Sylvia and her mother, Ingrid, had special visitors mid-month as "Tante Karen" and Cousin Heidi came from California for a visit.
At the same time, after several years of relative good health, this January began a six week journey for Russell's father (Karol) through various medical issues. After leaving home for the Marines in 1948, Karol returned after some 70 years to live in his childhood hometown of Walters, OK. Since I was retired and lived only a couple of hours away, I provided alot of doctor and hospital transport. Then I was joined by my brother (Eric Clay from Montana) and sister (Valerie from Pennsylvania) at my father's Lawton, Oklahoma hospital bedside
My father seemed to get better and went to a rehab center, so, while my brother from Montana stayed with him, Sylvia and I went on our long scheduled more than three week amazing cruise to Antarctica.
My father took a turn for the worse and passed away with his funeral occurring during our absence.
Rest in Peace, Karol Weldon Vardell (1930-1923).
As the recently elected President of IBBY (the International Board on Books for Young People), Sylvia attended the Bologna Book Fair, and genreously took Russell along.
Upon our return we went to Walters to help in the settlement of KWV's estate. Russell handles the sales of various portions of KWV's collections on eBay.
Towards the end of the month, we were off to New York City for an IBBY Board Meeting and also saw Sylvia's longtime friend, Susan Garner.
To close off the month, Emily and Brenda with Granddaughter Clara came to visit us from their home in Olathe, Kansas. 