Last week of summer.

These beautiful blooms planted in July were nearly buried in weeds.  

The lovely Blakely girls, our favorite landscaping crew, weeded and mulched the flower garden by Leah's house last week. Just received pics this week.

 

I finally picked up last week's paper that had my article.

Jane and I enjoyed our Tuesday morning walk. We explored areas of the Taylor U campus that we had not seen before.

Michael put in long hours at Stephan's every day, and stops at Menard's once or twice a day for more parts.  He is working on the radiant heat control panel at this time. Father and son are focused on the inner workings of the house (heating and plumbing), not pretty or showy, but oh so important!

For more about the ongoing progress on the house, see Karen's weekly blog updates.

My work is to write. In March I began posting two chapters each month--the 1st and 15th are my self-imposed deadlines. Wednesday was the scheduled publication of chapter 14.

The task has become more demanding as I ran out of pre-written chapters, and now my primary source, my parents' letters, has dried up. 

I try to give time each day to the process of furthering the story of my early childhood in Argentina. 

1. Determine scope, content and theme of the chapter.

2. Research the sources, historical context, relevant photos and theme-appropriate Scripture.

3. Compose the narrative, edit and revise.

4. Schedule to publish on My Argentina.

5. Send English version to friend in Argentina for translation.

6. Edit, discuss and come to an agreement on any changes.

7. Post and schedule publication on Mi Argentina querida.

So, at the beginning of the week I was working on steps 6 & 7 for chapter 14. And then began immediately on chapter 15.

Later in the day come the chores--cooking, cleaning, etc. In the evenings when we finally are together, we sit in our favorite recliners, watch Jeopardy and some other show. That's when I knit a few more rows of whatever project is on hand. Eventually, stitch by stitch, there is a finished product. I truly enjoy making something useful out of scraps. This came from a massive pile of tangled yarn I found at the Helping Hand store. Not sure where it will go now. Perhaps to a program that helps out children in foster care.

Can you see what's wrong with this outfit?

Friday was Kristie's birthday. A couple days later we were privileged to visit them in their new house and see two of Sam's pendulum paintings. Wow! He is quite the artist.

Saturday was an adventure-filled day. Michael was going to go bicycling alone. I suggested we go hiking together. I was thinking of the cross-country trail. In an effort to make the adventure comparable to his usual 80 to 100 mile bike rides, he planned a route through our woods, across the road to another woods, to the cross-country trail, then the road to another trail and walk home. I asked how long that would take. What he hadn't counted on was that over the summer the paths he knew were all overgrown. He was leading me into the jungle! When we came out on the first road, we just walked home.

Early afternoon, we had some delightful little visitors. Kalani is fascinated by the wooden duck decoys.

Three grandboys arrived soon after to spend the night. We enjoyed an afternoon of games and fun. 

They stayed back that evening when we went to the wedding of Stephan and Karen's neighbor, Jasmine. For years now she has been a regular at Monday Night Dinner, so we've all become good friends.

The ceremony took place in the front field of Stephan's property. 

The wedding arch; the couple; Boomer, the ring-bearing dog 

We sat next to this lovely lady with the golden hair. The sun shone so bright. Karen's hair glistened like gold.

It was a fun evening. And when we got home, the boys were still alive and awake. Elijah had prepared a tasty egg dish. 

Sunday afternoon, we took the boys home and toured the new house. It was wonderful to spend the afternoon catching up with one another.

The boys brought out the new musical instrument in the family, Zion's trombone. My Dad would've loved this scene.

Week 45

Cousin Karin's blossoms are dying out. Her brother Ed is very ill and she is caring for his daughter. Instead of a real bouquet, I open with one of Mother's paintings. The gentleman who ran the ARTcare with Grace program, said of her: "Kathryn understands color like no one else." I imagine her now enjoying the vibrant color varieties in heaven.

Next, a forgotten photo from last week: Moriah Cruella deVil. College students enjoy Halloween fun too.

My projects and accomplishments of the week: the year-end letter, and a good start on the family calendar. 

Of course, the big event of the week was the election. Everyone had varying waiting times. I was there mid-morning and waited in line for at least an hour and a half but had the best time talking with a retired medical missionary to Bangladesh. When Michael went at 1 PM there were only five people ahead of him. 

The next three days I was feeling rather puny with a sore throat. It was strep, no Covid. Even so, I tried to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. 

The first afternoon I walked to the bridge nearby and back, about a mile and a half. 

The next two days I wandered through our woods.

Michael found time to do a 10-mile hike with the guys. He is very grateful to be able to go that far without much pain and only one half-way rest stop

The robotics program is picking up. That keeps him well occupied now.

Sam's birthday celebration was Friday, November 6. It did not seem wise for me to go because of my sore throat, but Michael went anyway and took his sister. Diane had a good time; she doesn't get out much and misses family. They got to see the many improvements on the house.

Happy 42nd, Samuel son! 

All week long Michael diligently prepared a presentation for a virtual forum Saturday: "Electricity, Electronics, and FRC." He missed riding with the club, but went for a shorter ride later. This beautiful weather cannot be wasted!

The annual Upland Holiday Craft Fair was on, always the first Saturday in November. A friend was able to display and sell some of the knitted-from-scraps items that have accumulated this year over many an evening of TV watching with my honey. Only two sold, so the rest are up for grabs. Take your pick.

Sunday afternoon was perfect for one last hiking hoorah, just the two of us.

 

What a wonderful surprise to "see" on Facebook a couple from Barcelona that we worked and fellowshipped with in the early years of our marriage when we lived in Germany, now in their 80s, married 61 years. 

