Decided that I would try blogging. I don’t know where this is going, but it might be fun to post the things I am doing, thinking about, preparing for and just perhaps a description of the day at hand. I hope this doesn't require too much computer savvy.

This is day 49 back in Missouri and it has gone very well. I am quite happy with my little apartment and enjoying customizing it so it is just right. I will remain here, it looks like, until November 1 when I plan to return to Republica Dominicana for the winter. I miss my life there, but it will be there when I return and for now am enjoying the time here.

The weather for the past many days has been blazing hot with temperatures in the high 90s and heat indexes up to 115. I am stubbornly refusing to run my air conditioner and my body is totally acclimated to hot weather. I never complain about the heat, but when the temperature drops below 60 degrees I whine like crazy. I have the apartment open and the fans running so it is mostly comfortable to me, though I will be happy when the temperatures moderate. I am looking forward to the next cloudy, cool, rainy day.

I started this day, as I almost always do, with my four-mile walk. I enjoy the time and the exercise and have been walking recently at 0800. Today it was already too hot at that time. I walked anyway, but tomorrow I am going to set the alarm for 0545 and be out of the apartment shortly after 0600. I think that will work better.

I have made my one and only trip out of the apartment today. I went to Wal-Mart and bought more minutes for my cell phone. This trac-phone thing is breaking me up, but I am stubbornly refusing to get involved with any of the phone company’s 1 and 2 year plans.

I also washed the car and will wax on it a little bit this afternoon as I do almost every day. It is an old car, but is running good (knock on wood) and looks shiny and new.

Made my daily baseball bet already. I chose the New York Mets to beat the Cincinnati Reds tonight and will follow the game on MLB TV on my computer. Lately I have done very well, winning 4 out of my last 5 picks.

The Cardinals will attempt to get back to their winning ways tonight and I will watch their game on Fox Midwest Sports. Chris Carpenter is pitching tonight so I think they will do better. The last two games against the red-hot Atlanta Braves have been a disaster.

Other things on my list today are to do some research for my friend Ed in Allentown PA, to research the Lincoln University web site in hopes I can find a good situation for my oldest daughter Michelle, research the Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany where Matthew will be heading in November (more on that later), write an email or two, clean on the apartment a bit, cook dinner, read my current book and hopefully do a spanish lesson. I don't know how I ever worked for a living.

Tonight I hope to chat with my son John and his fiancé Sherry and also will probably talk with my son Matt on the phone.

There are many things I will cover, but will keep this introduction blog short and simple. I want to talk about Matthew’s life in the Air Force. I also will cover John trials and tribulations with medical school and his fiancé Sherry.

I hope you enjoy reading my entries as I will be doing this on a trial basis for the next few days.

Cuidate Mucho!
Miguel