Christmas 1996

A new year already almost... And time to bring you people up to date on the doings of the Martin family. Each year goes by faster and the "Season" seems to creep up on us and now we have to think about the turn of the century.. The 21st that is. Life is super and I continue to be optimistic about all things in general and "Little (6'4")Nate" specifically.

Nate... DID in fact graduate from high school and I would have been happy to make an announcement to that effect at the time, however we thought it might be construed as a hint for grad gifts instead of an outburst of JOY!!! Take my word for it; it was pure joy to be in the audience and witness that. GAM and I both breathed a long awaited sigh of relief & shed a sentimental tear. After a long hot summer we got Nate off to school in

Tallahassee and that was an exodus that rivaled the first (Biblical) one. Gara Ann & Nate went up early in the summer and rented an unfurnished one bedroom apartment and got Nate enrolled in Tallahassee Community College. GAM then proceeded to acquire household belongings to furnish the residence. When (we) left for college I had a 5'X 10' trailer packed completely full, the van so full that Gara Ann's seat was pushed forward and Nate's car full also; 2 weeks later I made another trip up with washer & dryer and whatever else we couldn't get up the first. (My kid goes first class) I likened it to that old Rockwell painting titled "Off to College" The kid in that picture had (as I recall) 1 beat up old suitcase tied together with a rope and the family dog resting his chin on the boys knee as they waited at the bus station. I left home to go in the service and had

everything I needed in a canvas AWOL bag and I also rode the bus. But times have changed. Kids now need cars, amplifiers, stereo sets, (2) count em T.V.s, washer and dryer and enough cooking gear to set up a small restaurant. I do need to address

the fact that GAM shopped very frugally; used furniture, garage sale appliances and assorted goods. She also enjoyed it immensely. I need to inject here that fathers always give their sons sage advise upon setting out into the cold world.. I followed suit and told Nate to always keep your powder dry (per Louie L'amour) and don't get a DOG!!! Well I think his powder is probably dry but... Pongo has become a part of the family! A

super-hyper beagle that is nowhere near as smart as Snoopy. (as far as I can see) This animal will chew or eat anything that doesn't get him first; shoes, candles,centerpieces.. even a Santa Claus.. DOG FOR SALE (Cheap). Do kids not only not listen to their elders but always do the opposite??? I am reflecting here that If not for kids these chronicles would be very brief.

My life... has changed with a consequential move this year which has affected others per the domino effect. I retired from the Marriott Hotel in October after 25 years. For the last few years I have worked less and less there and more in Real Estate. This last year I went in on Saturdays & Sundays and did menial chores < I need to inject here that one of my jobs was garbage man (G.M.), on the beach in the mornings along with testing pool

chemicals and rigging sail boats. Mid summer the management switched the garbage detail and the pool maintance over toanother department and I was out of a job so it was an easy transition... I still don't think they know I'm gone. The other affected is GAM. For the last 25 years I left the home by 6:00 AM and she had the house to herself to study her Sunday school lessons and other personal agendas. Upon hearing that I was no

longer working she said in so many words, "What about my weekend Mornings?????" Well it didn't take much thought to come up with a solution. "I'LL just climb on my Harley every Saturday at 6:00 AM and enjoy myself. ( I tell anyone who will listen about GAM throwing me out of the house Saturday mournings so she can do her Sunday School lesson.) I really enjoy myself and visit mom in Ft. Myers for a cup of coffee, check out my old buddies from Ft. Myers Beach, Stop at flea markets here & there and just ride. My first day out I didn't get home till 7:00 P M. OUCH!

I did get my 4 weeks in the GA mountains again this summer and enjoyed it as much as always. The horses will NOT miss me but there are a few dogs and kids who WILL. Camp Martin is a very busy place on the weekends when I am "in residence". A camp fire every night and plenty of marshmallows smeared around; The sound of country music and the roar of a potato cannon (sometime I 'll explain), the smell of woodsmoke and wet dogs; I'm ready to go back right now.... You people are always welcome to join

me at the camp but if you (sissies) want a cabin you need to call 1-800-959-5562 for reservations at the "Last Resort". Uncle Joe will try to accomodate you. You can check out their site on the internet at: http://www.gamtns.com/lastresort/

and if you page down to the stables you'll get to see my "kids" (they look just like Uncle Jim)... Fun place.

Two or so years ago I addressed the fact that with the new Harley I would probably take up with Tattoos, leather, Long hair and "M" T.V.. Well I'm not into "M" T.V. yet and my tattoo is 36 years old!

Chicken Soup.. Great heading for a paragraph? When I ceased to work 80 hours a week at the hotel I started playing around the kitchen. We have now perfected "Baptist Penicillin"; All natural, only fresh veggies even down to a bone or 2 left in it (GAM says that someday someone will choke on a bone and die...Then the malpractice claims start) Oh well, It works. This stuff will cure anything but a broken heart! We get requests

for it regularly and I suspect that some folks aren't as sick as they claim. I will, in a later letter share it with you.

GAM... Busy as a one armed paper hanger. Hit the ground running this year and topped last years goals by a good margin. Still involved in church (in all areas) and one of the top agents on the Island. She has been able these last few years to get away for nearly a month in the summer to visit family and friends up North. Now with Sister Alice & family in Springdale,AR and Randy & Jeannette in Pigott,AR she is expanding her horizons and covering another state. June in Centralia,Mo with OLD high school friends and once again to MO in the fall for her annual MIZZOU football game. She started out with one long weekend and has now managed to stretch it to include two games and two

weekends. The highlight this year was having nephew David Rowe playing for the MO Tigers (our hero), and cooking with Vickie and Jodi for the team. Can you imagine trying to feed all those 200++# boys. I think that she is yearning for the good old days of college (RA-RA... and all that); fireside chats with Mom including roasted marshmallows, a drive to SW MO with Gerry & seeing the beautiful fall colors, reunion with Alice and kids for extended weekend at Grandmamas, deer hunting??? with Bill & Charlie (bow & arrow) from the deer stand; (Norman Rockwell could have had a lifetime of "Americana" material around there).

Online.. We have, in keeping with modern technology, gone on-line via the internet.. Address is realtor@naples.net and I enjoy getting mail. So easy to communicate and fast; I've conversed with sister Beth, GA nephew James and the Bill Toalsons more in the last year than I did in the last 20 yrs. You have our address and now can drop a note.. Too Easy.

And of course our E-Mail: realtor@naples.net

As we celebrate this season of the year, we enjoy God's gifts of cherished traditions, family times, and treasured friendships ... we are truly awed that our Creator God

has personally come to us through His son Jesus "Immanuel-God With Us." Our wish is that you too experience this awesome wonder in a very personal way.