The Trip East!

Happy New Year

Holiday and Season's greetings.

Chuck and Verna have been so busy visiting that we haven't gotten much done. We have loved your cards and letters, from congratulations to Christmas cards and beyond. We so appreciate your good wishes and love.

Since we married on August 2, 2008, our lives have been jam packed. Fortunately, we haven't figured out how many miles we traveled in the first five months of our marriage, however, we did average the two weeks before Christmas at about 250 miles per day. Considering that was mostly in ice and snow, we were really fortunate.

We had the wonderful privilege of visiting Chuck's Aunt Kate and her son Jim Rinella in Arkansas. Aunt Kate is 98 years old and is wonderful. How we loved their stories of living in Costa Rica as Jim's father, Red Rinella, was employed building the Pan American Hiway. The stories were incredible and both Kate and Jim are great storytellers.

A short visit in Holt, Missouri let Chuck meet Ernie and Donna Hurt who are special to Verna.

Traveling toward Illinois, it was late with blinding snow, so Chuck stopped in Shelbina, Missouri at the only motel. He went in, then came out, announcing, “I am not paying $57 dollars for a motel room.” I got out of the car and said, “I am,” then went inside. He joined me and we were thankful to be out of the storm.

We visited Chuck's brother Harvey who lives in Batonsville, IL. Harvey's wife, Betty, is in a nursing

home near by in Pekin, IL . We had a delightful visit with Harvey and his grandson, Crailin Mogged, then went to visit Betty in the nursing home where Harvey spends all his afternoons. Betty suffers Parkinson's but she is a special artist with very lively insights in her paintings. We enjoyed hearing about Betty's genealogy and her travels in her younger days.

We went to Peoria and were graciously put up for the night by Harvey's son and daughter-in-law, Craig and Belinda Mogged. Their home has a lot of character as do it's owners. Chuck went to bed while Belinda and I discussed family history. Craig came in from work about midnight and cleaned up.

I woke up Chuck so that Craig and Belinda could entertain us with their original songs and music until 4:30 am. They are great! We were so honored by their sharing.

We visited Fairfield, Iowa where Chuck lived many years. His friends, Wes and Nonie Shaffer and their daughter visited with us and fixed us a great meal. We had a delightful visit. Also in Fairfield, we had a short visit with Chuck's youngest daughter, Karen Swanson along with her husband David and three of their four children. They are a lovely family, very busy with all their activities. (Sorry, we forgot to take pictures)

We drove by Gilman High School where Chuck told some of his high school stories. There had been several ice storms, one on top of the other, so the scenery was a beautiful fairyland. Each blade of grass was the size of my finger—it was like walking on rocks! Sadly, the ice was doing a lot of damage, especially to the trees. Many were without electricity. The roads were icy as well, but to this desert dweller it was so beautiful.

We stopped to visit Chuck's sister-in-law, Pat, in Piper City, Illinois and had a great visit. Pat is the widow of Chuck's brother Bob. She is a nurse and has been very involved with politics this year. We also got to visit her son, Scott, and enjoyed his mischief. He kept us laughing about very serious subjects, including his wife's courageous battles with breast cancer.

We arrived at Harry and Virginia's (Mogged) home where they had a wonderful hot dinner waiting for us. Harry is Chuck's younger brother . I loved visiting with both, tho Virginia and I had much in common, with our interests in family and family history. We had a wonderful visit and spent two nights with them. Chuck's also younger brother, Glenn stopped in for a short visit.

(Harry, Verna, Glen, and Virginia Mogged)

I love watching Chuck when he and his brothers are together; his face glows. All have a noble bearing and are a tribute to great parents. Of course there was a lot of good natured teasing. Every one went out of their way to make me feel welcome. In this picture, Chuck had to stand on his toes to be as tall as his 'little brothers'.

The next day we traveled to brother Roy with his wife Marian and grandson, Chris who also had a wonderful meal waiting.

Roy has been battling cancer, also. He is doing well, now.

I will post more about the trip.