Daughter of Mine

Its a challenge to watch a girl become a woman; particularly when she is your daughter, where you cling to the memory of her being your little girl. These photos seem to represent the summer for Mackey - she is always going somewhere.

Its been a wonderful summer for her as she has been able to travel to nationals, then EFY, then girls camp, now volleyball camp. All great experiences but all for a week or so away from home. She comes back more grown up, more independant, more confident each time, and me more grateful for her opportunities, grateful for her goodness and grateful she comes back. It is a recognizable pattern of parenting - we want them to grow and we want them back.

Who Is She?

© Kyle J. Underwood

She's a soft cool rain on a hot summer’s day.
She makes me laugh with the funny things she has to say.

She's the beat of my heart, and the air that I breathe.
She's the sun and the wind, and autumn’s golden leaves.

She's the pride that I feel when I know she's done what’s right.
She's that warm feeling I get, when I remember tucking her in at night.

She is homework and sports, and a busy social life.
She has this beautiful smile that could light the darkest night.

She is the scared feeling I have when she stays out late.
Or the feeling that I am losing her, when she wants to date.

She's the mixed emotions I have, as I watch her mature and grow.
I tell myself she will never leave, but, I know in my heart that someday she will go.

I hope the man that steals her heart, will treat her like a queen.
Because she deserves so much more, than a man that treats her mean.

I will always cherish the wonderful times we have had.
The best part of my life is being her dad.

So now you know who she is, she's my little girl.
I love her with all my heart and I always will

Scout Camp

My years at scout camp number in the decades worth. I've been blessed to attend scout camp every year my boys attended and then some - before they were scouts and after they moved on. I've developed great friendships with the adults I've shared campfires with and great bonds and memories with my boys and other boys as we've shared. Camp is a great equalizer - common clothing, common tents, common food - common as in shared, belonging equally to, or shared alike by and uplifted by. Camp  is a great place to feel the spirit and be humbled by the peacefulness of the evenings, the  peace of the stars, the peace of fire and water and the rambunctiousness of boys.

I've spent from days to weeks at the following

Camp Freeland Leslie

L. E. Phillips Scout Reservation

Fred Andersen Camp

Tomahawk Scout Reservation

Medicine Mountain Scout Ranch

Gamehaven Scout Reservation

Kiwanis Scout Camp

Norseland Scout Camp

Phillippo Scout Reservation

Rum River Scout Camp

Stearns Scout Camp

Many Point Scout Camp

 

Some are better than others - the programs differ, the staff differ, the settings differ, the facilities differ but all offer that which scouting offers. As defined back in 1910 it was 

"to teach [boys] patriotism, courage, self-reliance, and kindred values - and has stayed near to that ever since. Scouting helps molds young boys into young men anchored in values. And so I readily signed up to fill in for a bit of time when our troop was short leaders at camp this week.

We had rain. I think that is an understatement - we really had rain, probably the most ever in all my camping years.

 I had a great star lit hike, time down at the water front, observing classes and just chill-laxing the scout way - with knifes

Camp is good. 

Defalcation

-noun Law.
1
misappropriation of money or funds held by an official, trustee, or other fiduciary.

2
the sum misappropriated.


How does he do it?

I am re-reading Jesus The Christ by Talmage and time and time again am dazzled by his employing exactly the right term in the right application to bring clarity to scripture .



In this case , page 394, the story of the parable of the unmerciful servant, it describes the situation exactly. I love the richness of Talmage. He challenges ,engages and clarifies
doctrinally. I know current lds blogs find him dated and not as relevant but I still enjoy him and find meaning in my simple ways.

Welcome joseph

After having tested the waters last summer Joseph has decided to make Naperville his home. We of course greeted him with open arms and a bed for a night. He is a quiet sleeper. Once up for breakfast he wasn't quick to remember the distant uncle and cousins but he will over time.

we are pleased to have his parents Marie and Michael join the Naperville contingent as well

Cobbler Season

Well you might be wondering where my blogs have gone. It has been an issue of lack of education. I have a new imac, a delicious machine, but some very simple tasks escape my learning curve as of yet. For instance, I took a phone photo of Sallie & Bob eating dinner with us on the deck last night but can't get the photo from my phone , into an email, on to my hard drive and into iphoto. Yes I'm mildly frustrated but i will re-learn working a MAC.


