March 22,2017

So, after the hike and freezing weather, the winter storm came on the 14th.  Katy and Scott headed to the hospital in Scott's 4 wheel drive truck.  Due to the snow traffic was minimal and they had no problems getting there.   This was the view of the back porch as the snow was coming down.

We had planned to take the kids to school and be at the hospital when the baby was born.  The storm changed those plans.  Schools were closed for two days because of the snow and ice.  Anyway we have a new grand baby born on March 14th.  We finally made it to the hospital on the 16th to see the baby.  The picture below of Sadie and proud parents was sent to us from the hospital
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They brought the baby home on Friday and Max went crazy. He was such a problem barking and jumping and going zonkers that he had to be crated and confined to the basement.  As it turns out, this is an undesirable trait of most Yorkies as they may feel jealous of the newborn and do not realize that the baby is a person.  It will take time for him to get use to Sadie and for her to get use to him.  Until then he will not make the trips to Virginia.   We are planning to visit again in June or at least Amy is going to keep the baby when Katy goes back to work.

What a change from the cold in Virginia to the temperature in the high 70's of Alabama.  I have been out in the sun for the past two days and even waded in the pool, not really, but I did get my feet in the water.  I am planning another hike.  This one will be about 12 miles and I hope to complete it in one day, but I may have to rethink that plan.  That would be about twice the distance that I usually hike and along a trail that I have not hiked before.

March 3, 2017

     Okay, so it has been a while since my last post.   Let me try to catch up.  It seems like time has really gone by so quickly.  Just yesterday was Christmas but somehow January and February came and went and I sort of missed them.  During that time we did take Max to obedience school.  We were sure that he would flunk out since he is so hyper, but he passed and we have a certificate to prove it.  Of course he did try to eat the certificate.

     Although he passed, the trainer called and would like for us to repeat the course in April, at no cost, so we signed up for another 6 weeks.  Max did learn a few commands, like ready, sit, down, stay and heel.  It is hard for us to be consistent and train everyday.  

     One of the highlights of February was that we got to spend a day with some old friends, Paul and Harriett Lawrence.  They were missionaries to Gaza and are now retired and back home.  It was good to catch up with them.  Also, the weather warmed up with several days in the high 70's, and my thoughts turned to gardening.  I thought that I would try starting some plants from seeds, to transplant into the garden.   I usually just buy tomato plants to set out, but I was going to do something different this year.  My son does this every year and said it is cheaper.  He is set up to grow seedlings in his basement and has a lot of success.  But, for me, that did not work out too well.  I only had a couple of seeds sprout, so I decided to start over.  I have been getting my garden spot ready for planting though.  I am considering buying a small greenhouse so I would have a place to start my plants instead of putting them on the dining room table.

     I also have been hiking a little.  Went for a 7 mile hike on the Pinhoti Trail with a friend of mine, Larry Shirley.  We intend to hike some more soon.  We have made the trip to Virginia for the birth of our new granddaughter.  We came a few days early so I could hike with a group of men from the church my son-in-law, Scott, attends. We hiked a section of the AT from Keys Gap to Harper's Ferry. 

Of course the weather when we left Alabama was 70, but steadily dropped the further north we came.   A winter storm on Friday sent me looking for an insulating base layer, gloves and toboggan.  The temperature was 24 when we started out, but warmed up to 30 during the day.  The pictures below were taken from the hike yesterday.

This group picture was taken overlooking the bridge into Harper's Ferry which is the unofficial midpoint of the Appalachian Trail.

Of course I was bringing up the rear.  Do I look cold?

Break time about 4 miles in.

I can now say I hiked the AT in Georgia, Virginia, and West Virginia.

     All in all, I had a great time and met some good people.  I was glad they let me come along.  The whole hike was fairly easy and rocky.  After we hiked across the bridge then we traveled along the road back to the Harper's Ferry National Park Visitor Center.  The last climb up the mountain was a killer.  It seamed like about 1000 rock steps up to the top.  Each of those steps were about 18" high and that was a little high for an old fat guy, but I eventually made it to the top.  In all about 7 miles.  Maybe they will let me hike with them again.

     I have to add that the delivery date for the new baby is Tuesday morning, right in the middle of another winter storm.  The current prediction calls for up to 6 inches of snow.  Looks like Amy and I will be keeping the other grand children at the house if their schools close.

December 30, 2016

Although we were missing the matriarchs (Gogo and G-mama) who passed away this year, Christmas at the Locklin house was tom-terrific.  I guess that term shows my age, but it was really great to have everyone here for Christmas.

Next year we will add 2 more grandchildren as both Katy and Emily are expecting.  In addition not pictured are the 4 Labs and Max.  They were not allowed in the picture since they could not be still.  Also for lunch on Christmas Day we had Amy's sister, Ginger, her husband, David, and their son, Sam.  Lots of food and fun.

