Dear Fellow Classmates,

This is the very first "round robin" letter.
We began it in May of 1998.
Here is My Contribution:
Ralph Doll

Ralph Doll's story

I left Michigan after the summer of 71 and joined the Navy. I saw most of Europe as a sailor. I got out of the Navy in 79. Met my wife in 81. I have two sons ages 12 and 14. The older one, Jeremy is a computer genius, who knows more than most people in that field. The younger one Joshua plays a violin and cello and is now composing some very nice pieces. Both children are very smart, and have been home schooled for the last four years. My wife graduated 7th in her class of 79 so she is a well qualified teacher.

Things aren't all rosy, I have a nice government job but the pay isn't enough for a single income family so we have all the problems that go with that. Each boy now eats enough for two. I work as an audio visual specialist in a Navy Alcohol Rehab. Clinic in Jacksonville Florida. I have my own office, edit video tapes, record group therapy, fix and up-grade computers, make web pages,...and just have fun.

We like to go back packing up in the smokey mountains in NC. Last year we came upon a black bear on the trail, it was just 15 feet away. I got some pictures but they didn't come out as good as I had hoped. The bear lunged toward us trying to scare us off, Vicki started up the hill and Josh went down, I just stayed there taking pictures (I didn't think I could out run him). After he noticed I wasn't moving he stopped about 7 feet from me and veered off to the right.

I don't have any recipes right now but I'd like to add a nice southern one soon.

I'm not much of a writer, so I need to send this off before it gathers too much dust.

Ralph Doll