Post-commencement exercises

As the theme song from The Poseidon Adventure insisted in the '70s, there's got to be a morning after.

Ours was rather wonderful.

I speak of the morning following Andrew's graduation.

Last Tuesday morning, to be exact.

After a relatively decent night of rest (I rarely sleep well in hotels, no matter how comfortable, and yes I remembered my pillow) I got my coffee and put in a call to the graduate.

"I need me some Rambo," I said.

Andrew chuckled. Rambo had managed to get "into something" out at the camp where they live and he was not as squeaky clean and fragrant as Andrew likes.

He'd been trying all morning to arrange an appointment with a groomer to give Ramby a proper bath, but nothing doing.

Nobody could squeeze him in until at least noon, or else Thursday.

Neither would do so Andrew sprayed Ramby-Wamby with some coconutty-smelling stuff and brought him on up to the room.

We had ourselves a happy time of reunion and Rambunctious seemed to enjoy the view from the eleventh-floor windows.

After about an hour of pure Rambo delight, Stephanie, Joel, and the kids joined us.

"He's ticked off," Stephanie said of little Andrew.

And he did appear a trifle nonplussed, wedged as he was into his regulation infant carrier.

Thinking him to be overwarm, we freed him, changed his outfit, and let him sit on the sofa.

First we had to make Ramby move.

Which seemed to tick him off.

Rambo proved to be a strong attraction for Melanie, who couldn't keep her hands and face off him even though she is allergic to animal dander.

It was a regular love-in.

 Much like Rambo is a Melanie magnet, Baby Andrew is an Allissa magnet.

She hauls him around like he's a sackful of potatoes.

At one point he looked up as if to say, "Help me!"

I was laughing so hard the picture is blurry, so I'm not showing it to you.

Finally she got him semi-situated and commenced kissing him tenderly, over and over.

I don't blame her. Some good sugar there.

Soon enough we all had to go our separate ways. TG, Erica, and I were fortunate enough to be expected for lunch at Grey Havens, the beautifully appointed cottage of Mr. Jim and Miz Donna of Cottage Days & Journeys.

Do you remember a few months ago when Donna blogged about this recipe?

Well. That's what Mr. Jim made for us. Along with black-iron-skillet cornbread that he insisted wasn't up to snuff because of some issue with the cornmeal that was available to him.

But he was wrong. It was perfectly wonderful and so was the coleslaw chicken salad and the divine sweet tea with which we washed it all down.

Then we had a splendid time "talking camera" and I learned a great deal. These two are unforgettable, irreplaceable, and completely invaluable to me.

Thanks again, my friends.

~*~

Several of you have asked about the award Andrew received at graduation.

Our son was the recipient of the David Childers Servant's Heart Award.

David Childers, a Crown College student who was a member of Audrey's class and was one of her buddies, was killed on June 4, 2004 along with four others as they were en route to sing and minister at a church in Jupiter, Florida.

A semi tractor-trailer crossed the center line of a two-lane highway shortly after three o'clock in the afternoon on that Friday, the day before President Reagan died.

David and his friends were killed instantly when their van was hit head-on and burst into flames. The victims ranged in age from eighteen to twenty-two and included a couple married less than a year.

The award meant a lot because David Childers was a precious and sincere young man, and so is Andrew. For all his imperfections, he truly does have a servant's heart.

I thank God for him, and for my three daughters, every day.

Happy Monday ~ Happy Week!

Comments

[Mari]

I love the picture of Alissa and Andrew! Those grandkids of yours are just adorable and I can see that little Andrew is going to be just as handsome as big Andrew is.
The award!!! What an honor, and even more of a reason to be proud of him. I'm proud of him myself!

[Donna M.]

I love all the photos of the pooch and young-un's! The variety of expressions are precious! Oh, and you were so sweet to give us a shout-out. I just showed Mr. Jim his photo and admonished him for not smiling, LOL. We were delighted to entertain all of you and have a wonderful visit. Come back and see us anytime you're in the area, my sweet friend!

[Donna M.]

And I forgot to mention that your blog is loading quite nicely now. I don't know what made it temperamental for me there for a couple of days.

[glenda]

I have to say, this is a "SWEET" post my friend...Sweet Melanie, Sweet Alissa, Sweetie Baby Andrew, Sweet Rambo, and then , Sweet Tea, with Sweet Miz Donna, and Sweet Mr. Jim. I love it!! Seriously, these are wonderful photos and seeing these precious grandchildren is a bonus. Rambo is a wonderful dog, Melanie is just getting to be a grown up looking beautiful girl. And Alissa cracks me up totin' little guy around, and he even cracks me up more by the look on his little, cute cheeked, big beautiful eyes, face. Just touches this Grandma's heart!!!! I'm a sucker for "Sweet"!!! And a wonderful, well deserved award for Andrew #1!!!

[irene]

What a great cluster of photos, I love the ticked off Andrew. He so looks like the big Andrew. And how proud you must be, what a honor to receive such an award, but I'm sure he's earned it. I did remember Donna's recipe, imagine the corn bread not being up to snuff. I love cornbread, wish my family did. I'll be writing Donna for that recipe too. Don't you just love when they talk camera. I do. I know your Mother's Day was wonderful if you did all these things.

[Donna (Texas)]

Hahahaa....Did you tell Jim to Smile?Hahaaa....Love it! I Know you had a great visit...
I love all the Sweeties photos!! Again, what a Gorgeous family ...You are truly blessed!
hughugs

[Debbie]

He does look "ticked off", ha. Great pictures, you can't beat dogs, children and babies.