We had a lovely Saturday birthday celebration for Maryanne in Chattanooga....The two babies added a certain "Je ne sais quoi" to the proceedings....Maybe the seasoned parents can add the substance....A little noise and confusion, snuffling, warmth, nothing like new baby....Others all went to the aquarium property to let kids paddle in the streams, listen to buskers while I picked up Dad from the garage in Ringgold - alas, another truck repair, though - fortunately -not a major one...Had our official cake with candles, balloons, and the simplest preparations brought great joy to the children!

Grace and Justin made their first church service as a family of three the next day - so nice to see them and cuddle a grandchild through the sermon....So many grandchildren, but - so far-no church connection with any...Have missed that terribly. We had a fellowship meal afterward - met a visitor - very interesting woman who does family counselling as a psychotherapist. She was explaining her antipathy to performances, non-rational presentations in church, saying they generally stimulate and strengthen the impulsive centres of your brain - to the detriment of logical thought. Hope to see her again...

Tomorrow, Grace and I will drive to the Atlanta airport, pick up Aileen, then visit awhile with Maryanne before heading home again. Grace is finding being a new mom a lonely business, so is looking forward to the company of a day away...I do remember those feelings when I think back...

Have had a couple of notes from my cousin, Terry Belford, lately...He often begins them with "Well, my dear"...Who does that remind you of? Exactly like Bapa! So touching. I love it! ...You should look up some of his writing. He is always busy with the major Canadian magazines and newspapers....


Have been reading Spurgeon's "John Ploughman". John says he would rather meet a person actively involved in wickedness than a lazy man - in whom are all the seeds and potentialities for evil...Interesting...Reminds me of Muggeridge, I believe it was, who said history, with all its evils, could be written as a response to boredom....


Enough!

A beautiful, bright sunny morning here and the day is off to a good start...Up early with Bible study and walk in at a good hour...A few little errands to accomplish this morning, then off to Grace and Justin's to see them plus Maryanne and kids - coming to meet little Cora. We will leave earlyish to meet our friends Mick and Sandy, who are coming for dinner. Looking forward to it, as we always enjoy their company.

Update on the trailer park: Chris and Sonja are out. You may remember that Chris is the former marine who was reading MacArthur, was hauled off to jail for physical abuse toward his wife. Apparently, he had a complete breakdown a few days ago and was committed to an institution by Sonja. She then packed up and left, taking a radiator from our property as a tip to herself. Sigh! In any case, Randy and Darlene, our long-term, stellar tenants, recommended a young woman with a couple of children who will move in on Monday. We hope for better things from her...I am finding it increasingly difficult to be part of the lives of people who are so devastated by sin, so "hopeless"as to their condition. It really takes a lot out of me. But -without being superspiritual, just as a statement of theological fact - how it increasingly impresses me that God has come close to this spiritually- similar- and- more- so- being, in friendship! Wow!

Will push off now as have to begin my round of errands...Am counting the days until we see Aileen, the Rick and Susanna!

This and That

It is going to be a long night as I hunker down and wait to hear from Grace and Justin. They went off to a nice local restaurant - the Bonefish Grill-to celebrate their last day as a couple and the almost- first day of parenthood. They are due at he hospital at ten, so trust they are on their way now.

I spent yesterday and most of today with Maryanne, helping her with Will, doing some cleaning, and just hanging out with them all. I had a great conversation with Anna:
Anna: Mimi, there is a boy at school named Brock who I think has fallen in love with me.
Mimi: Really?
Anna: Yes, he came and wanted to sit beside me today.
Mimi: What did you do?
Anna: I hit him over the head with my book.
Mimi: Oh? And what did he do then?
Anna: He said he wouldn't be my friend anymore.
Mimi: Well!

Next:
Anna: And when Nick (Challies) was here at Christmas, he asked me whether I would marry him.
Mimi: Oh?
Anna: I told him we are cousins and cousins can't get married! Anyway, he has to live in Canada and I have to live in Georgia. I don't think that would work very well if we were married, do you?
Mimi: Probably not...

Another little anecdote, from Toronto....I was singing tunelessly , as I often do, when Michaela said, Mimi, God says that grandmas shouldn't sing to their grandchildren....(I'm awfully afraid I won't make the cut for that heavenly choir!)

Another anecdote, from NYC...Mom is cleaning for Susanna, and opens the pantry closet...Ummm! Candied nuts! I'll pop one in my mouth while I clean....Yikes!....Susanna, what are these? Oh, that's old potpourri we keep in there...(And what exactly was it I popped in my mouth? Don't know!)

Susanna has been speaking with different homeless men as she goes about her business in Brooklyn...She has been able to talk spiritually with some, and finds they are quite open to this...Seems many are illiterate, so she wants to take her Bible to be able to read to the last one she spoke with. Couldn't that be an interesting ministry?...Also, did you know Rick is reading through unabridged Treasure Island with Micah??!!

