Graduation Day

Three of my young lady piano seniors

are graduating from high school.

Here's Carrie, who began with me when she was 9.

She was always so soft spoken with such proper manners,

always the feminine lady even as a child.

Here's Kiersten, the eldest of the three Harris girls, all my students.

She gave the best speech of the evening - like a Valedictorian speech.

She has such depth of character and a heart for God.

I am continuing to mentor her in two areas:

She is my partner in ministry,

helping me and sometimes teaching

the Micah House Good News Club each week.

She is also studying with me to be a piano teacher.

Kiersten and Carrie graduated from Citrus Valley Christian Academy, a home-school organization. It was a very moving ceremony. With only 14 graduating, each senior and their father stood side by side and made a short speech. It was so touching to see fathers affirm their young adults with love and pride, that my throat tightened even for the ones I didn't even know.

And both girls included pictures of their piano experience in their video collages,

shown during the program. It gave me a lump in my throat

to have influenced their lives and be part of their education.

Eden Roses and D'Elias

It started on my morning runs when I pass this house.

The roses 'round the door are so beautiful,

I stopped one day to ask their name.

Pierre De Ronsard also known as Eden Rose

Well, I must have some!

After ordering them from Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar

I found them much closer (and much cheaper) in Riverside.

So I bought four:

two to cover my arbor, as the current roses there

are not so beautiful or prolific,

and two for each side of the garage.

This one's mine. So feminine.

White outer petals with a delicate pink center.

Of course this means I'll need a trellis over the garage opening

so the roses will climb onto the roof also.

Can't wait!!!!

Next we had lunch at D'Elias Grinders on University Avenue

just west of the UCR campus.

It's still in business, but in a nicer building.

I used to eat there in the 70s while a student at UCR

and studying through the dinner hour.

Next stop would be the library for hours of reading.

Excellent home-made bread! Still a local favorite.

When I ate there it was a road-side walk-up sandwich shop.

I'm glad they have survived all these years.

I see they were voted most popular grinder shop in Riverside.

With good reason.

Treehouses

Two tree houses found on walks through Redlands.

This one looks comfortable. Even has a porch.

This one looks difficult to get into...

somehow totally encased in the branches.

It looks better now that the leaves are coming out.

It is the Lord's Day

Today is Grant's 11th birthday.

So what was his unusual request for his birthday this year?

An orange tree.

No, really.

An orange tree.

Well, that and a phone.

So he got an orange tree and phone

among other gifts at the family party.

This is the same kid who asked for a coffee machine for Christmas.

Happy Birthday, Grant.

So is that your favorite outfit?

I see you wore the same shirt and shorts

for your birthday and Easter picture.

The Music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more...

This evening Noor and I heard the Redlands Symphony play an all Gershwin program. The most beautiful music in the world. Gershwin's rich harmonies allow every section of the orchestra to shine. It makes me so sad that he died so young at 38. So much beautiful music unrealized. Thank you, George Gershwin, for enriching our lives.

More answers to prayer...

My sister, Virginia (Ginger), survived her open heart surgery and just 11 days later she is not only out of ICU, but will be transferred from acute care to a rehabilitation facility nearer her home. She called me so I would know she was okay, and it was wonderful to hear her voice. Her excellent recovery is an answer to prayer.My son-in-law, Eric, was taken by ambulance to the hospital yesterday. He has been ill for over a week and while that was being taken care of they discovered he has high blood pressure and has a fast heart rate. Then he had dizziness and chest pains...so he was rushed to the hospital. After a couple nitroglycerin "sprays" he was feeling great and considered walking out, but was convinced to stay overnight for tests. Both Papas (Terry & Tom) and his sister Tammie have high blood pressure, so this seems to be a common thread running through the family. Still holding him up in prayer.

Keely Proctor had her last tube (to the liver) removed and is cleared to return to school today. She is a living miracle. Here she is being welcomed back by the principal.

Euphoria

THE TAXES ARE DONE!

And I didn't stay up late.

What relief. What a lighthearted, happy feeling.

And we got back from the state more than we owed the federal. When has that ever happened before? I had it in my head I was going to owe $1000. But I get some back! Wow.

I asked Tom to nag me every Friday night to update my receipts for the week. I may regret that.

But the taxes are done! There's plenty of time for regret later. I'm happy right now.