KS time almost over

Journal Entry - 29 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas

Hi people, Have been busy the last couple of days. On thursday (April 27th), we went to the beauty shop to get Liz's hair cut. She said she "just couldn't take it any more, some of this hair had to go!" Some of the things you humans say make me laugh!

From there we went to see Ashley & HayleyM Hayley is my friend now. Both girls showed me their rooms. That evening we went to a class with their mother Lisa to learn about keeping your kids safe on the internet I heard tales about this internet being a scary place. When you listen to the FBI & police it really scares you. I'm sure glad there are such nice people like all of you on this internet too.

Yesterday - friday, April 28th - we went to lunch with the Red Hat Society Probably most of you know these are women over 50 years old that wear purple outfits & red hats and go out to play. I hear some of the rest of you belong to the RHS. All of the ladies were happy to meet me. We went to a restaurant called The Ten Cup They give ten percent of their profits to ten charities that change each quarter. Liz & I had a very good chicken salad on a lettuce bed with several different fresh fruits. For dessert we had a lemon bar. The ladies were kinda silly, but it was fun to be with them.

So here I sit on saturday knowing that in a couple of days I will be packing up and heading down to Alabama to see Anna Marie She is also taking me out with the Red Hat Society (they must be every where).

It's raining here, so we're not sure what we will get to do the next couple of days. I'm looking forward to the Ronald McDonald volunteer luncheon on Mon. Sure hope it stops raining by then (we eat outside under a big tent).

Heri

Soccer, Cross Stitch and CAT PHOTOS :)

Journal Entry for 24 Apr 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas

Hi Friends,
We sure did go to a good soccer game yesterday This was the second graders at Ashley's school. Ashley scored again. This time I got to see her and so did Liz (she missed the first one). The second half of the game Ashley played goalie This was the first time Liz had seen that also. They tied the game 3 to 3. Ashley was happy that no one lost.

I have been learning how to cross stitch Liz & I are making a picture for Hayley's room. Of course it has three cats on it I find it relaxing to do.

Speaking of cats, Liz took photos of me with her cats. Personally, I think they came out great. As you'll see, each one has a different look and personality. We all get along great together!







Crystal





Lightening







Tiger
A laid back kind of guy!





Zoe
A shy girl







Til next time!
Your Heri

Heri's Mail Bag

From: Heri
Location: Kansas

I have more mail - and I'm going to answer a few of them here too. Ready? Here we go!

Heri's Mailbag - 21 Apr 2006

From Diedra: Heri, I sure do wish I was with you. Traveling around meeting new friends and seeing new places. How exciting. I volunteer to be the next traveling POH mascot!

From Heri: You know what? Liz saw that and I heard her say "I think we might all be applying for that position!" Hee, hee, hee!

Heri's Mailbag - 22 Apr 2006

From MzBJ: Heri? Just wanted to let u know some folks at my job were asking about you & I told them u are now in your birthplace, Kansas. They were glad to hear u are continuing to have fun & meet lots of nice people. Take care.

Reply and some journaling from Heri - 22 Apr 2006

Mz BJ? It's so nice to hear from you. I've had so much fun on my trip. All of my hostess & their friends have been so nice to me. I really miss the beach you took me to. Liz says I need to explain to everyone that Hallmark Cards is actually in Kansas City, Missouri That's where she grew up. Now she lives across the state line in Fairway, Kansas I visited Hallmark & Ronald McDonald House in Missouri.

Kansas. Missouri. Strange to get in the car with Liz - ride just a short ways - and we're in another state! I tbink with all the traveling I've done and yet more to come - I need to get myself a big folding map so I can see where all these places are! Hard to think I've already traveled coast to coast! Wonder how many miles I'll have traveled when all this is finished? Anyone want to make a guess? We'll see later on how close everyone was! I think I'll want to draw out my trip on that map too. What a lucky bear I am!

Next Monday, May 1st we will go to the RMH volunteer luncheon in MO. Everything else I have done has been in KS. Tomorrow I go to Ashley's soccer game. Right after the luncheon on May 1st. I will be on my way to see Anna Marie in Alabama.

Thanks, everyone, for keeping in contact with me!
Heri

Ducks and Dogs and Cats

Journal Entry for 20 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas

We've been moving kinda slow the last couple of days, but we've had a good time. Yesterday I finally made it down to the creek when the ducks were there Both the male & female were there. The female hasn't been around as much lately. Liz says that probably means she has laid eggs and there will be babies soon. I'm afraid I won't be staying long enough to see them. It should be about 4 weeks before they hatch. I will be in Alabama with Anna Marie before then.

Today we went to lunch with friend Christi She likes teddy bears. After lunch we went to the pet rescue (Christi wants another dog to be friends with her dog). She didn't find one today, but she put her name on a list in case a small one like she wants comes in.

We had to leave fast. Liz was in danger of taking another cat home with her. She says she has had a problem with this all of her life. She found out when she was doing some genealogy research this is her Mother's fault. In her Mother's high school yearbook they made predictions for everyone in the class. Hers said "Ruby May who swings a mean bat, will run an orphanage for homeless cats." So it's just in the blood!

