This Olde House, From the Beginning to the Near End

It has been suggested that I offer more pictures of the progress of the laying of the hard wood floor. And so from the beginning of the project last Friday night until the work began in earnest on Sunday here are pictures of the day.

Kellie and I stained the base boards and molding while Neil helped lay out the wood for us to stain.

Finally, though not finished, it is nearly complete. Only a few more rows to be put in place tomorrow night and then it will be ready for the finishing work around the doors. That will, however, have to wait until we return from GG's after a week's vacation.

We will be leaving on Friday evening, driving to INDY where we will pick up the rest of the crew, The INDY Kellers, for a driving vacation to MT. Since Ron won the use of a Sienna for a week we thought it a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity to see the North Country by van once again.

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Thanks be to God.

A Fairwell to Weber

From the kitten rescued from the bird's nest in the back yard to her nesting in the Christmas tree every year, until she couldn't climb into it anymore, and finally just curling up under the tree every year in the glow of the Christmas lights, Weber was a singular cat. She didn't play with toys. She was happy just left alone. When guests arrived Weber would make herself scarce and not be seen again until company was gone (not the best hostess but not a nuisance either). She knew how to get your attention when the food dish was empty by batting it around the kitchen until someone would fill it. She didn't like to be cuddled, but when she wanted attention from you she would simply pat you on the arm, sit down next to you in the chair and wait to be petted.

Finally, for lack of wanting to admit it, Weber had gotten old and ailing. So, in the last week we had to agree that it was time to let her go. So this morning, Weber made her last visit to the vet. It was so hard to leave her there, but I just couldn't stay.

I'll miss most her independence and apparent self-reliance. And at Christmas, I'll not have to worry about keeping the tree skirt straight because she has snuggled into it. She was a gift for 14 years and I'm glad she came to nest in our tree. Good-bye Weber.

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"Each friend represents a

world in us, a world possibly

not born until they arrive,

and it is only by this meeting

that a new world is born."

-- Anis Nin

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Thanks be to God

Really beautiful and inspiring...

Mother sent this to me today and I hope when you all visit the sight you will be touched to the heart as I was. Thank you MOM!!

http://www.InspiringThots.net/movie/saucer.php

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Thanks be to God.

One must be careful and not overlook a comment...

Much to my surprise and pleasure I found a post I had overlooked. I'm embarrassed, however, because I did not see it until day before yesterday (It was dated in April).

Her name is Sr. Mary Anne. She is a member of the same community as Sr. Julie. the author of "A Nun's Life" blog. I had offered a comment on one of the topics and used Sr. Gilchrist Conway as an example. This just show small the world has become.

Sr. Mary Anne and Sr. Gilchrist worked serving the poor at the Catholic Worker http://www.catholicworker.org/ in New York City that summer thirty years ago. Sr. Gilchrist shared her adventures with us when she returned to Oklahoma where she was part of a team of Sisters of Providence, including Sr. Dorothy Rasche and Sr. Mary Maloney.

Sr. Gilchrist had a real call to be a missionary. She lived in conditions that summer that sounded appalling. And as she told us, with rats as big as dogs, and God's knowledge of her tremendous fear of them she was sure he was caring for her. She told us of daily waking and working to feed the poor. Donations of food came in and other donations were sought. But at the end of the day after feeding those hungry among them there was nothing left for the next day. At that point, I remember asking, didn't they buy things on sale and put them away so they would be sure to have stock to start again the next day? Sr. Gilchrist simply said, "Cathy, this is what we do. We trust that God will provide for tomorrow." At that time I was the mother of four small children and anxious to be sure there was enough to take care of us. It was a gentle reminder, I often recall, that God is first and He takes care of us all.

Sr. Gilchrist's missionary journey does not end there as she traveled to Bolivia and ministered to those people there. Two weeks before her return to the States, Sr. Gilchrist died in a flash flood. But she died in the service of our Lord. She is missed even now. Her cheerful smile, the glorious flute she played, and most of all the laughter she brought to us all when she would share a Bit of the Blarney.

Wish I could visit with Sr. Mary Anne as I'm sure she and Sr. Gilchrist had marvelous adventures that summer working in the service of the Lord. I am grateful to these women who have touched my life and those of my family.

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Thanks be to God!!!

This Olde House...

Welcome to the state of organized chaos. You can find parts and pieces of the living room in almost every room in the house. Reminds me of the remodeling of the Bicknell house. This, however, will not take as long to remodel. Ron had already removed all the wall paper from the hall and entry. It is amazing how bright the room has become...

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Then Saturday evening the carpet came up. That was not a difficult task. EVERYONE was happy to help get IT out of the house. (Part of it sits on the curb, even as we speak, to be picked up by the garbage collectors this morning.) There were staples to remove and the floor to be swept. Wooden plugs to be put into the base of the railing and all was set for the next big task. It seems there is nothing, once again, that can stop the "wrecking crew". We just missed the contributions of the other two members that could not be here.

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And through it all the kids seemed content to stay out of the way!!!

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Ron and Wes painted the walls of the living room. And today Ron is taking the first step in the "laying of the floor". He's cutting the piece that will connect the dining room to the living room. Come again and visit "this olde house".

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And in gratitude to the one who gives all, we say,

"Thanks be to God!"