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!