Writing, walks, visitors

I'm late reporting on Week 43 as I was very focused on the chapter I was writing. The deadline I set for myself was fast approaching! About a month ago I said I'd be ready to present at Writers' Bloc by the end of the month. Whew! That took a lot of fascinating research!

So what happened last week? Trying to remember. . . not many photos to help.

Karin's flowers are still coming. She titled this bouquet "Dahlia Delight."

I had a dahlia plant I brought in to enjoy longer. Don't know whether it will make it.

 

Moriah has had more free time this semester it seems. One day she decided to make apple fritters! Then she invited an engineering student we had not met, one of the few females in the department.

Rebecca and I enjoyed a walk in the beautiful outdoors, then painted some rocks we found. We watched the Bible story video for Basics Jr. about how King David showed kindness to the crippled son of his best friend by inviting him to live with him in the palace and eat at his table. The name Mephibosheth was a challenge to pronounce for both Rebecca and Emily her leader when they had their phone conversation.  

Another delightful walk on a beautiful afternoon, this time Michael and Moriah joined me to see what the the Upland trail was like. 

Michael had already come back from his Saturday bicycle ride, the second near 40 mile distance for the week. He continues to busy himself on many fronts, cutting and gathering wood, looking after the bees and caring for many tasks needing done. He is also working on fixing and improving some of the robotics' shop equipment by using a newly given 3D printer set up in his office. (Can you find both of us in this photo?)

Our daughter visited us old folks one evening! What an honor!

We got to meet some of Moriah's Chic-Fil-A co-workers when we went to an open house for former robotics friends.

About robotics--meetings start up next week in an effort to rebuild the team and resume the program.

Outdoor Fun

Cousin Karin says her flowers are waning but we'll enjoy them as long as possible. The vanilla strawberry hydrangeas are turning pink and a few zinnias linger.

This week was Fall Break for some of our Muncie kids. Sam planned a getaway for them as a couple and the boys were with us from Monday to Wednesday. When they were dropped off here around noon, they all went down to see another sleeping option, the new pull out couch. They tried it out for a silly family photo. 

That afternoon, Elijah helped grandpa with cutting and stacking wood for winter. Meanwhile the younger two had fun swinging around the tree.

In the evening, we enjoyed Stephan's good food and fun fellowship with a larger group than usual, including Ruby (Elijah's girlfriend) who was able to join us.
After the meal, while we were chatting on and on, the young boys built several Lego vehicles that connect and even came up with a name for their inventive enterprise.

Tuesday after lunch Grandpa and boys left in a car loaded down with camping gear for an overnight experience at Salamonie Reservoir. I think they had a good time enjoying the outdoors. 
Elijah liked his own tent, but was cold in the night, very unusual for him. Nights out camping tend to feel very long, unending.

They arrived back Wednesday in time for our SAC (Senior Activities Center) meal. The after-lunch activity was to sort plastic caps and lids to be made into the park benches still needed for the Upland trail. The boys were very helpful and we easily got through enough to fill two large trash bins. 
When we got back to the house, all either slept or played video games quietly all afternoon. 

When Dad-Sam arrived to pick them up, there was one activity left to do--go down the zipline.

The rest of the week was quiet, restful and somewhat productive. I got back to research and writing, learning about the Bible Coach, specially built and outfitted to carry colporteurs from town to town. I have fond memories of this unique vehicle used for evangelization in Argentina from 1920 to 1956. It promises to be a fun chapter!

Michael keeps plugging away at his many chores to do with wood, bees, house maintenance, helping others. He also packed away all the camping gear and is steadily sorting through the accumulations in his den. (I need to do the same in my area in the loft.)

Long bicycle rides on Saturdays are still on, but start an hour later. This allowed him to attend and help cook for the men's breakfast at church before joining the Muncie riders.

I walked the two-mile trail and stayed for the the first (hopefully annual) Fall Festival at the trailhead. What a surprise to meet up with eight other family members: Stephan and Karen were on their way home from two days away in Pokagon State Park, and most of our Upland kids were there. I was having camera issues, in addition to bright daylight which made it difficult to see what I was capturing on the screen. End result: I missed some great shots and cut off some heads. How many family members can you detect?

Sunday afternoon Michael took me to one of the trails he hiked in an area by Salamonie Lake. We walked over 11,000 steps! Beautiful area!

I've enjoyed a couple watercolor tutorials this week! This one was a favorite.