Dinner is here so I have to run.
Bye, Heri

Heri's Mail Bag

From: Heri
Location: Kansas

Several POH Hostesses have sent me more mail! Looks to me like folks are following right along with me on my journeys! I'm having a great time here in KS with Liz - and yes, it sure was something to trek home to Kansas City, MO. Before I share any more adventures though, think I'll share a few tidbits from my mailbag! :)

Heri's Mailbag - 14 April

From MizViki in Oregon: Heri! Glad to hear you're on the ground - safe & sound! Be nice to those kitties and don't give Liz any guff! Hope she gets to feeling better soon. Looking forward to seeing & hearing what's up in Kansas.

From Diedra in Wisconsin: Heri, So glad you arrived in Kansas ok! Looking forward to hearing all about your adventures in Kansas.

Heri’s Mailbag – 16 April

From MzBJ: Heri, it sounds wonderful. Glad u are with such a nice group of people. That will be very exciting to see ur birth place. They should give u a special tour, be sure to tell us all about it. Mz BJ

Heri’s Mailbag – 17 April

From Diedra in Wisconsin re: easter egg hunt and Hallmark: Heri, My favorite picture is you with the Easter bunny and kids! You look right at home there. You are lucky to be able to visit your homestead too. Lots of us would like to be able to do the same. Enjoy

From MizViki in Oregon re: Hallmark: Heri, So glad to see you've finally arrived at your birthplace. It's wonderful that Liz is giving you the grand tour and showing you your old stomping grounds. Many of us are envious of you... enjoy it for us! Blessings!

Heri’s Mailbag – 18 April

From Diedra re: RMH: Heri, How nice that you were doing volunteer work. I think everyone should do this at some point in their lives. I've always wondered if my ancestors did this too. Does the RMH hold scrapbooking classes for the families? I know some do

Scrapbooking Answer – 20 April

Heri here with an answer for you, Diedra. I talked to Liz about it, and she says they didn't do any classes at the old house. They tried, but it was just too hard to get the mothers together. The ones that were interested seem to already know what they were doing and didn't need any real help. I haven’t seen it, but she says there’s a family room at the children's hospital which does have scrapbooking every Wed That way the mothers are still in the hospital real close to their kids. Sounds like a great idea to me!

Time to run along! I want to share some of the things I’ve been up to here with Liz since that day at RMH, so think I better get out of my Mailbag and into what you folks call posting to my blog Pretty snazzy technical words for a bear, don’t you think?

Your "happy to know he's thought of" bear
Heri-Poh

Volunteering at RMH

Journal Entry for 18 Apr 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas

Today was a big day for us. We went to the new Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City, MO that opened on Feb.14th to learn to be a volunteer

Liz had been a volunteer at the old house that was closed when this new house opened. This was her first time to volunteer at this house, so both of us were learning how this house operates. It's a lot different because the old house was just that; a house turned into a RMH. It had 11 rooms for families to stay. This new house was built just to be a RMH. It has rooms for 41 families and the staff has their offices located there.

We did a lot of things today!

We were pretty good at answering the phones since Liz had done that before.

We learned how to check in new families and enter them into the computer.

We helped people find clean bedding and check out

We answered a lot of questions People thought we knew what we were doing since we were sitting behind the desk.

Before we left we visited with the two ladies that keep up the scrapbooks for the house We didn't help with that today. We were tired by the time they arrived.

We're going to rest now. Talk to you all soon.
Your tired but happy Heri Poh

Heri Visits his Birthplace!

Journal Entry for 16 Apr 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas

Happy Easter Everyone!


Laura, Liz's dau. took us down to Hallmark Cards today. Since it is Easter we couldn't get in. We did find out that they have a visitor's center that wasn't there 40 years ago when Liz got her first job there. Boy, that was a long time ago. She must be pretty old! (hee, hee, hee)





We will try to go back to the visitor's center if we can find someone to go with us. We did get some pictures from the outside of the building. Liz says that part is just like she remembers.



But we weren't just tourists driving around. This is where I was born!





Hope everyone had a nice Easter dinner today.
Happy Hopping! Heri

Easter Egg Hunt

Journal Entry for 16 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas

Today, I went to an Easter Egg Hunt! There sure was a lot to do there.

First I met Liz's gd's and dau. & sil Hayley, the youngest gd is real shy so she didn't want to hold me today. She probably will when we are at the house another day. Ashley is just the opposite. She put me into her Easter basket and off we went.

First the girls went to have their faces painted They were cute with a bunny and a butterfly on their faces. Then off to the petting zoo we went.

We had fun feeding lots of different animals. Here we are feeding a goose!







And a pony too!













We like the baby animals best.





We stopped to have our picture taken with Mrs. Easter Bunny Rabbit








It was finally time for the egg hunt I have never seen so many crazy kids running every which way trying to pick up the eggs. I thought it was best I just watch from the side so I didn't get lose in that stampede.







That Ashley sure is fast. She got lots of eggs. Hayley was happy with her few, but Ashley will share with her little sister.

Lastly we got to sit inside the big fire truck. Those fireman are really nice.

We're just relaxing now. Hopefully tomorrow we will go to see my birthplace at Hallmark Cards.

Love to all, Heri

Heri is in Kansas!

Journal Entry for 14 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Kansas!

