If I Won the Lottery

I don't know where this place is, but if I won the lottery, this is what I would buy. It has a pipe organ, a library with a fireplace, and game room - all the elements of my dream home!

Craftsman of Destruction

“Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” 

― Criss Jami

Summer Games

King of Tokyo (expansion)

Dominion

Cribbage

Magic

Card Pictionary

Flash Point: Fire Rescue

Tic

Cities and Knights of Catan

Catch Phrase

Chess

Agricola

Wits and Wagers

 Rook

Pandemic

Say Anything

Bang

Dr. Mario

Quirkle

Starfarers of Catan

Pinochle

Super Tic Tac Toe

YEA SUMMER!!

Those Great Goddesses of Peace

LORELEI It is no night to drown in: A full moon, river lapsing Black beneath bland mirror-sheen, The blue water-mists dropping Scrim after scrim like fishnets Though fishermen are sleeping, The massive castle turrets Doubling themselves in a glass All stillness. Yet these shapes float Up toward me, troubling the face Of quiet. From the nadir They rise, their limbs ponderous With richness, hair heavier Than sculptured marble. They sing Of a world more full and clear Than can be. Sisters, your song Bears a burden too weighty For the whorled ear's listening Here, in a well-steered country, Under a balanced ruler. Deranging by harmony Beyond the mundane order, Your voices lay siege. You lodge On the pitched reefs of nightmare, Promising sure harborage; By day, descant from borders Of hebetude, from the ledge Also of high windows. Worse Even than your maddening Song, your silence. At the source Of your ice-hearted calling- Drunkenness of the great depths. O river, I see drifting Deep in your flux of silver Those great goddesses of peace. Stone, stone, ferry me down there.

Sylvia Plath (1932-1963)

The Fly

Little Fly
Thy summer's play,
My thoughtless hand
Has brush'd away.

Am not I
A fly like thee?
Or art not thou
A man like me?

For I dance
And drink & sing;
Till some blind hand
Shall brush my wing.

If thought is life
And strength & breath;
And the want
Of thought is death;

Then am I
A happy fly,
If I live,
Or if I die.

William Blake (1794)

A Goodly Heritage

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.  Psalm 16:6

Today, April 20, 2013, we celebrated Grandpa Nick Van Dyken's 100th birthday.  Though he went home to his eternal celebration 3 weeks ago, the party went on here too!  Extended family from around the country gathered, and we had a wonderful celebration and reunion.  I imagine it will be the last time the extended Van Dyken family gets together - all descendants of Peter and Margaret Van Dyken - but the singing and fellowship reminded me that we are part of an eternal family that will one day be reunited in an eternal setting, never again to be parted.


Cousin Philip inherited Grandpa's pipe and pocket watch, seeing them just makes Grandpa materialize before me!  It's really amazing how evocative a few items can be.

Speaking of memories, each table had a bowl of jelly beans.  Grandma and Grandpa always had these on hand.  When I was young, Grandpa would portion these out on the counter - one of each color for each grandchild.

Other memories of Grandpa included the hats he wore.  He did so many things in his life - was a photographer and butcher and fire chief and carpenter and electrician and inventor and harmonica player and father and grandfather and  .  .  .

Cousin Matt enlarged precious old family photos.  This photo is of the 45th anniversary of Peter and Margaret Van Dyken, my great grandparents - along with all ten of their kids.  Great-Grandpa lived to be 100, and most of the kids lived to be in their 90's.  Grandpa Nick missed his 100th birthday by less than a month.  He was the fifth child and the last surviving sibling  I'm hoping my longevity genes come from this side of the family!

Cousins from various generations checking out another photo.  I believe this one was also taken at the time of my great grandparent's 45th anniversary, but it includes all the spouses and grandchildren.

Reminiscing amid the photos - the one on the right was taken in 1927, when Grandpa was 14 years old.  He is standing second from the left.

The youngest generation having fun together :-)

Tenure!

Here I am with 8 colleagues - all of us being recognized today as having earned tenure.

 Chatting with Lorena before the ceremony -

Yea!  Tenure!!

 My turn up front with Brian Sanders, Dean of Science, Math and Engineering

 Pictures and snacks -

My family came to celebrate - Caleb, David, Mom and Dad

 Dinner out at Olive Garden later to celebrate -

Honoring Grandpa Van Dyken

Today, the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, was Grandpa Nick Van Dyken's funeral.  I was so touched at the show of support by the fire department and police department of Ripon.

I was pleased to pull up and see "Engine One" from the fire department there behind the hearse; it just seemed right given all his years as chief -  

 - and when I turned around I saw a squad and a fire engine pull up on the other side with many firemen on board.

And then at least 3 police cars showed up with officers to honor Grandpa as well.

In the picture below the pall bearers are getting their instructions, and the firemen are standing ready to flank them as they walk to the grave site.

Over and over again today I felt so touched at how fire-fighters and police from the City of Ripon turned out to honor Grandpa.

Our last earthly "good-bye" to Grandpa.

After the graveside service Dad talked with some retired firemen who had worked with Grandpa.  I overheard a story about Grandpa extricating a boy from an old milk can!

As well as driving Engine One to the church, they had another old fire engine there as well, "Ol' Gertie"

I remember as a kid ONE TIME getting to crank this siren on Ol' Gertie, which, of course, was at Grandpa's house, since he lived at the fire house!  It's amazing the sound this little siren can produce!

Caleb and I at the church, standing by Engine One.  Unfortunately the rest of my immediate family couldn't be here.  Anthony and Jacob are away at college, and David is in Ethiopia on a spring break missions trip.

Ol' Gerie, Engine One and the squad.

Again, just so good to see this support from his old department.

I took the picture below as the luncheon was finishing and breaking up - really nice to see so many there.  It was a blessing to feel the support of so many friends and family.

A picture of Grandpa and his fire chief hat - 

Next month we gather again to celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday!  The celebration has been in the works for months, and family is coming from across the nation.  It was realized when this was planned that it might be with or without him present.  It did feel a little weird today to say to someone leaving the funeral, "Are you going to be here for his birthday party next month?"  It will be a good reunion :-)