“Do the next thing”

Erik has written three letters so far.  He’s getting along just fine.  He’s being brave in the face of “okra disguised and falsely advertised as something else that would actually be edible….”

No, seriously, he seems to be doing pretty well.  He appreciates Icy Hot and Sundays when he can have sleep in until 6:00!  He stashes Sharpies when he finds them laying around, ’cause he’s sure that his just walk away when he’s not looking.  Sharpies a valuable commodity….who knew?

He’s deduced that they get “roughly seven minutes from the last platoon member sitting down” to eat their meals…he’s says thats “still about four minutes more than I need.”

He adds, “By the way, they had a nutritionist come in and speak one of the days in reception.  There were actually some helpful specifics, but the best part was where she talked about their research into “recovery beverages.”  Apparently the result was: chocolate milk.”

He also mentioned that we should write the number “3″ on the back of our envelopes when we write to him.

If you would like his address, just email me or leave a comment and I will send it to you.  Notes and letters are great….packages are frowned upon!

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With Extended Family, originally uploaded by Midcoast Mainah.

This photo was taken in July of 2006. Fran’s Parent’s and Aunt Marlene came out here to see Fran while he was home between training in Mississippi and deploying to Kuwait. It was a somber time of uncertainty. We didn’t know what the future held. We knew one more group photo was in order. We had to document the family all together.

Today Erik is in basic training in South Carolina. No doubt trying to enjoy the early spring, while hefting a pack heavier than he’s experienced before.

Fran’s parents are in Israel for a few months sharing time with friends and learning the language. Today they mourning the loss of a dear one, while at the same time, I’m sure, rejoicing that she is with God.

Aunt Marlene is Home. She went to be with her Lord a day or two ago, (depends who’s calendar..ours or Israel’s.) Her days here on earth were shorter than we’d all expected. Still, God knows the number of our days and when he wants to take us Home.

When a believer passes on, those who are left must wrestle with their loss of a friend, sister, mother, aunt. They also must wrestle with their own mortality.

What is my purpose here? Am I doing what God put me here for? If not, how can I do that better?

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CIMG2525, originally uploaded by Midcoast Mainah.

Anna enjoyed all the talks by Mike Snavely, whom I simply kept calling “The Science Guy.” Ok, I know there was another long ago known as “The Science Guy,” but at THIS convention, Mr. Snavely was it! I went in to catch pictures of one of his first talks, but I came upon him with a large spider in his hand, so I snapped one, but then made tracks to a different lecture. Ok, yes, the big hairy thing was fake, but I can’t even stand photos of spiders! In fact, to see one of my experiences, those with a Xanga account can read this!
I wrote about 10 entries in my blog there last year.  It is a serial of sorts telling my drama with an Arizona tarantula!

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Touch Tank Favorite, originally uploaded by Midcoast Mainah.

At the homeschool convention in Rockland, there was a treat for the kiddos. Upstairs in the Samoset Resort facility someone set up a tank with water critters. They could handle the water creatures for fun! This photo is one of over 40 that I printed up and pasted into scrapbooks that will be landing on the desks of our four legislators in Washington DC this week.