We’ve had some really pleasant weather since getting home from vacation. I think this Fourth of July was the coolest one I remember.
INDEPENDENCE DAY. We started our day with the annual Kilgore Remembrance ceremony. This year’s program about the ongoing work to learn more about Thomas Kilgore, our town’s first settler (and one of my ancestors).
The Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce organized Second Annual Softball Tournament. Mt. Carmel brought the traveling trophy back home which allows Bro. Bill another year to do some trash talking when get is together with the other pastors in the area. They had also scheduled to have fireworks, but a line of thunderstorms moved through right at sunset making them postpone the show to Sunday evening.
VISITING OLD FRIENDS. I am always glad when I see any of the Freelands as they were my closest friends when I was growing up. I see Brent less frequently than Steve or Brian so it was a treat to spend a little time visiting with him as he, Sabrina, and their kids were in last weekend. We sat in his parents backyard and reminisced about a lot of things. Since we were sitting where they used to have their horseshoe game set up years ago the tales of my terrible aim and the time Brian ran over the horseshoe stake and punctured the back tire of the tractor were retold. I know James Henry’s leg healed long ago, but Brian was grounded for life and I’m not sure that has been lifted yet. (To explain, my aim was so bad I sent a wild horseshoe into James’ shin and took out a plug of skin clean to the bone. And when Mr. James Earl heard his son puncture the tire he threw down his cap and said, “Dag nab it Brian, you’re grounded for life!”) Brent also preached at church Sunday.
VOW RENEWAL. Sunday night we went to Ashland City. Kelly and Kathy Ragland renewed their wedding vows. The renewal was hosted at the home of some of their good friends. The ceremony was very touching (Vicki would say sweet). Kathy was a beautiful bride. Kelly looked...Kelly sang well. (Sorry buddy, you’re as ugly as the rest of us.) We had a nice time.
GROWING UP. I know I have written about my boys and their bears at least once in the past. Ben’s bear was actually a baby gift for Jenna but he latched on to it and it has been his close friend ever since. Monday I noticed Ben had not placed Bear on his bed and asked about it. He told me Bear now lives in the toy basket. A little while later Ben brought Bear to me and said, “I think I want you to put Bear in my keepsake box now.” Bear is awaiting his final washing, and I hope his threadbare skin holds up. Just another reminder that time relentlessly marches on. Of course, if this doesn’t remind me the fact that Ben asked me to check for armpit hair the other day should.
CENTRI-KID AND THE HOME FRONT. Vicki, Jenna, and 18 others from church went to Centri-Kid camp at Georgetown College near Lexington, Kentucky. They left Monday and got home today. Both had a great time and are very tired -- too tired to give a detailed report right now.
The boys and I were left holding down the fort here at home while the girls were gone. We didn’t have it too rough as Pauline cooked for us. I worked half days this week so as not to wear out my kid sitters. We spent some time working in the yard and trying to keep the house from becoming a disaster area, but we had fun too. Each day Ben would ask what we were doing for the fun part of the day. Monday night we went swimming. Tuesday we made popcorn and watched some Pink Panther cartoons. Wednesday we took our bikes up to Kilgore Park and rode around. By Thursday the grass had caught up with us so Ben and I mowed.
I think it’s interesting Ben called this the “fun part of the day.” It isn’t the pool or the cartoons or the bikes that makes the fun, it’s the time they spend with their dad. If I ever get too busy with life and forget this someone needs to take a 2x4 and beat the sense back into me. The opportunity will be gone all too soon.
ANOTHER OFFICE TRAGEDY. Deborah McFarland, one of my colleagues at work, lost her husband, Noel, in a traffic accident Monday. Noel was driving his motorcycle on I-65 in Nashville and found himself in the middle of a multi-car pileup. We all went to his funeral yesterday. Please keep Deborah in your prayers. They had been married about five years.
Joe
