Oahu, Hawaii

Click here for more pictures.

Day 1: Sunday 8/16/2026

We got up at 3:15 am and our friend Debbie picked us up at 4:30 am to take us to the airport. There were no lines at the counter, and since I checked in and paid for our luggage online, it was easier to check our bags. Don’s bag weighed about 23 lbs., and mine was 26 lbs. We went through TSA and got to the gate 2 hours early. The flight to Detroit was nice. The person never came to the window seat, so we had all 3 seats to ourselves. We had an hour layover in Detroit, and then we had an almost 10-hour flight to Honolulu. When we were taxiing out of Detroit, the captain said we had to go back to the gate to let maintenance check on something. Then we were cleared for takeoff. It was a long flight, but we landed about 2:10 pm (Hawaiian time) and had to sit and wait to get to a gate for over 30 minutes. When we got off the plane, we got our luggage and went to the SkyTrain station to buy our HOLO cards. Then we called the hotel to pick us up.

The hotel is very outdated and didn’t feel very secure. But maybe we are tired, and the weather is yucky. The hurricane came through yesterday and today, and thankfully we came in on the tail end of it so it didn’t affect any of our flights.

After we checked in, we walked back to the train station to buy another HOLO card because he couldn’t find the one we had bought him. Then we rode the train in both directions and saw every stop while it rained intermittently. On the way back to the hotel, we had dinner at McDonald's, which was horrible (again, maybe we are just tired). I ordered at the kiosk, and they ran out of paper, so I never got a receipt. I had to stand in line at the register, and then it took him forever to find my order and print a receipt. It took over 30 minutes for us to get our food. When we got ready to leave, the garbage at the trash can was almost to the ceiling!

When we got back to the hotel, the bathroom was covered in gnats! We don’t think they are bed bugs, but we are too tired to deal with it tonight. The amazing thing was that Don found the HOLO card that he thought he lost. We were in bed by 9 pm.

Day 2: Monday 8/17/2026

I was awake by 2 am and played on my computer and knit until Don woke up around 3 am. IHOP didn’t open until 6, and our hotel didn’t serve breakfast until 7, so we decided to ride the bus to Waikiki at around 5:30 am and find an IHOP there. The manager there told us that they had no internet and flood damage, so they would not open. She suggested we go to McDonald's or Denny’s for breakfast. So, we walked to Denny’s and were seated, but after 20 minutes, we left because no one took our order. We walked to McDonald's and had breakfast there. Then we walked down Waikiki and stopped at historic landmarks, hotels, and statues. It was fun to watch people learning to surf and those who knew how to surf. A big observation platform was being assembled, so I asked one guy what it was for. He said the surfing competition (Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest) started tomorrow. We walked all the way to the Diamond Head State Monument Park and had great views of Diamond Head. We talked to a bus supervisor who was training new bus drivers, and she said the routes did go in a loop, so that was a good way to sightsee. Then we walked back up until we found a bus stop that took us to the Iolani Palace, the State Capitol, and King Kamehameha’s statue, which was impressive. For lunch, we found a great place in Chinatown. We got two “mini” plates for $11 each (Don got roast duck and rice, and I had roast pork and rice). Then we took the 42 bus back down to the Honolulu Zoo and enjoyed the air conditioning. By then it was around 3:30, and we were ready to return to the hotel. We went to L&L Barbeque for dinner, which was right across from our hotel. We got one Mixed BBQ plate with short ribs (included teriyaki beef and BBQ chicken) for $20 and shared it. We also bought 2 fountain drinks for $2.49 each, but when I went to get Diet Pepsi, they were out of it. Instead, she let me get 2 bottled drinks. There was a lot of meat and rice but no vegetables. Don ate the chicken, and I ate a little of beef, but it was hard to cut with a plastic fork and knife, so I ate more rice than meat. I think I was too thirsty and tired to eat much. Before going to bed, we walked over to Dunkin Donuts to get a donut and were surprised that donuts were almost $3 each! We took our donuts back to the room to eat, but neither of us liked them (Don got a Boston Cream one, and I had a jelly one). I gave mine to Don because it looked like it was filled with some kind of yellow custard and I was expecting raspberry jelly.

Don cleaned the tub, and the gnats seem to mainly be in the tub area. We think they were caused by the high humidity and the hurricane. After he cleaned it up, we only saw a few every day after that. They were never in the bedroom area, but we kept the bathroom door closed.

