Your Family Blog

Becky Smith Talks about the Pregnancy Center on TV

2009-10-08T17:51:00.002-05:00

And the rains came down!

2009-09-23T14:10:00.003-05:00

I suspect that most of you are aware that Georgia has received lots of rain in the past three days, so much in fact that at last count nine people have died in the flood waters. June and I have been in touch with our friends in Turtle Cove, and our neighbor Dave Levee sent a photograph our Jackson Lake shore line. Fortunately the folks at the Georgia Power dam tell us that all is now manageable and that the lake level is under control:

Our generation department is doing everything possible to release water out of Lake Jackson. We are running all six generators and the trash gate is open. Currently the inflows from the Yellow River and South River are decreasing, however the inflow from the Alcovy River is increasing. Based on USGS reports and the information we have, the lake should peak between today and tomorrow. After that we should start seeing a decrease in our inflows. The lake level is currently at 531.0. The normal full pool for Lake Jackson is 528.5.

That's good new for us. We wish there was better news for everyone in the Atlanta and northern Georgia areas.

Courtney and Matt's Wedding Reception

2009-09-21T06:45:00.020-05:00

A little over a week ago, September 4, to be exact, Courtney and Matt McFarland were married in Florida. And this past weekend, they returned to Indianapolis for a wonderful reception at the Greenwood Community Center where lots and lots of their friends and family gathered to wish them God's blessings. June and Andy drove up for the celebration on Saturday and then enjoyed a high-spirited breakfast on Sunday with the newly weds, Liz and Art, and Jeff, Andy's nephew. After breakfast Courtney and Matt took us over to their new home. It was really a great and wonderful weekend!

More pictures here.

Our Lutheran Family

2009-09-19T09:06:00.003-05:00

Well, I guess I knew that Garrison Keillor was Lutheran (maybe), but I didn't know of too many others except some fine theologians (e.g., Krister Stendahl, after whom Krister was named). So it was a nice surprise for a friend to send me The Lutherans' Song, a video which I hope you will enjoy as much as I do.

Jessica and Andrew Ehret get married!

2009-09-15T13:37:00.005-05:00

On a glorious Sunday morning in early September--the sixth, to be exact!--Jessica and Andrew gave wedding rings to one another and started married life within the lovely setting of the Memphis Botanic Gardens. It was the Song of Songs come to life! You can see more picture at here!

Lovely Sunday, September 13

2009-09-15T12:53:00.013-05:00

Last Sunday Chelsea, June, and Andy drove up to Faith Lutheran Church after stopping earlier for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Richmond. The Divine Liturgy was beautiful, the singing robust (especially when cantor Ole Wndroth led us in chanting Psalm 19), Pastor Luckey's sermon straight-forward in presenting the gift and challenge of the Gospel for the day, and Jesus gift of Himself in Holy Communion could not have been a more wonderful climax to the Eucharist. Thank you, Lord.

Later in the afternoon, June and Andy attended the Marengo Drive Block Party where June somehow managed to get arrested by our neighbor, Office Kurt Hall, while Andy renewed his friendship with Farley, his barbar, who has only recently been released from prison. The food was oh-so-good! And June's potato salad was the hit of the table. Wonderful time.

Kirk at Work

2009-09-04T11:08:00.003-05:00

If you think you might enjoy Kirk doing his thing; watch him at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYHHPBBV39Q . Be warned: you may get exhausted simply watching him! Amy says that she can take about 30 seconds; as his dad, however, I enjoy watching the whole sheebang!

Reading Flannery O'Connor

2009-07-28T13:43:00.003-05:00

If you don't know her, make your acquaintance with her now! Flannery O'Connor is Georgia's most famous (and rightly so!) author. Andy has been reading her stories and novels many times over for years now. On Tuesday, July 14, he drove over to Andalusia in Milledgeville to visit the old dairy farm where she wrote a good many of her shocking (or so some say) stories. A devout and hard-nosed Christian (Roman Catholic, not Baptist), O'Connor has earned first-prize in America's literary circles. She died when only thirty-nine years old of lupus. Surely God has welcomed her into his everlasting arms; she suffered with and for Christ, all the while demonstrating what a writer can do when captured by the grace of God. Get her stuff and read it!

Culling for peaches

2009-07-28T13:38:00.003-05:00

This morning, June and I drove over to Musella and Dick's Peach Packing Plant. We got there at 9 and after a short stay in line, picked well over a half-bushel of peaches. June is now upstairs, cutting them up and slicing them for the freezer. Just moments ago we both had a bowl of peaches with fat-free ice cream. Gosh, it's no wonder Georgia is the peach-state!

Merry Anna is going to South Korea!

2009-07-28T13:34:00.003-05:00

On Thursday evening, the Greene side of the family all got together to celebrate Merry Anna's birthday and to wish her Happy Voyage as she flights to South Korea. Culture shock, here she comes!

Lora, Kirk, Madalyn, and Simone Come to the Lakehouse

2009-07-28T12:46:00.003-05:00

Over the weekend of October 17 and 18, Lora, Kirk, Madalyn, and her friend Simone gave us a wonderful visit. It has been such a long time since June and I have been able to chat with our Nashville clan! With a lovely evening boat ride, some grand tubbing (so grand that Madalyn lost her bikini bottoms!), and lots of good food, beer, and wine to share, it was absolutely lovely. Madalyn repants herself in the water, we all went to St. John Lutheran Church on Sunday, and we found out that Madalyn, even as an eighth grader, has already scored 23 on her pre-ACT test. Cheers to you, granddaughter! And Simone was such a delight! On Sunday afternoon, later than we anticipated, we said good-bye to one another, and the Nashville Harnacks headed down to Charleston for a week on the beach. Thanks for coming, y'all!

Up and out to the High Museum in Atlanta

2009-07-10T14:57:00.017-05:00

Yesterday June and Andy drove up to Atlanta's High Museum to see Monet's Water Lilies and other great artsy-fartsy stuff. Andy especially liked the folkart exhibits! Most of all, he was impressed with the work of Howard Finster, who painted this work, The Angel of the Lord, on plywood in the late 1980's. Take a look at life and witness of this fascinating artist. Try as we might (we were both patting his bottom!), we just couln't get Claude to smile.

Our July 4 Weekend

2009-07-10T12:50:00.005-05:00

Last weekend Lisa, Tim, Katie, Amy, Kevin, Mary Carol, Jackson, Hayden, Carole and Hugh, Sara Beth and Matt, Chris and Stan were over (some for several days) for our Independance Day celebration and family reunion of sorts. The big news is that Jackson and Hayden, both of whom had never dared to tub before, gathered up their courage and danced the Big Bob on the lake. Then on the evening of July 4, we entered our boat in the Boat Parade and, singing "God Bless America" for all we were worth, somehow managed to get an "honorable mention" award from the judges (Amy swears it was "pity reward") with a crisp $50 bill. After that thrill, we join the hundreds of boats in a moonlit flotilla up river. It was absolutely wonderful, fireworks booming all around us. When we got back, Kevin and the kids put on their on booming display, and then we all went to bed, some with a beer, and all with good dreams.

For some pix of all that went on (but not all, what goes on at the lakehouse, stays at the lakehouse!), visit Photobucket (no password necessary; the whole world can take a peek!).

