The BIG Day

A week ago today, we rose early full of anticipation and excitement.
It was the day of the long awaited cycling event, La Pyrenéenne! The guys had been training for months. Our big adventure in Basque Country was planned around this event, which actually took place in France.

We traveled to Bagneres de Bigorres the day before and met with more friends of our hosts, and settled into a lovely, quaint hotel for the night.

The guys doing the long three mountain route left for their 7:00 a.m. mass start. Some commented about Mike's RAIN jersey as the weather was already threatening precipitation. He was only showing off/advertising the Indiana cycling event--RideAcrossINdiana.

I ran after them intending to take pictures of the start and come right back and join the ladies for breakfast. Things turned out quite differently than planned. Stay tuned for that story, Monday perhaps.

Mid morning, us women went to the middle point of the figure eight shaped route you can see on this website and waited by the St. Marie church. That intersection was rather dangerous as two major cycling events came together going in opposite directions. Our guys were coming down from Tourmalet and the other riders were heading up. They were celebrating the 100th year of inclusion of the region and these mountains in the Tour de France.

I think the first one of our group that we saw come down was Dane. The 16 year-old whizzed by before we arrived. 

Mike was the last of the ten to come down from the fearful summit. The long descent in the increasing fog made him cold, stiff and shaky. He was determined to go on, however we managed to persuade him to shorten his ride by attempting only two of the climbs. The second one, the Aspin, was, as they say, 'a piece of cake' in comparison.

Two of the friends had planned on the late start or shorter route. One of them was so very excited about reaching the summit, he was quite emotional when he phoned his wife from up there. We waited and waited for him and when he came by, to our disappointment, he didn't even stop! We found out later what had taken so long--he had phoned the owner of the bicycle, his mother, his siblings, anyone he could think of to tell them of his thrilling success!

In the Spanish phrase book Mike picked up before we left the US, there was one page dedicated to the Basque language. There we found a cheer we thought might be appropriate to encourage 'us and ours':

Gora gu, ta gutarrak!

The friends were greatly amused, but didn't tell us till later that the radicals have now taken it up as their chant!

So the ride was far more challenging than expected and our guys came in almost last. 

Speaking of last, today I ran a 5 mile race and finished absolute last. The scripture that says The last shall be first proved true, however, and I won first place in my age category. The award was something very practical --a pair of Cool Max ankle socks.

Flashback Friday: Childhood Friends

Who was your first friend? Did you have lots of friends when you were growing up or just one or two close friends? Share memories from your childhood friends. For women, were "mean girls" an issue when you were growing up? Or were you a "mean girl"?! How did your friends shape who you are today, for good or not-so-good? Do you still keep up with your childhood friends today?

 This will be brief because I just returned from Spain, have a lot of catching up to do. Even though I had very good childhood friends, and still stay in touch with several of them, I will only talk about one, because today is her birthday--June 17th when I am writing this.

We must have met when we were very small because our father's were pastor's in the same fellowship, but we did not see one another very often as our families lived in different provinces and only got together at summer camp and/or annual general conference.

There was one time, however, when Mirtha and her family came to Buenos Aires for medical reasons. She had contracted polio as a baby. I believe this is the first photo of us together during the time they stayed with us. She is on my left.

I do believe that after that stay we corresponded faithfully for many, many years, long and often illustrated letters. Mirtha has a thick binder with all of mine and recently reread them to her great amusement.

I wish I were able to post the PowerPoint I created to tell the story of our friendship and for language teaching purposes. You could learn some Spanish! I will save you the effort and include only some of the photos.

Polio affected her spinal column, left her with severe scoliosis, and endangered her vital organs As a bedridden teenager she wrote a novel that won third place in a Moody writing contest.

This article was published in 1965.
Mirtha has since led a very full life as a literature prof, editor of a magazine for children, married 20 years, step mother and grandmother, writer and speaker, and encourager of many.

Three years ago I was privileged to visit her, only too briefly.

Happy Birthday, dear friend!

After you read this, you may want to go over to Mocha With Linda and read more stories of friendship.