Day 3: Tuesday 8/18/2026

When I got up, the internet wasn’t working, so I had to use the hotspot on my phone. We got up early and went to IHOP when they opened at 6 am. We were shocked to find that there was no value menu, and the 55+ menu prices were so much higher than they were at home. Then we went to the bus stop and rode Bus 42 to Ewa Beach for 2 hours. We had to get off early (not sure why) so we crossed the road and got on the Express bus E back to Waikiki. It only took 90 minutes that way. We got off the stop with the statue of Duke (the famous surfer) and watched some of the surfing competition. The contestants kept exchanging colored shirts that they wore during their heat so that the judges could see which contestant they were. That was a lot of fun! Then we bought a couple of t-shirts as souvenirs. We walked around a little and then decided to take the bus to Chinatown for lunch. We ate the roast pork and noodle soup ($23), which was delicious. After lunch, we rode the bus to the Hawaii Army Museum. We spent about 90 minutes at the museum and decided we were ready to head back to the hotel. We had to wait an hour for the bus because of delays and didn’t get back to the hotel until after 6:30 pm. We decided to go to McDonald's for dinner, and like the first night, it was an experience. The service was a little better until I went to get a refill on my soda. They were out of Diet Pepsi, and the manager told this guy to go back and check it. The lady next to me said she was waiting for the same thing, and 2 people already went back to check on it and never came back! Eventually, the guy came back and said it was fixed. We both were so tired that we couldn’t stop laughing about funny things that happened during the day while we ate!

Day 4: Wednesday 8/19/2026

The internet was working this morning, and I was able to get us tickets for the USS Arizona at 2 am! At 7 am, we had breakfast at the hotel, which was pretty good! Then we walked to the SkyTrain station and took the train to the Aloha Stadium stop to go to the Swap Meet (flea market). Don found a Hawaiian license plate for $5, and I found some souvenirs made by the owner of the booth, and then Don found 2 wooden cigar boxes for 7 plus tax. We were able to watch the movie and see all of the exhibits before our 2 pm trip to the USS Arizona. I did run out to get our water bottle out of my bag since water was allowed on the USS Arizona. I’m glad we got to go to that. When we returned to the visitor center, we had about 30 minutes before our 3:15 Ford Island Bus Tour. We boarded the Waikiki Trolley and had a ranger-led tour to the USS Utah and the USS Oklahoma memorials. It was interesting to find out that both rangers had been full-time teachers. Ranger Holly had been a special ed teacher, and Ranger Suzy was from Greenville and had gone to school at Furman! After the tour, we got to the bus stop about 5 minutes before Bus 42 arrived and dropped us off right in front of our hotel. We went to McDonald's for dinner and called it a day!

Day 5: Thursday 8/20/2026

After breakfast, we took the bus to the far side of Diamond Head and walked through the Lēʻahi Millennium Peace Garden. Then we continued down Diamond Head Rd. to the overlook and the lighthouse. It was pretty hot so I’m glad we went early in the day. Since we were halfway around the base of Diamond Head, we continued around to Waikiki and walked along the beach. We watched some of the tandem competition before walking up towards the convention center. The Made In Hawaii event started at 6:30, and we bought VIP tickets in advance ($25 each), and I was told it was sold out. When we got to the line at 5:15, it was already down the side of the building (about 2 blocks long), and when it was time to go in, the line had doubled back to the front of the building. It was very crowded, and people went crazy over certain clothes lines. We got samples of lots of different foods and even won 2 bags of snacks (tortillas and kettle corn). We left about 8 pm to catch the bus back to the hotel. We got back to the hotel by 9:30 pm. We walked 9 miles today!

Day 6: Friday 8/21/2026

After breakfast, we took the bus to the Fort Street Mall Open Market, which was a dud. Then we walked to the Foster Botanical Gardens ($5 each), and it was worth going to. We saw a lot of trees and plants that we’ve never seen before, such as the leopard orchid, the wax seal palm, and the quipo tree. We both were exhausted from this week, so we sat and rested a lot. After about 90 minutes, we decided to head back to the hotel and do laundry. We met a guy from California, Oscar, who was here doing restoration work. He was also doing laundry. After laundry, we went to McDonald’s for lunch and then rode the SkyTrain to all the stops. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped at McDonald’s for an ice cream, but they were out of ice cream. We went back to the room and packed our suitcases. I took a nap, and I felt better after napping. We had an early night.

Things I’ve Learned:

• 
  The Holo card is worth getting.
• If you are staying less than 7 days, don’t buy the 7-day pass. The most they will charge you is 7.50 each day (fare capping).
• The bus drivers aren’t friendly or helpful.
• Google Maps was important for finding the bus routes to take to your destination.
• I wouldn’t buy tickets to the Made in Hawaii event again.
• Eating lunch in Chinatown was great!
  

