Category Archives: Family

April 20, 2013 · 7:19 pm

I’ve never seen you like this

After a ten-day trip to Louisville, I returned to New York to view something I have never since in the two and a half years I have lived here. I noticed it as soon as the cab driver pulled into the parking lot. Amazement swept over me. I called Tricia to tell her what I saw.

Then I paused and took a photo of the Shire near the Hudson.

Shire withouth scaffolding (768x1024)

 

When I arrived in October 2010, scaffolding surrounded the front of the building and wove throughout the Morningside Gardens complex as tuck pointing and work on the roofs took place on the roof. The amount of scaffolding actually increased before, not so long ago, it came down around one of the other buildings.

I cannot say when it came down around my building. I left town on April 10. The scaffolding covered the building. Between that day and today, it came down. And I have seen something I have not seen before.

Lots of scaffolding remains throughout Morningside Gardens. But the work may actually end.

See you along the Trail.

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March 25, 2013 · 8:47 pm

The door closes, the light remains off

The door closes. The light remains off.
All good things …
The management of The Shire, Louisville’s finest half-star bed (you’re on your own for breakfast – Starbucks is down the road), wishes to inform you that, as of 22 March 2013, we have ceased operations and sold The Shire.

You will be pleased to know that the Sackville-Bagginses did not obtain the property. We certainly were.

However, the new owner, while extremely excited to purchase such a unique and valuable property, does not plan to operate The Shire as a half-star bed (you’re on your own for breakfast – Starbucks is down the road). Thus, you will need to find other arrangements when the Trail brings you to the Louisville area. Of course nothing you find will match the non-existent, exacting standards of The Shire. But do the best you can.

Know that The Shire management deeply appreciated the patronage of each guest. We appreciated those of you who wish you could have stayed at the Shire but who never did. For those who wanted no part of the Shire … well so be it.

We wish you all safe travels and peaceful, joy-filled rest.

Thank you for a great journey!

The door closes. The light remains off.

… come to an end.

See you along the Trail.

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March 24, 2013 · 9:00 am

Fellowship of the Shire

Originally posted about a year ago,
it seems appropriate to repost this one
in the aftermath of the sale of the Shire.


No rings, no wizards,
no reforged broken swords,
not even a walk to Mordor,
where of course no one simply walks,
but a fellowship nonetheless graced
the halls of the Shire.
Rooted in minimalist hospitality,
this fellowship of family and friends
knitted together over food and games,
movies and song,
conversation and camaraderie,
Jameson and other libations;
never present all at the same time,
always present in spirit,
the fellowship of the Shire
blesses me daily,
graces my living
and travels with me
wherever the ongoing road might lead.

In the hope that the Fellowship of the Shire has meant
and means as much to the other members
as it has and does to me.
The Shire, Louisville
19 April 2012

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March 23, 2013 · 6:03 pm

Lent 39: Restore

M23 Restore New Orleans 28 December 2009

New Orleans, Louisiana
28 December 2009

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March 21, 2013 · 4:48 pm

Lent 37: Home

IMG_1446 (2)

The banner is a gift from Tricia’s parents.
Louisville, Kentucky
1 June 2008

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March 16, 2013 · 11:25 pm

Where the trail leads next

With thanks to the Rev. Dr. Hyunju Bae who invited me,

with thanks to several friends who advised me,

with thanks to family and friends who are praying and will pray for me,

tomorrow I leave for the Republic of Korea.

See you along the Trail!

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March 8, 2013 · 10:32 pm

Lent 24: Find

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New Orleans, Louisiana
30 December 2009

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March 5, 2013 · 10:41 pm

What is home?

A place
A spot on a map
A time
People
Relationships
A refuge
A sanctuary
Our castle
Where we can always return
Where we cannot go again
A place to land
A place to launch
Journey’s end
Journey’s beginning

What is home?

I don’t watch much television. But for some reason a few weeks ago, I recommendation made by my friend Sid Birt came back to me. I remembered sitting in my living room in Louisville watching Sid watch Battlestar Galactica: the Mary McDonnell and Edward James Olmos version. Sid’s recommendations have always led me to wonders and joy. I pondered the memory and then finally took the plunge.

Sid came through again. The show hooked me. Complex characters, splendid acting, intriguing, unpredictable story lines. It has it all. The show ponders significant questions that dance through the plot and episodes. Through it all, one remains: what is home?

Tonight, as the series draws to a close and the characters prepare to dismantle Galactica, characters spoke the question aloud.

What is home?

How do you answer?

See you along the Trail?

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February 21, 2013 · 7:20 pm

Lent 9: love

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New Orleans, Louisiana
28 December 2009

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January 28, 2013 · 11:26 pm

To my father

JamesonHe drank Scotch.

He worked as the assistant superintendent for the Grove City Public School system. But he was a musician. He played string bass in the pit orchestra for the high school musicals. He directed the Scots Fusilers – a town band. He was a tennis player. He was a photographer. He was a private pilot.

On January 28, 1974, he climbed into a small plane with another educator from Grove City. Their destination was Harrisburg where they would advocate for funds for the school system. They had tickets on a commercial airline, but decided that he would fly.

They did not arrive.

The plane went down near Emlenton. The crash site was not located until the next day.

When he died, I was in Europe with the Westminster College Choir. I could no more sing then than I can now. But my family appreciated the value of travel and found the funds for me to go.

I arrived at JFK on Wednesday of that week where family members met me and broke the news and broke my heart.

Tonight, 39 years later, I raise a glass to his memory … to the time, the far too short time, we shared. To all I learned. To laughter and to tears. To music made well and badly. To tennis matches. To a trip to Philmont.

I raise a glass … to my father.

Goodnight and joy be with you, dad. Goodnight and joy be with us all.

Mine is Jameson.

See you along the Trail.

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