Back from Ranquitte, Haiti

On the day before Thanksgiving Andy got back from his trip to Haiti, where he went to the village of Ranquitte with Dr. Ray Jackson, a local ER physician. The trip was an eye-opener. Although Andy knew that Haiti was the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, he had little real understanding as to how desperately poor the Haitian people are. When the pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," they genuinely know what they ask God for--the next meal. Andy went with a group of seven affliliated with Christian Flights International. Jennifer kept a journal that you may wish to look over at our new CFI blog. For Andy, meeting Per (Father) Andre was the highlight of the trip; Andy and Father Andre, the local Roman Catholic priest in Ranguitte at the Church of St. Francis, have become good friends. Not only does Fr. Andre lead his Haitian people in a wonderfully joyous daily Eucharist, he also works as a day laborer repairing the damage that erosion does to the worn-out roads. Andy also became friends with Honore Roger, a carpenter (who made the doors in front of which he stands) and lay Seventh-Day-Adventist lay preacher. Roger has asked Andy to find him a French-language History of Christianity (If you have a copy, tell Andy right away!). In the next few days Andy will post more pictures showing you the poverty, beauty, and faith of the Haitian people.

The Greene Family Reunion, Thanksgiving, 2006

This weekend over forty of the far-flung extended Greene family came to Barnesville for their annual family reunion. Carol Patrick did an absolutely terrific job planning the whole affair. The men played golf on Friday while many of the women shopped. Then on Saturday we all got together at First Baptist Church for scrumptous food, fun games, and lot of hugs. Tom Lowry took this picture and his wife April sent it to us; as with lots of photographers who stand back to click the shutter, Tom's not in it. Thanks for taking this great photograph, Tom!

Yesterday Chelsea ran her best personal 5k at Masterson Park in Lexington: 23 minutes, 16 seconds. During the race she was in considerable pain, pain in both of her lower ribsides. So proud of her! Later in the afternoon I took her to a party at First Baptist Church where with some of her friends they played cards and went to Starbucks afterwards. Before going to bed, June, Chelsea, and I prayed for Harold and for the people of Dafur. Then we turned our clocks back an hour and went to bed.

Welcome into the Family, Truman!

Lisa sent these pictures to us yesterday. Truman is the newest addition to Lisa and Tim's family. And Coleman, Lisa's best friend for many years, has someone to play with and take care of--and, well, teach this little fella a few tricks. Andy forgot to ask what sort of dog Truman is. We don't even know if Truman is potty-trained. But from the sound of the name, we're sure he must be a Democrat. Good for you, Truman.

Chelsea runs at the Kentucky Horse Park

On Saturday, September 30, Chelsea--with her Model Lab's High School Cross-Country Team--ran 3.1 km at the Kentucky Horse Park. It was a gruelling race; the fields were soaked after a night's rain, the hills were long, and some were steep. Chelsea eats, thinks, and trains as a real athlete. We're so proud of her! .

Carol and Hugh Sit on the New Deck!

Just before we left Georgia to return to Kentucky, Carol and Hugh came over for supper. It was then that they got to see the deck for the first time. After eating supper, we all came to sit outside and enjoy the two new red Adirondeck chairs that Becky bought for us. Here Carol is sitting in one; Andy has gone down the stairs to take the picture.Yes, I know you can't see them well, but that's the point. The new deck is huge! This photo of Carol, Hugh, and June sitting on the top-level decl was taken from the mid-level deck. And taken just so you can get some idea as to how nice it is. So nice that there's a lower-level deck that you can see in this photo. On his next trip down to the lake, Andy plans to take a panorama picture of all three levels by getting up on the roof, aiming his camera down, and catching the whole business in all its glory.

June and Andy sing 'Happy Birthday" to Bobbie Foster

We just had to do it! On September 21, we drove down to Georgia so we could say "Happy Birthday" to Bobbie Foster, June's dear friend who celebrated her 80th birthday. What a good time! Bobbie's daughter made sure it was a great big splash with lots of friends, lots of food, and plenty of photographs of Bobbie. Wow, she was good-looking when she was eighteen, and even more lovely and beautiful now. We wish you many more B days, Bobbie!