Our thanks go out to Lisa and Amy who submitted photos (as always, edited!).

Chelsea: Kentucky State Champion at 100 Meter Hurdles

2009-05-25T09:02:00.006-05:00

Chelsea won a second-straight state title with a dominant performance on Saturday in Louisville. Our standout junior beat out her nearest competitor by almost half a second as she cruised to the Class A 100-meter hurdle title at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association State Track and Field Meet.

Chelsea also finished second in the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash and third in the 300-meter hurdles. “I had a pretty clean race,” she said to a reporter about her 100-meter hurdles. “I got over all my hurdles. It went pretty well.” Her time of 15.89 in the 100-meter hurdles broke the school record and was her personal best. She also ran a personal-best and school-record time of 12.54 in the 100-meter dash.

In the 200-meter dash, Chelsea was in third place mid-way through the race, but used a late kick to pass her nearest competitor and finished in a time of 26.44. She got off to a bad start in the 300-meter hurdles; however, Chelsea rebounded to post a time of 48.17.“I wanted to do better in the 300-meter hurdles, but I kind of messed up,” she said. “But, overall I think I did pretty well and met my expectations.”

Led by Chelsea, the Lady Patriots racked up 36 points and finished in seventh place. Model has finished in the Top 10 at the state meet for six-straight years.

June on Mother's Day

2009-05-11T08:42:00.002-05:00

Mother's Day in Richmond was quite lovely. For June this was the first Mother's Day away from her children, and she was a little blue for a while. But all the phone calls from the kids helped a lot. And when flowers arrived from Carole and Hugh, there was a definite perk-up in her spirits. Next year we'll try real hard to be in Georgia for Mother's Day!

Chelsea's Track Record so Far

2009-04-20T11:15:00.005-05:00

Chelsea has been winning lots of gold-medal firsts for her Model Lab School Track Team this spring! Just take a look at her terrific record as it stands now.

April 18
Chelsea ran a 26.94 in the 200m at Bryan Station Invitational, placing first.
Chelsea ran a PR of 46.63 in the 300H at Bryan Station Invitational, placing first.
Chelsea ran a PR of 12.72 in the 100m at Bryan Station Invitational, placing second.
Chelsea ran a new season best time of 16.03 in the 100H at Bryan Station Invitational, placing second. Chelsea was tagged in 2 photos in Woodall Invitational by Durbman.

Apr 11, 2009
Chelsea ran a 49.42 in the 300H at Lake Cumberland Classic, placing first.
Chelsea ran a 12.73 in the 100m at Lake Cumberland Classic, placing first.
Chelsea ran a 16.88 in the 100H at Lake Cumberland Classic, placing first.
Chelsea ran a new season best time of 26.85 in the 200m at Lake Cumberland Classic, placing first.

Mar 11, 2009
Chelsea was tagged in an article: Mason-Dixon Class A Highlights.

Mar 07, 2009
Chelsea ran a PR of 7.63 in the 55m at Mason-Dixon Games, placing second.
Chelsea ran a PR of 1:03.68 in the 400m at Mason-Dixon Games, placing second.
Chelsea ran a 9.33 in the 55H at Mason-Dixon Games, placing first.

Feb 21, 2009
Chelsea ran a 1:04.20 in the 400m at KTCCCA Indoor, placing second.
Chelsea ran a PR of 9.22 in the 55H at KTCCCA Indoor, placing third.
Chelsea ran a new season best time of 7.63 in the 55m at KTCCCA Indoor, placing first.

Feb 08, 2009
Chelsea was tagged in an article: Crist HJ 6-02, Brown-Campbell LJ 20-07, Harnack Wins 3 Events at Mason County.

Feb 07, 2009
Chelsea ran a 9.43 in the 55H at KTCCCA Indoor, placing first.
Chelsea ran a 7.67 in the 55m at KTCCCA Indoor, placing first.
Chelsea ran a 1:07.98 in the 400m at KTCCCA Indoor, placing first.

Nov 15, 2008
Chelsea ran a new season best time of 22:09.88 in the 5000m at Kentucky State Cross Country Meet, placing 65th.

Katie's Easter

2009-04-16T05:07:00.008-05:00

This just in from Lisa: "Hi everyone! It's been a little while since I have sent pictures of Kate your way, so here she is. On Sunday, she had her first taste of corn on the cob, and she didn't want to let go of the cob--even through egg-hunting, she kept it. She finally relented when given the option of chocolate."

2009-04-02T15:20:00.006-05:00

On Tuesday June and Andy spent the day house-hunting, all to no avail. Not knowing what we're really looking for doesn't help. So we are continually (at least for now) rethinking location, price, size, style, the cost of maintaining a place, how much lawn to mow, and so on. Andy would rather be reading a good book or taking a long walk.

Again on Wednesday we spent another day traipsing around homes, some empty, some looking as though Mt. Etna just erupted so that the dwellers fled moments ago. Nothing looked as though it was left empty or recently unoccupied just for us. Buying a house is not so much a choice as set of eliminations. Not this one, not that one: oh dear, this must be it! Opps! Wrong again!

Today--Thursday-it's raining cows and bulls. Andy is staying mostly inside all day, only going out to drive down to the lake dam to watch the three-foot wave of khaki-colored water throw itself continually over the precipice, a sheer drop of some eighty feet into the Ocmulgee below. It's our very own Niagara Falls! Standing near the edge, one can hear the great roar; it does, in fact, sound like Niagara Falls.

While June looks online at real estate, Andy is working his way through two books: Kathleen Norris' Acedia and Me and Ched Myers' Binding the Strong Man. Both excellent.

2009-03-26T13:34:00.010-05:00

Last Monday June and Andy attended a meeting of Building a United Interfaith Lexington through Direct Action (BUILD) at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington. Quite an event! For a full report, see "Putting heat on the city for affordable housing." Over 160 members of Faith Lutheran Church attended the crowded sanctuary of nearly 1300 people. To find out more about the event, visit our sister-site at http://www.prayingdaily.blogspot.com/.

Image Sources: The Assembly, photograph submitted by Arnon Lundborg [alundborg@insightbb.com]; Andy and June at the BUILD Meeting, photograph submitted by Larry Van Dyne llvandyne@washingtonian.com]. Thank you very much, Arnon and Larry, for sending in the photographs.

Chelsea drives to Valley View and back

2009-03-13T17:11:00.005-05:00

This morning Chelsea passed the test for her driver's permit, and this afternoon she took her first extended drive, some twenty-five down to Valley View and back to her home in Richmond. It was a drive in the country; the road was curvy, the shoulders not quite up-to-snuff, and the middle yellow line often missing, but Chelsea navigated everything wonderfully. She's going to be a quite wonderful driver: careful, courteous, and considerate of both car and passenger. It was a real joy to ride along with her, her smile lovely as she took another big step toward independence.

Dad's January Trip to Haiti

2009-03-12T11:39:00.002-05:00

In January Andy served as team coordinator for a group of thirteen Lutherans and Methodists who went to Haiti. Dr. Joe King on the University of Kentucky medical faculty worked as our photographer, and he's invited you to see his "Haiti Slideshow." Travel to

http://photoking.zenfolio.com/p290900660, use the password mesi (that's Creole for "Thank you,"

be our companion as we fly down to Port au Prince, stay a while at the Village of Hope, and then take off for the mountain village of Ranquitte, where we built a small home for a Haitian family in desperate need of shelter. You'll enjoy the trip.

