From "Across the Pond"

Hello to all you dear ones from Paris! We're doing well here; neither of us has had any jet lag to complain about. We've stayed busy enough that we sort of collapse and die in bed each night and sleep until morning, so that's good.

Yesterday, the men were off to a plant visit and meetings a couple of hours northeast of Paris by train near the Belgium border. The ladies spent the day in Versailles, visiting the palace, gardens, and area there all designed in the 1800s during Louis XV reign -- pretty opulent and impressive and at least partially leading to the revolution when the royals had so very much and the common folk were starving.

Today it's the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower. The men get to tour with us today.

I just wanted to send you our love and greetings from here while I had the opportunity!

Sovereign Lord

"Just when I think I know what God is up to in my life, He changes directions and does something I'm not expecting. Although it's disorienting at times, I know God has a bigger and more intricate plan for me than I'll ever foresee. Each change of direction reminds me that I'll always need an attitude of waiting. I'll never arrive spiritually at a place where I can predict God's ways."

Brenda Quinn

"It is not because things are good that we are to thank the Lord, but because He is good. We are not wise enough to judge things, to know whether they are really in their essence, joys or sorrows; but we always know that the Lord is good, and that His goodness makes it absolutely certain that everything He provides or permits must be good; and must therefore be something for which we would be heartily thankful, if only we could see it with His eyes."

Hannah Whitehall Smith

Coming Soon

Watch for the blog from Daddy and Lois coming soon. We started setting it up, and Lois' granddaughter Debbie Jo will help finish getting them up and going. We have the link here on our favorites so watch for their first posting!

We had a great time at Rainbow Lake with Daddy and Lois, Larry and Galena, and Bob and Ann. With only a slip-on-the-rocks that slowed Bob way down (deep, painful bruise to the low back -- pray it's quick to heal!), the time together was very special. We had a trout supper one evening mostly thanks to Bob despite his sore back.

Now we're off this morning to Denver for the weekend with our Miller and Prigel friends before traveling back home on Monday.

R & R

Just a couple more days and we're off to Colorado for vacation time -- and it's a much-needed time away this year especially. It's been a year of a very heavy workload for Dick, so the time in the mountains with family and friends will be a timely refreshment. I can just smell those pine trees now!

Hello, Dolly!

July in Kansas has never been like this! We've actually had rain this month; we had 0.90" rain last night thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Dolly. The big story, though, is that just 3 - 10 miles away in Emporia, there are numerous reports of 3.00" to 5.00" rain overnight. Now that's a little much!

I do want to let you know, Jennifer, that this summer's humidity is the most we remember experiencing in the nearly 30 years we've been in Emporia. Even when the temperature has been quite comfortable overnight, we've kept our house closed up and the AC cranking due to the high humidity.

As Dolly moved through this past week, I just hope that all of you New Mexicans got a good share of that moisture to wet your whistles and soak the mountains!

One Foot in the Grave -- Not!!

Okay, Daughter! I expect you two sisters to behave yourselves when I'm dead and gone and you're sorting through my "stuff"! Here's the other quilt that Grandma Evelyn made, so all you'll need to do is draw straws. :-) Isn't it gorgeous?

Also, I wanted you to see how much Garen and Pat are shrinking -- or maybe it's that they're kids are getting really tall! Just thought this might sort of knock your socks off, Girls.

The Quilt

Here are pictures of the quilt that I emailed about the patterns. My mother made this quilt - I believe starting it in either high school or early marriage years. It was put aside for quite a few years to raise us kids, and then she decided to finish it about when I was in my teen years. Quite a project! I treasure this heirloom quilt greatly! There are 12 panels, each having a different old-fashioned elegant lady with various items - bouquets, parasols, butterflies, etc., - and each has a lovely bonnet.

"Sassy" lady

Showing quite a bit of "shoulders"!