church in Bentonville

I was driving through Bentonville, Arkansas the other day on my way to Kansas and I stopped to worship at this very lovely church.  The old stained glass windows were beautiful.  The sermon was inspiring.  The congregation was warm and inviting.  Did I mention the stained glass windows?  You know how I appreciate stained glass.  And, the church is a  wonderful place to worship.  Come, join.

5 layer chocolate pie

This is a picture of a super tasty five layer chocolate pie with a tiny layer of cinnamon thrown in for good measure.  I'm still thinking about the eclipse I saw yesterday and somehow pie came into my mind.  It's round.  It's very dark.  It has a (plate) corona.  This is the total eclipse version of the pie.  But, just like all good things must end, the eclipse and this pie are now just memories.  carpe diem

my total eclipse

I did it.  I wanted to be under the total solar eclipse and earlier today I did it.  I am in Holton, Kansas.  The weather today wasn't that great and that was a disappointment since I tried to pick a good location to view the eclipse.  However (thankfully), just at the very moment that the moon covered the sun, a large hole broke in the clouds and the eclipse was able to be observed.  I saw the corona and then the diamond ring effect appeared.  It happened so quickly.  I took one quick picture but actually the joy came from the observation of the eclipse just by looking at it and enjoying the moment.  I watched as the crescent sun appeared and eventually the entire sun was visible.  And then it was over.  For now, anyway.  There will be another total eclipse in 2024 and I want to see that one, too.  It is a really awesome experience.

como park band

There's nothing better than enjoying an outdoor concert on a warm (but pleasant) summer evening in June.  This time I was attending a concert in the Como Park band shell in St. Paul, Minnesota.  The entertainment for the evening was provided by the Fridley Concert Band.  What a delight.  Very good music in an architecturally delightful old building next to the lake.  Rock on.

hamline

This church has a beautiful interior.  I remember visiting here as a teenager while attending MYF youth day during annual conference.  The stained glass windows are absolutely beautiful and they tell a story of various important events in the life of Christ.  I was very happy to visit here again.

mn capital

I spent some time in Minnesota this June/July.  As I was passing through St. Paul I was able to get this picture of the Minnesota State Capitol building.  This is a quick pic taken from a moving car.  I wasn't driving!! Built in 1905, designed by Cass Gilbert and patterned after St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the Capitol is a beautiful old building and is visited by many school children each year as part of their Minnesota history studies in fifth grade.  Thanks Miss Medchill!

Herbert Hoover (#31)

I stopped in West Branch, Iowa to visit the birthplace of Herbert Hoover.  I didn't know that much about this former president but I was about to find out.  He was born in this small house in Iowa.  His Quaker upbringing in this small town helped to form him into the generous man that he ultimately became.  He is instrumental in delivering aid to the Belgian people when they were starving.

               He was a big man so it was interesting to see his baby crib.  (We all start out little).

Here is his school.  Even though he left West Branch at an early age to live with an aunt and uncle in Oregon, he always considered this town to be his home.  This is where he and his wife chose to be buried.  The graves are very simple in keeping with their Quaker faith.  His presidential library is located on the grounds.  This site is maintained by the National Park Service.