From the Author: Storyteller

Hello: It has been some time and much to share. I decided to go this format using a blog. It will be interactive and allow readers to comment on what is written. I will be using it to post some of the new stories I am working on or just sharing thoughts that may turn into stories. I cannot remember the last Friday note sent out. That shows how long it has been. I know it has been before we went to California because many of you were told Suzanne and I were coming. We had the pleasure of seeing many friends and visits with family. It was a very enjoyable trip and relaxing. We arrived on May 19th after getting up at 2:30 am that morning and arrived the same day around ten am. Chris, Suzanne's son met us at the airport and took us to Joyce's home where we all enjoyed a marvelous banquet. The next day we woke late after going to bed early. Over our jet lag we ventured out and continued to do so for the next two and half weeks. Activities included dinners with old friends, hikes in areas we use to frequent and catching up with family. We came back relaxed and ready to settle back into our home in Western North Carolina. Suzanne's daughter, Rosie graduated with honors from Sac State. The twins, Ella and Rosie are now overseas, Ella in Italy and Rosie in China working as counselors through a school program. Chris and his wife are enjoying life and he may be going over seas for another work assignment to help people keep their elevators going up and down. A story title floating around in my head is "The Snoring Possum". Another is the "Night Chatter on the Back Deck". As you can tell the influence is coming from the woods that surround our home and the visitors that frequent us. Suzanne and I are enjoying hikes and bike rides in the surrounding parks. We discovered Wintermint Falls in Dupont State Forest on Fathers Day. We found a black snake crossing the trail and the entire forest learned of our discovery when hearing our announcement. Today we joined another couple and hiked into Rainbow, Turtle and a third fall no one we asked knows its name. So it is the "Other Water Fall". Another aborted hike was the search for High Falls. We were told a short cut by a man on a horse who introduced himself and told us he was one of the people who kept the trails clear. After following the directions we turned around seeing the hour of the day and decided to try another time. Another planned hike is into Douglas Falls, a seventy foot water fall off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is four miles down and four mile up but will be worth energy needed to reach it. The Peace Corp has not called so we do not know if we are leaving or not. Both of us would love to receive an invitation, but are content on enjoying our life here. Suzanne is enjoying her grand niece making a trip once a month to visit her niece and baby sit. Yes, I join her too and help. We are continuing the Wookie and poloties exercise lessons. We have been having regular thunder storms. Since we are high on the mountain. Lightening strikes nearby are common. One came on the hill just above our house, followed by a second strike. The house shook. The next day our neighbor up the hill told us they saw it hit. The house held and there were no leaks or trees falling on us, so we survived just fine. So, that is it for now. As said above I will be posting here. So to stay up on the adventures of Marty and Suzanne tune in here. Take Care Marty