Tears...

The last few days have been so emotional around here. On Sunday, Mike and Lori and their two youngest boys Weston and Matthew were at church. (they had moved to Massachusetts just a couple of years ago) That is Austin's family. There were tears and hugs...and a little laughter with memories shared. (Please check out the link to learn more about this remarkable young man)

I remember Austin best when he was about 10 or 11 when Jamie and I were in a small group with Mike and Lori. Austin was always full of adventure...doing things like climbing to the highest point of the tallest tree. He also had a heart of gold. I remember him telling our friend Amy that she didn't have to worry about Caleb when he started kindergarten. He would sit by Caleb and make sure no one picked on him on the bus. More recently (probably about 7 months ago now), I remember asking him about the stitches on his leg and inquiring what happened. He told me how he had been cutting down trees using a chain saw. The saw slipped and nicked his thigh. He went a few days without any medical care, but when his grandfather saw it, he dragged Austin over to the hospital to get stitches. His grandfather was a prominent doctor here in town who is now retired. A few weeks ago he was sitting directly in front of me at church. That is the last time I remember seeing him. I wish now that I had said something to him.

Today was the funeral service. It was probably one of the hardest services I have ever sat through. In a little while, I will go to the reception at his grandfather's house. They have a big tent set up. Lori said she wants it to be "fun." (As much as you can have fun under the circumstances) There will be food, lawn games and a bonfire.

I feel rather gloomy right now. For three days in a row I have gone to calling hours and funerals. Yesterday's funeral was touching too and that family is on my heart and mind as well...but I can't bring myself to write any more.

Thank God that this life is not all there is and that one day, He will wipe away every tear!

Sorrows...

I didn't want to write a sad post. I hate them...I avoid them. But in the words of Oswald Chambers, "Sin and sorrow and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God made a mistake in allowing them." That was part of the devotional that I was greeted with this morning when I looked at the devotion for June 25 in Oswald's My Utmost For His Highest.

Three days ago, we learned that David, the brother of a dear friend, chose to end his life. Several members of this man's family attend our church. He also has some young children.

Yesterday came more bad news. Austin, a young man from our church, died in a motorcycle accident yesterday morning. He was only 21. This directly effects 4 different families in our church: all related to him either by blood or marriage. His uncle is a part of the church's staff. It was only about 3 weeks ago that Austin was sitting directly in front of us during the service. It is hard to believe that he is suddenly gone.

Photo by Mezuni: Creative commons

Just Because

This one's for you, Martha!

Father's Day 2010

Hope everyone had a Happy Father's Day. Today was the first Father's Day that I don't have my father anymore. Luckily, I had a full day to spend with my husband's family at Taughannock State Park. That kept me distracted enough. The day was gorgeous!!!!!
Many members of Jamie's family came to the picnic. My father and mother-in-law, however, elected to stay at home. Dad's knee was really bothering him and he did not want to go sit in a park. We did stop by and visit with them on the way down.
We hiked up the falls. Most of us elected to walk in the water. I love walking in the water, but elected to walk on the dry trail because I was afraid I would slip, fall and ruin the camera.
I like this picture of Audra.
This was taken just before Scott jumped. I didn't know he was going to do it, otherwise I would have attempted to catch him in the middle of the act.
After the jump.
Jamie and his girls.
I think Scott and Audra were trying to pretend it was a hot tub.
Taughannock Falls. This is a 215 foot drop.
My husband grew up nearby. He has told me about when he was in high school, he used to go up on the rim with his friends. I find this to be frightening. Now it is all fenced off to keep idiots (I mean people) from doing that.
Th picnic also included kickball....
and a bocci game.

The day ended with another beautiful sunset over Seneca Lake...visible from my in-law's driveway. (Sorry about the telephone pole!)

