Welcome to my blog!

While not the perfect way to connect with family and friends on a personal level, it seems this may be the most efficient way to keep everyone informed of my life and travels.

I am about to leave for Saudi Arabia where I have been asked to lead a new Institute for Women in Al Kharj (about 40 to 50 Kilometers outside of Riyadh).  I am very excited about this opportunity of working with Laureate Vocational.  As I begin I will chronicle my experiences and post pictures of the land and people with you.

However, now I want to share some thoughts about my time home this summer....and some images.   I arrived home from Kazakhstan the end of April and spent the first two weeks of May with my brother Jim getting the house in Topsham ready for sale for our parents.  During that time we both spent as much time with our parents as possible.  The house closing went well and I left to spend time with my sister who had just been through horrendous surgery....I was company for her for a week and got to know her dogs very very well.  Also got to enjoy Eoin's graduation from Lake Ridge.

On to a very quick visit with one of my college roommates, Patt Halls.  It had been my intention to visit Patt again during mid June but that had to be put off until my drive back from Minnesota when we had great fun setting up a tv, movie, email station which works from the couch which helps the healing and comfort given her neck and back injury.  Happy that could be done.

Minnesota was a 4 week stay with Judy while she had a new knee installed and suffered through the indignity of not being independent....and suffered through nurse Betsy.  Sam, her great big dog, also had to teach me where and what to do for walks. 

During that time I interviewed for jobs.  It is intimidating and overwhelming to be looking for a job again.  I am thankful for the opportunity I have been offered.  More on that as it unfolds.

The last 4 weeks have been very family focused.  With my brother and his wife, with my sister and her family, with my parents and with my son and his wife.  We all came together for the service to remember Aunt Emily who passed away this summer - an extraordinary moment of grace and of reconnection with family.  

And now, on to the Kingdom.  For those of you who are convinced I have failed to support friendships and failed to communicate successfully, I apologize.  A 92 year old father and 90 year old mother trumps all else - my time home has been focused, as best it could be, on my family.

This is Rachel with me right before I left Kazakhstan

  This is my nephew Daniel with me when I left Kazakhstan
I could share pictures of so many others but I won't torture myself or you

Spring in Maine.....lupine

Eoin graduates (with Barbara enjoying the moment)










The family celebrate Eoin's graduation (Ryan, Aidan, John and Barbara)

On Little Sebago Lake the end of July, one of the  eagle parents

 and one of the three babies from this year's batch

 And the loons dancing to discourage the eagles

 Graham with Pan as Captain

 Ozzie guarding the Island

Petey guarding Ozzie

 Pan on the Island

Time to go to the Kingdom