Some Things Are More Valuable Than What Money Can Buy...

FRIENDS!

Is It In Our Genes????

From the time I was very young I can remember my Dad, my Brother and my uncles shown here laughing and cutting up at every gathering. A bunch of wisenheimers we were! And so I pose the same question that Sam's 4th grde teacher asked him when she was teaching the concept of genetic predisposition. "Sam," she said, "You are bound to be tall...your mother and Dad are tall your grandpa is tall....It's in your genes." to which Sam replied, "I know....I wear size 12's!"

And So It Follows......

.......that the sense of humor be passed down from my father......
.......that the Santa suit that he wore....I should be priviledged to wear once a year....

When he was a guard at the Holophane Company Dad would greet all the employees as they came through the gate. I remember once, posted on a bulletin board at the entrance for all to see was a sign....written in Dad's handwriting....which said, "Henway For Sale." When passers by would ask Carl the inevitable question, "Weaver, what's a henway?" he would answer.......

"Oh, about 3 pounds!"

And so it goes.....

Please Allow Me To Reminisce a Bit....

In the spring of my first year of teaching at Licking Valley High School, the call went out for an assistant varsity track coach. I answered that call (needing the money to pay back my college debt!) having never had one minute experience around track. I was willing to learn. Sure enough the second year I found myself as Head Coach! By my third year this was "my team!" I am proud of the fact we finished higher than any other LV team in the County Track Meet and 3 of these "speedsters" went on to compete in the State Track Meet. I learned a lot about building youngsters as a teacher and coach in these early formative "skinny" years. And they continue to inspire me.
One of those competitors (below) was hurdler and high jumper, Tommy Miles. Recently I have reconnected with the "three amigos" and talked about those "good ol' days." Tommy recently wrote, "I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED BY THE U.S. NAVIES MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS AS AN ABLE BODIED SEAMAN. I'VE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD ABOUT 15 TIMES. IT SEEMS THAT THE WORLD HAS ACTUALLY BECAME SMALL IN MANY RESPECTS. I SORT OF WENT TO VIETNAM ON MY SENIOR CLASS TRIP AFTER GRADUATION. I WENT INTO THE ARMY LIKE YOUR BROTHER BOB. IVE BEEN A RAILROADER, BUS DRIVER, OILFIELD WORKER, COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN. I ONCE WORKED ON A CATTLE RANCH IN LOWER ALABAMA, AND WORKED ON SHRIMP BOATS GOING TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA. IF YOU ARE WONDERING IF MY LIFE HAS BEEN EXCITING AND ADVENTUROUS, YES IT HAS! IF YOU ARE WONDERING IF I'M STILL A WILD AND CRAZY GUY... YES I AM. IM JUST NOT AS FAST AS I USED TO BE. "

Dave Cunningham was the half miler on the team. Although he wasn't built like a long lean runner he consistently beat other competitors and ended up being one of the 3 who went to the State track meet. He went to a special meet that combined athletes from all divisons from all over the state in an octathalon event and placed high. He later followed me to Marietta College majoring in Petroleum Engineering. He continued through his life to use the training program instituted in high school. He currently is a glider pilot trainer in California.
Jim Vogel was the team miler. His work ethic was contagious and he was a real team leader. He too went to the State meet. Jim has continued his leadership as a Sergeant Major in the Army National Guard. At 54 years of age he just returned from a 16 month deployment to Bagdad Iraq. Over there he took the time to run a 5 K run in which he beat much younger competitors.
.....Jim continues to inspire me....!!!

The First Day Of The Rest Of Our Lives.....

In light of:
- the reconnection with my former track team members who continue their healthy workout techniques
- being overweight and under exercised
- the upcoming family trip to Destin Florida in July
Pat and I have dedicated ourselves to eating less, exercising more and losing 25 pounds each by July 14th. Here we begin our commitment to daily exercise. We have lots of support, advice, and role models in our children, particularly Heather who has taken on the role of our Personal Trainer!

....and we will continue to take time to stop and savor the beauty around us....

