Dinner in Hannibal

One recent Monday afternoon the Morgans/McGarvey clan convoyed up to Hannibal for dinner and time with Matthew & Becca Johnson at their new house.  If you've not had the privilege of making the Johnson's acquaintance, you're missing some quality people in your life.  They've served the Missouri District in a number of capacities, most recently as District Youth President, and have still found the time to turn out two absolute darlings, Abriah & Jace.

Delicious home-cookin' was on the menu and the conversations flew fast as four very busy families tried to squash as much quality time into a few hours as possible before we all blew off in different directions (including Scott who was flying out the next day to Jordan).  Thanks so much for hosting us!

 

A Trip to the Holy Land

Last Sunday, the church hosted a "A Night in the Holy Land."  It was story-telling time and Pastor's birthday all rolled into one.  We sent out postcards to area pastors Dad works with in the community and to those who had supported their trip.  

We had a great turnout.  People we didn't know came because they were interested in the region and wanted background.  Mom put together a display of various odds & ends from the trip and Woody made an appearance in traditional costume.  I was shooting for an hour or so of stories and pictures, but it turned into a two-hour marathon!  Mom & Dad got a very pleasant surprise when Mark & Margie showed up unexpectedly.  They kicked in their perspective on the trip and we all had a rollicking good time.  Afterward, there was a desert table and reception for Dad's 64th birthday.  We even picked up some basboosa and baklava from the World Market in Columbia to give the night a little more authenticity.  Ma'a salama! (Goodbye!)

Coming Soon! Holy Land Presentation

How is Your Dad Doing?

I get this question from near and far and I leave you with this picture for my answer:

Dad, wrapping up his gutter screening project as darkness falls... With mom keeping a close watch.

Granted, at the same time she was trimming bushes in the front yard, not threatening him with the shears to get off the roof!

So, the news is this: No bleeding and no serious drops in strength in September.  His 12-step program is how quickly he can get up the stairs from the basement and not have to sit down at the top.  Earlier this year, we were hoping he'd make it to the end of October... now, we just wish he'd stay off the roof!

...Grateful folks over here at the Lodge...

Scott

Visitors

 

A few weeks ago, Mom & Dad came home to the scene above.  It didn't take long for those highly evolved scavengers to figure out what the squirrels could not; they not only got past the Dome of Intrusion, but the next night, the family knocked the entire bird feeder down!  This type of activity just could not continue at the Lodge and so entered Trap 1.  The morning light revealed our first capture, obviously a bit dejected at his predicament.

The score stood at one juvenile down and 3 more, plus the Momma to go.  Dad & I took a trip out to Sugar Creek Lake an dropped our friend off in a new neighborhood.  That night, I brought Trap 2 and, predictably, we got two more.  Another trip to the Lake for a double drop and that night we got Coon Kiddie Number Four!  He was also promptly delivered to his siblings' new home.  Amazingly, the momma hasn't been tempted by a smorgasbord of birdseed a' la bacon grease on a bed of rotting strawberries.  I can't imagine why.

Cleaning Day

A few weeks ago, Grandpa & Grandma decided it was time to clean out the garage.  You have to understand, this was no ordinary garage.  For many years (and 3 or 4 retirements), it was the home of Don's Furniture Service.  The creative den where Grandpa took the mundane or mildewed and recreated antique divinity.  His skill at refinishing and repairing any manner of wooden furniture was so well known that even the Busch family had him on speed dial (yes, those Buschs).  The footprints of a vast and untold number of chair legs, inlaid table tops, upholstered footstools and Time-itself-only-knows-what-else are indelibly etched in the stained and pocked floor of that small piece of real estate.  And today it fell to all of us to pilfer our personal treasures from flotsam & jetsam of a very successful, albeit deliberately collective, career.

Aunt Helen took the helm of organizing the event, complete with a dumpster of epic proportions.  Aunt Janet journeyed from the east to get in on the party.  Unfortunately, Mom & Dad had back-to-back funerals at the last minute and couldn't make it, but J-J & H and S-S & C made an early morning commute to Bridgeton and by 9:30AM the fun had commenced.  Aunt Helen took some time to remind all of us of the work and dedication that Grandpa & Grandma had put into their lives and ours and then delegated duties.  We went through just about ever nook & cranny of the place and filled  that monster dumpster.  Yes, we kept bits and pieces of sentimental value, but 40 years or so of accumulation can, well, cause some accumulation.  You can jump over to the pictures to track our progress.  Needless to say we were pretty tuckered out and in desperate need of a good hosing off by day's end.  We missed Mom & Dad, but it was great fun to be with all the STL clan!

Cooper's Dedication

Last week, we had a short dedication service for Cooper.  Sasha, Suzi's mom was able to attend and it was a nice event.  The Pack of Three wore traditional Arabic clothes in homage to Cooper's birth country.  You can read all about it from Suzi's perspective on our blog.