Hi everyone, I made it to Kansas just fine It looks pretty nice here. The sun is shinning and it's a nice warm 90 degrees here I don't think I will be scared. Liz says to tell all of you she is sorry she didn't announce my arrival yesterday She is just a little under the weather and is trying to rest up so we don't miss the big Easter egg hunt tomorrow. I can hardly wait. I hear there is candy involved.

I'm getting to know yet another Preserving_Our_Heritage member - what you humans are calling POH Hostesses all because you're hosting ME! :) Her name is Liz and she's really nice! Think I'm going to like it here.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I got here. I thought Mr. Veranda had come to KS with me. Liz assures me Mr. Veranda is home safe with BJ. This is her cat, Lightning He is also white with two different color eyes There are four cats here all total. They have all been very friendly to me.

We will have some pictures in a few days Liz doesn't have one of those digital cameras either. We are going to take a walk down to the creek now to watch for the ducks. I will let you know all about the Easter egg hunt real soon.

If any of you are keeping track of my "traveling timeline"? Add this:

10 April - left FL - said goodbye to bj

13 April - arrived in KS - said hello to Liz

Your happy friend - Heri

April POH Hostess Talk

POH Hostess Snippets on April 10th & 11th, 2006
From: Deb
Location: northern CA

As Heri is traveling from FL to KS - that by now familiar thing is happening. POH Hostesses are talking .. or I should say .. sharing e:mails. Thought I'd pull out a few one-liners and just "good stuff" to share. When Heri lands in KS, he can look it over and smile! :)

From bj - late in the day on 10 April
"I could feel it as I left the post office....the "magic" has gone out of Florida....I could feel it...and I was sad"

From Diedra - on 10 April
"Heri has his Heritage Album with him. It lists back to his great grandparents, complete with photos and a family pedigree chart"

From Liz - on 11 April
"I bet Heri sure is felling lonely right now. (To bj) You sure showed him a lot of different things in Florida. He should be pretty happy to see that it is warm here. Here in Kansas, we will be in the 80's all week (don't know about next week). I was glad you took a picture of the kiss good-bye so we could all see you too. I think it would be nice if each hostess took at least one picture of herself and maybe one of where she lives so we can get to know each other better Heri's first outing here will be to the Easter Egg Hunt with my gd's on Sat. Can't wait to see him.

And now? We wait - for word of Heri's safe arrival in Kansas. :)

Oh - and I'd personally like to give three cheers to all the POH Hostesses - those who have already hosted Heri - and those waiting in line to see him. A more wonderful group of folks would be hard to find. What a lucky bear Heri is!!!

Deb

Heri's Traveling Again! FL to KS

Journal Entry for 10 April 2006
From: bj
Location: Florida

No, this isn't Heri. Heri's "traveling heritage express" is moving again as he left me this day.

He was heard singing:

The bear went over the mountain
The bear went over the mountain
The bear went over the mountain
To see what he could see!

Then suddenly - and just as loudly .....



Follow the yellow brick road



Follow the yellow brick road




Kansas or Bust!!!!!!! :)
bj

Jaguar Shirt and the Kiss

Second Journal Entry for 10 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Florida



I wanted to be sure to have a picture of Mz BJ, so we got our picture taken. I'm in my new Jaguar shirt which I really like. The Jaguars are the football team in Jacksonville Last year (2005), the superbowl was held in Jacksonville. Mz BJ says I would have had a lot of fun.



Anyway, before I left I wanted to kiss Mz BJ goodbye & tell her thank you for several things:

being a good hostess

giving the idea of a traveling critter to the POH group

thinking up my name & entering it in the vote. I really like my name!!

Heri Poh .... ready to go
LOL LOL LOL

Indian Pow Wow!

Journal Entry for 10 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Florida

Well, I'm writing this on my last day I'm putting it on the computer & when Mz BJ gets online later today, she'll send it on. I had a great time at the Pow Wow I've got a lot to tell you about and several pics too, so here we go with another set of heritage adventures!



You can see me hanging on the sign for dear life. Boy, the wind was really blowing! It may blow me all the way to Kansas! :)



Well, first we saw Indian dancing in a circle outlined with straw bales. I know the dancing arena is considered special/sacred, Mz BJ asked to be sure pictures could be taken. The children were dancing and some of them were so cute. (Well, all children & all bears are cute!)




Caption: (see? I still remember that word!) New Friends

All of a sudden we passed by a tent & this very nice Shoshone man opened up a beautiful wooden box & pulled out a dark, real looking bear. The man, David, said he would introduce the bears & Mz BJ could take their picture. The bear is known as, The Bear From Oklahoma He was given to David as an honor & has had his picture taken with many famous people & now also Heri. David is an artist & was so interested to hear my story & about my travels.

Mz BJ also took pictures of the drum area & the Cherokee singers The three woman sang in beautiful harmony - several songs that told some of the Cherokee history like the Trail of Tears.






Some people were riding Indian horses. And people were also looking at lots of nice Indian things to buy. I'm really glad I got to attend my very first Indian Pow Wow, I had fun & was happy to meet David, a full blooded Shoshone, the only Shoshone I know.



