LA Marathon

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Test3

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Testing2

Testing

The Perfect Day

Yesterday had it all:

Beautiful weather, including a trip to the park where folks were flying kites. Meg loved watching the kites while Stella chased a friend around in a wide expanse of dark green grass think as shag carpet.

Healthy and happy aforementioned kids.

Eric and Marian not stressed about money for the first time in nearly 5 years.

A Highland Brewing Company medley of beers. Marian had the Black Mocha Stout. Eric had a St. Theresa's Pale Ale (I can't drink a pale ale often, but every now and then it's very fine).

Time on our porch, the best reason for owning this house.

An "everything" bagel at Breuggher's, toasted, with honey-walnut cream cheese.

No war. No deranged shooters along our day's journey. No terminal disease that we know of ruining our day.

It really was our little bit of heaven on Earth. And it makes me want to help others achieve this kind of life - if only for a day!

Madagascar

Long before Disney popularized the place, I'd wanted to visit Madagascar. A tour of the Lemur Center at Duke University only strengthened that desire.

I learned a bit more about the place from two Presbyterian Missionaries from Raleigh named Dan and Elizabeth Turk. They are truly down-to-earth - quite literally in Dan's case, as he's a soil scientist. Elizabeth works with village women to improve their health outcomes. They do not match the stereotype of "converting the natives" and telling them to wear more clothes.

The country had a coup recently, and the old president had to flee the country. Hate that sort of thing, but it's pretty standard stuff the world over.

I bring it up because our friends the Schmerkers are traveling the world and talking about going there. I'm really jealous, but I hope they can do it. They take really good photos and blog well at http://parisbaconpesto.blogspot.com.

A bit of Larson trivia: Marian's birthstone is sapphire, and the blue sapphire for her engagement ring likely came from Madagascar.

Here is a good blog about the country.

Beautiful Day at Biltmore

It was a little chilly at moments when the wind blew. But mostly it was a magical day - thanks to sunshine and a couple of free passes from our friend Christine.

Stella said that next time she's going to paint her fingernails when she tours the house.

I wish the batteries on our camera hadn't died. I'd have taken a photo of the "tree that snowed" white/pinkish petals.

We're thinking of getting year-round passes. Biltmore is great!

Marian's On a Mission

Marian is determined for us to go through every room of this house and declutter. It's a great idea, actually. Yesterday we went through the kitchen and found dry-goods we had forgotten we had.

She really wanted me to throw away the microwave popcorn. Are you kidding? That stuff is great. I promised I'd eat it, and soon.

There's Gatorade, some dried beans that are perfectly okay to eat, and even some wild rice that Tracy Phillips left behind when she moved about a year ago.

But today she's moving toward the dining and living room area, and I'm a little concerned.

"You think we can move that credit card machine?" she asked.

The credit card machine for our business has found a space next to our family telephone. I really don't know what else to do with it, honestly. But I suppose today will find me testing out phone lines in the basement - just because I'm an understanding husband who believes world peace begins right here.