Sunday Delivery Label

My husband found this postcard in his collection, and we found the stamp very interesting.

The stamp on this postcard is a Belgian King Albert I definitive stamp with the famous Sunday Delivery Label still attached. The stamp depicts King Albert I of Belgium (reigned 1909–1934). At the bottom is a perforated tab that reads:

• French: Ne Pas Livrer le Dimanche
• Dutch (Flemish): Niet Bestellen op Zondag

Both phrases mean "Do Not Deliver on Sunday."

This detachable tab is one of the most distinctive features of classic Belgian stamps. Belgium delivered mail seven days a week during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many people objected to Sunday mail delivery for religious reasons, believing postal workers should have Sunday as a day of rest.

The Belgian Post Office solved the problem by adding a perforated label beneath each stamp.

• If the sender wanted Sunday delivery, they tore off the tab before mailing the letter.
• If they did not want Sunday delivery, they left the tab attached. The post office would then hold the mail until Monday if it would otherwise arrive on Sunday.

This postcard is a nice example because:

• the tab is complete,
• it is tied to the postcard by the cancellation,
• and it demonstrates the postal service's unique Sunday delivery option.

References

• StampData. Belgium – 10c Stamp of 1912 (King Albert I). Describes the 1912 issue, denomination, color, date of issue, and design details.
• LastDodo. King Albert I – Belgium, 1912. Provides catalog information for the King Albert I definitive series, including designer Eduard Pellens, printing method, perforation, and notes that the stamp was issued with a tab.
• Robin Hood Stamp Company. Belgium Stamp Listings. Includes the 1912 King Albert I definitive set with Sunday Delivery labels and earlier Belgian issues with Sunday delivery labels.
• UPA Stamp Auctions. Belgium 1912 King Albert I Set with Sunday Delivery Labels. Auction catalog describing the complete 1912 King Albert I set issued with Sunday delivery labels.
• Slania Stamps. Belgium 5 Centimes, 1912 with Imprint. Explains the bilingual inscription "Ne Pas Livrer le Dimanche / Niet Bestellen op Zondag" ("Do Not Deliver on Sunday") found on Belgian stamps with attached tabs.
• Reddit – r/philately. New in My Collection. Collectors discuss the history of Belgium's Sunday delivery labels and explain that the tab remained attached if the sender did not want Sunday delivery, while it was removed if Sunday delivery was acceptable

Charpex2026, Dinners, Tree Removal, and Hiking

It was a busy week last week!

On Saturday, we went to Charpex in Charlotte, NC. We left at 7 am and got there around 9 am. It was drizzling along the way, but luckily we never hit any heavy rain. Don got some things off the free table. Since we were early, we walked down to Burger King and had breakfast (which was not very good). By the time we returned, the show was open, and I walked around to scout out postcards for Don and look at the exhibits. Then I settled down to knit. Around 11, there was an opening ceremony in another room, so I went to it. They talked about how Postcrossing may be a way to entice young people to get interested in postcards and stamps. At 1 pm, there was a Postcrossing meetup, and I went to it. I ended up signing up for Postcrossing and got my first address. Then we spent about 2 hours signing everyone’s postcards. Next year, I will bring a stamp! After that, we left and got home about 5 pm.

Tuesday, we mowed the lawn in the morning, and then we went out to dinner with our 55+ group from the senior center. We met at Break at the Lake in Greenwood. The food was tasty, and both of our dinners (Crab cakes, 1 side, plus water) totaled about $50. It was fun to chat with our friends.

On Wednesday, Southern Lawn and Landscapes came to remove a tree in our backyard. They showed up at 7:30 and ended by 3:30. On Thursday, they returned to fill in the holes the tree made when it fell. They also messed up our driveway, which the owner, Max, said would be repaired. On Friday, they fixed the driveway, and I ended up paying $1600 ($1500 for the tree plus $100 for the dirt).

On Thursday morning, we met our friend Debbie for a hike at Conestee Nature Preserve. We were able to hike 2 miles, but we had to leave early when Max called and said the crew would be there to fill in the holes. Debbie went home and came back with her weed eater and helped us clear the back fence area. We ended up going to Home Depot and buying a battery-powered weed eater.

We also went to Ruth’s Chris Steak House for dinner on Thursday night. We got a free steak dinner for listening to a presentation on Wills, Trusts, and Estates. We didn’t learn anything new, but I got a free filet out of the deal, which I enjoyed. Don had a couple of bites of his, and I ate the rest of his steak too.

