Birthdays

Cousin Karin's Sunday bouquet

 Monday morning I woke up and began singing Happy Birthday to myself. Then I said, "Let's go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast." This is rather uncharacteristic, my behavior, my idea. But we went!

I wrote a birthday post based on one of my father's messages.

It was a good day filled with many good wishes. The finale was when we went to Stephan and Karen's for Monday Night Dinner. As we arrived they were singing "76 Trombones." The special plate awaited me. Stephan served a delicious meal and Karen a delectable Crème Brûlée for dessert.

Michael unfortunately had to deal with a broken phone. Off and on throughout the week he's been working on making ear savers and filling several orders. 

A 3,500 order to ship to Chicago

Our lovely neighbors came over for some honey, and a few rides on the zip line.

Did you know that May 20 was World Bee Day? A friend sent me the link to a coloring contest.

My bones, at least in my ankle, are healing well. However, I had to have two teeth extracted, and now have these little temporary ones for four to six months while the post and bone grafting heal. I'm not thrilled but other scenarios are far worse than mine.

Our lovely daughter got some test results this week that lead to a long journey ahead. She is coping with the symptoms as best she knows, and facing each step forward with as much courage as possible.

Michael has enjoyed the Saturday bike rides with a small group out of Muncie. This week they rode close to 90 miles. However, he took a tumble and may have a broken rib.

I ventured out to the store and met Skye and Destiny, getting salad fixin's for their contribution to our family get together Sunday.

What a lovely pasta salad. Thanks, Destiny!

Kalani was introduced to everyone. He is two months old now.

Skye's cute little family

Steph n' Karen 

Nana Leah

Sam n' boys

Oh, but one is missing. Where is he?

Aha! Elijah found a Ruby! 

Oh, my, I am missing pics of a few family members. I do believe, however, that I got to talk with each one. That is my goal and what I treasure in my heart.

I may have captured some of the others in the video of them singing the crazy Koch birthday song.

 Actually they were singing for all the birthdays we missed in March as well as Michael's only two days away. Sorry, no photo of the other cake.

2018 Week 30: Basque Visitors and Birthday

 Not too many flowers available to pick for a bouquet. However, the begonias I winterized in the window boxes are thriving.

Monday after coffee with friend Petey we checked out two lovely public gardens.

Last week the town paper carried my article which describes our involvement with young people from the region of Spain we've visited a few times.

A few of the activities with our Basque "grandson" Jon. A second game of Hand and Foot. He caught on with no problem, but as "luck" would have it, I won.

One day we explored the woods and he enjoyed climbing up to the hunter's seat.

Another day we toured Taylor University where he spotted this large cardboard insect in the art department.

The group traveled to Chicago for a couple days. So while they were gone, I visited Mother on Wednesday, Bingo day.

We--brothers Ivan (all the way from Las Vegas) Alan. nephews Nicolas and Daniel, and family friend "Aunt" Margaret (also 97)--celebrated Mother's upcoming birthday, July 29.

I arranged the birthday cards that had arrived and admired cousin Beth's beautiful gift of a Scripture coloring book and pencils.

Meanwhile, the entire week, every day, Michael and Stephan were totally focused on pool renovation, overcoming problems, and beautifying the surroundings.  (More to come next week.)

Friday morning  our new neighbor kids came over to use the zipline. Recently our youth pastor and family of five kids moved in next door.

That evening the Basque gang was at Sam and Kristie's for ice cream and later fun by the fire pit.



That evening I asked Zion to model Ivan's uniform from when he was a school kid in Argentina.

When we were kids growing up in Argentina, my brothers and I had to wear white uniforms to school. In my days they were pleated, starched and ironed. Mother had it easier with the youngest siblings, the gurdapolvos, as they are called, were a different style and fabric, like wash and wear.
Ivan gave me a bin of memorabilia that he could not take with him. I had so much fun reminiscing with each item I pulled out. (More to come next week).

Ivan worte:

Definition of guardapolvo: A smock worn by school children designed to "keep dust" and to make all children equal in socioeconomic class. unfortunately it is very effective in accomplishing the former and equally ineffective at the latter.

Jon presented us with gifts from his country: a popular brand t-shirt with the symbol of a whale (the whaling industry was huge until 1904); a beautiful table cloth and napkins in the colors of the Basque flag. The adorned table was conducive to fancier meals.

Much more to come next week as we say goodbye to our new friends from the Basque region of Spain.