Just Some Random Pictures

Christmas was somewhat relaxing in that there were only 5 of us here to celebrate the day. Later on, the Jones clan arrived which brought us to 15, but for most of the day, it was low-key and quiet. Needed some kids around. Wonder where we could get some kids? Hmmm...

These are just some random pictures of our morning. You will notice Jonny and Emily's festive attire. Jonny's mom made these outfits in the early 80's to wear so Jonny and Em have inherited them and will continue the tradition of wearing them for special occasions.

Reenacting "the feeding of the wedding cake" with the cake that has been in our freezer for the past 1 1/2 years. We thawed it first!

Traditional reading of the Christmas story from Luke with the placing of the nativity figures on Jesus' birthday cake.

Em helping Mama Jo with her ribbons.

Mama Jo's new attire



Jonny managed to find a ribbon to add to the festive attire



One of his favorite gifts!

And of course, our traditional meal for Christmas!

Perfect Poinsettia

When I walked into Mom's room today to take her to the hairdresser, the largest, most beautiful poinsettia greeted me sitting on the floor commanding center stage. It was sent by Kirk and Mary from Texas, and contained some unusual decorations of a cute little hidden cardinal and spiky twigs sprouting from within the plant. Gorgeous. Mom's room is looking like a floral shop and looks so festive for Christmas.

Mama Jo's Christmas Party

Last night was the family Christmas dinner and party at Mom's assisted living facility. We sat down at assigned places and were served a sumptuous meal of everything delicious. After the meal, we all assembled in the main lounge where Santa, Mrs. Santa and their little elf helper passed out gifts to the residents. One of the nurses asked for favorite Christmas memories and a few of the residents shared their stories of past special Christmases. The finale came in the form of about 15 high school students who entertained us with Christmas carols. The students were unique in that they were all German Baptists and could they sing in harmony! That makes sense, since in their church services there are no musical instruments; the people make the music and these kids had learned well the harmony of their elders. They sang very unusual songs, totally unfamiliar to those of us outside the GB church, but the message of the newborn Savior was the same. Their last selection was one that we all knew, including Mom. She sang out loud and clear every verse of Silent Night. Listen, and for just a couple of minutes, you'll recognize the old Mama Jo.

Flowers from the Porter extended families

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Mama Jo's New Do

Mama Jo in need of a new "do"




Amazing what a perm will do for a woman!

Deke and Mama Jo enjoying a moment together

Winter Wonderland

This morning Deke and I got out bright and early to trek to Flora to get a haircut, purchase something at the Grapevine and eat breakfast at the Flora Family Restaurant. It started to snow around midnight last night and produced this beautiful winter wonderland by morning's light. It's the perfect snow to roll a snowman-too bad I don't care about making snowmen anymore!

A Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! We spent a leisurely day with Mark, Lori, Claire and the two Moms. We had the usual fare of turkey, ham, dressing, cranberry salad, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, applesauce and rolls. The meal was topped off with apple and pumpkin pie. The guys are taking the Moms home so Lori and I are working on a jigsaw puzzle and sipping on mulled cider. It's cold and rainy outside but warm and cozy inside. A perfect Thanksgiving!

Glory in the Skies

Got up this morning and was greeted by this beautiful sight

Roommate Reunion

l-r Deke, me, Linda, Barney

This past Monday, Deke emailed me to keep Friday evening open because he was taking me somewhere special for our Friday night date. No explanations. No hints. Nothing.

We both had a hectic Friday but I managed to get to the church by 3:30, and with only a couple of hitches with last minute administrative duties, we were on our way. We wound our way south/west out of Lafayette and saw country that neither of us had ever seen. The boy kept true to his word and uttered not a syllable to help me figure out our destination.

After 2 hours of flitting here and there on back country roads, we turned into "The Beef House," a rather famous eatery near Covington, IN. We had never been there so this was going to be a new culinary experience for the two of us.

