Eureka, Missouri

October 1999

Halloween Greetings from the USA!

Thank you for your letter and news from home. We always appreciate it so much to hear from you. We are well and enjoying the mild autumn weather. The trees are starting to change colors and it is very pretty to drive along the country roads and see the golds, yellows and reds. We didn’t think we were going to see any colors this year because we had an extremely hot and dry summer.

We had a wonderful and busy summer. My Dad’s 6-week visit flew by too fast. We had a wonderful trip through Canada and New England (the North Eastern states of America). Dad and I enjoyed the camping life but Tony had less than wonderful experience – we drove 3000 miles in the 2 weeks, which meant that Tony spent most of the time behind the wheel and the RV needed constant repairs, which frustrated him.

In July we had record setting high temperatures, everyday was well above 90° F and no rain (still no rain)! Everyone’s garden burnt to a frazzle. I tried in vain to keep the lawn watered with the sprinkler but in the end gave up and we had an irrigation system installed. Now it is such a pleasure to work in the garden and once again be able to plant some stuff without it being burnt up. During this hot weather I visited our friends in Dallas where it was even hotter!

Mercantile Bank the company that Tony works for has been bought by another bank based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For about three months we were agonizing whether we will have to move to Milwaukee, which is about 150 miles north of Chicago and much colder in winter. After considering everything I eventually told Tony that I really don’t want to move further north. I also feel for the first time that I belong again and to uproot again and to start again after only 4 years was almost too much to bear. The job they offered him in Milwaukee wasn’t worth a major upheaval and he agreed that we shouldn’t move. He has been for interviews with an investment type of company (keeping away from the banks) and we are eagerly awaiting an offer. If he doesn’t accept another job at this time he will stay with his current employer until October 2000 and then he will receive a 6-month severance, so we are not too concerned at the moment.

I am keeping very busy with my oil painting classes, exercise classes, my volunteer work with a local woman’s club and I also give one on one PC program tuition to ladies that run their business from home. Tony and I even started with some beginner golf lessons! In between I try to keep up with the chores around the house and the garden. I am enjoying this lifestyle so much I don’t think I’ll be going back to a full time job, unless I am forced to by circumstances outside of our control.

The last weekend in September we visited our Doctor friends in Canada – they moved to Nova Scotia from Newfoundland – and it was beautiful there. It reminds us of the Knysna and Wilderness area. They are also very happy in their new town.

We are trying to get used to the idea that Old Man winter is waiting for us and that the mild weather is a thing of the past. Everybody is busy decorating for Halloween and before we know it will be Christmas and the start of the new millennium! Our warmest wishes for the upcoming holiday season and enjoy your summer!

All our love,                                                            Licks,