Talents of the Young and Young at Heart

 So, I last shared something of Chad and his family. Now, it is Heather's turn. Once again, I don't know when this was written, but probably Junior High or High School.  Her handwriting has always been very distinctive, an upright block style, almost printing! Heather has accomplished much. One of her first adventures was being selected as a Cheerleader for the University of Hawaii. That's when Carolyn and the older kids went to Hawaii to visit her.  She was a Cheering Team Leader in High School. ( I wrote an earlier blog about Heather being honored for her Volunteerism.) Heather and her husband, Eric, have raised five children. She and her mother, Carolyn, are addicted to babies!

Heather has what I call an effervescent personality. She is a joyful person and fills a room with her personality. She gives and lives from the heart! I needn't say more. Her words above say it all, really. But you know I love to do collages, so I've done one for this blog as well!

Heather and her husband Eric have always provided their children every opportunity to show and grow their many talents. Whatever the kids wanted to do, they could give it a try and their Mom and Dad support them! I could go on, but you get the drift!

We are so proud of all of them!

Dad

 This is my Dad, our Dad. My brother Mike sent this to me a few days ago. I am now seventy-seven years old. I was one of the kids who left home at seventeen early age. I returned for a year after dropping out of the University of Iowa. I realize now how little I knew or remember about Dad. This article brings a flood of memories. I look into his eyes in this picture and see God, a life lived to the fullest. This article tells me how much Dad was respected and loved by the Montezuma, Iowa, community, and the state of Iowa. He was active in many things, yet always had time for us! 

Dad learned all about diesel engines and electricity in the Navy. He served at the end of WWII aboard the U.S.S. Little Rock. He was fortunate to be on the Goodwill Tour, sailing to many ports worldwide. Most importantly, he learned a skill that he loved. 

Beyond that, he was a fisherman, a hunter, an expert rifleman, a volunteer fireman, a fire chief, a legionnaire, a bridge player, a construction, cabinet maker, bowler, gambler, ecologist, model aircraft enthusiast, contractor, dancer, a friend, husband, and father, probably much more.

He was a man of integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, and consistency. He was also our mentor and disciplinarian. He taught us right from wrong. He encouraged us! He and mom gave us what we needed to be on our own, the life skills and opportunities that would serve us for the rest of our lives. There is so much more, but all I can say right now is, thank you, Dad - I love you - I am so very proud of you and to be your son!

Wind River Range Part II

 So, I decided to wrap this up with a collage. I'm the guy in the red shirt with the green backpack. You can easily see the size of the boulders we had to traverse.  It was all worth the effort. The country and the views were incredible.

The dog with us struggled mightily, especially at the upper altitudes and the ruggedness of the terrain. It was probably not the best decision to bring him.

It took longer to get to the summit than we expected, almost four full days. We were going to make a loop but ended up thinking better of it. After spending a night sleeping on the large rocks near the peak, we added back to the base. The canoeing and steepness of the climb took were both challenges. We fished some of the little pools in the stream as we descended. I caught one of the nicest trout in a pool that wasn't much more than four feet in diameter. We ended up canoeing the final three lakes on the last day of the trip. We celebrated our adventure around a campfire on the last night of our trip. It is a trip I will always look back on with great joy. 

A Day of Reflection

When I think about today I think of reflecting on family -- what it means, who we are, where we come from, what makes us, us. I've been scanning photos for almost two weeks.  This is a photo of a great-grandmother, grandfather, mother and her first child - my sister Sharon.  My grampa was very special to me .  He taught me to walk while my dad was overseas in the Navy.  I don't recall seeing great-grandmother very much.  My sister has my grandfather's wonderful sense of humor - she can tell a story like no one can .  I had supper with her and her husband this evening - homemade pizza and shared a lot of fond memories and times.

I also stopped by my sister Lana's office, brother Mike;s home, Patti and Margi's (not home) and Mom's.  It was a joyfully busy day. I will be going home soon.  I will not forget this time I have had with my family.  It has been a gift, it has been very special -- I thank my lovely Carolyn for giving me up and giving me this very special time.  I am enjoying each and every moment.  Thanks for technology too, because I have been able to video conference with Carolyn almost every evening - she is going to be a bit pi&***d off about the car though.  Picture tomorrow!

