Hannah Loeb is not well:

 

 

Message from Karen Loeb Mhyre (65): Bellevue, WA

Hi Gary,

 

 

Sadly, I am writing to tell you that my mom is sick. She had been having abdominal pain since the later part of April. I returned home the 19th of May after a stay with our daughter in Ann Arbor. we saw the surgeon on 5/21 and she had a bunch of tests. She had surgery on June 2nd & is still recovering @ Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. She has a bad diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the bowel with +. nodes and spread throughout the abdomen. It is a stage IV cancer. She has been followed closely by the cancer center with extensive lab work every 6 months, and had a normal workup December 9, 2009. she had a colonoscopy three years ago. She is 89 years young and has lived a full and wonderful life. She has raised 5 great children and now we will take good care of her. Up until June 1st, she was reading, playing scrabble or pinochle. She is a fighter and we hope for some time to be together, probably 6 months to a year. She is pretty mad about the whole thing as you can imagine! Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

 

 

Take care,

 

Karen Mhyre (daughter of Hannah Loeb)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary,
Chuck and Geri Munro and I returned yesterday evening to the
USA. Both the very first day and the very last day of our journey
were hectic stress.
Ah, in-between was pure magic. More sunshiny days than i
could have ever wished for or imagined.
Flying into Glasgow, we spent the first two days on the at
Luss on Loch Lomond, the Fargo First Presbyterians were part of the
church service celebrating it’s 1,500 year anniversary. (we missed
Prince Charles by 3 days) From Loch Lomond and the River Clyde,
traveling by bus, we stayed at a bed and breakfast on the Isle of
Mull, where our great Grandmother, Jean (Mclean) Metcalfe’s clan
hailed from.
Ferrying to the Isle of Iona we mingled with people from
various parts of the world who were also making pilgrimages. On that
isle, St. Columbe introduced Christianity to the Druids, Picts and
Celts. We found it to be a truly special spiritual place.
Through the busy days, often one track trails led us to many
castles, some in ruins, others very opulent. We stayed at Knock
Castle. We saw an old cathedral where it is believed one of the
oldest Yew tree survives in a kirk yard, just a mere 5,000 years
old. We photographed Highland Coooo’s…….
Venturing down history trails to that last battle field. We
listened to bagpipes, learned of Culodian and the Jacobites, Bonnie
Prince Charlie and Sir William Wallace, Rob Roy MacGregor, and
Robert the Bruce etc..
Throughout the highlands, among castle ruins, cottages and
rock fences we saw gentle long woolly long tailed sheep who patiently
wait til late July to be sheared. We learned there are over 7
million sheep in Scotland, the wool market throughout the world is
dipping downward. Central Scotland has its’ own silicon valley as
the number one export is technology ………..followed by #2 export
….whisky.
While Chuck and Geri visited a monastery existing for
centuries. I went off to find the ever reclusive,Nessy who has also
existed for centuries……. I spent two hours exploring the
sometimes 560 foot deep Loch Ness. While aboard,I met a teacher on
school holiday, from Wales and her daughter. Francesca, the
daughter, was wearing a Cooooo hat and preferred to be called Mosey
the Coooo. We made exchanges about the school systems in each
country and I believe, “We are more alike and have more in common
than we have differences”.
The last three days of our journey found us crossing the
Firth of Forth to Edinburgh.
By this time I was weary of castles. Walking through the
rain, we searched to find the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, walked a
bit of the royal mile and listened in the magnificent acoustics of
St. Giles Cathdral, finally hoppong a double decker city bus where
we got a birds eye view for a couple hours.
Food each day began with a full Scottish breakfast. Bacon,
eggs, sausage, black sausage, grilled tomatoes, toast, Sottish
jams,…..or cold cereal, ham, cheese, or…..kipper, or salmon.
Often the fish and chips were favored for dinner. Supper, we had
choices of venison, mussels, roast beef, chicken, haggis, cullen
skink, carrot soup. In between was tea time…… Scottish food
is fantastic!!!
Finding a wealth of treasures to be brought home; Red Hot
Chilli Pipers and Mclean of Lochbuie tartan ties for the Metcalfe
men. Golf hats and tees from St. Andrew’s. Linens, wool, and books
for the women and wee children.
Yes. We three agreed; the history, culture, scenery and food
rate across the board high marks.
The people of Scotland made the magic as they were
welcoming, warm friendly to animals and people, honorable, and
containing healthy doses of vibrant humor and wit.
I came home to my Lochbuie. Whom, thank goodness is not
purring having spent the last 2 weeks with Cyndy’s family and her
cats. But… me thinks, I find Buie has developed a fine taste for
people food. Acht! Another-r- r tomorrow to be filled with dog
walking, picking ticks and r-r-reminiscing.
Vickie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gary Stokes, Harvey Hoffman, Dave (Husband – Brenda Hoffman),

 

Alice Hoffman, Brenda Hoffman (68) & Esther Murray Fleming

 

 

 

 

Greg Malget, Angela Berube Malget (65),

Connie Halvorson Kester (64) & Gary Stokes

 

 

 

Susan Fassett Martin (65), Dick Johnson (68) & Paula Fassett (71)

 

 

 

 

Esther Murray Fleming (65)

 

 

 

Angela (Berube) & Greg Malget

 

 

 

Esther Murray Fleming (65) & Connie Halvorson Kester (64):

 

 

 

Gwen Grimme Eltz (68)

 

 

 

L to R: Mel Kuhn, Bill Grimme, Greg Malget, Dick Johnson,

Connie Halvorson Kester, Gary Stokes,

Angela Berube Malget & Jim Kester

 

 

Mel Kuhn’s Classic that he restored and drives