Quote of the Day

With the greater part of rich people, the chief enjoyment of riches consists in the parade of riches, which in their eye is never so complete as when they appear to possess those decisive marks of opulence which nobody can possess but themselves.

Adam Smith, Wealth of Nations, 1776

Family Gathering

Last Sunday we had the family over for dinner so we could all visit before the ones from Arizona went home. We don't get together with this many family members very often so we wanted to make a day of it.  We had roast beef, smoked chicken, green beans, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, hot rolls, salad, along with chocolate cake, peach cobbler, banana pudding, and strawberry trifle.

Here are some miscellaneous pictures taken from various cameras throughout the afternoon:

Our niece Kathy and Dorothy's sister Becky

more photos

Josiah, Paula, James and his girlfriend Meisa, Harvey Chaffin

Cousins Kathy, Paula, Kelly, and Kristi

Shannon and Kristi Morgan

Dorothy and her sisters Gin and Becky, and her brother Bill

The Keys family

Gin and Kathy at the Cherokee Nation Complex

More a celebration than a funeral

Last week Dorothy's sister Christine passed away.  The funeral took place on Thursday and relatives from around the country arrived to attend. It was a simple ceremony. The first half was conducted by a Cherokee ceremonial leader who explained how, according to Cherokee custom, the spirit of the deceased lingers nearby for a few days until the appropriate time to leave this world. The ceremonial leader lit a fire of cedar chips and used an eagle feather to waft the smoke toward the casket as he circled it several times. This was to encourage  the spirit to begin it's journey. Afterwards, Shannon Morgan, Christine's son-in-law brought a Christian message of comfort to the family, along with memorable anecdotes from Christine's life.

Christine lived in a wonderful log cabin in the woods. We all

gathered there for a pot luck dinner and for a time of getting

reacquainted with relatives we hadn't seen for some time.

Josiah, Daniel, and Dylan.  (notice the porch swing made from vines)

Quote of the Day

The ideas of economists and political philosophers both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood.  Indeed the world is ruled by little else.  Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist.  Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back.  I am sure that the power of vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared with the gradual encroachment of ideas.

--John Maynard Keynes

Easter weekend

We started Easter weekend Friday by picking the grand kids up from school and taking them out the the local Braums store for ice cream.

Gracen is ready for her treat.

Jenna and Hunter diligently color their eggs.

Marley too.

Don't get up Grandma. I can get my sippy cup by myself.

We had potato salad.

Apple smoked chicken.

We also had spinach salad, deviled eggs, baked beans, strawberry pie, coconut cream pie,

and banana pudding.

 

Picnic at Devil's Den

Yesterday, Dorothy and I went on a picnic with her friend Laura and Laura's husband Glen at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas. Laura retired from her job the same day as Dorothy. It was a simple affair. We just stopped at a store and picked up some bread, bologna, and chips.  Dorothy made some peach fried pies the night before so we had a feast.

Dorothy and Laura under the pavilion at Yellow Rock Overlook

The view from the overlook

Devil's Den was a project of the Civilian Conservation Corps. of the 1930's

This rock dam was built by the corps.

I love buildings made with huge timbers and massive stone.