Layne

The CoVid world continues.  We stay home mostly.  I don't mind it, in fact, I enjoy it.  There is much to do here.  Mostly I've been working on Layne's life story.  We are going to celebrate him at our next family reunion so I've been searching out pictures and stories about him to share.  Here's a sample.  In this picture Layne and his twin brother, Lynn, are decked out in hats in their yard.  Think they are having fun?  Can you tell which one is Layne?

Most of the pictures of him are taken after our marriage.  There are some cute ones.  Here's a youngish portrait of him.

Looking through old pictures reminds me of many happy memories. Sometimes I feel like time passes so quickly and not that much has happened.  But these pictures tell a different story.  All too soon our 5 children grew up.  Here's one of my favorite pictures of Layne and our Jessica, on her wedding day.

Being a grandfather was fairly new to us in the following picture.  Layne got into it pretty easily.  Here he is with Scott and Allegra, when we lived in Fremont, CA.

Those little ones are all grown up now.  Time has made us great-grandparents.  Here's Layne in more recent times, first with his twin, Lynn, and then just...him.

Remembering is a good thing, most of the time.  I'm remembering these days with Layne, with fondness and gratitude.  

And so the days pass, one after another just about the same.  There are no obligations, and no Church meetings.  I like having these wide open days.  I suppose they will come to a close soon enough.  While it is peaceful here, there is much strife in our country right now.  It feels like we are in a sort of cultural war.  I haven't experienced this before and I'm not sure what to think of it.  Except to worry.  Just for the record, I believe this country to be the best and most prosperous in the world.  I believe that our Constitution was inspired of God.  I believe that we should do all we can to keep it, and the freedom and prosperity it has rewarded us with.  Hooray for America! 

Celebrating America

There is a lot of unrest in the US right now.  Is it an extension of the Corona mania?  It is hard to say but it seems to be that the lock down has offered ripe territory for extremists who would like to make their mark.  The death of a young black thug by a policeman has opened the floodgates of protests regarding race.  I believe that we can do better is just about every category, but destructive opposition is sure to bring destructive resistance, if we are not very careful.  Many say that this is a pivotal time for our country.  Perhaps it is.  It is definitely a time when it seems important to speak up for what is wonderful about our way of life and government, and to support the Founders vision of freedom for all, and opportunity for happiness.  Indeed, it offers the only successful system for offering us a chance to thrive.

And so we celebrate Independence Day.  Idaho is great at that.  Even with the lockdown, there were fireworks all over Treasure Valley last night.  We gathered at Reed and Dorothy's for traditional hamburgers and hot dogs, with fireworks in their backyard, surrounded by fireworks all around us.  A full moon offered its own celebratory light, adding a bit of nature's magic. 

Here is some of our family gathering, in Reed and Dorothy's living room, getting ready for Reed's inspirational message. L to R:  Bruce, Angelica, Seth and Tim.

Then the fireworks began.  It looks pretty light but it is about 9:30.  In Idaho you have to stay up late to catch the dark.  Here's Vincent, just after his turn at lighting.

Timothy's turn.

Star's big fireworks show began at 10:15.  At 10:30 I loaded the older kids up and we headed to Star to catch what was left of the show.  We parked quite close by and got settled sitting on the jeep's hood just in time to see the spectacular ending to the show!  It was disappointing to miss just about all of it, but we DID see the best part, short though it was.  We drove back home, under the light of the full moon, with fireworks sparkling along our way.  

Happy Independence!