologist recommended having another biopsy.

I had the type of biopsy that uses an ultrasound device to guide the insertion of needles into the prostate to obtain tissue samples—Transrectal Ultrasonography (TRUS).

First the nurse applied some lidocaine to my rectum to dull the pain of inserting the device. Next the Doctor inserted a tube about the diameter of my thumb and about 5 inches long (the ultrasound device). Obviously, I couldn't watch the procedure, because I was laying on my side facing away from the Doctor. Then, using a long needle, which I had seen lying on the table (yikes!), he injected something into my prostate to numb it. (“This may burn a little”!). He didn't wait any time to start the biopsy, so I assume that the numbing medicine was fast-acting. The nurse, who I could see, was in charge of loading the biopsy gun. It was a spring loaded device with a long slender tube on the end. I could see (and hear) her cock the device to load the spring. Then, she handed it to the Doctor. I could feel some pressure as he inserted the device. Then, I could feel (and hear) the biopsy needle as it discharged into the prostate (“You might feel a little stick”!). He handed the device to the nurse, who put the tip into a vial and shook the needle to dislodge the tissue sample. They did this eleven more times.

The Doctor wanted me to pee before I left, and I had no problem doing that. I peed some blood, which I have been doing ever since, though it seems to be getting less and less. I believe it is normal to pass some blood for a few days after the procedure. I had some pain “down there” for the rest of the afternoon, but the next day I was pain free. I haven't had any pain or other symptoms. I took a round of antibiotic (Cipro) to prevent an infection, which can sometimes occur after a biopsy.

I should know the results in a week or two.

Thursday, July 6, 1961 -- Kingston Family Entertains International Farm Youth Exchange Student From Nepal – Being host to an International Farm Youth Exchange Student, Miss Rajeswori Rana, of Nepal was quite and experience for the Hayes Bridges family of the Kingston community. This, however, has helped to make Yell County friends of the small country between China and India.
    The Bridges more or less adopted Miss Rana for 2 1/2 weeks so to her, Virginia and Judy are sisters and Bill a brother. During these weeks, Rana has learned more about American family life as well as having learned to do some homemaking tasks – the American way.
    To make jelly with pectin was really “something new” – so a box of American pectin goes back to Nepal with Rana!
    When asked some of the differences in customs of out two, Rana immediately said, “our religion and the way we eat.” While with the Bridges, Rana attended church with the family at the Salem Methodist Church. The people in Nepal eat four meals a day – at 6, 10, 2, 6. They sit on the floor while eating instead of sitting at a table. Also they eat more with their fingers.
    She like American food, and fired chicken, rice (which is one of their main foods), banana pudding, banana nut cake and milk were some of the favorites she listed.
    In Nepal all farming is done wither by hand or plow drawn by ox or buffalo. Machinery they do not have. The food is cooked on wood stoves. They do not have gas or electric ranges. They do have electric irons, but washing machines are yet to come...

After the ride I drove to Russellville and enjoyed some time in the pool. We spent the night and came home the next morning. I'm taking a few days off from riding, because I have a pinched nerve in my arm that causes a little pain. I'm sure it's related to riding so much, and I'm hoping that rest will allow it to heal. I've already ridden over 2000 miles this year, which is a bit more than last year at this time.

The ride started at 7:00 am. Live music was already playing at the start line. With so many riders, the start was staggered, so the ones riding 100 miles started first. We started about 15 minutes later. I rode with some friends that I sometime ride with. There were five of us who rode the entire ride together. After the first rest stop (15 miles) when the crowd thinned out, we rode in a pace line. We would each take turns leading the pack. When not in the lead, we benefited from drafting. We usually rode about a mile before switching positions.

At about half way through the race, I had a flat. I saw many other people with flats, and we commented on the unusually high number of flats that day. My friends were kind enough to stop, and one guy helped me fix the flat. It was caused by a small tack. I thought it was unusual to run over a tack (smaller than a roofing tack) way out on a country road. We heard at the next rest stop that a person who doesn't like bikers threw tacks on the road. I hope they catch him.

