ALL NEW website 2011

Thirty friends and family met at the Jesteadt Farm for the Shriver Reunion on August 14th, 2011.  We had very comfortable weather for most of the time; but, a heavy shower chased remaining folks indoors in the later afternoon.

We had fresh Pennsylvania sweet corn, expertly grilled hotdogs, a selection of pasta dishes, relishes, and delicious desserts.

The silent auction was fun--I won 2 baskets and the "griller's helpers" package that I contributed was won by my mother.

Bud Davis was the oldest present, and his great-grandson Joey was the youngest present.  It was the first time in many years that Gram Shriver was not the oldest one present.  She was there in Spirit though, and we enjoyed the Shriver's Delight Chocolate Spice Cake that was made by my sister Becky this year-and it was excellent!

It is nice to sit at the beach these days.  There is always a nice breeze to help things feel cool, yet summery.

I am on my 3rd pair of sunglasses since I arrived here.  Guess I will have to stock up on sunglasses when I get home.

Is that Pennsylvania I see there in the near future?

I expect to be landing at Greater PiTT on the 20th of June if ALL goes as planned. 

I have to return August 20th.  A new teacher from Twin Falls, Idaho has been hired to teach the 6, 7, and 8 year olds; however, at this moment there are no 8 year olds enrolled.

If they cannot find a 3,4,5 teacher, the director may be teaching 5s and cancel the preschool program.

Left,  an image of the white lilac in Gram's yard that I took last April.  It is one of my favorite "view-from-my-eyes"  photos.  See the pond goose flying over the barn. . .hear it?

At right are the white lilacs blooming for American Mother's Day here in the QSI schoolyard.  The sight of them and the fragrance carry with them the comforting feelings of home.

This 3-day weekend in KZ is Men's Day & Victory Day

WHITE LILACS

The Earth lost one inspiring woman to the higher dimensions on Wednesday, April 27th, 2011.  Gram accepted her promotion around 11 PM, comforted by her satisfaction that Diana is going to be okay. 

I am so grateful to have been able to live with her not only for the years when John was little; but especially for the year she marked her full century.  

We enjoyed stories, and laughter, and visits, and listening to Lawrence Welk, and Anne, and the birds.  We smelled the hyacinths, and the lilies of the valley, and the lilacs, and sometimes the cleaning of the barn, and the striped night visitors.  She was happy to be able to smell life.

It is a comforting idea to think than once again she can see the beauty of Spring with more clarity than ever before. . . the crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and pansies that she loved the sight of once another winter was survived.  She loved Springtime best of all. 

I inherited most of my love for flowers from Gram, I guess.  She loves her family and has been such dependable support for so many that she will surely remain in the hearts of hundreds.

The idea that she has been welcomed by the waiting into the brilliance of pure energy is even more comforting. 

Thank you for your longevity, Gram.  Good night. . .You will ALLways be loved.

This song is for you.. . Adios, Au revoir, Auf wiedersehen. . .

til we meet again.  And the dance, too. . .Gram, because I know you loved to watch the dancers.

The class decorated 9 boiled eggs and 12 paper eggs each to use in the annual All-school Egg Hunt held on Good Friday.  Several of the boiled eggs suffered damage, and some of the paper eggs are still missing.

Teenage students at a local language school invited Rachel and me to their class for some conversation in English.  Their program requires them to be able to converse with native speakers.  The ones that had the confidence to speak, did well.  Some of them have been studying English for 6 years.

We celebrated the 100th day of school this week by eating cake and doing various activities connected to the number 100.

On February 4th the semester prize was won by Tim.  Tim is from the Netherlands.  His name was drawn from the bag full of chances added to throughout the semester when students earned reward for various choices or accomplishments.