Home again!

Top 10 Memories 
Impossible, try again!

Random list of highlights of our European adventure

--The Big Cycling Event: the guys conquered the terrible Tourmalet (2100 m, 30 Km climb) on its 100 year anniversary of inclusion in the Tour de France! However, they were in the last 10 out of 1000 riders.

(Check out the website for more info and photos.)

--Finding my way in a French city, i.e. lost and wandering for three hours.

--Travel by car across Northern Spain through varied terrain.

--Visit in Galicia with dear friends from our years on the ship Doulos.

--Learning about el Camino de Santiago, a centuries old famous pilgrimage, celebrating its jubilee year in 2010.

--Festive day in Oñati, quaint and beautiful town: guided tour of the oldest university in Basque Country and the Church of San Miguel; sports competitions; typical dances and music; and a very good visit with Irati and her mother.

--Mondragón Cooperative Movement success! The story of one quiet priest and his influence to bring people together, educate and effect the prosperity of a region with socioeconomic values and practices that have spread throughout the world.

--Seeing the stunning scenery of the Basque Country. The self proclaimed "marco incomparable" (unrivaled, unequaled, incomparable setting) of San Sebastian's Bahía de la Concha, was only one among many.

--Farm country, family run agricultural projects--vineyards; scientifically engineered tomato growing enterprises; dairy, beef, sheep farms...

--Our visit coincided with two town festivals, a very anticipated soccer game, Amaia's band concert (she plays accordion) and more.

--A very interesting and informative tour of a pottery workshop and museum, Ollerías, where one woman is attempting to bring back a long lost craft and art.

--Art, architecture, historic monuments everywhere you turn. Fascinating stuff!

--Huge, ginormous,ornate church buildings and cathedrals, some centuries-old and built over hundreds of years as the donations came in. I began to appreciate much of the imagery, which served to instruct and remind the vast illiterate majority in the Middle Ages.

--Alberto, our host, took vacation days, planned each day's outing, drove us all around and taught us so much.

--Fabulous food and great fellowship around the table. Men cook.

--Meeting Amaia's family and their friends was number ONE highlight! Such wonderful people! We have so much to learn from them and their way of life!

The list could go on, but for now this was enough to help me get started. I was feeling overwhelmed, almost paralyzed by ALL that I wanted to share. Like Anne Lamott suggests in her book titled, Bird By Bird, we ought to go about it one thing at a time. So, what item do you want to hear more about?

Flashback Friday: Siblings

Mocha With Linda's Prompt # 11

Do you have siblings? (If not, keep reading - I'll get to you.) How many and are they boys or girls? Where do you fall in the birth order? How did you view your "spot" in the family compared with the others? If you are the oldest, did you resent the things the youngest got to do that you didn't? If the youngest, what did you want to do like the older ones? And if you are more of a middle child, how did that impact you? How do you think your birth order shaped your personality? Did you and your siblings like each other growing up or did you fight all the time? Are you close now? Or at least friends with each other?! What memories stand out about you and your siblings?

If you are an only child, how did you like that? Were you glad to have all the attention or did you want to have a brother or sister? What advantages were there to being an only child? What disadvantages? Which side of the fence is greener?!

For everyone, did your sibling experiences (or lack thereof!) affect your decision to have kids or to have a certain number?

No direct access to photos this time tho' I would have some cute ones on my computer at home. Here in Northwest Spain where I am for a couple days, internet access is sporadic. Right now in the middle of the night, I can't sleep but I can blog. So for as long as my luck lasts, I will try to respond.

