Dear Kids,
      Anybody driving by our house in the middle of the day would see both the Windstar and the truck parked in our driveway, and think we were both home. But they’d be wrong, of course. Dad’s been riding his bike to work every day for a couple of weeks now, and he’s getting into pretty good shape, besides saving money on gas. I ride my bike almost everywhere I go, except to the cabin, and to Orem. And Paul takes the bus to work. I figure, the only way to fight back against high gas prices is to not drive. It works. It doesn’t matter how much gas costs, if you don’t buy it.
      The only problem with Paul riding the bus is that he comes home covered with dirt. I wonder what they think of him, on the bus. And wouldn’t you think an engineering intern would dress preppy and sit at a desk, or at least run errands? Paul is right down in the dirt! They’re working under the overpass at 5th East and I-80, drilling out soil samples. Paul says he can stand it OK for the summer.
      Yesterday I came home from the cabin nearly as dirty as Paul, because I’d been doing practically the same thing. But without heavy equipment. I’m trying to plant shrubs around the deck, according to the landscaping plan that Donna made for me, but the soil there is 80% rocks, big ones and little ones, packed in together. It takes about an hour to dig one hole. But it’s all fun. Monica and Neil, it’s going to look great for your wedding!
      I updated ackerson.org, making hyperlinks to everybody’s blogs. That makes it lots easier for all of us to check each others’ news. I don’t have a link for Tom and Kim yet, but I’ll put it up as soon as their blog gets going. I think I almost convinced John to write one. I tried to convince Paul, but he just grunted at me. Who else? Vanessa, Monica, it’s so easy! Vanessa, you could tell us all your family news, and Monica, you could upload pictures of Ramona, my favorite cat. I think it would be great if there were links to everybody in our family.
      We received a wedding announcement from Chris Paxman! He’s marrying a nice-looking girl named Jillian Richter, at St. Thomas More (a church, I think, near Willow creek) and their reception will be at the Marriott Hotel up by the U. The only problem for us is the date: July 7th. Same as Monica and Neil. Now what are the chances of that? I’ll be sorry to miss it.
      I just came back from visiting teaching, but since I only write good stuff about people now, I don’t have any news to report. Just kidding. Jimmy Simko has moved his wedding date back, to September. They’re still in love, but they have lots of business details to clear up. Kim Wiseman is now a grandmother. (She’s only a little older than John.) Mark Wiseman is going to Nashville to become a country singer. The Bunkalls are still the greatest family I’ve ever known. Christy Montoya Walk and her husband Jeff are going to be on America’s Funniest Home Videos for the third time, this time competing for a lavish 2-week vacation, including a cruise. Amy Rasmussen turned 81 yesterday.
      Speaking of birthdays, we’re looking forward to the party for Dad and Grandma Allen on the 27th. Call me if you have any questions. I have a great present for Dad, not as good at the Yerf Dog, but something he’ll like.
      Hope you’re all doin’ great and lovin’ it! Mom