Hard to believe it is almost August already. Here are some random summer photos.
Colyn and Grandma at the Des Moines Catholic Worker House
Colyn and Grandma, they have always had a special bond
Colyn's tattoo, Yes it's real.
Catholic Worker house protest at the Wellmark Building.
Buddy Guy concert...go Buddy go!
The boy's Grandpa had a stroke this week so Ryan came to see him. Sorry he had to come to town for that reason but I was happy to spend the day with both my sons
With the pets.
Lunch...big lunch
After eating big lunch
Could not believe how big the cat is now
My reaction to how big the cat is now...
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Comments: 43
Head rush, man. Nice to see a Mary Bee Photo Essay® again.
Good photos, too. Handsome boys. BIG kitty. IMPRESSIVE LUNCH.
Nice to SEE you also
yay the Catholic Worker house protest !!!
What's the tattoo say ???
You are a hoot !!!!
Tattoo is a personal conviction of Colyn's. He had put in Arabic so no one can read it. About being humble and helping others.
have been thinking, re-thinking, and thinking over again what someone told me the other day…Back story, I met a very good man last summer at the Catholic Worker. We had many good, open, honest talks. I had not seen him for about a year, I was always thinking about where he was at, how he was doing, praying that he was safe and that I would get another chance to see him. Behold, he showed up on our property after hours. I was so overjoyed to see him and him I. We stayed out and talked for a few hours. I always enjoy talking with this man because we cut the small talk and get to the real stuff. He calls me out when I’m BSing and I feel comfortable enough to call him out too. This man has a serious problem with alcohol. I rarely see him when he is not stumbling around, talking coherently, or on the verge of passing out. He was somewhat intoxicated this night, but enough to hold a conversation. I felt the need to have a serious talk about his drinking problem. I told him he was using it as a form of escape (which is one of the main reasons why people struggle with alcoholism) and that he needed to man up and face his life and face his situation. He told me “Yeah, I do drink to escape, but you can escape from all of this whenever you want, Colyn. You can go to your dorm room in Pella and laugh with your friends, watch your TV, and eat your food. I drink to escape from this life, you can escape from this whenever you want. You can shut your doors and close your heart whenever you please. Come talk to me about my alcohol problem when you live this life, until then, I’ll keep escaping to my alcohol and you to your comforts.” I had nothing in response to him. I told him he was right, that I can escape from this whenever I wish. I do escape from this every night when we close. For a short while, I thought I was one of ‘them.’ I would see some of the people around downtown and stop and chat. I would take a few to movies and run errands with them. I cannot be one of them until I give up my belongings and my forms of escape. How dare I ever try to tell someone they are trying to run from their problems when I am sitting here doing the same thing. My own heart is not resolved on what I should do concerning this situation. I do not feel guilty for the position I am in, it is something out of my control. I wish that everyone had the same upbringing as I and the same access to resources. Self pity and false humility would be in vain. I can change the way I live, the priorities I have, I can think twice about what I am about to say. I can and will continue to show mercy on everyone in every single situation. I can and will provide hope to all. If we’re not spreading hope then there is no point of existence. I can and will stop thinking that I am one of them. These words came from my heart, if there is any fault forgive me. Peace, colyn.
http://www.desmoinescatholicworker.org/
Wellmark is the home base for Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. They were protesting the millions of dollars they pocket at the expense of providing decent coverage.
Yeah, the insurance companies are really something nasty !!!
And, you weren't kidding, that cat is huge!
Great photos nice looking family and great protest !
did I say I missed you ?
Darn full-time job...
Long time no see. Glad you are well. Great post. Proud of your boys.
Love the photos!
The dog raised the cat, he was abandoned on the side of the road and was not expected to survive. The dog would cuddle with him all day to keep him warm and encourage him to eat by letting him suck on her nipples...even though there was nothing there. The dog would pick him up and carry him to his food. Really really good dog. I miss her very much.
Wow, that cat could give some of the "fluffier" cats I know a run for their money.
I’m doing a mass hello to everyone on my friends list.
“Hello”, my name is Lee P. You are my friend and I’m just stopping by to say hello. I hope that today will be your best day yet and that all your tomorrows will be filled with joy and happiness.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977764200