Adventures to the East!

I will have lots of pictures to post next week, but for now, I think I will just blog. On the way to Boston, we took a side trip to Canton, Ohio to see the Pro Football Hall of Fame. My husband has talked about visiting this museum for years. It was a short detour, so we decided to go for it. It was pretty much what I expected it would be. Lots of displays, stories of greatness and videos of memorable moments. I was done in about 60 minutes. I kept going back to gently prod Randy along. I honestly think that he could have stayed all day and then some. It was fun for me to watch him enjoy himself so much. One of the first things he did when we left was call our son and tell him about it. I think I heard a deep sigh of sadness as we drove away. . .but there was just so much more ground to cover. . .

On the Road Again,

I am typing this on an iPad keyboard,so please excuse my errors! Yes, for the third time this summer, we are again traveling. This time it is East, and we are alone. The trip got an unusual start when, only a few hour from home, we hit and killed an eagle. The bird was feeding on road kill at the side of the highway, and flew up in our truck as we passed by. It hit the grill and broke it, then hit the windshield. We stopped and saw that the bird was still alive, but badly wounded. We called a contact (thanks David) and reported the accident. The Conservation Officer asked us to stay at the scene until he could get there. He later called back and said that we could go on our way, which we did. It was so sad to see this majestic bird struggling to live. Later in the day we called the officer back and he told us that when he got to the bird, it was already dead. Then he added that they will send it to a repository, and that it will be donated to Native Americans for use in tribal ceremonies. This is our second encounter with an eagle in a year. (see previous blog regarding how an eagle made us late for an airline flight). Randy was upset about killing the beautiful bird and about the damage to his truck (although it could have been so much worse). I am just thankful that the bird was the only one hurt. I hope today will be less eventful!

Intergenerational Male Bonding

I "caught" this photo last weekend of my grandson Mason and my nephew Dylan watching a movie together. It made me think of a tradition in my family of older males mentoring younger males. Mason's grandfather (Randy) used to spend a lot of time with Dylan's father (David). There is about 7 years difference in their ages. They would go fishing and camping, attend sport activities and go to an occasional concert together. My son, Josh is about 8 years older than Dylan's brother, Tristan. When they were younger, Tristan and Josh would spend lots of time together. Tristan thought Josh was pretty cool! Time and distance have changed some of these relationships, but they have a great history in the family. Dylan is wonderful with the younger kids. Gabe and Ryan (my great nephews) also have a good relationship with Dylan. On the way home from the weekend, Mason told me that he really liked Dylan because: "he wrestled with me". Dylan was probably just being nice, but it laid the groundwork for a long term friendship that they both will (hopefully) continue through their life.

A Day to Remember

My father (pictured above with two of his 7 grandchildren) had a birthday this weekend. He has always taken incredibly good care of himself by eating right and staying physically active. Next year he will celebrate 8 decades on this earth. He overcame poverty, was the first of 11 siblings to graduate from college. He eventually went on to receive a masters degree and an educational specialist diploma. He grew up knowing hard work, valuing savings and making his own way. He remembers being looked down upon during his early school years because he came from a poor family with so many children. I think this helped make him more determined to succeed in life. Some of the many jobs he had in his early years included: short order cook in a small town diner, lab worker at a small appliance factory, railroad laborer, coalmine worker, bread delivery man and probably more that I have forgotten. He worked his way through college with the help of my mom (an elementary school teacher), while they had two small children (that would be my sister and I). His dream was to become a medical doctor. He never realized this dream, in part, because my brother, David, came along. I am sure he wouldn't trade my brother for a medical degree of any designation.
My dad lost two wives to cancer (my mom died of breast cancer in 1986 and his second wife, Rita, to ovarian cancer). He married a third time, to a high school friend of my mothers, Martha. Martha is a very special part of our family and has many similarities to our mom.
My dad values education and learning more than any one else I know. He has never been one to indulge in luxuries or material possessions, but he does like having good shoes and warm jackets! He has a scientific mind, and taught me to be steadfast and diligent in whatever I do. He is a product of a large, poor, rural family during the depression, and the values and work ethic he maintains are a result of that upbringing. My dad has been a major influence in my life, my work, and my family values. With a little bit of luck, he will be celebrating many more birthdays with us! I love you Dad!

Cousins!

It is sort of a family tradition to get cousins together frequently. My sister and I made sure our 4 children knew each other growing up and had the opportunity to play together frequently. The tradition continues as our 6 grandchildren, even though they live far apart, know each other. Last weekend, we met in St. Louis, at my brother's home for a family get together. The kids had a great time playing together. Ryan, the youngest one of the group, wasn't feeling well and slept through this picture. Next year, one more cousin will join us in our reunions. All 6 cousins are within 2 years of each other. It makes it interesting to watch them play and grow!

The Musical Halls!

My brother, David and his daughter, Rhiannon are a talented pair. David is quite musically inclined, playing both drums and guitar. And Rhiannon has a wonderful voice. We enjoyed their talent and their company this weekend. David recently loaded an application on his ipad that provides words and chords to an amazing number of songs. Jessica, Scott and Maddison also participated in the singing. It was a fun evening!

Mr Woodpecker

You have to look carefully, but if you do, you can see a cute little woodpecker drilling around on our tree. This guy was searching for bugs in the bark of a tree right off our front porch. I had never seen a woodpecker up this close. I had fun watching him, but wouldn't you know it as soon as I got the camera he moved further up in the tree. I really enjoy the gifts that nature sends our way. Last weekend it was geese on our pond and a woodpecker. . . maybe it will be deer or a fox this weekend. I am glad Mr. Woodpecker decided to find a home somewhere else because the tree he is pictured in is right outside our bedroom window. That could make me a little grumpy at nature!