As to Bob & Sallie, delightful company. Rindy fixed a great meal, we chatted on politics, travel, religion, kids and grand kids. We gamed it up with Sallie destroying us in Dixit. Bob of course knew the latin definition of Dixit - Latin meaning " he himself said it". It is a phrase used for a statement which is unsupported by any other evidence than the fact that the person himself said it. - (which in candor I had not known) but is a great name for the game. We appreciated them making the drive out to the suburbs to hang with us for the evening.

I just had a thought and deduced where the image had downloaded. Now to move it where I want it. I am teachable.


Evan joined us for the game. His randomness adds a dimension to the experience and makes it fun. And he is always willing to carry the conversation. We are enjoying having him home for the summer.


As to cobbler - it was the first of the peach & blueberry cobblers that come with summer fruit. Nothing finer as a dessert.

Other Places

The Palmyra Temple is situated in the woods a stone's throw from the Smith Homestead. The stain glass and view  make it unique.

The pagent is presented on a theatre built into the Hill Cumorah (you can see Rindy and Mac sitting waiting for the show to begin). The Pagent is pleasant.

The Erie Canal is a man-made wonder of technology and labor.

Niagara Falls is just AWESOME
(

Monasterio de Piedra Falls , Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain

one of my other favorite waterfall places compares favorably yet very different)

Sense of Place

The term sense of place has been defined and used in many different ways by many different people. To some, it is a characteristic that some geographic places have and some do not, while to others it is a feeling or perception held by people (not by the place itself). It is often used in relation to those characteristics that make a place special or unique, as well as to those that foster a sense of authentic human attachment and belonging.


Professionally we spoke of a sense of place when at John Ryan we designed new store concepts and a particular spot "would want to be something" or look a certain way. The true sense of place hits me in sacred venues. Places where to be candid in my view you would need to be as lifeless as a rock not to fell the Spirit of the place. The most interesting places which have been found by me have been out of doors. Gettysburg is one - walk its fields and the sacrifice paid there is tangible. Carthage is one - where again the sacrifice paid there makes it very real and tangible. Today we visited the Sacred Grove in Palmyra new york. Walk into the woods and you know you are where God has been, You know He has revealed himself to man in that place.


We walked, we whispered, we thought, we listened, we felt. The Sacred Grove defines a sense of place.

Lola

Most days and most meals I'll choose Rindy's cooking over restaurant fare anytime. She has mastered simplicity, flavor , presentation and taste combined with filling fare. Good as she is she is not quite and Iron Chef like Michael Symon . On our quick road trip east we stayed the night in Cleveland and Rindy did some homework to find Lola's, a downtown restaurant of incredible flavors and taste. 


"Lola is the crown jewel of Cleveland's vibrant culinary scene. Chef Michael Symon's inventive and creative menu offers diners the opportunity to experience a modern spin on their favorite dishes, while always showcasing the best of what local purveyors are producing just miles away. The sleek and elegant space is the perfect backdrop to your culinary adventure of award-winning cuisine."

Beef Cheek Pierogi - wild mushrooms, horseradish, crème fraiche 12 was the shared appetiser and it was a delight. We went various ways for the main courses  trying scallops, halibut and steak - all were winners.  My Father would have been proud as we split desserts of small donuts for me and Mac, while Rindy and Evan shared the 6am.

Doughnuts & Hot Chocolate

cinnamon hot chocolate, whipped cream, chef's choice of doughnuts 9

The 6 a.m. Special

brioche french toast, maple-bacon ice cream, caramelized apple 9

Usually I leave food write ups to Oliver and I know this is lacking - but let me hardily endorse stopping by Lola's in Cleveland next time you do Ohio.

Migration

Southern migration has been a phenomena in the animal kingdom for eons. Food, climate, shelter - there have been and are many reasons for migration. People migrate as well. Usually a scout breaks ground and explores the path as a trailblazer then upon finding all clear sends the signal back to the settlers that all is clear, the path is safe and it is time to join in the migration.

A migrant trailblazer visited us for a night.
We eagerly welcomed Josh to our corner of the world and look forward to he and his girls settling here shortly.

July 4th

The numbers dwindled but the fun continued.


the play ground

Tag

Hide and Seek

Duck Duck Grey Duck

(which some unfortunately call duck duck goose)

A river walk

And parting shots

there was a real cool wood pecker in the tree - i tried but he hid in the branches


We did do another round of fireworks with Robert & Laura


It was a tremendous weekend and we welcome all to join in the next round of festivities