MIDSUMMER DREAM

This is more than a dream, it is reality, and a wonderful reality at that. With some additional water and lots of well rotted horse manure, my garden turned out to be the best ever. Thank you, God!

We've been eating eggplant for almost two weeks now, and it looks like there will be lots more to come. Last night had some on the grill seasoned with Cavender spice. Yum!

And the kohlrabi keep on coming...

A bountiful harvest of banana peppers. Salsa, green, and golden peppers are also coming along.

Pretty soon, we'll be able to have sweet and sour cabbage. I have five more heads growing in the garden.

The "river of marigolds" looks good. This year, many of these plants were volunteers - the seed wintered over well so I didn't have to plant too many of these.

The tiger lilies are outstanding. Each year, because they seed themselves, we seem to be getting more and more. The flower garden is so much different now than when the tulips and daffodils bloomed in early spring.

Matthew will appreciate this flower since it was a gift from him. Do any of you know the name of this flower (it seems to bloom for a long time).

I tore out the bushes that were alongside the workshop and instead planted some flowers: a rose, three climatis, lilies, phlox (came from Julianna Weden about 5 years ago), and some daylilies. It's pretty now, but should be gorgeous next year. In the front are herbs: parsley, cilantro, and basil.

I AM AMAZED AT HOW FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES GROW. EVERY DAY, I NOW GO OUT WITH MY ICE CREAM BUCKET TO GATHER WHAT HAS RIPENED OVERNIGHT. THE BUCKET IS USUALLY FULL. IN THE MEANTIME, WE CAN BEETS, ZUCCHINI RELISH, AND SOON, TOMATOES.

MORE GRANDCHILDREN

Lest I ever give the impression that there are only two grandchildren, let me make sure that the record is straight. There are a total of 11 blessings that Karol and I call grandchildren. Last weekend, we had grandchildren at our Rosholt home.

The two oldest boys (Andrew - left, and Nathan - right)

Joshua and Luke have a good time playing together. The Barbie jeep is always a hit no matter who comes over. My preference is always for the kids to use the manual toys so that they get their proper exercise.

Would you believe it? They think that this is a train!

The "turtle" sandbox is always a hit. Kaitlyn (the oldest grandchild present on this day) supervises the use of the sand.

Megan seems to be saying, "This is the best pickle I've ever eaten. See how well I cleaned all of the sand off of it!"

ISAAC & CALEB

Caleb surely does enjoy eating. He's quite a chunk!!

He grows by the day!

Grandma loves paying attention to her youngest grandchild (but also to EVERY other grandchild).

Isaac, the older brother, loves to joke and have fun.

Isaac's favorite place is his high chair especially when he has all manner of food in front of him. Tomorrow, July 21, is when Isaac turns 2.

PITTSBURGH PA

Last night after 12+ hours on the road, we arrived in Bethel Park at Matthew and Angie's home. We're here for Isaac's second  birthday and Caleb's baptism on Sunday.

Today, while Karol took care of the two boys, Matthew and I went down to "The Strip," a downtown fish and produce market. Other shops and restaurants are also located in this old area. While walking, I ate a "Mung Bean Pancake" and later had an iced coffee. Had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant and, after picking up Angie after her half day at work, we drove up Mt. Washington to catch the view.

Pittsburgh is a beautiful city, located at the convergence of the Alleghany and Monongahela Rivers, creating the Ohio River at the point of their convergence. The downtown is located on a peninsula between the two rivers.

Matthew enjoys a vermacelli dish after downing one of his two spring rolls. I've come to learn that Vietnamese restaurants are wonderful places to eat.

Enjoy the video of Isaac sitting on the deck chatting with his grandpa!

The rest of the day is "kick back." Matthew and Angie will be going to a Bible study at church tonight while Karol and I (well, really Karol) will be caring for the two boys.

THE WEEKEND PAST

For many years, Vi Quinn has been wanting me to come to her home congregation, Trinity, Merrillville, Indiana, to share the story of ISM. Well, this past weekend it finally happened. I traveled the six hours to Merrillville on Saturday and arrived mid-afternoon. Tina, whom I only knew as a small child, was there with Vi to greet me.

It is interesting how small the world really is. Tina and her husband, Mark, are members at St. John's Lutheran Church in Beecher (Eagle Lake) where I spent the first five years of my life. In Eagle Lake, there are no eagles and there is no lake, but it is the place of my fathers first pastorate. He was single when he first moved there, later getting married to LaVerne Mueller on August 24, 1940.

