Finally, I got the pictures downloaded from our journey to Montana. It was a great week. And we were so fortunate to have the use of the Sienna. When Ron contributed to the United Way his name was entered in a raffle and so that is how we got to use it of the week. He WON!!!

Ainsley and Lindsey were real troopers. And considering their ages so were their dad and mom. Lindsey even developed an ear infection that had to be treated the first day of the journey. It was great fun to ride and play with the girls. Annie was our favorite movie although Singing in the Rain ran a close second.

Rapid City has some interesting sights. They have bronze statues of all but seven US presidents on their downtown street corners. (Ron was up early Monday morning photographing not all but most of them. The trick is figuring out who is who.) The dinner at the fire house was a treat for everyone.

Mt. Rushmore was still awesome. The day was glorious and all was picture perfect. The only flaw was one missing grandfather. "He's not with you?" "No, I thought he was with you."

Needless, to say our stay in Billings was wonderful. Got to experience again the life of an active teenage girl and the saga of the parents. Somethings never change. Mother is great. And I finally figured out the knitting pattern that had us both in a quandry. By the way the game APPLE TO APPLE is way tooooo much fun. We also got to celebrate two birthdays while we were there. Lindsey and Megan share the same birthday. Enough said...

Here's some of the pics...

The Jouney to Montana, a photo journel

The Whole Crew!

Aaisley meets Goldie

who is on her way to

The Big Apple

The Fire House

Brewery

Main Street, Rapid City, SD

Everyone said, "cheeseburger"!

Fire personnel

with the Dog!

Ainsley and Lindsey

with President Reagan

Franklin D. Roosevelt

A Time of Reflection

Today, is the celebration of the Birth of John the Baptist. As I was considering the first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (IS 49:1-6) and Psalm 139, I was reminded of the following reflection. Sometimes I forget to look on God as my companion, side by side with me in my endeavors. But, gentle nudges bring me home!!! I again take consolation in knowing that my journey has been in the planning for longer than "I am" and because of that I can trust that he will be here 'til the end.

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Excerpt from, Set Aside Every Fear, Love and Trust in the Spirituality of Catherine of Siena.

GOD Speaks...

If you choose me as your companion you will not be alone; my love will always be with you. you will never fear anyone or anything, for you will find your security in me. With me as your companion you will live in the light of faith with hope and fortitude, with true patience and perseverance, all the days of your life. I loved you before you existed, and know this, you can place your trust in my love and set aside every fear. Enjoy my love, live in me and take from me the light of my wisdom. Confront the princes and tyrants of this world with my strength. Take from me the fire of my Spirit and share with all my mercy and my burning love. You are not alone. You have me.

As, I was sitting here preparing this, my dearest friend, Fay, called and told me her Pete had died this morning. Though not unexpected, I'm still surprised at the impact of the words and I know that no matter what words are chosen, a void in all our lives has been made. The impact that one person has made in my life can not be subtracted, cannot be taken away, it is with me always. There was not a time, when I visited with Fay and Pete, that I was not aware of his assurance of who he was. He was soft spoken, but with a presence that would capture your attention. He was well aware of who his "companion" was. And now today he rests in the loving arms of that Blessed Companion. And so like Pete, we are reminded by our Companion, "You have me."

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Thanks be to God!

Report Delay

The spirit is great...the physical is wanting.

Will have to delay sharing about our trip to MT. I have managed to get a HUMONGOUS sinus infection, sore throat and cough...Ron has it, too. The first time in 39 years we have shared an illness. Last noc there was sneezing and coughing in concert...It was laughable even though we felt raunchy! You should have been here. It's really awful when I'm too tired to sit at the computer. Hope we are up and "running" tomorrow when the antibiotics have a chance to "kick" in. As GG said, get the Vicks and inhale! It's times like these when we appreciate family, friends and co-workers who are comforting, compassionate and understanding.

Thanks be to God!!!

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.