It makes me smile to make these beautiful announcements, in the past I have not done so for fear of forgetting and leaving someone out, but when we were all together last September for Kristin and Alan's wedding it made me realize how very important it is to honor and support the very core of family life.
Mike and Mary's union, 17 years ago, not only gave me two wonderful grandchildren but also a beautiful daughter that has help to make my son a happy an successful man. I celebrate you for taking care of each other, for being part of the glue that holds us together as a extended family and I wish you a lifetime of happiness to come. Keep making history together, it makes old age so much sweeter.
Happy Anniversary you two. I love you more than you will ever know.
Andrew and Emily have worked so hard, for months, on the production of James and the Giant Peach but not without excellent results! Emily is paying her dues, for future staring roles, as a town's person and other parts of the play that help to tell the story to the audience. She is naturally comfortable as she glides on and off doing her various jobs. Andrew is very believable as the distinguished old Grasshopper, realistically playing his violin and delivering his lines with perfect diction. He endears himself to the audience while keeping us calm with music through out the harrowing journey on the giant peach.
They have two more shows to perform (tonight and Saturday afternoon) and then they get some well deserved rest until try outs for the next theatrical production (like in a week!).
Break-a-leg guys!
P.S. The rest of the family are also loyal participants! Tom did the programs, Kim does nightly make-up and William sits through every show, loving it as if it were his first time. :)
P.S.S. Thanks to all the grands for keeping Grandad and my weekends filled with exciting games and plays to watch and hear about. You are nine times our daily pleasure!
In a day and age were commitment doesn't seem to be supported or at the top of most people's list, I salute the good marriages of all our children but today particularly, our pride and inspiration go to Kim and Tom as they celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. You two are a wonderful example and inspiration of what marriage should be. Happy Anniversary!
P.S. The hand in the picture is that of young William who refused to be left out of the celebration!
The Cheerleaders dressed as Zombies at the Colts game on Saturday. The younger and older teams joined forces and put on a terrific Halloween halftime show! (Issy is the third one on the front row, then the fly-girl on the left.) I sure wish I could have gotten more of the dance on film. Issy is a delight to watch!
Joe is #82!
Note from Grandad:
(I can't get Grandad to take a camera to Ford's games but he sure loves to watch his boys play ball even though he has to sometimes split his time at the games in order to see a little of both!)
"On the day before Halloween, Ford's high school age baseball team played in the post-season, single elimination playoffs. Ford pitched well and made very good contact at the plate and played shortstop when he wasn't pitching, but his team went down 5-2. Next spring he will try out for the Woodward JV baseball team as a pitcher and second baseman.
Joe played both ways at end, as his travel team, the 6th grade Atlanta Colts, continued their winning ways in a nail-biter, coming out on the long end of a 48-36 score. This was an emotional game, with each team trading touchdowns, on nearly every exchange of the ball. Joe made several important blocks which led to scores, and hit hard while tackling on defense. The video shows Joe heading for a crushing sack of the White Team's quarterback. He was the long-snapper for extra points, and made many kick-offs."
Other Halloween delights...
1. Grands on their way out to Trick or Treat. (Andrew stayed home and gave out candy this year.)
2. Fiona, my neighbor's sweet granddaughter.
3. Part of our family in Christ, from Monday night Bible Study, stopped by and brought us a smile!
Hope you all had a fun filled Spookie night!
BOO!!
Chatterbox would love to post your Halloween pictures too!!!
"Apostlelot" (2nd through 4th Grades): All children gather together at the end of Sunday morning classes for "Assembly" where they visit the land of "Apostlelot". The Kingdom characters (and your kids!) learn how to work through real life dilemmas each week. The drama presentation focuses on the lives of faithful men and women throughout history and the godly character evident in their lives.
From time to time I am privileged to check in on the cast from Apostlelot, located up stairs in the Children's department of the Church of the Apostles. Early on, when Emily and Andrew were old enough to be in that department, our Tom used his skills as an actor and took on the part of the Knight from Apostlelot. Andrew later joined the team as Page, then Kim was encouraged to become a new member of the cast as Missy the nurse. Emily has also had many guest appearances as a kingdom character. The point is that for many years these actors have helped to guide the little saints of the kingdom to walk closer to God, even after graduating and moving on to STS (student to student).