I also think that the best thing that while the kids were here we only had one real meltdown.  Quite an accomplishment for this group.  During the coming year we hope to do more hiking and camping, and maybe a vacation trip with our good friends Chuck and Meri Jane Wood.  Not sure where that will be yet, but should start planning soon.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year as we bring in 2017!!!

November 18, 2016

So, this is Max when we first got him.  He was 8 weeks old.  A little 4 lb. ball of fur.

This is Max today.  He is now about 6 months old, weighs about 10 lbs, and is an attack dog.  He attacks lizards, grasshoppers, wasps, and any other thing that moves.  

Max will chew on anything.  Including Camilla buds.  He will also eat anything.  He tears up anything in reach.  When he gets something he is not suppose to have, he plays catch me if you can, and most of the time my wife and I are to slow to catch him.  He is so fast he runs circles around us. He will pull out each piece of kleenex from the box it he can reach it.  He has learned to climb up on the sofa to get to the things on the end table.  

He will then give you that innocent look like I would never do anything wrong.

We had to fence in the backyard just for him, hoping this would help with potty training, but he will only go outside if one of us goes outside with him.   He still has us trained.  Outside to play and inside to potty.

Last week we went to Virginia, to see the grand-kids. Since we did not know how well Max would travel on a 12 hour trip, we left in the middle of the night.  We were thinking Max would sleep all night, which he did.  We came back during the daytime and he slept through that trip too.  We are going to San Antonio for Thanksgiving, and hopefully Max will be as good a rider as he was to Virginia.

We are already looking forward to everyone coming to our house for Christmas.  

October 9, 2010

Mom passed away on September 26, 2016.  This was exactly one month after my brother Lewis passed away.  Her obituary is given below.

Obituary for Lela Lewis Locklin

     A Celebration of Life service for Lela Lewis Locklin will be held on October 2, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Talladega. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.  Rev. Benjamin Crawford and Dr. George Ricker will officiate.  Burial will follow at Pine Hill Memorial Park, Talladega.

Mrs. Locklin was a long time resident of Talladega who touched many lives as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and educator.  Born on July 19, 1928, in Dallas, Texas to Arthur Thomas Lewis and Margaret Hendrix Lewis, she lived in and attended elementary school in Houston, Texas, junior high in San Antonio, Texas, and high school at North Dallas High, Dallas, Texas.  She attended Monroe County High School, Monroeville, Alabama for her senior year, graduating in 1945.  She was a student at The University of Alabama from 1945-1947, where she was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Blackfriars Drums Troup, and Alpha Phi Sorority.

In 1948 she married her high school sweetheart, John Marshall Locklin, and they lived in Monroeville for the next thirteen years. They were active members of First Baptist Church, Monroeville, where Lela taught Sunday School.  She was a Welcome Wagon hostess and secretary to the plant manager of Vanity Fair Mills, Monroeville. 

In September, 1961, John, Lela and their three children moved to Auburn where John resumed his education and Lela worked as a secretary in the School of Education.  After John’s graduation from Auburn University, the family moved to Tuscaloosa where John began work on his master’s degree and Lela returned to school and received her Bachelor’s degree in Education.  She was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi honor society.

Upon graduation, the family moved to Talladega where Lela was employed by the Talladega City School system, teaching English for the next 28 years at Talladega High School.  She was the yearbook sponsor for 20 years.  She also taught night classes at Gadsden State Community College Center in Talladega.  During this time, she received a master’s degree and Educational Specialist degree from Jacksonville State University.

Active in community affairs, Lela was a member of the Pinecrest Garden Club, the Inter Se Study Club, the Andrew Jackson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as a docent at Heritage Hall.  She taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church for over 45 years. 

Her hobbies included writing, genealogical research and oil painting.  She was a member of the Wednesday painters group known as “Sarah’s Girls,” studying oil painting under artist Sarah Whitson.

Lela was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, her daughter, Lela Locklin Crawford, and her son, Lewis Edward Locklin.  She is survived by her son, John Marshall Locklin, Jr. (Amy); daughter-in-law Dee Locklin; and son-in-law Leslie Crawford; seven grandchildren, Jason Locklin (Shelley), Katy Wright (Scott), Emily Burt (Craig), Taylor Locklin, Ben Crawford, Matt Crawford (Megan), Jac Crawford (Jacinda); and five great grandchildren, Kinsley and Cooper Wright, Greyson and Rilynn Crawford, and Kale Burt.

Pall bearers will be grandsons Jac Crawford, Matt Crawford, Jason Locklin, Taylor Locklin, grandson-in-law Scott Wright, and longtime friend and neighbor Hubert Hubbard.  Usrey Funeral Home will direct the services.

