Hello, everyone! Hope this finds all doing well. I really enjoyed the reunion and especially getting to meet each of you face-to-face. It was a real pleasure. The reunion was as I envisioned. I feel that those who couldn't attend missed a great opportunity to meet/greet/get to know/and exchange information. Everyone who attended should give Sue a big thank you for the work that she did. She put in some long hours getting the family database and registration information put together. Although Maradee couldn't be with us, she did an excellent job on the flyer that was mailed out to those not connected to the internet. Thanks, Sue and Maradee. Several asked about when the next reunion would occur. Anyone interested in organizing it will have my support. I, however, won't be able to plan one for 2000. Our Edmonds/Lee family will hold a big reunion celebrating the new millineum. My wife and I have planned the Edmonds (descendants of Mary Edmonds Tabor/Lee) since 1978. For the past 10 or so, we have had a themed reunion to add something different. For the past 2, we have actually prepared the main portion of the meal so that attendees wouldn't have to worry about what to bring. One less thing to get in their way of coming. Patricia McIntosh and I talked about possible timing for future reunions. On the first Saturday of June each year, the Bernice Historical Society sponsors a meal fundraiser and tour of local historical homes/buildings. She suggested that our group might want to combine with this event and meet in the morning, eat lunch (buy from the Society) and then do the afternoon tours. A good possibility and it might help both groups with attendance. The cemetery tour on Sunday afternoon ended up not being a popular event. Besides myself, Diane Wade and a couple from West Monroe showed up for the tour. Morelle Elliott came, but graciously bowed out when we shortened the list of cemeteries we would tour. I almost sent the others home, but changed my mind. Figured if they had traveled, we would roll. We enjoyed the trip. However, we'd probably not do one at a future reunion. The copier survived!!! The replacement cartridge for some reason just came apart once it was put in the copier. After getting it home where I could be a little braver about trying to get the cartridge out, I was able to pull it out with a little muscle. Didn't even have to "talk to it" if you know what I mean. On other things: All of my stuff is still in boxes. I have gotten them out of the car and to a room upstairs. For those that I promised copies, hang in there. I'll get them to you shortly. I don't believe any of you are aware that I am diabetic. Up until recently, my doctor and I were trying to control things with diet and exercise. Truthfully, I haven't been controlling either lately. During the week between the Shiloh anniversary and the reunion, I knew something was wrong. Extreme thirst, frequent trips to the outhouse, and finally some blurred vision clued me in. Looking back, it was pretty dumb of me not to head immediately home to my doctor, but I was determined to be at the reunion. God was merciful. After getting back and going to the doctor, I got the "bad" news. Blood sugar was at 569, cholesterol at 764, and most problematic was my triglycerides at 3,954. My doctor went ballistic and really tore into me. (I didn't tell him about the reunion--he wouldn't have understood). He was really concerned with those numbers that I'd have a stroke/heart attack. I kept telling him I was fine; he didn't see it that way. He started me on glucophage last Saturday and drew some more blood. Really concerned he forced me to cancel a fishing trip I had planned for this week and sent me to an endocrinologist (doctor of glands, etc.). She looked at the results, has ordered more blood work, said no out of town travel for now, and expressed her concern about pancreatitis. She wasn't persuaded by my story of "I don't feel bad". She started me on insulin; learned this morning how to give myself shots. The results are due back on Friday and I'll meet with her again then. The numbers have to come down, but really I do feel fine. But the doctors have scared me enough that I'll do just what they say. I also go to a dietary consultant to revamp my diet. Turns out the high carbohydrate diet they originally had me on is the wrong one for me. We'll be learning what low carbohydrate diets are all about. Sure am glad I got all them peas and cornbread in when I did!!! I tell you all this so that you will remember me in your prayers. Though my doctors (and their staffs) are really concerned, I feel that everything will be alright soon. Your prayers will help make it so. I hope to see and hear from many of you soon. Any information that you want, just let me know. I'll quickly have it on its way to you. Remember, as the song goes, we are family!!! Roy Austin