War Eagle Mill

Today was my last chance to explore Northwest Arkansas during this visit. I headed down to War Eagle to see the last working mill in Arkansas. I had not been to the mill since the mid-70s, shortly after it had been restored. It is certainly a must-see for any trip to this part of Arkansas. I bought several packages of grits and several jars of Arkansas jams and jellys for gifts. Certainly a unique place to visit!

It reminded me that this is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games weekend. Many of our friends are there this week for Thistle School. We stopped going when Ian started attending Camp Tahkodah. I really miss going and must figure out some way for us to get back. Today, a friend sent us a YouTube video of John Middleton presenting Robert Burns "Address to the Haggis".

Mama Z's

This morning I headed down to Tontitown, an Italian settled area near here. I had heard about, but had never had the opportunity to go. My students all recommended that I eat lunch at one of the Italian places and I chose Mama Z's. They make all their own pasta so I tried the Italian Sampler plate (they recommended I go with the small). It was great with spaghetti, ravioli, and a large Italian meatball. There is little left to indicate the Italian background of the area, but the food is great. The rest of the day was spent grading papers and getting ready for class tonight.

Isn't He Something?

I was looking at my photos and came across this one I took of Ian on Sunday. Keri and I went up to Camp Tahkodah to see him halfway through his two week stay. He is having a wonderful time. I didn't think about it at the time, but he looks so much older in this picture. I thought many of you, especially those who have not seen him in awhile, would appreciate this photo.

Also, many of you have emailed me and called me about what I am going to do about my eyes. You should know by now that I am the King of procrastinators. With that in mind, let me say that I am very skillfully "delaying" that decision. Thanks for checking.

Northwest Arkansas

I am spending a week in Bentonville, AR, teaching an undergraduate class in Normal Language Development. The class meets every night from 5:30-9:30 and Saturday from 10-3. I am finding it very difficult to cram an entire semesters work into a week of class time and some online work. I'm afraid my students heads were spinning last night, but I think I got most of them calmed down. One contacted the Registrar at Harding to see about dropping, but I think she will hold on.

During the day, I am getting to explore some of Northwest Arkansas. I see why Arkansas is called "The Natural State." I tend to forget that while I'm cooped up in Central Arkansas. Monday, I went to Mount Magazine with my Mom and brother. It was good to spend time with them. I am looking forward taking Keri and Ian back. The Mount Magazine Lodge is absolutely fabulous. Everyone who is reading this must come and stay for awhile. Of course, you had better be saving up some money.

Today, I went to Pea Ridge National Battlefield. It contains 90% of the original Civil War battlefield site. It is as well preserved as Shiloh or Vicksburg. It has certainly changed since I spent time there as a Boy Scout (can you say 40 years ago?). I must figure some way to get my Scouts up for a hike.

Eyes

Vision is a wonderful thing. I have always appreciated the wonderful views that God has given us and I have often enjoyed hiking back into wild areas to see nature in its unspoiled form. Keri and Ian seem to really appreciate those sites as well.

I have thought a lot about vision lately. This time last year, I was recovering from a vitrectomy in my left eye as I explored Zambia. I was unaware that I would have a hemorrhage in my right eye on July 7 on the street in Livingston, Zambia. My left eye seems to have recovered well but I am unable to see well through my right. My last eye exam resulted in 20/400 with my glasses. I had recently been advised by my retina specialist that a relatively simple "nuclear cataract" surgical procedure would restore acuity in my right eye. Unfortunately, I discovered yesterday that that was not necessarily so. As I was informed, "an eye that has had a vitrectomy, is not a normal eye."

I must make a decision in the next few days whether I want to go ahead with the surgery and risk the possible consequences, or have some special lenses made that would improve my vision some in my right eye. Unfortunately, there are complications there as well. Decisions, decisions!?!?!

I have used this blog as a journal for several years now. I was very surprised when the first person left a comment. With that in mind, if you are reading this, keep me in your prayers. In the over-all scope of things, I have been so blessed and have very, very little to whine about. God is so good and all will work out, as it always has in my life. It is a little scary however. OK, enough of this!!!

Happy 4th of July weekend!!!!

Camp Tahkodah

Ian is away for two weeks at Camp Tahkodah. He has been going there since he was 8 and feels like it is his "home-away-from-home". The only difference is that he has always attended Session 4, but due to scheduling, we could not do that this summer. He is now with an entirely new group of kids and he is a little apprehensive about fitting in. Of course, I think he will adjust fine and have a huge number of new friends. But I'm the Daddy and my job is to worry (which I'm pretty good at). In just the first few minutes we were there, he spotted a kid that was sitting apart from the others and asked this kid to be his "buddy" during the free swim time. We miss him a lot more when he is away then he misses us. The good news about this week is that it is supposed to be much cooler. Meanwhile, Keri and I get some time together.

Whoops, almost forgot about Charlie (the robin). We let him out of his cage each morning and he flies around the backyard until we get home. Then he comes back for some special attention and juicy worms. He seems to be a lot more independent each day, and assume he will not come back some evening. We hope the added time will make it possible to fit into the world of wild birds, but I guess we will never know. Right now, he comes if Keri or Ian call him. He just ignores me (a skill taught him by Keri and Ian).

Space Camp Graduate

I can now brag about my son, the Space Camp graduate! I went to the graduation ceremony this morning at the Clinton Center and listened to the teachers brag about the students. It made all the parents proud. However, the highlight came afterwards when one of the directors of the Center sought me out and asked to speak to me for a minute. She said that teachers were not supposed to have favorites, but if she could, Ian would certainly be the one. She also said that "he is intelligent, inquisitive, and polite." She predicted that "he will accomplish anything he sets his mind to, and I don't worry about the future with children like Ian coming along." She asked that he consider applying for the Clinton Canter scholarship to the NASA Center Space Camp. Needless to say, I was very pleased (and proud). People keep telling me this, but the purpose of a Daddy is to worry.

I picked up some of the HIZ-PATH returnees last night. They were tired but seemed to be very happy that they had gone to Zambia. I am looking forward to hearing more about their adventures.

Busy Summer

I'm afraid I may have gone overboard when planning Ian's summer. He has just finished a week at Boy Scout Camp, VBS began last night, Space Camp (day camp) at the Clinton Presidential Center runs all this week, and he is off for two weeks to Camp Tahkodah this coming Sunday. On the side, he and his Mom are raising a robin they found in the yard. I'll post photos of the Space Camp and robin later. It is much harder to mount photos from my home PC than from my MAC.