Chelsea takes numerous first-place medals at the Mason Dixon Track Meet

2009-03-07T20:54:00.011-05:00

This morning Chelsea led her team time and again to victory as she crossed the finished line in first place, not once, not twice, but three times. When the official times are finally posted sometime this weekend, they will appear here as an update. Congratulations, Chel! You are one speedy, fast, energetic young woman. You run like a beautiful deer, bounding over those hurdles, speeding down the track. You are a champion's champion!

Andy becomes at oblate at Mt. Tabor Benedictine Monastery

2009-03-07T20:40:00.007-05:00

On Sunday, March 1, during Morning Prayer with the Benedictine sisters of Mt. Tabor Monastery, Andy was received into the community as an oblate. Having studied the Rule of St. Benedict intensely for more than a year, Andy promised to support the Benedictine community with his prayers and way of life that would give glory to God, especially as that glory is manifest by a life of hospitality, the special mission of Mt. Tabor Monastery. With June, Harry Smiley, and Danielle and Stan Brown, and all the sisters supporting him with their prayers, Andy is looking forward to his renewed prayer life and the rededication of his life to obedience to the Gospel.

Ash Wedneday, the First Day of Lent

2009-03-07T20:20:00.010-05:00

At the Ash Wednesday Eucharist, Pastor Luckey at Faith Lutheran Church marked our foreheads with ashed signs of the cross. Those ashes were made by burning the strands of palms blessed last year on Palm Sunday; the ashes were then mixed with oil. As our Pastor marked our foreheads he looked straight at us and said, "Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return." With those words he forcefully reminded us of our mortality, the real truth that we shall die, and our bodies will return to the earth, "dust to dust." Later during the service, Pastor also preached a sermon hard to forget, telling us that on Ash Wednesday the Church intervenes dramatically to tell us that we are in deep need to God's grace. We are addicts to sin. For this reason the Church comes to us, sits down with us, and tells us the truth: as addicts to self-centered behaviors, we are hooked on sin, "junkies" to selfishness, and abusers of one another. We are in deperate need to help. On Ash Wednesday the Church pleads with us to repent and make a determination to change the direction of our lives. Like drug addicts and alcoholists who know they have hit rock bottom, we too must come clean and actually see what's wrong with us, how we have damaged our own and other people's lives. We need God's intervention. Knowing who we are with renewed clarity, we confessed our hurtful lives, received absolution in the proclamation of the Gospel, and in the Holy Communion came to Jesus to receive God's healing from the disease of sin, stubborness of heart, and addiction to egoistic behaviors. We opened our lives up fully to Christ's healing and therapy. Made whole and healthy by God's incarnate Presence in Christ, June and I drove home, determined to drop ourselves like seeds and die in the ground--just like seeds!--so that we might burst forth with Christ in resurrected lives.

The Prayer for Ash Wednesday

Gracious God, out of your love and mercy you breathed into dust the breath of life, creating us to serve you and our neighbors. Call forth our prayers and acts of kindness, and strengthen us to face our mortality with confidence in the mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Brunch at the Galt House with Art and Liz on February 8

2009-03-07T20:02:00.007-05:00

About every three months Art and Liz Harnack and we Richmond Harnacks get together at the world-famous Galt House in Louisville to have one of the universe's finest brunches. As our favorite server--Manny, who's been hosting us for sixteen years greets us--we enjoy a wonderful spread of out-of-this-world dishes, all the while being rotated around and around on the top floor so that we see the Ohio River and the city of Louisville in all its splendor. We look forward to this get-together with great anticipation, glad to see one another, happy to swap stories, and wish one another God's blessing and good health three or four times a year. Let's do it again soon!

Memories, Christmas in Georgia, 2008

2009-03-07T19:38:00.010-05:00

Several days later the Georgia clan met first at Becky and Wayne's home for a gosh-awful good supper and games--Apples to Apples!--and then again everyone got together at the lakehouse for Christmas cheer, more great family food, stories, and lots of very expensive gifts for everyone. Isn't that Merry Anna something!

Memories: December 21, 2008, Christmas at Lora and Kirk's Home

2009-03-07T19:31:00.005-05:00

On December 21, the day after
Audrey and Josh's wedding, we had some a wonderful, festive, and delightful family Christmas celebration. The food was--oh, so good!--delicious, the gift-giving lots and lots of fun, and--best of all--the kids had gobs of fun. Thank you so very much, Lora and Kirk (and you too, Madalyn!) for being such wonderful hosts! We all love you dearly.

Getting Ready for the Trip to Haiti

2008-12-16T13:35:00.003-05:00

On Saturday Andy, the team coordinator for a thirteen-person trip to Haiti, met with eight friends to pack 20 bins of medical, food, and maintainence supplies that the team will lug back into the mountains to the village of Ranquitte. Four of the team are from Faith Lutheran Church, Lexington,and nine are from First United Methodist Church, Richmond. For the their first time, Pat Mundt and Joe King (unloading Pat's car here), will make the trip of their lives!

December 13: Merry Anna's Graduation

2008-12-16T13:22:00.007-05:00

On Friday, December 12, Sara Beth, Matt, June, and Andy drove down to Columbia International University in South Carolina to be with Merry Anna as she graduated with a B.S. degree. It was quite some ride down--lots of rain. But the next day, the day of Merry Anna's commencement, was just gorgeous, full of sunshine! Congrats to June's granddaughter!

On the way back to Kentucky we stopped at the Golden Girls Restaurant north of Knoxville to share supper with Kathy and Steve Stout, Matt's parents. Broasted chicken! Gosh, it was good! And so good to get to know Sara Beth's parents-in-law; it's no wonder Matt is such a great guy.

A Weekend with Hisae Kuroda

2008-10-30T06:14:00.005-05:00

A month or so ago Richmond's mayor, Connie Lawson, asked June and Andy if they would like to host someone from Japan who would be visiting our town under the sponsorship of the Japanese-American Society of Kentucky. On Friday evening at the Acres of Land Winery and Restaurant we met Hisae Kuroda, our 59-year-old guest from Shikamachi, Yata, Japan. We had a wonderful weekend with her. On Saturday, the 25th, we gathered at Irvine McDowell Park and watched the homecoming parade when--lo! behold!--Amy and Kevin, Mary Carol, Jackson, Hayden, along with Sharon and Carl Kuhn, and Carol came walking up Oak Street. What a wonderful surprise!

After the parade June, Andy, and Hisae had lunch at JW's on Main Street and then spent the better part of the afternoon shopping in Berea. That evening we had dinner at Barb Griec and Mas Smith's home with a big roasting of "s'mores" over coals in the outdoor fire pit.

On Sunday Hisae accompanied us to the Eucharist at Faith Lutheran Church in Lexington. Afterwards we drove down to Riptides, a river-side restaurant under the I-75 bridge on the Fayette County side of the rive. And from there we launched ourselves on three pontoon boats (tied side to side) for a trip down the Kentucky River, sponsored by Riverkeepers with artist Pat Banks as leader. Later that evening we went to the Grey Oaks Club House for a dulcimer performance and reception hosted by the Mayor.