We rode at a pretty good pace for me, which was probably between 17.5 and 18 mph. At the finish line, the band was still playing and food was being served. I went straight to the beer tent, but I was refused service because I didn't bring my ID. I grumbled a bit, saying, “Look at me; I'm an old man,” but finally left to look for someone who would get a beer for me. A friend of mine loaned me his driver's license so I could get a wrist band to show I'm over 21. The beer tasted good; I've heard it's a good recovery drink. The bar-b-que, potato salad, and baked beans tasted really great.

The two beers I had after the ride probably made me a little lethargic, because I laid around all afternoon. Otherwise, I felt good. Today I feel great—no soreness or stiffness at all.

Although the weather forecast called for temperatures near 100, a small group of us decided to ride around Nimrod lake. The weather man also warned of high ozone levels. There were seven of us that made the journey. We started at 8:30, and by then, it was already hot.  The ride took us on a 52-mile loop around Nimrod lake (see map). The ride was challenging because there are several steep hills along the course (see terrain map). But, the scenery was beautiful.  (Note:  Click on the picture to see a larger view.)

It was very hot and I forced myself to drink a lot as we went along. I had my camelbak full of ice water, and 2 bottles of Gatorade. I needed all the water I took, because there were no places to get more water until we got to Rover, about 38 miles away. By then, I had drunk all my water and Gatorade. We stopped only a few of times along the way to regroup but made each stop very brief, because it felt much hotter when we were not moving.

We stopped at Rover to get more water and rest a bit. One member of the group had trouble keeping up, and we waited for her and her husband at Rover for almost an hour. I believe she was fine, but didn't ride any more. Her husband finished the ride and drove back to Rover to get her.

This was the second time I've made this ride. The first time was in March a couple of years ago. The weather that day was cold and rainy. I have never been so cold. My hands and feet were numb. The ride this time was one of the hottest rides I've ever done. I had rather be hot than cold.

Yesterday we attended Riverfest in downtown Little Rock.  Riverfest is a yearly three-day shindig.  There are lots of activities, lots of food and drink, and several bands playing all the time at various locations along the river.  Attendance was estimated to be about 250,000 people.  That's a lot of people for a city this size, so obviously some folks from outside the city came.  One reason we attended this year was to see Judy perform.  Her Jazzercise group performed three times.  They were a flashmob.  They picked a spot, stood around for a bit, started playing their music, and broke out in a dance routine.  I took a video using my camera.  Go here to see the video.  Judy is the one wearing the lime green t-shirt. It was fun. 

It was a bit hot (>90) but a nice breeze helped keep it from being unbearable.  Before the last performance we escaped the heat for a while by going to a restaurant and having a couple of beers.  We sat for a while and listened to a blues band (can you believe I would listen to blues), but otherwise, listened to the music as we strolled along the river.  The big acts (Nelly, Barenaked Ladies, REO Speedwagon, Charlie Daniels) didn't start playing until 9:30.  Since we went at noon, we were long gone by that time.

Richmond (5/11/2011):

We spent last week in Richmond baby sitting our twin grand babies, while their parents went to Chicago on a business trip. The babies must surely be smarter than most 3-year-olds. Their language skills are quite advanced, and it is easy to carry on a conversation with them. You can view some of the pictures and videos we took to judge for yourself about their relative cuteness. They were extremely well behaved, which made baby sitting a pleasure. We took them to pre-school one day and met some of their friends and teachers. We played on the deck, dug in the yard, and played in the neighborhood park. We went to a Thai Restaurant one night. We love Thai food, but they didn't seem to care for it. They ate French fried potatoes and a hamburger with ice cream for dessert. We also went to a performance by the Richmond symphony that was organized especially for children. Before the symphony performed, the kids were allowed to play some of the instruments and interact with some of the performers. We hope their parents will invite us to baby sit again the next time they go out of town. We don't charge much.

I had a great ride this year. The weather was warm for this time of year--almost like summer. I rode 62 miles (metric century or 100 kilometers). I rode the entire way with a man I know and sometimes ride with. For part of the route we rode with other riders who were riding about our same pace. Riding with others is much more enjoyable than riding alone. Plus, you benefit from drafting behind other rides for at least part of the time. My average speed was 17.5. That was not a personal best, but a very good time for me for that distance. I'm an old man!  Last year my average speed was 17.1 for the same route. I felt pretty good after the ride—no sore or achy muscles.