Terr and I have made our way up to the 4th floor on several occasions, sat in the child sized seats, in the back of the room and watched in amazement our children and grandchildren use what God has given them to give back to Him in service.
While we were out of town this past weekend, sweet pictures were sent to me, by iPhone, of this weeks performance. Oh the joy I receive when I am sent pictures of those I love!
That email told me that Em played the part of Cookie's assistant, Muffin, in this weeks episode. She came to Apostlelot to help with the Fall Fair in Cookie's absence. Andrew graduated from Page to Squire, arriving at Apostlelot to deliver a package from the Knight, while the Knight, ie. Tom, was on an over night camping trip with young William. (They were enjoying hobo dinners and pickles in a pouch!). I quote mother, Kim, (now known as the Fair Maiden, after Missy and the Knight fell madly in love and married). "They (Andrew and Emily) did a fabulous job with all the royal goings on!"
While looking for pictures to share with you I ran across this delightful picture of other visitors who joined us in Apostlelot. Now that was a really special day!
The celebration of FORTY-FIVE years passing brought the graduating class of 1965 Michigan Law School together once again for reunion. I was lucky enough to accompany Terr back to Ann Arbor and to feel his quiet passion, for what he had once done so successfully, escaping ever so slightly through his dignified demeanor.
We walked the now familiar law quad, sat in old class rooms, heard stories about a unicorned donkey being somehow placed into the locked courtyard. I saw, once again, the plaque with TLC's name written on it, announcing his winning the Campbell Competition. I saw the wall in the great law library that housed his coveted office behind it. We attended a lecture on Global Warming: “Progress and Controversies”.We ate in the grand dining hall, partied in the ballroom and had a delightful breakfast with Dean Caminker… All this before even mentioning the hours we spent reconnecting with old friends.
If I didn't do anything else right in this life I bore fantastic children and I married well for three more. In 1977 I got to go to college, to law school and to see the world. It's been a wonderful education and the best part about that is that Terr and the children are still sharing with me and teaching me all I need to know.
Let's make a date for the 50th in 2015, Honey. I will even make the journey up and down the steep stadium steps to watch the Wolverines play.
Today, at the annual Floyd Family Reunion my siblings (and I!) are creating sort of jubilee for the Queen of our lives...Gwendolyn, Gwen, Queenie, Honey, Mama, Mother, Nana; whatever the favorite name you have given her, today she will be none the less the Queen!
Because I could not be there in person, Judy, Hugh and I rigged up a comical routine, filmed it and they are presenting it with a coronation today at the reunion. No body knows how much I hate missing this display of adoration (except my husband!) better than my mother, but I know I am well represented by two other best...my sister and brother.
So Mama, all hail to you! I am doing what you taught me...The King comes before all other oblations. ;)
I know you, like me, are interested to know what our Kate is up to these days. So I will try to keep you informed when I get news or pictures. Dad (Terr) and I talked to her before she left for Nicaragua the 12th of this month and we heard from her upon her arrival to her destination...
"Arrived safe and sound! I am at the Hostel Tortuga Booluda in Leon, which is very quiet and peaceful. $7 a night gets me a bed, a locker for my stuff, a gorgeous patio full of flowers, internet, pancakes in the morning and open kitchen to prepare my own meals, if I'm so inclined. The sun is setting now, all pink, with the moon just a sliver. I'm tired and happy to be here."
Join me in daily prayers for Kate's journey, her happiness and for her safety.
Buen Viaje, Kate,Te amamos. Hope I didn't get that all wrong!
Was it because they wanted to give the children a treat and nothing else was available or was it because they too had a sweet tooth that needed filling that prompted Mom and Dad to break out the canned biscuits, butter, sugar and coco?I don’t know but it happened to me tonight and I went to work trying to fill my hunger for something sweet to put in my mouth as well as to comfort my hunger for family...Sometimes being in the mountains alone, happily, triggers these ideas and the necessity for such ingenuity.
In my recollection it seems to me that it was Daddy that often got Mama up and in the kitchen to make chocolate fried pies, but it was one of the few things (along with winter’s snow cream and popcorn) that was his specialty and it was one of the few things that could be made with ingredients that were most always on hand.