Getting ready to go home, I saw a really big truck & I tried to hitch a ride It had a Missouri tag, but Mz BJ said I'm going to Kansas. Can you see me on the truck? :)






I tried to call MzVicki & Liz to let them know what I'm doing, but nobody was home.







Beary happy, Heri

Late Night Talk

Late Night Happenings on 8 April 2006
From: several folks
About: sciatica, Indian storytellers, tornados and life in general! :)

In Heri's Mailbag

From Diedra in WI: Heri? Have BJ try this exercise. I have the same problem. I have been doing this exercise most nights before going to sleep. I just do it in bed so I'm comfortable and not trying to get up from the floor. lol

Tight hip joints
On your back with both legs bent, cross your left ankle on your right thigh close to your knee. Draw your right leg towards your chest. Hold onto your right leg, drawing it towards your chest as you feel the stretch to your outer left hip. I count to 30 as I hold. Change sides.

Oh yea, you'll feel this but don't over do it If it's a stretch just to put you leg on your knee don't do any pulling. Give it time. I've been doing this since March 23 this year. Big difference in both my hips and my lower back!

Journal Entry 8 April 2006
From: bj

While doing a little research I found this website Very interesting bios on contemporary Native Americans who are story tellers & also the first Native American into space

POH Hostess Message 8 April 2006

From Regina in MI: Our area in Michigan is ok at the moment. Sorry you and Heri have to go through this. We had problems a few days ago and it does weigh on the nerves of my daughter who's only 10. She's still learning here that warnings and watchs are for our safety and doesn't mean it's in our back yard yet My 100 pound dog whines and hides! The cat loves running in the winds and chasing what ever flies around. Me? I shut the computer down, unplug it and watch a video like you were doing May I suggest Narnia instead of Wizard of OZ though? (lol).

Thank you for your comments on my scrap pages. You and Heri take care. I'm loving all the pictures Heri has learned a lot about Florida! My daughter misses him so much that I have been looking for a triplet to keep here.

Last journal entry for the night
From: both Heri and Mz BJ
Location: Florida

The winds have calmed, the heavy rain has stopped....we are ok!

Wizard of Oz and Tornados

Journal Entry "later that night" on 8 April 2006
From: Heri Poh
Location: Florida

Mz BJ says we must watch a film called "The Wizard of Oz" to get me ready for my next place to visit. I'm going to Kansas next. I didn't exactly see what it might have to do with Kansas and visiting POH Hostess Liz, but I said ok and waited patiently for the show to begin.

WHOA! I watched Dorothy and her three new friends and was really enjoying the movie. BUT, I wasn't ready for a tornado watch to hit us here in this and surrounding FL counties while we were watching this! We know what that tornado in Kansas did! Hmmmmmm ..

We checked out the news. Tornadoes have already hit in Georgia and Tennessee I sure hope everyone is ok out there. I like learning new things, but don't think I like the possibility of a real tornado hitting us as we watch "The Wizard of Oz"! Is this what I have to look forward to when I go to Kansas too?

Ummmmm ... goodnight to all .. from a "snuggled down tight bear" here in Florida. Hope all turns out OK.

Heri

Sciatica and Storytellers

Journal Entry for 8 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Florida

I hate to report Mz BJ has a sciatica problem & has been in pain since early Wed. morning. (Now I know what Diedra must have felt like to report that I broke my leg in WI!) Mz BJ says it's been really difficult to work ... sitting all day. She's been able to leave work an hour early or stand for the last hour to help feel better. Then, as soon as she gets home she lays down & uses the heating pad (I had never seen a heating pad before. Great human invention!)

Today she still doesn't feel like doing too much & has apoligized to me about not doing a few things she would have liked or not showing me a couple of FL places. I keep telling her that friends are friends on both good days and bad, so hope she doesn't stay feeling too badly about this. She's been wonderful to me, so I've been trying to make her feel a little better even though she's in pain. After all, we're family now!

Although we haven't been racing around over the past couple of days, good things have still been happening. I'm learning: that's how life is!



I have been busy listening to Bear Story Teller from New Mexico





Here's a picture of a pottery story teller from the SW Pueblo tribes just as another example so you can see what I'm talking about.

Mz BJ said she first noticed story teller pottery in the Cherokee shop in Cherokee NC, maybe 20 yrs ago. (That shop has art from many Indian tribes, not just Cherokee.)




Oral history & story telling is very important in almost all tribes. Anyway, Bear ST, as I call him has told me many wonderful stories & he also showed me Mz BJ's Indian collection of books, art, jewelry, music, pottery & other items. She has been studying Indians since about 1981. And I know bears are also very important to many tribes & that caught my attention :)

More heritage adventures for this little bear - and I'm loving every minute of it!
Your Heri

Remember those Gators?

Journal Entry for 4 April 2006
From: Heri Poh
Location: Florida

You know, the ones from the Univ. of Florida? They are very excited in FL today as "the Gators" won the national basketball title last night!! And I have my now "famous" picture of me in the Gator rocker as the smallest Gator fan!!

