Hi

There seems to be a significant number who can't make the October time.
Should we more seriously consider a reschedule and try to pick some
dates??

What about February 27-28? or March 13-14?

Maybe then we can see wedding photos and Peru photos ;)

I'm reading an 'oldie' "The Queen's Confession by Victoria Holt. Had to
go look up succession of French Kings from Louis XIV to Louis XVI!! The
memory goes quickly doesn't it?

Submitted by Laurie Whitcomb

Buenos dias.
Has anyone tried Pilates? Trying to get in shape for hiking at high
altitude so I've added Pilates - ugh.
And James has added a full day's jungle hike in northern Peru so we can
see some waterfalls! I'm already sore.
My 2cents worth on delaying the get-together is that there will always be
conflicts, even at the last minute, so maybe those who can make it should
go ahead. Something's better than nothing! (Unless there's only one person
left - I've lost count.)
Jan, the Galapagos are just too much for our whirlwind trip, and James
spent 8 days there last year - his last job assignment but we're doing a
lodge to lodge hike to Machu Picchu.
Mary Ann, thanks for making this page for us to keep in touch.
Surprise - I'm reading Lonely Planet's Peru.
Amy K.

Submitted by Amy Kinard
amykinard@mind.net

Hello everybody,

I guess that you can add "maybe Elaine" to those who can't make it. Anne
made a generous offer for me to stay at her place coming and going, but
really, I'd rather carpool with her!

How about deferring this to next year and find a time when most everyone
can be there?

I don't want to make the final decision for the group, but putting this
off has already been suggested.

Thanks to Sally for offering her home and wonderful location for the
reunion. Happy traveling adventures to her and to Amy!

BTW, I'm currently reading a terrific book of interconnected short stories
called "Olive Kittridge" by Elizabeth Strout. They they place in Maine and
the author explores the losses and connections between people with great
humanity and compassion.

Fondly,

Submitted by Elaine
ezorbas@att.net

Hi all - I'm so sorry I won't be able to join you. We'll be celebrating
Caryn's 30th (gasp) birthday that weekend, not to mention probably tending
to wedding stuff.

Amy - what a fabulous trip. I know we'll all want to hear about it. Grab
those chances to travel with your adult children - it's a special time.

Jan - my heart goes out to you. I went through that with John in 2000.
Not an easy recovery.

I just read "The People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks. I could hardly
put it down and Michael was so patient with me as I turned anti-social
right after work. Then he picked it up and had the same experience. I
love her earlier books, too: The Years of Wonders and March. Of course,
we both loved her dedication "for the librarians".

We had a great trip to Portland and back - the first time I've taken two
weeks off in 5 years. What a difference two weeks together makes!! I
highly recommend it.

I'm so sorry I can't join you - I hate to miss some of my most favorite
people in one of my favorite places!

Love and hugs to all,
Carolyn

Submitted by Carolyn
clg708@sbcglobal.net

Hi All! Sally's suggestion re Hearst Castle sounds great. I'm happy to
reserve now...or wait...whatever works for the group. So sorry we'll miss
Kathy & Anne & Amy & maybe Carolyn in Oct. That's a lot of Pals---should
we reschedule the date?

Amy--on your trip you've gotta get to Machu Picchu---it's fascinating.
And maybe a small detour to the Galapagos Islands?--they're wonderful!
Better than the Medford Mall!

July/Aug has been a challenge (I'd rather be a librarian & world traveler
than a nurse!) Have been helping husband Bob deal with prostate cancer,
doctors, decisions, recovery from surgery, etc. Radiation may be
next---uncertain at this point.

Am currently reading the first book I've read by Jhumpa
Lahiri--Unaccustomed Earth (2008)--a well written series of loosely
connected short stories about Indian emigrants in the U.S.

Looking forward to our get-together! love, Jan

Submitted by Jan

Anne's reading...
I went through a Frank Lloyd Wright phase, reading The Women, Loving Frank
and a biography called Many Masks. I'm now reading the two novels by
Steig Larsson, just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and now
reading the Girl Who Payed with Fire. ALso , recently read and enjoyed
The Given Day (by the guy who wrote Mystic River) and a really good nature
book Prairie Spring by Pete Dunne.

Submitted by

Hi PALS,

I will need to check and see if there are flights from Sacramento to Morro
Bay/San Luis Obispo. The drive to San Jose from Fiddletown takes at least
3 hours, and the long drive from there to Morro Bay is a bit too much for
this old girl to do solo.

Amy, how very exciting that you are going to Peru. If you fly in to Cuzco,
be sure to have some medicine to help with the high altitude. Or you could
do as the natives and chew on cocoa leaves!

Hope that I can make this work.

Submitted by Elaine Zorbas
ezorbas@att.net

Good news, bad news.
I can't be in Morro Bay Oct. 17 - I'll be travelling home from Peru that
weekend. My son, James, works for a travel company and he HAS to go to
Peru for work - see the sites, meet their operators etc. and he invited me
to come along. (You may have guessed his girlfriend and his Dad will both
be in school by then so they can't go.) I'm going to the gym several times
a week from today until Sept.24. Any other hints?
I'll miss seeing all you very fun friends, but I'd go to the Medford Mall
with James and this is Peru!

Submitted by Amy Kinard
amykinard@mind.net

Is any one interested in going up to Hearst Castle for a tour on Sat Oct
17? It's about a 4 1/2 hour adventure (driving up there, the IMAX film,
the bus up the hill, the tour, and back to the visitor's center) and
tickets are $24. If the group would enjoy that, it would make a fun
morning and we could go from there to lunch and wine tasting. There is
also hiking, beach walking, kayaking, shopping, movies, etc. I will know
more about what fun things are going on around town closer to Oct, but if
we want to go to Hearst Castle, I should get tickets next week.

I think I mentioned that we are in Italy from end of Aug until end of Sept
(home Sept 30), so let's poll the group and see if people would like to do
that or just be laid back and not scheduled.

Submitted by Sally
sallyoung@sbcglobal.net

Oct. 17-18

Looking forward to our weekend on Oct. 17-18. Still reading (and admiring) Barack Obama's Dreams from My Father. ...Dorothy

I'm going to start Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet as soon as I
finish The House at Riverton by Kate Morton - about England before and
during WWI but the author is Australian. Enjoyable!

Sorry I won't be in Morro Bay in October

Submitted by Kathy

Just finished reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie
Ford. Great summer read...heart warming...

Now reading The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan...can't keep from crying as
I turn the pages...

Did you mark your calendars for October 17th-18th in Morro Bay? Let's all
be there...

and God, I am missing Vickey as I read this wonderful book. Let's connect
more often on Facebook...it is easy... log in and add me as your friend!

Submitted by Mary Ann