I am the oldest of five and the favorite daughter ;)
Always hoped for a sister, however that never happened so I maintained my favored position in the family. Of course, with privilege comes responsibility. I sometimes was required to look after my brothers, but I was bossy and mean at times and thus was relieved of the duty. Yes, believe it or not, I made my younger sibling cry and beg to be allowed back in the house, red-faced eyes swollen. I don't know if I gave in or not. Believe me, I am not proud of that.
Another time I was swinging and urged him to come closer and closer to see how close I could get to flying over him. It didn't work and he ended up with a gash in his forehead. Again, I can't believe my mean stupidity.
The next brother broke his arm when he jumped off the big tricycle I was pushing him on. Probably my fault.
How they survived and still love me I do not know.
The youngest was in luck 'cause he was only months old when I went off to college.
Our family was spread out enough that each of us lived a different phase of our missionary family experience.
All of us, without exception, are grateful for our upbringing in Argentina, and all of us have returned a time or more. Two have served there as missionaries at one time and another is there now.
We all love one another and try to stay in touch as much as possible.
Attempting to bring back the memories of my growing up years in Argentina has brought me closer to my next sibling (the one I tormented). He has an excellent memory and is helping me recover those lost years.
All for now. It is 3 a.m. I am going to try to get some sleep.

2010 Week 22: More Birthdays

Yes, Mike and I are only 8 days apart in age. Wednesday was his day. Again the celebration began at Monday Meal. Chef-Son did it again: a surprise gift on the table, a delicious meal and great dessert--lemon meringue pies.

The honoree leaning on the new sign Chef-son made for the pottery studio--Klaytivity by Michael Koch.

In Argentina there were huge festivities for its 200th birthday. On the 25th of May, 1812, a group of criollos (Spaniards born in the Americas) determined to be free of the control of Spain. It took six years to earn and declare that independence. Here you can see some representative photos,

On that day I was wishing I had an escarapela to wear all day. And before the day was over, I just had to sit down at the piano and play el Himno Nacional.

Wednesday was Mike's actual birthday, but life demands did not cease in his honor. In fact, his car decided to give him grief. Two wheel bearings needed replacing and they conspired to make the task very difficult for him. Why would they, belonging to the same vehicle, require different size tools and parts? I don't know how many trips he made to the auto parts place. Once again, my man refused to give up and persevered until the end--a two day job.

He continues to train for the 100 mile cycling event two weeks from today--La Pyrénéenne. He covered 65 on Saturday, in the heat.

We leave Tuesday, June 1st and arrive in Basque Country on Wednesday at 10:40 a.m.
We have been planning, preparing, communicating with our hosts. We are excited about this travel opportunity, and especially about meeting Amaia's family.

So what else happened this week?
I was sick, sore throat, head cold, congestion, miserable for a couple days. Slowly kept plodding on with household stuff and travel preparations.

I finished the puzzle the boys and I started last Friday. Malachi set most of it. Elijah hung in there till we finished the edge. I was very impressed with both of them. I glued it and Skye helped me hang it on the wall.

This was the last week of Skye riding the bus to our house before going to the Red Barn. Next year the bus will take him there directly from the Junior High. I will miss those times with him--we memorized verses together, I taught him Spanish words and phrases, and we talked about school, friends, books, whatever.

I love the sea of daisies in front of the Red Barn.

Thursday was Skye's 6th grade graduation.

Friday we enjoyed a little date night to use a gift certificate to Outback. Great food!

Flashback Friday: Summers

What were summers like when you were a kid? Did your family have any particular traditions? Did you sleep 'til noon or get up early? Did you attend camps? Spend lots of time at the pool? Was it a neighborhood pool or in your backyard? Did you take swimming lessons? Did you live near a beach? (And do you call it the beach or the coast?!) Did you attend VBS (Vacation Bible School)? Did your library have a reading program that you participated in? What types of prizes were available? Did you get to buy treats from the ice cream truck? Did your family go on vacations? If so, what is a memorable one? Do you associate any particular songs with summer?

This is Mocha With Linda's weekly prompt. Others may have linked up by now, and I am just beginning my response. We have little time as we are very focused on getting ready for our trip to Spain. But I didn't want to miss the opportunity to once again delve into the old photos and memories. I will be brief.

My parents were Grace Brethren missionaries in Argentina, so as a family we were involved in the summer activities of the mission or denomination: summer camps for different age groups and the general conference.

