2013 Week 31: August already?

Monday was Skye's 16th birthday. We went to visit his other grandma and had a fun time together.
Tomorrow we will have a family celebration.

I think he always liked wearing hats.

As usual Monday evening we went to Stephan and Karen's for their weekly open meal. The food now very much follows the paleo diet concept (except for the freshly-baked bread) and is superb, even including a special dessert--sweet potato pies with almond crust. 

As always happens, the evening is much more than a meal, it is about enjoying the people. The crowd expanded beyond the dining table to the sunny porch. Groups lingered on the way out with the porch people--a pleasent evening for all.

Tuesday I was able to help daughter Leah clean out one of their rooms. They started moving boxes into their new home the next day.

Enjoyed a visit from my lovely granddaughter Wednesday after tap class. She is a great teacher. Class is fun and challenging. 

Kayla just finished teaching a couple two-week classes at Cornerstone Center for the Arts  and will be teaching four different classes during the fall semester.

Look what new blooms showed up this week.

Friday we attended the convention of our church fellowship held in Fort Wayne. The sessions were excellent and meeting up with some of the friends from Illinois who were on the Circle Tour of the Basque Country was very special. It was so good to meet Dave Berry's wife Sue. 

Circle Tour 13 mini reunion

Saturday, today,  we rose very early, picked up Dane, and headed back up to Fort Wayne in time for the men's breakfast.

The women's luncheon was Friday noon. I had taken my laptop to get some work done while the men were at their event.

I posted two favorite photos from the week on Facebook and got many Likes and Comments from all over. Both girls were on the Circle Tour team. 

Ellie, from our town wants to be a cyclist on next year's tour and has been training with Mike.

Chelsea was a rider this year. Notice her earrings. 

Ellie and Chelsea

The cyclists present at the FEC Convention enjoyed a ride together this afternoon and then hung out at a coffee shop. Mike and Dane then rode the 52 miles on home. It was a beautiful day, even got a little sun tan.

Yesterday, on the other hand, was very rainy. We went through heavy downpours on the way home last night.

Circle Tour 13: on to Bayonne

Another cloudy day.
We bad farewell to our hotel hostess, Natasha.
Walked around the town of Mauleon again for a bit after the cyclists left.
I took some pictures I had missed the day before, like the Café where we ate lunch.

 Then we were on the road again...

....praying for each village and church.

We stopped in a couple towns. In the first one, St. Palais, we wandered the streets and tested our limited French in a couple shops. Bought some fruit in one and a snack in a wonderful bakery.

Interesting looking tomatoes. Une tartelette pommes

In another town, Hasperras, we had lunch.
Barb and I ordered the Enfants Menu. Does that look like a child's portion to you?
I learned the Basque word for bathroom/restroom/toilet (whatever you want to call it in English): komunak.
The poem on the painting was difficult for even Basque speakers to translate--poetic, old-literary language. Can you see the Basque flag and the wind?

In the restaurant we initially had a communication problem. We were struggling to speak French with the waitress, until we realized that, of course, she spoke Basque and Alazne could be our interpreter!

We discovered a very interesting church in that town and spent some time there. All inscriptions were in Basque, or perhaps Latin.

Mother of Sorrows statue on right

Wish I could understand all the words.

Warrior Archangel Michael, demon under foot (on right)

All around the walls were covered with intricate and colorful paintings of saints, angels, religious figures, probably a very interesting church history lesson.

We hoped the cyclists would discover this fascinating church as well, but found out later that they entered another one, different yet equally amazing, and spent a long time there singing and praising.

Eventually we arrived at our destination--Bayonne (Baiona) and the Best Western hotel downtown very close to all the important buildings such as the cathedral, Tourist Office, and their famous chocolate shops.

We walked around, explored the neighborhood, watching and waiting for the cyclists.
Suddenly they were there and we weren't. We ran to meet, greet and take pictures.

Arrival of the cyclists and their van with luggage.

Now picture the cyclists taking their bikes up to their rooms on the third floor.
"Hmmm...Should I take the elevator or the stairs?"