Then on Monday it was another full day. by bus Hisae went to Louisville, and we followed by car. For lunch we stopped by the great ballroom at the Seelbach Hotel, then went to Churchill Downs for a terrific tour, and wound up at the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts where we took in "The Kentucky Show." It was then that we said good-bye to Hisae, who had stayed in our home for three nights, given us lovely gifts, shared breakfast, and lots of chatter about her home and our home. It was really quite something! On the way home, we stopped by to see Amy and the kids (Kevin was at the Titans game!) and played some spirited rounds of "spoons."

You can go to to Photobucket and see lots of pictures submitted by all the hosts and guests, including some by Andy.

Breakfast at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

2008-10-08T15:55:00.003-05:00

This morning the four of us--Lora and Kirk, June and I--got to spend some precious hours with one another, meeting in Gatlinburg, TN, for breakfast. Gosh, it was wonderful! Kirk showed up with a banged-up right hand, damaged in Amsterdam (take a look at that pinkie finger!), and Lora, we found out, has nearly a brand-new job, now that her situation has dramatically changed for the better under a new boss. We're so happy for both of them! At the end of the month, Kirk will be heading to Bejing; about the same time June and I will be flying out to Santa Fe for a two-week visit in one of Andy's favoriate cities. We will be staying overnight at Lora and Kirk's home, flying out on November 1 and getting back on the 15th. All of which means that we get to do Halloween in Nashville! Watch for June in her bogeywoman mask!

Andy gets some ideas!

2008-09-26T13:53:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was quite a treat for me. With an "All Access Pass" given to me by Pastor Luckey, I was able to attend several presentations at the Idea Festival in Louisville. Two presentations were particularly impressive: first, Mark Beaseley's "Creative Space"; second Will Short's "Puzzled?" As Short described the history and creation of cross-word puzzles, he noticed one couple in particular, appropriately dressed for the occasion. I took a picture of them afterwards, promising that they appear in this blog. Ain't (yes, cross-worders use the word!) they something!

Bus Trip to Philly, ATL City, NYC, Washington and Back!

2008-09-22T16:35:00.004-05:00

On September 7, along with some 40 others in the Geriatric Ward, June and I boarded the Midnight Sun bus and headed north to a week's trip to Henderson, NC, Atlantic City, Philadelphia, the Big Apple, Washington, DC, and home again. What a ride (sore butt and all). Really, it was better than I expected. The company was great, the food tolerable, and some places--St. Paul's Chapel, across from Ground Zero, in NYC and my second visit to Independance Hall--well worth the stopping. I got lots of travel-time to read (finished, for example, Graham Greene's The Comedians and got well into Dostoevsky's The Brothers Karamozov). All told, a good week on the road.

PS: At the Atlantic City casino, I lost nary a dime; in fact, the joint gave me $25 and I promptly spent it in a good book store one block away, getting a dandy used copy of John C. Miller's Alexander Hamilton: Portrait in Paradox. What a deal!

Our Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-01T12:29:00.017-05:00

Well, here we are, just moments before loading up the cars to leave after a wonderful Labor Day weekend with Amy, Kevin, Mary Carol, Jackson, Hayden, Chelsea, June and Andy, Uncle Art and Aunt Liz.

As you can see, we just your normal, unexcitable family; nothing really going on when we get together. We hug and pat one another on the back. Nobody ever tells a tall tale, not even a white lie. Nobody gets a slight buzz. The kids are soooooo-good. We're always on our best behavior. We're just like those dudes in the pix. Everyone shows a big toothy smile; Art and Andy suck in their tummies (with their hour-glass figures, the women don't have to ), and all of us look straight into the camera like we belong in the White House. We is the ideal family. What a photograph! Dad-gum! We's cover-magazine stuff. The whole thing is almost professionally done!

However, when we're at the end of our ropes, getting on one another's nerves, getting up too often in the middle of night to pee, and asking once to often for that second shiraz (and "You got an extra beer, Kev?"), we tend to look a little more less normal (say, for example) like those fruit-cakes people in the botton photo. Andy is still picking his teeth from those fish tacos. Mary Carol, as usual, can't get her tongue back in her mouth. June is still biting her tongue so as not to say something infelicitous. Carol is in her usual state of shock. Art, getting a bit romantic with his wife (who apprently loves it). Kev, his near-explosive self, about to go bananas. Cooper the Mutt, squirming his butt off in MC's arms. How Amy manages to smile is beyond us. The picture was uncomposed, just a random snapshot of the Kuhns and Harnacks. We're outta here!

Hush! Hush! But do look at Chelsea!

2008-09-01T12:06:00.005-05:00

Unbeknowst to everyone (we were all watching the Iron Man Competition), Liz and Chelsea slipped away to take a look at Liz's new VW convertable; and when we looked up, Chelsea was easing the beautiful red machine ever so nicely around the bank's parking lot. Liz was giving her niece her first driving lesson. There were no other cars in the lot; it was as safe as safe can be. By all accounts, Chelsea did exceptionally well, not a jerk when on the gas pedal, not a head-bob when putting on the brakes; Chelsea drove slowly with great precision; the ride went as smooth as silk. It didn't last long, but it was such a pleasure to see Chelsea learning to be responsible at the wheel.

Amy and Kevin's New Home

2008-09-01T11:41:00.008-05:00

While Art and Liz were driving down from Indianapolis, June, Chelsea, and Andy were heading west to meet them at 3104 Hilltop Place in Prospect, KY, the new home of Amy, Kev, Mary Carol, Jackson, and Hayden. It's beautiful, and we felt so welcome.

On Saturday evening June, Carol, Liz, Art, and Andy went to Grace & Glory Lutheran Church in Goshen, Kentucky, to worship the Most Holy Trinity, listen to the Scripture readings, hear Pastor Tim Koenig's excellent homily, and share the Sacrament of Holy Communion. It was a beautiful liturgy, greatly appreciated by all--most of all, I hope and pray, by God who blesses us so richly.

On Sunday we relaxed a good bit, ate Amy's blueberry breakfast casserole (almost a sacrament in itself!), slipped over to KY 42 to watch the Iron Man Triatholon, walked over with Carol to see her new home (a stunningly lovely condo!), ate scrumptuous fish tacos for dinner, and sipped red and white wines (some had a beer or two) during the afternoon. While we chatted and yakked (stepping ever so light on matters political :-), the kids went over to the big pool. The new Kuhn house/resort is gorgeous (five bedrooms and two huge porches, and a fire-pit on the ceramic deck, among severeal dozen other amenities). On Saturday night towards bedtime, all the kids fixed us "s'mores" so that June and I were able to gain back a little of the weight we've lost. O, it was good! It was great! We is gonna come back!

Labor Day: The Iron Man Competition in Louisville

2008-09-01T08:50:00.008-05:00

While at Amy and Kev's home in Louisville, we spent a good bit of time watching and cheering on riders in the Iron Man Competition. Here are some excerpts from today's coverage by Michael Grant in the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Seemingly impervious to the elements, not looking particularly fatigued but very hungry, Maximilian Longree triumphantly burst into Fourth Street Live yesterday after he won the second Ford Ironman Triathlon.

The German finished the endurance race in 8 hours, 33 minutes, 58 seconds -- almost 21 minutes ahead of defending champion Chris McDonald (8:54:52). It was a shocking display of dominance. Longree ignored harsh weather conditions to better last year's winning time by almost six minutes.