The camp grounds in the sierras of Córdoba, always near a stream or river, el arroyo o arroyito,  provided delightful afternoons of swimming and playing in the water. If I remember correctly, boys and girls, or men and women, were assigned separate swimming areas.

The following photos prove that  I was taken to camp from a very early age.

Looks like I had plenty of lovely young women to keep an eye on me.

This area holds the most memorable summer memories. I own a painting by my late friend, artist and pastor  Juan Colle to remind me of those happy times all the years I was growing up into a young adult.

Official swimming lessons? Not till I took a course in college.
No pools or beaches nearby.
No reading programs or special traditions. I do not remember going on family vacations either.
We did have VBS programs. No special memory stands out.

So, I will leave it at this. I will probably not be able to join you all for the next couple weeks. We will be visiting friends in Spain near a beach and a pool! More water fun awaits!

2010 Week 21: Birthday Week

The celebration began at Monday Night Meal. Chef-son had a gift waiting in the center of the big table with a humorous greeting.

And after the meal a cake with only 18 candles and the group crazy song, of course.

Tuesday the 18th, I started the day with some of that fine Alliance World coffee.


Wednesday, Skye found a baby chipmunk and revived it with some peanutbutter on a toothpick.

Sadly, he escaped in their house the next day and was later found dead.

Thursday Sam brought another birthday gift--a book I had asked for, also coffee related, quite a fascinating story by the one who started Alliance World Coffees. I happen to have a photo from a couple weeks ago of author and book.

Friday we went to Elijah's pre-school graduation--a sweet program and a fun family time.
The children sang and then in pairs quoted a Bible verse. His was Genesis 9:13.

Meanwhile, Auntie Leah and Uncle Jimmy enjoying (?) baby Zion.

Today, I got to enjoy his sweet kisses...

 

 

...when he wasn't watching Elijah play T-Ball.

Flashback Friday: High School Graduation

Once again Mocha With Linda has outdone herself thinking up prompts to jog our memories and bring out all kinds of interesting things from those days long forgotten. Here is prompt # 10. After reading my responses, go to her blog and be entertained by the other anecdotes from bygone days.

Tell about your senior year in high school. Were there any special traditions such as getting a senior ring? Were there lots of activities and parties as you neared graduation? Were you in any extra-curricular activities that had traditional "rites of passage" or "passing the baton" too the next class? Were awards given out - either serious or fun? Did you send out graduation announcements? Did your school have a Baccalaureate Service in addition to the graduation ceremony? If you attended church, did your church recognize/honor Seniors in any way? Did you keep your tassel - did you hang it from the mirror of your car or do something else special with it? What sorts of things did you get for graduation gifts? Was it a tradition to display the gifts in your home?

 And once again, my answers are different from everyone else's, like as far removed Argentina is from the USA.

This is my senior class photo, the only one, no individual pictures nor fancy artistic poses and all sizes of prints to hand out or hang on the wall. Can you find me?

No need to tell you we wore uniforms. They were every mother's nightmare--pleated, white, starched, ironed, buttoned-in-the-back and tied at the waist guardapolvos (=to protect from dust).
You might wonder why there were only two boys in my class. It was a Normal school, i.e.to train elementary teachers. The boy/girl ratio is probably not very different here in El Ed programs.
One more note of interest. There were three sections of 5th year and each group stayed together all the time in the same classroom, no moving around. The teachers came to us.
I look at the faces, some names have faded from my memory. I wonder where some of them are and what they are doing??? No high school reunions for me.

Here is the only photo of the simple graduation ceremony from the Escuela Normal Mixta de Quilmes Almirante Guillermo Brown, November of 1963. I pinned a flower on my father's lapel and he pinned our class emblem on my uniform. That is all I recall, folks. There were no diplomas, tassels, awards, open-houses, church recognition, gifts, cards, parties. At least, that I can remember.

Now I'm going to go link up and see if anyone can top that odd tale!

The Day I Was Born

-->

May 18, 1944

The day I was born the world was at war yet love was in the air. Bing Crosby’s “I Love You” at the top of the music charts. And so it has been throughout my life, no matter where or what, I have felt loved.

