Happy Fathers Day to Our Sons

My heart bursts with gratitude and happiness when I see what truly devoted, loving and hard-working adults and fathers our boys have become. What a joy. Thank you for all you are and do.

"A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society."          Billy Graham

June 14th

A beautiful day, a blessing day.

Was in California to visit this darling trio.
I don't even have words, except for one: LOVE.

Ode to May

May is my favorite month, and has been, since I was a little girl.
Blossoms are everywhere. The air is so balmy and mild and fragrant, and somehow full of promise.

That reminds me of a beautiful poem by German Romantic poet Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff we learned about in high school in Linz.

                                                       Mondnacht

                                           Es war, als hätt der Himmel
                                           Die Erde still geküsst,
                                           Dass sie im Blütenschimmer
                                           Von ihm nun träumen müsst.

                                            Die Luft ging durch die Felder,
                                            Die Aehren wogten sacht,                  
                                            Es rauschten leis die Wälder,
                                            So sternklar war die Nacht.

                                            Und meine Seele spannte
                                            Weit ihre Flügel aus,
                                            Flog durch die stillen Lande,
                                            Als flöge sie nach Haus.
                   

To Jacob

Happy Birthday, Jakes! 35 years!
You are a wonderful son and brother. We are so thankful for you in our family.

We are thankful for your good heart, your sensitivity, your brightness, and your courage. Life is not easy for you. We admire how you don't give up, and keep moving along with hope, humor and determination.

Welcome, welcome!

Welcome to the family, dear little Norah! Everyone is thrilled that you are here!

Your parents tell us your name means Light. And you have certainly brought Light with you; Light and Happiness.

Bicycle Tour - "Northern Woods and Lakes"

We were in the farthest northern part of Wisconsin - Land o' Lakes, Eagle River, St. Germain, etc.

Loved it all!  Beautiful, fragrant forests; lakes, fun people, good food. Beautiful scenery. Bicycling on nice trails.  Sunshine.

         We met some lovely new friends.

By coincidence, it turned out that both of these women are physicians.  

This was farther south, in Madison, Wisconsin, on August 18.

On the way home, we visited New Glarus (also called Little Switzerland) and some other really fun places, including Galena, Ill.  Lots of history there.

And, since we were not all too far away, and we really didn't want to go home yet, we stopped off in one other place, and camped in 'our' campground.
It's becoming a summer tradition.

          Taking my bike for a leisurely ride around peaceful Old Nauvoo. What could be more fun.


       In addition, someone special had an important birthday, and it was a very happy day  /  week -

The actual birthday was on August 18 in Wisconsin, and I baked the cake later when we were back  home.