Hello Everybody,

Getting worried? Thinking maybe this is the end?

No, not quite. I was at the wedding of my friends Dale and Anna Stoltzfus today, which is why I'm posting late. Also, this past week I was working on another project, which is why this post is short.

Both the wedding and the "other project" were a blessing to be part of. So, no regrets.

(The link there is for those of you who contributed. Thank you.)

A Quote Illustrated

"Hard work spotlights the character of people:

...some turn up their sleeves

...some turn up their noses

...and some don't turn up at all." -Sam Ewig

<><><> <><><> <><><>

Thanks go to Faith for agreeing to be the scapegoat of this week's post. I love you, Sister.

God Bless.

Carmen

Dear Readers,

You're here, once again! It's hard for me to believe. Thank you for your faithfulness.

Because of your faithfulness, I want to notify you of what I've been contemplating: an end to blogging or, at the least, a break.

But the end isn't here yet. (I'll make it clear when it is.) So go ahead and check out the post.

I hear that arm wrestling with Conrad has been the thing lately.

Around here, the trampoline is on the fad list. Can't you just see it sucking in the jumpers?


Mercy's parody of the Statue of Liberty

IFRC Work Day

The fire company might be at the new hall, but we aren't.

In fact, we're at the old one because... well, because it's old.

Ladders...

...and workers

...and more ladders

...and more workers.

The Leaning Tower of Pizza

I approve, applaud, approbate... Put simply, I appreciate people who wash their hands, am appalled by those who do not, and appeal to all of you to make it a habit.

(Sorry. Call me overly apprehensive, but I am passionate about anything appertaining to cleanliness.)

Hope I didn't spoil your appetite.

(Check out how many words there are starting with app.)

Someone told me the lamp was trying to make a fashion statement.

And what are we doing here? Making an old-fashioned statement perhaps?

Just so you know, photography isn't dying at IFRC.

It's just going retro.

Much to the skepticism of some.

The Hard Core Volunteers

(By the way, there's some Greek up there for you to translate. Anybody?)

Look over here! Maybe this isn't volunteer work after all. Mr. Phero? Is that your wallet?

Mr. Phero? Hey, where'd he disappear to?

Time to call it a day.

<><><> <><><> <><><>

Thank you for stopping by.

Carmen

Hello Everyone,

Blessings to your Saturday!

Enjoy the post. (And that's an order. :-)

At Greek Class

Conrad casts a surreptitious glance over his shoulder hoping to spot the fateful "translation list."

Is he on it? Will he be called upon?

And here we have the fateful Kleenex box into which must go our homework reports.

Did we do it all? Are our assignments complete?

Lay it out theoretically on the top of a briefcase and Greek makes perfect sense.

Or does it?

Best wishes to Joshua in learning to drive.

(Mr. Phero forgot how to spell student.)

He looks innocent, studious, and irreproachable.

So do they all.

But they aren't. They have started a war!

The War of the Tractors

Why would anyone promote John Deere?

Conrad attempts to answer that question.

He must have been convincing: Luke came to the next class in a Kubota shirt.

Hats, Hamleys, and Huge Pennies

Peering over my shoulder — wondering what I am taking photos of — hoping I wasn't taking photos of her in Dad's hat — betrayed by a mirror.

A posed photo to make up for that last one.

And another one.

Does anyone else see Roger Hamley?

Or have I been watching too much Wives and Daughters?

An 1835 penny our uncles found when building the deck.

This penny saved could be twenty dollars earned.

<><><> <><><> <><><>

God Bless.

Carmen

Hello Everyone,

I doubt I need to point out that posts have been shorter and less thought-out recently.

Photography is something I have little time for right now, but I'm hoping that, with summer here, photo quantity, and maybe even quality, will increase.

Caption quantity and quality -- now that's another "something" that takes a lot of time. Maybe I'll just start posting without comment. Sounds restful...

Okay, no more threats. God Bless you all.

Charity and Faith at the Piano

"In Dreams" - Duet by Charity and Faith from Carmen Martin on Vimeo.

Dad and Mom Take a Bus Trip

Morning in PA, our aunts and uncles swarm the bus.

Evening in NC, they abandon it.

While our parents were watching gulls and...

...feeding gulls and...

...strolling beautiful beaches...

...WE WEREN'T.

Neither were we sitting on the table.

We did not have a can of Cheetos each for lunch.

In short, we abandoned neither manners nor moderation.

And even though we did wash a few vehicles, we did not...

...wash them all.

But let's check back to see how the wayfarers are enjoying their vacation (and the lemons).

Mom with her father Phares, her brother Phares, and her son Phares.

For devotions while they were gone, Conrad taught a two-part series on God's providence.


An adventure it was for all of us, yes; but, when the sun set on it, we were glad to be back together.