Early Morning Hike

I got up at 5:00 this morning to go with Jamie to Mendon Ponds Park. Jamie was meeting a friend to do some running. Sherman and I took a hike on some of the trails. It was beautiful, but unfortunately I was distracted by a couple of things. One: about 10 deer flies took to buzzing around my head and driving me crazy. When I finally decided to ignore them as best I could since I could not get rid of them, one bit me and another dive bombed inside of my ear. Two: the bathrooms were all locked. Enough said about that one.

Sherman didn't seem to be bothered by the deer flies at all and the locked bathroom didn't stop him at all. He took a dip into Devil's Bathtub when I wasn't paying attention, and was quite scummy! I took him over to the Hundred Acre Pond where it looked clear to encourage him to swim and get cleaned off. We surprised one deer who was coming through the thicket from the water's edge. She didn't see us until she was literally about 5 feet away from us. Luckily, I had presence of mind to grab Sherman's collar to keep him from chasing her. He didn't bark or anything.

After I finally found one horrible bathroom that was accidentally left open, we went back to the van to wait for Jamie. The flies weren't as bad there. I had left my book at home so I had nothing to read, but discovered a word search book that was left in the van by one of the kids. I'm not a big word search person, but it helped pass the time. After Jamie got back from his run, we drove to the village of Mendon and went to Sacred Grounds Coffee House.

I regretted that I forgot my camera. I had intended to bring it, but left in on my kitchen table. I am chalking this up to me not being much of a morning person. It takes me awhile to wake up and be able to think, plan and remember very well.

New Neighbors (part 2)

I have been enjoying watching my new neighbors-the house wren family. Usually I watch them from the kitchen window as I eat my breakfast. I also like listening to their pretty little songs. Alicia joined me in watching the show this morning. We were watching both Mr and Mrs House Wren chase Mr Grackle away from the house. Bad Mr Grackle!!!
After I walked with Alicia to school, I decided to try to take pictures. They are quite challenging to catch on camera because they are really quick. I think they like to duck into and out of the house before anyone sees them. (or can take a picture) I was very patient though.
As you can see, I caught this one in flight. I was waiting for him to poke his head out of the hole and I missed him.

Memorial Day Picnic

This year's Memorial Day has come and gone...but I'm blogging about it anyway. We went up to Cicero to have a picnic at the home of Ben and Sarah. Sarah is Jamie's niece. B & S just got married last July and were anxious to host a picnic at their new house-purchased in October.My contribution to the picnic was strawberry pretzel salad. Jamie had told me not to make it since it was going to be a sweltering day and it would just melt into a mess. *sigh* My husband has little faith in me sometimes. I made it anyway, kept it nice and cold on a bed of ice in a cooler, and it turned out just fine!
The kids were able to keep cool in the pool.

I'm not sure what game Audra is playing here...but she looks like she is having fun. I think her Uncle Kevin was squirting water at her and she was catching the water as it fell.Laurie and I kept cool by sitting on the edge and dangling our legs in. I hadn't brought a suit and rather regretted it. Oh well!
Allen was in the pool too but got out to enjoy a game of ladders. He looks on...
as his partner, Ben takes the shot.
They were playing against Jamie and Kevin. I'm not sure who won in the end.

Saturday

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately. On Saturday, Jamie took Allen golfing with my brother-in-law, Kevin and my nephew, Scott. So Audra, Alicia and I hung out with my sister-in-law, Laurie. She wanted to stop by some wineries to take pictures for the website that her son, Scott manages. He works for Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Alliance. I guess she's taken pictures for him to use for it before. I highly recommend checking out the website if you live in the area. There are some great ideas about what to do and see in the Finger Lakes Region. Our first stop was Imagine Moore Winery in Naples. I had my own camera with me as well...so I took a few pictures myself.
They had a nice porch off the side. I love how this picture turned out of the girls. I think I may have it enlarged.
Then we went across the street and had some ice-cream at Bob and Ruth's. That was when I took a walk around the cemetery I wrote about the other day.Laurie had heard about a waterfall in the area, so we went to check it out. It turned out to be a rather small one. Not overly impressive. We hiked a short trail to get to it. There was a policeman there having a discussion with a group of teenagers. I felt uncomfortable because I sensed some trouble. We left our little hike early because of that.
I took this view from an overlook just north of the village. This is looking north from the southern end of Canandaigua Lake.
I feel very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area. Sometimes, I admit that I take it for granted.We made another quick stop at Arbor Hill Winery so that Laurie could take more pictures.
Then we met up with family in Rushville. Here are Scott and Lindsey.Jamie's nephew, Drew was throwing a pig-roast in honor of his wife Kelly's 40th birthday. Happy Birthday, Kelly!
Everyone had a good day...except for the pig.

