The Crystal Cathedral...

Pat's Birthday Rap!

The Kids Organized a Birthday Celebration Supper For Pat......

.........they're all such good cooks........

..................from salad..........

........to birthday cake......... Great way to celebrate #64!

Pat Was Pleasantly Surprised With Her Gifts...TO SAY THE LEAST!

.........A TRIP TO THE SPA.....

.......A GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CJ BANKS.....

............AND....A LIZARD!

Kids and Grandkids....WHAT A JOY!

Seth and Heather hoist Alyssa to the ceiling...........

.........Heather reading with Hailey.....

...........playing hide and seek with Granpa....

............or just hanging out in the kitchen telling stories.....

An Ice Storm Brings Down More Branches

Another batch of limbs came down from our white pine......

.....I supported limbs with boards so they don't break...

So What Do We Do In The Snow???

Alyssa takes a nap in the chair near the fireplace........

........colors like the princess and the pea in Pat's bed while Pat redecorates her room......

.......while the snow comes down in this seasons biggest snow storm........

..........while Pat and I relax by the fire in our new Lands End muck lucks!

Family Night At Pleasant Chapel

We had a great time with the kids and grandkids over for supper. Family and food and conversation......

.....Cheryl showing us the necklace.......

....that Zoe created at The Works art demo.....

........and Pat putting smiles on everyones faces with her famous Candy Land dessert.

Enjoying Time Together...

Adele teaches Hailey to take care of he Webkin pony.....

......while two old retired airplane buddies exchange stories!

Zoe Teaches Alyssa to "Cut" Hair...

.......Alyssa then trys he skills on Heather.......

........and Grandpa!

Parting Shots...

....just before everyone left......

......and the cousins pose for a parting shot.....till they meet again.... We miss you Chelsey and Eloise!!!

Winter Pics For Sam...

In a Skype call with Sam in France he requested some shots of our record breaking cold snap and snow......ssssoooo....here you go...
This is the house across the street at sunrise.....

......the back porch at a record 15 below zero......

.......for only the second time...the waterfalls froze completely. The fish are frozen in there and hopefully.....like last time....will come swimming out of the ice when it thaws!

.......even the pond statue looks a bit ....well.....FROZEN!!

..........a Towee seeks out birdfeed under the feeder....

The Ohio Grandkids Will Be Here For Supper!

I Woke Up This Morning Praying...

....for our country and our President Elect. A lot of thoughts race through my mind as I think about the historic aspect of the coming inaugration. At a time of great economic and social turmoil in America we need a leader. I pray for his safety. As I watched the news of his train ride into DC it brought to mind the appreciation I have for our system of government and the freedom we enjoy as Americans. Here is a black American riding a train into Washington DC following the same route as did Abraham Lincoln before him. As I thought about the number of people expected to gather for this historic event I remember another historic event I was priviledged to attend.

I can be seen in this picture (yeah...that's me...about a third of the way back!) taken October 7, 1997 on the mall in DC. Approximately 1.4 million men came together for prayer, praise and worship....and more prayer. I will continue to reflect on the happenings in DC in the coming week and continue my prayer for our country and it's leaders.

Pat and I......

....continue to be a little chilly here in record breaking cold central Ohio.

Just Couldn't Resist

Computer Man

Last night I spent a couple hours with Pat's Dad teaching him to use his new digital camera and how to download his pictures to his new computer. He's becoming more and more proficient and had fun sending pictures to family and friends. The smile on his face is from a youtube video Claudia and Bob sent him with a couple "Extreme Jitterbugging!" I love to see his face light up as he connects with those he loves. I don't know what lies ahead of me in this life but I'm glad I am learning the technology that will keep me "in touch" with those I love throughout the coming years.

New Pictures from France....

I just loved these recent shots from Sam . Whether she's feeling under the weather.......

........or exploring the cold window with her tongue....She's a cutie! For more.....CLICK HERE!

Welcome 2009!

With a toast of the ol grape juice we welcomed in the new year with dear friends the Lindners. Chris and Sonja on the left and Chris's parents Arnold and Virginia on the right. Although we brought games to play we ended up spending the whole evening reminiscing about what's happened in our lives since back in the days when we first met before Chris and Sonja were married. Having Christian friends like these has been one of the many riches of our lives. When I went to prayer this morning I became keenly aware of the blessing of family and friends. Especially through blogging and Facebook we are able to connect and reconnect with those who God has brought us in contact with over 63 years. Who yet lies ahead who we have yet not met...... What lies ahead.....

One of those friends is Beth Brawley who occasionally shares pearls of wisdom. The following is from her blog, "Grace Every Day...."

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. - Thomas Merton

May you consider God as part of your life in year 2009.