Friday, I convinced Don to let his back rest up from the hard yard work we did on Thursday. I decided to make another project bag and it came out so much better than my first one!

Saturday was also another rest day. I did some baking, cooking, knitting, and meeting with knitting friends on Zoom.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Play Ball!

I’ve been to several major and minor league baseball games and even toured a few of the big baseball stadiums. If you have never been on a tour at one of the stadiums, I highly recommend it because it is an interesting tour. There is something magical about being at a baseball game and hearing the crowds, smelling the food, and watching the game. My favorite part is when we have the 7th inning stretch and they play the song, Take Me Out to the Ballgame! It never gets old!

The 1939 Centennial of Baseball U.S. postage stamp was the first American stamp ever issued to celebrate the sport of baseball. The 3-cent stamp was issued on June 12, 1939, in Cooperstown, New York, during the opening celebration of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The stamp honored what was then believed to be the 100th anniversary of baseball, based on the story that Abner Doubleday created the game in Cooperstown in 1839. Today, historians know that baseball developed over many years from older bat-and-ball games, but the 1939 celebration helped make Cooperstown the symbolic home of baseball. The stamp shows young boys enjoying a neighborhood baseball game, reminding Americans that baseball has always been a sport for people of all ages.

Baseball's history actually began long before 1839. Games similar to baseball were played in England and North America during the 1700s and early 1800s. Over time, players created new rules that shaped the game into the baseball we know today. By the late 1800s, professional teams and leagues had formed, and baseball became known as America's National Pastime. The 1939 stamp celebrated baseball's popularity and its importance in American culture, encouraging people to remember the sport's traditions and the joy it brings to families and communities.

Another special baseball celebration is Play Ball Day, observed each year on August 1. The day encourages children and families to play baseball or softball, learn new skills, and enjoy spending time outdoors. Communities, youth leagues, and Major League Baseball often hold events to introduce young people to the game and promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy exercise. Just as the 1939 Centennial of Baseball stamp honored the game's rich history, Play Ball Day reminds us that baseball continues to bring people together and inspire new generations of players and fans.

References: 

• National Postal Museum. Baseball Centennial Issue. Smithsonian Institution.

• National Postal Museum. Youth Sports: Playing to Win.

• National Baseball Hall of Fame. Government-Issued Memories.

• National Baseball Hall of Fame. Where It All Began.

• Play Ball Day https://nationaltoday.com/play-ball-day/

• https://www.mysticstamp.com/855-1939-3c-baseball-centennial/

Summer Harvest: Sweet Corn

When I think of July, I remember family cookouts that always included corn on the cob. That is my favorite summertime vegetable! Slathered in butter and salt, it makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

The United States Postal Service celebrated one of America’s favorite foods with postage stamp #5005, called “Sweet Corn.” The stamp was issued as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s efforts to highlight everyday objects, foods, and traditions that are meaningful to Americans. It was issued on July 11, 2015, at the California State Fair in Sacramento, California. The Sweet Corn stamp features an image of fresh corn and celebrates a crop that has been an important part of farming and food in the United States. The drawing of this stamp was inspired by vintage shipping crate labels, seed packets, and catalogs and was designed by Michael Doret.

Corn is popular and important because it is used in many foods that people eat every day. People enjoy corn on the cob, popcorn, cornmeal, tortillas, and many other foods made from corn. Corn provides important nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals that help support a healthy diet. It is also used to make products such as corn oil, animal feed, and ingredients found in many foods. Because it is useful, affordable, and easy to grow, corn is one of the world’s most important crops.

July is considered Corn Month, a time to celebrate this important crop and the many ways people enjoy it. Summer is a popular time for fresh sweet corn because many crops are ready to harvest. During Corn Month, people celebrate with summer meals, festivals, and recipes featuring corn. The Sweet Corn postage stamp helps remind us how this simple crop connects farming, history, and American food traditions.

Time to go hunt for some corn on the cob for dinner!

References:

• U.S. Postal Service — Stamp information and stamp releases
• USDA SNAP-Ed — Corn nutrition information and food resources
• Healthline — “Corn 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits”
• National Today — “Corn Month” information
• https://www.mysticstamp.com/5005-2015-first-class-forever-stamp-summer-harvest-sweet-corn/

Summer Learning Place 2026

It’s that time of year again, and Summer Learning Place started this week. I have one teacher who is my student, and we expected 3 children to attend.

