Kentucky Kampin' & IKEA

June 20th --- This was my regular 2nd Friday of the month OFF from the Libray. Jim wasn' t able to get the day off, so i had planned to take the "Critter" down to KY for the weekend solo. It was not to be as we couldn't get the tail lights to work on the trailer!

Plan B was to check for camps with a cabin. Found one in Crittenden KY -- 28 miles south of the Cinci bridge. It's a former KOA camp, now run by Good Sam.

I drove straight to IKEA on Friday morning getting there around noon. Spent three lovely hours looking around - shopping and eating lunch in the cafeteria!

I checked out just before the heavy thunderstorms hit the Cinci area.... 3:30.... SO....
not only was i fighting rush hour traffic to get across the river, but the pouring rain as well!
Not one bit fun. I finally made it to the camp in one piece after stopping for a fan, hot pot, and a fast food salad for supper.

*Sat. night - jim's talking with mom*

The park itself was well-kept and friendly, but it was situated between I-75 and US 25 which was right next to the rail road track! We could hear the hum of trucks from both sides and the train whistle about 7 times a day (and some at night!) . Not the quiet peaceful place i had envisioned.
Had a nice relaxing evening at the cabin and met Jim and the gang from Grace the next morning... after a fashion.
I called Janet Jackson (our leader) to make sure i had the right exit for the "Creation Museum" and she said there was a detour. I took a wrong turn and went one exit too far, but finally found them.... still waiting their turn to get in... It was a HOT day and the AC felt nice once inside!

The Creation Museum is a HUGE place. The displays were all top quality. I felt the "in your face" attitude of the message was a bit over the top, but over all it was a good presentation of the
argument for the reality that God created our magnificent planet and us as well.


*Adam and Carol in the garden

The museum had a lovely garden across a creek- very lush and colorful - complete with misters in the 'swampy' area. We walked over the floating bridge and enjoyed some of the flowers, plants and dinosaurs - oh my!

*Jim had pond and waterfall envy*


Sunday trip home ... to be continued...

50th plus 2

Bryan and Laney came over June 8th (sunday) at my request to help celebrate my 50th birthday. I got the idea to celebrate 2 months late from Laney's dad who did just that earlier this year! In fact, it was at that celebration Mid-May that Bryan asked the McLoughlin's for Elaine's hand in marriage! (she came home late that day).

Bryan had promised me a "meal" so i parlayed that into having him cook for me! Jim and Bryan went shopping after church and brought back goodies to make some kabobs to grill and an ice cream cake. Laney and i fixed a salad and had some girl talk.



It was a lovely feast and celebration. It was the first time we had seen them since their engagement so we took some pics as well! Here's to the happy couple!

Spring Yarden

I really love my yard/garden=yarden in the spring! Except for the ache in my neck and back from weeding it's really a joy to behold all the color as it bursts forth!

I took a walk around the yarden capturing the fleeting beauty of the first blooms of the season on June first.... here is a sampler.


*Purple Columbine grows within Yarrow*

*Daisy and Iris near Pond*









*First Pink Peony Bloom!*







*First White Peony Bloom*


*Anniversary Rose near Front Door*









*Classic Yarrow*









*Pink Vine - honeysuckle?*







*Old Purple Iris..... "Flag"*










*Purple 'weed' - wild phlox?*






*Baby Robins nesting in the Pink Vine*










*Hungry Baby Robin!*

Wedding Bell News!

Memorial Day was extra memorable this year because it was the day our son Bryan Mitchell asked his lovely girlfriend of three years, Elaine McLoughlin, to marry him! And she actually said YES!!!

They ate dinner to celebrate the three year mark in their relationship and went for a stroll on the local bike path in Athens, when it began to sprinkle. As they entered a nearby gazebo, it started to pour down rain!~ a perfect setting to begin planning the rest of their lives together... and savor the moment!

Since Laney had a camera in her bag, they snapped a picture to share their joy with all of us!

No date has been revealed --- yet! So stay tuned!