Catching Up

By the time I get home from work, the last thing I want to do is get on the computer, so I have not taken the time to post to this blog. I regret that because even as my kids have pretty much migrated to Facebook, and I dabble a bit, I still like reading blogs.

Summer went way too fast, but we managed a few short trips around the local country side to art shows, fairs, parks and to visit friends. A good bit of our summer was taken up by an overhaul of the garage. With everyone now out of the house, and all their "stuff" out of the garage, Dad decided to spruce it up and call it his own. He loves his new "man cave" and can find any tool in a second. No more magic words while hunting for a wrench or screw driver.

In July we made a quick trip to Chicago for Joshua's birthday, and celebrated with a great dinner at a wonderful Indian restaurant.

Norah threw some kisses to Grandpa during dinner.

Truman James was born to Tim and Marisa on September 10th, so we drove up to Madison, WI that weekend, and took Marisa's mom and Jimbo with us. Joshua, Rachel and Norah joined us there. We were ALL excited to meet Truman James for the first time.

Tim Jr. with his new son, Truman James

Marisa and Truman


Norah, Grandpa and Truman


Uncle Jim and Truman

Aunt Rachel and Truman (what a pro she is!!)

Norah loves her cousin, Truman

Uncle Joshua put his hat on Truman

Grandpa is meets Truman

Grandma is overjoyed to meet Truman.

Three weeks later we went back to Madison to see what we could do to help them catch up on laundry and to add to the stock of food Grandma Latini left in their freezer during her visit. Again, we had the pleasure of being joined by Rachel, Joshua and Norah. We could not believe how much Truman had grown!

"Tell me more about the super soaker water gun, Daddy. I'm gonna try that someday."

"Aunt Katie, when did you say you were coming up to meet me? Can you bring a German, Hebrew or Akkadian translation dictionary when you come?"

Uncle Jer and Uncle Jim, I'm getting ready for YOU!!

Grandpa LOVES his grandkids

That week we even managed a little time to explore some of Wisconsin around Madison. Jimbo would say they do not have rolling hills (that would be in Virginia). He says they have "undulations in the terrain," but the folks in Wisconsin call their hills "unglaciated mounds." These are enormous granite outcroppings with incredible vistas.

Here's Tim Sr. and Tim Jr. atop a mound. The horizon in the distance is 50 miles away. It was breathtaking.

The next day we went to see Frank Lloyd Wright's summer home, Taliesen. First we ate lunch at a beautiful restaurant he designed overlooking the Wisconsin River.


Then we toured the summer architectural school and Wright's private summer home. He was truly an artistic genius, but everything he built is falling apart. He worried more about how it looked than if it would stand up to weather or time. Whether it was furniture or lighting or buildings, he was too narcissistic to see the wisdom in form following function.

For example, FLW designed buildings without gutters so he could see the rain cascade in summer, and watch icicles grow in winter. Beautiful form, but obviously uncontrolled water destroys buildings.

Even with the engineering flaws, his designs are stunning and can today be married with sound architectural principals.

The back door to the theater at the school. The roof was cut to accommodate the tree. Beyond you can get an idea of the rolling hills and beautiful vistas that make up Wisconsin.

His attention to design was throughout every detail.

Taliesen means "Shining brow." He believed one should never build at the top of a hill, that the house should sit below the "brow" - and if you built at the top of a hill, you lost the hill.

Planters, lamps, walls, every detail was considered as part of the design.

And, now we're home thinking about the upcoming holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving. I wonder when I will find time for the next blog posting. If not soon, then may I say, "Happy New Year!"