A charmed week in Bend...

We got home from Bend yesterday to cloudy skies and wet streets. It's been a long time since Missoula has seen rain and we could feel the relief percolating up from the hard ground. It felt like change was in the air, appropriate considering the weekend events.

Carson and Nickie's wedding was gorgeous. The ceremony was blessed by the last-minute arrival of John, and the reception was full of happy people, great food and the sweet newlyweds who couldn't stop smiling. We all thank Carson and Nickie for the work they put into making it such a happy event. (By the way, Madeleine's favorite part, after her solemn duties as the grim-faced flower girl, was the "Fight Game" going on in the lower field. Nickie, the biggest boy - maybe a second cousin of yours? - was a sweetheart and let her beat up on him a little. She cried when we had to leave.)

John's attendance at the church was a surprise to many, considering his health in the few days leading up to the wedding, and we are all thankful to his brother Rick and good friends Tammy and Rick for helping make it happen. In addition, a sincere thank you to our long-time family friend, Paul, for providing care to John during and after the reception. John's toast was a beautiful part of the reception, his words true and heartfelt. He spoke as if he'd been rehearsing for months, the quality and coherence of his speech were as if he'd just stepped in front of a audience of thousands. It's a skill we all know he possesses and one that has diminished none with the changes in his health.

I'm sorry to say I don't have any photos from the event, so if you are so inclined please e-mail me your favorites and I'll post them here.

As always, think good thoughts - John could use them now.

BBQ Photos

Here's a belated view of the festivities in Winthrop in early July. John again hosted a party along the Methow at his friend, Jean's, property. The food was delicious, the attendance wopping, and the beer cold.























Thanks John, wouldn't have missed it for the world!