Donations can be made in memory of Mrs. Locklin to the Locklin-Lewis Scholarship Fund at the First Baptist Church, 216 North Street East, Talladega, Alabama 35160.

This has really been a rough summer.  Amy's mom died in June, Lewis in August, and mom in September.  Through it all, we rejoice in knowing where each of our loved ones are.  One day we will see them again.

September 23, 2016

On Saturday, Sept 10, we had the memorial service for my brother, Lewis.  Since we had traveled to Woodstock, Ga for his funeral service, I tried to talk mom into just having a graveside service for him.  Deon, his wife, said whatever mom wanted was okay with her.  The service was really good.  Ben Crawford, Lewis's nephew, preached and did a great job, Jac and Jacinda Crawford sang a duet.  After it was over I was sure glad that mom's got her way.  

At the cemetery mom refused to use a wheelchair and instead used her walker.  This was the last time she was able to walk.  On Monday, Sept. 12, her legs could no longer support her and we called for the ambulance to transport her to the hospital thinking she may have had a stroke.  When the paramedics arrived she flatly refused to go to the hospital, so they helped her get into bed.  On Tuesday morning she woke up and said that it was time to go the hospital, so we called the ambulance again and headed to the hospital.  They discovered that she had a UTI which was probably causing a lot of her confusion, and treated her for that and dehydration.  She was released on Thursday.  On Friday we called in hospice.

It seem that Lewis was hanging on to visit mom one last time, and that mom was hanging on for Lewis's service.  Mom's health continues to deteriorate each day,  Also last week one of my favorite cousins past away.  Although he lost his battle with cancer, he like Lewis, has won the victory.

Apparently there is a lot more to putting up a fence for Max than I thought.  I am sure glad I did not try to do it myself.  Seems there was a 3 week turnaround in ordering the vinyl fencing.  Hopefully it will be installed soon, and Max will have a large area to roam.   

To close on a more positive note, Amy and I will be having another grand daughter.  Looks like  Kinsley and Cooper will be getting a new little sister.  Amy is headed to Virginia to visit them.

I did get to hike about 9 + miles yesterday.  This was the first time over the same section that I had fallen and broken my wrist.  No falls this time.

September 6, 2016

     A lot has happened in the last 2 months.  After the Alaskan cruise, we went to visit the grandkids in Virginia.  While there, Amy's mom passed away, so our trip was cut short.  Her health had really deteriorated to the point that we considered canceling the trip, but she had rallied temporarily and we thought making the trip would be okay.   After the funeral, we settled back into our normal routine with one exception.  We have a new family member.  A Yorkie named Max.  He was about 3 lbs when we got him and he has doubled his weight.  He is now about 4 months old and about 7 lbs.  He has us trained.  We take him outside to potty, but all he does is play, chasing anything that moves.  Then back inside to use the bathroom on the floor.  At least he will go on pads, sometimes.  We have had to put him on a leash when he goes outside, just to keep him from going into the woods or under the neighbors fence.  He is fast and sneaky and loves to tear up anything he can get his mouth on.  He also bites and chews his toys and my hands if he can get his mouth close to them.  He loves chasing a plastic tea container, growling and barking at it like it was a threat.  I think he has ADHD and may need medication.  On second thought he is just a puppy.  That is what I keep telling myself as my hands are bleeding from his sharp teeth.
       My part-time job turned into more hours than I wanted to spend and my Fridays off disappeared.  Between working during the day and coming home to work most of the night, it made me remember why I retired in the first place.  July and August seemed to fly by.  At least till the end of the month.
I drove to Woodstock, Ga., to see my brothers son , Taylor, graduate from college.  About two weeks later I picked up my brother and brought him to Talladega to spend a few days with mom.  After returning home he lost his battle with cancer.  It was almost like he had two things to live for, Taylor's graduation and one last visit with mom.  His funeral was on the 31st of August in Woodstock, Ga.  A memorial service will be held on Sept. 10th in Talladega.  Burial will follow this service in Pine Hill Cemetery in Talladega.  I am now an only child.  The past few years have been rough.  First dad, then my sister, then my mother-in-law, and finally my brother.  Mom continues to do well and will probably out live Amy and I.  We are really fortunate to have good caregivers for her.
     As of last Friday, I have officially retired again.  This week will be spent catching up on work around the house that has been neglected since last April.  It is cleanup time at the Locklin house.  We have also decided that we need a fence in the back yard for Max.  He has a small contained area inside and outside that we refer to as puppy prison.  He does like to get on a float in the pool and he knows instinctively how to swim.  The fence should be installed next week.  This will also be good for my kids labs when they come to visit.