I remembered:They would roll out the dough of the biscuit until thin, put a heaping spoonful of coco and sugar mixture in the along one side, dot it with a couple pats of butter, fold one side over to meet the other, crimp it with a fork and fry it in a black skillet bubbling with butter…
Yep, that’s what I remembered…and my hunger is now satisfied.
Among, I'm sure, other precious gifts, Tom received (and proudly wore to church) a great duct tape tie made by Emily. The family also celebrated Tom's birthday by attending a lively outdoor Christian concert that included some of their favorite singers. (Grandad and I were lucky enough to have William spend the night with us during the late night event.) Our wish is for many, many happy returns of the day!
I started to write a long, nostalgic blog about how I felt during my recent trip to attend my Uncle Robert's funeral, but after putting together this video, I have decided to let it tell my story. You should know that I made the journey alone with lots of time to reflect and wonder. I stayed at my brother and his wife's mountain home, where I was treated like royalty with lovely accommodations and a night on the town.
The following day I was joined by sister, Judy, her husband and our mother. After a bit of time with Louis skillfully taking down a couple of dead trees, while Hugh sawed the logs and Natali stacked, we took off up the mountain to visit the places of our youth. For me, there was a definite, strong sense of belonging in these surroundings.
Before leaving, we made our way to Alcoa, Tennessee to say goodbye to my father's brother, Robert William Patton. He would have been 94 the following day. He left behind two children, a grandson and the love of his life for 67 years, his wife, Jean.
This was life as it should be; family connections, gaining strength through each other, good memories that made us what we are and enough love and faith to see each other through to the end. This is my wish for all of you.
We hope you all had a slow, peaceful, sun shine filled, Labor Day week end; especially Isabelle on her birthday! (We really enjoyed seeing you on Skype, Issy!)
Note: Date is wrong on the slide show, should be 9/5-6 .
Since Grayton Beach, for almost two weeks, Kate returned to Northcroft for a visit.We picked fresh fruits, made jelly and apple sauce, visited Mrs. Oliver and helped where we could.We made dozens of pictures of humming birds and butterflies and walked the mountain roads to visit other neighbors.We bought fresh vegetables from Wendell’s vegetable stand on Lucius Road, ate them and served them to Terr when he came up of the week end.
The following week Kate and I revisited an old favorite pastime; hunting through the woods for natural materials to build fairy houses, then spending hours creating the whimsical buildings and landscaping them.Between these activities we played endless games of Rummikub and had our heads in the light of our computers reading email and watching a film series called Seven Up.
The final days took us to the shack where we painted a mural on the large piece of plywood that I had installed on top of the worn-out bathtub.We studied fish pictures and lily pads and set to work with high expectations.We were proud of the endeavor and ever so pleased with the results.
Today, I tried to trap her with the very net she used (several times) to chase a pesky flying squirrel that was trying to eat the cabin, but alas, I had to let her go back to New York and to her own life.
When she was gone I was sad, but the beauty of this place was left with me.I walked around savoring the moments of reflection.When entering the house, a butterfly and a simple moth reminded me of life’s wonderful blessings and purpose.
Safe travels, Kate.I’m glad we had this time, in this place of your childhood, to play again and to reconnect.My thoughts and prayers will be with you wherever you may go.
P.S. It will be nice to get back to Atlanta and catch up with all of you there.I’ve missed you.
The last 9 years, August 25 has blessed this family in more ways than one; today Mike shares his birthday with our blue eyed, California wonder, Aidan. Have a great day sweet boy and know that we are thinking about you today here in Atlanta.
August 25, 1965, the day that changed my life forever...and I mean that in a good way! You have always been a blessing in my life, my rock and my pride and joy. Happy Birthday, Son. I love you forever.
Things have been so incredibly busy for the last few weeks that Chatterbox postings have been neglected. I can't even remember all the things I wanted to put in our memory bank, except for a few very special events that stand out in my mind...One is that FORD GOT HIS LEARNER'S PERMIT! Can you believe it? How fast our young ones are growing up. I pray God puts angels all around him every time he gets in a car and he will be a really safe driver. Congratulations Ford.
Andrew had a successful audition and earned a position as a cast member in the Atlanta Workshop Players company! This is in addition to being a member of the Wesleyan Players at his school. Congratulations Andrew!
