Lesson 543: Running & Reading

Happy weekend, Readers.

It's been a rainbow chasing kind of week.

And it's always the best kind of chase when you capture one.

Chasing involves running.

Eloise has been trying to train for the Erie Half Marathon 

with daughter Ellen Louise.

I'm gimping along this year,

nurturing some sore toes, 

but I think we'll be ready by July 15th.

Running in the summer isn't always easy.

Ask my fitness friends.

They'll agree.

Not easy--but important.

All the best athletes incorporate at least a little running 

in their fitness routines.

I told son Sam the other day,

as I sat my 11 year old down on the couch with a book,

and wouldn't let him up until he read a couple of chapters,

that running is just like reading.

You have to practice to get better at it.

And, when you practice enough,

it just becomes part of your routine.

When you develop reading skills,

your writing skills become pretty solid, too.

Print is not dead!

Sam writes us notes all the time.

This one was left on the camp refrigerator

for the next family.

We ran through the raindrops 

during last weekend's camp adventure.

With all the rain,

it forced us to read up a little on the nature surrounding us.

How cool are these markings?

If I was a predator,

I'd be a bit leery before taking a bite of this!

The rains brought forth many mud puddles,

and many, many frogs.

They would come out at night

and make these cool sounds while doing this:

And minutes later,

they'd come running to do this.

All night long!

I followed this moth/butterfly (?)

for quite a long time.

Don't ever be discouraged by a handicapping condition.

Look closely.

He flew all over the place

even with a large chunk out of his wing.

Wet weather always brings in the mosquitoes.

I'm going to try this!

In between all of that running around in the wet, buggy woods,

I did find some time to read.

Join me at the next Star 104 book club to read

Elinor Oliphant is Completely Fine--

third Monday in July--

place to be announced.
Check the Star 104 website for registration and updates.

I'm also reading The President is Missing

by James Patterson and Bill Clinton.

Wow!

What a page turner!

If you like exciting, political thrillers,

then you'll love this book, too.

I'll end tonight with a nice scroll through of my favorite photos of the week.

Have a great weekend!

Eloise

Lesson 542: Separation

Hello, Readers!

This week finds Americans swirling once again in big debates

over polices of our homeland.

Eloise has been conversing with many people this week

about the problems at the southern border.

We're divided on the issue, as usual,

but everyone I've talked to does express compassion

 for the children separated from their parents.

What is the answer?

Not sure.

I've taken students to the Border Patrol station in Erie a few times.

Each presentation is always an eye opener for those of us on the northern border.

The areas for the detainees were empty both times we toured,

but the stories of the flooded centers in the south were discussed.

Vastly different jobs patrolling the northern and southern borders.

On Father's Day we stood watch along the northern border,

just 26 miles across to Long Point, Canada.

All looked clear and calm on my watch.

Eloise feels very fortunate that we can walk along our shorelines

freely,

and without fear.

I'll never get over the thrill of finding

the elusive piece of blue beach glass,

or the flawless feather.

I thought about how much families need each other.

It's important to stick together

Even when your family is made up of mermaids

and is a little off the wall.

Sam is starting to separate himself from the nest a little.

He can do so because he is building trust.

Good family members understand that communication is oh so important!

Phoneless communication saved for the scrapbook.

Good families even need their fair dose of sports related ribbing.

John Overdorff I think they would look better in scarlet and gray !! 

I've been watching mother bluebird tirelessly feed her babies.

I also watched her attack one of my cats as he sat in wait at the base of the tree.

How a mother will go to great links to protect her babies.

The kittens are out and moving around.

They should be weaning now and are ready for adoption.

This orange and white was the first to go.

Daddy, can I have him? 

Meet Champ,

our newest little neighbor to the south.

Don't forget to order your Happy People shirt!

The order will close July 1st.

This is one that recently traveled to Punta Cana!

The new version is blue and there are three options this year--

t-shirt (unisex fit)

tank top (women's fit)

hoodie (unisex fit)

Out-of-towners--you can order, too.

The shirts will be shipped directly to you!

Link to Natalie's Happy People Shirts CLICK HERE

My only apology is that the t-shirt and tank

 are that dumb water-wicking fabric that I hate.

I had to go with what most people like,

and for some odd reason,

most of you seem to like that hot-box fabric.

Yes, I know, it doesn't wrinkle,

but I just don't like how it feels on my skin.

They are the last pull from the t-shirt bin

when I get dressed.

I could get this year's shirts for a good price

 and honored the requests of most.

If I were choosing a t-shirt--

and if I ever run them again, 

I'll do it my way---

just to show you the light on the other side 

of the t-shirt world.

I would choose shirts just like this one

that Sam received from his football skills camp.

I'm so happy because Sam is finally grown big enough

that his t-shirts fit me!

In time,

this will become my favorite!

The football t-shirt came from Creative Imprints-

also a local t-shirt printer.

I chose to go with Phantom Graphics because of the ease of on-line ordering

and they gave me a really good price,

allowing for the most money to go back to 

the Barber National Institute.

This is the perfect blend 

for a soft,

thin,

t-shirt!

I picked up my weekend reading material!

I love this couple because they stuck together,

and seem to put their children ahead of their careers.

Tim McGraw should be the #1 reason to Love America!

Here's another.

Clover.

I love it's simplicity,

but it holds powerful need in nature.

Look it up.

That's your weekend homework.

Enjoy the weekend!

Eloise