My Bookcase

Last week Mike finished painting the bookcase that has been out in the shop for several years. A good friend who is a cabinetmaker gave it to us when it didn't work out for a client. Finishing it up was part of my birthday from last December (but who's counting the months?). It actually came out lighter than we wanted--the first coat was bubble-gum pink, but we got the paint darkened at the hardware store. However, we've decided that it looks fine anyway and actually lightens up the room. I finally started putting books on it today (it does have shelves, just not shown in this picture), now that the paint has cured for a few days. It is wonderful to have a nice place out in the main living area to display my books, especially things like my Cherry Ames series that were a gift from my late father-in-law.

Big Night

It's a big night when your daughter goes to her first Junior-Senior banquet!

Memorial Service and Thoughts

Tonight on the news I watched footage of a memorial service at the Alfred Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, as today is the 13th anniversary of the bombing. This brings back memories to me, as Mary Lee at ages 5 and 6 was deathly afraid of Timothy McVeigh. You know how kids get things in their heads sometimes, and somehow in the years following the bombing she picked up on this story as we saw it on the news. We tried to assure her that he was in jail out west, that he could not possibly get out, but until he was finally executed she was afraid of him. I wonder how many other little children in our country were equally afraid.

A few weeks ago we became aware of another result. The girl that our nephew married back in February is the granddaughter of a couple who were killed in the devastation--former missionaries, a dental professor and his wife, an older couple who made the simple decision to take care of a business matter that morning in the Federal building. So, because of one man's twisted and sinful thinking, a lovely young lady was unable to have her grandparents at her wedding thirteen years later.

The repercussions of such a selfish act range far and wide.

Whew

A teachers' meeting, a shower I helped hostess, Wed. night church, a trip to Andrew's play chaperoning 25 students, the Junior-Senior, and a Powerpoint presentation to help prepare for the Junior-Senior. Those are the extras that I have to do this week. Other than that I just have to teach five classes every day and keep the house going.

Another letter from Selia

I got another email from Selia, my Chinese student friend, today. I sent her some little presents with the students from our school who have traveled there this month. (The "eggs" are Silly Putty, which I sent because it was the only thing I could find on short notice that was made in the USA.)

She writes me about once a month on email and often says "My dear Mrs. Bailes." I love to read her writing to observe the way she takes grammar and punctuation very seriously and really does quite well considering the differences in the two languages.

Every time I write her back, I let her know that I am "thinking" about her. Someday I hope to hear the news that those "thoughts" have contributed to another person being in the family.

My dear friend:
How is it going ? Is angthing fine with you ? I hope so!
I haven't writtin to you for so long ,and I really miss you !
I've gotten the gifts from Carl ,thank you so much ,I like the book ,it's a lillte hard but really interesting ! The socks are really cute ,I will take a picture if I wear them and send it to you ! And the things like eggs , we have these in China , but I don't know what they are in English ,sorry, they are so fun!
What are you doing these days ? Did something special happen ?
The American students have fun there ,and we had a great week ,they study Chinses and learn Chinses Kungfu every day ,and they just made kites yeaterday ,they will fly the kites on Monday if the weather is fine .
I really hope you can ccome to China ,and then I can see you again,then we can spend time together , and so on .
I can still remember you face because I keep a photo of you in my wallet ,then I can see you every time I open the wallet !
Love you !

YOURS
SELIA

Our Son the Actor

We watched Andrew play the part of Mr. Van Daan in the play ANNE FRANK last night. If I do say so myself, without any prejudice, he did a very good job!

The Irony of the Internet

I started this blog in May 2007 with the thinking that I would be expressing my thinking online. Have discovered that that is easier said than done.

The things that cause me to have the most worthwhile things to say, that have caused me the most growth and the most dependence on the Lord, are also the things that are least possible to express openly. My two teens would be understandably mortified if I discussed them on the internet in any deeper way than just the most general terms. Ditto spouse. Furthermore, it would not accomplish anything or be supportive. Ditto job situations, which have no business being discussed online. Ditto church, friends, and family in general.

Really, what has happened is that, with the advent of the internet, we become open to the entire world. However, because of that we become less open in what we say. That's a big irony.

Ginger

I took this picture on Monday because it's rare that the dog and the cat get along so well. . .but the real story about Ginger started yesterday morning, when someone (who will remained unnamed) accidently backed over Ginger's left paw while leaving the garage. Suffice it to say that said driver has learned a valuable lesson about always watching and going slowly when backing out. Ginger was in rough shape yesterday but today is perking up and even made it outside to bark loudly when a plane flew low overhead! She's doing better.

A Happy Man

Mike got this turkey this morning. It weighed 19 pounds and has two beards, which apparently is very good (you'd think I would know more after 23 years of this). He is very happy with it!

A Good Kind of Pride

We were coming home from Newberry on Sunday when Mary Lee noticed an elderly man who had fallen in his driveway, off of the frontage road of the interstate. We got off at the exit (were getting off anyway; Mike and Andrew had spotted a car on the same frontage road, and of course, you HAVE to stop and look at classic Chevelles whenever possible!) and came back about a mile to his home, and he was still on the ground where he had fallen. Mike and Andrew immediately got out of the car and helped him up and to the house, got him inside, and got him settled in his chair. It was a slow process as the man could hardly walk. He really shouldn't have been going out to the road to get the newspaper as it was apparent that he was not quite clear in his thinking. But the sight of Mike and Andrew, helping that stranger up to his porch, made me very, very proud of both of my two men.