Also, good wishes are in order to Andrew and Emily, because they tried out for cast of James and the Giant Peach today. I heard that their auditions went GREAT, but the cast is very small. Fingers crossed!
Let's see...Check out Regas Interiors in the September issue of Atlanta Homes and Lifestyles! Kim's Decorator Showhouse room made the pages of this popular magazine. It should be on news stands next week. Congratulations Kimberly!
Grandad and I had a wonderful time watching Morgan, Molly and Ford rock climb at their new Rock Climbing facility, then afterwards taking them out for dinner and a double birthday celebration for Molly and Ford.
Issy and Joe had wonderful overnight camp experiences in North GA before our trip to Grayton Beach.
The Pedersen/Kelley family came to visit a few days before leaving for the beach. It was so good to spend some extra time with them. Kate surprised us with an early arrival, too; and we haven't stopped cooking yet! It has been so good to have all of you close.
AND...A huge Happy Birthday to our August-born children and grandchild! Mike (25th), Beth (16th) and Aidan (25th); God bless you and keep you always.
Now, for the beach trip...I'm going to do this a little backwards this year. I have hundreds of pictures to sort through; but for now, until I get some pressing things done, I will leave you with our traditional, family beach-ending song and dance to ponder. After days together, when things are coming to an end, someone starts the music, and all hurry to join in the Day-O conga line of goodbye. It was a glorious Fweakijam 2010. More to follow, but until then...Enjoy!
I think I have permission to share Kate's last email with the readers of Chatterbox. Several of you have asked how she is and what she is doing. Well, here is a first hand taste of her adventures in Budapest.
I have been caught in a wonderful whirlwind tour of Eastern Europe. I have nibbled Sachertorte (a famous Austrian chocolate cake) in a fancy cafe in Vienna, paddled a boat through a vast underground cave system in Slovakia, thieved sunflowers from an enormous field along a Hungarian motorway, and gotten a private tour of the Budapest Operahouse. I also prepared a proper Southern dinner for my hosts complete with biscuits, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, creamed corn, stuffed mushrooms (from the cookbook "True Grits," compiled by the Atlanta Junior League), Mom's cucumber salad, and cherry pie for dessert. It was a noteworthy departure from the delicious paprika-based dishes we've been enjoying most nights - paprika is a Hungarian specialty, and is the key ingredient to nearly everything they cook here.
Speaking of Hungarian, I'm not doing so well at, well, speaking Hungarian. My pronunciation has improved a bit, but when it comes to grammar, I can't seem to get much farther than "thank you," "is the bathroom this way?" and a few random phrases from my lesson book like "this is a plane ticket" and "his mother is a historian". It's been really exciting to be in such a multi-lingual environment, though - my hosts speak Hungarian, German, English and Russian, and two of them are professional translators, so the linguist nerd in me has really flourished here, and I'm looking forward to trying to improve my Spanish and French over the next few months (I think I'll have better luck with that!). I have also really enjoyed learning firsthand about the impact of half a century of Soviet rule on a country like Hungary. The influence is apparent everywhere, from the pre-fab block housing alongside ancient palaces, to the newly burgeoning economy and dynamic politics, to the abandoned patrol stations along the Hungarian-Slovak border. But Hungary's long, rich history proves stronger than a few years of Soviet control, and its culture, architecture and identity seem to be flourishing with renewed vigor.
I am learning so much here, in this part of the world where I never particularly envisioned myself. I look forward to coming home with many stories, photos, and an abundance of paprika!
We will be celebrating, today and tomorrow, the birthdays of Ford and Molly! Happy Birthday guys and many, many happy returns of the day.
Welcome home from your recent vacation. Can't wait to hear all about it!
While in Manchester, Vermont the past three days, I decided to take a class in Falconry...odd maybe, but I am totally ready for some adventure in my life while I still have the energy for new experiences. I sometimes feel the clock ticking and wonder if I have used my time well.
Anyway, off I went to the British School of Falconry. Terr went with me so I could have some pictures of the event. He stood back and was very quiet doing all he could to capture the moment. (I would have looked a little better, had the weather been cooler, so I could have worn the traditional Barbour jacket and boots along with the leather falconry glove that is fitted and issued to students.)
