First visit to New Mexico

So, Paula and I paid Jeff & Kelley a visit the last weekend in October.  It was everything and more we had imagined.  We stayed busy the whole time hiking, sightseeing, fly fishing (see the evidence), trying new restaurants, celebrating Halloween, seeing Kelley pregnant, meeting their friends, watching Jeff teach, did I say hiking, grilling out, visiting Santa Fe.  It all ended too quickly.

60 yo able to sit up and take nourishment

When queried about her oldest turning 60, Peggy Gregory was heard to say, "Damn, he's barely out of diapers".  So much for perspective....or losing it.

So, what does it feel like to hit this milestone.  One wag put it this way;  "When what works hurts and what doesn't hurt won't work".

In truth, it's a staggering thought to know one has been on this planet for 60 years but put in perspective, pretty cool.  I was born the year Truman defeated Dewey...against the odds; Israel became a state; Florence, SC started its symphony; 8 years before Sputnik was put in orbit and 15 years before JFK was assassinated.  Paula and I were married in 1969, one month before Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon.  I entered the Air Force at the beginning of the withdrawal from Viet Nam; saw Nixon resign after Watergate and watched Gerald Ford sign ERISA into law.  I have lived over a time period that saw 5 presidents buried; 10 presidents elected; Spiro Agnew refer to the "nagging nabobs of negativism; the Beatles rise and retire; Nelson Mandela be freed from prison; Sharon Tate be murdered; see the Columbine massacre occur; watch the Persian Gulf war on TV; sit in a horrified stupor as the World Trade Center towers crumbled and still witnessed untold wonder and beauty at a baby's birth, a wedding being celebrated, my parents celebrating their 50th anniversary, my son graduating college, get married and begin his family.  Paula and I have traveled to other countries and made friends from Italy to New Zealand; watched gas prices rise from $.05 to $5.00 per gallon over my lifetime; wept at the funerals of family and friends;  tied shoe laces; mowed the grass; lived in 4 homes since being married; bought 10 or so cars; set fire to a kitchen; read hundreds of books; shamefully watched too much TV; own several home computers; witnessed the invention of the internet; lost money in the stock market; served on countless boards; worked on countless committees; and.............

All I can say is.....what a ride.  I'd do it all over again.  With Paula by me, being my sanctuary and foundation and my fabulous love...I can't go wrong.

Great Britain

As you can see, Paula and I vacationed in England and Scotland this past June.  I guess Stonehenge is one of the most identifiable icons for this ancient country and signifies the ties to the land.  It's still primarily an agrarian economy studded with the most compelling history.  Scotland is worth many trips.  We plan on returning in the future.

Jeff & Kelley off to New Mexico

The day finally arrived.  J & K have been with us since the 4th of July weekend.  Our garage has been chocked full of their household stuff.  It was so much fun having them with us for the short time they had to move out of their house (it sold in record time).  Several students from Jeff's classes at Spring Valley helped load the U-Haul and he will have help in NM unloading.  Once out there, they have to unload fast 'cause Jeff starts training to be a first responder since the school is in the desert, then the whole school moves near Santa Fe for a 10 day orientation.  Give'em a call or text'em.

New Zealand

Over two weeks sightseeing New Zealand.  Incredible diversity, flora, fauna and humans.  These pictures are from Birdlings Flat, south of Christchurch, just after a rogue wave caught us unawares.  Man, cold and wet.

Mother Teresa "Faithless" ???

Have you seen the news story about Mother Teresa's (deceased) recently released letters where she describes her faith journey and her personal struggle to connect with her god? In light of her public persona and the theological paparazzi's feeding fenzy on her selfless work with India's poor, I find it comforting. I don't exalt in her struggle but am eased somewhat that she is human...just like the rest of us.

I guess that we're all conflicted souls, slaves to both our passions and our weaknesses....in fact, driven by both to believe and behave in our own inimitable fashion.

I am drawn to the conflicted person, Mr. Jefferson being one I'm particularly fond of....a slave owner and writer of the phrase of freedom..."We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Perhaps the tension of our demons makes us more our true selves than we can ever mask.

EAA Young Eagles

I recently joined the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). EAA has a program called Young Eagles which introduces middle and high school aged kids to flying, most of whom have never flown before. We fly once a month, working with schools, Explorer posts, churches, etc., to connect with kids eager to fly. Come join us at KCUB, Columbia Owens Downtown airport on the second Saturday of the month.