John Nicholson Is Resting in One of His Eternal Homes

Here are a few pictures from our recent trip to Rochester where we first met at Mt. Hope Cemetery to inter half of John's remains.  Oompa and Meema were joined by Miriam Derivan to sing Spirit of Life, a favorite UU hymn, in 3 part harmony plus a beautiful Methodist hymn called Hymn of Promise.  

John wanted some of his remains scattered with his ancestors in Great Paxton, England and thus Vicki with Susan and Jon Seigel, Megan and Brian with their children made this trip and then toured parts of the UK to include staying in a fabulous home in Wales Vicki found.  Vicki finds excellent vacation homes for large groups. 

Megan with Evie, and Morgan -- 2 of the most adorable 6 years olds in the world.

Food!

Listening to "Her Way" by Malcolm Gladwell -- soooo funny.  (Oompa's idea!)

Elevator goes down to the lake.  Off limits for us, tho.

Back of "mansion" on Lake Canandaigua

Ginkgo Report

Also on my Facebook page.  When we had to 'till under the prairie garden, precious Daad suggested we plant two new ginkgos.  'Autumn Gold' is the most popular. 

One of the 'Autumn Gold'

The other 'Autumn Gold'

The 'Saratoga', an unusual cultivar planted around 2002

Hines Nicholson Trip to Tuscany, May 2008

Here are a few pics of our tremendous trip to Tuscany, Casa Pavone rented for  2 weeks, May 10 -  24 in 2008.  Exceptional villa with Tuscan charm.  We toured in the Volvo, ate mid day meal wherever -- no plans, just went at our leisure to surrounding hill towns.  Had short trip to Florence where Vicki bought this wonderful leather coat she wears to this day.  Vicki and John knew Italy well because for years they hosted an AFS student from Sardina, Enrico.  Vicki and I cooked to our hearts content!  Limoncello! Then a few days at the end in Rome -- Trevi, the Spanish Steps, and a marvelous hotel I found in a Rick Steves book.  

An daily outing for lunch

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The four of us

John making espresso

The Cubs Won the World Series!!!!!!!

It's been 70 years since the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.  They played against the Cleveland Indians with the Cubs and Indians each winning 3 games so they had to play a 7th game.  They won the 7th game by one run with a final score of 8-7.  Everyone is going nuts! 

We went to bed before the end of the game so you can imagine our first question of the day!  

Celebrating our 50th Anniversary in Glacier National Park

Our gift to ourselves was to have Laurie and Neal and their families together in a place we adore, the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park on its eastern edge, a place we visited in 1997. Carla arranged for a photographer to come take some pictures.

Master Gardener Sustained Excellence Award

On Friday, August 19th, I went over to Champaign in Little Red Car for the State Conference where I received this award with 11 others from throughout the State.   On large screens appeared a picture of me doing "gardening." A thrill!  Over 50 MGs received the Outstanding Master Gardener Award. I received one in 2011 but was unable to attend because of Neal and Carla's wedding! And Teamwork Awards -- Last year our Herb Garden over at The Hort Center received one. 

Little Free Library

Many years ago, I heard Jean Feraca do an episode on Here on Earth, Radio Without Borders out of Madison, WI describing Little Free Libraries. I was enamored.   In November of 2015 an article appeared in the Pantagraph about the LFLs in the community and that got me thinking.  I wrote to Everyone@Charterwood....to see if anyone was interested in having one in the development and 5 terrific people immediately responded!  We became a study group and now are stewards.  Truly a labor of love.  I'm in the process of registering the LFL so it will appear on a world map showing the thousands throughout the world.  Our LFL will contain books for all ages.

Our study group put up the funds to purchase the LFL.  Charterwood residents are voluntarily contributing $10.00 per household.  Hopefully we will receive enough donations to reimburse the stewards. 

Karen Gottlieb volunteered her garage for painting.

Oompa and I transported the LFL in Little Red Car 
 to our garage for finishing touches.

The Charter Number is important when 
registering the LFL so it may appear
on a world map.  There are 
thousands of LFLs throughout the world.

A large bright light is on top of the pool house 
to deter vandalism.

People are beginning to add and take books.  So exciting!

The sponsorship sign cost extra.

Grocery List from Daad

This is particularly dear to me because of what Daad said at the end of the list. 

Laurie on the Bouncy Bounce

Uncle Bumpkin sent this to us when Laurie was about 4 and we were living in Sawyer Hall where Ed  was on the Dean of Men's staff.  I wish they still made these. 

A huge rubber inner tube with a canvas top.  Fabulous!

Can't Believe We've Been Married 50 Years! A Fabulous Ride!!!!

To celebrate, we're taking our family to Glacier National Park for a week  -- we've been there twice.  Neal cycled through a week after one of our trips -- left from Augusta, Oregon and ended up in Minneapolis.  Both Merkow-Hines and Ackermann's are hikers.  Signy is now 12, Roslyin is 9 and Liesl is 7 with little Gabriella Riva Hines a robust 2 years old.  Staying at Many Glacier, the lodge at the Eastern cusp.  Precious Carla arranged for a professional photographer to take a group picture while we are there. After the kids leave, Oompa and I will spend a few days at Waterton in Canada, again a place we've been and adore.  We are truly blessed. 

We call this picture "Dreamy Eyes"

Photographer:  Greg Linder.  Notice our gold notes.

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The Copy Shop laminated and sent this to us.  We received over 40 Anniversary Cards!