Can you see the bicycle standing on end?

After they showered (thankfully!) we all loaded up in the vans and set out for the famous Atlantic Coast.
Dane was eager for us to enjoy the beach and the fantastic views. However, he and Charlie look like all they wanted to do was rest and watch everyone else having fun.

When it was appropriately late we headed to one of the beach front cafés which happened to be Mexican.

Tate and Chelsea Gaines; Petite Quesadilla; heading back to the vans

One last night to enjoy the French-style double beds ;-).

Bonne nuit.
Bihar arte.("until tomorrow" in Basque)

2013 Week 30: The Big Move

It is safe to say that the dominant event of the week was Sam's family's move into their new home. We tried to give as much time as we could squeeze in to help get the house ready for the move. The photos will reflect that and more.

Sunday we stayed around here and had a very full day of our own. It was the college-age Sunday School class' turn to serve coffee between services, or rather those who help out with that age group.

Later that evening we joined the young folk for a cookout and college-age fun.

College-age Sunday School picnic by Taylor Lake

Definitely a busy day for our college Sunday School teacher and family. There was a shower in the afternoon to welcome their new baby, Caroline, number 3. Notice the unique shower theme and treats.

Also that afternoon daughter Leah called us to come over and tour the house they are moving into in the coming week/s. I suspect that will be the focus of our next week.

Leah excited about a new home and garden

Monday Karen and helpers cooked for Monday Night Dinner. Stephan was already in Columbus, OH, at the State Fair for several days of sand sculpturing. He posted this photo, one of several pieces.

Tuesday Mike and I spent the day at Sam's. Always a treat to enjoy the grandchildren.

Los preciosos--Zion and Jude

The move-in deadline was close: still no kitchen cabinets, no carpet for a couple bedrooms, bathrooms unfinished. They were prepared to live for a while with no kitchen, if necessary.

On July 13 Sam wrote on Facebook, "God's timing and provision are perfect." I wondered what he meant specifically. Nothing, only a reminder that God is faithful.

A few days later, an entire set of cabinets became available for an incredible price! 

Every day thereafter brought wonderful provision and noticeable change.

Kitchen before and after

Michael was able to be there some each day.
I, however, had registered long ago for a three-day writer's conference, and only popped in a couple times.
I worried about not being available to help at such a critical time, but over time received confirmation that I was where I was supposed to be.
The list of ways the Midwest Writers Workshop benefited me is long and ongoing. We were privileged to attend sessions with award-winning authors and network with writers at varying stages of their journey.
Here, 40 year reporter for 7NEWS Boston and award winning mystery author, Hank Phillippi Ryan, and a new writer friend with whom I connected on a variety of life experiences.
On a humorous note: I chose the half-face photo because she taught me the trick for finding your best side! Cover one half at a time and compare. you will discover your best side!

Keynote speaker and new friend.

I bought three books and felt rather extravagant. I comfort myself with the thought that I am blessing the authors and that these copies will be passed on and enjoyed by many. From left to right:
--Colleen Coble's hit the New York Best Seller list the very day I was attending her workshop.
--The co-authors faith and hope through their journey with MS, reminded me of two friends.
--The advice I received from Holly Miller to focus and leave out some details, led me to the third book.

Today, I opened Colleen's book and read her note which confirmed all I had been hearing, basically--Focus and Git r done!

These are only a few of the highlights and lessons from the MWW. Hope to cull many more in the days to come as I go over notes, read books, and write!
After the conference ended Saturday evening, I drove over to Sam's to observe firsthand the progress of the move. As I walked in I heard Kristie singing. She was working in her new kitchen! Then the warm scene of a recently used dining table and furnished living room greeted me.

Michael was there quietly working as he had many days before. I think he also enjoyed some grandpa moments.
Can you see where he'd been most of the day? He's still wearing the official t-shirt of volunteer for the Great Greenway Tour.

