Annette was at her Monday quilting at the Senior Center and the phone rang and it was Jim and Kathleen wishing Mom a happy birthday. We talked for about an hour. They had spent the weekend at the Canstatter Volksfest which is Octoberfest. The one in Stuttgart is the second largest in Germany next to Munich. They had a blast. It sounds like Zmo had a good time too. The tent is about the size of a football field and there were a couple others. Jim said they were pretty loud in the afternoon and didn't close till 3 AM. Probably a little more gusto then. The car behind Zmo is a Messerschmitt, which was built by the Airplane company before WWII. They drive with a joy stick and the insides are like a cockpit. Driver in front and passenger behind. Jim says he walks about 3 miles a day doing his shipping. He's going to be in good shape. I received a letter from L&I and they have OKed the surgery. Hopefully it will be done by the end of the month, but who knows. Annette and I went to dinner at Tendrils at the gorge last night. Wonderful setting and a great meal. Gary and Nancy know that if come by you'll get to go there. Dixie knows this place too.