SEPTEMBER ENDEAVORS

Remember my blog about that Bucket List? I'm not doing very well on it. I had hoped to do a blog every Sunday so that I could chronicle events, projects, etc. "Hoped" is the operative word. After all, I'm a retiree...no real agenda or schedule. I certainly have plenty of subject matter! My challenge this week has been attempting to post pictures to the blog!! I think I have it now.

We've had a busy September. Lots of company. Here are Darla and Vale. Don't they look overjoyed to pose for yet another picture? Darla says she hasn't been this skinny since junior high, and has never been blonde, so we're showing her off. Vale has never been this tall, nor a 15 year old, so here he is.

Tom is overjoyed to have warm weather and a new calling at church. He is now the early morning Seminary teacher. The course of study this year is Old Testament, and his class consists of seven students--6 boys and 1 girl. Like most first-year teachers, he's spent an inordinate amount of time in preparation; in spite of the fact that he knows the Old Testament upside down and backwards. He has one mentally challenged student who stormily informed Tom that he would not come to Seminary...well...his mom was making him come, but he'd only be there for the first day. Then, he saw the spread of muffins, goodies, fruit, and juice that Tom lays out every day, and he's been a 100% attendee! The second Tom gets home from Seminary, he pulls on his work clothes and heads outside. His latest project is the back porch.

The floor has since been painted. Now, he's setting in his store of wood for the winter.

His next project is to cover up this unsightly space underneath the new deck.

Seminary has brought a change for me. I've inherited the dog duties. From 4am to 8, I'm Astro's mother. He never leaves my side: he sleeps next me, curls up under the computer table, or follows me everywhere. He'd like to join me in the bathroom, but I have to draw the line somewhere. We've become walking companions as well. In walking, I'm not as exciting as Dad; I won't follow him along the road, so he can "herd" the car; I won't allow catching helpless rabbits, and I do not allow unleash time, but I sing for him, and I talk to him and myself...what more could he want? I love the little marina where we walk. It's the site of one of Lewis and Clark's campsites on their trip down the Columbia and is a launch site for the Yakama Nation tribal fishing boats.

This has been a busy month in my calling at church. Our church family is aging, and I've been called on a little more often to provide comfort, assistance, and meals for those who are ailing in some way or another.

Of course, I'm still quilting. The name quilt isfor Ivan. The star quilt is for Kahlil...I think. Not sure yet.

Life is full and rewarding around here, and we wouldn't have it any other way. "There's only 1 thing 2 do, 3 words 4 you; 1 way to say those 4 words, so that's what I'll do: I LOVE YOU!"