FAMILY MATTERS

Last week my sister and I traveled to Pittsburgh to visit our Uncle Bud, who is one of three remaining siblings of our mother. He is now eighty-five and still going strong with more vitality than either of us. My fondest memory of Uncle Bud is when I was a little girl and he lived in Texas. He told me I could come out there and be a cowgirl. And he still remembers that! It doesn't matter that the dream never came to fruition -- it was the dream that mattered.

Uncle Bud gave us a wonderful tour of Pittsburgh - driving through the city, looking at it from high outlook points, eating the best fish sandwich I have ever had at a fish market on "The Strip." We took a ride on the Incline which is both a means of transportation and a favorite tourist site. Pittsburgh was voted the most liveable city a few years ago and I can see why.

I came home with a sewing machine (which belonged to my late aunt) and a family scrapbook which I will treasure since apparently I have become the "keeper of the flame."

With all my best,