I discovered a Facebook post featuring Stephan carving a giant pumpkin last week. Glad he was able to enjoy an artistic activity again!

How have you enjoyed outdoor or creative activities this week?

Birthdays and more camping

Karin´s weekly pic tells me the leaves are turning in Tennessee also, even though her flowers are more muted pastels. 

In our area, we had the most colorful week thus far--fleeting autumn beauty. We are making the most of the lovely weather for both work and play. Michael is steadily cutting and gathering wood for the winter. There is a plentiful supply of dead trees in our woods.

My research material is growing almost at the same rate as the wood pile. This week a friend in Argentina, who is also working on the history of the mission, heard of my interest and began sending me numerous documents. This valuable resource is comparable in quantity to the dead trees in our woods! 

There are two October birthdays in the family--our oldest and youngest grandchildren. Kayla was 29 on the 5th, and Jude eight on the 8th. We met Kayla for lunch on Monday, ever delightful. 

This photo of Jude when he was one may explain why he is an advanced reader now!

Two camping adventures completed our week. Michael went backpacking with a couple of friends in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness in the Hoosier National Forest. The 100 year-old ruins they came across must have fascinating stories to tell.

Last week, when abuelo got back from one of his camping trips, Rebecca asked if he would take her next time. We decided to have a practice experience in our woods Friday. We walked the trail, found treasures, roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, and slept comfortably all night. 

However, Michael/abuelo was up early to go riding with his Muncie friends.

The weekend wrapped up Sunday with another concert in the park, a marimba ensemble this time. Can you guess how many instruments they brought?

Leah invited us for an evening meal of tacos. The red bush in their yard was perfect for a photo-op! 

That's all for Week 41. Only eleven more to go in 2020! 

Week 40

I wonder how long cousin Karin is able to provide a Sunday bouquet for her church? 

In our area there was a frost advisory early on in the week so I began to bring in the many plants. Relocating them, finding the right spot for each one, is a challenge each year as they grow and multiply throughout the summer. This is the beginning of the houseplant migration.

Sunday, September 27, marked a milestone in our youngest grandson's life. Jude will be eight years-old next week. His heart has been tender toward the things of God. From the time he invited Jesus Christ into his heart, he has been wanting to make this life choice public through baptism. The family learned there would be baptisms that day when they arrived at church!

This was the last week of daily 30" trips to Marion for Leah's 3" radiation treatment. It was also when the skin burns appeared and multiplied. Though painful, Leah's attitude was one of gratitude that her skin had held up that long, and that the end was near!
Indeed, graduation day was Friday!

I will miss those times together sharing about our days. And will have fewer opportunities to see Kalani. We stopped by the kids' place a couple times on our way. On one occasion, "little man" (as Leah calls him) was waking up and just stared at Nana and then abuela, and back and forth. I had labeled this pic "Sleepyhead and His Sweet Mama." Destiny corrected me, "struggling mama" she said. How many of you remember those demanding days with little ones?

 

This week was my alma mater, Grace College and Seminary's 2020 Stay-coming, Throughout the week we could watch interesting videos highlighting programs, people, and progress. I participated in two events: a virtual 5K, and a 45+ Year Class Reunion Zoom meeting.

Wednesday, a writer-friend joined me for an enjoyable walk/jog 5K. Notice, I am wearing Grace colors!

I have no photos of the Zoom meeting, only good memories of faces and stories, new and old, and praise to God for all that He has been doing through the many lives impacted by the training we received at Grace.

Michael is making the most of the Autumn weather and extra time before robotics starts back up. He went camping twice this week! Wednesday, another solo hike to Salamonie's primitive camp sites, same trail as last week. He loves being out in nature but was surprised to find out that he quite enjoys the solitude as well.

Meanwhile, I went to Elijah's last soccer game, watched him for awhile, chatted with Sam, and then left early. We were increasingly cold as the sun went down,

 

Thursday, Rebecca came over to watch the Basics Jr. Bible story video and work on the activities together. We practiced the theme verse and framed it.

Michael's second overnight camping was with a church group, 13 men and boys. He cooked their Saturday morning breakfast.

Saturday morning I walked the Upland Greenway trail and enjoyed the weather and the variety of wild flowers.

"Autumn. . . the year's last, 

loveliest smile."

William Cullen Bryant, nature poet and long time editor of the New York Evening Post