Memorial Day 2010

I have a strange fascination for old cemeteries. Yesterday I visited Fairview Cemetary in the village of Naples, after enjoying ice-cream with my daughters at Bob and Ruth's. I thought about Memorial Day and took several pictures of graves that had flags marking the resting place of veterans.Some were too faded to read. After doing some homework, I figured out that this grave is actually the grave of an infant girl name Lillis Ann Oakley, who died at age 11 months. Thus the flag was put on the wrong grave. I also found out that little Lillis Ann's father (William) passed away less than a month earlier at age 39...making me wonder if there was some sort of sickness passed about. Her poor mother (Ann Oakley) and sister (Elizabeth) were left behind.
This photo is presented in honor of Captain Nathan Watkins who fought with the 12th Massachusetts Regiment during the Revolutionary War. Nathan Watkins was one of the first white settlers here in the area. He constructed the fourth house in the settlement of "Watkinstown," later called "Middletown" and finally renamed "Naples." The house was made of logs. He later constructed the first barn. You can read about it here if you'd like.
And this photo is in honor of Sgt. Jabez Metcalf who also fought during the Revolutionary War.
I found out that Jabez Metcalf may have been instrumental in naming the town of Naples. (I say "may have"...because any good librarian knows to check her sources for reliability before declaring anything as truth)

...the original name of Naples was MIDDLETOWN...and, it was changed to Naples in 1808....Jabez Metcalf ran a tavern in Naples. One frequent guest was a Duke from France who remarked that he loved the area because it reminded him so very much of Naples Italy, one of his favorite places. In that era there were six communities named Middletown. Consequently, when anyone said where they were from, they always had to explain which one. The folks grew tired of that and wanted something unique. They held a meeting and during the discussion, Jabez mentioned the Duke's comment. Middletown was changed to Naples.

He also helped erect the first saw mill in Naples.

If you like history: Find out more here.

It all started out to be simply photographs of old graves with flags on them. Then I Googled the names and found out so much more about them. I'm always fascinated by stories and history.

In any case: Thank you to all our veterans. We remember and appreciate you!

New neighbors!

We have new neighbors. I was pleased to discover that a little family of house wrens has taken up residence in the birdhouse that my father made for me last summer. I was really hoping someone would. I thought it would be very special since my father is gone now.
I think this caterpillar is treading dangerously close to becoming the next meal. I don't know if house wrens eat caterpillars...but assuming they do, this caterpillar better take off in another direction.
I didn't stick around to see what the eventual outcome was.
Once this little family moves out...I will re-glue the calipers onto the peak. It fell off onto the grass below last week. Check out the original post about this birdhouse here and you can see the calipers.

Hawaiian Dog

On a lighter note: yesterday while walking to school, Alicia and I found a lei just laying on the sidewalk waiting for someone to come along and pick it up. I put it on Sherman's neck. He didn't seem to mind at all. We got a lot of attention from the school children, as well as adults when we walked onto the school grounds. I wish I had a picture of him during that scene...but alas I did not have my camera with me. I still do not have a camera bag for it and am a little leery carrying it while walking a dog. That is how I dropped and broke the first camera. It slipped out of my hand as Sherman tugged on the leash. I'm not going to repeat that mistake.