I was born at 6:45 on a Thursday evening in Warsaw, Indiana, in The McDonald Hospital owned by Dr. J. R. Baum. The total cost for delivery and five day stay was $57.50.

Grandma Hirschy wrote in her diary on May 19^th: “…got a telegram from Sam this morning stating Rita Dorene arrived last night, 7 lbs.” Grandma then traveled from Pennsylvania a few days later to help when Mother got out of the hospital. An entry in her five-year diary records, “Sam carried Kathryn out to the car and into their new home. I held the baby.” Was that so he wouldn’t have to hold me, perhaps? Mother claims now that Dad was afraid of holding the baby.

Later in a letter addressed to my grandfather--“My dear companion,” Grandma wrote, “Kathryn got up to eat dinner with us in the kitchen this noon but got feeling fainty so Sam carried her back to bed and she ate there…”

I would never have known about Mother’s initial frailty had not Grandmother Hirschy kept such good records, and had these letters and diaries not been carefully archived by thoughtful family members. I remember Mother’s later pregnancies when she was strong and healthy and worked very hard almost till the last minute. To this day she never admits to a moment of weakness.

Grandpa Hirschy wrote in the family letter, carbon-copied and mailed to the six children scattered abroad, “Mother got home from Huntington a week ago today. She says the baby is a Hoyt, she has dark hair and is a very intelligent child, already understands when you talk to her. Hoyt and Hirschy must make a wonderful combination!!!!!”  (Yes, there were that many exclamation marks.) This quote makes me smile every time I read it and also makes me feel welcomed into a very loving family.

I am so grateful for another ‘birth’ in 1944. Scientists at Harvard University with some funding from IBM constructed the first automatic, general-purpose computer. The advances in technology make this task of writing my stories a thousand times easier than the labor-intensive communication my grandparents maintained with their children overseas. What a work of love that was!

Though my entry into the world was a happy one, there was great turmoil at the time; the world was in the throes of a terrible war. The now famous young diarist, Anne Frank, and her family were discovered while in hiding and died along with millions of Jews in Nazi concentration camps.

My own uncle, Mother’s younger brother Phil, was wounded in the war in Europe and went missing in action for weeks. Those were terrifying times. There was a shortage of manpower; women went to work and Rosie the Riveter, the ubiquitous poster woman of the day, transformed the image of femininity forever. Major annual events were canceled. The Indianapolis 500 was not held that year nor the U.S. Open Golf Tournament.

Those were very busy times for Dad and Mother. They were both studying in Grace Seminary at the time of my arrival. Dad, very tan from working on the railroad, was also pastoring a small church in Huntington, Indiana. Mother had a part time cleaning job. For most people, life moved on even while World War II was wrapping up. For me life was just beginning.

First photo:
Rita Dorene, 4 weeks old

2010 Week 20: Another full week!

I've heard that as you grow older time accelerates, speeds up, flies by! Too true. Here are my representative photos, some cell phone pics, some borrowed (or stolen), a few my own photography.

Sweet Mother's Day flowers

Honeysuckle? Whatever they are, I enjoyed them on my walk -runs. Monday they were gone!

 

These clinging vines that have become one with the tree always remind me of a chorus I used to sing to my girls team to wake them up in the morning, because it says "I love Jesus in the morning..."

Amo a Cristo en la mañana

Yo le amo al mediodía

Al atardecer yo le amo

A medianoche cerca está

El la roca y yo la hiedra

y aferrados más y más

Pues en Jesuccristo tengo

gozo y dulce paz.

I especially like the highlighted verses:

"He is the Rock and I the ivy

and clinging more and more..."

A new granddog, Rally!

With the friends who are going to Spain with us

With Mother at the annual Mother Daughter dinner.

Speaking of mothers and daughters...some of you wanted to know the story of the similar dresses in last week's post. Here it is. Kayla's prom dress was the same one her mother wore to her prom nineteen years ago--timeless, appropriate, suited perfectly to her and the occasion.