11.10.2009
Quintessential
Ah Quincy, the Gem City, where our good friends John and Sarah Hanchett live with their three darling daughters. At least once a year whomever from the Chicago crew that can make it takes a road trip down to this quaint town five hours southwest of us to visit and rejuvinate. The first night the adults were up until 4AM chatting, telling stories, pretending there weren't seven kids upstairs who were going to wake up early despite the fact we stayed up late. It was worth it.
This year John and Sarah installed an amazing fireplace to heat up their grand house. We spent a good deal of our time around the fire. Fortunately for the unsuspecting children, John built a corral of sorts to keep them away from the hot glass.
John served as our personal barista.
One Mexican hot chocolate please.
It was Lynn's birthday over the weekend. Who knew Sarah had a case of dislexia? Hmm. May God grant you many, many years Lynnie!
This year John and Sarah installed an amazing fireplace to heat up their grand house. We spent a good deal of our time around the fire. Fortunately for the unsuspecting children, John built a corral of sorts to keep them away from the hot glass.
Evalina snuggled up reading Mary Poppins.
Good morning to you too.
John served as our personal barista.
One Mexican hot chocolate please.
It was Lynn's birthday over the weekend. Who knew Sarah had a case of dislexia? Hmm. May God grant you many, many years Lynnie!
Bleys, what are you doing?!
The local high school had a marching band parade followed by a hot rod show. Luke was mesmorized.
See you next year Hanchetts!
Thanks for opening your home to us all.
11.09.2009
Gaze in Wonder and Utter
A few posts back I mentioned that I revel in the sight of birds flying in V formation. Thus I share with you a couple new shots from the Morton Arboretum and these exerpts from Why Geese Fly Farther Than Eagles by Bob Stromberg.
...For though the eagle is stronger in flight,
more fit for the kill,
my goose can fly farther and longer
than any eagle will.
Oh, I’ve heard much lofty talk
about the eagle, falcon and hawk.
And it’s not my desire,
nor would I conspire, to pull those big birds down.
Who would dare?
For when I watch them flying so high up there,
sometimes but a solitary dot,
I can but gaze in wonder and utter,
“My, look at that!”
But, as I’ve implied,
whether in the trees or in the sky,
eagles, falcons and hawks are almost always alone,
or at most in two.
And that’s what separates those birds
from my goose.
...What I witnessed that day as a child
has been going on with geese in the wild
since the very first autumn.
You see, their bodies are streamlined,
the neck like a spear,
slicing the wind,
breaking the air.
And from the ground it’s impossible to see,
but their wings aren’t flapping randomly.
When the head goose grabs the wind,
air is displaced,
which then rushes up to reclaim its space,
only to see the smiling face
of the bird flying behind,
whose wings just happen to be in the downward position –
a very dangerous condition,
which doesn’t last for long,
Because the upward rush
gives them a push,
and they’re right back up where they belong.
This goose then grabs the air again,
causing another upward wind,
which lifts the bird behind.
And so and so it goes on down the line.
So the head goose breaks the wind,
and all the rest are carried by him,
with very little effort, I’ve heard,
on the part of any one bird.
When the head goose has had enough,
he or she simply drops back
and depends on another bird for strength
when strength is what is lacked.
So that’s how I found out
how the goose can fly from up north
to way down south and back again.
But she cannot do it alone, you see,
It’s something that must be done in community.
These days it’s a popular notion,
and people swell with emotion and pride
when they think of themselves on the eagle-side.
Solitary,
Self-sufficient,
Strong.
But we are what we are.
That’s something we cannot choose.
Though many would wish to be seen as an eagle,
I think God made most like the goose.
~Thanks to Lynn for sharing this lovely story with me.
...For though the eagle is stronger in flight,
more fit for the kill,
my goose can fly farther and longer
than any eagle will.
Oh, I’ve heard much lofty talk
about the eagle, falcon and hawk.
And it’s not my desire,
nor would I conspire, to pull those big birds down.
Who would dare?
For when I watch them flying so high up there,
sometimes but a solitary dot,
I can but gaze in wonder and utter,
“My, look at that!”
But, as I’ve implied,
whether in the trees or in the sky,
eagles, falcons and hawks are almost always alone,
or at most in two.
And that’s what separates those birds
from my goose.
...What I witnessed that day as a child
has been going on with geese in the wild
since the very first autumn.
You see, their bodies are streamlined,
the neck like a spear,
slicing the wind,
breaking the air.
And from the ground it’s impossible to see,
but their wings aren’t flapping randomly.
When the head goose grabs the wind,
air is displaced,
which then rushes up to reclaim its space,
only to see the smiling face
of the bird flying behind,
whose wings just happen to be in the downward position –
a very dangerous condition,
which doesn’t last for long,
Because the upward rush
gives them a push,
and they’re right back up where they belong.
This goose then grabs the air again,
causing another upward wind,
which lifts the bird behind.
And so and so it goes on down the line.
So the head goose breaks the wind,
and all the rest are carried by him,
with very little effort, I’ve heard,
on the part of any one bird.
When the head goose has had enough,
he or she simply drops back
and depends on another bird for strength
when strength is what is lacked.
So that’s how I found out
how the goose can fly from up north
to way down south and back again.
But she cannot do it alone, you see,
It’s something that must be done in community.
These days it’s a popular notion,
and people swell with emotion and pride
when they think of themselves on the eagle-side.
Solitary,
Self-sufficient,
Strong.
But we are what we are.
That’s something we cannot choose.
Though many would wish to be seen as an eagle,
I think God made most like the goose.
~Thanks to Lynn for sharing this lovely story with me.
11.03.2009
Flourish
I was recently taken aback by the Morton Arboretum, located in nearby suburb. I went with a friend and was pleased to find what I hope will be an oasis for me from the city.
ar·bo·retum (-rēt′əm)
a place where many kinds of trees and shrubs are grown for exhibition or study
ar·bo·retum (-rēt′əm)
a place where many kinds of trees and shrubs are grown for exhibition or study
An over-the-top Children's Garden could occupy the boys for hours.
Rebecca, with baby Alexander
Wildlife
Fall
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