Date night-North Canton style

We decided that we wanted something light for dinner this evening. We went to a local favorite, Taggarts Ice Cream Parlor. It's been around since 1926. My parents went here when they were in high school and Rick and I went here when we were dating 43 years ago. I don't think the menu has changed much in the 82 years it's been in existence. As you can tell from the pictures, it's a favorite for young and old alike. If you decide to visit, watch out for the people in wheel chairs, with canes and walkers who would rather run you over than give up their place in line.

(I think I saw my old Latin teacher in the booth beside ours this evening)

Springtime at the "Castle"

We heard that Landoll's castle was having their daffodil festival last weekend. They advertised that you could have lunch and tour the grounds to see 40,000 blooming daffodils. I think it's still a little early, but we did see a few flowers peeking out. Lunch, however, was wonderful as always.

One of our favorite places

One of our favorite weekend places to go is Holmes County, which is only about an hour away from North Canton. It's a common sight to see horse and buggy drivers. Holmes County has the largest Amish community in the United States, even larger than southern Pennsylvania. Tourists are usually respectful of the Amish. We don't complain (too much) if we are held up in traffic because of a buggy driver. Many times they are children. We try not to be obvious with our cameras; they will turn their backs to you if they see you taking a picture.

Has everyone seen "Witness"?

Prayer update

Some of my friends have been praying for a situation in our family. Now it's time to tell what has happened. Our daughter-in-law, Tracy has decided she no longer wants to be a Draa. In fact, she has already left Steven and the children to move in with her longtime "boyfriend" in pursuit of her "personal happiness". She said to me, and I quote, "no one can be happy unless I'm happy". She also indicated that the children are not the most important things in this. Her happiness is the most important thing. This is so foreign to me. We can only pray that the Lord will put such a burden of guilt on her that it will bring her to her knees. Divorce is never nice. Especially when there are children involved. Her boyfriend is also married and has an 8 year old daughter. Please continue to pray for Steve and the kids as they go through this time.

Please continue to pray for this family

Steve, Jacob and Elizabeth

A funny thing happened on the way back to Ohio

Some of you may know I don't fly. I take the train. I HAVE flown...I just choose not to. I enjoy the train. I USUALLY enjoy the train. It can be very relaxing. It can also be a little stressful. Well, I have had sort of a stressful time in California recently. If anyone wants to know about it, please just ask and I will be happy to fill you in. Otherwise, just please pray for my daughter-in-law, Tracy.

Anyway...I decided on the train ride home that I just wanted to be by myself to read and sleep and relax. So, I spent a lot of time in the observation car. There was a man in a booth right across from me who looked very much like he could have been one of the terrorists from 9/11. I kept watching him...he wasn't really doing anything out of the ordinary...I just really didn't like how he looked. He was very dark with a mustache and sort of wild hair. I kept thinking "there really is not much security on the train. Anyone could sneak an explosive on in their carry on baggage. It would be so easy." So I kept thinking about this and watching this guy. After dinner I went back to my car and wouldn't you know...in the seat right across from me was this guy I'd been watching. There was a man right behind him who he was talking with. The man in the seat behind him introduced himself to me, then said "and have you met my terrorist friend, Zair?" I must have looked funny, because they both laughed and Zair shook my hand. He said "I may be a Muslim, but I assure you we are not all terrorists". It turned out that he was a very nice young man; he was on his way back home to NYC after visiting his sister in Los Angeles. We talked quite a bit. When it was time for the lights to dim, Zair took out a blanket and laid it down on the floor in front of his seat. I said, "Oh...is that your prayer blanket?" He laughed and said " No...it's hard to sleep sitting up, so I just bought this blanket when we stopped in Albuquerque. I thought I'd lay it down to cushion the floor". I think he slept much better than I did that night!

If you're bored with my family photos, don't go here!

More recent family photos.

Beautiful Pine Mountain Club

Rick and I lived in Pine Mountain Club for over 18 years. I'm so glad I had a chance to be there for 6 weeks recently. Here are some pictures.

Candid Photos of Family

Here are some of the pictures I took while in California. These are mostly for the grandkids to look at, but anyone is welcome!

Disneyland...the happiest place on earth?

Well, Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth...once you actually get there. With the price of gasoline and all the traffic, it can be a challenge getting there from Pine Mountain Club. We really DID have a great time. I was so happy to be there with all the kids.

Splash Mountain

Elizabeth was not thrilled with Splash Mountain. As you can tell from Jacob's expression, he loved it!

More pictures at Disneyland

Here are more pictures I thought the kids would like to see.
After all...the day was all about them!

Easter Sunday

It was wonderful to be back at Grace Community Church for Easter Sunday. John's message was so good and it was great to hear Jubilant Sykes sing "Were you There?" After church, we drove to Julie's sister's new house at the beach. The kids had a great time playing hide 'n seek and having an Easter egg hunt.