Category: Family

Never had the honor of meeting Nonnie.  So may stories…

In September, PG and I spent 2 days with some wonderful new friends in Wheelersburg Ohio.  We met Gary & Brenda on our Holy Land tour in 2014 in Egypt.  (Sounds a little funny to say that we met friends from Ohio in Cairo, Egypt).  PG & Brenda became friends and visited throughout Egypt, Jordon and Israel and then stayed in touch via Facebook.  PG contacted Brenda and asked if we could stop by and take them to dinner on our way back to Iowa towards the end of our 2 week vacation.  It’s funny, they said No – but we could come stay a couple of days.  They love having company as much we do.

The reason that Gary & Brenda come to mind with the pictures of Nonnie is that Gary served in Vietnam; he was severely wounded by an explosion and also shot.  His description of his 5 ½ months in Vietnam struck me at a personal level and I thought of the Randolph / Krell families.  Nonnie didn’t get to come home to tell his story, but Gary’s description gave a vivid idea of what Nonnie must have gone through.  I’m never comfortable re-telling such stories, or even writing about them on this personal blog.  Perhaps I’ll get Gary’s permission someday because Gary’s dad gave him a small 8mm movie camera to take to Vietnam and I have digital copies of the images to burn to DVD for Gary.  It’s about 30 minutes of video.  I hope someday to share them, but again, I don’t have Gary’s permission and I haven’t asked.  Somethings are just too close to home.

So for Vernon C. Randolph – with gratitude from a grateful Nation.

Thank you

The pictures below show the house, old barn (38 x 28) and the 3 car garage.  What you can’t see behind the old barn is an attached pole barn that is 56′ x 48′.  Storage I could only dream about in Arizona, almost 2,700 square feet.  Hopefully the business will take off that I can eventually fill it up with inventory.  It has a limestone floor which is fine for storage.

The old barn has concrete floor and is perfect to set up the actual repair shop (almost 1100 square feet).  The loft (another 1100 square feet) has a basketball goal for the kids in case of rain or winter and could eventually be used for parts storage.

Did I mention there is an additional building.  One long narrow building that is divided into 3 horse stalls that can be enclosed for more storage.

All total – close to 5000 square feet.  Yee Haw

So who cares about the house.

AZ bob

Here are some pictures or our new home showing the House, Barn and Garage.

AZ bob

Happy Thanksgiving to all from Arizona.

Thanks Rick and Joey and Mare the Bare for a wonderful time and Thanksgiving Dinner.

Almost 20 years ago I stopped by the bank to get a few dollars out of the ATM.  In line behind me was this prettie brunette in hiking shorts who smiled and said “looks like it’s take a number at the bank”.

What are you thankful for today?  Since I don’t have a picture of that moment, I thought I’d share a different moment with that same prettie brunette in London a couple of years back.

Words cannot begin to express my gratitude at the sympathy expressed by everyone over the passing of my Father.

Pop passed away quietly October 12^th at my brother Jay’s home.  Jay & Liz will always be heroes near and dear to my heart if for no other reason than the kindness and caring nature they showed during this difficult time.  Taking care of all the arrangements and providing Momma with a sanctuary to deal with her grief as well as their own.  Allowing a loved one to die with dignity is such a great gift, like Ray Sanders did for Rene, I am indebted to Jay and Liz for their final gift to Pop.  Liz helped with Momma and Jay even made the Ossuary Box for Pop’s remains.

Unfortunately, I missed the graveside service since Karen had just gotten out the hospital and was still suffering from vertigo and I was needed at home to help take care of Mother Krell.

Making travel arrangements at the last minute, I did arrive in time to see many friends and family at Pop’s celebration service that evening.  I was actually on the plane when Pop was interred in a grave hand dug by Jay, friends and family.  The outpouring of respect from members of the community, church and family is a testament to the impact this gentle and shy man had on the lives of others. 

Kristi, Shawn, Erin and Callee drove over from Iowa to attend and I got to visit with them for just a few minutes before they had to leave.  For these 4, my heart grows ever fonder.

bob