Mom's swollen ankle. It gets a little better each day.

rainbows in Hudsonville

Landon at Grandma's and Grandpa's

EYEBROWS!

Here is Landon getting some yummy ice cream after his trick or treat visit. He wanted more (and more). By the way, you can also see the latest wood project; combo chair and step stool. (The ones for Henry and Oliver should be done by Christmas.)

Visit to Nathan and Liz

We went to West Lafayette to see Nathan and Liz and decided to stay at the Commandant's House Bed and Breakfast. They are both doing well. The house was very interesting. It is located on the grounds of the Veteran's facility. It was constructed in the 1890s for the director of the Vet home for civil war vets. Cost $8000 including furnishings. Smaller rooms, grand hallways, and excellent food. The first picture shows the early electric wiring; the original lighting was done with gas lamps (at the time this was really THE thing). The fireplace sculpture shows a civil war scene.

New Landscaping

The bushes are gone! The rocks are set. The plants are in. "Lawns of Distinction" did the hardest part and then we added a variety of sedum, lavender, carpet roses, irises, small day lilies, and zebra grass. This follows a trend in among the neighbors to remove the old dead bushes but we are the winners in terms of tonnage of rock.

End of Birthday Week

Here is a collection of random thoughts.

It is the end of birthday week. I still have not chosen a present for Pat to give me. Send me any and all suggestions since I am not doing a very good job with this.

Our visit with Amanda and Ben last weekend was lots of fun. Visit her blog to see some pictures of the weekend.

Now I am giving this to Pat while I think about other things to write.
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And that is all that Pat has for you tonight. (School term is over and she is tired. Oh yes, she has hurt her knee. It is bad and I know because she is willing to wear a knee brace.)

On the book front
The Condition by Jennifer Haig. An interesting story about a dysfunctional family. Divorce, health issues, personality flaws, and it ends with some love and compassion.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak EXCELLENT. A Nazi Germany story about hiding a Jew and dealing with the times in Germany. This is a must read. By the way, the person telling the story is "death."

The Women (audio) by Boyle. This is the life of Frank Lloyd Wright. He was not a nice man and his wives and mistresses were many. He took money but never paid it back. His special house in wisconsin was burned down three times. Once by a butler that went crazy, killed his mistress and children and burned it down. Interesting to learn about him but depressing in the end.