Thor talks about old people in Florida. Well, that's what they get for going there in the first place. Out here in Arizona the elderly are stepping out every day. I'm about as old as dirt and still walk around our square, daily and even flirt with the gals---sometimes. Just finished my mile and am now going to the laundry to pick up my shirts.

So then how about you? I sure enjoy your descriptions about your area, the languages, the people and customs. How about the dances-are they like the dances in the USA or what? I recall the stories of your Mom about the Queen line dancing in her island. Anyway, gotta go. Jon is busy with his work and seldom gets home before 5:30 and sometimes 6:00. He goes to YMCA every other norning at 0600, comes home and makes breakfast.

Love to you, Princess

G'Pa

Hi Rosebud,

So, you aren't getting married soon--That's good to hear . LOL. Your blogs are getting better each time!--very clear writing, wonderful descriptions. Thanks for sharing all this with us. We are still under at least three feet of snow. Heading to spend a long weekend in Chicago with Josh--take in some sights, the Art Institute for sure and dinner where he serves--NAHA a five star, world famous place. I can't pronounce half the words on the menue. He told us not to be nervous. He will lead us through the procession of courses. I can't wait. I go on spring break the end of this week. Waiting for sun and warm temps--nothing at all like Dekar. Just finished grading a bunch of essays and must head to the UW for classes. Love, care, and blessings from your armchair traveler aunt.

Mary

Dahling Mahtha,

Happy Birthday, my dear. I'm sorry to be a bit late, but you know me. I hope you managed to tear yourself away from your intense schedule of rigorous study long enough to celebrate the occasion. This, of course, I'm saying with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek, because I know you.

I'm currently engaged in my own cultural/economic program in southwest Florida. This is a region of the country known for its semi-tropical climate, a markedly slower pace than the midwest, and a lot of really old, really rich white people. I participated in a cultural ceremony wherein a ragtag group of bohemians from the fringes of society assemble in a public place, raise their tents, and offer items they've made for sale to the locals. It's commonly known as an 'art fair' and can be quite festive. I noticed many of the attendees doing a very interesting dance. It consisted of a series of short, faltering steps, and the shuffling of one foot just slightly in front of the other in a slow un-rhythmic fashion. It was often accompanied by an almost imperceptible amount of drooling. When I asked my neighbor what this strange dance was called, he said "It's called tottering, you idiot. It's how really old people walk." Boy, was my face red. For my costume I chose my "Minnesota" t-shirt you and Lauren gave me for Christmas. It's amazing how old Minnesotans (of which there were many) light up at the sight of a middle-aged man in a Minnesota t-shirt. I took many opportunities to tell them of my wonderful god-daughter from the U of M who is studying in Senegal. My study here is now complete and Tuesday it's back to Wisconsin to resume an intensive study of snow.

Keep doing what you're doing , my dear. Judy and I are both so proud of you and really look forward to more news of your adventures.

Love,

Thor

Dear Martha,

We are all wishing you a very Happy birthday and a grand and glorious year. May the Lord pour out a blessing upon your life, heaped up and overflowing into your lap.

Love,

Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Rick

The day after-- I hope your Birthday was a happy one, even though you are far away from home. I think Jon had a good one, too. We ended up at the Black Angus. I sure am enjoying your adveture in a society so completely different from anything you or I have ever encountered. It is hard for me , knowing you, that you are in this kind of environment. but then you come from strong stock and can adapt to whatever situation you are in. I am very interested in your adventures and the way you tell your story. Amy is writing a book on her adventures in China and I am sure you could also write a good yale about your adventures, so far. Your descriptions of the people you meet and the areas you visit paint word pictures. I will always remember the one where you compared the lady's mother to my Dottie. Keep the stories coming, my dear Marty. I'll be here to read them.My Love to you, G'Pa

"...Happy Birthday, dear Martha, Happy Birthday to you-oooo!!" Love, your Picean Unk Jno

Hi Rosebud!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We love you.

Mary and Dan

Derest Marther,

Wow, What a wonderful blog post. I want to be there, with you. I'm sure we all do! I loved the part about the schooling AND the dancing. How fun! Happy Birthday! How do they celebrate birthdays there?

We are still plowing through piles of snow. We are expecting another 3 inches tonight. School is going well. I have some wonderful students--kids that are lots of fun. We are getting to know each other as the semester progresses, and they now feel they can kid me about things. I find I am forgetfull, and unless I write everything down, I get dates mixed up and ask for assignments when they arent' due. So, I got a big calendar and carry it with me--along with colored markers.

Both Matt and Josh are well. We are going to see Josh in two weeks for my birthday--spending a long weekend in Chicago. That will be our first week of break. Can't wait for a little get-away.

So you encountered Rhinos? Oh, I wonder, are the pictures you send pictures that you have taken? What an amazing place. Our love and Happy Birthday wishes.

Love, Aunt Mary and Uncle Dan

Hi Marti,

Greetings from the desert. It's 72 here and I was out to the Rancho de Tia Rosa -lunch with the snowbirds. Rosa would be proud to have a classy place like that named after her.

I noted that Carrie and Hal have signed on. Carrie is a neat person, a teacher, possibly a Great Teacher. Teachers are rnaked as follows; The Mediocre Teacher, Tells. The Good Teacher, Explains. The Superior Teacher, Demonstrates. The Great Teacher, Inspires.

William Arthur Ward

Dottie was a Great Teacher.

I learned a lot from her. I couldn't believe my ears when, on 3 March 1946 when she turned to me and said,"When are we getting married?" I answere that I had spent the past five years learning how to kill people and hadn't given it any thought. Well we were married on 3 August that year and I learned. Jon just called. He is coming home and I said we'd go to Red Stone Piza for supper. His Birthday is on the Sixth- same as yours. So Happy Birthday, Kiddo. My Love to you. G'Pa

Dear Martha, Happy Leap Day!I'm really enjoying your blog! You write as though you are really having a great experience!! It is warm here in Feenicks; high 70's, low 80's everyday with mucho del sol. I'm going to see if G'Pa wants to go with me to the AZ Scandinavian Fest on Saturday. Lots of dancing and good food served by folks in traditional costumes. He might enjoy that. I just got off of the fone with your Uncle Bill, and he's feeling quite a bit better after his surgery. He is not as sore as he was, but he must be careful to not lift too much, and take care climbing stairs, etc. The mortgage business is finally picking up as the firm I work for is now FHA and VA approved. That gives me many new avenues to help people that are in trouble with their mortgages. Love you, Dear, and have fun and be safe! Love, U. John

Hello Martha - G'Pa sent us a snail mail copy of your blog. Thank you G'Pa! We were thrilled to read about your experiences and look forward to exploring the world through your eyes.

Hi Marthenson,

Today with the Snowbirds and when Beth asked for a place for next week, one of the gang said," That Steak place on Southern and where the Shopping center is". In chorus they all said,"Orv's favorite place. Black Angus." Yeah! I haven't heard from Uncle Bill, I call his cell every evening and get his voice mail. He doesn't answer back, so I guess I must have missed something. Oh Well. Tomorrow Marit will be here and we'll oick her up and she will be with us for a while and it will be fun to have her here. Yesterday I did my laundry and today I cleaned the house and oiled all the teak furniture. Right now Jon is making chili and it smells so very good. We shopped for groceries and herbs and we are all set for a few days. Enjoyed Feb 10 message you wrote on your Blog. Love to you, G'Pa