Harold: In and Out of Emory Hospital; Doing Fine!

Experiencing some abdominal pain, two weeks ago Harold drove himself up to and checked himself into Atlanta's Emory University Hospital. After about five days, he was feeling much better (talk to him yourself if you want to the details), drove himself home, and is now back to his daily rounds of walks, breakfast at Hardy's, and visiting garage sales. What you see is his underwear! Because the check-in to Emory was on quick notice, Harold didn't bring a trunk full of clothing. After a day or so, he washed his own underwear, hung it up to dry in the window, and then proudly displayed it--so nice and clean--for all to see in his room. Resourceful!

September 3: Carole and Hugh's Wedding Anniversary

Today is Carole and Hugh's wedding anniversary. On the phone they told us that they celebrated their long and cherished marriage all weekend, especially today at church which was full of singing and high praises to the heavenly Father who brought them together years ago. We all wish them many more years of happy love!

Lots has happened after we got back to Kentucky

A few days after we left Georgia and arrived in Kentucky, June went out to look over some garage sales, and--wham!--she had a bad accident that totaled her Lexus and sent her to the hospital. Providentially, she was not serious hurt, but nonetheless she broke several of her back ribs on her back side, along with lots of knee and leg abrasions. Immediately after being rushed to the hospital, Dr. Jackson (a member of our parish) examined her and sent her off for a CAT scan. The scan showed no damage to any organs, but clearly showed multiple rib fractures. Lots of morphine relieved June's pain, and Andy brought her home early Sunday afternoon. Since then she been resting, often uncomfortably while her body mends. The physicians tell us that it will take at least six weeks before she feels her body more or less healed.

June wants to thank all of you who have prayed for her, sent her cards, and called to wish her well. God has been gracious to June!

While June has been recuperating, Andy has been mowing the yards, doing the laundry, cooking a bit, weeding the gardens, and teaching online; you can see a bit of his online work at www.people.eku.edu/Harnack .

We're Working on the Deck

Kurt and Scott Himmel left Louisiana at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday morning and arrived at the lakehouse about three in the afternoon. By Sunday evening, June and Kurt decided on the basic plans. At 7:00 a.m.the next day (no kidding!), the Himmels were at work, putting in ten- and eleven-hour days each day of the week. On Monday morning they set the battens, got out the transit, and figured out how to make the upper deck square. The first truck-load of lumber arrived, holes for posts and concrete were made, and by evening the first row of posts were in place with cement. Throughout the week, in swealtering hot and humid weather, the crew, with Andy joining, grunted, nailed, and air-hammered 2x12s, 2x10s, 6x6s, and deckboards into place. Scott worked furiously to keep up with Kurt's demand for cut lumber. On Wednesday evening June, Andy, Scott and Kurt went shopping for new shoes for Scott and a 18-volt DeWalt drill for Andy. Things were popping. The team drank gallons of water and sweated like draft horses. To make sure that we got enough energy, June prepared the bestest meals for lunch and supper: roast beef, blueberry cobbler, and BLTs her specialties. To see what got done by Friday evening, see House Renovations. Let us know what you think!

Zonnie and Gordon Visit June and Andy

It has been twelve years since Andy has seen Zonnie, his niece, and almost two years since Gordon came east from Arizona to visit him and his brother Art. How wonderful then to welcome Zonnie and Gordon to our home! Zonnie and Andy took a day trip to Adulusia, the historic home of Georgia's most famous writer, Flannery O'Connor. All of us went blueberry picking with Becky, and later most of us went to see The Martin Luther King Center, The Coca-Cola Museum, grab some hot dogs and a chicken burger at The Varsity, the world's largest drive-in resteraunt, and take a tour of the CNN Center. Gordon got in a good bit of metal-detecting (some at Bethlehem Baptist Church, some in the front yard, and some on a Jackson Lake beach), found a bunch of money and other invaluables. His fishing wasn't so good, but we did get to do some boating. One morning Gordon surprised us by sweeping the deck and the driveway! And Zonnie spent lots of time cooking with Andy. Both are wonderful guest!

Zonnie, Andy hopes you continue to like O'Connor. If so, he's got quite a few books in Kentucky that he'd love to send you. Stay in touch, Sweet Pea!