For the women, 34-year-old Mariska Kramer-Postma of the Netherlands came from behind late to win in 9:54:17.

The 93-degree high temperature and stiff wind didn't seem to bother Longree. He won by passing McDonald near the midway point of the marathon and finished the 26.2-mile run in 2:48.55 after the 2.4-mile swim and 112-mile bike ride.

Ironmans make Longree hungry. Usually he celebrates with pizza, but after chewing up the competition yesterday, he took a big bite of a bacon double cheeseburger delivered from the Hard Rock Café.

Longree, 27, left nothing to chance. He placed his food order three weeks ago so it would be waiting for him at the finish line. He wanted "a real American burger and not the fast food from Germany."

"Here in Kentucky I heard about the burgers," he said. "I ordered it three weeks ago via e-mail. Three miles before the finish line I let them call the race director to get me the burger. It was great."

Longree can afford all the burgers he wants after earning $10,000 for his first Ironman victory. His previous best finish was third place in Ironman Austria in July 2007. Bothered by a stress fracture in his right foot, he hadn't competed in an Ironman since the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii in October, when he placed 17th.

After the swim, Andrew Johns led, finishing in 51:27. Longree was 14th. Johns was slowed by back spasms, however, and had to quit. McDonald took the lead around the 80-mile mark of the bike ride. The Australian had the lead for most of the first half of the marathon until Longree made a strategic decision to speed up the race.

"After 12 miles he had a good pace," Longree said. "I tried to go with him. But then I felt, 'I have to go my pace.' It was much higher, but if you go another pace you could come out of your rhythm. "It worked. I'm really happy. I'm not so tired. But I will be in a few hours."
McDonald said he simply couldn't keep up with Longree. "I had nothing on the run today," he said. "I had a seven-minute lead on the bike. I just couldn't find a rhythm at all. I struggled every single step."

Last year gave McDonald his first career Ironman victory. Yesterday it was Longree's turn. "It's so unbelievable for me now to really win a race," he said. "You can't sleep the night before because you're so nervous. Then you're tired. You go into the race and it's really tough. I will enjoy this victory with my family."

As we watched the riders fly by, we rallied, hooted, and rooted on a good many women--Iron Women! When the lovely lady in the bottom photograph saw that I was going to take a picture of her, she looked over and said, "Oh, please, don't! I haven't got any lipstick on!" And then she smiled.

Lisa shows Katie how to vote!

2008-08-26T19:00:00.004-05:00

Moments ago Lisa wrote to say, "In all my 23 years of being able to vote, I have only missed two primaries. Not only do I understand what a privilege it is, but also, it’s my moral obligation to teach Katie the same, as you can see below, we have already started!"

Methinks she was prompted by Carol's earlier reminder today about the struggles women went through to gain the right to vote with this enclosure from a friend:

WHY WOMEN SHOULD VOTE

This is the story of our Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers; they lived only 90 years ago. Remember, it was not until 1920 that women were granted the right to go to the polls and vote.The women were innocent and defenseless, but they were jailed nonetheless for picketing the White House, carrying signs asking for the vote. And by the end of the night, they were barely alive. Forty prison guards wielding clubs and their warden's blessing went on a rampage against the 33 women wrongly convicted of 'obstructing sidewalk traffic.' (Lucy Burns)They beat Lucy Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head and left her hanging - bleeding and gasping for air. (Dora Lewis) They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell, smashed her head against an iron bed and knocked her out cold. Her cellmate, Alice Cosu, thought Lewis was dead and suffered a heart attack. Additional affidavits describe the guards grabbing, dragging, beating, choking, slamming, pinching, twisting and kicking the women.Thus unfolded the 'Night of Terror' on Nov. 15, 1917, when the warden at the Occoquan Workhouse in Virginia ordered his guards to teach a lesson to the suffragists imprisoned there because they dared to picket Woodrow Wilson's White House for the right to vote. For weeks, the women's only water came from an open pail. Their food--all of it colorless slop--was infested with worms. (Alice Paul) When one of the leaders, Alice Paul, embarked on a hunger strike, they tied her to a chair, forced a tube down her throat and poured liquid into her until she vomited. She was tortured like this for weeks until word was smuggled out to the press.

So, refresh my memory. Some women won't vote this year because- -why, exactly? We have carpool duties? We have to get to work? Our vote doesn't matter? It's raining?Last week, I went to a sparsely attended screening of HBO's new movie 'Iron Jawed Angels.' It is a graphic depiction of the battle these women waged so that I could pull the curtain at the polling booth and have my say. I am ashamed to say I needed the reminder.All these years later, voter registration is still my passion. But the actual act of voting had become less personal for me, more rote. Frankly, voting often felt more like an obligation than a privilege. Sometimes it was inconvenient.My friend Wendy, who is my age and studied women's history, saw the HBO movie, too. When she stopped by my desk to talk about it, she looked angry. She was--with herself. 'One thought kept coming back to me as I watched that movie,' she said. 'What would those women think of the way I use, or don't use, my right to vote? All of us take it for granted now, not just younger women, but those of us who did seek to learn.' The right to vote, she said, had become valuable to her 'all over again.'HBO released the movie on video and DVD . I wish all history, social studies and government teachers would include the movie in their curriculum I want it shown on Bunco night, too, and anywhere else women gather. I realize this isn't our usual idea of socializing, but we are not voting in the numbers that we should be, and I think maybe a little shock therapy is in order.It is jarring to watch Woodrow Wilson and his cronies try to persuade a psychiatrist to declare Alice Paul insane so that she could be permanently institutionalized. And it is inspiring to watch the doctor refuse. Alice Paul was strong, he said, and brave. That didn't make her crazy.The doctor admonished the men: 'Courage in women is often mistaken for insanity.'

NOTES FROM DIANA: AND HERE’S THE WAY THE VOTE WENT…….When thirty-five of the necessary thirty-six states had ratified the amendment, the battle came to Nashville, Tennessee. Anti-suffrage and pro-suffrage forces from around the nation descended on the town. And on August 18, 1920 (my great-Granny Ada’s birthday – and the year she turned 18), the final vote was scheduled.

One young legislator, 24 year old Harry Burn, had voted with the anti-suffrage forces to that time. But his mother had urged that he vote for the amendment and for suffrage. When he saw that the vote was very close, and with his anti-suffrage vote would be tied 48 to 48, he decided to vote as his mother had urged him: for the right of women to vote. And so on August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th and deciding state to ratify.

Please, if you are so inclined, pass this on to all the women you know. We need to get out and vote and use this right that was fought so hard for by these very courageous women. Don’t forget to vote!History is being made.

Model Wins over Tates Creek

2008-08-24T08:38:00.008-05:00

Yesterday Model Laboratory School's varsity soccer team beat Tates Creek: 3-0. It was such an exciting game to watch. As always, when Coach Barbara Shafter put Chelsea in to play, she played her heart out. Model's next game is Monday evening at 5:00; come back to see the score!

