7/18/2009 2:00:59 PM
Just got a call from Steve. They are officially moving now at 1.2 kts ENE toward the start line. Division 1 will begin 2:00 Chicago time and 3:00 pm our time. Anticipation and Adrenalin running high!!
Blog
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101st Race to Mackinac
Watch via Internet 101st Race to Mackinac – world’s longest annual freshwater distance race kicks off July 18, 2009!!
Hubby, Steve, with crew of nine, aboard “Swiftsure” – Division 1 – 50 foot Nelson Marek. Start for his Division 1 is in less than an hour. Other smaller boats have already started.
If you go to https://www.cycracetomackinac.com/; then click on “The Race,” then “Race Tracking,” next “Boat Mapper.” You can then use the clip down menu to “add by division” and “add by boat.”
You can also view “latest race news” as it updates.
The GPS transponders in each boat allow us to follow fleet by division, individual boat the entire 333 miles to Mackinaw Island.
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Books & Bikes
See photos of Shelly Beach’s book signing at Bike Week at Harley Davidson in Muskegon. Even though the weather was gloomy and somewhat wet, that didn’t stop bikers from coming.
Still one more day to catch Shelly with her hot new leather jacket – signing Saturday 12-4:00 p.m.
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Book Signing by Shelly Beach & Bike Week:July 17-18
Shelly Beach & Teresa Lasher @ Cedar Falls Writers' Conference I’m looking forward to seeing my friend and author, Shelly Beach, this weekend at Bike Week. Shelly is the author of several books including, “Hallie’s Heart” and the sequel, “Morningsong.” These books feature various landmarks in and around Muskegon such as Pier Marquette Park and Maranatha Conference grounds. And, of course, a Harley Davidson bike!
She and her husband, Dan, will be signing books at the Harley Davidson bike shop in Muskegon from 12-4 pm on Friday and Saturday. So why not come on over and say “Hi” to them and see the menagerie of bikes and bikers and booths?
https://www.shellybeachonline.com/
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Cheerful Heart
The cheerful heart is a continual choice which can be a tough choice at times. In my experience, it is a conscious choice. I’ll admit it’s easier to exude gloom and doom and soak in my misery. Sometimes it takes less effort to point out the negatives and totally ignore the blessings. “A miserable heart means a miserable life; a cheerful heart fills the day with song.” (The Message) Most days, it’s a matter of choosing to be joyful. I must choose to fill the day with song and thanksgiving to the Almighty.
“The cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
Proverbs 15:15b (NIV)
Our dear granddaughter – Liberty Hope -
ACCEPTANCE!!!
This morning I received an acceptance from “Internet Cafe Devotions.” They plan to publish one of my devotions in the fall and will notify me when they have an exact publication date. This will be my first for this publication!–I’m pumped–PTL! The devo will be published on https://www.internetcafedevotions.com/ and is based on “The cheerful heart has a continual feast” taken from Proverbs 15:15.
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Watering & Pruning Day
It’s so awesome and Susie-homemakerish (hope that phrase doesn’t offend anyone) to be able to step outside on my deck with my scissors and colander, peruse the status of my mini-garden, and pluck what we want to utilize for lunch or dinner menu.
California Wonder – Sweet Pepper 
Lemon, Lime, and regular Basil Today is watering and pruning day for my plants & veggies. I can’t believe the size of my green pepper now which is a California Wonder Sweet, AND I also have another small sweet pepper coming. Steve’s Jalapeño Hot ones are appearing on the scene. So exciting! I just clipped oregano, chives, lemon, lime and regular basil, chocolate mint (from my new farmer’s market plant) and lettuce to take with us in baggies for the weekend.
Anyone know of a good Mojito recipe?
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Summer Time ~ Fishing on the River
Weeping Willow trees rule 
- FASTER! FASTER!
- Daddy’s catch
- Liberty catches one!
Grandpa caught the 1st fish of the day! Zoom, Zoom goes the powerboat
In search of a perfect spot
“Go faster—really, really fast
Like to go fast, Grandpa!”
Worm on the hook
Cast line beyond the weeds
Sit back and enjoy
Peace and solitude
Perfect day
Calm waters
Gentle breeze
Sound of water over the dam
Flows downstream
Reel in bluegills and sunfish
One after another
Reel it in, Liberty
You catch them faster
Than either Grandpa or Daddy!
By Teresa Lasher © July, 2009
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Joys of Grandparenting
My husband and I just returned from helping our son and family move to another location in Minnesota. We were sure to include a few fun activities in the mix with our two precious grandchildren. At the ages of three (Liberty) and one (Elijah), they are not worried about the market, political moral scandals, or wars and uprisings in other countries.
If Liberty eats regularly and has the proper amount of sleep, she’s happy-go-lucky and lovable. She’s content if someone watches her slide down her slide and clap for her, tell her what a good job she did staying in the lines with coloring crayons, and gives her a hug and kiss with a nightly prayer.
Children don’t require expensive toys or gimmicks, but thrive on praise and time playing together. They could teach us grownups a lesson or two about spontaneous, joyous laughter and unbridled squeals of joy. These perks you cannot purchase with a credit card, or measure on a graph. The little ones require so little of us…a simple holding of their hand, guide them, speak truth softly to them, cuddle and just plain be there for them. Yes, it takes time and energy, and huge doses of patience, but it is worth it in the long run.
I want to spend my time wisely by building into these young, impressionable lives, and expect to reap eternal future rewards. Spending time with them now is precious commodity money cannot buy. In some respects, I wish I could do it over again with my own children. I guarantee I’d spend less time cleaning and organizing and more time one-on-one interacting directly with them building strong character into tomorrow’s parents and leaders.
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Life is Fragile
I replayed the message over and over again to make sure I’d heard it correctly.
“Hi, Teresa. I just wanted to tell you…my daddy died this morning. He was riding his bike and the Lord took him home with a massive heart attack. Just wanted you to know my mother is alone now.”
My dear friend, Bonnie, of over 30 years fought to hold the tears back. I felt her intense pain and the effort it took to verbalize those words. Our history went back to “BK” (before kids). Both of us continued to visit each other once or twice every year. Together, we had weathered teen uprisings, graduations, weddings, and various celebrations. We had worked together, but she now lived in another state.
My husband, Steve, and I had the privilege of staying overnight in her parent’s home on more than one occasion. One such time was while Bonnie and Rob’s house was being built. We made the journey to Pennsylvania just weeks after our baby #2, Amanda, was born. Our baby #1 son (just over a year old) tried to escape through their 2nd floor screen window in order to avoid napping. Even though his given name is Andrew, his nick name became “Little Houdini.” Over the years, Milton and Dolly offered their 2nd floor apartment to us to stay while other relatives were in town. Hospitality came naturally and we always felt like family in their presence. Milton died just the way he would have wanted: healthy and doing what he enjoyed.
When I heard Bonnie’s shaky words, my mind went to my own father. The same unpredictable event could happen any day to my own father.
Reality struck me—I needed to make more of a point to keep in touch with my dad. I picked up the phone and called my dad.
