sue´s Views

Sorry, I´ m on my little computer, and I just deleted my pictures off my camera chip. James, you have to send that story into Readerś Digest. Mother hounded me for years to send in my article about flying with a two year old. Your story ws superb. What a great job in composition. You had me feeling your stress, disappointment, workout chatter, thoughtfulness and tenderness. Of course this was followed by the joy of feeling the warmth and security that at that special moment, the Oriole had such power behind it, One small creature sent with Godś hand to remind us of the beauty of the heavens and to realize the symbolism together with your wife....words can´t describe the emotion and the reality of life.
I will never forget your story and the next time I see an Oriole I´m calling you up. Powerful message. Praise God and the peacefulness He displays daily.
Love, Sue

A messenger from above...

I have to share a very special moment from our Sunday activities. It was a crazy day, it was Matt’s birthday, Father’s Day, Summer Solstice, Shawn and I had so much on our minds…work, kids, family and loved ones, the summer solstice party that was about to happen that night, trying to find time to get a bike ride in, mow the yard, fold clothes…It was one of those days where you get stressed out, just trying to fit it all in.

Shawn and I took the time to have breakfast together, we try to do that at least once a week. As we were finishing up, I notice a bird in the window that was a little different, we weren’t sure what it was. And, like so many breakfasts with Mom and Dad at Lakes of the North, I ran to get the bird book. It turns out the bird was just young robin - a bit of a disappointment - so much for an exotic bird find that morning (but he was so big!). Flipping through the book, I told Shawn that I would love to see more Orioles – we never see them in our yard, and I can count on one hand the time I have seen them anywhere! I remember mom putting out oranges and always reporting in when an oriole had come through at Lakes of the North. “They stop every year” she would say. I know they are around, but we never see them in our yard.

After breakfast, the day was creeping up on us (yes – we ate pretty late!), it would only be 5 hours or so, before the solstice party started, we had a few things to take care of, but we really wanted to get a Tandem Bike ride in. No time for a nice long ride, but we thought we could at least get 20 miles in, so off we went. We headed north out of town without a route in mind, just to ride. Sometimes when we are on our bikes we can put everything out of our heads and just enjoy the ride, and then there are times when biking gives you too much time to think about things that are going on in your mind, your mind does flip flops with all the voices – Shawn calls it monkey chatter. Sunday’s ride was a monkey chatter kind of day for both of us.

We were getting close to our turn-around point and Shawn suggested we swing by Mom and Dad’s grave to see how the flowers we planted in the spring were doing. It also was Father’s Day – so a great day to visit. We got to the grave and except for a few weeds, the flowers looked great – lots of rain this spring, every thing has been so green. The monkey chatter was leaving as we sat in the grass and quietly watched the world go by.

As I looked off to the right, I saw a bird in one of the trees. I could see it was bird that had some color, but the shade of the tree made it difficult to see. As the bird flitted from branch to branch it was getting closer and moving in an out of the sunshine and shadows. I thought it was most likely a cardinal, but the shape was not quite the right, could it be?? ...I pointed it out to Shawn – “there’s an oriole!” Sure enough, such a bright orange – a stunning bright color against the dark green trees! Happy and full of energy! It flew closer until it was on a branch right above Mom and Dad’s grave. It stopped and looked down, as if checking in on Walt and Betty. A quick look, all is good, and then off again. We thought how thrilled Mom and Dad would have been to see an oriole. Or did they have a hand in this?

Shawn is convinced that there were too many coincidences on top of coincidences that this “just happened”… me talking about Orioles at breakfast, seeing one just a few hours after, on Fathers day, on Matt’s birthday, on summer solstice, while we are sitting at mom and dad’s grave. God, mom and dad they had a plan – it must be a symbol. It was such a beautiful bird on a beautiful day.

We both felt such great comfort in seeing the oriole. The monkey chatter cleared and we knew, that no matter what twists and turns life throws at us, everything was going to be fine. The oriole was a symbol that we are in His hands, in Mom and Dad’s hands and we are being loved. All is well.

We got back on the bike and headed home. It was a great day to celebrate all the blessings in our lives. And the party was just about to start…

Look who's 20!!

Matt turned 20 at midnight last night!! Being a third shift person, he likes the late night celebrations. It is fun to let the anticipation of cake and ice cream build thru the evening hours and when the clock hit midnight, we go into party mode!

This year's gifts included some survival books for life in Chile, a computer hard drive (somewhere on a FedEx truck), and money to build a computer server. Sometimes its very interesting what ends up on the birthday wish list.

Matt has to work at 10pm tonight, so he is spending most of the day catching up (or getting ahead on sleep). Such is the life of a third shift college kid!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

SPRING!!

You can tell we are not Floridians by our extreme excitement over God's color outside our door. Just gotta love the spring blooms, this is my blue columbine. Got the seeds from someone, was it you? Thanks!! If only I could have the cocoa bean mulch. Guess the black will do. Today I will have to get a little more. First I want to put down a soaker hose along my step where my roses are. It's a beautiful day in Michigan (mark the calendar), definately too cold for Floridians though. Wish you were here always.

Sue´s Views

Hereś a picture of my lime orchid. Of the three we bought, this is the only one that is staying healthy. It was the cheapest one...would´n´t ya know. On the instructions, it said to give it 3 ice cubes a week. It must like them. Ain´t she a beauty?

Sue´s Views

Another spring beauty! This one has a little story behind it. Ron and I were taking a walk across the river, searching for morels, when we spotted these jack-in-the-pulpits. I know it´s a technical foul to pick them...but, I thought they would look good mixed among my lady´s slippers. I was surprised they survived. I think theyĺl get more attention here on this side of the Thunder Bay River. Stay tuned. There will be some thrilling nature pictures in my continuing series of ¨Floer flowers and fantastic furry friends!¨

Sue´s Views

I finally remembered how to play this game. Now if I would practice more, it would be like riding a bike. Here´s one of the ldyś slippers that just opened up in the backyard, along the riverbank. This year my flowers have really come in great. Iĺl be sending you more. James, I told Candy all about your run. I´m so proud of you-such determination. She told me that Dayne set a new school record for push ups. He did 47! Ron´s been going crazy not working. Hopefully they will start back in the woods in a couple of weeks. He did a couple of small projects for m outside. Better get this in the Rathbun Round Robin.

Rio Job Site

Here I am today at our store in Rio. Amway is using a new concept in South America - Stores to show off the products...

I'm on the left, then next to me is Admilson, he is the foreman on the site. To the left of him is Edson and then the rest, I don't know their names. The guy on the far right is as cool as he looks in the picture. He works hard, but always has a smile on his face and loves to make jokey faces. He cracks me up, but I can't understand a word he says.

My "its a small world" or "its a small Rio" story involves four of these guys. On Saturday night a cab driver told me I should go to Fair Sao Christovia (which is pronounced fasakoava - only faster). Its a huge deal that's kind of county fair, meets, flee market, meets craft show meets local talent show meets beer tent. It was fun, and a great place to see what people in Rio do for fun...SO, I'm standing there watching a bit of the show and the people dancing and these 4 guys start talking to me, I didn't recognize them, but they kept talking to me, I was convinced they were four thugs that were going to take me to the "American" side of the city (IYKWIM). Anyway, they finally said their company name enough times that I caught on and I was so shocked I knew some people there. Very nice guys, and we had fun, even though I think we only exchanged 7 words all night.

Here we are at the fair:

Samba on Cats!