getting together

[Mom and Dad with a nephew and a niece.]

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Surprisingly, I spent precious little time with my parents. Loose plans were made, and I assumed that they would camp out at my home, making day visits to other relatives and friends. I see now how that was presumptuous. They spent two days at my house, and have been staying with multiple hosts. I was blessed that they spent as much time as they did with me, my wife and kids.

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There were two major highlights to the past few days. First, is that I got to spend more time with my wife and kids. And second: there were two get-togethers, where Mom and Dad were joined by my five siblings and me. It is rare that all eight will be together in one place. That was a treat! They're in town for a few more days, and then it might be a year or more before I can see them again face-to-face.

crossing bridges, finding poison

There is a reddish dot near the center of the picture above. It was taken by my wife, and the reddish dot would be my shirt... I was lagging behind, looking for 'gator tracks.

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This was one spot I just HAD to see before we returned from our Florida trip. That was the park near my parents' home that had the alligator signage. It had the coolest bridge that went from a playground to the lake. I wouldn't have minded purchasing a one-day fishing license if I had my tackle with me, because once we got past 'gator-ville, the lake looked great for fishing! As I said in a previous post, we did not spot any alligators, but instead, the most dangerous thing we came across was poison ivy. No, I didn't touch it. How do you get rid of this stuff? Did you know that if you burn it, you can get that nasty rash inside your lungs, just from inhaling it?!

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Hey, have you heard about Disney courting controversy in their newest feature? The new movie will pair a black princess and a white prince. The negative criticism I was reading, suggested that "it was about time they had a black princess, but what's wrong with giving her a black prince?" That person complains too much. It is good to show children (and everyone else) that black and white can live happily ever after. I'm curious to see how big of a reaction they stir up with this movie. You'd think today's world would have healed this rift by now, or at least that we would have more progress than this. Racism is a nasty poison, and I can't stand even the smell of it. How are we going to stop the bleeding, if people keep inflicting fresh wounds?!

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I left a comment, saying how I applaud the positive image Disney is creating with that movie. Ethnic diversity is a beautiful thing, and I feel I must speak up whenever I catch any talk of racism. What about you?

tropical temps

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

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We had amazing weather on the last day of our Florida trip. I wish I had worn a hat and taken water, because my unpreparedness left me with a headache. But it was beautiful nonetheless, and I took photos for you. The first, is a palm tree in the park, where we let the kids play before the long drive back. The next photo is the longish bridge between the park and a lake. That bridge was just a few yards over swampland. There was a nearly dried creek that had a winding groove that I imagine could have been left by a meandering alligator. I didn't spot any of the toothy reptiles, but this last photo suggests that I might have guessed correctly. I wasn't afraid. I was rather hoping that I could have spotted a 'gator, so that I could snap a pic. The closest we came to any danger was poison ivy. (I got a good pic of that, too.)

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But we're having one of those days up here, where it's dangerous to allow employees out of doors, because they just might succomb to the temptation to play hookie. I stepped outside at lunchtime, and right here, it's 70 (21° C), sunny and breezy with the barometer dropping. This is pretty close to ideal for me! If I had a kite in the car, I would have taken off running for the closest open field!

Jiko

The dog's name is "Jiko." It's pronounced GEE-koh. Yes, that's an unusual name. I think my daughter named it after an African restaurant in Disney's Epcot. They took this dog in from a shelter before they had a place that allowed pets. We were to doggy-sit in the mean-time. We ended up having the dog for a year. I grew quite attached. The whole family loved her. She's in Florida now, with my daughter and son-in-law. I expected that we would be seeing this pup more, but it was not to be. I got to spend a couple hours at their apartment, and all the rest of the time, I've been at my parents' home near Orlando.

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When I walked into their apartment, I wasn't sure how the dog was going to respond. It's been forever since we gave the dog back, so I prepared myself in case she did not recognize me, and I had to make a slow re-introduction. Long story short, she licked my face entirely clean, and when I sat at the couch, she plopped herself down comfortably right at my feet. Why can't people be like that, eh?

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I'm looking forward to getting back home, and seeing all the other pets. We virtually have a zoo at home, with all the hamsters and fish, and dog and cat. There are a few people I really like to hang out with, too. Maybe I'll lick their faces and sit at their feet, just to let them know how much I missed them.

weather report

Last week in Illinois:

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This week in Florida:

Any questions?

vroom!

