A Day Trip with Bob Singleton

One day while on my trip to Ohio, I spent the day with Sharon’s older brother Bob. Bob has a great car and loves to drive the back roads of Ohio and elsewhere. I invited myself to have Bob show me the “Little Cities of Black Diamond.” These little cities now little towns share a common growth – the growth of Ohio coal and the demise of Ohio coal. Some of these little cities are fighting to stay on the map.
A guided tour of Southern Ohio can start on U.S. Route 33 or several state routes including 555, 70, 13, 216, and 595. Some of the cities we visited were New Straitsville, Shawnee, Alabama Hill, Burr Oak., and Haydenville. You can enter Wayne National Forest; visit caves, but not alone; hike in Hocking Valley; sleep in historic waysides; or eat in some down home restaurants.
Bob introduced me to the director of the Black Diamond Council and we had lunch in Shawnee. For detailed information go to http://www.littlecitiesofblackdiamonds.org/ and to see a great documentary see Devil’s Oven a new film that Bob Singleton did the narration.
For some pictures from the area go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43409&l=c53f0&id=617928368

Netherton family 2008

Allan visits the Nethertons

My sister Cindy who lives in Medina, Ohio has a growing family. Ned and Cindy’s two sons are doing great. Jason is married to Amber and they have two children Grace and Jason Jr. Rob is working as an IT man at the major power company and has a very interesting girlfriend that I did not meet, but heard much good news. When I went to Cindy’s we all went to Jason’s house for dinner. It was a wonderful night for me to see 7 Nethertons all together. Jason is my financial advisor at Ameriprise and we had an interesting discussion on the market. Cindy and Ned are awaiting his next project which may be in Ohio or Texas, not sure. Cindy hopes that she can keep her house now that she almost has it all fixed the way she wants.
For some pictures of the Netherton gang go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43068&l=36524&id=617928368

A few days with Heather, Jeff and Cole

After OSU won and Florida lost their football games I left to see Heather, Jeff and my 1st grandson Cole.
I love Cole’s blog: http://colejohnston.blogspot.com/ Reading it daily I really felt I would know him. I guess at this point I really know more about the writers he used to produces his blog. This is one sharp child.
It was wonderful to be with the Johnstons. On October 1st I got to be Cole’s babysitter for the morning. The day before he ran a temperature and could not come to school the next day. So Grandfather Allan was asked to stay with him in the morning so the parents could go teach others.
I got some wonderful pictures of my grandson and here is a link to my album of current photos. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43026&l=6fb31&id=617928368

That morning was wonderful and I would gladly do it again, but I guess it tired us both out. When Jeff came through the front door, Cole was resting on the floor and me on the couch. Heather called Jeff to check on us and I heard him say: “He is alive.” I am not sure if Heather was asking about her baby or her father. Anyway Cole and I got some time together and he is much cuter in person than on his blog. He can throw with both hands. He loves to read.
While I was in town we went to a local park to get some outdoor time.

On my last day with the family Heather announced she was pregnant again!! I wonder what Cole will think.

Dayton - Ali and Dan

Allan visits Ali and Dan

My first stop with family was with Ali and Dan; they live in Dayton, Ohio. Dan is in the USAF and is stationed at the wonderful Wright Patterson Base and is working on his PhD. Ali loves being an RN and loves her job, but the real excitement is that she is pregnant. I had a great time visiting them. I sleep there two nights, one night on my arrival to Ohio and one night before I left Ohio. For detailed info on her pregnancy go to: http://allisonkarrels.blogspot.com/
Because of my broken ribs I slept in the chair and on the couch. The first night Dan took the dogs to bed with him and Ali. The dogs slept great, but not Dan. The next time I let the dogs sleep with me in the living room. Ophelia was fine, but Bosley was put out that I was on his couch. Dan slept much better.

Dear all, Sorry for the long delay between my need for sleep, going back to work and volunteer activities I have very little free time to tell about our adventures, Love, Allan

A Hornet’s Tale

I was born under a children’s slide in a little park behind a church. I did not know at first what a slide was as no children ever came to slide. I did know that my home was warm and always had an orange glow. It was like living in a flower! One day I came home to see children having fun on the orange slide. How interesting and fun, but when I went to my home people began to scream and tried to hit me. I was fast and went under the slide only to find my home gone and several close relatives dead. I heard my mom and she told me that I had to help build a new nest. We moved to a nearby shed, but a mean man came out and knocked it down. I no longer like people. I got even with one in the late afternoon of September 15 when a man reached for the beautiful swamp sunflower where I was at work. Zap I got him on first try –deep into his flesh – payback for my aunt Julie.

Grandson Cole - His First Birthday

Today is my birthday (Sharon) and as a present to myself I am writing about my wonderful trip to see my children and brother for Cole’s first birthday!

We had a great time with Ron and Sally, Dan and Ali, Jeff, Heather, and the birthday boy, Cole. We grandparents were like paparazzi photographing the momentous occasion of the lit candle in the birthday cupcake!! Cole needed a bit of help to blow it out. He got great toys, clothes, and books. (Dan road tested the toys for him. :) )

While in Ohio we also went to a local park, hung out at the mall, went to a special park full of amazing flowers, and I spent a large amount of time just watching my precious Heather with her beautiful son. It was a very satisfying thing to do! My time with Ali was so nice, especially at the end of her visit when she picked up her precious cargo and headed home.

I got to spend time with my brother, Bob, too. So, it was a very nice, but short, visit. I’m looking forward to the next one! For Photos go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=31594&l=5d334&id=617928368

Pilgrimage Video

My daughter has taken some of the photos shot on my recent trip, plus a few from Baha'i Media and added a background song from some friends of mine. The group New Creation created this song Let All Associate a few years ago and we all love singing along with it. I hope you enjoy -Allan Go to:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OSAqyh7qXs for better quality - Select "view in higher quality" directly below the video on the rightside.