GEOFFREY'S 20th CCS REUNION

Actually, it was a reunion commemorating the twenty years since this class graduated, and probably not the 20th time they had tried to gather. Quite a few came - most from the local area (or the PNW) and a few from further, including North Carolina and , naturally, Alaska. Friday night the class dined together at a Red Lion restaurant and Saturday afternoon a picnic gathering at Columbia Christian was enjoyed by a crowd which included the kids and a couple of former teachers like me.

This was most of the folk gathered, except for a few chasing kids or inside for other reasons. I'm giving you a closer look at the Alaska attendees below.

This was the graduating class of the year I taught after I retired from teaching in Alaska. That's quite a story on its own, but I enjoyed this unexpected year and the students with whom I worked. It is still fun to run into one of these students and discover what life has offered since "Pomp and Circumstance".

MARTY AND PAT AND A HOT STEED

This week we had family bikers drop in on us the see the grandsons (and their Mom and Dad too). My brother Marty and his wife Pat rode their motorcycle up from California for a brief visit to see us and the Juneau Wyatt clan, and a good time was had by all.

It was interesting to see the various layers and items of highway garb which make up the outfit necessary to be comfortable and safe on a road trip. Leather boots and chaps, vests and coats, gloves and helmet are the visible outerwear. Intercom/phone systems are in the helmets to allow conversation and communications while underway. The motorcycle is a Kawasaki Vulcan Classic, 2001, and produces about 96 HP in the 1500cc carbureted engine.

Mid-day Thursday the older couples went to lunch and later in the afternoon the younger ladies engineered an old-fashioned backyard hamburger picnic with all the goodies and green salad and potato salad. Eli took a fancy to Pat who enjoyed alternating between the boys - first holding one and then the other.

Marty and Pat enjoy serving with the Patriot Riders, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who like to provide honor and flag escorts for funerals of U.S. Veterans, especially those who have been decorated for their meritorious military accomplishments. Note the patches, badges, and vest decorations which all have significance in biker protocols. Altogether, it makes for an impressive, patriotic display, especially when the bike is clean and the chrome is all shined up.

All ready to hit the highways again, here they are in full regalia as they left our place and headed over to the Oregon Coast to travel home along US-101, camping out along the way. Thanks for coming; we enjoyed your visit.

FIRST COUSINS and GRANDSONS

For the second time in 2010, all our kids and all their kids were together briefly, this time at Memaw's and Papa John's home. It makes quite a crowd now. Most importantly the picture below is the first time all seven (first) cousins have been photographed together since Lucas JOHN was born about seven weeks ago. You can see why counting our blessings has become one of our favorite pasttimes.

Becasue Lucas is not sitting upright yet he is necessarily in horizontal mode in all his pictures. In this case he is keeping a careful eye on Memaw who is the current holder. He still looks like Daddy/Momma/Papa/this side of family/that side of family/and an angel, don't you think?

Not to be outdone, brother Eli, who will be two on July 13th is a good-looker too. He is also a high-speed goer and doer, and his mind seems to be going as fast as his feet. We are betting he is another genius among our precious seven. Eli has finally figured out that his little brother is part of the family now and worthy of kisses.

Betty and I are very proud of the parents of the wonderful kids in the pictures. We think that they are wonderful kids too and someday, maybe, we will capture all of them in some family snapshots we can share. Meanwhile, our grateful thanks to six wonderful young parents. May God richly bless all of you and help us continue to make happy memories together.

AN INTERLUDE WITH FAMILY AND MT.RANIER

You know those times when you feel so overwhelmed you can't seem to get anything done? I've been swimming in a mixed sea of busy times and failed motivation. A deadly combination of urgency and ennui. Sort of a frantic lethargy in which so much is demanding that little is accomplished beyond worry and regret. Thus, this blog, among other things, has been victim to my inattention.

This past weekend, however, I had to get my act in gear in order to join family for our summer getaway to Ohanapecosh, a campground on the southeast slopes of Mt. Ranier a little northeast of Packwood, WA. We pulled the camper trailer up there on Friday morning after picking up the three local granddaughters. The Kennewick family joined us mid-afternoon, and rest of the Vancouverites came during the evening to bring our numbers to eleven for this year's event.

Most of the time this year was spent in camp, reading and enjoying the campfire, meals, visiting, and for the eager, some hiking. Saturday a truckload of us did venture up the mountain to see the new visitor center at Paradise and catch a glimpse of the mountain, some wildlife, flowers and grand panoramic views of the region (when the clouds allowed). Saturday evening we celebrated the twins birthday with gifts and goodies.

By Sunday evening we were home and dashed to the airport to gather up the Juneau family; both grandsons and their parents are going to be with us for nearly three weeks. They have several activities to attend, including a 20th high school reunion, medical/dental appointments, and semi-perpetual shopping. Mainly, Memaw and Papa are going to take advantage of time to bond with Eli and his new brother, Lucas JOHN. When the camera gets going, I'll try to share a picture or few here to demonstrate our precious blessings.

Meanwhile, I have to face another diabetic check-up which I expect to fail, since I have been unable to maintain either diet or exercise enough to keep my weight and numbers under control. That may partly explain the first paragraph. Well, I do have better goals and intentions; now I need a way to convey that truth to my doctor. Any ideas?