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Our Relaxing, Archery Weekend in Maine

I think this was Jana’s first time shooting a bow.

Our Pennsylvania granddaughters got some early Saturday morning archery tips from their older cousin Hannah.   

Diana had some previous tips from her dad and brothers.

They were preparing for Maine Traditional Archers “Poke and Hope” Weekend near Durham.

We turned off a country road, traveled a short distance on a dirt road, and ended up in a peaceful clearing in the middle of beautiful woodland. 

Straight bows waiting for their owners to enter a variety of archery skills courses in preparation for a final contest on Sunday evening.  Every bow was beautiful in its own way – whether ordinary, simple, handcrafted, expensive, or elegantly detailed.

Mark and Diane’s family joined several other vendors in displaying items of interest to archers.  

Abigail and Diane (our daughter) arrange and price their items.

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There was an excellent and educational display on how ruthless poachers kill beautiful animals for hide, antlers, and other body parts, then let the rest of the animal rot.  Responsible sportsmanship was an underlying part of the entire weekend.

Before long we were ready for the first set of archery practice shoots.

These bright orange plastic ties were indication that you had arrived at a target. 

Targets were lifelike, 3-D animals that sometimes surprised us when we came upon them!

Each of the four courses consisted of fifteen targets.  In our group of seven shooters, Jana (the youngest) was always the first to try her skills.

Here she shows us where she placed this arrow.

Diana loved when it was her turn.  This was a unique stop as there were two targets.

Lydia takes aim at a deer.

Hezekiah took his shooting seriously and loved a well-placed arrow.

Abigail is quite good – and great competition for her dad, older sister, and brother.

Josiah enjoys competing with his dad.

I somehow didn’t get a good photo of Hannah on the course – who by the way – knows what she is doing with a bow and arrow.

Elizabeth went along on the first course, but didn’t shoot – and later opted to stay behind and knit with the new appliance she got for her birthday.

Our son-in-law Mark made the most interesting shot of the day…

…when he placed an arrow between the deers antler and ear!

Diane and Jana

By the end of the first course, everyone was ready for lunch.

Cerwin and Diana

 Then it was time to relax.  I worked on a counted-cross-stitch piece for Diane, and Cerwin prepared to go on the next practice shoot.  He was the official scorekeeper.  He didn’t shoot because he is used to a compound bow.

In the afternoon I watched an interesting demonstration on how to make a bow – not that I will ever design one, but I enjoy learning about new things.

One afternoon Diane and Abigail discussed their faith in God with several ladies.

Lydia was pleased that a graphic artist added a design to her bow – free of charge.

Diana watched Josiah put tips and feathers on several new shafts.

On Saturday evening Josiah, Mark, and I enjoyed incredibly delicious lobster – cooked at a nearby marina – while those who don’t find seafood appealing chose a ham or turkey meal.

After supper, Mark gave the archer hopefuls some good tips.

The final shoot-off for the children.

We were pleased that Hezekiah (no photo), Diana, and Lydia competed.

Each did well, but not good enough to win the $50 gift certificate to L. L. Bean.

(After eyeing up the competition, none of our adults competed for the $200 gift certificate.)

My Favorite Photo Opportunity

A newborn fawn.

When we were out on the first course, word reached us that a target had to be moved on one of the courses because there was a fawn nearby.

Later in the afternoon the president of the club, told us where to find it, after the subject came up in a conversation, and he realized that we knew about it.  He requested that we not tell others, because he didn’t want it disturbed.

We were amazed that it didn’t move an ear, foot, or anything, even though it had its eyes open, and knew we were there.  We were sure the mother was watching us, but could not locate her.

We were pleased that it was gone the next day – indicating the mother had not abandoned it because of all the activity.

This is Happening as I Make This Entry!

I figured out how to log on to the motel’s Internet service this morning.  (I was too tired to deal with photos and Internet last night.)

The girls could hardly wait for 6:30 AM and go to the pool.

I took these pictures about fifteen minutes ago.

We are at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlborough, MA.  The U-shaped pool is so nice.  One section is three feet deep – just perfect for seven-year old girls.

