Friends, highlights of Week #32

Cousin Karin says her flowers are not as plentiful anymore. I appreciate each bouquet. I think they make great blog post  openers.

A humorous God-appointment happened Sunday. We had wanted to get together with a couple who had last invited us over for food and games. I suggested to Michael that Sundays after church were easier to schedule than to try to find an open evening throughout the week. And we certainly had an abundance of food, Michael's specials--bread, gazpacho, ice cream and my zucchini brownies.

So, he looked up the name of the friend to text. It wasn't till someone else responded with, "Sorry, we are on our way back from Colorado," that he realized he'd sent the invite to a group, his hiking buddies! We had no idea how large the party would become. However, it was perfect, a fun time with friends.

Monday, we met with more friends, old friends (well, about our age) from long ago. In fact, Fred was the best man at our wedding.

Instead of coming to Upland, they met us at Stephan's place where Mike was working so they could see the progress on the house. When I took Karen for a tour of the whole property, we admired Stephan's storybook bench. 

Tuesday, I took sis-in-law Diane for a little outing to a nearby coffee shop. The art displayed is quite unique.

Wednesday, Michael went camping with his hiking buddies to Shades State Park, a beautiful restful time. 

Meanwhile, I was very focused on writing a new chapter. Until now I'd been able to work on previously written pieces. I knew they would run out sometime, and that day came sooner than I anticipated. My self-imposed twice-a-month deadlines will keep me busy from now on.

Even so, I took off Thursday afternoon and put in a couple hours helping to paint the mural. It was a great break. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with the other painters as I worked my way across the lower part giving a second coat or cleaning up the edges of the dark green waves of grass.

I try to maintain my walking goals, always noticing new things along the way. 

Both dead?

A writer friend called some time ago for comments about my visit with two grandsons to Minnetrista's Bob Ross Exhibit. She quoted me in her article and gave me a copy of the magazine!

I was able to send chapter 12 to my translator to work on over the weekend, which is when he has time. Whew! So grateful to meet that deadline! 

Here is a teaser. Come back August 15 to My Argentina to find out what these few photos are about.

I certainly would love to hear about the highlights of your week!

Pauses and Birthdays

From cousin Karin's inexhaustible flower garden: a dahlia front center; vanilla-strawberry and lavender-purple hydrangeas; and zinnias. She wanted me to notice the floral design on the crystal vase.

In our more wild Indiana context, I was delightfully surprised by the appearance of this yellow lily. The bulbs were a wedding favor some years ago. This lone lily got mixed in with the iris transplants to an area by the mailbox.

Theme of the week: the looming deadline for delivery of 100 table dividers to a local school. Michael has been working on the project steadily all week with occasional help.

We were invited to join "old" friends (emphasis on the more than 50 years of friendship) vacationing with their daughter and family in Northern Indiana--an idyllic setting by a chain of lakes. We were so grateful for the getaway. The peaceful boat ride delighting in the beauty of God's creation and the fellowship were so refreshing, like a mini-vacation.

Wednesday, August 5, was our lovely daughter-in-law Karen's 45th birthday. There was no major celebration. I think she prefers it that way. I chose these Front and Back representative photos from her FB page. (Yes, she is an English teacher. How did you guess?)

Another delightful reprieve from daily routines and pressures, was a long walk with my dear friend to see the progress on their new home.

We've also enjoyed Moriah's occasional visits during her lunch break. Friday, August 7, we celebrated her 22nd birthday. (Interestingly, I realized that morning that my mother-in-law would have been 104. She's been gone 16 years.)

Moriah has been working this summer with engineering profs on a project that sometimes involves using machines in the shop adjacent to the robotics shop. (Don't let the Ball State t-shirt confuse you, she is definitely a Taylor University senior!)

Another birthday celebration was great granddaughter Rebecca's. She actually had two parties, to accommodate both sides of the family, and supposedly maintain social distancing. Shows you how many family fans Rebecca has! 

Matt and Kayla are amazing hosts. They prepared a feast both times. And even had two theme birthday cakes!

