December 2003

Dear Relatives and Friends,

We have actually moved to Missouri! Kevin and I came September 9 with 2 large vans - one for household and one for Kevin's books and file cabinets. We are in the various stages of settling. My nephew will build bookshelves as soon as he has time (when bad weather outside forces him inside).

The house is lovely - 2 levels both with outside entrances, -plus a circular stairway connecting my living room to Kevin's lower level. 2600 sq. ft. on each level. The town of Powersite is a "nothing" town - only a Post Office and 600 people. We are on a bluff overlooking Lake Taneycomo and the dam (1913) and Bull Shoals Lake on the other side of the dam. Fantastic view.

I'm 9 miles from Branson and 5 miles from Forsyth. My brother John and Velma live 3 miles north down the highway, brother Peter and Darlene live north 5 miles away in Forsyth - Amy and Chuck are 20 miles to the south on a bluff with a gorgeous view of the lake. Sister Bobbie and Charles are 17 miles east and niece Jeannie and George live next door to them - at our ranch. It is really nice to be so close to family.

We've had snow twice, but just the pretty kind. Not much inconvenience. Southern Missouri usually has mild winters. People in California act like I've moved to North Dakota or somewhere horrible. Sometimes we have ice, though.

Kevin has been in California twice since we came here. He did the legal work for a group that filed a lawsuit against "touchscreen" computer voting machines. The group paid his airfare when the case went before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The California Secretary of State eventually ordered all such computer voting systems to have a voter-verified audit trail, so the work was successful. The California Desert Chorale paid his way for a second trip to sing and produce the program for two Christmas concerts and to sing at several conventions and parties. He goes back to California in March for 2 weeks He has hired a literary agent who guarantees a publishing contract in 2004. He just has to decide which of his many websites should be the first to be published. www.KevinCraig.US

Amy is doing fine for the most part. She has an unusual medical problem - too much electricity in her body - due to an inflammation of her spine. She has been in Slovakia twice - with Chuck's son's family. (He's with the U.N.) Her problem is curable with steroids, but will take TIME! The steroids are so strong for 10 days (IV's) that they can do it only every six months. The doctors there are excellent, and Amy has a great time while there for 3 weeks or so, every six months. She has no health insurance here and they are very reasonable there and better in other ways, incorporating alternative treatments like acupuncture.

I've been busy with boxes, boxes, boxes! Relatives helped me move in at first. It takes a while to get friendly with a new home. I haven't been involved in social circles yet. Kevin and I have been involved a little helping Darlene (juvenile officer) with "Teen Court." Very interesting. I'm 3 miles from where I was born. But things have changed so much since I lived in Branson - nothing around here is the same. 

I miss Jimmey. All the packing and unpacking has stirred up memories, and I'm not sure this  will change much. But I wouldn't be here at all if he were around. We'd still be on the golf course. Our house in California sold just recently and escrow will close on Jan 12. Such good news! The other house - Kevin's "book house" - sold in April. It sold in three weeks.

Kevin and I had a great trip to Duluth, Minn., in July for a family reunion. So nice to see everyone. We were on the tip of Lake Superior, with lots of things to do and see. We meet in San Diego in 2005. Wouldn't you know that I'd move from out there!

The 5 of us siblings sold the cattle, and the ranch is being leased out. We may sell if the right offer comes up. A lot of sentiment involved here.

I'm late with my letter - as usual. Maybe next year will be better. I want to hear from some special people, but they may not have my new address, so I'll send the cards - late or not. We have a Post Office Box #199. The street address isn't necessary, but people might want to know where to visit us. They don't deliver mail to the house - we go to the Post Office.