2018 Week 24: A miscellany

 I suppose that title could apply to all our weeks.

Sunday we celebrated Matt's 26th birthday.

We are always reminded of  the major housefire we had on that day in 2011. A year later, June 10th, 2012, we had an open house celebration of the rebuilt home. Stephan catered the event, complete with a spectacular ice sculpture of a phoenix rising out of the ashes, beautifully symbolic.

Monday at the dinner we got to see Stephan and Karen's latest project in progress.

Michael went to the dinner straight from a long day at Madjax where he and another mentor were helping Moriah design and make a tester to check the 1000 tiny solar panels that will go in the satellites, part of her summer job.

As very often happens, the task takes longer than it takes! Tuesday they were at it again till almost 3:00 a.m.!

I think Michael went in to Madjax again on Wednesday to work on his own ThinSat issues. It is not unusual for him to come back and say, "We have to make changes again." Countless iterations of the inner workings and mechanisms of the ThinSats, each the size of a piece of toast. He loves what he does, though.

However, I may have had more fun that day, less drudgery anyway. I attended a ladies tea in town where we learned about flower arranging

Different views of the flower arangement at our table

The presenter owns a flower and gift shop in the neighboring town--A New Leaf. She created all these arrangements from flowers and greens picked early that morning from her garden.

Becky Banks is also a professor, so had dutifully prepared a three-page handout--much to learn along with a very practical demo.

My art adventures with the Watercolor Lessons calendar have provided me with a variety of unique cards to give away this time of year for graduations, anniversaries, and birthdays. Every other day or so I enjoy a half-hour of experimenting with mixing colors and using brushes to fill in the sketches as I try to copy the artists' examples.

On Thursdays a few of us get together to do art. Here is our youngest member who comes with her "Gdad."

Friday evening Mike and I attended the preview of "Now Entering Upland." WIPB (Indiana Public Broadcasting) started a series featuring small towns. They had covered three before ours. This year Upland was the chosen destination. A call went out for storytellers, residents willing to share. The response was great and resulted in the longest production to date. We were interviewed April 21. The producers then had the formidable challenge of editing the interviews, selecting from all the materials provided--photos, videos, articles, etc., and putting it all together in a very fluid smooth sequence. 

All that to say, wherever you are in the world, and if you are interested in Upland or anyone living there, watch "Now Entering Upland." Call in to the station to relay greetings or messages, and/or to donate to the cause. As one of the storytellers, I will be at a station taking calls. I must say, however, that watching myself on the huge screen and hearing myself speak, was a rather uncomfortable experience.

Saturday was the Grand Opening of the new nail salon in little Upland. I won a T-shirt and had fun chatting with friends.

Michael was gone on another of his loooong bicycle rides, 56 miles this time.

Two photos from today, Sunday. Rebecca arriving for summer Sunday School wearing yet another cute dress that almost matches Mommy.

And, a photo that arrived via e-mail announcing Elijah's arrival at Miracle Camp.

For a special Father's Day treat we used a gift certificate to Chili's, a treat for me too!

To all the fathers reading this: God bless you for your sacrificial involvement in the lives of your children!