Birthdays, building, and filming

Here's another gorgeous bouquet from cousin Karin to brighten our days with varied colored tulips.

Our own area is blossoming with wild and planted blooms.

This last week of March was bookended with birthday celebrations--Kalani the first Sunday and his Papaw Jimmy the next.

Opening his many gifts was a slow process, tearing off bits of wrapping paper and handing them to us, or just sitting on the gift. Though he was shirtless and readied to dive into his special cake, he didn't make a big deal of it. And, of course, this one-year-old could not appreciate his six-year-old cousin's heart-felt birthday card just yet.

It was a joy and privilege to meet with my friend Petey for breakfast Monday. It seems our meeting times are not as regular now with increased grandmotherly duties.

Michael has significantly increased his fatherly involvements this week, still working some hours daily at Stephan's and also helping Leah's dream art studio become a reality.

Purlins, do you know what they are? And can you see the window frame he was putting together?

Tuesday, March 23, I was remembering Milt Koch, my father-in-law, who passed away on that day in 2003 at age 86 after a long ten years battling crippling illnesses.

Tuesday afternoons, when Rebecca is here, we walk the trash up the lane to the road for Wednesday pick-up. She insists on trying to pull it up on her own.

My adventure in filming began Wednesday. Kendra, our resident film major, needed a 75 year-old for her senior narrative, thus I became "Miss Holly" despite my age (76).

The setting for the first shoot was a bed and breakfast nearby with a lovely lake. There on the bridge my "godson" broke up with Quinn, his fiancee. He died shortly thereafter.

This was my place, at the table looking at a photo album of Jack's boyhood.

Here you can glimpse the crew but not the massive impressive equipment required. 

To transport, load and unload, set up, dismantle all that is already a major task. The team had three very long days  filming in different sets. The novice actors didn't make it any easier for them.

Michael gets out for extended bike rides again, some 40 miles Saturday.

Meanwhile, I was at Jack's "funeral" faking sorrow. Daughter Leah joined me as an extra. We don't look very sad here!

Sunday was our final March birthday celebration--a dinner out with Leah and Jimmy.

March is almost over, but life marches on relentlessly. What surprises will next week bring?

The Gift of People

Real physical greeting cards have meant more to me this season than ever before. Perhaps because they are fewer now with the ease and popularity of virtual means of communication. I do appreciate newsletters and season greetings in all formats, but the cards I look at are sweet daily reminders of the senders.

People and relationships are very important in my life. The photos this week reflect that.

Monday I visited Leah to deliver a gift that arrived. Michael had sent for this outfit because "it screamed Leah!" She loves her animals, many cats, one loyal dog, Zeus. I wonder what he thinks of all those cats?

Tuesday after school, I picked up Rebecca from the library where her mother works. She helped me continue to decorate.. She discovered an ornament she painted when she was only two and a half.

Her expression, surprise or . . . ?

I saved one of Aunt Gladys' ornaments because it was so perfect for my friend Petey. She collects teapots and loves pearls. We had breakfast together at our favorite cafe. I am so grateful for her friendship.

Michael steadily continues to work at the pottery project he began--to smooth, polish, glaze, and refire the UPland mugs.

Thursday I enjoyed reconnecting with my consuegra (co-mother-in-law), Kristie's mom. She is recovering from knee replacement and needs helpers. She calls them encouragers. She does have a little friend, Miss Snickery Doodle, but not the same as human companionship.

Michael and I have walked the Upland trail twice this week, ending close to sunset.

We are enjoying the Christmas lights and the third and biggest tree. Moriah stopped by Tuesday after her baby-sitting job in town and helped bring it down from the attic. Then Rebecca and I decorated it.  Who would've thought I'd go all out like this. Again it was because of personal connections.

 

Cousin Rosie is a very dear family connection. This week I received a long letter from her and was reminded that I haven't listened to Moody Radio in a long time. I intentionally searched for Rosalie de Rosset on their website and have been listening to the archived programs where she was interviewed. The most recent one is Advent  perfect for the season. However, the older ones  are wonderful too. I just finished listening to A Pandemic Reading Plan which aired in March. Excellent! Two others in June and July I also highly recommend.

The times we are living have caused us to value human touch and connection all the more because much of that has been taken away. I am thankful for the people in my life.

2018 Week 46: Ice Storm

Our first light snowfall was November 9, then Thursday this week a hard and lingering ice storm.

Sunday was friend Trisha's birthday. In the afternoon she was showered with gifts for her coming baby .

Monday, my friend Petey and I enjoyed  lunch at Payne's. Her Tuna and Walnut Bourriche was so beautifully presented, we both took pictures, simultaneously!

Tuesday, was the anniversary of my brother Lynn's homegoing. I looked back at the album I prepared last year. So many of the photos speak to me of sweet times together. These are only a few from the very early years.

