Pedaling

 I feel like I am pedaling as fast as I can and getting nowhere fast! Really, I think it is an age factor because I am doing far less than I did 10 years ago. I am happy.  I rarely do anything I don't want to do. In fact, I don't!

I am playing pool more than usual. Renie and I are partnered up for Team play outside the park and we are learning each other's game and having fun doing it. By playing some every day we are making so much more progress.

Tomorrow is the last Sunday mixed doubles of the month so therefore will not be mixed. The last Sunday of the month we play with whoever we sign up with so Butch and I will be partners. We have been partners working together for coming on 66 years so I think we got this! Win or lose, it will be fine!

Every day at 4:00 pm we go next door to Sandi and Bill Danielson's place for "Happy Hour". It is different from many other concepts of "Happy Hour". It lasts for ONE hour. No food...most of the time. And you bring your own drink. No politics, no gossip or any other tension-producing subjects. We learn something new every day. It is amazing and a great way to end the social part of the day.

Alva Millard

 Alvie, as he was known by most, was a classmate of mine and a brother to Darrel Millard who was also a classmate of mine. Darrel and his wife Linda winter with us in Trophy Gardens in Alamo Texas. Last season another brother Ivan and his wife Kathy also wintered here.

I am telling you this because I was very impressed with Alvie's obituary and wanted to share it with all of you. It is one of the best obituaries I have read in a long time. I knew Alvie nearly all my life and yet I did not know him. 

Alvie Millard Obituary

Alvie Millard, 82 of Jefferson, passed away December 19, 2024 at his home.

Alva (Alvie) Ernest Millard was born March 30, 1942, son of James and Mary (Morlan) Millard. Alvie was the oldest of six children. He attended school in Jefferson until he started his working years at age 16.

Alvie married Bobbi Anderson in 1965 and they had two sons, Kenny and Joey. Alvie married Tonya Adams in 1982 and they had a daughter, Angela and a son, Blake.

Alvie was a great provider for his family. He worked at Oscar Mayer in Perry for 27 years and Fareway warehouse in Boone for an additional 14 years.

Alvie enjoyed gardening and canning, fishing, coin finding with his metal detector and decorating the house for Christmas. There were several years his house was lit up like the Griswold’s. Alvie had a passion for taking care of cats and had at least one cat for a pet at all times.  Christmas was Alvie’s favorite holiday. He would drive around town looking at lights and kept his house decorated with the tree up for a long time.

Alvie had unique talents such as playing the mouth harp, yodeling and auctioneering. He loved singing and roller skating; he was a fast skater and could even skate backwards.

Alvie is survived by his siblings Darrel (Linda) Millard, Phyllis Mischke, Ivan (Kathy) Millard, Eva (Jerry) Radcliffe, and Avis (Roger) Moranville and his children Kenny Millard of Grand Junction, Joey (Mary) Millard of Rippey, Angela (Dave) Milakovich, and Blake Millard of Jefferson. He is also survived by grandchildren Kimberly (Mason) Cole, Ashley Millard, Dylan Hofbauer, Destiny Hofbauer, Bently Hofbauer, Nataliya Milakovich, and Gianna Milakovich. great grandson Xane Cole. He is preceded in death by his parents.

A Memorial Service will be 10:30 am Friday, December 27, 2024 at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson, Iowa. Burial will take place at Wright Cemetery, Jefferson, Iowa. The family will be present to greet friends on Thursday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson.  In lieu of flowers, the family of Alvie Millard kindly requests that donations be made to PAWS, an organization close to their hearts.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.slininger.schroeder.com.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL

 We are celebrating in our small home in Sunny South Texas where the temperature is predicted to be 89 degrees. At this writing it is 71 at 10:45 AM. In South Texas sometimes Christmas day is a bit chilly and some years it is downright balmy.

Our weeks are busy and they do fly by so Christmas day is a respite for us. Staying home, and cooking Turkey for two is a treat. 

Hope everyone can do what they choose to do, making it a Merry Christmas indeed.

And as I end almost everything I write, Best Wishes Always!