We got out of the car and walked toward the front door. A rather distinguished man with graying hair was standing just inside, and as we approached, he opened the door and greeted us. I thought My this place is so friendly; the owner even greets the diners. When he ended his monologue by asking for a tip, I turned to really look at him and about fell over when I recognized Deke's old college roommate, Barney! The neatest thing about seeing Barney again was the realization that I was also to see his wife, my college roommate! Yep, 39 and 40 years ago, we had married our roommates' roommate! After hugging and trying to close my real-for-life gaping mouth, Linda appeared and we got to hug all over again.

We were seated in a rather remote section of the restaurant and proceeded to talk non-stop for 3 hours (the waitresses set us up in a private area after the first 2 hours). It really was as if we had never been apart. Linda and Barney (real name is Don Knotts) live in Sullivan, about 2 hours further south in IN. We hadn't seen them in at least 25 years. AND the downside of this whole wonderful reunion was that I didn't get a picture of the 4 of us!!! We were so intent on talking and laughing and catching up on our lives that I didn't get around to taking a picture even though I had my digital in my purse. Sad. Anyway, this is a scanned picture of us in 1969, taken in the guys' dump (apartment) on the night we had "foraged" a pitiful Christmas tree from the side of some country road. Ahhhh, memories.

One Last Hurrah

Couldn't resist taking one last picture of the gorgeous color of our pear trees. We have many other pear trees but these 3 capture the flavor of the truly magnificent fall we've had. When the leaves fall from these trees, winter will be upon us. Sigh.

All Things Red

Deke and I were putting the last of the container plants in the garage when I noticed the brilliant reds of some of the trees and bushes around the house. They are really pretty and add so much needed color in the late fall. We've had gorgeous days this past week with sunshine daily and temps in the 70's. Today, a front is moving through bringing rain and colder weather-not my cup of tea. But thought you'd enjoy this bright and cheery final fling of color before winter hits us.

Feeling Loved

I love it when he comes home with roses for no special reason. Actually, he said it was a belated birthday bouquet and a "just because." He said he likes to do it. He said he had no motivation other than wanting to make me happy. A woman is beautiful when she is loved.

I'm feeling quite ravishing these days.

Down in the Back

Well, we are recovering around here and both of us feel about 1000% better than we felt 10 days ago but we are still not completely healed. And, additionally, I did a stupid thing when I put Deke's mother's walker in our car and completely wrenched my back. My grandpa called my condition "stoved up." So I have been using muscle relaxers and heat pads, and things are improving.

Deke is now able to lift his arm above his head but it still hurts to lower it. Thankfully nothing is broken or pulled or damaged beyond repair. He has decided that he is going back to square 1 in the paragliding instruction manual. I doubt if he will try "flying" again this season.

So pray for these two poor souls. It ain't easy gettin' old. And flabby. And out of condition. And stupid.

Out of It

Don't ask. Don't even try to figure it out. I'm at a complete loss.

Lori just called saying that I had posted on her blog this morning. I, the complete illiterate computer blogger, who had to have my daughter set up my blog site and have no idea how to change anything on it, somehow got into Lori's blog and posted on it!!!!!

I think it shows how out of it I am. So the lesson learned is... if I ever want to hack into the Pentagon, I have to be sick with a fever of 102 and feel the need to share with my family.

Go to Lori's blog (J-Files) in the family link side bar to see the post from this morning.

I'm going back to bed.

Flying the Wing

Did I mention Deke's latest love? No? Well, here it is folks. He has been interested in paragliding for years and just this year made the plunge to get going on learning the art of flying with a "big fan" strapped on his back. The "big fan" is my explanation for this sport and you just have to see it to believe it http://www.ehow.com/video_4468488_forward-launch-paraglider.html

The beginner first must learn to "kite." Kiting is much like flying a huge kite with 3000 strings attached to it with all the strings attached to a harness that is cinched to your torso. Once the "wing" is airborn and stable, with the flier able to control it easily, he is ready to advance to the next phase-strapping a big fan to his back. Once he is able to master the wing and the engine, he is now able to "take off."

