Willis's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Willis!!!

....and a visit to the Beach

Although not always possible, a visit to the Beach makes a trip to California complete! There's just something about the sea air, the sea gulls, finding shells and rocks in the surf--not to mention bracing for the chilly rush of Pacific Ocean water!--the smell of the ocean and the taste of fish and chips. All these elements bring back wonderful memories of escaping the Valley heat to the cool of the coast and especially time at the beach when our children were little.

A Wedding in California.....

September 20 found Willis and me flying to California to celebrate Casey and Kerissa's wedding on Saturday. What a beautiful wedding! And what a lovely time to visit with family.................

Labor Day becomes Labor Month

As the month of September commenced--yes, I know I could have used the more informal "began", but since I just finished listening to Frankenstein, preceded by The Scarlet Letter, I've been filling my mind with all this more formal vocabulary and I am eager to use some of it!--Willis took advantage of the holiday from work and set to work in completing several projects around our house. A few times a little assistance was required--O Nathan and Ben, where art thou?--but I was only too happy to help. Here are some photos: the new storm door and the covered area to keep the firewood dry.
As you can tell, the dogs are mightily distracted if we have the door open and they have opportunity to look out through the storm door. To save our sanity from constant barking at any type of activity in the neighborhood, we keep the door closed.

Saying Good-bye to Bethany and Ben at Grove City College....and travels beyond...

After we said good-bye to Bethany and Ben at GCC, Willis and I traveled to Gettysburg, PA where we visited Gettysburg Nat'l Military Park and Eisenhower Nat'l Historic Site. We continued on to Antietam Nat'l Battlefield in Maryland and Harpers Ferry Nat'l Historic Site in West Virginia.

Back in Dyersburg, Hannah enjoyed a reunion with Mary Emily and Isabella as they--and their parents--visited Tucker Street Church during their time in the States. Since Hannah had spent two weeks at their home in the Dominican Republic this summer, the girls also spent the night at our house.

And, following a month in Alturas, California where Nathan lived with Aunt Carolyn and her family, worked for Grandpa, and made pies for Grandma, Nathan is now in Reedley, living with Aunt Ideal and her family and working with Uncle Ralph.