Today all the classes at the university were cancelled, so the students could celebrate as the team returned to FL. I'm very excited & proud to be in FL as this great sports milestone happened. Imagine! I just sat in the Gator rocker last Saturday! It must have been good luck for the team. Maybe they will ask me to be the non-gator mascot?? LOL LOL

A beary happy, Heri

People stories

Journal Entry for 2 April 2006
From: Mz BJ
Location: Florida

What a day this has been! Heri journaled and I got some pics of him at the beach today. I knew Heri had been looking forward to it, so I was so glad we finally got to go!

Stopped on the way home to have the film developed from my disposable camera. Asked for one hour developing - and hoped they would come out ok. (As I write this, I've already done a little creative cropping - and Heri has already shared 2 or 3 with you!) Hurray!

I had that hour to kill, so decided to go eat at a Spanish Cafe I've seen several times. A very nice older couple invited me to sit at their table rather than eat alone. Had a glass of Sangria (delicious) & a wonder meal!

Then I went hurrying back to the store to get the pics (I was anxious to see them). The young man who developed them said, "I have to ask, what about this bear?" And so I had to tell him Heri's story! LOL LOL What fun!

Good night to all, bj

Wait! More people stories going on!
News from: Deb (on Apr 14th, looking "back" to April 2nd)
Location: northern CA

On this April 2nd, as other POH hostesses began to hear by e:mail what was happening in Florida (before they were even shared here in Heri's blog ... POH chattering began! :) These weren't in Heri's Mailbag, they were POH Hostess to POH Hostess! messages.

Here are a few tidbits of those conversations. More people stories! :)

Diedra in WI: Don't you just love that Heri brings out the best of people. If you have a bear-in-hand you can bring smiles to most people You'll have to scrap that photo of your locker in your BOM. What a wonderful time you are providing for Heri! I can see he is enjoying himself so much. You are going to miss him. It's very lonely up here in Wisconsin.

bj in FL: Yes. One of the ladies at work (as I was getting them ready for Heri's visit & shared his 2 albums with them) ... well, she told me how she had seen a documentary on tv one time that told the history of teddy bears She was real excited to tell me all about it. I think Heri was the perfect representative to send around for our heritage group Teddy bears have been part of most of our lives for some generations at least in this country & probably in some other countries too? PS - don't forget, you have Harry to keep you company :)

Msgs for Regina in MI went flying too - admiring the scrapbook pages she made to share Heri's Florida vacation adventures.

I sure all these kind, generous and warm POH members who've hosted Heri from January til now. And there's a waiting list of others to come! Stay tuned for more adventures! Deb

Heri Sees the Atlantic Ocean

Journal Entry for 2 Apr 2006
From: Heri
Location: Florida

Big news today! The very thing I've been hoping for HAPPENED, plus some.

I've been to the beach!

I've seen the ocean!

I've been IN the ocean!

I'm so excited!!!!

I probably got a little too much sun, but we had such a wonderful time and it was a perfect day. Mz P, her daughter Jessica, Mz BJ and I went to the beach First we went to Jacksonville Beach, but it was too crowded with some kind of a musical festival going on. So we tried Neptune Beach, but it was crowded too.






We kept heading north & we ended up at Atlantic Beach

I saw the ATLANTIC OCEAN!!!! So beautiful! The blue sky, the ocean with waves, the seagulls and lots of people & dogs too. We put out our towels & chairs & got a little sun.



Then Mz BJ took me to the water She said I couldn't get wet so she held me high & walked out a bit. Oh, the sound of the waves is really nice & the air feels so good.









I got buried in the sand






And I found some shells I get to keep & a seagull feather I'll put in my journal It was a wonderful day.

Mz BJ put a red beach umbrella up for me cause she didn't want me to burn. Jessica stayed on her cell phone almost the whole time talking to friends. And she was real embarassed that I was sitting next to her. She was afraid it would scare away any cute guys. That just made me giggle! We all decided we want to live at the beach.

What a wonderful day Heri

"No grits for me" and "Gator Country"

Journal Entry for "later on" on 1 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: Florida

I don't really like grits. I guess you can see now what that surprise was! Yes, Mz BJ took me to Cracker Barrel & we had grits, first with lots of butter ewww and then tried putting over-easy eggs in it not too bad

Tried the gravy biscuits and they weren't too bad. Ooooh, but what I really like was that "sweet tea" ummm ummm good!

So, I think I will stick with southern sweet potato pie & NO grits!



I also got to sit in a really beautiful rocking chair painted for the Florida Gators. That's the University of Florida team - the Gators. There's also gators in the swamps, golf courses, and rivers of FL (so watch out!!)

Really hoping to go to the beach tomorrow [I've been talking about the beach a lot, haven't I! Well, a bear can hope, right?)

To all, don't forget to set your clocks up. But you tell me, is that an April Fool joke or "the real thing"?

Got to go to bed, bear hugs to all
Heri

Letter and Learning

My Letter from 1 Apr 2006
From Heri

With those nice notes I shared last time from my new Heri's Mailbag, I see I've got one more sheet of paper. It's the letter I wrote back to those nice folks. So think I'll share that too, then I can put all these pieces of paper away! :) Here it is:

It has been BEARUTIFUL here this past week. Perfect temps of 72 or a little higher. Yesterday after Mz BJ got home from work, we (Mr V, bj and me) just sat on the porch reading and enjoying how bearutiful it was.