The ice storm halted many activities and plans, even Taylor University cancelled classes till noon.
Our bird friends didn't seem to notice.

Friday we hosted two families from our community. Michael did most of the cooking. My role is to decorate and clean before and after. 

Saturday was a big day away. We had three people to see in Winona Lake--Ashley, Mother, and Malachi.
Michael's great niece's basketball team from Silver Lake College in Wisconsin played Grace at 2:00 P.M. Isn't she cute?

Mother was ever so surprised and pleased to see Michael. He's on his knees here replacing the batteries in her hearing aids. "I don't need them when I'm all alone," she said.

In the dining room Michael entertained the ladies with jokes and I took pictures and sent a selfie to Joene's daughter in Florida.
Can you believe these three widows represent more than 100 years of missionary service.

The final event was the final performance of Peter and the Starcatcher at 7:30 P.M. in Grace's Little Theatre. Malachi played at least a couple of roles--Mack and Hawking Clam.

It was a fun day. And now we look forward to more family togetherness for the Thanksgiving holiday! We are so thankful for each one and how God has been at work in our midst.

2017 Week 25: Travels

Many comings and goings this week. Elijah spent all week having a blast at Miracle Camp. I was amused by how appropriate the t-shirt message is for this action shot.

Miracle Camp photo credit

Monday and Friday groups of Cornerstone summer campers made their way across the street to MadJax for a robotics demo. The students ran the show; Mike observed on the sideline.

Tuesday I went to see Mother and had another delightful visit. We read three more letters from the past; visited "Aunt Margaret" and had dinner with the ladies at her table. There is a new resident, a cheery little 82 year-old, already a great great great grandmother--María originally from Texas, speaks Spanish and lives across the hall from Mother!



Wednesday Michael and the Taylor U and PhyXTGears Thin Sat teams left early for a day trip to Morehead State University to visit the Earth and Space Sciences deprtment, the ones who will be testing the components (thin satellites, designed and made by TU and robotics students) to be launched for space exploration.

Morehead focuses solely on space engineering, so they have state of the art equipment such as this radio telescope.

Moriah is the robotics student graduate who is working full-time at Taylor on this project this summer, and will be attending TU in the fall and living with us.

While Mike was gone, friend Debbie helped me clean house in readiness for Saturday's Team 1720 social, "Koch-Out."
Rebecca helped  as well! Nanna was really sick so while Mommy went to work at Cornerstone summer camp, the busy little one sprayed and wiped deck furniture with me, each with a spray bottle.
Looks like she overworked and quickly lost appetite.

Thursday very early, it was my turn to travel. My neighbor, Petey, had invited me to join her on a bus tour of three Historic Indiana River Towns with Ambassadair--Aurora, Lawrenceburg, and Madison--two full days of very well-planned activities.

The first stop was an art studio, home of 32 local artist in Aurora, where we painted bird houses. Mine is in the center. Can you guess which one?

Next we went to the Great Crescent Brewery for a wonderful lunch and a beer bread baking demo.

Owner's wife gives bread demo; Owner tells history of the place; delicious samples, variations of the beer bread.

Then, happily well-fed, we were on our way to Greystone Farm for a very interesting presentation by a master beekeeper with the Southeastern Indiana Beekeepers Association,and honey tasting.

Master beekeeper presentation; back of display pannel; marked queen bee and her adoring subjects

Back to the historic jail and Council Chambers for a tour and to hear from Dr. Jacob Ebersole, back from the dead to tell us about his life in Aurora during the Civil War.

Historian, Ray, as Dr. Ebersole; me languishing in an old jail cell; restored early 1900's fire engine.

Aurora is called the City of Spires. I tried to capture a few of them as we rode by.

Dinner was at the Hillforest Victorian House Museum.

Dessert was in the formal dining room of the Veraestau Estate. At this location we were allowed to touch things and take pictures. Of course, I took way too many. For blog story-telling purposes I will only include one--my friend donning a hat, at my insistence, in the 1810 area of the estate.

Friday, after a good night's sleep in the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Lawrenceberg, we headed out on a rainy day to visit Stream Cliff Herb Farm. We were only the second event in the big old barn where we heard about the family history of the place and their many events and offerings. We then blended our own potpourri.

Lunch in the tea room was delightful. I explored the gardens, chapel, shops, and gathering places and, once again, I have way too many photos. I chose one for the heading of this blog post.

The tour bus drove us to Madison and around the historic downtown including a talk by the local tourist guide. Then we had two hours to tour the fascinating city. Many chose to stay on the bus. Petey and I ventured out in the pouring rain. A favorite stop was the Galena Garlic Company where we sampled nearly all the balsamic vinagres.

Enough about my trip, well worth the money. Thank you, Petey for inviting me!

Saturday was the big day we'd long been preparing for, the team social. Good fun, food and fellowship, great way to get to know one another better--students, mentors and families.

If you made it this far--THANK YOU for reading!!!