Hi everyone, I'm writing to you from Crete and just want to tell you I am having a very exciting and wonderful time.

I am also working very hard, (un-planned) to help with international peace in the Balkans.

How does a gal from Boston that has spent the last twenty years in Texas help with world peace in the Balkans you are asking... Well in case you haven't heard the heads of the Balkan countries and the Premiers of Turkey and Greece are all meeting here on Crete to try and solve some of the many difficulties that these countries are having. Like the Turkish ship that ran into the Greek ship and that other big problem that we are all familiar with the war in Bosnia and Croatia and Serbia.

WELL... tonight Your Barbara Ann just happened to be sitting in the lounge of her very nice hotel and the waiters started to run around moving pianos and such and set up a lovely table for a cocktail party. Never one to Not Ask what's going on I did what I always do and I asked, "what's going on?" Great move Barbara Ann... It seems they were setting up a quick to-do for the Premier of Albania who is here for the meetings with all those other Balkan guys. Well I sat and watched and soon this large group arrived and everyone was very proper and not saying much. The press were there taking pictures and I walked around the bar to see who the Big Guy was. Very average looking kind of fellow. I sat down with my friend and so did he just around the corner from where we were sitting. Lots of BIG guys standing around... The Body-Guards I supposed... Next thing I knew I told my friend I was going to say hello to him.... I got up walked the ten feet from where we were siting to him. Of course the good girl that I am I asked the body guard FIRST if I should say hello as I am from the USA and would like to meet him... As I did this yours truly smiled sweetly at the Premier. He nodded to the big guy, stood up took my hand and I said "hello Mr. President"... (Sounds a little like Marilyn Monroe doesn't it?) He very nicely told me he was Premier Fatos Nano, not President, and asked me my name. I told him Barbara Nesbitt, because of course That Is My Name...I gave him my hand in greeting and he held it as we spoke. He said, "I know Many Barbara's. He said Barbara means "I will not forget you in the Balkans" and I will not forget you, Barbara from the United States of America". Then he said, "we need the good wishes of your country". And I said, "The Troubles Must End. Good luck with the meetings".

We smiled at each other I thanked him for his time and That Was That....

So.....Now your's truly is an International Peacemaker. The waiters were thrilled and gave us drinks. The Premier sent us a drink, everyone was happy and a Very Stuffy Party turned into a success...

Well, I Have Struck Again Folks......Just a gal from Boston, living in Texas, in the USA and doing what the Big Guys don't know how to do... Just be Yourself Be Nice To Other People and Smile...

Bob would be so proud... He always loved it when I did something Off The Wall... I think Mom would be proud too.

Love to all, Barbara