Fifth Week

This calendar-page sticker-art represents the entire month of July--my extended vacation, unable to do many things. I could not hold a book like the girl in the picture. But come to think of it, I was able to place every sticker in place, however slowly and awkwardly.

Summer

And I could still walk and enjoy the wonderful weather and the many seasonal nuances of nature. 

I gained more freedom when the cast came off Tuesday, so we celebrated at Concannon's.

Monday the 29th was Mother's 98th birthday. I've been following her 1996 journal and read how they celebrated the day she turned 75--my current age.

Celebrated my birthday by going to Ft. Wayne. First we went to Blessings and took Daddy's baritone to get refinished. They loaned him a baritone while his is getting refinished. We then went to the Lincoln Museum for 2 hours. We could have stayed at least 3 hours there was so much to see. Dinner we ate at the Old Country Buffet. Called Rita after we came home but she hadn't arrived from Spain yet. Mike's mother said that Mike had gone to meet her and that they wouldn't be home for a couple days. Also painted an old door white to make a sign for D.V.B.S.

Some interesting notes to glean from that one paragraph. The celebration was low-key, just the two of them doing things they enjoyed, but combined with an errand. The day included some work for the church. Almost every journal entry mentions a church-related task to get the building ready, its maintenance, or to participate in the services.
I was reminded of the month I spent in Barcelona for a language teacher's course and living with David and Lisania Rhoton.
We had forgotten when it was that Michael's mother came to live with us, and were surprised that she was at that time still able to give accurate information over the phone.

I was so glad that earlier in the week Mother had family visitors, all the way from Las Vegas--Kyle and Tina were in the area to see his family.

Top: Betsy, Tina and Grandma Hoyt
Bottom: Simon, great grandma and Betsy

Wednesday Leah drove so we could visit Grandma Hoyt and celebrate her 98 years. 

My youngest brother Alan joined us for dinner with Mother and a good time together.

Leah and I stopped in the ARTcare with GRACE studio for her to see what they do there. Michael Conley, who runs the place, told us Mother had been in that day to paint even though it wasn't Friday, the assigned day for the Health Care residents. He is always amazed that she can focus and keep at a project the entire morning. Here are Mother's paintings I may have missed before.

I added my recent watercolor (an experiment of the wet on wet technique) to Mother's birthday greetings.

Hollyhocks

Zion was at camp all week. Everyday I looked through the camp photos for a glimpse of him. He seemed to be having a lot of fun. I asked him after what was his favorite. See if you can guess. You may be surprised.

Rebecca wanted to go fishing, so her Daddy obliged all the necessary gear--fishing pole, tackle box and all! She was so excited to catch one huge fish!

Michael has put in many miles on the bicycle this week. After one ride, a hundred-miler, he noticed all joint pain was gone! Truly exercise is medicine.

Karen and I attended the annual Taylor's Professional Writers Conference Friday and Saturday. That event probably merits a post of its own.

By the end of the week I grew tired of wearing the sling, and the brace hindered my handwriting so I dared to go without, cautiously, carefully.
I should also write about the lessons learned through the experiences of this very different month.

2016 Week 27: Celebrating Independence

This week's pickings

The celebration began with a grand picnic/carry-in at church Sunday.

Monday, the 4th, we took a friend to the Indianapolis airport and spent a day in the city enjoying the sights and sounds.

Lucas Oil across from our hotel; Ivy Tech sign, a reminder that classes start Aug. 22; fun architectural designs

A sweet bonus was that coincidentally niece Tina and her young family were spending a few days in Indy and we got to hang out with them.

Betsy getting acquainted with la tía abuela (great aunt) 

Besides walking downtown and listening to a patriotic concert by the canal, we experienced the Rhythm Discovery Center, a fascinating percussion museum. (Take a virtual tour by clicking on the link and perusing the many images.)

Mike and I went back downtown later to see the fireworks display. We were rather disappointed. Due to weather conditions the smoke hung in the air in a growing cloud.

We caught a glimpse of Victory Field's fireworks, after their 20th anniversary sold-out game.

Tuesday, more family reunion fun--Stephan, Karen, and I spent the afternoon in Warsaw with my two younger brothers and their families--Ivan and Kim recently returned from Argentina, and nephew Jon visiting from California. 

Met great niece Adalyn and learned of her fascination with shoes.

Wednesday was a quiet day at home. Michael went in to the robotics shop nearly every day. They are getting ready for another competition next week.

I got tired of spending so many long days alone, so Friday evening I begged to go along on his regular bike ride. We ended up doing 22 miles on the tandem.

Saturday, the plan was to take Leah out to celebrate her adopted birthday, but that fell through, so I cleaned house all day.

It was also Argentina's Independence Day. I was moved listening to this very special guitar rendition of the national anthem by an 18 year-old--Himno Nacional. 

Sunday was a full day.  The friends visiting from Uganda shared in church and I was able to get an updated photo.

In the afternoon we went to a wedding shower for a dear young friend we met in the Basque Country three years ago. She is now marrying a young man from our town!

Courtney and Nathanael

 It was very fitting that Mike and I wear jerseys from that first Circle Tour for yet another pleasant evening ride, 20 miles this time.

My coloring page for the week also has a good message for us in these troubled times when the freedoms we celebrated even this week are being threatened.

2015 Week 48: Giving thanks

This week in the USA we emphasize giving thanks. 