Ann came to see me finish and took my picture. Click on the picture to see a larger version. Lunch of bar-b-que, beans and slaw was served after the ride. Since I burned over 2000 calories during the ride, the food tasted great. I rested all afternoon after the ride.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Pinetop Perkins, one of the last old-school bluesmen who played with Muddy Waters and became the oldest Grammy winner this year, died Monday at his home of cardiac arrest. He was 97. Perkins was having chest pains when he went to take a nap and paramedics could not revive him, said Hugh Southard, Perkins' agent for the last 15 years.  The piano man played with an aggressive style and sang with a distinctive gravelly voice.  B.B. King said in an emailed statement that he was saddened by the loss of his friend.  "He was one of the last great Mississippi Bluesmen," King said. "He had such a distinctive voice, and he sure could play the piano. He will be missed not only by me, but by lovers of music all over the world". Perkins accompanied Sonny Boy Williamson on the popular King Biscuit Time radio show broadcast on KFFA in Helena, Ark., in the 1940s. He toured with Ike Turner in the 1950s and joined Waters' band in 1969.  "He is the blues, he is the epitome of it," Southard said. "He lived it, breathed it."  Perkins won a Grammy in February for best traditional blues album for "Joined at the Hip: Pinetop Perkins & Willie "Big Eyes" Smith." That win made Perkins the oldest Grammy winner, edging out late comedian George Burns, who was 95 when he won in the spoken category for "Gracie: A Love Story" in 1990.  "We knew he lived a good life. What can you say about the man? He left here in his sleep. That's the way I want to go," said Smith, who lives in Chicago.  Perkins also won a 2007 Grammy for best traditional blues album for his collaboration on the "Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas." He also received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2005.  Even at his age, he was a regular fixture at Austin blues clubs, playing regular gigs up to last month. He had more than 20 performances booked this year, Southard said. After they won the Grammy this year, Smith and Perkins discussed recording another CD.  Perkins was born in Belzoni, Miss., in 1913 and was believed to be the oldest of the old-time Delta blues musicians still performing.  In an 80-year career, he played at juke joints, nightclubs and festivals. He didn't start recording in his own name until he was in his 70s and released more than 15 solo records since 1992.  That drive to keep playing the blues is what kept him alive, Southard said.  Smith said Perkins once told him he was happiest when he was playing music.  Perkins also loved fast food and was a smoker until the day he died.  "Two cheeseburgers, apple pie, a cigarette and a pretty girl was all he wanted," Southard said.  Perkins, who had no survivors, will be buried in his hometown, Southard said, but details were not immediately available. An Austin tribute to honor his life and music will be scheduled within the next week, Southard said.  Perkins moved to Austin in 2004 to live with an associate since he had no family. 

Daffodil Festival (03/14/2011):

A couple of days ago we bought a new refrigerator. You might ask why we needed a new refrigerator, but that would be the wrong question. The question is did we want a new refrigerator. The answer to that question is yes--we wanted a new refrigerator--one with a bottom freezer, 2 side-by-side doors, and water and ice dispensers in the door. Delivery was a bit of a problem, because the first truck they sent was too big to drive up our driveway. Eventually, after a couple of days the refrigerator was delivered using a pickup truck. It's a Samsung Model RFG297AARS, with 28.5 cubic feet of sapce. The old refrigerator was moved to the garage and will be used for extra food and drink storage.

Pinetop Perkins (2/27/2011):

Last night Ann and I went to the Rivermarket section of downtown Little Rock to a club to see a performance by Pinetop Perkins. The show started at 9:00, but we went early to have dinner. We got there about 7:30 but there were no seats left in the club, mostly because there were very few seats—3 booths and about 8 tables. So, we had dinner in another section of the club.  We finished dinner just before 9:00 and went to the room with the band stand. Because there were no seats, we stood around and even sat on the floor hear the booths and waited for the show to start.  We basically stood up from 9:00 until after midnight.

The opening band, Voodoo Sauce, was late and didn't start playing until about 9:15. They were entertaining, but not a band I'd pay money to see.