Update: Rylan was born on Wednesday at about 2:30 in the afternoon. He weighed in at 8 pounds, six ounces and measured 20 and-a-half inches in length. He has the most amazing hair color. Much like his mom. We arrived just fine, I'm enjoying visits with the kids while staying at my parents' house. ...More to come! Off we go! We got the okay, so we're loading up the minivan, making final preps and driving straight through. Florida, here we come! Please pray for journey mercies... for us and baby Rylan. And would you also pray that we would bring the Lord's blessing to each person we visit? We expect to arrive on Thursday.

flavor crystals

Baby update: Unless Rylan makes a move, they'll induce labor on Tuesday night, for a Wednesday birth. We would plan to make the drive Wednesday afternoon, to arrive close to 9AM on Thursday. But he can still arrive before that, so we take it day by day.

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The anticipated 20-hour drive to see our grandson could still be a few days away. I usually try to keep a sojourner's mindset, so that I live in the moment, soaking up life in the present, rather than wishing I could be someplace else at that time. But I gotta tell you. There is one daily activity that I am really going to miss on that looooooong drive.

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Coffee. I love this stuff! We get fresh beans at home, and I grind only when I'm brewing. Most of the time, my coffee is great. But from time to time, I use a French press, and that coffee is (sniff) ... excuse me, I hate to cry about it, but I get a bit overwhelmed with emotion every time I think of fresh Starbucks through the French press!

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I remember the last time we made this drive. I was getting drowsy, and out of desperation, I did something rash. I used one of those rest stop vending machines to get a Dixie cup of toxic swill that... well, traveling victims are supposed to believe that those few ounces of abomination are somehow related to coffee.

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I would rather drink (gag) instant coffee. But wait!! I saw something in the news this week that says that Starbucks is going to start making some kind of instant coffee! How can this be?! Honestly, I'm a little scared about the whole thing. Still, if I find a way to temporarily suspend my skepticism, how shall I procure the piping hot water needed for my favorite elixir?

junior league

Ten days in Florida should give a family plenty of leisure time. A wise dad would be careful to make sure the opportunities are not wasted. Next year, when the family looks back on the trip, will they each remember it fondly? I hope so.

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One thing I would like to do down there, is play catch. In my family, that is more likely to be with a football than a baseball. We might even use a frisbee. I like baseballs and mitts, though. As youngsters, my brother and I played a lot of catch (baseball with mitts), and I loved it.

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Years ago, when I thought it was the right time, I began training my oldest son, so that I could pass on the tradition from his dad and uncle. He probably did not understand why I was so eager about this, and graciously tolerated a session that went on into the evening. Eventually, the streetlights had been turned on for our block. One pitch got lost in the glare, and wound up finding his face instead of the mitt. The season for playing catch was over. Maybe for good. He is nineteen now, and we never discovered what my brother and I shared as youths.

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While we're in Florida, I want to visit. I want to relax, go on leisure walks, take pretty pictures, do a little reading. I hope and expect to do these things, but it would be nice this time, if my hopes don't turn out to be a baseball in anybody's face.

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Hmmm... maybe I should buy them each a facemask.

f-f-f-freezing temps

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The weather has been exceptionally cold lately. We gotta keep moving, though. Inching along on the treacherous ice, we'll eventually get where we need to be. Some may find this hard to understand, but I actually like living in cold weather. The snow is beautiful and it is exciting to witness the changing of the seasons. Most of the time, if you anticipate the needs of the season, you can keep enjoying the present weather.

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Friends treated us to a special evening last Saturday. We got all dressed up and drove into cold, wet, slushy Chicago to see The Screwtape Letters and have dinner at a restaurant. We met some of their other friends and the whole event was such a pleasurable diversion from our regular routines. I hope you get a chance to read it yourself. It's a funny book from a brilliant English mind.

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Check this one out. The plowed heap of snow is just as high as the car next to it!

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Hey, in a few weeks, we'll be trekking down to Florida to visit family on account of the arrival of our new grandson, Rylan. He's due February 14 and last night, I did a trial-assembly of a crib we plan on bringing for him. That day will probably race up to us quickly, and we have to get ready for the looooong trip. Once we arrive, the weather will be fine I'm sure, but I'm dreading that drive. I'll probably pack a little cooler with Snickers and Red Bull to keep myself alert. Please pray for good driving weather and a safe trip!