Today was the first day with the children, and only one showed up. I called one parent who said the boy’s dad had custody of him over the summer and would not be attending. I talked with the parent of the third child, who said he was coming home from camp in TN, and they had transportation issues. She said he was expected home tonight and would be in class tomorrow.

I asked the teacher to come up with 3 goals, and I wanted to come up with some for myself also.

• I want to ensure the teacher has opportunities to practice new techniques.
• I want to be available to help the teacher in the classroom when she works one-on-one with a student.
• I want to share strategies that might help the teacher in challenging situations.

This is the first year that I’ve only had one student, and so I’m having to change some things that I usually do, but I want to make sure that this is a meaningful experience for her. I want to make sure that she isn’t shortchanged on anything because she is the only student.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park June 2026

6/23/26
Originally, we reserved a campsite (D38 for Wednesday through Sunday), but since we weren’t doing anything, we decided to go up on Tuesday and camp at D40 for one night. We left around 9 am and arrived at 12:30. We unhooked the camper but didn’t set up the Clam since we would only be at that site for one night. We stopped at the Oconoluftee Visitor Center and stayed for the 3 pm talk about the Elk. Then we went to Dairy Queen for a late lunch and then relaxed at the campsite for the rest of the evening. For some reason, our battery didn’t get charged, and none of our lights worked in the camper. We were able to use flashlights, so everything was okay. After we went to bed, we heard something like a pop, but didn’t hear anything else, so we went to sleep.


6/24/26
We had breakfast at Waffle House, and I had to drink coffee because they ran out of ice. After breakfast, we drove up to Clingman’s Dome and hiked on the Spruce Fir Nature Trail. Then we came back and moved to site D38. We had sandwiches for lunch and relaxed. Then we decided to hike the Oconoluftee River Trail from the visitor’s center to Cherokee. For dinner, we had more sandwiches and sat around the campfire. When the propane ran out, we swapped the propane canister with one from the camper (the camper has two). After we were almost asleep, we heard another pop, but nothing else, so we went to sleep. Don had leg cramps in the night

6/25/26
After breakfast at Waffle House, we went to Food Lion and got some ice for the coolers. When we returned to the campground, we hiked the nature trail and part of the Smokemont Loop Trail. Then we drove up to the visitor’s center to sign up for the night hike (even though the notice in the paper didn’t say you had to sign up). The park ranger at the campground told us we had to sign up.) Before returning to the campground, we went to Arby’s for lunch. When we got back to the campground, we walked to the old amphitheater, which is no longer used. For dinner, we sat in the Clam and ate cantaloupe. Don noticed we had 2 small pieces of a tree limb on the roof of our camper. We think some kid probably tossed it there as a prank, and we didn’t fall for it. Don had more cantaloupe, which seemed to help the leg cramps.

6/26/26
It is our 44th wedding anniversary! We had another wonderful breakfast at Waffle House. Then we drove to Bryson City and walked around town. At 10:30, we watched the steam engine leave for the Nantahala Gorge. Next, we drove through Deep Creek Campground and saw that there were only about 4 sites that we would feel comfortable parking our camper on. After the campground, we drove to the “Road to Nowhere” and saw the “Tunnel to Nowhere.” We talked to a couple of backpackers who were waiting for their ride. For lunch, we stopped at an Ingles Deli, and I had fried chicken, and Don had catfish. Next, we drove to Fontana Dam and enjoyed the views. We went back to our campground and had sandwiches and cantaloupe for dinner. Don was able to stand on the milk crate and use the broom to get the 2 pieces of wood off the camper roof.

]

6/27/26
After breakfast at Waffle House, we decided to pack up and head home. The weather forecast predicted rain in the evening and the next day. I hate packing up wet stuff, so we took our time and packed up everything. We left the campground around 10 am and arrived home about 1:30. We were able to unpack and get lunch before it started pouring down rain.

It was a wonderful trip. The weather was perfect, and we never had a drop of rain the whole time we were there. Don thinks the Subaru pulled the camper pretty well and may have done it better than the Tahoe.

Original Photos by Pat Hernsley

Remembering Sandy

My good friend, Sandy (September 20, 1943 - June 5, 2026), passed away on Friday. She and her husband, Jim, were among our first married-couple friends. As I sat in church today, memories of Sandy and all our good times just washed over me, and I had to share them.

