2018 Week 44: Siblings

Leaves carpet the driveway. Fall is here.

Two brothers and their spouses visited us in the same week!

My brother and sister-in-law flew into Indianapolis on Monday and stopped for a short visit on their way to the Warsaw/Winona Lake area.

Alice and Aldo

Mother enjoyed their daily visits! I love this photo!

Tuesday we were eagerly preparing for Mike's brother Terry's arrival early afternoon. Michael prepared a great meal. Somehow, there are no photos, which proves we were deep in conversation, sharing, catching up, enjoying one another. 

At the end of the day, everyone checked their devices one last time before turning in for the night. 

Wednesdays we go to the Senior Activities Center for a good meal and fun time with community folk. Terry and Sandy were happy to go along, and were great sports to even join in the silly Halloween games.

Kayla brought Rebecca "trick-or-treating" to our house first because we had plans to take Diane out to dinner. She was so excited to see big brother Terry back in Indiana for a visit.

Thursday after a leisurely breakfast as we continued to sort through  many old photos, the brothers still had unanswered questions about their early childhood. So we decided to call their sister in  Wisconsin. We had such a good conversation, for me one of the highlights of the visit. We were able to put together a few more pieces of the life puzzle. We have a better idea when, how, why the brothers ended up living with a different parent.

Photos, questions, and intense phone conversation with Nan

We never did finish the card game begun the night before, but we filled Terry and Sandy's last day with activities. A tour of Taylor University for Terry. Mid afternoon, the obligatory visit to Ivanhoe's to coincide with Aldo and Alice's second brief visit on their return trip to the airport.

In the evening, after Mike left for his regular mentoring duties with the robotics team, the three of us went to see Stephan's ice centerpiece at The Amazing Taste, an annual event at Ball State University.  We also  walked around and tasted foods from many countries.

The last new experience of the day was a tour of Madjax--Team 1720's headquarters. As is his custom, if there is a student available, Mike asks them to explain the robot. Caleb, Moriah's brother, was the "victim" this time and he did a great job. 

Friday we said goodbye, grateful and honored by Terry and Sandy's extended visit.

Several photos of Jude enjoying his late birthday gift, made me happy to know he finally received our present.

Busy buddies

I hope the Comment window is fixed this week, and look forward to hearing from you about your highlight moments.

2017 Week 9: The Robot Rules

 Yes, the health and progress of the yet-unnamed robot rules our schedule, Michael's anyway. He often rises early with designs and improvements rumbling around in his head and has gone in to the shop every day this week.

Puzzle I gave Mike for Christmas

So what did I do with all that time? In addition to all the regular stuff: I read the first draft of DIL's novel; went to a poetry festival committee meeting; attended a book launch and a concert; in spare moments put together the puzzle I gave Mike (couldn't resist :-); and ate all the leftovers in the house. But more importantly, I sorted through files and archives, made some interesting discoveries; and determined a course of action for my family-history project.

About the regular weekly stuff:

After class Monday I took a young friend,Trisha, with me to Stephan's meal. We went for a walk to explore the farm and witness the sunset. The chickens had gone to bed already.

We saw the spot where Karen's writing cabin will be located soon.

Wednesday was our biweekly ladies Bible study. It is always a joy to get together with these friends and share.

Almost matching

No tap class. Kayla has been sick.

Thursday, Kayla did go back to work. I got to visit with her a little while and then stay with Rebecca until someone else came to take over the babysitting duties. Always a privilege and joy.

Friday we woke up to a coating of snow which did not take long to disappear.

The snow was there Saturday morning again, and so was Team 1720's trailer for the robot. It had been newly labeled with this year's sponsors in readiness for their first competition, March 11-12.

Then there are the things that happen around the world that affect us.

My BFF in Argentina wrote about the passing of a dear man we knew. In fact I stayed in the home of Dora and Erni Jencquel when I visited Argentina in 2007. (Go here to read about them.)

Almost every day  we read on Facebook about the unresolved Raymond Koh case who was abducted three weeks ago and has not been heard from or about since then. He was a young Malaysian on board the Doulos at the same time we were there in the early '80s.

Among the treasures I came across this week is a letter in my grandfather's handwriting addressed to one his parishioners on his return voyage from Argentina. He had accepted a position as a chaplain of a passenger ship in order to visit our family, even if briefly.

Here we are having a picnic on that trip to the interior.

I have one memory from that short visit--grandpa teaching me about the stars and pointing out the southern cross in the night sky.

What surprises or discoveries will next week bring?