Yesterday was a day of surprises. One of the first was a heavy box full of cookies. I'm talking about big cookies and lots of them. If you don't know where they came from, follow the link.

Another was a big bunch of flowers that arrived from Willette's former boss.

And then Joona I Palaste walked in the door. Just kidding, but there were guests from far away. Just not quite that far.

My grand niece came from California and a cousin came from Texas. Friends and relatives flocked in from all over town and several came from other parts of the state. One of the grandchildren didn't make it because he is not yet recovered from having wisdom teeth removed, but everybody who had been through that said it was understandable.

One daughter and her family had to leave early to catch a cruise ship, but I certainly understand that. More on that later.

One couple that we had not seen in a decade arrived unexpectedly. We knew them when we both worked at the Daily News Journal in Mufreesboro back in the mid-50's. You might say we go waaaay back.

The last time I saw that many teachers must have been at in-service training. Many of them are now retired. There were some former students, including Gary. He and his wife live next door.
He is the good neighbor who picks up our mail when we travel. Even our County Commissioner was there.

Nobody believed it could happen, but I forgot to take my camera! Other people were taking pictures and promised to send us copies. The only pictures that I have now (see link) were taken at our house where the family congregated after the party was over. Some of them stayed overnight and just left a little while ago.

To further celebrate the occasion, we are leaving on a cruise this coming weekend. By coincidence, our daughter, Julie and her family will be getting off the ship just as we are getting on. The last thing I told her before she slipped out of the anniverary party, was to take good care of our ship.

Did I mention the link below? Check back from time to time for more pictures and maybe a story or two.

Thanks, Mousie and everybody else, for being such good friends.
Howard