I was born one year to the day later. I remember (perhaps through pictures and bedtime stories) feeding the chickens, watching the sheep, falling into the shallow pond with brother Rob, and hearing about the frost in my bedroom because there was no heat but a kitchen stove.

I missed kindergarten due to our move to Blue Island right when I turned five. Don't know whether that was a blessing or a detriment to my educational endeavors. I simply know that Eagle Lake has a warm spot in my heart.

Four or five years ago when I preached for their mission festival/church anniversary, they announced my presence on their luminated church sign, "Dr. Carl Selle to speak here." I can only say that probably was a premonition of the honorary doctorate I received in May 2011. Most interesting.

Vi Quinn, her daughter, Tina Szcepaniak with her husband, Mark

I met Vi and her family while on vicarage at St. John Lutheran Church, Gary (Tolleston), Indiana, back in 1965-1966. She had a bunch of little bonkers at that time. Later they moved to Hobard, and now, she lives by herself with three chihuahuas in a duplex.

While there, I was treated to Outback Steak House and Bob Evans for meals (different than my normal Asian style of eating). The Sunday service at 9 am was most enjoyable. Did something I don't normally do (in fact, it was a first); had a question and answer give-away before the service began. Asked questions about ISM and invited answers. Each answer received an Asian gift. What a wonderful way to ENJOY with smiles and laughter. I'll do that again.

The drive through Chicago was long with bumper to bumper traffic. Tomorrow morning, we will leave at 5 am to traverse that same route on our way to Pittsburgh for Caleb's baptism on Sunday and Isaac's second birthday on Saturday.

DID YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE THE CHIHUAHUAS?????

DILL PICKLES

Today was "dill pickle" day. Our friend, Ida Frizzell, called several days ago and told us she would be getting pickles on Thursday. How many did we want? Our usual is three five gallon buckets of pickles ( enough to make 50+ quarts of dills). She gets the pickles from a nephew who grows pickles over near Waupaca.

The pickles don't get picked up in Amherst until early afternoon, so Karol takes time and heads to our "lake" to feed bread to the fish. 

First off is the scrubbing. While the pickles have lost most of their dirt, they need to be cleaned again, one by one. No one likes to crunch sand when eating dill pickles. Megan and Luke each helped for a few minutes.

Megan cleans a pickle so that she can have a taste.

Now that the "little babies" are clean, they are ready to head to the packer - Karol has positioned many pickles in hundreds of jars, so she really is the EXPERT packer.

The pickles are packed; dill, alum, sugar, salt, onion and a vinegar/water mix have been added; the lids have been boiled to sofen and sterilize the rubber; and now they are ready for the hot water bath.

The jars sit in the boiling water for about 13 minutes, or just enough time for them to turn from their bright green color to "pickle color."

Now they're ready to be taken to the cooling table where they will lose their head, and the lid will seal.

The finished product. This year, we processed 77 quarts with Holly and Nathan's help. The pickles need about two weeks to cure and then we'll be ready to enjoy them. Our last jar of pickles from last year is presently in the refrigerator - life will go on without a hitch, and we won't ever "be in a pickle!"

FRESH OIL

Something so simple as an oil change and yet so important to the longevity of a car. I often compare oil to the lifeblood of the vehicle; important for the function of the car. Without oil, there would be no travel from place to place.

Stu prepares to change the oil and check tire and fluid levels on our 2009 Chevy Cobalt.

Draining all the old oil out of the pan and the old filter. There's a sermon illustration here. All the old must come out and be replaced by the new. Ephesians 4:22-24  "Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Marv is the front desk man. And while he also does oil changes and repair work, he takes care of the customers. Over the years, I have come to appreciate Marv and Stu, and the other two mechanics at Second Street Auto Repair, Curt and Don. Lots of good conversation about all sorts of things (including politics).

Stu and Marv are both members of ELCA congregations - so, on occasion, there is some good theological discussion. Since the beginning (back in 2000 when Karol and I returned to Point), Marv has extended a gracious 10% "church discount" to me.

Downtown Stevens Point boasts of several "building size" murals. This mural recalling the lumbering days along the Wisconsin river is located on Water St. and faces the Wisconsin River.