Today, Sunday, we said goodbye to the two Basque girls who visited our community this month. It was a tearful goodbye. I'm thinking about them as they travel, and looking forward to seeing them next year in their country, Lord willing.

Ana, Rita, María

2013 Week 29: Heat Wave

Temperatures soared in the 90's this week, more conducive to staying indoors.

That didn't stop Mike on Monday as he joined friends for part of their annual bicycle trip all the way up to Goshen. He only went 72 miles and had no problems this time.

Meanwhile I completed another blog post about our Circle Tour of the Basque Country: on to St. Jean Pied-de-Port.

Tuesday I joined Michael to work at Sam's and spent the day cleaning up the construction debris left on all the floors.

Lookin' good!

The added treat was to get to see the grandkids a few times and then at lunchtime! Baby Jude hasn't been around me very much. I was especially blessed by his many smiles!

Speaking of food...I haven't mentioned that Mike was persuaded to change his food intake following a paleo concept that he heard about from several cyclist friends. In a very short time he lost 10 lbs. which he had been unable to do over months of trying. He prepares the meals now and I benefit doubly--from the food and the time!
For breakfast we have eggs, bacon or some kind of meat, vegetables, and fruit sometimes.

Stuffed tomatoes, eggs, pepper

I've been surprised at all I can accomplish with that extra time. (Of course, I do the clean-up which often takes more time than it used to ;-)  Anyway, I was able to process another leg of the journey: on to Mauleon.

Friday, several family members met at the Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana to celebrate Mother's upcoming 92nd birthday. We saw Half-Stitched: The Musical and enjoyed it very much.
I drove Mother and her neighbor friend from Grace Village to the theater 50 minutes away (Aunt Margaret to me).
"Aunt Margaret" (what I called her from when we lived next door to them in Argentina when I was four or five) enjoyed the ride more than Mother and commented on the corn fields all along the way, growing so thick and tall.

Niece Tina lives not too far so we stopped to see her new house.

A small sampling of  pics.

Which current guest room is my favorite? Which room will soon be the baby's room?

Kyle took this picture of the four lovely ladies.

Margaret, Rita, Tina, Kathryn

Saturday I packed food and stuffs to make a meal for Sam's family. I had fun cooking with the grandkids' help to find things and do little jobs. While waiting for the meal to be ready, Sam sat down at the computer and began searching for trucks to buy, maybe sell. As a busy dad he has to multitask. Zion is fascinated by trucks, so looks at all the photos online with Daddy keeps him very entertained with a running commentary.

Where did the week go? Go to Momma Frans' for more P365s.

Circle tour 13: on to Mauleon

We noticed the stream running past the hotel had swollen overnight reminding us of our theme verse, Habakkuk 2:14.

Another gray day, rain off and on. Group meeting was shorter, with promise of more that evening in another town. Then the cyclists took off and one of the vans left to pick up two new members joining us from Illinois.

The rest of us left for Mauleon (Maule Lextarre).

My view from the back seat

The landscape speeding by was beautiful though a bit hazy.

We arrived in Mauleon around noon just as church was letting out on First-Communion Sunday.

After the crowd dispersed, some of us walked into the church. I was especially interested in the well-worn prayer books in three languages: French, Basque, Latin.

Check-in time was not till after 3 p.m., so we walked around the town, exploring, enjoying.

Again the rushing water interested me.

However I did not walk up to the old fort.

It is sobering to see the many names of the enfants--the children/sons the town lost in the World War.

These details fascinated me.

After checking into the Hostellerie (built in 1810 and added onto many times thereafter), and after seeing what our accomodation looked like, next--find a spot for internet access!

Before too long Charlie's van arrived and the cyclists followed.

Another welcome arrival--Micky and M.C.--the couple we'd heard so much about.

To our surprise, the hotel people prepared and served us a lovely dinner that we all enjoyed together.

Would our new members be able to ride in the morning after their loooooong trip?
...or even stay awake for our special Sunday evening meeting?

Our friendly hotel staff provided bread and wine for our communion service...
and a torch to light the candles!

A perfect way to end the Lord's Day!