Congratulations Sean

Sean completed the 2011 Ironman Wisconsin in Madison a short time ago. I am impressed. I look forward to hearing his stories.

Team Sean

Sean participates in the Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, WI tomorrow. I am impressed by the dedication he has shown to prepare for this event. It is very exciting. I will be glad to hear when he has finished. His mother and his aunt will be present in Madison as his cheering section. Actually, I think they are there now. And I wish I was. But it did not work out that way.

We came up with the idea of creating a group "Team Sean." We made a sign and then invited folks to take pictures of themselves in various places and post the signs on his Facebook page. Folks did. The picture posted here is an example: Joel in Dublin with one of my favorite libations. I put another on Sean's page.


I am very grateful to our friends who have participated. It has been fun to see the pictures and good to know that so many folks will be thinking of Sean and the others who are doing a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run tomorrow.

See you along the Trail.

Charley II

Tricia's brother Woody is an artist who specializes in portraits of pets using pastels on suedeboard.

For Christmas we had him do a portrait for each of the guys - one of the best presents we have ever given.

With many fond memories . . . RIP Charley.

Charley

He's grown some. He's a bit bigger now. This was taken long ago - the day he came to live with us.

He is Sean and Eric's dog - their first dog. Eric and Sean picked him thoughtfully and carefully, working so well together. They loved him well. They love him still.

When Sean and Eric left home for work and school, my brother and his family adopted Charley. We met in a park and shared a meal. Then they said, "Come Charley," and he walked off with them and climbed into their car as though he had known them forever. My heart twinged when Charley never looked back and happily went off with Paul and Cindy, Billy, Greg, and Tommy. And well he should have gone - for they love him - he has found a good second home.

Yet he remembers us - always remembers us - always remembers Eric - always remember Sean - always remembers Tricia. You can tell in his eyes and in the excited way he greets us whenever we see him - which is, not as often as we might like, but often.

Now Charley ails. Seriously ails. An older bigger dog (did I mention that he grew and that the picture is from long ago) he faces health challenges. But come what may, he is loved and he is receiving good care and he will receive good care. And I am grateful to my brother and his family.

As I ponder what may be, tears well in my eyes. I bite my bottom lip to hold them back and memories flood over me. A smile dances in my heart and gently crosses my lips - a smile for Charley - for my sons - for my family - for love that never dies.

Toy Story 3

As rain drenches the Shire on the Hudson,

Memories of Sean and Eric

wash my spirit

flood my mind

fill my heart.

Sorrow, joy, and pride mix together.

A potpourri day

Did several little things today:

Some work on advocacy related to child soldiers - preparing to send Red Hands to missions at the United Nations urging them to have their respective governments ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in armed conflict.

Met with Francis and Isaac on the Dougbe River Presbyterian School of Liberia project. It is heartwarming to see this come together.

Took a load of books to the Half-Price Bookstore.

Got my hairs cut - at least the few that are left on my head and the many that are part of my beard.

Watched football (bowls) and basketball (Duke).

Called a potential musician for the prayer service on Sudan.

Watched The Untouchables while working on the child soldiers project.

Wrote thank-you cards.

Sean got to Madison last night and Eric went to Solon overnight and came back today.

Tomorrow - movies? And what else the day might bring.

Whatever that may be, see you along the trail.

Games played; games watched

Today was a games day - once everyone woke up.

We played Scrabble - Sean designed an Excel spreadsheet score card. Pretty cool.

Eric continued to win - I may have picked up one.

Sean left for CLE to return to Madison. I haven't checked his schedule but I assume he is there by now. Eric went to Solon to hang with his cousins. They enjoy doing that.

This led to me watching football. NC State beat WVU - thought the Mountaineers might do better. The Vikings upset the Eagles - did not see that one coming. Iowa and Missouri are now playing - Iowa has the lead which is a surprise - but good for those who once lived in Diagonal.

Slipped some work in between Sean leaving and football beginning. During commercials and long half-time shows, I watched a fair hunk of the second and third Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Tomorrow - another day to sleep in - another day to do some work.

See you along the trail.

The preparing of the closets

This should have been posted yesterday - May 29, 2010.

It was a day of multi-tasking that included:

• taking Eric to the airport to go to New Mexico
• a visit to Target to take advantage of a sale on Pepsi products
• a visit to Home Depot to take advantage of a rebate on Behr paints

The multi-tasking continued as the Shire renovation progressed. The following work took place at more or less the same time:

• painting shelves for three closets
• preparing two closets for painting
• washing the doors of one closet
• making ready to move things from room to room to make ready for guests
• changing furnace filters

The plan for today (May 30) is to paint the two closets and fill out the vouchers on Behr paints.

After the work, I finished watching Dances with Wolves. Eric and I had started it Friday evening - after Iron Man 2.

The day's big news is that Sean did a half-marathon in Madison. I am extremely proud of him. I do need to point out that I am engaged in an X-Men marathon (Eric left his videos at the Shire). Seriously, though, Sean's effort has inspired me to go into extensive training for the half-fifty yard walk.

But now - off to lunch and then to the painting.

See you along the trail.