We hope Zonnie and Gordon come back to visit us again and soon!

New deck possibilities

Kurt, a few days June and you talked about building more deck on the west side of the house. Go to June's House Renovations to take a look at closer-up photographs. June and you may enter any number of comments, if you'd like, at House Renovations.

Adam doing fine after breaking arm while wake boarding

On our way home to the Ugandan Childrens Choir, Becky called to tell us that Adam, while wake boarding on Jackson Lake, broke his arm in two places. Later in the evening we found out that Adam underwent surgery that included the insertion of a plate and screws. This morning Becky says that Adam is doing well, not experiencing any pain. We're all grateful to God that things are turning out well. And to Adam, we all say, "Thank the Lord you're okay!"

Ugandan Childrens Choir

Last night we heard the wonderful Ugandan SUUBI Children's Choir at Rock Spring Church. It was the highlight of our weekend. Such animated, enthusiastic, beautifully choreographed, and worshipful singing and praise! These children--many of the orphans as a result of the AIDS epidemic in Uganda--are with us for a extended concert tour and represent the Royal Junior School and Orphanage which provides housing and education for well over 500 children. If you'd like to participate in some down-to-earth work of the Good News, consider supporting Royal Junior School and Orphanage.

Chelsea's Birthday--July 14

On Friday, Chelsea celebated her fourteenth birthday! Everyone in our big family wishes her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! In August, Chelsea begins her fall school days at Model High School, the same school that Kirk, Krister, Lisa, Amy & Kevin attended and from which they were graduated. Chelsea, we wish you a great new year! Love from everyone--Dad and June, Kirk and Lora, Lisa and Tim, Amy and Kevin, and from all your cousins, nephews, and nieces. Happy Birthday, girl!

A Weekend of Music

On Friday June and Andy spent the evening in Covington where we dined at the Real Louisiana Cuisine and later walked over to spend an hour listening to the Heather Hayes Band. This morning, after churching at First Baptist in Barnsville, we'll come home to some "r&r," and then drive over in the evening to hear the Uganda Children's Choir at Carole and Hugh's church. The choir is currently touring the United States. The choir consists of nine boys and nine girls ages 6-12 who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS or conflict. The choir was started in 1994 by Canadian missionaries in Uganda and has been touring the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia to raise money for housing for other orphans in Uganda.

June 10" Polly & Kurt celebrate thirty married years!

Thirty years ago today--way way back in 1976!--Polly and Kurt got married! And aren't they just about the most beautiful couple you know! Congratulations from all of us in your big family, P&K! Your children are proud of you! You're an inspiration to all of us. May you live and love each other for many many more years to come! God bless you and keep you in his great magnificent love.

Today is June's Birthday

At ten minutes before midnight last night, June came to bed and said, "O, Andy, I'm gonna be seventy-something in ten minutes!" Although I suggested that she fall asleep while still a youngster, she couldn't do it. Later on, she got so worried about being seventy-something that she got up and took a Sonata. That did it because right now it's nearly eight a.m., and she's upstairs in bed, blithly unware that she is seventy-whatever. O what fun it will be to wake her up! Later on in the day we're going over to the Blue Willow Inn at Social Circle for lunch together. Wish June a very happy birthday!

Abigail Takes Us Out for the Parade

After a terrific supper on July 4th, we loaded up June Bug and headed out on the lake, south to Martin's Marina for the big night parade. June Bug was filled to her legal capacity, just a little under 1450 pounds with Stan and Chris, Carole and Hugh, Becky and Wayne, June and Andy, Nick and Abigail; look at that girl concentrate on where she's going! (Nobody else is!)

Independence Night Boat Parade

On the evening of July 4, hundreds and hundreds of boats--all sizes, all kinds--gathered at Martin's Marina for the start of long and beautiful boat parade. Here's one pontoon, decorated to the hilt; the flag is backwards because we were anchored opposite the judges' stand on the other side of the marina. We decorated our boat a good bit, but it was nothing like this one! The ride back to our dock in the darkness with hundreds of boats, most lit only with running lights, was quite lovely, especially because fireworks, provided by people living around the lake, were going off in all directions.