I have read lots more about Florida and it sure is interesting. Mz BJ had told me she was a "Florida cracker" since she was born in FL, but she didn't know where that name came from.

I may have found the answer while reading in the FL history book:

The Scotch-Irish settlers who came to live in FL during the 1800's were called crackers. This name "may have" come from the cracking noise their whips made as they herded cattle.

That sounds good to me. I also found out from that book there were lots of Indians here and that of course is very interesting to Mz BJ with her study of Indians. Florida is a very interesting state and had lots of ties to the French, Spanish and English FL first appeared on a Spanish map in 1502 and at that time had about 100,000 American Indians living here.

Today, Mz BJ says she is taking me to some surprise place and it has something to do with food!! I can hardly wait!

Got to go....many bear hugs to you all, Heri

Something New - Heri's Mailbag

Journal Entry for 1 April 2006
From: Heri
Location: FL

You know, something's been happening that I didn't expect. Some of my POH Hostesses have been sending me messages! In fact, I've now got (thanks to Mz BJ who printed them out for me) several e:mail messages that came in today, yesterday and the day before! They mean a lot to me, so I've stuffed them between my journal pages!

This being in the real world is so much different than sitting on a store shelf I'm not only traveling and meeting great people - but now - even when I move along to another place - I still have those new friends! Wow!

So, before sharing my next Florida adventure, I'm going to do something new. (Is this what humans call "getting creative"? LOL) Yes, I'm going to share some of these recent messages so you can see how rich life has become for this little bear of yours!

Ready? Here's a bit of Heri's Mailbag Like that name? LOL I won't share every bit of each letter. Think I'll just share a few bits of things. You know, it's fun to make friends then know we can keep in touch no matter where we are!

Heri's Mailbag: 28 Mar
From MizViki in Oregon
Heri - very cool that you are learning sign language, it just may come in handy some day. Sounds like you're getting quite a well rounded education on your trip, too. Keep up the good work.
Last weekend my 18 month old grandson was sitting on my lap, I was feeding him grapes by hand when he started 'doing something' with his fingers that I thought was interesting and asked his mom. Turns out he was signing 'more'! So, even grandma now knows how to say 'more' in sign language!
Actually all my daughters learned a little bit over the years and one of my granddaughters has taken a couple of years of it in high school She is really quite skilled which is neat to watch her communicate with one of the members of our church who is deaf.

Heri's Mailbag: 29 Mar
From Lynn in Florida
The English department here shares a planning area with the language department. I hear German, English, Italian and Spanish spoken all day long It gives me a chance to practice my Spanish. :) One of the teachers is a Sign Language teacher and she always signs when she speaks to us. I should start paying attention and learn something so when Heri gets here, we can communicate. :)

From me, Heri
I haven't even met Lynn yet. She's another POH Hostess. And another one who lives in Florida! I understand I'll be visiting her sometime in July or so? Can't believe she's already thinking about my coming there! :)

Heri's Mailbag: 1 Apr
From Diedra in Wisconsin
Heri, Be glad you are in Florida It's cold and damp here. The snow from the blizzard is ALMOST gone We still have some piles left in the back yard and where the deepest drifts were in front of the barns.
I have been scrapbooking of course. Everyone I see wants to know how you are doing and is so jealous when I tell them what you are doing in Florida. Soak up those sun rays.

Me again!
Pretty nice to know folks are thinking of you - when you aren't even there with them in person (or in bear? Oh dear, not at all sure how to say that!)

Bye for now from your smiling little bear Heri

At Work and Learning ASL

Journal Entry for 28 March 2006
From: Heri Poh
Location: northern FL

Ohhhhh, I had so much fun today. I went to work with Mz BJ


I saw her locker & the breakroom with lots of snacks.





I had my very own ID card You have to have one to get into the call center I checked in at the "bridge". (that's where the team leaders sit, slightly up above so they can see the operators & can tell if anyone needs help) Everyone was very nice to me and some smiled real big when they saw me. Some especially liked my ID bracelet.








Mz BJ takes calls from/to IN, IL, CT, AL, WA, & OR When I heard her taking calls from OR, I begged to be able to call MzViki, but Mz BJ said we weren't allowed to do that & we didn't have the number. Mz BJ is a relay operator for the deaf & hard of hearing That's a very special thing to do!

I had a special meeting with the center manager who only speaks in American Sign Language She taught me a few words, but I especially liked the sign for "teddy bear." I even have a couple of pictures to share:





My caption? Learning ASL






My Turn with ASL













I also had a meeting with the human resource lady. She was very excited to meet me & hear my story. I had a great day.

Ohhh, they say it's going to get into the 80's by the end of the week & really looks like we may go to the beach this weekend. I'm looking forward to that!

Lots of bear hugs to everyone. You can't see it, but I'm making the sign for "teddy bear" and I have a big smile on my face!

Heri
PS - thinking of all my POH hostesses, their families, their friends, and now even people they work with - and how nice everyone has been? I'm going to have to learn another new thing. When this traveling is over, I'm going to have to send out teddy bear thank you notes!

