What a great week of time & travel together! We just left London, Ryan, Natalie & Jillian by Airbus, and Bruce, Linda & Jake by train.  I was so sad to say goodbye. We did a lot of walking & sightseeing & saw a show (or two!)–one was wicked! the other one was simply bad. More…

Natalie & Ryan arrived!  Just look at their “I’m-so-happy-to-be-off-the-planes-and-now-I’m-excited-to-get-on-another-bus-and-go-to-the-castle!” looks on their faces!  Meanwhile Jillian (the one who’s awake in the photo) and I  were more than willing to play tour guides, and we immediately set out to climb Castlemount with them and show them the sights in the capital city (after we injected some…

Swilken Bridge, R&A, natural beauty What a blessing to have Jillian with us! We went for a twilight walk this afternoon.  

carry a torch for me Dateline: St Andrews Day, St Andrews. (November 30, for you Yanks, is the day of Scotland’s patron saint. You know, the reason the flag bears the diagonal cross–that’s Andrew’s grim symbol of faith). It was really cold this year, but dry. The town holds a festival of sorts in market…

overlooking Chianti

Wow! I woke up each morning saying, “This isn’t Kansas!”  How did a boy from western Kansas end up presenting an academic paper at The Grandeur of Reason conference, just outside the Vatican?  The heart has reasons the mind knows not…  It was a great event.  I especially enjoyed meeting people for Italian coffee, and…

     Highlights:  time with Jillian, Natalie & Ryan.  Jillian graduated! Congrats, Jillian!      Bruce, Linda Jake and Ryan each did a little biking.  Bruce enjoyed two Mt Rainier trips: cross-country up Mt Ruth with Ryan,  and Summerland on the Wonderland Trail with Jake.  Sunshine and friends brightened our visit.                    Mt. Rainier…  was glorious. …

    Brian, John and David treated me to the best possible ride, which got me back in the saddle again for the first time in 10 months.  Thank you, guys!  It couldn’t have been a better day.  Thank God.  I am so fortunate to be able to ride with you!