June's eye surgery successful!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that a few hours ago June finished up the surgery to correct her so-called "low intensity" glaucoma. Today Dr. Millett fixed her right eye; last week she got the left eye working better again. All this means that we can now head down to Georgia for the rest of the summer--right after we stop off at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow morning for a last-minute check with Dr. Millett, our ophthalmologist (hey, that's a good word for a spelling B!).

June 24: Chelsea visits Kirk and flies to Massachusetts

On Saturday, June 24, June, Chelsea, and Andy drove down to Nashville to visit Kirk, Lora, and Madalyn and make sure that Chelsea got to the airport to fly to Massachusetts. Kirk fixed us a delicious Mesquit-roasted chicken with the fixings, showed us the wonderful restoration progress on his home, and took us to the airport. Chelsea safely ascended into the blue sky and arrived at Hartford shortly before 6:00 p.m. While she was in flight, Kirk brought out some really good beer and salsa with nachos, and we chatted for a good bit about life and life's lessons. Then after Kirk and Andy worked for a couple of hours on setting up new bathroom curtain fixtures, we all went to bed--pooped out. Lora came home late (she'd been with Madalyn to Mary Carol's seventh birthday party), and we didn't get to see her until the next morning where she joined us for coffee. Shortly thereafter, we drove back to Richmond so that we can ready for June eye surgery on Tuesday and our drive down to Georgia on Wednesday. All in all, it was a wonderful, but short visit. Kirk recommends that we all read The Law by Frederick Bastiat. It will, he promises, show the aweful truth about governments. Andy has promised that he will read it--yes, all thirty-six pages! In fact, Andy downloaded and printed the pdf file. Now all he needs is some quiet time for reflection.

At the beach on Jackson Lake

There's a nice beach down by the dam at the lake, and we spent part of two days there. Jackson and Mary Carol took to the water like dolphins while Hayden was a tad reluctant. But Amy coaxed him, bit by bit, and soon enough--there he was: a little whale bobbing in and out of the water!

Five Fish in Twenty Minutes

On the afternoon of the day Jackson, Mary Carol, and Hayden arrived at the lake, we all went down to the dock and boat to see if the fish were hungry. Granddad had bought some red wiggly worms and kept them in the fridge. After a little discouragement (the fish weren't biting), we finally got the kids, the worms, and the poles in the right spot at the right time, and up came five--count them: one, two, three, four, five!--sunfish, all of which were thrown back into the lake so they can grow bigger and bigger. And we'll catch them next time!

Mary Carol's Birthday Today !

When Mary Carol Kuhn wakes up this morning, she will be seven years old! She'll invites gobs of her friends over for a big party and have a wonderfully memorable birthday. As an appetizer b-day, hoping to show her how a party works, we celebrated her birthday at the lake two weeks ago. And darn! She already knew how to blow out the candles! Happy Birthday, Mary Carol! And, oh, by the way--while at the lakehouse, MC discovered she was missing a tooth--the first one she's ever missed in her whole life. What a smile!

June took this photograph!

After the recital this afternoon, Chelsea and Andy stepped back under the trees on the EKU campus, and June took this photograph with her telephoto lens. The photograph means so much to Andy because today is the last day Chelsea will be with him until August when she returns from Massachusetts. As we English professors say, "Ain't she beautiful!"

Chelsea plays "Sunset on the Shannon" at Piano Camp Honors Recital

This afternoon Chelsea finished her participation in the week-long Stephen Foster Music Camp on the EKU campus. Every day from 8:00 to 4:30 was spent in practice (about three hours a day!) and in class (composition theory), along with some more fun things like bowling last evening. At this afternoon's Honors Recital, Chelsea played Melody Bober's "Sunset on the Shannon," playing it beautifully, with lots of feeling and confidence. It was wonderful to see her artistic presentation on the big stage in Brock Auditorium! By the way, it's the River Shannon in Ireland that Bober's composition evokes; and when Chelsea played, we thought of the River Shannon as I saw it in the accompanying photograph. You did it wonderfully, Chelsea!

Liz and Art stop by for a few days!