Katie's First Birthday

2008-08-11T11:33:00.012-05:00

On August 2nd, Patsy and Ray (Katie's grandparents), Susan and Delwyn (auntie and uncle), Lisa and Tim--proud parents!--and June and Andy celebrated Katie's first anniversary of her coming into the big world. It was a grand occasion, and Katie was not a little overwhelmed with the attention, gifts, and scrumptious food, especially that birthday cake. While we didn't get her signature on the model release, we sure did take a lot of pictures! The really wonderful joyful atmosphere saturdating the whole day was Katie's upbeat attitude: just great! The only thing she refused to do was wear that dumb hat. But, of course, she got a big kick out of her daddy's slipping it on. "It looks just great on you, Daddy!"

"Hey, Mom! When are we going to play with all those toys? And when you are going to read me my new books?"

"When do we get to this again, Dad?"

Chelsea at UK BEST

2008-06-10T15:08:00.004-05:00

Chelsea is attending UK BEST this week, a five-day "stay-over-in-the-dorms" program hosted by the University of Kentucky's College of Engineering. Each day she gets an introduction to a different kind of engineering: mechanical, eletrical, chemical, and civil. I hope Chelsea will take some pictures to share!

Abigail graduates from high school! Adam begins his summer work!

2008-06-05T07:46:00.013-05:00

Becky and Wayne are so proud of their daughter, Abigail, who graduated from high school in late May. Here, as Senior Class President, Abigail was not only honored as the Senior Class President to introduce the pastor for the Baccalaureate service. But she also gave the closing speech at graduation, a “charge” to her fellow classmates. It's no wonder that Tony, her date for the prom, and Gran June are so proud of her.

Adam has just returned from Camp Kanakuk training where he will work from July 5th through August 15th. He will be a boat driver for kids who want to tube or wakeboard. Of course, he will also be a counselor and spiritual leader to a group of 8-10 boys. He will work at home the month of June and head out to Missouri on the 3rd or 4th.

Chelsea Harnack wins her first state title on Saturday in Louisville

2008-06-02T16:10:00.018-05:00

Chelsea's in the headlines again! On Saturday she won the Girls 100 Meter Hurdles 1A with a fast 15.97 seconds, shaving 1.6 seconds off her previous preliminary run at 16.51. Chelsea's ability to accelerate during the stretch is absolutely wonderful to watch. Here's what Sunday morning's Richmond Register had to say:

The Model Laboratory sophomore took first place in the 100-meter hurdles, finished second in the 300-meter hurdles and also finished fourth in the 400-meter dash. In addition she was a member of the school’s 4x200 meter relay team (Alex Kubala, Kaylyn Pratt, Nmeli Nnoromele and Harnack), which took fourth place.

Led by Harnack, the Lady Patriots racked up a total of 46 points and finished seventh in the Class A competition.

And here's what Eric Lindsey, writing in the Lexington Herald Leader, posted in Sunday's paper:

Model Coach Jason Moncer had but one bit of advice before his girls ran in Saturday's Class A finals: ”I told all the girls that nothing ever goes as expected in state meets." Sure enough, Moncer's words turned out to be true. Model sophomore Chelsea Harnack, one of Model's best runners and one of the favorites in the 300-meter hurdles, hit the third hurdle during the event, nearly falling on the track and seemingly losing out on a chance to finish in the top three. But somehow, Harnack gained her balance and finished second despite the early race scare. ”I was coming around the curb and I went over with my right leg, and I don't usually do that,“ Harnack said. ”I was nervous about (falling).“ Harnack said she wanted first place, but considering the circumstances, she turned in the second of three stellar finishes on the day. The sophomore took first in the 100-meter hurdles, second in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 200-meter dash.

”The difference between two days — (Friday) she just looked shell-shocked, was nervous and did not have a good day, but today she had a good day,“ Moncer said. ”We've been working on things all year and she's just a sophomore so she's got a lot of potential ahead of her.“

Harnack led Model to a seventh place finish overall, the best of any Class A school in and around Lexington.

Our whole family, especially Dad!--along with Jason Moncer, her coach, everyone at Model Lab School, and the whole town of Richmond--is so proud of Chelsea! What a girl! What a daughter! We're all so proud of you, Chelsea!

2008-05-08T06:53:00.004-05:00

June and I will be in pilgrimage in Ireland and Scotland from May 11 until May 23. We're going with two other couples: Claudia and Harry Smiley, Carol and Robert Rogow. After flying to Dublin, we're driving up the east coast, bed and breakfasting along the way, for a few days so that eventually we can cross the Irish Sea by ferry and head up to and through Glasgow, Scotland. The high and outer-most point of our journey will be the Isle of Iona, the ancient "thin place" of Celtic Christianity, where we'll stay for two nights. A good bit of our time will be spent in and around the Abbey where we'll have opportunities to pray and participate in the Sunday liturgy. Please remember us in your prayers, asking that we have a safe and Spirit-filled pilgrimage. When we return, I'll do my best to share all that the Lord will have given to us during our journey.

Image: Inside the Abbey Church by Roger Wilco

Dad Andy Attends Consecration

2008-04-25T13:56:00.006-05:00

Last Sunday Andy, along with his neighbors Gayle and Michael Folkerts, went to Covington to be among friends at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd as their Bishop of the Atlanta Diocese consecrated their beautful new sanctuary, baptismal font, lecturn, pulpit, and altar. June, alas, didn't have the opportunity to attend because she and her daughter Becky were on their way home from Florida, having disembarked from their cruise ship earlier in the morning. Since spending more time in Georgia in the past two years, June and Andy have come to appreciate the parish priest, Fr. Tim Graham and many in the congregation. To show our appreciation, Andy commissioned the two icons that have been installed in the narthex. If you come to visit June and Andy in Georgia and are with them on a Wednesday or Sunday (when the Eucharist is offered), you'll be invited to come and see the church. To see more of the consecration, visit the slideshow!

I got to meet Charlie Seabrook!

2008-04-18T14:09:00.005-05:00

While at the Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center this morning (see the previous posting), someone rather famous among the birding community showed up, a quietly impressive gentleman: Charlie Seabrook, well-known columnist for the Atlantic Journal Constitution. Charlie is the national environmental reporter, the man behind the popular "Wild Georgia" column. His newspaper stories about Georgia's mining industry won the Investigative Reporters and Editors "Best Story of the Year aware in 1994. In 2001 the State of Georgia gave him the R. L. "Rock" Howard Award, its highest conservation prize. Just to stand next to this great man and have him put his arm on my shoulder was a real sign of his marvelous generosity. Let's hope Georgia has many more like Charlie!

If you'd like to read one of his latest columns, visit "Got spring fever? Try a nature walk," a good sampling of the kind of writing Charlie does so well.

A Week Not So Alone

2008-04-18T13:34:00.008-05:00

While June and her daughter Becky are on a Caribbean cruise this week, I not able to have gone to Haiti (see the prior post), have spent a good part of this week by myself at the lakehouse. Well, not always by myself. This morning I went to the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center for a "Spring Migratory Birk Walk" with Tim Keyes (on the right) as our ornithologist. It was just great; we saw or heard sixty-six different kinds of birds, including a summer tanager, a kingfisher, and an osprey catching a braem on the wing. If that weren't enough, I got to meet Rusty Pritchard, the editor of Creation Care: A Christian Environmental Quartery, to which I have subscribed for several yeares. Rustry is on the left with his two boys, Angus and Euan. In the Spring 2006 issue, Tim has written "It's a Frog's Life: The songs of frogs are an early promise of spring." Couldn't have prayed for a nicer day!