Will be in touch tomorrow about Baby. Do keep Grace and Cora in prayer, those who are night-wanderers!

Cars

I went to transfer the title of our new (old) car on Friday....First stop was the emissions office...Did it pass? No, it didn't. I take for granted that when someone sells an older car, there is a repair bill looming and now I know what that was....I went to the first garage I came to with emissions service. The fellow did a "smoke test" and said he identified the problem, which will cost a cool $600 to fix. No thanks....I came home and phoned a Toyota dealership in Dalton. Their price was $100 less than the one first quoted! Then, I phoned a local fellow who has been very highly recommended. He thinks the problem is - that I have not been turning the gas cap tightly enough....He wants me to remedy that, then drive for awhile and see what happens. He will then reread the code and see if all is well....I will keep you posted.

PResidents

Was out with Grace yesterday helping her to kill time at Barnes and Noble...Picked up a Newsmax magazine and was reading an interview with various Secret Service men giving their close-up impressions of different presidents from Kennedy through Obama....

A quiz, answers at bottom:

1) Who was absolutely the most obnoxious, arrogant of the lot - wouldn't allow eye-contact from the men, wouldn't speak with them, be spoken to by them, made them carry his luggage? (until they wouldn't and he left on trips luggageless a time or two)

2) Who was said to be "strong-willed,determined and very intelligent"?

3) Who was "weird"?

4)Who would the Secret Service play practical jokes on? His wife loved them all and continued to keep in touch with them.

5) Which first lady asked that they call her by her first name?

6)Who was extremely upset when a protester gave him a Hitler salute?

7) Whose Secret Service stayed in close touch with his wife's, protecting him from being "found out"?

8) Who was vile, slept with various other women almost in front of his wife?



1)Carter

2) Bush Jr.

3)Nixon

4)Bush Sr.

5)Michelle Obama

6)Reagan

7)Kennedy

8)Johnson

Another interesting anecdote...A Secret Service agent stepped into the elevator with Reagan...As the door was closing, an aide rushed to him to tell him of presidential candidate (Gary?) Hart's adultery, being splashed across the newspapers. Reagan responded, "Boys will be boys." Then in the elevator, he continued to his agent, "But boys do not become president."...

Interesting vignettes....

Whew!

No, it wasn't my imagaination. It really happened...The little guy smiled at me last night - just a half-smile, a fleeting smile but I saw it! Again, I stand amazed at what a human being is, how God has created us for interaction..Barely out of the womb and already interactive Incredible!

Dad and Andrew left yesterday afternoon for home so I am the lone visitor at this point...Gave Maryanne's main floor a good cleaning this morning so should leave her content - as she saidl that is her love language - not flowers and gifts from me....And, see, Susanna, I told you I clean for everyone when I can....I suppose it is my love-language to give!

I will haead off this afternoon for Chattanooga - want to be back to see Dad off this evening...Hope to see Grace this week as I know the time hangs heavy for her, then help Dad get the last trailers ready to be rented out....I had hoped to see Alicia a final time before she leaves for Philadelphia but, unfortunately, that is not going to work...

Again, all is well at the Helms'...Older children happy with their new school year and Emma due to begin nursery school next week...Tim told me on the phone yesterday that they have successfully ordered their new Ikea furniture -have completely cleared out their main living area - so am anxious to see their new look...Think it will be wonderful....He has promised photos!

All for now as I am on the run to get tasks finished before I leave!

Got the kids in bed at a not quite orthodox, but no so very disrespectable, nine o'clock...Anna then crept out of her bed to sleep with me, leaving Emma the lone occupant of their bedroom....However, Emma was knock-knocking at the door by seven, or so...We all got up and Grace and I drank coffee and chatted, until Grace and Justin took the kids to the pool- so I could do some much-needed tidying. Pat and Maryanne arrived home about an hour ago to a clean house, fruit salad that Anna had made for her mommy, and great joy from the children....Maryanne has a much bruised nether-area so is handling life gently for now...Pat will be in charge of restraining her from doing too much this week. I will return in a few days once he has gone back to work....SO, all is well. We have much to be thankful for!

Had the kids at the hospital for a couple of hours today...So exciting for them to meet their new little brother. They all held him,kissed him, cuddled him - what a gift this little one is for the whole family. When we left, Anna was sobbing, Josh upset that they have to leave him behind for another 24 hours...Bodes well for the long-term, doesn't it? I am back at Maryanne's for another day or two. Grace and Justin have been to the hospital, as well, are now on their way back to Maryanne's for the night; Dad and Andrew will come tomorrow...Will all head back on Monday. Miss you otheres at a distance SO much!...By the way, was just listening to some of the most beautiful music in he world....Go to "The Magic of Bulgarian Voices and Music-Malka Moma/Little Girl" and enjoy!