Addie, This One's For You

It’s a gray day today, but the rain is holding off, and that’s good news. Our lake level has reached over 100.7 ft, and is leveling off and beginning to go down. What a relief. I think the water is running under the camp, but may not be inside saturating everything. Next week I plan to drive up to check it out. Can’t wait for quality time up there!

Geo and I had a relaxing Saturday. We had lunch at our fav Thai restaurant - the Massaman was really good. We ran some errands. I bought a rake and pushbroom for spring cleaning and yardwork, and also a cedar planter for my summer tomatoes. Geo bought a fresh loaf of bakery bread. After that, we went to a coffee shop where I had decaf Guatemalan Antigua and creme brulee, and Geo had decaf tea with a bowl of fresh fruit. Addie would like this place. It’s new, hip, and has wifi.

I hope and pray Addie is having the best of final days, well - almost final days - on campus. She knows how to plan well, so her UK holiday should be fine. We will look forward to her email updates everyday. It will be soooo good to see her again when she returns, AND to see her accept that diploma! She has so much going for her, and we are proud. Her thesis is so totally original. The pics she gets in London will add the finishing touch...I do hope she considers presenting her topic with pics, not only at the college, but also here in our home state...

Jenn is planning a celebration for the big 2-1. Hard to believe the BIG DAY will be here soon!

They're Off and Running

We're moderate political junkies. Like some people are sports enthusiasts, we follow politics. It's not the political race itself, but it's ABOUT the political race that interests us - the personalities, the strategies, the rhetoric and counter-rhetoric, the drama, the commentary, the historical significance, etc.
Geo and I are among the few who intently watched the first Democrat debate. The only "fireworks" I could see was between Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Sen.Barack Obama who took him on. Sen. Obama "scored points" on that exchange.
The whole debate was overall boring except for the entertaining former Senator from Alaska, Mike Gravel. He is turning out to be the "Al Sharpton" of this crew. Sen. Clinton certainly presented herself well, looking most comfortable of everyone on stage. Sen. Edwards surprised me with his philosophical clarity on the US being viewed once again as a force for good in the world, including some practical applications, but he appears a little too blow-dried, too "packaged" with his $400 haircut, for widespread appeal to the electorate. Governor Richardson was sweating so profusely, I couldn't help but wonder what he'd do in the Oval Office when he'd really be under pressure. And Sen. Dodd and Sen. Biden? What else is new...
Chris Matthews was certainly gushing over Sen.Obama over and again, post debate. He's becoming Sen. Obama's number one cheerleader. On the other hand, Matthews usually brings up "Hillary's unfavorability rating." Seems Matthews wants to take her down a peg to see a real battle ensue between Clinton and Obama. Eventually, a Clinton/Obama ticket could be powerful. Obviously, the country is looking for change, big-time. A Presidential candidate of the female persuasion with a running mate who identifies as an African American would be defining change for our country.
And Keith Olbermann? I do like his new glasses.

Anticipation

It's quite sad hearing the alarming weather reports from across the nation. A Nor'easter is heading our direction with the major impact expected to occur after midnight on Sunday. Monday will be messy with wet heavy snow. And this is mid April.
This time of year I am concerned about late snow accumulations, April showers, rapid snow melt due to rapidly rising temps, and rising lake levels that may cause flooding. Our little Kamp on the Lake can be very vulnerable. Water came up and into the Kamp fourteen years ago, and it seemed like forever before the waters receded. So every year at this time I get a little nervous. It would be so nice to open Kamp early this year.
Mother Nature is very powerful and all we can do is deal with whatever she brings our way, whether that means more shoveling or bailing out, or repairing damage. Makes me think about and appreciate all the more our fair weather days, and those breathtaking sunsets on the West Shore.
Looks like Monday may be a "snow day" work- at- home day. Keep safe, everyone!

Proud Parent Report

Jenn just called to say she was elected President of Psy Chi at her college. What a wonderful honor. And one of her photos from Thailand took a first place award in a travel abroad college photo contest. Congrats, Jenn!

Addie blew us away with her email to say she is completing her senior thesis with a 2 week trip to London BEFORE graduation in May. She saved money for her trip by working extra hours and using borrowed (not purchased) textbooks for the semester. She has arranged to stay with friends. It has taken a lot of juggling for her to schedule her class time and thesis presentation to her profs, especially since her thesis is interdisciplinary and she attends classes at 2 different campuses.

You two never cease to amaze me. Thank you for making us proud!