A Family Weekend

Since my son's car is playing dead, I must drive to Indianapolis to bring him home for an extended weekend visit. As much as he loves his new life I think he is ready for a visit to the old homestead. Much of the coming weekend will be about family. All of my immediate family will be crossing the river on Saturday to visit Huber's Orchard in southern Indiana. It's time to take Chloe out into the pumpkin fields. If my father in law were still alive, he and I would be visiting the winery there. We've had some good wine and great conversation in that building. It is supposed to be a beautiful day so I am looking forward to chasing Chloe through the fields and checking out the pumpkins. On Sunday the project manager of my family, also known as my wife, has declared that an official family photo will be taken. I have no idea what shirt she will tell me to wear. If I chose my own shirt I will likely get a comment that will go like this, "You're not wearing that, are you"? It's been a while since we're had a photo and now my family includes my daughter in law, Stacy, and, of course, Chloe.

I finally have some live rock and roll music on the horizon. John Fogerty, of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame, will be in Louisville on December 3rd. A few weeks earlier I hope to see Leon Russell at a local pub. I really love seeing and hearing live music. Music celebrates life and is good for the soul. I'm not completely over the hill yet and I do believe in celebrating life.

Remember the retreat I didn't want to attend? Remember the retreat team that I didn't want to join? Well, as you know, I went to the retreat and I also joined the next retreat team. Now I have a leadership role on the team I really didn't want to join. All of my initial resistance and subsequent acceptance are at peace with one another. I am happy that I have made this commitment and I will do my best to help create a meaningful experience for the next group of men. I realize now that I was just be lazy and self centered. Everything I need to do are things I am actually good at doing. Now I feel energized by the challenge and happy about working with a group of really good men.It finally feels like autumn! It is 50 degrees this morning and I am wearing a light sweater. The cool morning air is so refreshing. When I stood on my front porch this morning and breathed in deeply, I felt rejuvenated. It's going to be a beautiful day.