Betty Benson in the snow

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Ahhhh... on a hot summer day, there's nothing nicer than finding an old negative to scan and discovering that it's a photo of mom in her late teens/early twenties throwing a snowball at the camera.  Heaven.

4th of July news

 Dad with two of Daoud's sisters, Najla and Lema, holding Sameel, Najla's son

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Rob called Daoud today, on the 4th of July, just to let him know that we are thinking of he and his family this day. His wife Nadia answered the phone. Daoud has left his job as car salesman and now works for the US Army in Afghanistan! His proficiency with languages and Afghan dialects, along with the fact that he is now an American citizen, makes him a wonderful asset to the army. No matter where he goes in Afghanistan, people think he's from that region. Plus he speaks at least 7 other languages. Most of his work is top secret so when Nadia goes over there with the children (tomorrow!), there's a chance she may not see him.

How proud dad would be of what Daoud has chosen to do - using his unique talents for such an important cause. We will keep Daoud, his family, and Afghanistan in our prayers.

Frances in the kitchen

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Since my last post was about grandpa, I thought I'd give grandma her turn in the spotlight.  I love this photo. She seems to be in deep contemplation of that bird.  The platter is ready at hand.  As are the half-filled glass milk bottle, the upside down can of "Butter Kernel Succotash," strawberry jam, some potatoes on the windowsill.  I'm sure the orange rolls are in the oven.  I tried to make out the year on the "Lindy's" calendar but couldn't.  It's November, so chances are pretty good this is Thanksgiving.  I love that she's got her good jewelry on.  Along with an inside-out apron.  Perhaps she's thinking - all this work and it will be over so fast.  Anyway, I love this little quiet moment in time.

A wonderful and surprising find!

As you know, the TPK kids are in the process of dividing up the contents of the laguna house.  I had claimed the carved wood table that sat in the living room between the two blue plaid chairs.  It has a great secret drawer which I emptied out.  But when Tom Jr carried the table out to my car, we heard something rattle and realized that there must be more inside.  I managed to get my arm in there and found a few pieces of jewelry.  Then Tom noticed that at the very back, tightly wedged up against the furthest wall, was a piece of paper.  Turns out that it was a letter from Paul Sr. to dad.  It was written as if to the Coca Cola Bottling Co. upon dad's promotion to president.  It is vintage grandpa.  And I wonder if it's been sitting inside that table since 1975...  Here's the letter.  Click on the image to enlarge it.  (Transcript below)

3-15-75
To whom it may concern: -

I would like to congratulate the Board of Directors of the Coca Cola Bottling Co in their selection for President: He is young, aggressive, honest, brilliant, kind, humble, intelligent, loving, a great compassion for his fellow-worker, a devoted husband and a marvelous father:-

Page after page could be written extolling his outstanding qualities, but I know you are aware of them.

The new President is one of four of the world's greatest young men.

From one who is not predjudiced.

P.R.K.