Nirvana, Estates, Ordinations, and Ancestors

If you don't recognize it, this is Nirvana!! Dad has found a new quarry and is, happily, hauling rock once again. In June, he found out that the quarry from which he took his tons and tons of rock for the rock wall had been permanently closed to the public!! However, after much searching, he has found a quarry in Carson which has the kind of rock he needs to finish the wall.


We stopped for a day in Oakley, Idaho where Aunt Joan and I were born, and where our father grew up. After a brief search, we found this old pioneer church--the very one mentioned in this story from church history:
"A small party of settlers from Tooele located four miles northwest of Oakley on the west side of Goose Creek and named the place "Marion" in honor of Apostle Francis Lyman. Here was erected a log schoolhouse that also served as an amusement hall, being just large enough to accomodate two sets of dancers. When this little edifice was abandoned in favor of a new church, money was very scarce, but "they had faith and worked hard," said Alfred Gorringe, adding that "when this building was nearly completed, Bishop Smith had ten dollars; he knew James Whitby had five and this was all the money these men had. Bishop Smith went to Brother Whitby and said, "If you will put in your five with my ten, we can get a front door for our building and hold church there next Sunday." And they did."Our next stop was a fun evening with Eric and Tobin, Taylor and Carter. We were impressed with the work they've done on their home. Dad, who's done lots of remodeling, said, in admiration, Eric's a master!! We enjoyed sweet little Taylor's chatter and Carter's smile. Tobin had taken the time to bake cookies for us, but we were so busy chattering that we forgot to eat them!!

Next was a stop at the Estate in the Desert's Shadow--Eric and Susan's home. We had a great visit and were impressed with the estate!! Toby was Dad's shadow. I think if Dad had let him, he would have come into the bathroom with him! At one point, Toby and I were looking at a book about the Columbia River, and I showed Toby a photograph of wind surfers on the Columbia. He studied it carefully and then said, "Can Grandpa do that?"

Our next stop was to Darla's. On Sunday morning, Dad helped Vale get appropriately dressed in white shirt and tie and dress pants that were a bit snug, so he could be ordained a deacon!!

Here's our proud deacon with his bishop and visiting teacher.

Next stop: Santa Rosa. Steve took us on a fun tour of Bodega, Sebastopol, and Santa Rosa. You may recognize the picture: it's the schoolhouse from "The Birds." It is a beautifully restored private home now. Close by is the church, Sisters of Avila, shown in the movie as well. We met Kobe's after-school teacher, Sue, and Kobe and I had an interesting talk about the difference between a "kit," which we're looking at in the picture, and a "kid," which Kobe proudly proclaimed he is.

Finally, let me introduce you to your great-great grandmother, Mary Hamilton Kennedy McInnes. I have been praying for some time now to be able to find some definitive confirmations about the true facts concerning this wonderful woman. Every bit of information we've had on her has been family stories and whatever tidbits Grandma could gather. She is our ancestor who came from Scotland to the wild, wild land of Nova Scotia with her husband, Donald, and her son, Donald. Her husband died shortly after their arrival, and Mary was left to adjust to the wild land alone. Eventually, she married a local tailor, John McInnes, and they moved to British Columbia. Donald eventually returned to Nova Scotia. John and Mary McInnes had several children, one of whom became somewhat famous/infamous in British Columbia history--Robert Thomas McInnes and a grandson who was a poet laureate in British Columbia--Tom McInnes. Imagine my surprise and affirmation last Tuesday when I found this picture of Mary on a website devoted to her first home in Nova Scotia--East Lake Ainslie. On that very same day, I found some information about Mary, which Dad and I intend to further research this winter when the storms are raging, and the quarry is closed. Mary was born in Paisley, Scotland, and her father, Captain Edward Hamilton, is a lineal descendant of the First Duke of Hamilton. Scottish royalty. Prayers are answered. It was so fun to share this wonderful news with Grandma. Then, the perfect cherry on top of the cake was a phone call from a man named James Kennedy from South Carolina. He is Dad's second cousin, and he is interested in doing Kennedy genealogy. Another cousin had sent James Kennedy a detailed family genealogy that Grandma Kennedy wrote over forty years ago, and James sent it to the curator of the very museum which had the picture of Great-great Grandma Kennedy. The curator was so pleased with the history that he would like to publish the piece in their local genealogical/historical society's magazine, in the local paper, and keep a copy in their local archive. One of the items on Grandma's "bucket" list has come true--she'll be a published author!! Life is so beautiful. We love you all. Mom

