This is the only color that would be appropriate at this time - HOT! I hope you are in a position to enjoy air conditioning. Do you remember the days when we didn't have it? I do! Hmmm. That lets you know that I'm old!

As a matter of fact I successfully did reach the ripe old age of 76 on July 27th. It really doesn't feel much different from 75 or even 70 for that matter. However, it does feel different from 66 and a lot different from 56. I am very thankful for good health all these years and am still active. Plans for the future include continued activity both physical and mental.

Another milestone was passed in July. Anne Marie and I celebrated our 55th aniversery. Wow! What a tribute to her infinite patience. We had a very nice dinner at Ruth Crisss Steakhouse and were surprised when our nephew, Steve, called in and picked up the tab. What a nice gift. Gosh! Native Memphians married 55 years - to each other. That must be some kind of record.

Thinking about our friends we find that they all have enduring marriages. Birds of a feather flock together - or something like that.

My beautiful model of the Decathlon (picture posted previously) crashed on its 3rd flight! Yep! Pilot error was basically the cause. One can set the travel of the control surfaces to "Wild" (high) or "Tame" (low) on the transmitter. Inadvertently I had the controls set to Wild. This led to way overcontrolling the plane and it sufferred from "pilot induced oscillation" resulting in a death spiral into the ground. Well, it sure didn't do it any good. The crash resulted in a wing broken in tow, a smashed fiberglass cowl, and a destroyed cabin area.

After careful consideration I felt I could rebuild the cabin. I could purchase a new wing already built as well as a new cowl. Off went an order to Tower Hobbies. Work began on the cowl. Fortunately I managed to recover all the little pieces and was able to fit them together and reinforce where needed. Alas, the Phoenix rose again. Last Tuesday a friend and I went out to the field and managed 3 flights without any problems. It flew beautifully on "Tame" settings.

Since Tuesday it has been simply too hot to fly. I manage to work up a sweat just walking around outside for a few minutes. We will have to find indoor activities. We are going in to the IMAX theater this afternoon. Yes, it is air conditioned!!

Till next time.