Here are some of the memories that came up in my thoughts:

• We met in 1982 right after Don and I were married. Sandy’s husband Jim was actually my husband’s college math teacher. When we got together, we all hit it off right away.
• We started meeting for dinner on Saturday nights (alternating between our houses) and then playing the card game Rook for the rest of the evening. Sandy and I were always partners, and we played against our husbands. We had such a great time, and we did this for years.
• I remember that we usually talked on the phone with each other at least once a week. She was always willing to give me wonderful advice when I asked for it.
• Sandy tried to teach me how to make homemade egg noodles, but mine never came out as good as hers.
• I remember going on several boat rides when Jim bought a new boat. One time he ran it aground and ruined the propeller, but Sandy was always calm about everything. 
• When Jim got sick, I tried to call her at least once a week in case she needed anything.
• Sandy and I would meet for lunch in the summers when I wasn’t teaching. I would go pick her up from the law firm, and we would go out to lunch about once a month.
• One year, when I was on Christmas vacation, Sandy went hiking with me at Raven Cliff Falls when it was snowing. We hiked to the bridge over the waterfalls. It was a beautiful hike!
• When the school threw all retirees a luncheon, we were allowed to invite our closest friends, and Sandy came to my retirement party. It meant a lot to me since she has known me for most of my career.
• I remember when her family threw her a surprise birthday party and invited us. It was a great party for such a wonderful person.
• After I retired, I started teaching courses for Furman, and I taught one of my courses every July. Sandy would come meet me for lunch after class ended.
• When Sandy was moving out of her last house, I went over to help her pack up some stuff. We spent a lot of time sharing memories of good times.
• The last time I saw Sandy was at her son’s house. I’m so thankful that she has had such a loving family that was there for her. She always talked about her children, and you could tell how much they loved her back. 

I will miss you, Sandy!

Original photo of Sandy and Pat 

Tyrannosaurus rex

The United States Postal Service released the 2019 First-Class Forever Stamps featuring Tyrannosaurus rex to honor one of the most well-known dinosaurs in history. The four stamps were introduced at the same time the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History opened a new T. rex exhibit. Each stamp displays a different illustration of the dinosaur created by scientist and paleoartist Julius T. Csotonyi. The stamps are unique because they use lenticular printing, which creates a holographic effect. When the stamp is tilted, the dinosaur’s skin appears to fade away and reveal its skeleton underneath.

The Postal Service created these stamps to encourage interest in dinosaurs, science, and museums. Because dinosaurs are popular with both children and adults, the stamps also made collecting and sending mail more exciting. Many stamp collectors appreciated the detailed artwork and creative design. The stamps combined science, history, and art in a way that captured people’s attention and celebrated prehistoric life.

Tyrannosaurus rex was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs to ever live. It lived about 66 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous Period. Commonly called T. rex, the dinosaur had massive legs, razor-sharp teeth, and an extremely powerful jaw capable of crushing bone. Although its arms were small, the rest of its body was built for strength and hunting. Scientists estimate that T. rex could grow up to 40 feet long and weigh several tons.

The first T. rex fossils were discovered in the early 1900s by fossil hunter Barnum Brown. He uncovered the remains in Montana and other parts of the western United States while searching for dinosaur fossils. In 1905, paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn officially named the dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex, meaning “king of the tyrant lizards.” This discovery gave scientists important information about large meat-eating dinosaurs and helped make T. rex one of the most recognized dinosaurs in the world.

Dinosaurs are celebrated every year on Dinosaur Day, which takes place on June 1. The day encourages people of all ages to learn about fossils, prehistoric animals, and Earth’s ancient history. Museums, schools, and libraries often organize activities such as dinosaur exhibits, crafts, games, and science lessons. During these celebrations, Tyrannosaurus rex is usually one of the most popular dinosaurs because of its enormous size and fierce appearance.

Do you have these dinosaur stamps in your collection?

References:

• United States Postal Service
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• National Geographic Kids – Tyrannosaurus Rex Facts
• https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2019/0829-fearsome-dinosaur-immortalized-on-forever-stamps.htm
• https://www.mysticstamp.com/5410-13-2019-first-class-forever-stamps-tyrannosaurus-rex/
• https://nationaltoday.com/dinosaur-day/

Happenings this week

Books:

• Remarkably Bright Creatures - I read this in 2024, and I’m rereading it.
• The River is Waiting - This is an audiobook that I listened to. I got halfway through, and it was so depressing that I gave up on it. I returned it to the library early.

Knitting:

• Scrappy Socks for Don - It is so satisfying to use up my sock yarn scraps in this fun way.
• Antique Filigree sweater - a colorwork sweater. I always forget how much I love colorwork! The exciting thing is that this whole sweater involves colorwork!

Food and drink:

• Things I’ve cooked this week: Spinach and Mushroom quiche, stuffed peppers, and rice, pork burgers, and pickled beets.
• I made green smoothies for us a couple of times this week.