Pinetop Perkins arrived at the the club before the opening act started. He was in a wheel chair and came right by us. I started to wave at him, but he reached out and shook my hand!  Mr. Perkins is 97 and is the oldest person to ever win a Grammy, having won the Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album a week or so ago.  Mr. Perkins is a blues piano player who played many years with Muddy Waters.  He also performed for several years on the King Biscuit Radio program in Helena, AR.

The Grammy-winning album (Joined at the Hip) features Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyed” Smith, who sings and plays the harmonica. I bought the album, which I enjoyed.  It is basically, well... traditional blues. Willie was born in Helena, AR and is 75 years old.

In addition to Pinetop and Willie, the band consisted of bassist, 70+ year old Bob Stroger, drummer, Jimmy Mayes, who looked to be about 70, and a younger white guy, Frank Krakowski, on guitar.

Although tiring for old people, the concert was very enjoyable. I looked at it as an opportunity to see a blues legend, who, at 97, won't be around many more years. I used my phone to make a video of the band playing one of Pinetop's signature songs, Ginding Man.

Visit with Maddie and Nathan and Their Parents (2/24/2011):

Last week we flew to Richmond to visit our grand kids and other loved ones. Amy drove down from Washington and spent the weekend with us. On Saturday, Ann Denby Bridges' father, mother, and Aunt Ro came for a visit. We had a little birthday celebration for me (Granddad) and Ann's mother (Gaga). We both had birthdays this month. I am 67; I'm not saying old old Gaga is. Maddie and Nathan celebrated their third birthday last month.

We had a great visit. On Sunday we visited a tractor museum, and that was a lot of fun. If you are interested in old tractors, I posted some pictures for you enjoyment.

The babies (I'll soon have to stop referring to them as babies) are cute, brilliant, and in love with their grandfather. Kudos to their mother (and father) for providing them with such a great environment in which to learn and thrive.

As usual, I posted some of the pictures and videos we took during our visit.

Friends from Minnesota (2/15/2011):

Our friends, Richard and Faye, from Minnesota visited us last week. They live almost due north of Little Rock, about 900 miles away. Of course, it's cold in Minnesota and they have had over 50 inches of snow this year. I'm sure they were hoping for a brief respite from winter only to encounter the worst snow storm in Arkansas for many years.

They arrived late in the afternoon on Tuesday. We had discussed the impending snow storm, so they made a point of arriving Tuesday rather than Wednesday. It snowed all day Wednesday, and we had no choice but to stay home. We got a little over 6 inches, and it was cold (below average for this time of year) so all the snow that fell stuck. The whole city was essentially paralyzed. On Thursday, it was sunny and a little warmer and some of the snow begin to melt. We ventured out for a drive on icy streets around the city.

On Friday the road conditions were much better, so we bravely ventured out further. The women went shopping, while the men went sight-seeing. We went to Stuttgart, a small city east of here, which is know as the “rice and duck capital of the world”.  We toured the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie.  At the museum we heard about a collection of old tractors and we went there. It was a private “museum” at a tractor dealership and not open to the public, but the manager took us in for a short visit. There must have been about 50 old tractors that had been restored. The manager told us that the largest farm implement sale in the country was being staged at an old Air Force base near Stuttgart, so we went there. It was hard to believe that so much stuff had been assembled for sale. They had big semi trucks and small lawn mowers and everything in between.

On Saturday we drove to Plainview to show our guests where I grew up. We also went by to see my Dad's old tractor that had been restored. We ate lunch at the local dairy bar. I'm sure that “chicken fried steak” and pecan pie are not usual fare for Richard and Faye or us for that matter. I posted some pictures of the tractor and a few pictures of the snow.

They left on Sunday after church and lunch. Because we were snowed in a couple of days, we were able to get to know these new friends better. It was fun because most our stories and their stories were new.

Sandy Beaches Cruise (1/15/2011):

We just returned from a cruise to the Caribbean aboard the Westerdam, one of the ships of the Holland America Line. The cruise was organized by Delbert McClinton, a grammy-award winning performer from Texas.  I love his music, which is a mix of blues, country and roadhouse rock.  This was his seventeenth cruise.  It was not uncommon to meet people on the ship who had been on many, if not all, of the