Oshkosh

Turns out Sam is going to Oshkosh. A friend of his needs a pilot to fly him to Oshkosh. It was an opportunity that Sam couldn't pass up. It's a six-passenger plane, so I could go along if I didn't have other commitments. I have been there every year since 2000, but I don't mind missing this year. The last week of my drawing class at SIU-C is that week. It is a great learning experience, and I don't want to miss a moment if I can help it. Also, Judy and Martha are turning 65, and we are going to St. Louis to celebrate that weekend. So Sam will have to go it alone this year, no Quickie and no Sandy.

Irony

This article about the upcoming 2008 Oshkosh Air Show appeared in the current issue of The Auto Pilot, which our friends Nancy and Jerry sent to us. The photo from a past Oshkosh shows Sam arriving at Oshkosh in Race No. 22, the Quickie airplane which he built and flies. The story is titled "Gotta Get to Oshkosh," and his mantra for 20 years has been, "Gotta get the Quickie to Oshkosh." The irony is that this is the first time in 20 years that Sam won't be taking it to Oshkosh. His modifications in hopes of increasing speed are taking longer than he anticipated, so the plane is out of commission indefinitely. He seems resigned to not attending, but he really, really hates to miss the race and the annual Oshkosh gathering.