Luke 4:18

Michael and I took a trip down to Madison, Wisc. this past week and stopped in to see his uncle who is a priest there. We regularly stop in to say hi and we always go out for lunch or just a coffee break with him. He always appreciates it since his time is taken up for the most part by people that need him so we try to make it a visit where he can "need" us or just a break from "needy" people (did I say that correctly???). Anyway Fr. Ken Fiedler is considered by many in the diocese to be quite a radical priest along with a very holy man of God. For instance he believes that priests should be able to marry even though he doesn't think it will happen in his lifetime (he's in his 60s). Needless to say we have some very interesting conversations with him. One of his most passionate beliefs is that as Christians God calls us to care for the needs of the poor. When the Catholic diocese of Madison got together awhile back the bishop wanted to close a multicultural center that served the poor in a very impoverished neighborhood of Madison. The building was no longer being used due to money problems, etc. Fr. Ken wanted to resurrect it and basically bring it back into a functional mode. The bishop was against it but told Fr. Ken that if he could produce the money and resources necessary they would consider restoring it. Fr. Ken loves a challenge and immediately got on the bandwagon and raised the money and the resources to make the building functional again. It is now a thriving center serving meals 7 days a week along with other activities and services that serve the poor and needy in the area. We attended the open house and were so pleased with his efforts and the efforts of volunteers seeing a need and bringing it forth with God's love. Way to go Fr Ken!

What did the miners in Chile say on their shirts?

Go Pioneers!!

Went down to SW Wisconsin to UW-Platteville. Michael is on the alumni board there and had signed up to work a table for homecoming.

Parade in the morning (pic is of his high school band)
and lots of visiting friends and classmates. He keeps up with one friend who lives near Chicago that we hung with for the day. It was good to see the fun he had with Ed visiting the radio and TV station that they worked in college. Beautiful weekend for all. I told people at the sign-up table to put the year they graduated since it's hard to know whos who after 30+ years. He did run into a classmate that worked the radio station with him and Ed so that was really nice.

Only For Diehard Bikers!

Took a couple biking trips this past month. One was to Platteville, Wisconsin. They had an alumni bike trip for present and past students. Wonderful time for about 30 of us. Planned was a 15 and 30 mile trip ending with a park picnic with all the fixings. This year they gave out door prizes from local businesses that sponsored the ride. We made some new friends and saw returning ones (our 2nd year attending). The only downer was my camera battery was dead so no pictures. Btw, Michael and I made it 12 miles total considering riding up and down on two-lane highways. Ugh!
On an upnote this weekend we were invited Sunday to bike at the Baker Lake Regional Park Reserve with our main biker friends from church. Had a great time even though it was fairly crisp outside. If you enjoy biking they have wonderful trails, a water park, horse facility for hayrides, gardens and some wildlife sactuary areas. If I was a bird I would definitely want to live there. AND i took a couple picks! Enjoy.

Family

Sorry to all my fans out there checking in. I haven't blogged for awhile due to the fact that I haven't done much lately, I lost a very good job that I wanted and I just haven't felt much like doing anything. Things are starting to look up for me with some possible other job prospects but I thought since I'm not doing anything exclusive until next week I would put a blip in about one my relatives. Her name was Catherine Sleeman and she stood all of 5 feet tall. She was born in Coventry England having come to America with her parents when she was just 12 years old. I only knew her as a very young child but I remember her very generous nature and kindness toward me. She married a man who worked in the copper mines in Hancock Michigan and they had 4 children. She always carried a big black leather purse and wore a pillbox hat. Her dresses were all dotted swiss. She was very artistic and did lovely crochet work, tating doilies and hand sewing. As she grew older she developed what is called hyperkyphosis or 'dowager’s hump'. It never seemed to stop her from enjoying life to the full and she died at the ripe old age of 94. I remember we sang "Going Home" at her funeral. My mom told me that in the car on the way home from the funeral I stated emphatically that I was "never gonna die". I remember being very saddened by her death and dying was such a bummer that I wasn't planning on participating. Now that I understand more about the subject I feel better knowing that if I "play my cards right" I will hopefully meet her again some day.

Right Place at the Right time

Haven't had much to blog about since I work so much now. I posted something on Facebook and thought I'd add it here for all you non-Facebook users. About 2 months ago Michael and I went on a mini vacation through Iowa and Wisconsin. I always take my camera with just in case of a good shot of something. My favorite thing to do is find something to photograph that is completely spontaneous. We were headed home when we went through this little town called Mifflin, Wisconsin. One of those places one has to look quick to see it. Anyway, I saw these elderly people sitting in this park on some swings and I just HAD to turn the car around to catch a pic of them reliving their childhood. It was so fun. The other picture I have taken recently was taken in Indiana about 3 months ago when Michael and I were in Indiana. My two youngest were playing frisbee golf with Michael's uncle in a park in Crawfordsville, Indiana and while waiting for them I saw these kids come toward me. It was about 95 in the shade and they had been swimming in a creek that ran through the park. They begged me to take their picture. I didn't want to at first because they were covered with mud. I finally consented and I was surprised that the picture turned out so well, lighting and composition etc. I told them I'd send a copy to them if they would give me their address. I wrote it down but the picture came back so I probably will never know where or who they are. All I know is they were at the right place at the right time just like the elderly folks so innocent and free!

Karen

Last but not least in my "Honor their birthdays" is Karen. As some of you know I blogged about my other two and Karen is my third. Your gift to me of course is the fact that you are my only girl. I can so much identify with you for that reason alone despite the fact that we are very different personalities. I learned early on, (especially when shopping at Ragstock!) that your color scheme and style of clothing was very different than mine so I abandoned that. I wanted you to be your own person and you truly are! Strawberry Shortcake was all the rage when you were born. Soon to follow was My Little Pony and Rainbow Brite. I remember your love of reading and putting together puzzles which your brothers promptly took apart, sorry about that. It's not easy being the middle child of two very active busy brothers! You were my easiest to deliver and probably my easiest to raise. Do you remember coming with me when I would clean homes? You would come along with your color books and reading material and find a corner to wait for me. You are my self-made child. When we would go on vacation you would pack a lunch for yourself for the trip. On the way to our destination you would sit between David and Daniel in the back seat eating your sandwich while they would be asking you "are you going to share some of that?" You loved school even though there were very cruel and brutal girls that would mistreat you but the academics were where it was at and the teachers loved you. When David had to learn his states and capitals in 5th grade you decided just for fun to memorize all the state capitals by reciting them off as you climbed the stairs at Annunciation. You went on to Burroughs to win your overall school spelling bee in 6th grade. I was to blame for that district loss telling you to spell the words phonetically and the one you got after that terrible advice shouldn't have been spelled that way. I felt so bad for you but was happy that your teacher and grandma joined you and we went out afterward and drowned our sorrows over lunch. Never forgetting sports, you played for fun alone but you were also the best catcher Lutheran High had no matter what anyone said! Music has always been a joy for you which helped you reach your goal of becoming a Certified Music Therapist. Wouldn't Marian Hutt be proud!!Life has been good to you Karen, especially these last few years. I miss seeing you in the Eau Claire band as well as hanging around the house but I know things keep getting better and you have always handled life head on! Congratulations Karen! Another milestone reached and many more to come!!