We woke up this morning to bright sun and clear blue sky. How unusual. It seemed strange, but the temps hit the high 50's today with a forecast into the 60's later this week. The sun is warm and the air is cool and it seemed like everyone was outside sweeping, raking, cutting, trimming, and otherwise getting their "Spring" on. Karen and I were no exception.
After spending a few hours at MMS taking care of some mission stuff, we stopped at our local Wal-Mart Super Center to pick up envelopes and paper for our next Coshocton Flyer newsletter. While we were there, we too got caught up in the frenzy and bought grass seed, rose spray, and some plastic edging for a new flower bed Karen's considering. It's crazy how crazy everything gets around here when the snow and rain actually stop long enough for the sun to shine for a few
hours. After this year's winter, a few hours of sun seems like a week's worth.
Karen has all the doors and windows open, the dogs are lying on the front porch watching the neighborhood come to life, and I was even able to put a quick trim on our climbing roses. Wait until you see our trellis later in the season. This is our third year of growing the roses and we're hoping for spectacular blooms and foliage this season.
Have a great weekend!
Karen's up at the mission receipting donations today. I'm in my home office wrapping up some of the final paperwork related to our trip, updating records, and getting my head back into the normal routine of ministry again. It's overcast with rain right now (We're not in California anymore, Toto) . Tucker and Tanner are asleep together over on the dog bed nearby. Hope's sleeping in the living room waiting for Karen to come home.
There are hints of Spring about. We were concerned our climbing roses might not survive the winter but they're starting to bud, Daffodils are pushing up, and the grass is green though not yet needing a mow. That'll change quickly once the sun actually comes out.
This afternoon Karen and I are headed to Zanesville to pick the April GroundCrew up from the print shop and deliver it to MMS. The MMS ladies will get together over the next week or so to stuff envelopes and finalize the mailing. This was the first of the 33 issues I've written to be produced while I was away from the hangar. I depended on Scott Grote (MMS Production Mechanic) for photos and on Tim Obarow (MMS Production Manager) for hangar information. With the photos and facts in hand, I wrote the copy, organized the concept, and sent the project components to Tammy Farrell of TNT Graphics, who did another amazing job on the layout. Be watching for the April GroundCrew coming soon to a mailbox near you.
After two uneventful flights, I walked through the Terminal B security gate at Port Columbus Airport and into Karen's arms about 9:50 last night. I was ready for that hug. It was a good hug. It was a wonderful hug. Once we stopped hugging, we went downstairs, collected my bags, and headed back to Coshocton arriving at 11:30 to three very excited dogs. While it was wonderful being out in California for an extended time, it's sure nice to be home.
The highlight of my layover in Minneapolis, was eating dinner at the Maui Taco and Salsa Bar in Terminal C. I've eaten my share of burritos over the years bu
t the steak & chicken, wet, combo meal I ordered at MT&SB rated right up there with some of the best...and this from an airport outlet. The black beans were better than most. The restaurant is done up in surf/tropical decor which is always a plus from my perspective. The meal wasn't cheap, but what airport food is? However, since I'm still tasting the burrito today...you could say I got my money's worth. There were killer onions in the salsa! Pass the breath mints please.
Thanks for your prayers for both the trip and for my travel.
Another "Good Morning" to you from Grass Valley, California. This will the final GM from GV this trip as this evening I'll stay with friends in PV (Penn Valley) and then head to Sacramento Airport in the morning (Thanks, Rod & Jane).
This time tomorrow I'll be on the road toward the airport. I'm scheduled to depart on Northwest's noon flight to Minneapolis and then hop the 6:40 to Columbus arriving back in Karen's arms (she'll be waiting for me at the security gate) somewhere around 9:30 PM. That will make my canine reunion with the missionary mutts sometime between 11-11:30. Coshocton is about 70 miles East, and a bit north, of Columbus, Ohio.
Things are going to get busy for me as soon as I upload this post and I'm unsure if I'll be able to post again until after I'm home. It'll depend on wi-fi connections, computer configuration issues, and time. I'll see what I can do.
Thanks for hanging-out with me. Stay tuned.
hours. After this year's winter, a few hours of sun seems like a week's worth.