Christmas Parting Shots!

You have seen some lovely pictures of Zoe...but this is also Zoe...


Zoe isn't the only character in our family.....Here is a wonderful Christmas Moment caught on the highspeed digital camera as Uncle Bob opens a beautiful Peacock Christmas ornament.

It is in fact my favorite Christmas Pick.....

Especially For Our Kids Away From Home...Some Christmas Images

Merry Christmas From Bill And Pat

This picture was taken Christmas Eve, 1968 by astronaut Frank Borman on man's first "lap" around the moon!
THIS CHRISTMAS PAT AND I EXTEND OUR LOVE TO YOU WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN A PART OF OUR LIFE ADVENTURE!

SO....allow me to DAZZEL YOUR EYE, CATCH YOUR EAR AND PEAK YOUR CURIOSITY

...CONSIDER FOR A FEW MOMENTS THE BEAUTY OF THE HUMMING BIRD....
"....BLOSSOMS LIKE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS LURE HUMMINGBIRDS HUNGRY FOR NECTAR" ...maybe it was the National Geographic reference to Christmas that caught my eye this morning.....
The Booted Racket-Tail-Long-Tailed Sylph........

".....A MARVEL OF MICROENGINEERING..."

...at least that's what it says under this picture in my latest edition of National Geographic magazine. Those who frequent this blog know of our fascination with birds. We enjoy the moment each spring when we attract the first ruby-throated humming bird to the feeders. At a wing beat rate of 100 BEATS PER SECOND and a heart rate that can reach 1200 beats per minute it gorges itself in Mexico to double its weight and then flies 20 hours across the Gulf of Mexico on its way here! -
They fly using their amazing "helicopter like" capabilities to as many as 1300 flowers per day sucking in more than one and a half times their body weight of nector.

Looking at these images this morning therefore just begs the question...................

MIGHT THERE JUST BE AN ENGINEER?!!!

Sometimes God Astounds Me!

These recent views from Bill's Botanical remind me of the amazing beauty God has created for us to "see."
Not only does he create sights like these but he created rods and cones in our retina that detect such beauty and route it to our brain for our enjoyment!

The Weaver Brothers And Sisters Climb To The Summit

As most of you know who read this blog the Weaver brothers married the Williams sisters. Every now and then we adventure together and Monday was one of those opportunities. Phil Clay whose electric company festoons the Licking County court house in Christmas lights guided us on a "field trip" to the top of the tower for a look see (Note the tiny person standing at the top under the flag in this shot). As we made our way through the ancient county archives (deeds and documents from the late 1800's and one book from the 60's entitled "Repeat Traffic Offenders") we arrived a the clocks and windows....

and bell which Phil proceeded to GONG......FOR ALL OF DOWNTOWN NEWARK TO HEAR!
...this sucker will set your skull ...not to mention your ear drums....to vibrating!

Beautiful day for a courthouse top view.
Bob looking out over Newark.
Pat at 12:39 PM !

Another Christmas Present...

Amelia "Milly" Anderson is a special Christmas gift. Every time I see her I think aboout the power of prayer. Her Mommy and Daddy are part of our "extended family."

Isn't Little Eloise Looking More And More Like Her Father Sam Everday???

For more viewing pleasure go to http://kintotvor.blogspot.com/

For Those Who Couldn't Attend...

Tonight was the Madison School Christmas program starring.....Addy...and
Zoe.....(Just to the right of the director).

After The Show...

The Real Belle Of The Ball !

Just Had to Catch This Shot This Morning!

Pleasant Chapel Paths

My friend Chloe from Singapore is contemplating a trip to the USA. I am blogging this series of pictures to show her the beauty around our PLEASANT chapel! This is a bike path a neighbor has circling his farm. I took a while yesteday to catch these shots as I rode.
This is his barn designed after one in Lexington Kentucky.

Beautiful and stately sycamore trees dot the path along the way.

What Is It About A Flowing Stream...

This is one of the places along the bike path I love to stop and sit down on a rock and just watch and listen to water flow.
Great place to pray!