Recommended reading

I just finished reading a book I HIGHLY recommend. It's titled "RADIOMAN" It's about a man who was in the navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked . He later was on an aircraft carrier when it was sunk.

This man, Ray Daves, is now 88 years old. We first knew Ray and his wife Adeline back when we were teenagers attending the same church. We more recently have renewed our acquaintance at our present church.

Ray would never discuss his experience about the war. If asked he'd simply say "I don't talk about it" I am greatly surprised that he has given a detailed account in this book. As I understand it, the author wanted to write about his experience and at the encouraging of his wife and daughter he agreed. I'm glad he did, because it not only gives me insight as to what he's about, but it reveals what WW2 was really like for those who fought. I have a greater appreciation for these men. I spoke to him recently to tell him I was reading the book and he paused and started to choke up, and again said "I don't talk about it" He did say the author did a great job.

I believe this book is a "must read" especially for the younger generation. I believe it will give a greater appreciation for the freedom we have in this country. This book has an endorsement by Newt Gingrich. It's available through Overstock and Amazon and I'm sure other sources as well.

Couer d'Alene Lake

I recently fulfilled a long-time ambition - to drive completely around Couer d'Alene Lake, thanks to Cathie. She had offered both of us a car trip of our choosing, including dinner, as our Mother's and Father's day gifts. Ken's choice was Walla Walla, and I tagged along, as he did on this trip.

It was a gorgeous fall day, and the lake is so beautiful, -much larger than I'd expected, even though we live less than an hour away, and had been to the north shore many times.

One special stop was the small logging town of Harrison, where our close friend, Coral Hanna, grew up, graduating over 60 years ago. When asked what that was like, she had interesting stories to tell. She said they swam every day, near the log booms, until called home for dinner. When their team played other towns, the school bus would take all the kids, along the winding, dirt roads. In icy weather, the bus would often slide off the edge of the road, and all the kids would get off and push it back on the road, and continue on around the lake!

I chose a small Mexican restaurant for our dinner, and later finished it off with Krispy Kreme donuts! A very relaxed day to enjoy each other and God's good work. Thanks, Cath!

A JEALOUS GOD

Have you ever wondered why jealousy is considered sinful for mankind but not for God. There are many places in the Bible that refer to God being a jealous God. In as much as God has to relate to mankind in a manner that we can understand He uses anthropomorphism's. In other words, he uses phrases such as "the hand of God" etc. that we can relate to. One of the best descriptions of God's jealousy was stated as follows by John Calvin.

"The Lord very frequently addresses us in the character of a husband... As He performs all the offices of a true faithful husband, so He requires love and chastity from us; that is, that we do not prostitute our souls to Satan...As the purer and chaster a husband is, the more grievously he is offended when he sees His wife inclining to a rival; so the Lord, who has betrothed us to Himself in truth, declares that He burns with the hottest jealousy whenever, neglecting the purity of His holy marriage, we defile ourselves with abominable lusts, and especially when the worship of His deity, which ought to have been most carefully kept unimpaired, is transferred to another, or adulterated with some superstition: since in this way we not only violate our plighted troth, but defile the Nepal couch, by giving access to adulterers."

Summer project

This summer's project which I worked on intermittently between getting Cathie moved and several other projects, was the building of a new entertainment center to accommodate a new TV that wouldn't fit in the old one. This one is a more open style which Bev bemoans the fact, as it will require more dusting. Guess I'll have to pitch in and help some with that.

Cousins

This past week I had the opportunity to meet one of my cousins that I've never met before. Danny Hughes and his wife were here visiting his 87 year old mother who is my aunt Lil. Danny is the youngest of Lil's three children and lives in South Carolina. The oldest is Ron followed by Janet. Both live on the the west side of the state and are able to visit more frequently. It's just been in the recent year or so that we've gotten re-acquainted with Ron and Janet. We got together with all except Ron for lunch at a local pizza parlor and had a very enjoyable visit. Seated on the left side of the picture is my aunt Lil in front with Cynthia behind and Janet in back. Danny is in front on the right side with me behind. Bev was there but she was the one taking the picture. We were very happy to have this opportunity to get together. My Aunt may soon be moving to the other side of the state to be closer to her family.

Bev's day

I have to say I've been proud of myself today. I took Barb's vacuum apart (she'd run over a cable to her computer, which wrapped itself around the beater bar and cut off the power), and -even better - I got it put back together! And it runs! Then I reattached the cable (to the right spot even!) and lo and behold, the computer works too! After lunch I used our weed eater (for the first time) and except for a few gouged spots on the lawn, one petunia accidently cut off, and slicing almost through the cord once, I did a pretty good job.
AND THEN, I learned to blog! (Thanks, Ken)
I'd claim this was a typical day in the life of "Super Gram", except that the rest of my week has been decidedly unproductive. You'd think I was retired.

Actually, my favorite day looks more like this:
Two or more great-grandkids on my lap -perfect!

One day mini vacation

For Father's Day Cathie said she would drive me (and Bev too) to any place I want, for a meal. We thought about it and decided that even though we had seen many parts of the world, there were places in Washington State we haven't seen, such as Walla Walla. We decided to make it a one day mini vacation, taking a route we hadn't traveled before. We stopped to see Palouse Falls, which seems completely out of place, in the middle of the rolling hills of wheat and sage brush country. Upon arriving at Walla Walla, we had a great lunch, and I had a piece of chocolate cake that was something special! Afterwards, we toured some of the historic sites. It was a great Father's Day gift, and one that will be remembered.