I attended on the wrong day, Matt's side of the family on Saturday, because we had other plans Sunday. And I only stayed for an hour. Then I drove to Winona Lake Park for Global Auto's summer picnic. 

I was so grateful for the invitation because I hadn't seen my brother since Mother's funeral.

Raquel, Alan's wife, did an excellent job of organizing this first annual picnic to honor and celebrate the Global Auto team. They've come through a very difficult season due to the multiple decisions and changes required by the pandemic. (Sorry that the photo does not include one of the main team members. He had already left with his family.)

Michael was not there. Saturdays are sacred to him. He cannot miss the opportunity to enjoy long rides with a group of bicycling fanatics. This time it was 98 miles and through some Amish areas.

He learned this week that all his exercising is paying off. The lung doctor, at his annual checkup for Sarcoidosis, said that his numbers are above average for his age! 

The Monday deadline for the table dividers loomed impossible! So, Michael was up at dawn and put in four hours of work at the shop before church.

Then in the afternoon we were privileged to attend a beautiful wedding. The whole experience was another refreshing pause that lifted our spirits.

We have interesting connections with the young couple's families. The father of the bride (front row next to big hat) grew up in a missionary family in the same denomination as my parents! The mother of the bride (blue dress bottom photos) was the college roommate of our dear OM coworkers!

The groom was born in the Dominican Republic when his parents were missionaries there. We share the Spanish language. Both families are part of our church community!

If you've read this far, thank you! One added reflection from this week: I received an old photo of my maternal grandmother's family. I realized that I knew nothing of my great grandmother, either because I had forgotten or never heard anything about her. She died 11 months after my mother's birth which means my mother did not really know her either. As a great grandmother myself now, I suddenly became very interested. I will have to write more about these ancestors sometime. For now here is the photo from the early 1900s.

Bottom left: my grandmother Esther Z Sprunger, next to my great grandmother Caroline

Reunions

What a crazy week of multiple reunions, almost as unbelievable as this giant hibiscus with amazing blooms that last only a day!

Luna Pink Swirl Hibiscus 

The first gathering was on Sunday--a celebration of Karen's hard-earned achievement, conveniently a day before her birthday. She felt especially honored to have her very own ice sculpture after almost twenty years with a professional ice carver--a fancy sushi bar recognizing her new title M.A.E.

Stephan's role as host included providing food, serving, making everyone feel comfortable--family, friends, colleagues--even playing games with the many children in the pool. 

Monday Night Meal (usually just a few of us,four Kochs and neighbor Jasmine) became another reunion of sorts with several of the original friends from dinners Stephan used to host years ago when he was still single.

Tuesday, Aldo (Hoyt brother #3) and wife Alice, stopped for visit and lunch at Ivanhoe's on their way from Indianapolis to Winona Lake. Stephan was able to join us. 

Wednesday, Michael and I joined them for dinner with Mother, Alan (Hoyt brother #5) his fiancé Raquel as well as his son Nicolas, and Margaret (Mother's dear friend, both 98 this year!).

That very day, August 7, we realized that it was Mike's mother's birthday and she would have been 103 years-old. I truly look forward to eternity when I will get to know Carol Jane, healed and whole in body and mind.

That was also the day that the Muncie grands started back to school. I was so impressed with the special breakfast mom prepared--GF donuts with sprinkles--a sweet send-off.

Thursday, our good friends Fred and Karen Perry were passing through on their annual trek between family in Michigan and Bloomington. This time we lunched at Payne's, next to the interstate exit. We are always grateful for opportunities, brief though they may be, to reconnect and reminisce.

Michael had been preparing all week for a weekend adventure, the ODRAM (One Day Ride Across Michigan). A group of cyclists was looking for riders who could maintain a certain speed. He couldn't resist the challenge. 

Friday he drove to Bay City and was bused to Rothbury where he camped overnight ready to start the 150 mile ride at 5:30 a.m. the next morning! 

