Fall in Salem

I woke up this morning to a temperature of 42 degrees. And bright blue skies with little white puffy clouds. It warmed up quickly and I rode the Honda to church. As usual, I attended the 9:30 Mass and then stayed to work the nursery for the 11:30. Not like usual, I rushed home, changed clothes and returned by 1:30 for the annual "Feed the Poor" Picnic. Wonderful bar-b-que pork and chicken with all the sides. Admission was some non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.

I had a wonderful time because I got to see many of my kids who no longer come to nursery. I was talking with a newcomer adult when a mother walked by with her 3 yr old son. I got down on my knees and he ran over and gave me a big hug. The newcomer said, "Oh, is that your grandson." When I said, "No." one of the other ladies said, "Tom has about 100 'almost grandkids' here."

Yesterday had a couple of typical inbetweens. I thought it was about time for Morris Fiqueiredo to be visiting VA from his home in Bermuda. I called his US cell phone and he answered. He was in the VA Highlands about 45 miles from Salem at a regional rally of the Christian Motorcycle Association. Here's the inbetween. He'd been there a couple of days and this was the only time his cell phone worked. He was surprised. Of course, I'm no longer surprised by things like this. I just say, "Thank you." and expect more.

I jumped on the Honda and joined the 150 or so people for some motorcycle skill contests (I observed, laughed, clapped and cheered. I did not participate.) Then we spent some time catching up on family news. I had not seen him since last Sept. After a spaghetti dinner I rode back home and rested up for today.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be back at the nursery for Somalian Bantu children which goes for 90 minutes on Mon and Wed while their mothers take English classes.

Here's a pictures of three of the "Little Ones" -



See why I keep going back?

Life is so good.