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| Everyone deserves a little DQ |
This was the summer that we kind of kept to ourselves, or when we ventured out, it was often behind a mask. Still, some nice moments in Summer 2020.
We created some yard signs for St. Mark's School and put them up at about 175 places. I was fortunate to be able to attend 4:30 Sat. Mass and livestream it on Facebook, since the shutdown for COVID started.
Luke turned 17 with a socially distant birthday party at Bradley Park.
Many beautiful sunsets.
And beautiful peonies and other flowers. These and following were at the Western Avenue Greenway Project.
Flags are waving on Memorial Day weekend at St. Mary's Cemetery in West Peoria.
And look who I found hiding near one of the graves.
Helped mom put in impatiens in their beautiful backyard.
Enjoyed meeting our friends the Bucks for lunch at their Lake Bloomington Place.
Luke got to go kayaking!
Went hiking with these two dudes to Farmdale in East Peoria for the first time.
Beautiful spot with miles of trails.
Mom and Dad celebrated their 60th Anniversary!
We had a socially distant picnic in Dwight, Illinois. So glad these two got together!
We had a successful online St. Mark's School Auction and raised almost $90,000!
Went on a couple of walks through venerable Springdale Cemetery. Here is part of Soldier's Hill.
The cemetery sits on 225 acres and contains 70,000 graves.
Swords Hill in West Peoria is a good place to catch sunsets.
It wouldn't be summer without a car ride or two.
Better head home--the sky looks threatening!
The Bradley University campus is beautiful in all seasons. Here the flags fly over the spot where our family home once stood.
The fireworks were subdued this summer, but still a lot of fun.
More beautiful flowers.
Luke got to pilot a plane, thanks to Dr. Kathy Arkwell. His mom was the passenger.
Downtown Peoria and the Illinois River.
Steady at the controls.
The campus of Bradley University.
Back on terra firma. Not that there was ever any doubt.
We spent quite a bit of time in Bradley Park this summer. Above is the iconic Japanese Bridge over Kickapoo Creek.
Running down Snake Rd.
Here is a tree planted in memory of our friend John Fuller.
Let's get going! Time's awasting!
When I was a kid, this reminded me of a castle.
Trying to keep up with these two.
This guy won't be here much longer. Good bye and good riddance.
John was finally able to return to Haiti after ten months, the longest time in between trips ever.
Life is still very hard there.
Above on the right is Johnny, an invaluable helper to Haitian Hearts.
Our friend and patient Suze, who Haitian Hearts brought to the US in 2005 for surgery. John took her some medicine on this trip.
The Haitians have strong faith.
Our friend, Fr. Tom, prepares to celebrate Mass. Father Tom baptized our son Luke in 2006.
The Visa Lodge.
Whenever I am traveling and go to a church, I like to take a photo of the Ninth Station of the Cross, Jesus falls the third time. John did that for me in Haiti.
LuLu, a very spoiled and naughty Haitian mule.
John outside a clinic in Cite Soleil.
Flying over Miami.
Another place we spent time this summer is walking or jogging along the riverfront.
In these times of COVID, we appreciated even more the great outdoors.
The Murray Baker Bridge is closed for maintenance.
This. . .
. . . is right next to this.
From the other side of the Illinois River.
We did have a chance to have a little get away with family to beautiful, charming, historic Galena.
Famous for being the home of President Ulysses S. Grant.
We went back several times and waited for 45 minutes in the heat to see his home on the COVID restricted tour.
Yes, it was worth it!
But even more grand was the Belvidere Home, which we also toured.
Cooling our heels in downtown Galena.
A view of the town from the other side of the river.
And on the way out of town, horseback riding!
They are all naturals!
Beautiful clouds above the windmills on the way home.
And another beautiful sunset from the West Bluff.
Beautiful zinnias in the neighborhood.
Along with some peonies in the front of the house, we were excited to transplant these irises from my grandparents farm. Looking forward to some beautiful blooms next spring!
I counted--I used the word beautiful 11 times in this post. It is a beautiful world and a beautiful summer.
This is the Guardian Angel Building right next to our house. John and his brother Tom grew up playing with the children who lived here.
As the summer winds to an end on this Labor Day weekend, we are grateful for the good times and the good memories and looking forward to what will come!
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