senior show: a festive night!

Our daughter Katie brought it all together for her part in the senior art and photography show at Taylor University. The opening of the show was last night, featuring the work of ten artists. It was a gala affair with many amazing elements. First, a fabulous food buffet. Another photographer's mom put it together, for which I was thankful because it wouldn't have looked like this had I been in charge!

Fancy schmanzy, done by Nancy.

We arrived on campus late morning, at which time Katie whipped us into action helping her finish up a few last-minute details. My first job took massive brain power: cleaning the glass on the framed work. Ha. Then Bill and Katie hung them all.

Katie had already figured the layout, spacing and hammered in the nails.

I love this alcove space Katie has beside a stairway in the art building.

The show will run for two weeks.

Over lunch Katie finalized her mission statement and titles for each print. Then off to the print lab to print and mount them. (No, not the photos! Just the titles. Whew.) 

We gave the ok on her "pedestal" (far left in the photo above) which helped set the Michigan theme.

Michigan rocks, birch, evergreen sprigs, guest book, and new business cards.

This next photo is one of my favorites: the old fridge at our Michigan cabin.

And, judging by the comments, a favorite of many the attendees.

Katie named it 'Old Faithful.'

At last, Katie was ready. Her work was ready.

She seemed calm. Calmer than me.

She is "Miss Symmetrical." Interesting to see how photographers differ in that regard.

And then they came. Several hundred. Students, friends, profs, parents. kids and grandparents.

Overwhelming, really. And wonderful.

Live music floated down from upstairs: a student band. Nice touch!

The painters whose work was in the gallery were, um, running a little late

so there was some nervous anticipation as to when the doors would open.

But open they did.

Here's Katie with Kelsie, a Taylor mom/prof and friend of mine

who I'd have never known had it not been that our kids went to Ireland freshman year.

And we went on parents week, and the rest is .... well, it's FISP and you just had to be there.

Love ya, Kelsie. Thank you for being a mom to our kids these four years!

Not the greatest shot, but gives you an idea of Katie and her roommate

Brie's shared area for the show.

Katie with Brie and Norah, an amazing artist and

friend of Katie's since freshman year. (I don't think Norah slept at all the previous night, poor thing.)

Super cool: Katie chatting with Taylor's prez, Dr. Habecker.

Bill was bushed. This is another student's display!

Proud of you, sweetie. A job done with your usual skill and beauty.

Need an excellent photographer? Look no further.

Call on Katie.

happy birthday, Anne!



Anne sends me off to Girl Scout camp, 1967

Fifty-one years ago today,

my dad called from the hospital to tell me

I finally (love my 2 brothers) had a sister.

That call made me the happiest 6-year-old alive!

Time, distance, raising families and taking different life journeys separated Anne and me until two years ago.

She reached out and we forged a new relationship.

We talk often and are now sharing a spiritual journey that's unbelievably deep, rich and real.

It's so great to share with each other
what God is doing in our lives. 

My sister is one of the bravest, most loving, honest people I know. Today I honor and wish my Anne a very happy 51st birthday!



With our dad in September





Leap Day!

Happy leap day! Happy birthday to those special people born on a leap day! Many of us seem confused as to the reason for an extra day on the calendar every four years.

I did a little checking and found this:

Leap Years are needed to keep our calendar in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the sun. It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days (a tropical year) to circle once around the sun. If we didn't add a day on February 29 nearly every 4 years, we would lose almost six hours every year. After only 100 years, our calendar would be off by approximately 24 days!

The ancient Roman calendar added an extra month every few years to maintain the correct seasonal changes. But Julius Caesar implemented a new calendar – the Julian Calendar – in 45 BCE (Before Common Era) with an extra day added every 4 years. At the time, Leap Day was February 24, because February was the last month of the year. (http://www.timeanddate.com/)

Both my brother Pat and son Mark were born in February of leap years, 1952 and 1988. If the current year can be  divided equally by 4, you'll know it's a leap year.

If you want to celebrate leap day, check out the adorable movie, Leap Year with Amy Adams. Great scenery in Ireland.

hello, Uncle Dan

If this isn't just the sweetest photo. Our middle son, Dan, was in town for a wedding, though we saw him for just a few hours. He did get to meet his new niece, Lily. You can tell he's a pro at one-armed baby-holding, being a dad himself to two little girls, Ari and Ashlyn.

I watched Dan holding Lily and gazing at her across our Sunday brunch table. He shook his head, saying "wow," and I imagine he's beginning to realize the tininess of newborns and how quickly they grow and change.

Oh my goodness. Dan's wife Jenny sent this bunny hat for Lily. Together, they are irresistible!

out after dark

It's a crazy Saturday night! We're headed out soon, unusual for us. Our son Dan was in a wedding in Columbus this afternoon, so we're picking him up after the reception to spend the night with us. He's only here overnight, but we'll enjoy the brief visit.

Once back in town, we'll head to Mark and Jill's house so Uncle Dan can see his new niece Lily. Jill's given the ok, it'll be about time for Lily's midnight snack.

Tomorrow we'll have brunch after church before taking Dan to the airport. Bill's mom will try to join us, her first time at our house in many months. At 95, she doesn't like to get out much.

We'll be missing the rest of the family, but treasuring this time with the ones who are here. That's what's up with me, a busy few days. Hope your weekend is a good one!

breathless

Newborn Lily

mixing up nights with days

and days with nights.

Breathless face,

the smallest mouth.

Tiny body, perfectly formed,

a complete miracle.

Spindly legs,

long hands and feet.

Fine auburn hair

in perfect swirls.

Little squeaks and grunts and

not-quite-cries.

Eyes rolling,

then back to sleep.

Intimate with her mother

protected by her father.

As we nestle,

you capture my heart.

Oh you sweet

                                                                                             and breathless

                                                                                          Lily.

2.20.62 and other thoughts

The 50th anniversary of John Glenn's historic mission snuck up on me; it was yesterday. Mom sat me down on the cold floor in front of our black and white television that day: February 20, 1962. I had little interest in watching a space launch since I was just seven years old. "You're going to watch this," she ordered. "Someday, you can tell your children and grandchildren that when you were just a little girl you watched the first American orbit the earth, ." And so I watched .

I'm not sure my children or grandchildren are very impressed by my witness to history but it's special to me. I had a mother, a 1960's traditional homemaker, who thought higher and broader than some. She didn't send me to pre-school, nor was kindergarten offered in the public schools, so she accidentally schooled me at home until I was nearly 7. Mom taught me to read as she hung clothes on the line. She had a crazy curiosity about everything, showing me that learning - and life itself - was an adventure.

Mom drove us all over Detroit, Michigan, our home for 15 months, exploring Polish bakeries and meat shops and other wonders that were foreign to a southern family. She traded her amazing southern friend chicken for homemade meatballs with our Italian neighbor, Mrs. DiPasquale, who spoke no English. Mom bought ice skates for herself and me and we learned to skate alongside teenagers playing ice hockey: the national sport of Detroit.

Look for the wonder in ordinary days and adventure in your neighborhood and share it with a child. It holds the makings of memories and relationships.