I've placed a link to Creation Care at my other blog, Praying Daily.

Katie comes to the lake!

2008-04-14T10:24:00.005-05:00

As many of you may already know, my trip to Haiti, originally scheduled for April 10-17, was cancelled because Christian Flights International thought it too risky to go right now. During the past two weeks, there has been considerable civil unrest throughout the island, so much so that the pilots working for Missionary Air Flights (who fly us into the hinterland near Ranquitte) have decided it's too dangerous to land their planes in certain areas, including the grassfield landing at Pignon. Those of us who were planning to go (Lutheran Pastors Ron Luckey and Barry Neese, along with Dr. Greg McMorrow) will try again in July or August. So that she would not be along at the lake while I was supposed to be gone, June had made arrangements for her daughter Becky and herself to take a week-long cruise in the Caribbean. The two of them "set sail" yesterday. Not expecting me to be at the lakehouse, Lisa, Katie, and Tim had planned to spend the weekend in Georgia and decided to come even though I would still be tromping around the house. I'm so glad they came! We did a bit of boating, tippled a small bottle wine, chatted lots, washed diapers, stir-fried veggies on the grill and pan-fried some salmon. Just a great time! On Sunday Katie got a wee bit ill, throwing up twice, but by this morning she was back to her eight-month self, all smiles, except for when Lisa tried to take a picture of her on my shoulders. She just wouldn't "mug-it-up." She really is something! And I love her!

For more information about Haiti, visit my other blog: http://www.prayingdaily.blogspot.com/.

Chelsea Sets Model High School Track Record!

2008-03-31T08:52:00.006-05:00

On Friday, March 28, Chelsea ran the 100 meter hurdles and set Model High School Girl's Track record at 16.5 seconds. As the fastest runner on her team in many events, Chelsea, one of the finest sophomore athletes Model has ever known, practices hard, runs hard, sprints hard, and wins!

In addition to running on Model's spring-term track team, Chelsea also runs cross-country in the fall; and she plays beautiful classical piano and a hot clarinet. She's not only an excellent student academically and socially, Chelsea also represents her Lord Jesus in an exemplary fashion. May God bless her for her dedication to all that she does!

Everyone in her whole family is so proud of her!

More of Katie from Lisa and Tim

2008-03-05T21:13:00.011-05:00

Some of you have not seen this kiddo in a while, at least in cyberspace, so here you go! Love, Lisa and Tim!

The newest of Katie

2008-02-27T11:53:00.005-05:00

Lisa sends these two of Katie for your pleasure and enjoyment. Does she look terrific or what?

This just in from Kirk!

2008-02-27T11:45:00.003-05:00

Hey, Family!

Here are some pics of Madalyn's Junior Cotillion Dance from last Saturday at Hillwood Country Club, Nashville, TN. Madalyn has been attending the Junior Cotillion classes for several months and has done quite well in the program.

Best, Kirk

Supporting McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center, in Chattanooga

2008-02-27T11:26:00.006-05:00

Yesterday Lisa sent out an all-points bulletin asking for us to support the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center in Chattanooga. On the steps to the front door, Coleman and Truman are looking for replies.

If didn't get a request from Lisa and would like to support the work of the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center, visit her Fundraising Page by using the link below and help her reach her personal goal by making a secure online donation today... https://owa.eku.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=86b1d734689e4052a08280b3dca9e6bd&URL=http%3a%2f%2fmy.e2rm.com%2fpersonalPage.aspx%3fSID%3d1697733

Kirk in India

2008-02-18T15:27:00.003-05:00

This in yesterday from Kirk: "Today I walked barefoot on the cool white marble floors of the Taj Mahal." Let's hope we all get a Taj-Mahal-with- some-Swaheli-proverbs magnet for our refrigerators! Come home soon, son!

Andy recommends The Pillars of the Earth

2008-02-17T08:50:00.004-05:00

For the past week Andy has been reading Ken Follet's The Pillars of the Earth. Here's an appreciative review by Suzanne Cross posted at http://www.amazon.com/:

I've never been a fan of Follett, and picked this book up with some misgivings - anyone these days can try to do an "historical" novel with some quick sex, some fake archaic new-speak, and a TV-movie-miniseries concept of history. While there are some minor flaws in this book, its sweep, characterization, tensions, and love of its subject are simply riveting. I could not put the darned thing down and have lost sleep for a week compulsively page-turning. Follett, unbelievably, seems to have made little splash with this book when it first came out - more shame to the critics who missed a "Gone With the Wind" from a conventional thriller author.

His primary strength in the book is his magnificent characters. By the end, Prior Phillip, Aliena, Jack, Richard, "Witch" Ellen, William of Hamleigh, Waleran Bigod, and a host of supporting characters are as real as people you know. Their strengths and weaknesses feel as sound as earth. I've just reached the part where the Cathedral is finished, and its magnificent image, built in love, hardship, and devotion, colors the whole book like light through stained glass. And I suspect the ending will be as immensely "right" as the entire rest of the book in its proportion in spinning out complicated human lives and emotions.

Follett manages to write of an age of religious devotion without tumbling into the two pits - making fun of medieval Christian faith, or uncritically adopting it. An IMMENSELY satisfying read.

I could quibble with what I feel is some gratuitous sex, some slightly contrived plot twists, but that's like complaining about some flotsam in the river as you're going over Niagara.

DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK if you love wonderful story-spinning and history. Well done, Mr. Follett!

Adam celebrates his twenty-first birthday!

2008-02-17T08:36:00.006-05:00

It's been quite a week in Georgia. On Saturday, a few days after Adam's birthday on February 11, Wayne and Becky took Abigail, Adam, June and Andy out to lunch at the Buckhead Diner, a really neat eatery. Great time--and Adam had another among his many "firsts": a margaritta! On Friday, June and Andy saw The Great Debaters, and on Valentine's Day they went out for supper at The Blue Willow Inn in Social Circle. All in all, a great week!

Brunch at the Galt House

2008-02-03T17:57:00.000-05:00

This morning Art, Liz, Cheerie and Dave Bultman, and we Kentucky Harnacks shared a wonderful brunch at the Galt House in Louisville. Andy and Dave, both of whom lived near each other in Indianapolis during the mid 50s, had not seen one another for fifty-five years! And--wonder of wonders!--neither one of us looks any older than when we were fifteen or so, heading off to different high schools. Even our life histories have much in common as we found out. Most importantly, it looks as though all six of us may have found so much in common that we'll be spending some time together later this spring and hopefully during the summer at the lakehouse. Thanks so much, Art and Liz, for bringing us together!

Retrospective: Adam and his buddy

2008-01-27T14:31:00.000-05:00

A few days before Christmas Adam and his buddy Ellie came over to the lakehouse to get their picture taken as a gift to his parents, Becky and Wayne. This photo gives you a good idea as to how well behaved the four-footed Ellie could be. But moments after the pose, he was off to the lake, splashing in the cove waters, dashing in and out, getting thoroughly wet. Adam kept yelling, "Here, Ellie, Ellie, Elllie!" That pooch sure has Adam well trained at yelling!

Retrospective Christmas 2007

2008-01-27T14:20:00.000-05:00

I'm a good bit behind in posting this lovely picture of Chelsea holding her five-month-old niece, Katie, at Amy and Kevin's home. The two of them--aunt and niece--sure look good together, and Katie is so fascinated with Chelsea's fingernails. Let's hope the two of them get to see lots of each other in the years to come.

