When I last wrote, we were worrying about rising waters. Turns out we were advised to move to higher ground after the next round of thunderstorms. We would have been okay, but I slept better knowing we wouldn't be swept downriver overnight! We moved back the following day. It's astounding how much water can pour into a river in such a short time!

Normally, the water is beyond all those trees in the foreground, and there would be beach and grass where the water is. For perspective, see the tree leaning in the background on the right? Fritz was sitting on the rootball of that tree just a few days earlier.

Since Maddox has been born, there's been less of a demand for my help as Mike took two weeks off to help the family adjust. We still try to get together a couple times a week. One day, we all met at a state park that used to be an old homestead where a photographer friend of the family offered to take photos of the Lindstrom clan. They sure are a good-looking bunch of people!

Later that evening, they joined us at our campsite, where we roasted hot dogs and made s'mores over a campfire. What fun!

A cloud hanging over the family's head since Maddox's birth was the knowledge that he has a whole in his heart. He was referred to a pediatric cardiologist in Little Rock. Tracy and I made the seven-hour round trip on Wednesday. The dr. ran an ECHO cardiogram on Maddox. He was such a trooper! The result: a Praise-the-Lord 'tiny hole' that may close on its own, but even if it doesn't, it should have no impact on his lifestyle! Follow-up in one year, just to see if it has closed. We enjoyed lunch and a beautiful drive home through the Boston Mountains near Fayetteville.

With all this free time on our hands, Fritz and I decided we ought to float that river behind our motorhome, the Elk. Today was the perfect day: 83 degrees and sunny! We set out before 10 a.m. and had a most pleasant float! Because the wind was contrary, there were times we were at a standstill, but in general, the river ran at about 2 miles per hour; a perfect speed. We were on the river about 5 1/2 hours, which was about an hour longer than we would have liked, but enjoyed it immensely.

Can you spot the blue heron on the shore?

Lunch on the Elk River

After all that sun and fun, we're ready to plan our next adventure. It may be catfishing on the Elk......

Til next time......abundant blessings to you and yours!