More Prayers Needed

I went up to the hospital today to see my Uncle Chuck. He is in ICU with pneumonia and is sedated. I knew that I really wouldn't be visiting with him in a sedated state, but had hoped to offer encouragement to my aunt. She had been there earlier, but wasn't when I was there. I wrote a little note and left it on the table next to his bed.
It was rather disconcerting to see him in such a state. I hope he recovers to be here longer with us. I don't know if I could bear to lose another family member just yet.
Here he is pictured with my father at the 4th of July picnic last summer in Penn Yan.

Wahoo! Good News!

The good news is that the school budget in the school district where I want to do my internship passed! That means I get to do the internship and don't have to scramble around to find another one. If it did not pass, the school district would have most likely given the librarian a nice incentive to retire so that they could eliminate her position.

Frittering

Today I went to talk to one of the librarians I will be doing a practicum with in the fall. I really like her. I think she is a fabulous school librarian. I look forward to working with her. My other potential position is hanging in the balance. It all depends on how the school budget votes go in her school district as to whether or not she will be around to mentor me for 4 weeks. I voted today.

I saw a coyote on the way home. He ran in front of my car. No picture. Even if I had had my camera with me, it happened too fast to get a picture.

Not much else is going on. I've been frittering away my time...which is absolutely shameful!

Distressed...but trying to trust the Lord!

I never did blog about Mother's Day. I had a very pleasant Mother's Day visiting my dear mother in Webster. Now that we have lost our father, I can't help but wonder how long I will have my dear mother. His health was always so good and he took care of her...who's health quite often has hung in the balance. We just never expected to see him go first. I get distressed thinking about this. Please pray that we will make good decisions for her care while she remains with us.

After our visit, which included lunch and a few hours of visiting, our family decided to grab a quick dinner out on the way back to our town. So we stopped at DiBella's in Perinton to eat some subs. Here are our three children. I love it when they seem to be enjoying one another's company.

I have another bit on my mind lately. A "little bird" told me that a certain school librarian will be retiring this year. (this is not public knowledge yet and has been posted in-house only) I really want her job! She is in the school that is within walking distance of my home! However, I am not quite done with my degree. That will be done in the fall some time. Two different people told me to apply for the position anyway. I don't have my portfolio together...and I also really want to do my student teaching. I feel like I am going to learn so much from that experience. I don't want to skip it. Another library friend of mine ended up skipping her student teaching to accept a position. The University gave her credit for student teaching anyway using her new position. It worked...but it is not really ideal.

Another bit of distress and regret...which I am trying to let go of, but it is difficult! I'm just saying, "Ugh!" right now. Two of my classmates each got a hold of me lately to inquire if I am taking any summer courses. I am not. They are both taking "YA Lit." I am so disappointed because when my father became ill, I needed to make some tough decisions. I knew I needed to take the fall semester off to spend as much time as I could with him and assist in caring for him while he was on hospice. I only had two classes left to take-"YA Lit" and another class. I emailed my adviser asking her if it would be prudent to take one of the classes in the spring semester while student teaching...leaving me one class to take. I knew that "YA Lit" was offered last summer and inquired whether or not it would be offered this summer. She wrote back and said that it was NOT going to be offered this summer. She strongly suggested that I take all of my course work first and student teach in the fall. I have followed her suggestion. Now I find out from my friends that "YA Lit" IS being offered during the first summer session...which means that I could have been completely done with my degree at the end of June! This would have solved a multitude of problems I am having being delayed until December.

In all fairness to my adviser, I like her very much. I know that she would not have lied to me about what was or wasn't going to be offered this summer. I am sure that she was telling me the truth as she was aware of it as of the first week of September this past fall, but I am so disappointed and feel very distressed.

I'm wondering if you lovely ladies could pray for me and offer up encouragement. Oh...and there is some good news. I found out I passed my ATS-W teacher's exam, which I had been afraid that I had failed!