Watching:

I’m watching some TV shows that I’m sure others have already watched, and I’m a little behind the times.

• Tracker
• Marshals
• FBI

Special Events:

• Don had a cortisone shot in his back.
• I’m recovering from my second cataract surgery.

Fruits and vegetables:

• We picked lots of blueberries and some figs today. 
• I also found little tomatoes growing on my tomato plants.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Helen, GA

Don and I went to Helen, GA, on our honeymoon 44 years ago. We didn’t have any reservations and were lucky to get the last cabin at Unicoi State Park. After having dinner in town, we walked around the shops. We saw a sign in the welcome center that said if you were unable to find a room for the night, call this number, and they would find a room for you, even if it was in someone’s home. I thought that was so welcoming! Boy, times have changed! Now there are a lot of places to stay and a lot of shops and restaurants!

We met at 7:30 at the senior center and left on a chartered bus at 8 am. Everyone was wearing the pretty pink shirts that we were given. Sue and Heather were so organized! We got a treat bag with a Chick-fil-A treat, along with an itinerary for the day and other goodies. The drive took about 2 ½ hours due to rush hour traffic, and it was raining pretty heavily the whole time we were traveling.

When we arrived in Helen, the rain had stopped. We were told to meet back at the bus by 2:15, and we would leave at 2:30.

Don and I walked around town and saw that a pretzel was $12.95. We looked at different restaurant menus, but none had the prices on them. Plus, neither one of us was very hungry, so we settled on eating at Wendy’s. After that, we shopped some more. We went to the GA arts and crafts building, which also held the History of Helen museum. We were able to watch two videos that told about the history of Helen. The town wasn’t crowded at all, and one shop owner told us that this was the slow season, which made it a perfect time for us to come visit! I liked that it wasn’t wall-to-wall people. We were able to go into the souvenir shops and look around without bumping into people. The sun even came out, and it was a beautiful day!

Everyone showed up on time to board the bus at 2:15. The drive back took only 2 hours, and it was a lovely ride home.

I’m thankful to the City of Fountain Inn for funding our trip and to Sue and Heather for organizing the trip. I know it was a lot of work!

Original Photos by Pat Hensley

1902 10c Special Delivery, Messenger on Bicycle (#E6)

Do you remember when you learned to ride a bike? I remember my dad running along beside me while I learned to ride a two-wheeled bike without training wheels. I was scared to death, but eventually I loved it! May 1 is known as Learn to Ride a Bike Day. This fun day encourages people, especially children, to learn how to ride a bicycle. Riding a bike is good exercise and a useful skill. It also connects to history because bicycles once helped Special Delivery Messengers do their jobs faster. Today, this day is a great time for families to practice riding together and enjoy being active outdoors.

Special Delivery stamps were special stamps that paid for this faster service. People had to put one of these stamps on their letter in addition to regular postage. The first Special Delivery stamp in the United States was issued in 1885 and showed a running messenger. Over time, many different designs were made, often showing messengers, bicycles, or other ways of quick delivery. These stamps are now popular with collectors because they tell the story of how mail delivery improved.

One famous stamp is the 1902 10-cent Special Delivery stamp (#E6) called “Messenger on Bicycle.” This stamp shows a postal worker riding quickly on a bicycle to deliver an important letter. It was part of a new series issued in 1902 and is known for its detailed design and bold look. The image helped show how bicycles made deliveries faster and more efficiently. Today, this stamp is a favorite among collectors because it represents both postal history and the growing use of bicycles in everyday life.

Special Delivery Service was a fast mail service offered by the United States Postal Service. It began in 1885 to make sure important letters were delivered right away, even if regular mail was not going out at that time. When a letter was marked for Special Delivery, a messenger would take it directly to the person’s home or business as soon as it arrived at the post office. This service helped people send urgent messages much faster than normal mail.

Special Delivery Messengers began in 1885, the same year the service started. These workers rushed the mail to its destination as quickly as possible. At first, many messengers ran on foot, carrying letters through busy streets. Later, they began using bicycles to move faster and cover longer distances. The bicycle itself was invented in the early 1800s, with important improvements made by inventors like Karl Drais in 1817, who created an early two-wheeled riding machine.

When was the last time you rode a bike? Today might be a good day for a bike ride.