We all had such a good time with the whole family gathered in Nashville!

Christmas at Amy and Kevin's Home

2007-12-30T08:11:00.000-05:00

December 30, 2007: The First Sunay after Christmas (and the Fifth Day of Christmas)

Last night June, Chelsea, and Andy returned to Kentucky after a ten-day stint in Georgia and Tennessee for the tail end of Advent and the beginnings of Christmastide. Making the rounds of various churches to which members of our extended family belong, we worshipped at First Baptist Church in Barnesville, Georgia, saw a good bit of spectacle at mega Rock Springs Church in Milner, Georgia, participated in a quietly beautiful Communion at First Baptist Church in McDonough, Georgia. While non of these parishes considers itself liturgical in any traditional or historical sense of the word, each one in its own way (although all are Baptist) celebrated the Birth of Christ with reverence, a strong need to share the Gospel, and inspired singing.

June's side of our family met together at the lakehouse on Christmas Day (pictures forthcoming!), and Andy's side met at Amy and Kevin's home on December 28 (Amy, thank you for all the hard work and hospitality!); then most of us met again the next morning for a terrific brunch at Lora and Kirk's home, just a day before (that's today!) they're flying to Cancun for a well-deserved rest.

All of our family gatherings were especially wonderful--really!

The Granny Greene Thanksgiving Reunion

2007-12-04T17:45:00.001-05:00

We do it every year! On Thanksgiving weekend, we get as many descendents and relatives of Granny Greene together as possible. Then the men play golf on the Friday after Thanksgiving while some of the women to shopping on "Black Friday." Then on Saturday we get together for great food and games. Our thanks to Tom Lowery for taking the photo!

Miss Tennessee!

2007-12-04T17:33:00.001-05:00

She wiggles, she burps, and then she looks at you with those beautiful eyes. Yes, it's Miss Katherine Elise Simonds, now almost four months old. Isn't she a beaut?

The Family at Thanksgiving

2007-12-04T17:22:00.000-05:00

On the Sunday before just before Thanksgiving, the Harnacks, Kuhns, and Simonds got together at The Chattagnoogan for a terrific chamgaine brunch with the grandkids. Our thanks to Lisa and Tim for making the reservations. And a b ig round of applause for everyone who drove in for the gathering! What a wonderful setting for a small family reunion, and as you can see from the post-brunch photo, we're looking forward to next year's get-together.

Chelsea -- A Champion Crossrunner

2007-12-04T13:23:00.000-05:00

For several months this fall, Chelsea has been running with Model Laboratory School's cross-country team and doing exceptionally well in all nine difficult races. Practicing after school four days a week, Chelsea runs smoothly and beautifully. During the State Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park, Model came in seventh among some fifty schools, and Chelsea ran her personal best for the 3.1 miles (5k) at 21.20. Watch out for her this spring when she goes out for track. She can really burn up the quarter-mile in 4x400. Way to go, Chelsea!

The Mountains Beyond: A Presentation on Haiti

2007-12-01T13:21:00.000-05:00

Last evening on St. Andrew's Day, Pastor Luckey and I introduced about a hundred or so members of Faith Lutheran Church to the work of Christian Flights International in Haiti. With real Haitian coffee and delicious fruits sprinkled with coconut-sugar made by Mama in Ivy Solomon's home, everyone got a very good introductory feel as to what it's like to live in Haiti and how we as Christians might provide witness to the kingdom of God making itself manifest among the people of Ranquitte, a small mountain village in northeastern Haiti. Right now several of us are planning to go again to Haiti, sometime in mid-April after Easter. If in your resurrected life you'd like to visit Ranquitte and return a person in love with Haiti, let me know. And if you wish to love the Haitian people now and from this day forward, please include them and the missionary folks of Christian Flights International in your prayers and intercessions. Thanks.

Katie Elise Harnack says, "Hello, family!"

2007-08-04T05:58:00.001-05:00

Good morning, Katie! Little Katie, the daughter of Lisa and Tim Simonds, was born on Tuesday, July 31, 2007, shortly after 5:00 a.m. Weighing 4.11 pounds, she--and her mom (Tim is a mess!) are doing well, thanks ever so much for the loving care of Carol, Katie's grandmother, a wonderful nurse. Katie and Lisa will be staying at Erlanger Medical Center for the rest of the week. When you get a chance, offer God a prayer of thanksgiving and then give Katie a phone call! We're all so happy for you--Lisa, Tim, and Katie! As you can see from this photo that Tim took right after the delivery, we have a beautiful new girl in our family!

Peeing and Pooping Again

2007-08-03T13:44:00.000-05:00

For three now we been not going to the bathroom (Yeah! Right!), and now today we can go again, thanks to Best Septic Tank--Tony and John--who have replaced our old field tile with a brand new system of pipes. Now all we have to do is throw out the corn cobs, go to WalMart and get some toilet paper!

2007-07-30T18:54:00.000-05:00

Having returned from our family reunion, this year at Dauphin Island, I'm delighted that our family has been able to keep itself together. It's a real effort to gather everyone together because we are so separated geographically and at times spiritually. In spite of--or at times, I think, because of--our differences, the blood of us Harnacks runs thick and deep. As paterfamilias, I'm so privileged to have such a wonderful bunch of kids, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. O yes, we argue a good bit (mostly about politics), but in the end there's always the huggings, the looking forward to seeing one another again, and the prayers that sustain us in our variety and differences. Some of us are politically conservative (yea, a libertarian!), others are liberal (listening, of all things, to NPR!), and others largely a-political. But in blood, and I like to think, in the blood of Christ, we are a real family. One, Carol, comes with enormous forgiveness in heart, and her presence is the light of Christ among us. Others come with professional preoccupations, overloads of work that don't disappear even on vacation times. Still others come as precious children, innocent of our family's history, but eager and willing to be lilke the children about whom Jesus says "are of the kingdom of God." For all who came to this year's week-long reunion, I give heartfelt thanks to God for their presence, their determination to keep the tradition going, and their holding of hands in prayer and in grace before our meals. It's all quite wonderful!

Back from Ranquitte, Haiti

2006-12-01T07:48:00.000-05:00

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

2006-11-26T19:07:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-10-29T08:34:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-10-03T19:18:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-03T19:04:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-10-03T18:52:00.000-05:00

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

2006-10-03T18:44:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-10-03T18:35:00.000-05:00

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

2006-09-03T19:51:00.000-05:00

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

2006-08-28T10:09:00.000-05:00

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

2006-08-04T19:54:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-28T05:07:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-17T09:54:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-17T09:17:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-17T08:50:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-16T08:12:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-16T07:56:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-07-10T20:31:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-06T06:51:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-06T06:44:00.000-05:00

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

2006-07-06T06:36:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-06-27T14:55:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-27T14:10:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-24T05:59:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-24T05:47:00.000-05:00

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 !

2006-06-24T05:34:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-06-23T21:36:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-23T21:21:00.000-05:00

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!

2006-06-20T05:43:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-20T05:32:00.000-05:00

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

2006-06-20T05:24:00.000-05:00

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)

2006-06-06T09:31:00.000-05:00

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.