November 27, 2012
So, delinquency reigns rampantly supreme in the realm of scheduled blogging for me! Not sure WHY I'm unable to keep up the momentum for doing this somewhat regularly. . . Genetics? Habits? Life? Play? You name it. . . guess I can come up with an endless roster of usable excuses--but, at any rate, here I am again; attempting again to progress and persist and persevere--maybe even, preserve: history, sentiments, emotions, etc. I do still embrace the "spirit of the cause" even if the execution of it has proven problematic for me. Bear with my erraticity, again--my eccentricity, as always, and enjoy our lives from my point-of-view.
June-July ??, 2012
Wow--again, have experienced some DELAY issues. And started this post several weeks ago--but never got around to completing or publishing it. Just not a routine kind-of-guy, so have difficulty jostling or ordering "all ducks in a row" in order to allow this "project" to reach fruition. Lots going on in the past few weeks--and I'm sure the news will work its way in to my reports. But for now, will give you the bit that I started sometime in late May, and add to it to make a completed post. So, we had sniffed around a bit, and were scheduled to taste our way onward. . .
late-May 2012 (Taste--Sense Tour-continued. . . )
Seems hard to separate taste from smell, doesn't it? Don't scientists say that something like 85 percent of what we perceive as taste is actually smell? The taste buds on your tongue only detect salt, sweet, sour, and bitter--or something like that. Will have to do some more recent research rather than rely on my memory from long-ago lessons. . . (See side-bar link for more information on tastebuds.) Anyhow, perhaps I'll expand the definition of "taste" in this section, just to spice-up my reporting a bit. Nonetheless, cleanse that sophisticated palate of yours and embark with me on a journey through the flavorful moments of life.
****know the kids are enjoying their "taste of freedom" as college terms ended for them in recent times: the son a couple weeks ago, and the daughter's last day of classes was yesterday; now a couple of study days and three days of finals and freshman year is over for her as well. Seems she has experienced quite a vast variety of new "tastes" this year: from sweet success to bitter disappointment, with a populated continuum between. An alluring array of creative opportunities for fun times with creative new friends sometimes may have won out over time spent on classwork preparations or studies. And the academic rigor required for her to achieve the results that she's accustomed to may have presented a few challenging and humbling moments, but she endured admirably, and now tastes respectable victory at the finish line. Am sure the life-lessons learned along the way will prepare her palate for more sweet success as she continues on. (Okay--so now, of course-- the princess has been done with college stuff for several weeks, and is indeed relishing in a less-stress schedule at home with us parental peoples.) And--now again, she's been back to Carleton for fall term, and is home again for winter break until New Years. We parents are definitely relishing in having her home for awhile!
****the sweetness of reconnecting with several friends still lingers on our mental palates. A wonderful evening visiting and dining on superbly tasty Indian cuisine with CA friend in MN the night before moving daughter out of her dorm (in June; now, continuing on in November) --and again in September, after moving daughter into her "Interest House," we dined again with our same dear friend, this time partaking of nostalgic Japanese food. Yum! Also, the next afternoon, we met up with her at her house to do a "tasting party" of the varieties of all natural Minnesota maple syrups that she sells at "Farmer's Markets" on weekends. The sap for the syrup is harvested from trees growing on friend's dear late grandmother's farm--so a cool connection for her, and the syrups are all quite tasty--naturally infused with flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, blueberry, bourbon. . . we liked the cinnamon the best and bought a few bottles as gifts for dear bride's dear aunties that we were having dinner with that same evening. Got one for ourselves too, and in fact--just used it on waffles for our leisurely vacation morning breakfast with the princess this past weekend. Tasty!
****And, more "sweet reunions" with friends during our travels in June include: breakfasting at a Milwaukee area Perkins with Japan friends, and seeing two of their three boys for the first time since they visited us in Montana when all of our kids were toddlers; a generous overnight stay with a college roommate (and his wife) who is a Pastor in the Queens area of NYC--treated us to a flavorful pizza from a nearby seemingly genuine Italian run pizzeria, and a late night "city lights-viewing" tour; a delectable home-cooked late lunch with another couple we knew in Japan and their five charming children in the St. Louis area --such sweet, caring friends and so fun catching up, strolling along seeing the sights near their little country farm; welcoming hospitality for an overnight stay with Japanese friend (her American husband was away on business) in Leavenworth, KS--kids especially enjoyed singing karaoke with her late into the night, and she gave us an interesting tour of the military base there the next morning before we headed out toward Montana. Always so good physically connecting when possible to fuel the flames of friendship!
****Tasting the "high life" in New York City was great fun for all of us for parts of three days in June. The bride, the princess and I flew there from Milwaukee-- after moving her out of the dorm in MN. Son met us in NYC one afternoon after having spent a week or so with college friends near the Boston area. The impetus that lured our rural-ish Montana family to NYC was attending a Broadway production of "Newsies" --one of the princess's favorite Disney movies based on the historical events of the newsboys' strike in 1899. We were enraptured by the superbly energetic performance, lively dancing, and compelling personal story, and were thrilled to read a couple days later that it won two coveted Tony Awards! Besides Broadway, we did as many "must do" New York touristy things as we could manage. Used the trusty subway system, and lots of walking to experience: Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, huge "old" cathedrals, Staten Island Ferry, Chinatown (incredibly tasty dinner!), Times Square (unbelievably chaotic and unceasing parade of EVERY imaginable piece of humanity), and witnessed ancient China in an awesome museum exhibition of the centuries-old Terra Cotta Warriors, and exhilarated with the action (and cost) of watching The Avengers in a multi-storied cinema on Times Square, only a few blocks removed from the locale where the movie's packed-action happens. Wow! We left thinking there was still plenty that we'd like to see and do--if we have another chance to make it back to NYC.
****As always, FAMILY continues to season our lives--homey, comfortable flavors; nostalgic, enticing essences that "spice up" our comings and goings and be-ings. Our dinner with the bride's three sets of uncles and aunts in MN in September was, of course, quite delicious food prepared by hostess aunt, but metaphorically, a sumptuous feast for the soul as well. Uncles shared memories of their and their dear sisters' (bride's Mom and Aunt--now both with Jesus) early life, growing up as MN farm kids during Depression and war years. Even found old family photos to share and copy for us. We feel remarkably blessed having such loving family caring for us, even from far away, and truly God's gracious gift having them so nearby for darling daughter while away at college. One Uncle continues to generously volunteer as our "transportation officer" getting her to and from the train depot for all break-time travel. Another savorous family event was attending our nephew's wedding in IL in June--circuitously en route back home after "doing NY." It was another expertly choreographed outdoor celebration, creatively decorated and tailored for the bridal couple. It was truly special to be able to share the joyful day with family and especially our nephew and his lovely bride, a native Illinoisan. Enjoy connecting with my folks and siblings and some aunts, uncles and Grandma when we can, sharing a meal or simply a bit of precious visiting. Of course, always feels there's not quite time to spend with everyone that we'd like to--but so thankful for the moments we can relish in the glorious flavors of family!
Well, now that you've had a taste of the moments that've flavored our lives these past months, perhaps it's time to publish this post. Thanks for partaking--and let me know you were here, some way or another. Maybe response and input will help motivate me to remain more faithful and final in my postings. We can always hope. Pray you're savoring the delicious moments of your life and giving praise to the Creator for His bounteous blessings bestowed on you. Happy December, and "bon appetit!"