After I Left You Yesterday at 5:10 PM…

I picked up Jana and Diana so they would be here for our early morning wake-up call.  They quickly went to the children’s room to play the new Nintendo games!

I was in the office until 10:30 – to finish some things that I couldn’t work on before due to the storm on Sunday.  In the process, I discovered the Pitney Bowes postage meter is not working.  The lights are on, but it would not put postage on my mail.  Consequently, I called my sister to see if she could take it to the post office in the morning.  I had more than 100 pieces of mail, and planned to just drop it in the post office mail box – but now every piece will need a stamp!

Our Day Began at 4 AM Today

The girls were so excited to be going to Maine and were awake and ready to go as soon as we were.

We enjoyed a beautiful sunrise!

The girls opted to play in the McDonald’s playroom, while we ate, then take their sandwiches to the car.

Both got slightly carsick (I was glad for Ziplock baggies!!), but never lost their sense humor.  When we took rest breaks, they enjoyed stretching their legs and walking a bit.

The were delighted to see the Welcome to Maine sign after nine hours of driving.  However we still had another hour to Mark and Diane’s house – it actually turned into an hour and a half because Cerwin missed an exit.  I think we were discussing something I discovered on our new cell phones, so neither of us was paying attention to the road.

After supper the youngest five went swimming in the Myers’ pool, while the three oldest went to a Mark Schultz Concert at Old Orchard Beach.

Another Interesting Day!

I am making this entry from a computer at the TFC International Office (Yes, Rose, it’s yours!)  I brought some reports here before leaving for our trip to Maine.

It has been an interesting day.  The insurance adjuster was here to check out our appliance graveyard and house repairs.  The computer tech came this morning and got me partially back in operation.  I got a DSL router, but still need a modem – the reason I am not on line.  I am so very pleased that nothing in my harddrive was lost!  After he had everything in operation, I discovered my Pitney Bowes printer also has a problem – the light comes on, but it is not “talking” – so a repairman will come to look at that next week.  The garage door was repaired, and I was able to do the reports I needed to bring here.  PTL!

I enjoyed listening to Jon, the computer tech, declaring my equipment dead!  I told him that he sounded like a coroner. 

I should be on line again by next Wednesday – until then, I will be entering blogs from Maine. 

We plan to leave early tomorrow morning for a five-day vacation to help celebrate our oldest granddaughter’s twentieth birthday.  This year it is Diana and Jana’s turn to go along on the trip.  They are anxiously waiting for me to leave here and pick them up!

Blessings.

Tuesday, July 4

Thanks for all the prayers and words of concern and encouragement.

We continue to add to our electrically “fried” items!  We are now up to twenty-two. 

Tuesday morning we took advantage of the holiday hours at a local hardware store and purchased a new stove.  We have a gas stove, but the electrical motherboard is dead.  Then we went to Wal-Mart and purchased a phone, TV, and Nintendo GameCube.  Our Nintendo was really old, so when our grandsons, Josh and Nathan heard we bought the new Cars game, they rode bikes to our place real fast!!  It was music to my ears to hear them laughing and laughing as they raced around the track.

It Was Nice to Have a Relaxing Evening

This year we celebrated the Fourth of July at Jeff and Chris’ house.  Jenna, Gloria, Diana, and Jana had signs taped to the siding to commemorate the day.

While we waited for supper, the children showed us their new chicks…

…and played with the bunnies.

Jared

Josh

Nathan

Jeff grilled smoked sausage.

Chris and Kristen planned a beautiful and tasty supper.

Jordan, Josh, and Nathan roasting hot dogs.

After supper the water guns became the entertainment.  In this photo Jenna is soaking Jared.  He loved it, so became drenched, while everyone else ran away and tried to stay dry.

Jordan offered garden tractor rides.

Ian, Gloria, Diana, Jenna, and Jared.

We had three rain showers yesterday – one of them a fairly strong thunderstorm.

As I was watching the rain, I thought this scene was pretty!  Notice the Bible on the window sill.

Just before dark, our sons gave a fireworks display for everyone.  Ian thought it was too loud!

