The View From Our Kitchen Window...

Jackie and her "kids" Cassie and Griffin.

Pleasant Chapel Lost A Wonderful Neighbor And Friend

I attended the funeral of long time friend and next door neighbor Don Brown today. "Brownie" was a Newark firefighter for 33 years. Two stories about Don. One was when I returned home in a terrible winter snow squall, glanced at our neighbor's empty house and saw the orange glow of fire in their bedroom window. I immediately pulled in the drive, told Pat to call 911 and ran next door to get Don. He brought a fire extinguisher from his house and together we busted in the neighbor's front door. I'll never forget the sensation of the heat and smoke driving both of us back out the front door. He tried to crawl back in under the smoke and heat with limited success. When the township fire department came, Don grabbed a "Scott Pack" (breathing apparatus) and proceeded with the arriving fireman to dowse the flame and save the house. I gained a real appreciation for the danger firefighters are under in their jobs.

Another memorable experiecnce with Don occured during the blizzard of 1978. Our families were without heat for over 80 hours. He brought his wife and kids next door to our house since we had a wood burning fireplace. Although it was "cozy" with all 8 of us in our house it provided time to play games, interact and get to really know each other. Don was a wonderful Father and dear friend.

The Start Of Each Day Here At Pleasant Chapel...

Each morning my internal alarm goes off at about 6 AM. I awaken to the smell of fresh hazelnut coffee that Pat has put on to brew the night before. A cup of coffee, a morning read next to the fireplace in the livingroom is a great way to start what is a snowy morning here on Pleasant Chapel. First thing in the morning is when I choose my attitude and purpose for the day. What new adventure will the day bring? It is here that I will make decisions that will determine how fulfilled I will feel at the end of the day when the lights go out!

41 To 14 IS NO BIG DEAL!

WE GATHERED....WE ATE.....WE LAUGHED.....WE CRIED....(OK...not really!)...AND GOT TO BED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED!
Why do I feel OK this morning......because in the great scheme of things....the Buckeyes getting their butts kicked is no big deal. We all have bad days now and then. What was important was that those gathered to watch the game made Stan, our Chinese long time friend, feel comfortable and accepted into our Ohio Culture! Just a slight eye adjustment helped him feel a part of the group!

40 Years Ago...Where It All Began!

OK.....so pardon the recent shift from nature and beauty to "ancient history".... but it's just where my mind is of late! I came across this photo in my quest to figure out who I am, how I got here and who I got here with. This was the first day of my second year of teaching. Notice the "thirsting for knowldge" on children's faces. Note the well decorated high interest classroom learning environment! (OK...the building had just opened...no time for that yet.) Note the shelves in the back of the room just brimming with hands on science equipment. This was 8th grade science at it's best! The first student to the left of the model currently attends our church and is 53 years old! This coming Tuesday I will stand in front of 100 Northridge Middle School students and teach the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. I still have a passion to teach!

87th Birthday Bash....

87 Years in good health (except for the shinner!) is something to celebrate. Daddy (as he is affectionately called among us) enjoyed having his wife and kids around the table for a meal at the Olive Garden.

Who's That Behind Those Foster Grants???

On Second Thought...Put Those Back On!!

Just a little tumble "in the night," 7 stitches, a bit of a shinner and a BIG smile! Grandpa Williams spent the evening last night with the boys watching the Rose Bowl football game. On January 4th he will be 87 years young. Happy Birthday Daddy!

My Thoughts As I Watch....

I sit here watching the casket of President Ford being moved from the House of Representatives to the Washington Cathedral for his funeral. As I watch I reflect on the days of Gerald Ford's life and presidency and listen to the words said about him....
"A great example of how to live a life" was one comment made.
Funeral time is a good time for me to think about my life activities and what words I am putting into the mouths of the ones who will eventually be standing around my casket.
It's good periodically to reflect on "What stuff really matters, anyway."
In Gerald's case his daughter Susan read a scripture..."be doers of the word and not hearers only"
I too want to be a doer.
Former President George Bush told a story about how he kept his word....kept his promises..."Jerry Ford's word was always good... he rekindled our national faith."
I want to rekindle people's faith.
He had a great sense of humor. He told president Bush once, "I know I'm playing better golf, I'm hitting fewer spectators!"
I want people around me to be laughing...
Tom Brokaw spoke of how "The man he was in public was the man he was in private... He left the office of president far better off than when he found it. "
I too want to leave the planet better than I found it.
President Bush pointed out how more than proud of the title of President he was proud of the title of Father, Husband, Grandfather.
He had four children and so do I. I want to be good husband, father and grandfather.
Another friend stated, "Gerold Ford was a Christian, a man of prayer. He was quick to listen and slow to anger."
I have work to do.
There is life left to be better than what I am by God's help.

Bringing In The New Year

This gathering was a combination of two of life's great blessings...laughter and great friends taken at midnight. A time to enjoy some of the people dear to us. We love the current state of our lives!