While visiting Abram in South Carolina recently, I met a man in the parking lot of our Super 8 Motel. Let's call this man Larry. I was standing next to our van, smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee from a Polish Pottery mug I had brought from home. I noticed his Idaho license plates and asked Larry where he hailed from in Idaho. He said "about 30 miles from the Canadian border." I asked, "Bonners Ferry?" Larry smiled at me, surprised that I new where Idaho was, let alone Bonners Ferry. Here is his story in a nutshell. This man and his wife drove all the way from North Idaho to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to attend their daughter's graduation from Army boot camp. I told him I thought this was the coolest thing ever...and although I didn't say it to Larry...I thought this a perfect example of a parent's love for their child.

Fair winds and following seas, Abram.

Greetings from Columbia, South Carolina

I love that we can get in our van in Ozark, Alabama, in the morning...and by early evening we are getting ready to eat Mexican food in Columbia, South Carolina. The journey was mostly uneventful --only one long delay in Augusta, GA....traffic accident blocking both lanes...but sunny and dry road conditions...and the gasoline cheap and plentiful.

When we got off the exit to find our Super 8 Motel...I immediately spotted a HOBBY LOBBY just a short block down the road...and am so excited that I can go browse tomorrow...while Jeff and I wait for Abram to finish his day of training.

Jeff & I checked into our motel room and immediately hopped on our laptops (his & hers) so we could unwind and vegetate the way we do at home. I don't know if we're sick, lucky or both. I went to MySpace, noted that Abram had checked his MySpace today...and figured that a message on his page would catch his attention. So I posted a message...and within a half hour received a call from Abram. Abram said he was going to catch a couple hours of shut eye and then had guard duty at midnight...and he hoped to be done with training tomorrow at 6 p.m. We look forward to going out to dinner, the three of us...and even though Abram has to return to barracks to sleep tomorrow night...he'll be able to hang with us for the entire day Sunday.

There's a multiplex movie theatre across the street from our Motel...and several eateries. And a Hobby Lobby? I don't need anything more than that. Life if good.