Great numbers travel distances to gather with their families and feel most grateful for relationships.

My brother Lynn came from Las Vegas to spend a couple weeks with Mother. We invited all our Midwest family to join us on Thanksgiving Day. 

Mother surrounded by three of her five children--Lynn, Alan, Rita

The matriarch herself

I had to teach Monday. After that I was able to worry about focus on the fact that we were expecting 28 for Thanksgiving dinner. I'd wake up in the morning trying to work out seating arrangements in my mind. Working steadily, slowly, area by area, everything came together. I was so happy when I figured out how to arrange the many plants in the solarium and make room for three guests. Next I set up the table in my craft room with its three inserts.

I was very intentional about staying out of the kitchen in order to focus on hostessing--welcoming and interacting with everyone. Mike wanted to cook and others offered to bring food. The big day arrived. Ha! So much for my resolve. Mike was sick and unable to participate!

However, Stephan and Karen had come very early so he could have one more opportunity to hunt. So they helped me prepare as well.

Karen even went out for a run in the nice weather.

Here she comes!

Earlier in the week both Mike and Stephan brought in some venison for the winter. Can you tell how many?

In the end, only 26 showed up and found a favorite spot. Kayla's little family in the solarium made such a pretty picture in the sunshine surrounded by greenery. I went outside to look in and get a photo. Not until I looked at the photos online did I see the photo-bomber!

Neice Tina came all the way from Elkhart to spend the day with us. We anticipated the encounter between Rebecca and Simon, almost two. Sure enough, she went to give him a hug and kiss. He would have no such thing, and was happy to escape up the stairs and play with the train set.

Another little one, Tina's two-and-half-week-old Betsy, made the rounds, getting acquainted with her extended family.

Hmmmm. . . are Sam & Kristie being inspired to try for a girl?

There is a saying in Spanish: "Muchas manos en un plato hacen mucho garabato." Literally, "Many hands in one plate make a mess." No mess here! The many hands worked together to clean up after the meal. By the time everyone left, there was not much left for me to do.

Diane and I played a game she enjoyed a lot.

The next day Sam and Kristie dropped off Elijah to spend a couple days with us while they went away for a deserved getaway.

We watched movies and played games and enjoyed our tall ten-year-old grandson.

He learned some chess strategies, but was unbeatable at Hand and Foot!

Tomorrow it's back to work, grateful for these few lazy days.

2014 Week 16: Semana Santa

Holy Week, as it is called, is over, always a sobering and good time reflecting on the greatest event in history, the most powerful act of love--God the Son's sacrifice to pay for our sin and His resurrection which guarantees our salvation and new life!

We celebrated with friends on Good Friday. The Blakeleys have a home full of love and beautiful children.
We sat around in a circle and shared many stories of God working in our lives. We laughed a lot and ate good food.

And, Resurrection Sunday, yesterday, we had a wonderful celebration as a family, at lest two thirds of us.
Skye's two friends joined us. We used the Resurrection Eggs again. First, a search to find the hidden eggs around the room. Then as I read, each opened his/her discovered egg in turn. The story does not grow old.

The week began with yet another 'growing-old' physical reality. Early Monday we left for Mike's colonoscopy. The long wait nearly made us late for the next thing on our calendar, a memorable event we look forward to every year--the chapel and luncheon in memory of Rick Seaman.

Monday evening, as is our happy custom, another meal at son Stephan's, this time quite different--spring rolls. I'd never seen or tried those plastic-looking wraps. The many fillings and sauces made these quite delightful.

I remember writing last Sunday, "Spring is here to stay." Ha! Tuesday we woke up to this surprise.

I was especially worried about all the beautiful daffodils that had exploded profusely. The clumps were indeed flattened. However, surprisingly, though at first the blooms nearly touched the ground and even suffered a second night of below-freezing temperatures, I was able to rescue dozens to decorate and give away to the ladies who came over for Bible study Wednesday morning.

That afternoon I took a bouquet to my friend Patryce who could not be present because she had hip replacement surgery last week. We had a delightful visit.

Thursday, after a long day of writing, before going to Malachi's track meet in Yorktown, we caught the tail end of the prairie burn across from Taylor University.

Malachi did very well, perhaps a personal best, I'm not sure. Both grandpa Mike and uncle Stephan said he was much better than they were at that age. He must have his mother's genes.

So, what were the other three boys doing?

It is safe to say that they were each doing their own thing: Elijah, off and on playing with his new Kindle; Zion, wandering off; and Jude, intent on exploring and making sure grandma got a workout following him around everywhere even up and down stairs and bleachers countless times, for two hours. Elijah, however, was keeping track of Malachi's team's progress.

My blog would not be complete without some artistic expression. Son Stephan spent some of Friday putting finishing touches to a tree-stump carving he started last year.

 Saturday was an open day for me so, kind of at the last minute, I decided to visit my Mother and take her to spend some time with Ivan and Kim back from Argentina for a short time staying at daughter Tina's. We had a lovely time and a great meal. Of course, little Simon was the center of attention.

Four Generations

  I will close with more Sunday fun. The ATV is a favorite for different kinds of entertainment.

As the boys explored the woods, they discovered a camera had been set up, probably by Taylor students who did not know they had wandered beyond university property lines. We had fun looking at the stored  photos over a period of a few months of seasonal changes, a variety of wildlife, including the most recent surprises!

 So much for a fun week. How was yours?