2018 Week 31: Beginnings and Endings

 The hydrangeas, cut back to almost nothing last fall, are blooming profusely! They speak to me of God's abundant faithfulness!

Michael's steadfast dedication to the Dove's Crossing (Stephan and Karen's place) pool project, made it possible to have Skye's 21st-birthday family-celebration there. Father, son, and DIL worked very hard in hot weather. Party-day, however, was cloudy and cool. Water temperature had not yet reached optimal level, but that did not dampen the enjoyment.

The photos: masterminds of the project, father and son continue to ponder pool issues; Basque boys chat constantly in euskera; water games; back rubs; Elijah relaxing on self-designed intertwined-pool-noodle bed.

Krazy-Koch birthday-song and cake, of course.

Additional entertainment: Sam modeling the Argentine gaucho outfit discovered last week in the bin my brother Ivan passed on to me. But what are all the items in the lower right corner?

The drive home, over an hour, felt extra long to the Basque boys as we had to drop Diane off in Marion. They're not used to regularly driving longer distances in their country.
We stopped at Steak 'n' Shake for supper, and the obligatory humongous shake.

Mmmmmm. . . 

 Monday, their last day in America, the euskaldunes (Basques) wanted to relax and pack until the farewell picnic at Taylor Lake  that evening with all the families.

After-dinner entertainment: the much anticipated, planned and talked-about Xabi-leg-waxing ceremony!
At Sam and Kristie's ice-cream social last Friday, Xabi was winning and fancied himself the unbeatable ping-pong champion. He made a bet: "Anyone who can beat me can wax my legs!" Jon did! ("Pride goes before destruction a waxing" Proverbs 16:18?) Poor Xabi! He said it was more painful than he expected, and the girls took great delight in being thorough--not one hair left!

The Koch-clan and their two euskaldunak

 Tuesday was airport day, the final goodbyes for 2018.

Goodbye-gang at the church; other students from same hometown; a final crazy selfie with illoba (grandson) Jon

Wednesday, arrival day in Bilbao airport! Mila, Jon's mother, is so good about keeping me informed and sending lots of photos.

The Upland group wearing their American going-home uniform; Jon's family 

One of these days, I walked over next door to visit Moriah at her workplace. In a few sort weeks she will move back in.

Showing off the mini solar panels she tested

I forgot to take pictures after that, so I resort to borrowing from other sources to fill in the story of our week.

Zion was at Miracle Camp all week, so one of my favorite daily activities was to spot him in the many online camp photos. Hard to pick a fovorite.

Experience Muncie  posted a great photo and article about son Sam last week, worth reading and sharing, says proud mother.

Thursday, Michael had his heart and mind set on a long bicycle ride, like 50 miles. The good news: the weather was good and he did it! The bad news: he hasn't felt well since and is still trying to diagnose and understand what happened.

I always look forward to Thursdays because our town paper, The SEGway, comes out. I like to read the local news, work the Sudoku, and, when I've submitted an article, see if and how it was published.

Jude spent the night. The dinner, already planned and prepared, was not kid-appropriate--egg-plant lasagna, carrot and raisin salad, and liver sticks! Fortunately we had some leftover chicken and veggies ;-) However, for breakfast he requested waffles. and enjoyed them although, "the square kind makes my brain feel different," he said. 

I still keep up with the Watercolor Lessons calendar, tho'  sometimes I play catch-up painting two at once. This latest one reminded me of Stephan and Karen's dogs Gryffin and Gracie.

Karen and I attended the third annual TU Professional Writing conference this weekend. We went in tired, overwhelmed, wondering what we'd come for and left encouraged, inspired and with clearer direction for our writing projects.