Well folks, after having an excellent 2.5 years with the new 'client' tissue, my body started to mildly reject the cornea transplanted in 2003. Not to worry though. Dr. Gelender of the Dallas Cornea Associates prescribed some eyedrops that have assured a good fit between my body (the host) and the cornea. So, after waiting the required 30 days for stabilization, I visited the contact lens specialist and he ordered me a new lens. Literally days later, on December 24, my new lens arrived in the mail. I popped it in, and what do you know? It appears to restore my sight to 20/15 vision! After enduring a month of near blindness in that eye, I get the 'bionic eye' back just in time for Christmas.

-- Robert

In celebration of Robert's birthday, Sharon and Robert rented a Cessna from Monarch Air and flew to South Padre Island. We stopped first in College Station (KCLL). We fueled up and then enjoyed a moonlight tour of the Laguna Madre along the southern coast of Texsa. We landed in Brownsville (KBRO) -- but late. Apparently after 8:00pm you can't expect the rental car outlets to stay open in this small (yet international) airport. Robert noted that this airport is locked up tighter than most other airports. Perhaps this is a border effect? Fortunately, we were able to get past the barbed wire (a subject for another day).

Saturday at the beach was fun and in the 70s. We hunted for souvenirs and went on a dolphin watching cruise, which was an excellent vantage point for Sharon capturing the sunset on film.

Taking off on Sunday, we found that the wind had grown strong (17-19 knots) -- but fortunately aligned with the only operating runway. We refueled at the neatest little airport just East of New Braunfels (KBAZ). And then it was back to Dallas. Robert was directed to fly over Love field (KLUV) and, coincidentally, over his new office.

Sharon was heard to say afterward, "It's like a three-hour roller coaster ride."

Tonight Robert serves on his committee for the First Presbyterian Church of Grapevine. As it happens, he is providing inputs as an Elder on the Communication Committee. Fortuitously, this very post is operating as an example of how a Blog works. Robert will show how easy it is to post these log entries by doing an occassional print screen and distributing the result at the meeting. This form of rapid entry and rapid publishing may operate well to inform people of the changing configuration of our church as construction proceeds to add an additional 50% seating capacity.

Looks like we might have a white Christmas in Southlake Texas this year. Today, December 22, we got a little more than an inch of snow -- and like magic, the snowmen invade our neighborhoods. Looks like it will be a nerve-wracking drive tomorrow. Texas rarely puts salt or sufficient sand on the roads to get good traction in this weather.

Well, after years of dabbling with hang-gliders, powered parachutes, autogyros and sailplanes, Robert decided to do some real flying. He is now a private pilot, and tries, whenever possible to go flying in a Cessna 172 'Skyhawk' (C172). Robert has now logged 70 hours in various 'single engine land' category planes. Sharon and the kids have each had their turns riding with Robert. Robert has been heard to say, "Now its time to take a trip someplace." If anybody knows any Dallas Metroplex resident pilots who want to share expenses in flying, please direct them to Robert.

Well, as equally impressive as the Grand Canyon was Lake Powell. Lake Powell is an artificial lake created by damming up the Colorado River. It relies on the snow melting in the Rockies in order to fill it. Apparently the snow hasn't been plentiful as in the past. They told us the water was some 150 feet lower than the preferred level.

Anyway, that made the lake all the more alluring to us, as we could cruise up narrow valleys and see tall cliffs loom above us. We enjoyed exploring, and beachcombing everywhere we went that day. Robert even took an opportunity to scale a 70 foot outcropping. With some luck we'll post a representative picture here. I think we will be sure to return -- perhaps even rent out a house-boat for a few days.

This Spring, the Rolnik family took a serious back-to-nature trip. No, we didn't camp outdoors. Rather we drove through New Mexico and Arizona. First stop was the Carlsbad Caverns. As a world traveler, I can tell you, the Caverns are awesome, and surpass many of the other scenes I've seen worldwide. The stalagmites and stalagtites are as big as busses, and the main chamber of the cavern seems large enought to contain a jumbo jet! It trully is a natural wonder. It was extremely worthwhile to pay the extra $7 to take ranger-led tours through relatively unimproved portions of the cave system.

Following that, we visited the Grand Cavern. The first day, the family climbed down over 500 feet of the Bright Angel trail. There was still ice on the trail, which made it quite challenging. The next day, we hiked the Hermit's Rest trail. The sights were absolutely breathtaking. Sharon, through careful planning, brought sufficient water and food for the whole family to hike about 5 miles -- sometimes over rough terrain. We'll come back to visit the canyon again someday.

We do highly recommend the train ride from Williamsport (sp?) to the Grand Canyon. The folks who run the train have done an excellent job with on-board entertainment. First, they have a roving guitar-playing singer. Secondly, the train attendants were very personable and informative concerning the scenes along the rails, as well as the attractions at the Canyon. Lastly, they stage a train hold-up by horseback riding outlaws. Very much worth the logistics of catching the train.

Sharon & Robert's first post.