That night we shared a phone conversation while staring at the same moon and planet.

It took him 12 hours. He couldn't keep up with the group the entire time and the roads were a bit rough on his knees, but he is very grateful to be able to ride long distances again!

Meanwhile I was enjoying Rebecca's Purr-fect birthday party. She has so many grandmas, family and friends that love her. . .and who can't believe she is already five years-old and starting Kindergarten next week! 

Cat # 1: "Rebecca's turning five!"

Cat # 2: " You are kitten me!"

Update: Thursday I started therapy to regain left-arm mobility. I have to do exercises four times a day and go back twice a week.

2018 Week 43: October Fun

 One more week of pleasant weather as we ease into autumn. How long will life thrive in the flower boxes?

We were late celebrating Kayla's ___ (9+8+1+9) birthday. 

She asked for a family favorite, a fondue meal. We always enjoy the chaotic family togetherness.

Enlarged dual-purpose table

I love watching the young ones play together.

All week, Kayla's dance groups wore their Halloween costume to class (except our older women's tap group!).

"Anna" and her mini-version

Tuesday was Pixel's final journey back to Madjax for its retirement to the robot museum.

Michael was grateful for the good weather to continue cutting wood and preparing the bee hives for winter.

The huge fallen branch is nearly all gone, and the honeycomb frames clean.

We had two delightful young visitors in Art Club this week--members' grands on fall break.

Family members pumpkin-fun appeared throughout the week on Facebook.

Stephan and a fellow carver at Austin Landing

Top: Leah's painted pumpkins
Bottom: Sam and boys' carved ones

Finally, Saturday, we had a brief but wonderful reunion with friends from long ago. Almost every year, Fred and Karen Perry drive through between visits to family in Bloomington and Michigan. Sometimes they are able to stop. So many stories to share, it would take an eternity to tell.

This time Bob Craton (another OMer who lives here) was able to join us as well.

Any exciting encounters in your week?

2016 Week 28: Count your blessings

 Enjoying the lushness of summer. . .

Looking down on "the jungle" from the deck

Some samples add to the indoor decor.

Monday, surprised by the profusion of volunteer sunflowers at Dove's Crossing, Stephan and Karen's place.

Blessed to share several rides, errands, or appointments with these loved ones on different days.

Selfie by Leah

Selfie by Leah

Wednesday we were priviledged to join dear friends for their 50th anniversary celebration in Michigan. Fred was the best man at our wedding, only a week after Karen had given birth to their second daughter.

 We so enjoyed interacting with each of their children and grandchildren, and reminiscing with old ("literally" ;-) OM friends.

OM oldies                                                                       Los tres amigos

The children planned such a fun celebration. The best activity was when they were asked to move Flat Fred and Flat Karen around on the world map and tell their life story adding other little people along the way.
I don't believe I know any other couple that has lived in as many different countries as these two!

We stayed overnight at the same lodging as our dear friends the Bankers. After breakfast and much laughter and conversation, we each headed home.

We were back in time for Mike to put in a second eight hours of work on the robot this week with the team.
Friday, they left very early for the Indiana Robotics Invitational.
Saturday, after another short night, they repeated the same routine.

1720 is up next                                                                                      Talking strategy                              The protagonist: Sir Plus

So how did it go? Not so good, too many problems. Sir Plus is getting old and feeling beat up.
However, what an awesome opportunity for PhyXTGears to interact and compete with the top FIRST teams from all over the USA and Canada! Many came long distances and had to ship their equipment. For us travel time was only an hour and a half. Well, not for me, I stayed home. There was no room in the vehicle the day I could have gone. So I was glued to the computer watching our matches live, groaning when things went wrong.

Jared has been here all week, taking a course at Anderson University. Friday evening he could relax and not do homework. It was my opportunity to beat him soundly at Hand and Foot.

Brooding over his losing streak? Planning the next move? No! Checking messages.

 Today he is cooking dinner for us. Yeah!

We are very blessed in every way, eagerly anticipating the adventures that lie ahead in the new week.