Deke is in phase 1. He is mastering flying the wing. He was first taught by a certified instructor and now is only periodically instructed as he practices. He usually goes to the Delphi airport where the open area affords a great practice arena or he goes to a newly-mown hayfield. He is finally getting it after hours and hours of practice. This is not a sport to trifle with, believe me!

Saturday evening he and our youth pastor, Austin, practiced for a couple of hours. I was able to capture a few pictures of their ups and downs. Hang on (hee hee) and I'll continue in the future to blog you the progression right up to the solo flight.

All ready to launch


























Success!

Guess Who Came to Dinner?

Little C-Bear is with us for just a short visit while her mommy is working at the Ft Wayne Ichthus this week. We get to keep her until tomorrow when her other grandma comes to get her.

OK, Nana, where's my breakfast?

Blowing good-bye kisses to Grandpa

All bathed and ready for the day

Nana, did you say juice?

Woolly "Bull"y?

Well, here's a new one for me. I grew up with the folklore concerning the Brown Woolly Bear Caterpillar stories. You know the one: if the woolly has a small brown band around the middle, the winters would be mild, and the larger the band that covered the caterpillar, the more severe the winters would be. Well, I was outside this morning cleaning up my flowerbeds when I saw this anomaly. Does this mean we won't even have a winter?

Honeymoon Happenings 7

What's the old adage-Time Flies When You're Having a Good Time. I haven't blogged in 3 days because we've been on the go so much and have fallen into bed at night totally exhausted. Tonight we checked into our suite early and I even had time to bathe and clean up some.

After Crater Lake, we headed on south into California and visited lava beds in a national park in northern CA and then headed on south to Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was gorgeous and resembled Yellowstone somewhat with the sulfuric fumaroles and vast vistas. Surprised us with its beauty. Yesterday we spent the day in Yosemite National Park. It's breathtaking but there are no pictures nor words to adequately give you the real beauty of the place. You just have to see it for yourself. The only downer associated with the park was the park population. Crowded. It was difficult to really soak in the beauty with so many people crowding around you. Last night we stayed in a resort area between Yosemite and Death Valley. We tried a new hotel chain called "Shilo." DON'T EVER STAY AT A SHILO! When I get home and have time to talk to each of you I will explain, but suffice it to say, I fired off an email to their corporate headquarters last night before I went to sleep. They have not replied yet but believe me they will!

Today we spent the day in Death Valley and again were blown away with the beauty of the area. California really does have it all. Actually the desert is dry and dusty and all those things you envision, but it's surrounded by absolutely breathtaking mountains. We are staying the night in Bakersfield and will head back up north tomorrow. We'll stay at Travis AFB tomorrow night then board our flight home early Saturday morning.

We've had an incredible journey together. It's been fun and educational and romantic. I have loved being with my best buddy for 2 solid weeks with no work schedules or classes to teach or meetings to attend or vegetables to pick! God is so good and has given us a great gift of each other while seeing His gorgeous works of nature.

Sulfuric creek in Lassen National Park














Famous El Capitan in Yosemite




Famous Half Dome in Yosemite. Had to hunt to find a spot without crowds of people around




In Death Valley




20 Mule-Team Borax site. Interesting how they processed the borax in the 1800's




Taking a side trip in Golden Canyon in Death Valley

Yep, that's right. You're glasses aren't foggy. This was the price in Death Valley and we missed the picture of the first gas station in the park. Gas was $4.45!

This was the temp in Death Valley today

Took a side trip on our way to Bakersfield. Visited the famous "Tehachapi Loop" a railroad engineering feat of the late 1800's that routs trains in a loop to get them up the mountains. The train actually crosses over itself and rises 77 feet using booster engines on the rear of the train. Needless to say, Deke was in hogs-heaven.