When that was over, we watched the neighbor’s “high-in-the-sky” fireworks demonstration, until rain brought it to a halt.

It was a great day, but I still have a long way to go to get my house and office in order.

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Wednesday, July 5

I still have to make my entries at Jere and Kristen’s house.  Maybe tomorrow evening, I will be on my trusty laptop again, as I am expecting the computer tech in the morning.  (I have three computers, but since they are networked or wireless, I can’t do very much when one is down.  I also picked up the DSL replacement part today.

I am tired tonight, but my house and office are clean and organized for the first time in three days.

Cleanup From Yesterday’s Storm

The carpenter crew were the first to arrive this morning, when they came to assess the damage.  After we called our insurance company, they went to town to order lumber and supplies.  They were finished by early afternoon.

Then our local grandchildren arrived to help clean up the tree.  Jana, Jenna, and Diana.

Jordan liked to see how many pieces he could get on the bag wagon!

Jenna, Josh, and Nathan

Jared getting a ride!

Our daughter-in-law Chris brought lunch.  That was so thoughtful.

Gloria and Ian’s specialty today was mud pies!

Our phone line was reconnected just before lunch and the electric company came in the early afternoon.  I suppose they will have a long day – as we are not the only ones without phone and electric.

It is so nice to have electric again – we certainly take that forgranted!

Cleanup continued all afternoon.  Chris did her share of raking.  She may have sore muscles tonight.

Nathan

Jenna

Even the spouting repair men came today!

Less than twenty-four hours later, the roof is as good as new.

The generators that were used to keep our freezer and refrigerator cold, can be put away.

However not everything is in such good shape!

When I plugged in my office equipment, smoke sizzled out of this surge protector – probably the reason we smelled burnt plastic in the basement office.

This is the list of electrical items that were “fried” due to the electrical surge when the tree hit the wires:

1 treadmill, 1 garage door opener, 1 computer, 1 fax machine, three – maybe four phones, 1 laser printer (color), 1 air conditioner, 1 adding machine, 1 DSL Internet hookup set – which means I am out of commission in the office for a few more days.  I am so grateful for our son Jere’s help in taking the computer to TCW and ordering replacement items for us, as we were busy with cleanup.  It appears that the harddrive is not damaged.  PTL! 

Our children and neighbors made this time so much easier with all their help. 

Thank you everyone.

I am doing this entry from our son Jere & Kristen’s house, who live one mile away.

There’s a Tree on Our Roof!

We were under the entrance area of the hospital yesterday afternoon, waiting out a sudden thunderstorm (after visiting a friend) when Cerwin’s cell phone rang.  His response to the call was, “I’ll be right there.”  Then he turned to me and said, “That was Kristen, a large tree branch fell on our house.” 

He took off running through the downpour, then picked me up under the entrance area roof. 

During the twenty-minute drive home, we discussed which tree it might be, and tried to imagine what the house might look like.  This is what we found…

Firemen waiting for us because the branch tore down the electric and phone lines.  The neighbor who reported it said there were sparks flying everywhere.

There was no sign of fire, but the house smelled like burnt rubber.

The branch made two holes in the roof, which the firemen promptly covered with blue tarp, to prevent rain damage.

Two of my brothers (sitting on the car) talking to firemen while waiting for an electrician.

The firemen cleaning off the front part of our roof.

A broader view of the tree branch and house.

Watching the action with four of our grandchildren.  Remember the quote I entered several days ago?  I needed to go to that many times in the past seventeen hours.

When Life Seems Uncertain

Make a List of All the Certainties in Your Life

My brother using the skidloader to lift the large branch off of the house.  Our son Jeff is on the roof, just above the skidloader.

Dealing with the electric and tarp.

This damaged surge protector has us a bit concerned as to the electrical damage that might have happened.

(By the way, I am at our son’s house making this entry.)

The damage to our roof from inside the attic.

Three Broken Rafters.

We praise the Lord that there wasn’t any fire – or even more damage to the house.

I’ll update later.  I understand the electrician and phone company have arrived.

Shades of White

If you were at the Rally and your truck was white ivory, or beige – it may be in this set.

Shades of Green

More Trucks from the Rally