The towspeople were primarily Polish and German with a minority of Jewish settlers in the mix (there once was a synagogue in Stevens Point, but when the number of males was less than 10, it had to close. The synagogue now houses a museum). This mural is located near the farmers market on the downtown square, painted on the wall of one of the numerous downtown drinking establishments. 

This mural is located on the east side of the post office (note the mailbox on the left side of the mural). Townspeople gather by a "styleized" courthouse.

Finally, a picture of one of the three gardens that Andrew tends. This garden has spaghetti squash, summer zucchini, sweet corn, some onions and a few tomato plants. It's irrigated with water from Lake Jacqueline.

KENT

Yesterday, Karol and I worshipped at St. Luke Lutheran Church, Lyndon Station, WI, nearby Wisconsin Dells. My old buddy during Concordia, Milwaukee days, Terry Lehman, hailed from this small village. St. Luke is also the home parish of Kent Pierce who was baptized and confirmed in this little church (now averaging 50 or less in Sunday worship).

Kent was a part of our Peace ministry in the early '90's. His grandmother hails from Reedsburg, and his mother, a little younger than I, was a part of St. Peter's Lutheran School, Reedsburg. His grandfather was a Lutheran pastor. Kent heard God's calling for pastoral ministry and went on to finish his education at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He married a college sweetheart, Jen, and now have three children.

Kent has been a campus pastor (after my heart) since ordination. First, he served Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, and now he is at Campus Lutheran in Columbia, Missouri, serving the University of Missouri.

Karol and Kent. Kent shared following the service that the first Bible class he ever attended at Peace was led by Karol.

This camper began it's trek in Columbia, Missouri, headed to Washington State, arrived in Lyndon Station, WI, and is now headed to the Atlantic in the state of Conneticut. Kent pedals all the way, one day traveling 161 miles (a good tailwind, he said).

This summer on his sabbatical, he is biking across America in support of campus ministry, creating awareness and raising funds for LCMS Campus Ministry. His support team is his family who travels along with camper and bikes.

Kent's message was based on Hebrews 12:1-3 and had the following three parts:
     1) Celebrate the witnesses; past (OT and NT) and present who surround us
     2) Travel lightly ("throw off everything that hinders...")
     3) Live in faith

You can follow Kent on the remainder of his journey at http://dryditch.wordpress.com. Feel free to share financial gifts with LCMS Campus Ministry (very close to my heart).



On Sunday afternoon, Karol potted about 20 geraniums (purchased at Fleet Farm for the sale price of $.50 each. They will adorn our garden when you come to visit.

While Karol potted plants, I harvested the garlic from this year's garden. I have about a dozen more plants in the garden, still growing while I await the maturing of their seed heads.
This year, I tried a different method for harvesting. I dug alongside the garlic to loosen the dirt. Then I pulled up the garlic and tied it in bundles. Following that, I cut off the root with a pruning tool. Finally, I washed the garlic bulbs with a nozzled hose and hung the bundles in the garage rafters for drying. I have plenty, if you would like some.

REUNION: CLOSING COMMENTS

This will be the ending post on the REUNION. Consensus agreed that it was a wonderful time together with many "WOW" experiences and moments to remember. Let me share some photos that I thought captured the whole event (or parts of it - I want to leave myself open to publishing whatever videos and photos and commentary I'd like).

Many of those who fished will clearly remember this fishing hole. During a two day period, we took almost 200 nice fish from right here. Most were sunfish, and they were plump.

You just have to enjoy Timothy Baker on the violin. He's got great poise and good posture!

 On Wednesday evening, because it was so hot outside, we went into the rec room to share a time of song. The Baker family sang one for the group (in English).

When it was so hot - somewhere in the 90's - the afternoons were kept for conversation and quiet play. Aaron's antics were at a great cost to his energy store!

Maddie and Daniel enjoy deciding what to do with the water balloons. Later they all cooled off because of the water in those very balloons.



As the week wore on, swimming became more and more of an important past time. With high temperatures, the kids loved cooling off in the water.

I don't know that everyone felt this way, but Aaron exemplifies the fun, the fellowship, the heat, and the relaxation of the whole reunion. We're thankful for safety, for Whispering Pines, for family, and for the blessing of a great time together.

I WILL BE TAKING A FEW DAYS OFF BEFORE MY NEXT POST. THANKS FOR FOLLOWING THE REUNION.