Category Archives: Louisville

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 · 5:28 pm

Lent 40, Palm Sunday: Blessed

New look shire

For nearly ten years,
I called the Shire in Louisville
home.
In a world where too many people
have no safe place,
I am blessed to have several places to call home.

12 April 2012
Louisville, Kentucky

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March 13, 2013 · 5:51 pm

Lent 29: Water

M13 Water

Louisville, Kentucky
6 April 2004

 

 

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January 8, 2013 · 10:39 pm

Thank you, US Airways

Today’s travel took me from New York to Louisville – an oft-made trip. The airlines, chosen due to price, was US Airways.

This is neither my preferred or favorite airline. It pains me a bit to say that. Allegheny Airline lies in the past of US Airways. Based in Pittsburgh, Allegheny was the first airline I ever used. My love for all things Pittsburgh lasted through a number of mergers.

In recent years, I have experienced problems on US Airways – cancelled flights, rebooking issues, and delayed luggage. I have not kept score of my travel woes. I have no documentation. But it feels like US Airways has been especially problematic.

Today, they did well by me and so I need to say: Thank you, US Airways.

The plane from LaGuardia landed in Philadelphia. The layover came to an end and I made my way to the gate for the Philadelphia to Louisville flight. The announcement came that boarding would begin shortly.

I opened my bag and discovered two items missing. I checked again and confirmed my first impression. A moment’s thought led to the realization that I had left them behind on the plane from New York.

Disappointed, I wandered to the bathroom, planning how I would deal with this. A call to the airline upon arrival in Louisville seemed the first step. I held out little hope. Actually, I held out no hope.

As I neared the gate for the plane to Louisville, a US Airways staff person said, “Is there a Mr. Ko-nig in the gate area?” She mispronounced the name. Many folks do.

“Is there a Mr. William Ko-nig in the gate area?”

I waved my boarding pass and made my way to the podium. She moved to meet me.

She held out her hand in which she held my items. “Do these belong to you?” she asked.

I smiled and replied, “They do. Thank you very much.”

“You are welcome,” she responded. She smiled and went on her way. I got in line to board.

Again I say: Thank you US Airways.

See you along the Trail.

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August 9, 2011 · 3:20 am

Ownership

Headed on the road again. This time to Cleveland to hang out with Tricia and Eric. A trip to Louisville may prove necessary to deal with some issues at the Shire near the Ohio – also known as the original Shire. Yet another demonstration that while we may own things, things definitely own us.

See you along the Trail.

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December 22, 2010 · 4:44 am

Toward the end of an era

It has been almost two months since my last post. Numerous trips between the Shire East and the Shire West have occurred.

I have been at the Shire since December 8. There were meetings – a wonderful celebration (including a fair imitation of lembas) led by my colleagues in the Peacemaking Program (Tricia and I made the run to Costco to buy many of the other supplies) – a great dinner at Havana Rumba with good friends – a football game won and a football game lost.

Mostly there has been transition – pretty relentless transition – working to prepare the Shire to go on the market. Home repair is no where near the top of my list of either things I enjoy or things I do well – even when my primary role (well, pretty much my only role) is writing checks or making runs to Home Depot.

It is made more than a tad bittersweet because this marks the end of an era.

Tonight’s movie – 3 Godfathers – John Wayne does Christmas.

Tomorrow – Cleveland.

See you along the Trail.

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August 16, 2010 · 3:59 am

The Shire is empty


Tricia and Eric headed for home today. It’s just me and assorted insects here at the Shire.

I had the great honor and wonderful joy of baptizing Ethan Alejandro Chan Craft, son of my friends Amanda Craft and Omar Chan. It was truly a blessing. He cried pretty much constantly – he’s 13 months. Of course, he was exhausted – he fell asleep very quickly when Amanda took him and walked with him. He had also bitten his lip when I first met him. He was standing by a church pew with his dad and I went to talk to them. He fell down and the rest is history.

Painting continued at the Shire upon my return. The kitchen is painted. It remains to be put back together but that will be tomorrow night’s task.

I ate out for breakfast (with Tricia and Eric – Panera’s – they put the calorie count on the wall – very helpful) and for lunch (Moe’s – they put the calorie count online and actually allow you to figure out the calories as you make your meal your way – helpful but one needs to know it in advance) as the kitchen is pretty disrupted.

Even with the eating out, my eating came in at the goal. I went to the gym and did 40 minutes on the treadmill. 10, 477 steps.

Movies – Three Kings and Tombstone. Neither are classics. Each has issues. But they are entertaining.

A good day.

See you along the trail.

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August 15, 2010 · 3:34 am

The Shire is abuzz

Tricia arrived at the Shire this evening. She had been unbinding the church. She came through Louisville to pick up Eric and take him back to Bowling Green. It is nice to have a fuller than normal Shire. But they leave in the morning. But Jessica and Ricky arrive on Tuesday.

The goals were met. Step count totaled 10,323; 35 minutes on the treadmill at the gym; and eating well.

Painting moved into the kitchen, thus making cooking a bit of a challenge. So eating took place in restaurants (except for an evening protein bar). That was accomplished within the goals. It is very helpful to have menus with nutritional information posted online.

Very helpful to have Eric as a co-painter.

Watched the Steelers play their first preseason game online. No movie today.

See you along the Trail.

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August 14, 2010 · 6:37 am

Shire renovations continue

With Eric’s help work began on the kitchen. We painted the stain on the ceiling. We also prepped the walls and painted the walls under the cabinet. Moving the refrigerator led to the discovery of some pretty disgusting dirt. But that is no longer there. Tomorrow we will try to finish.

The three goals were achieved with 30 minutes at the gym (got there a bit late) and 10 minutes walking outside. Steps totaled 10,259.

Star Trek was the movie after the painting. Good stuff.

See you along the Trail.

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August 13, 2010 · 5:22 am

Ten days

I made it today. I was working at the Shire (a new dishwasher is installed – not by me, but it is in) and that made walking hard. But with a little effort, and finishing after midnight, I made it to 10,025 steps. The gym and eating well were easier. That’s 10 days. Pretty cool. I am starting to keep stats now.

Eric, Sparky, and I went to see Inception. A very interesting movie – great special effects and acting. Sparky said it would be a good movie to see again. I agree. It will take some mulling. I had not expected to see Michael Caine in it, but given the number of times he has worked with Christian Nolan, it maybe should not have come as a surprise.

See you along the Trail.

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