Heri Poh's Mexican Sombrero

Historical Note from 27 Mar 2006
From: Mz BJ
Location: northern FL

Just wanted to let u know the colorful hat (sombrero) Heri is wearing in the pic with Mz P is a heritage item from my father when he was living in New Mexico It was passed on to me. A lady there crocheted this along with a sm serape & they were used to cover a hot sauce bottle! Heri will wear it a few more places too.

Did any of you notice the sombrero he was wearing on the day we visited with my good friend Mz P? Heri is seeing each day there are soooooo many wonderful cultures to explore!

Sunbathing and NASCAR Races

Journal Entry for 26 Mar 2006
From: MzBJ
Location: northern FL

Heri's busy, but I wanted to share a couple of things with you. He's not the only one interested in sharing life stories! :)





Heri & friends in the yard sunbathing since we can't go to the beach yet








Back inside, we all watched the NASCAR race Heri really enjoyed it! We were all glad too that Bobby Labonte came in 5th for Mz P since "that's her driver". :)

Heri is a little uncomfortable from the sunburn he got earlier from laying out in the yard. I tried to tell him, but u know how "guys" don't listen. Pooky, who we have found out is Heri's distant cousin on the Dakin side of the family got a little too much sun too. Pooky is from Charlotte, NC.

Today Heri was introduced to Snoring Bear who is from Gatlinburg, TN & Ramy who is a ram from Atlanta, GA. Ramy said his tummy really needed sun & laid on his back. We all are pretty tired tonight & are going to bed soon. Hope all the guys can sleep with their sunburn.

Goodnight everyone. bj (aka MzBJ to our Heri)

Beautiful Day in Florida

Journal Entry for 25 Mar 2006
From: Heri Poh
Location: northern Florida

Hi Y'all :) I'm learning how to talk southern! One morning we may have sausage gravy & biscuits and on another morning, some grits. :)

Well, today the sky was so clear & blue & sunny, but there was some March wind so we didn't go to the beach. I saw a little more of Orange Park which is in Clay County & then we drove over a 3 mile bridge

Got to see the St John’s River and the skyline of the city was really nice. We had a nice drive to Mz P's house. I met the nice dog & 4 birds & 4 cats. I did not meet 2 other birds cause they were in her daughter's room & she wasn't home.



That's me and MzP Hey, that even rhymes! :)

Mz P loved looking at my journal & albums She has learned to scrap a little bit from Mz BJ so she really appreciates scrapping. We had a late lunch at a Chinese place & talked some more about this being the year of the dog.

Then we went to the new Pablo Creek branch library It was really nice & the young branch manager librarian was also the children's librarian.


We got me two books about Florida, one is Florida History & the other one is all about Florida from the America the Beautiful series.


Tonight Mz BJ was watching a video movie from the library called "Iris" with Judi Dench. She says that is one of her favorite actresses. The movie was a little bit too serious for little bears so Pooky & I read about Florida. We read about how air conditioning and insect spray changed life in Florida ...LOL LOL...I think that is funny!

I also read that I am a "snowbird." That's people & bears who come down to Florida for the winter....otherwise described as winter tourists. Do u know that Mz BJ checked out 11 books, she says books are one of her favorite things & she really loves to read & learn things.

I’ve learned of two things we’re planning to do while I’m here. I’m really looking forward to them:

a Native American Pow Wow! (I heard that bears are very important to many Indian tribes)

the beach! (if it’s not too windy)

Well, I’ve got to get ready for bed. I'm sleeping in a nice Indian style basket that Mz BJ wove herself some years ago. She has a great interest in the study of native Americans, especially the culture & everyday life. That's called ethnology I'm going to learn a lot more about that this coming week.

Toodles until tomorrow. Giving everyone a bear hug!
Heri

My 2nd Florida Adventures

Journal Entry for 12 Apr 2006
From: Heri
Location: somewhere btw northern Florida and Kansas

As you'll see, two days ago (Apr 10th) I left northern Florida, but I'd like to continue here with my stories about my travels. I've written so much in my in my journals! Mz BJ has shown me so many things in FL and taken lots of pics too!

So, no time to think of what's happening today or even what's to come. Instead, I'll continue to share my heritage adventures with you! You already know I arrived in Florida on March 22nd. I'll pick up my story with my first journal entry after arriving there ..

Journal Entry for 24 Mar 2006

Hi, Mz BJ said I could use the computer while she gets ready for bed. I love sunny Florida!

As soon as I popped out of my travel box I asked to have my sweater & scarf removed. I hear I may have to put my sweater back on tomorrow...it's going to be 38 degrees in the morning & maybe windy. But, it's soooooo much warmer here than in Wisconsin! (March the 22nd)



That first day, we had a nice visit on the screen porch & I met Garfield & Pooky & we had the most delicious Chocolate Eclair Pie...yummm.



Here I am with my distant cousin, Pooky. We look pretty good together, don't you think? MzBJ told us where to sit and soon .. flash .. she took a picture!

Also, and this is exciting, a message came for ME from all the way back in Wisconsin! Can you imagine that? It said:

Heri, I feel so much better knowing that you have arrived safe and sound. Harry has been pacing a path in my kitchen. He wasn't sure the US Post Office could handle a bear! Enjoy your vacation in Florida. Diedra and Harry

Pretty nice to know you're being thought about, even after you've left! :)

Back to my story here in Florida ...