You are all the best! Live your moments joyfully, share your smiles, your joys, your sorrows, your compassion, all emotions that you have -- they are a part of who we are - a part of what makes each of us unique, special, lovable!

The Last Soda Stand

Was it Winter

Yes, cold, clear day

Monte Soda Stand

While not really a stand - it has been there since long before our family moved to Montezuma. The one consistent store around the square. Well, the store isn't consistent, but the soda fountain is. It has the same fountain, tall stools, and fountain drinks that have been popular for many years. When we go to Monte, our family always stops and gets our favorite fountain drink - mine is cherry Coke. There is nothing better than a fountain made Cherry Coke.

I have had this urge the past few days to head back where home once was. Perhaps because it was a year ago that dad got really sick -- we made a lot of trips back to Montezuma. I think we wore the XG300 out those three months. We saw family, shared memories and spent as much time as possible with dad. There was tears, laughter, joy, sorrow, and yes, very cold, cold Iowa weather. The puppy was only about 3 months old - but, dealt with the cold just fine.

That was a time to really be in the moment - not that every moment isn't to be spent "in the moment" -- because they are. Otherwise we miss out on a lot of life. What is it that triggers certain thoughts in us - that makes us (me) gesticulate certain things and memories and not others at any given moment? I know the picture that I choose each evening starts something, but then something made me choose a particular picture. I had had a goal to shoot a new picture each day - I gave up on that quickly. I know choose picture from my vast catalog of photos -- usually there is no particular rhyme or reason - sometimes there is a flow -- but, it is mostly accidental.

It was a good day and continues to be a good day. Enjoy your moments, each and every one of them.

Beauty in Ice

Icy Cold

A lonely park bench-

We sat there last summer!

My son took this picture - he really is quite a good photographer. I wish he had the time to do more. I'm not nearly as gifted as he is. You know, all of our children are very gifted - but each in their very own, very unique ways. Some times, I just don't think they realize how wonderful and beautiful and gifted they are. We often have a way of letting the world's harshness get in the way of knowing who we are -- and that is sad.

I think, eventually, we grow out of that and are once again who we really are - like when we were babies and very small children. The world didn't matter then! We were totally free to be. Often our spirits are crushed from unrolling our blankets in Kindergarten for nap time to clocking in - for whatever reason. I often wonder if I would be a different parent if I were parenting now - perhaps, perhaps not.

I do think the kids recognize their specialness and their uniqueness - in themselves, their significant others, and their offspring. It is a beautiful thing to experience. Enjoy your "youness" -- each and every moment of each and every day!

Pickup, Boat, and Trailer

Along with the birthday of our youngest son - now 29, and our first grandson, now 10 - Carolyn and I cleaned the cab of the pickup, hooked up the wiring and towed the boat for the very first time. we went to a paking lot to practice. It went well. It didn't go quite as well on a crowded busy street, but we did get it parked - backing up and all. Canada here we come. (The neighbor girls got a good laugh -- )

I do plan on taking the boat for a "maiden voyage" under its new ownership this week. I'm as excited as a teenager.

Back to the birthdays. We visited the Chad and family yesterday. We took Jeremiah (29) and Kairi out to lunch today. We also edged the sidewalks, bundled sticks and stuff into the appropriate length for trash pick-up. Mundane stuff, but so fun when you share the fun with someone who loves you and whom you love so much.

I guess that is the wisdom of the month -- even chores can be fun when you are in the moment. There are all kinds of wealth in the world - it isn't just money or financial security. When I see Jeremiah with Kairi - the affection from a young girl to her dad and the care of Jeremiah for her almost brings tears to my eyes. Perhaps, the wealth is pretty much in our relationships for without them - it can be very, very lonely. My advice, nurture them, nurture all of your relationships - when you feel it in your gut, pick up the phone or drop by - say a special thought, it may be just what they need right then and there.

and that of course brings one to the beauty of children -- they are so in the moment, tell it like it is and are so full of joy... I think that we, as adults, teach it out of them - or discipline it out of them. We can learn so much from children -- so much!

Watch a child today, learn something new -- better yet watch a child every day next week - it could change your life.