Come On Spring! Really, I Mean It!

Lake Michigan and tree buds

 In early March we were in Florida, and Spring was imminent.  As we traveled north there were a fewer signs of Spring as it slipped away in our rear view. 

In Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in mid-March all hope of Spring vanished in a swirl of snow.  We continued our journey entering the landscape of winter, while celebrating Easter in Ontario, Canada. 

Daffodils along the bike trail in Two Rivers

Our "Spring" tour took us through Michigan, where there were a few signs of Spring, but nothing green... snow and cold temperatures - again. 

As we traveled across Michigan the trees were beginning to ..... then we made our way into Wisconsin.  Spring eluded us again.  

We moved north from the Milwaukee area just as the trees were beginning to.... we have now parked haRVey in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, and finally, finally - Spring.  There is no snow in the forecast.  This could be for real!  

With this blog post I have noted a developing theme of Seasonal Defective Disorder. 

Sisters Hang Out

Jane, Sabra, Amy

There are many things I love about spending time with my sisters...

...they will tell me when my hair or my clothes are not quite right.

...when ordering pizza, we all like the same toppings. 

 ... their childhood memories will fill in the forgotten bits of mine.

... we all love Reuben sandwiches - a trait shared with our brothers as well.

... in order to really relax, we must first clean the house, then with coffee in hand we can sit and read a book.  We know how that became part of our DNA. (Thanks, Mom.)

... we all decorate our homes with the same color palate. My home is considerably smaller.

... and my very favorite, both of my sisters have mannerisms that remind me of my mom.  I love to look at my sister Jane's hands, and I love to hear my sister Amy laugh. 

Dryden, Michigan

Can you see haRVey?
Thank you to Holy Redeemer in Dryden for hosting us and
providing great shelter from the wind.

In This Life...

... there will be birthdays!  While we were parked at the home of Kevin and Carol Walrath, their daughter-in-law Sarah celebrated a birthday.  Since we were in the neighborhood (their driveway), we were invited to join the celebration.  Sarah and her hubby Paul are pictured along with the delicious cake that disappeared quickly. Sarah even baked the cake! 

Thanks, Sarah, for having a birthday while we were there!  

Sarah heard Dave singing on the Lutheran Hour.  She liked the music, bought the CD's and encouraged her pastor to have us come and sing at her church, Historic St. Paul's in Kitchener, Ontario. This led to work at Prince of Peace, Burlington, where her father-in-law, Rev. Walrath, is pastor. It was such a pleasure to meet and get to know so many Canadians all at once. eh? 

 ... there will be death.
Pastor Kevin and his lovely bride Carol were our hosts for the two weeks we were in the area.  The weather outside may have been frightful, but the hospitality was certainly delightful!  While we were there Carol and Kevin lost their dear friend, Julie, to that wicked Cancer foe.   It was a difficult time for them, but they reveled in the joy of Christ Jesus' final victory that nothing in this world can touch, thanks be to God.

Did I Mention We Came North Too Soon??????

We are parked in the Walrath's driveway near Burlington, Ontario - yes, that is snow!Our gracious hosts will have us hogging the driveway  for one more week. If it was just a tad warmer we would not leave! We have30 amps and sewer!  It should have been aneon sign for us when I could not find acampground open in late March. It is hard to imaginebelow zero temperatures when you are in Florida. That is my story and I am sticking to it. 

Once again thankful for Dave's farm experience as he parked snugged up, but with room for the slide without touching the roof line. 

About 12 inches

Today the thermometer will be climbing to a stunning 50 degrees so we are off for a hike. 

Washington DC - Again.

On our last visit to DC, the reflecting pool was empty and fenced off as it was cleaned.  On this visit the Washington Memorial was undergoing some repair.  It was damaged in an earthquake on August 23, 2011. The monument will be closed until 2014. Even with scaffolding, it is pretty cool. 

 This was our first visit to Arlington Cemetery. What an awesome sight. It made me want to celebrate every single day of freedom; it is priceless gift!

The tomb of the unknown soldier offered an opportunity to pause and reflect.  As you can see in the picture there are flowers on the top of the stairs. Placing flowers is a ceremony that brings tears to your eyes.  If you follow the link, Placing flowers you will see the moving the ceremony.  The video shows  Memorial Day, with more pomp and splendor.  The quiet tones of one bugle is every bit as moving as people reverently watch the drama of honoring. I spent much of the day with a tissue in hand and thankful for the freedoms I have because of all the memorials honoring those who fought and argued at great personal expense. Thank you does not seem big enough. 

We Drove North Too Soon!

These are my feet in socks and slippers - not my idea of Spring

This is not my idea of Spring either - we came north too soon.  This out my window photo was taken while we were parked in Manassas, Virginia.