Michael did a great job describing the history of the Company illustrating it with examples of the craft such as this basket actually woven by Dave's Dad, John Wendel (JW) Longaberger. He asked me to come up and share some history and stories and I was able to communicate to the kids the tremendous impact both the company and their generosity has meant to our shchools and community.

.....and he took time to pose with a couple of LV students.........granddaughter, Addy and her cousin Taylor.

The whole thing revived the pride I have in the Company and it's values.

Mother's Day 2008

After enjoying the Sunday service at church with Wes, Cheryl and the girls, Mom was treated by a Mother's Day gathering and feast at Wes and Cheryls. Cheryl's parents and Wes's parents were treated to a delicious feast prepared by Cheryl (former owner of Cheryl's Restaurant and cook extraordinaire!) and Wes (The Grill Meister)

Cheryl's Mom gets a big hug from her son-in-law Ryan.......

.....and Mom Weaver delights herself in the most meaningful thing to a Mom....THE PRESENCE OF HER KIDS! She also enjoyed the gifts and sentiments of those who although far away made their presence known with cards, gifts and....in Sam and Mel's case.....an email from Italy where they are vacationing! Megan blew her away with a generous gift from Wilson's Gardens.

.......and even grandaughter Chelsey visited from 29 Palms California....and yes those are tears in her and Taylor's eyes as they wish their Mom's Mom a happy Mother's Day.

In the midst of Mothers Day.... a Magic Show broke out...

Zoe, Addy and friends put on a magical performance to the delight of young and old.....

.........things were made to disappear.......

......... mind blowing prognostications were made about people's futures.....

.....and the crowd was amazed and delighted......including Chelsey who you can see on the TV in the background who was in the audience via Skype watching her sisters perform.

While the magic show was going on there was a distraction on the other side of the room...

It seems Chelsey had a number of the magic show audience members distracted and mesmorized by her Skype distortion antics.......

Chelsey has a knack for cracking people up and she was doing a good job of it.........

....much to the chagrin of particularly Zoe who was in charge of pulling off the magic show! But in the end....a good time was had by all.

A Visit By Our Neighbor

Our neighbors from across the street paid a visit this evening. Jen and Charlie have been hold up in the house over the winter while Charlie was learning to walk and talk.....well....sort of!

Charlie especially enjoyed the fish........

.............and got very brave wanting to jump in after them!

My Personal Trainer....

........so I dropped my "Y" membership for now.......but dear Heather.....not about to let this ageing athlete waste away to a "has been" .......two days a week....runs........yes I said RUNS....from her house to ours (and back!)........to inspire/lead/model/make me exercise............

......stretch..........

.....................do aerobic...heart pumping jumping jacks..............and........

..........work on tricepts, bicepts and precepts! (yes, my rear is OFF the step!) She is my inspiration in perspiration. She cares dearly not only about my physical well being but she loves me and shows it in a bunch of ways. Oh that we would all have dear Heathers in our lives........and that we would be a dear Heather in the lives of others!

Dawes in the Spring....

It is a place of romance and beauty. Pat and I drove out to catch some of the spring flowering trees and caught these shots......

It is the place I proposed to Pat 41 years ago. It's still a very special place to us.

When Children We've Built Into The Lives of Come Back To Repay.....

..........I got the idea from watching Wes Humble's blog.......You put them to work........

Here Brendon mows the half acre lot..........

..............gives the car a tune up.........while...........

...........Megan shovels out a half ton of gravel........and.......

Brendon rakes it out........ We look forward to their next visit...........

....AND FINALLY SOME TIME TO PLAY AROUND THE BOTANICAL GARDENS...

............exploring at the source of the falls........

................looking at the pond creatures....... including this fellow they got a good look at......

Virginia To Ohio Parting Shots

............as we left the Commonwealth I couldn't help but catch this parting shot......YES....a privey.....but it was THE SIGN THAT CAUGHT MY EYE........

HAVE THEY HAD ISSUES WITH PEOPLE DRINKING FROM THE TOILETS AND URINALS????...............i MEAN REALLY.......AND AS pAT POINTED OUT.....ISN'T WATER IN A TOILET "potable" anyway ????.....and notice it's in brail to keep the poor blind folks out of those toilets and urinals as well......

.............this shot I took just in side the Licking County line......IT WAS JUST GOOD TO BE HOME!