Liz and Art stayed with us soon after we got down to the lake, and it was wonderful to be with them as together we caught up on family news in the front lawn, took a cruise on the boat, went to the Atlanta Aquarium, shared a lovely meal at Ruby Tuesdays, and then wished them well as they head down to Savannah for the rest of their early summer vacation. Art found a way to fix the old metal bed Chelsea was sleeping in that had begun to come apart so that later Andy was able to repair it. We so enjoy Liz and Art whenever we get to be with them. Our next time will be sometime in September at the Galt House in Louisville, where we like have Sunday brunch in the toppermost Flagship Restaurant on the twenty-fifth floor. O boy, we can hardly wait! Thanks for visiting us, Liz and Art!

Visiting the Atlanta Aquarium

When Liz and Art arrived and stay with us while on their way to Savannah, we all went to the Atlanta Aquarium for an afternoon of fish and sea mammal watching. The aquarium touts itself as the world's largest and has recently acquired to new--and large!--female whale sharks. I forgot to stick an image card in my camera and had to satify myself with taking a few shots of things with my cell-phone camera. If they're not too murky (looking authentically as though they were shot a mile down in the Pacific Ocean), I post a few. In the meantime, go to the Atlantic Aquarium for a look-see!

Two Weeks at Lake

Right after Chelsea's track meet--in which her team running in the 4 x 200 meters stepped up on the winner's blocks!--we went down to Turtle Cove for two weeks of family fun. Here, for example, is Chelsea plowing through the calm seas of Jackson Lake. Things went well for a great day or two until the wiring on our old Evinrude 35 started smoking and burned up enough insulation to strand us in the middle of lake. A couple of good Samaritans towed us to the dock, and now the boat is waiting for a new wiring harness to arrive and be installed. You can bet we smiled while the fun lasted!

Visiting Lisa and Tim (on our way to the lake)

On our way down the lake we spent a lovely evening with Lisa and Tim, Patches and Coalman (do I have his name spelled correctly, or is it "Coleman"?). We drove over to Coolidge Park and stopped in at Clumpies for some "no-where-else-but-at-Clumpies" ice cream. Clumpies is the new "must see" in Chattanooga. The ice cream is made in the store so it is always fresh. They have all of the traditional flavors year round and always have new and original flavors that change with the seasons. Afterwards we stayed the night with Lisa and Tim, spending some time in the "big-ass TV room." A wonderful visit! Thanks, Lisa and Tim, for your love and hospitality.

June 2: Chelsea qualifies to run in the Track and Field State Championships

What a day! We all got up at 5:00 a.m. and got to Model School by 6:20 so that Chelsea could catch the bus with her teammates and go to Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington for the Boys' & Girls' Track and Field State Championships. The competition to qualify in tomorrow's final heats was fierce. Chelsea ran in the following races:

• Girls 4 x 200 Meter Relay
• Girls 4 x 100 Meter Relay
• Girls 200 Meter Dash

The first race, the 4 x 200, was her team's best. With her teammates--Maggie Wilder, Bethany Pratt, and Allyson White--running the first three 400s fast, Chelsea ran the last quarter-mile leg in her personal best, giving the team a head's up qualification for tomorrow finals. To encourage and congratulate her for all that she's done to help take Model's Girls' Track Team to the State Championships, Lisa and Tim sent a lovely bouquet of flowers on Wednesday. Just look at that smile on Chelsea's face! Thank you, Lisa and Tim! Let's all wish Chelsea God's speed as she runs tomorrow!

On Memorial Day, during the afternoon, Chelsea and Andy loaded up the old 91 Nissan pickup, shoved in a couple of kayaks, and headed for the North Elkhorn Creek, up near Frankfort, Kentucky. After slipping into the water, we paddled on the fast flowing high water--with just a few ripples--for a nearly seven mile ride. Andy managed to get caught in the overhanging tree branches, but Chelsea saved the day by saying the camera! It was a great way to cool off!

Easter with Beck, Wayne, Abigail, and Adam

Don't they look pretty! The photo of this happy family was taken in the front yard of their McDonough home after we all went to worship as a six-some. We heard a quite remarkable sermon by Dr. Marsh, his last as the Smith's interim pastor.