I was totally absorbed in my Scottish instructor's lecture and the hour flew by. Had I had enough time, I would have gone on a hunt with Mycroft (the bird I was issued, for obvious reasons) the following day. I got a sample of this when we walked the edge of the forest and Mycroft followed from tree to tree. We lured him in with a snare and he attacked it with more power than I realized he had. It was amazing!
One of the things I was told not to be frightened of was if my bird (a Harris Hawk) tried to fly then hanging upside down while I was holding him with my gloved hand. Well he did, I stayed calm and he immediately righted himself.
Well, although this single course does not qualify me as a falconer, it did provide me some insight and gave me a chance to learn, firsthand, how to handle and fly a hawk. I was just thrilled!
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Yesterday, I went to visit Isabelle at her day camp. Issy has been going to this camp for several years and each year, because I know the camp providers, I get a call to invite me over and watch Issy at play. What a joy! I get to catch up with my friends and also see my beautiful granddaughter's happy face.
Thanks for letting me share this special time with you, Issy!
Oh! and thank you Issy (and your sweet Mom) for bringing me my special birthday necklace, after getting a longer chain. It is perfect!
Molly called, the family is on the way to Lexington, Michigan to attend and be part of the wedding of their dear friend and all but a family member, Kristi M. They are making a vacation out of the trip, stopping along the way in Kentucky, Chicago, Mackinac Island. The following clip was made in Kentucky (note the green/blue grass) where Ford and Morgan took a little trip of their own!
Joe placed 9th out of over 200 boys in his Atlanta Junior Golf Division for the season...he won't be able to play in the Championship b/c he will be away at camp but this accomplishment isn't too shabby!
Shannon, Molly, Ford and Morgan, joined us at Northcroft before the Fourth. They had to get back home early this year because Ford had to leave for a ten day intensive study of Engineering at California, Berkley. Not only did we celebrate Shannon’s birthday but the whole gang helped Grandad cut up and haul off several trees that had fallen into the creek. Later, Tom and Andrew helped finish up what was left. Thanks family!!
Andrew, Emily and William stayed at Northcroft for three fun filled days after our 4th celebration. Another big thank you goes out to these delightful children who were delightful guests, helping me with the daily chores, painting the log benches around the campsite, working on the dehumidifier and showing Mimi a terrific time!
Kate is in Budapest, Hungary, staying in the attic of conductor Ádám Fischer (who established the Austrian-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra) and trying to learn enough of the language to comfortably get around. Others in the house are her friends Aron, Aron's sister and baby, and various other friends who drop in from other parts of the world. They are exploring the city, taking turns cooking for the house and have hopes of going to Vienna in a few days.
Time to write and learn are on Kate's agenda. I pray this is a safe and eventful trip for this daughter, yearning for adventure.
Thanks for the Skype, Kate. It is always good to hear from you.
I wish I had kept count of the annual 4th of July celebrations that we have experienced at Northcroft.From the early ones, where I would freak out and angrily go inside, fearing an explosion would go too high and threaten fire in my beloved forest, to the resent years of gloriously perfected firework shows; the memories collected have been awesome!
It starts early in the day when the men, who are able to join us at Northcroft for the holiday weekend, with the children in attendance, head off to C0pperhill to select and buy the best fireworks for the nights show. Grandad spares no expense!
At dusk the children begin the evening with the dance of the sparklers.Chairs are put in place, sweaters donned and women and children take their place in anticipation of a great fireworks show.
Grandad, Tom and in years passed, Shannon, work for the next hour, plus, shooting off glorious (below the hovering trees) fireworks, delighting all who watch.Inspired we break out in patriotic song, cheer and clap loudly at the gift we are receiving.At several points during the show a strobe-light effect firework is lit. The children get up from their seats and start to dance in the bright flashing light. Tom joins them and we all delight at the sight in the darkness.
Although, once a time I kind of dreaded, I have come to truly love this night. What a wonderful way to embrace God, country, home and family. Yes, all the things I cherish most.
11/6/93 - 11/6/2010
It makes me smile to make these beautiful announcements, in the past I have not done so for fear of forgetting and leaving someone out, but when we were all together last September for Kristin and Alan's wedding it made me realize how very important it is to honor and support the very core of family life.
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