References:

• Stamp from the author's collection
• Smithsonian Institution – Postal history collections
• United States Postal Service – History of Special Delivery
• Library of Congress – Bicycle history
• National Postal Museum – Special Delivery stamps history
• Mystic Stamp - 1902 10c Special Delivery, Messenger on Bicycle

Carolina Casita Gathering - April 2026

We had the Carolina Casita Gathering at Twin Lakes Campground on Lake Hartwell. We got there a day early so that we could get settled in our campsite before everything started. I warned everyone on Facebook that we may get a little loud and boisterous as we back the camper into the sight. We haven't been camping for 3 years due to various circumstances, and this was our first time out. Plus, we were towing it with our new car, a 2026 Subaru Outback Touring XT.

Unfortunately, Don's back was giving him a lot of problems, so I had to pack most of the stuff on my own. He was able to back the car up and hook up the camper to the car, but otherwise, I did almost everything else by myself. Of course, this made him feel bad about having to rely on me to do everything. We were never able to fix the leaking bathroom sink, so we just planned on not using any water at the campsite.

Every morning, I was up about 5:00, and I was able to sit in the Clam and listen as the world woke up. I loved hearing all the birds sing and watching the sky get lighter. Every morning, we went to Waffle House for breakfast since we didn't have any water at the camper.

When we got there on Wednesday, the weather was beautiful. Unfortunately, we got there too soon, and the campground attendant told us we couldn't check in yet, so we went back into town and had lunch at Dairy Queen. It was a good lunch! We also stopped at the Goodwill store just to kill time shopping when the park attendant called us and said our campsite was clear and ready for us. So, we headed back to the campground and set up at our site. It was a small site where we had to unhook the camper and park the car beside the camper. Then I had to go down about six steps to set up the Clam screen room. The view was beautiful, though. We met a couple of new friends from the Casita group, Babs and Jackie, who were really nice. Later, we also met new friends, Marc and Jolene.

On Thursday night, we went to the Smoking Pig of Pendleton for dinner. There were about 20 of us, and the food was very good. Marc and Jolene stopped by our camper, and Marc tried to fix our leaky sink in the bathroom, but was unable to get it fixed that day. Then we headed over to Bab's site for a meet-up where everyone introduced themselves, told a camping story, and then everyone went around to tell what tow vehicle they used. It was hard to see the people in the dark, but at least I could hear them. I took some pictures which actually showed everyone's faces in the photo, so the next day I was able to look and try to figure out what story went with which person. It was so much fun meeting new people and making new friends!

On Friday morning, after breakfast, we came back to the campground and walked around the lake. We did happen to get into the boggy mud and had to clean our feet and shoes. In the morning, Nancy and Ray came to visit us, and we had a nice couple of hours to visit. The rest of the afternoon, we just relaxed around the campsite. For dinner, we met at someone's campsite, and we had a potluck dinner. I loved meeting another knitter, Gail, and we had a lot in common!

On Saturday, we didn't do very much but relax around the campsite. Marc came over again and was able to fix the bathroom sink. He also helped us with the vent fan, which wasn't working. He was able to get it working by putting duct tape over the fuse so that it stayed in. We drove to the picnic shelter to visit with some people and see where the potluck might be in case of rain. The dinner was supposed to be at 6:00 p.m., but it started raining about 6:00 p.m. They moved the potluck dinner to the picnic shelter and postponed it until 6:30 p.m. By this time, Don's back was really causing him a lot of pain, so he took a muscle relaxer, and we ate dinner in the camper. We decided not to go to the shelter because I was afraid he would slip on the wet, grassy hill. We went to bed early.

On Sunday morning, we went to Waffle House for breakfast and then returned to the campsite to pack everything up. We took our time, and I tried to discourage Don from doing too much. The only problem I had was getting the stakes out of the ground that held the Clam down in case of wind. Luckily, our new friend Henry stopped by with his dog to say goodbye, and he was kind enough to pull the rest of the stakes out of the ground. We got everything packed up and were on the road by about 10:30 a.m.

We had a wonderful time, and we hope to go to another gathering in the future. We won't be able to go to the next two scheduled gatherings because we have other obligations, but I'm sure we will get to be with our new friends again sometime in the future.

Original photos by Pat Hensley

Bunny Hop

We signed up at the senior center to attend the Bunny Hop yesterday. Heather led us on a 4-mile hike at Conestee Nature Preserve. The weather was perfect, and so was the company. There were 6 of us who showed up. At the entrance sign, I asked a couple if they would take a photo of all of us. We walked to the old mill and saw where they were improving the dam, and then walked the Swamp Rabbit trail back to the entrance. We saw lots of flora and fauna. The last exciting thing I saw was a watersnake that had just swallowed a fish.

Original photos by Pat Hensley