Blogs from Independence, Kansas, United States, North America

AMUSING FAMILY CONNECTIONS A girl named Laura Ingalls was born in 1867 and grew up on the prairie. One of the first places she lived was on a hard scrabble little farm a few miles southwest of Independence Kansas. Her dad, Charles Ingalls, was a God fearing, and a hardworking man, but by 1871, the locusts, the drought, and the grass fires drove him out. In 1869 a family known locally as the Benders moved into the area and set up a road house along the Osage Trace about as far northeast of Independence as the Ingalls family lived southwest of Independence. The distance between was about 25 miles. The Benders supplanted their meager income by murdering and robbing travelers at their roadhouse, and then burying the bodies in their garden. By 1873 they had a ... read more

Well, I am about 85% packed, with two suitcases and my laptop case on the spare bed. The cats are enjoying exploring the bags and using them as a napping place during the day, especially if I leave one open. Still to pack....my U.S. Cell Phone and charger, shirts, alarm clocks, a snack bag, 2 hangers, my toiletries bag, jacket, and Rxs. I just made another set of travel papers and photo copy of my passport just in case. Yesterday, we got the list of our room mates for the trip. My room mate is John McKnight.....just a name no other information. Hope he can put up with an old guy as a "roomy." Got some cash to take. They take U.S. dollars in Israel so no need for currency exchange. If you buy something, however, ... read more

It has been 25 years since I have been overseas. I was in the Philippines in 1989 for the World Evangelism Conference. For that trip I purchased new luggage, now worn out. No new luggage needed for this trip. In fact, the luggage is quite restricted. One bag, one carry-on, one purse or computer bag. I bought a used lap top for the trip so I could keep in touch by email and this blog. All of our rooms are supposed to have wifi. Other special items include a voltage converter, poncho, and a hat for the intense Middle East sun rays. I'm not use to keeping track of a hat, so I will probably have to buy one or two to replace lost ones along the way. The list of instructions on what to bring ... read more