¡Hermosos recuerdos, Dios os bendiga, Antonio y Eugenia!

We are now well into Week 46, and I am just now posting about Week 45 due to life´s unavoidable interruptions, which I prefer to call God-appointments. 

2015 Week 5: Birthday and Anniversary

These two small wooden figures, added to my turtle collection, were  my favorite Christmas gift, especially the note that came with them.

Yesterday, January 31st, we celebrated 45 years on this journey of life together. Our annual photo ended up a mix of two selfies to capture the best expressions. (I should have taken off my glasses like Mike did.)

You can't really appreciate the new Christmas sweater I'm wearing in the photo. 

Earlier in the week I enjoyed the one I knit for Michael and gave him at the time of our wedding 45 years ago! Can you see the hole and frayed cuffs?

Earliest and most recent knitting projects

Going back to last Sunday: Grandma Debby dropped off the two young boys to spend the night here. 

Monday breakfast

Jude really enjoyed Grandpa's homemade kefir. 

Zion and I finished up his firetruck puzzle.

Tuesday. January 27th, was Elijah's 10th birthday which he has been celebrating all week!

At age 4 ½

He is now 4 ½ inches taller than his dad at age 10, and can't wait to catch up with (and surpass) grandma's height!

Wednesday after tap class I got to see two favorite girls.

Thursday I photographed these two ladies. With a newly knit headband "Youth" looks more feminine.

Friday Game Night we had a full house in honor of Elijah's birthday. I had many old photos spread out on the coffee table.

Mike and Skye played a quiet game of chess while the crowd guessed Headbandz.

Kayla has trouble guessing ice cream

Elijah stayed overnight so we could continue our annual Garfield statue search on Saturday.

After I took him home, I joined Michael at The PhyXTGears workshop, before heading out to celebrate our anniversary with dinner and a movie.

Nine robots in their hallway museum

2014 Week 46: Love of Theatre

I just have to begin this post with a photo of Rebecca wearing the hoodie I knit for her. It is still a little big for her, but as her Mama said, "She just had to wear it." (Was it a weather or fashion-related choice? Her own idea or her mother's?) It is snowing after all!

Matt was away this week on an out-of-state job, so Kayla joined us at Monday meal and Rebecca made the rounds admired by all and had a special bonding time with Aunt Karen and Uncle Stephan. (I think they've decided to dispense with the Great qualifier.)

Tuesday, a day to remember our veterans. . . and friend Trisha's birthday with a Mexican dinner at Mi Pueblo.

For Wednesday Mike had planned a special outing for the two of us--dinner and theatre at Beef & Boards, where we saw Fiddler on the Roof  one of our favorites. We saw it first in German  and I remember listening to the sound track over and over.
Mike also arranged for us to spend the night in Indy so we wouldn't have to drive home so late.
Look at who welcomed us at the hotel?

That same day was The Amazing Taste event at Ball State University. Stephan outdid himself again with yet another ice creation for the occasion. Hmmm. . . I wonder how many years he's been hired to do this? You may remember last year's ice sculpture. One big difference this year is that it was carved in his new shop on his own land. Stephan has worked very hard  moving his entire operation, building a large freezer, and on and on. A couple weeks ago he gladly turned in the keys to the studio he leased for over six years!

This week the window of milder temps was rapidly closing so we hasted to complete any outdoor chores. I trimmed the rose bush and brought in the last roses of summer.

I just had to include this #tbt photo that surfaced on Facebook--Kristie's kindergarten graduation. What is significant is that the little boy in the background to her left, is Sam! We are so grateful that in God's sovereign plan and in His own time and way He brought them together for a beautiful lifetime partnership.

Friday we attended yet another theatre performance--Tartuffe at Taylor University.

Only six more weeks left in 2014 and time to reflect over the year, write a year-end letter, and decide whether to continue Meemaw Moments in 2015 or change my focus to Meemaw Memories, looking back over the many years that lay untouched, archived. What do you think?

2014 Week 13

It happened again! Three times it snowed or flurried this week, but did not linger long.

Leah endured a two-hour procedure but felt it was all worth it for the new smile!
I teased her about the 'pacifier.' Thanks to these impressions, she will get the permanent teeth in a couple weeks.

Four grandsons spent the night and found ways to entertain themselves. The little man climbed the staircase over and over and over and was so quick that most photos were blurry.
Where's the older brother? Probably cleaning up after the others, always so helpful.

A widowed friend that I don't see too often showed me a favorite spot by the river. Only a few miles from here, such beautiful rolling terrain. The sun was setting. A lone Canadian goose stood motionless.

I visited a few local businesses to drop off flyers about the upcoming poetry and arts festival as I've been recruited to help on the organizing committee. My young friend was on shift at Subway so I tried the new 'flatizza.'

I always have a few creative projects to work on in spare moments. This week I finished one of them, another baby hoodie.

Mike has been helping son-Stephan at the third annual ice carving competition in Yellowknife, NWT. It was a beautiful design, but risky. On the last day, twenty minutes before the end of the twenty eight hours, they removed the last temporary support, and . . . Oh, no! . . . one of the cranes collapsed. Even so they placed fourth.

Yesterday was a 'Diane-day.' SIL wanted to go to Fort Wayne so we went to the big mall. Our main destination was Barnes and Noble. She loves bookstores.
We had a mix of rain and snow the way there. Gratefully, an easier drive on the way back.

Today I decided to change my cover photo. This is what I see now, a bit drab, except when the sun is out. Soon we will have spring flowers!