OF BLIGHTS, MEMORIES, AND NEW BEGINNINGS

There are still roses in bloom, weeds in the garden, bright skies and 90 degree weather, and flies in droves at a quilting workshop. Indian summer beckons us to linger outside on a star-filled night and turn on the fan in midafternoon.

However, the little "ant" at our house is noticing the reality of Fall--his favorite time--and the reality of a predicted "hard" winter. The tools of building which were utilized for the building of the new deck have been replaced with ax and maul.

Yet, another blight, manmade, has made me grit my teeth each time I drive up the hill and pass the Beachum's old house. I know, the house has been abandoned for years, but until recently all the windows were still in, and there was no graffiti on its walls. This artist is even bold enough to write his name!! Ugh.

All is well with us. As Dad says he's doing his thing, and I'm doing mine. Although we neither understand nor gush about each other's projects, we revel in the other's enthusiasm and pure joy and enjoy the final products of each other's passions. God is in His Heaven.

Our prayers are with Uncle Garth who is undergoing heart bypass surgery as I write. I'll keep you posted as soon as I hear anything.

Love to All. Mom

ISN'T IT CALLED THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER??

I am convinced that we're in the final throes of summer, but it seems so early. I can remember so many Septembers of starting school--wearing, of course, our Fallish new school clothes--sweating in the heat!! Yet, this year, our mornings are already chilly; the golden leaves are beginning to dot the front lawn, and we've turned off the air conditioner.

We've had a visit from our good friends, Dave and Elsie Thomas, with whom we served as missionaries in San Diego. Elsie is notching off items on her Bucket List. She had visited 48 states and wanted to complete her list by visiting Washington and Alaska. So, on their way to Alaska, they spent a night with us. I've admired Elsie for as long as I've known her. She suffers from muscular dystrophy, and any undertaking is physically tasking for Elsie. I've never heard Elsie complain about her condition; she is always cheerful and kind. It makes me remember that I, who am so overwhelming the recipient of God's most tender mercies, have no right to utter a complaint when I see Elsie struggle so hard to walk down the stairs in our living room. Dave is no wit behind as he serves Elsie and his family. Plus, we have fun together and lots of laughs. The Thomases left last Sunday to check off another bucket list item--their long dreamed of cruise to Alaska.

We said good-bye to Vale as well. The poor kid was climbing the walls by the time he left. One can only entertain himself for so long! He told me that he must be very sick because he missed school!!!

Dad's sun deck is amazing. I asked him how he knows how to build a sun deck. He just shrugged and said, "I look at what the original builders did and copy their work." I asked him if there was anything I could do to help him, and his response was, "That's like you asking me if I could help you quilt!!" Check out the picture of Dad's handiwork.

Today I was walking around the marina in Bingen, and I gasped at the scene all around me. The Gorge is incredibly beautiful, and I was overwhelmed by its awesome splendor this morning. Way off in the distance, I could see the chapel of the Catholic Church in White Salmon. So inspiring.

Aunt Joan heard a wonderful story from one of her fellow temple workers. The lady was babysitting her little four-year old grandson. She was absolutely worn out after having cared for the energetic little boy for several days. Finally, she said, "You know what, Josh? You just get old and you die." The next day, she got a phone call and heard a teary little voice asking, "Grandma, you're not dead yet are you??"

Grandma and Grandpa aren't dead yet. We're having a great time. We hope you can keep up!! Love to all, Mom