The next day (Mar 23rd) I stayed home & napped & swapped stories with Mr. Veranda. He is a nice "street" cat. He had a lot of survival stories to tell & you know he has one blue eye & one yellow eye & sometimes I wasn't sure which eye to look at.


This afternoon I got to ride on the dashboard of Mz BJ's car and we drove to Orange Park. It's not very far from here. We went to her favorite scrapbook store...I hear the scrappers call it a LSS. It is a very nice shop.

Here I am inside the LSS



More plans for tomorrow, but I'll tell you all about them then! I hope everyone has a good weekend. I'm really enjoying my trip. Oh, & my leg is much better now .... in fact, it's better than ever.

Very bearly, Heri

I'm in Florida Again!

Journal Entry for 9 Apr 2006
From: Heri Poh
Location: northern Florida

Well FINALLY, I'm almost up to date in sharing my adventures .. traveling from house to house .. and literally bunking in with so many of my POH Hostesses

This is just a short note for any of you who are actually following along or trying to create a timeline of my journey!

20 Mar - Diedra sent me off from Wisconsin

22 Mar - bj welcomed me to northern Florida

Right now? I'm still in Florida with bj. In the days to come, going to share what she and I have been up to during our visit together. I keep thinking I've seen all this little bear could ever hope to see .. or experience. Then, I get to the next person's house - and NOPE - there are yet more new worlds to explore!

Next time, I'll begin sharing my "Florida2" Adventures with you!

Your grateful little bear friend, Heri

Goodbye Wisconsin - Hello Florida!

Hi everyone, Heri here. A happy Heri as I look over my journaling and photos here. I'm starting to get caught up! But I was both happy and sad on my last day in Wisconsin. I'm not very good at saying goodbyes!

Journal Entry for 20 Mar 2006
Location: Wisconsin

My time in Wisconsin is winding down.


I am packing up my belongings



And I'm saying my good-byes to my twin brother and to my Wisconsin friends and family I've had quite a lot of practice thanks to my POH hostesses, so I know if I share a photo like one, it's a good idea to caption it with what was happening - the date - and who the heck is in the photo! So, caption is: Heri’s GoodBye Party 20 Mar 2006 with Diedra's Dad, ds, dh, daughter-in-love, Diedra and her stepmom, and us!

Guess you already know that the "us" is my brother Harry and I!

I love to travel, to meet new friends, to see this beautiful country. We all are lucky to live where both bears and people can travel about "as they like" - "when they like".

I am heading to Florida I have some relatives down there too. Want to know a little bit about them? Check this out: The Florida Black bear clan!

So, I'm sad to leave and excited to meet my next POH hostess, all at the same time! How is that possible?

Thank you, Diedra, for a wonderful time in Wisconsin!

Heads up, bj - here I come to see you in Florida!

Your traveling bear friend - Heri

Heri and Harry's Adventures

You "Preserving_Our_Heritage Members" talk about discovering and preserving family life stories? Well, just wait til you hear what I learned with talking with my newly found twin brother!

Journal Entry for 16 Mar 2006
Location: Wisconsin

More snow here today. I really am going to be more careful of what I wish for! Another 7 inches of snow And they call this spring?

Since we were just hanging around the house, I was chatting with my twin brother, Harry. I was asking him to tell me what he had been doing since we were separated.

It turns out, he's been writing books about our adventures as cubs. His first attempts were not well received since there are a lot of books about bears out there.

Not a lot of bears buy books so he changed us cubs to real boys. Our cubhood adventures he "kicked up a notch" Tossed in some wizards and magic. Presto, the Harry Potter Adventures! Have you heard of them?


And of course, there can be only one caption possible: My twin brother is the real Harry Potter!

The magic and cute one, Heri!

Wisconsin Cow Tipping

Now with a title like that, you know I'm going to share yet another unforgettable life story! (What you can't see is that I'm giggling as I remember this one!) And yes, this is Heri speaking.

Journal Entry for 15 Mar 2006

My caption for this? 1-2-3 Push!

I herd about this sport late one night. I wanted to give it a try. Diedra, of course, asked one of the neighbors to bring down a cow. I'll tell you once is enough. Those cows are heavy!


And yet another caption? How's this one? No cows were injured during the taking of this photo






If you'd like to try your hand at this sport, here's a web page you may want to check out.

And yes, it you keep trying you'll figure out how to tip that cow.

Your friend, Heri the champion Cow-tipper

Midwest Blizzard

Boy, oh boy, I'll never forget this day!

Journal Entry for 13 Mar 2006



We are having a real Midwest Blizzard! Needless to say, we stayed home today. Actually we can't even get the front door open. There is a huge snow drift blocking the door. Truly snowed in!

Diedra walked out earlier this morning to knock snow off the TV dish (We had TV for a few hours until the snow built up again. Now we're watching taped craft shows!) The drifts at that time were up to her waist in some spots. Now they are higher! Hard to believe but yesterday we were walking around the gardens in mud!

I was promised the keys to the car for today. So I am just buzzing around here. Who says a bear can't improvise!



I think the next time I wish for snow I might place some limits on the amount.

Your little snow bear, Heri