Happy Birthday William J!

Enjoy your ride today, wherever you are. (Photos: mid-1950s, probably Fremont, Michigan.)

The Milliner by Manet

Monday morning artwork

Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco, CA, USA, 1881

Margy Berry 1929-2019

Margy Berry is a remarkable woman. It’s a simple sentence, no dependent clauses, but like Margy honest and straight to the point.

She and Bob opened their home to Susan and I for our wedding in August of 1983. They were not only welcoming and kind in the manner of people who had a genuine concern for us but Margy saw to it that everything went smoothly and made our wedding day as perfect as it could possibly be. We left Roanoke many years ago but every time we would return to visit old friends, Margy and Bob were always there to welcome us with open arms and warm hearts. I thank all the gods that we were able to spend a little time with both of them this past spring.

Time flies and life is short. God speed Margy. And be well Bob. Susan and I think of you both and often. That will never change until we, too, are long gone. . .

Steve, Margie and Bernice

Margie and Bernice

Betsy Van Halsema DeKorne

What can I say? To know her was to love her. It was really that simple.  Tell Uncle Jack we miss him and his tales of derring-do!

1929  l-r: Willemina, Betsy, Dick, Gerard, Bernice

Sept 1944 Nellie and 5 daughters standing under oak tree back yard 219 Myrtle: L-R Bernice, Betsy, Nellie, Helen, Willemina, Marian

Sept 1944 Bernice (left) and Betsy on ferry  to NYC, starting out for Calvin College (Betsy senior, Bernice freshman)

Sept 1944 Bernice and Betsy at Grand Central Station NYC

July 2001 Overview, MI  three Van Halsema sisters, Betsy, Bernice and Marian

Still missed after all these years

Denny Nicola, class of 1965, Champaign High School. Killed in Vietnam 1967. Information. A good friend I turned around one day and realized he was gone before I made my way "down south."

Below: Ronny Lovellette. Class of 1966, Champaign High School. Killed in Vietnam 1969. Information. Do you remember that our last night together in Chicago before you headed off to the Army and I left for the Marines? I certainly do. The last time I saw you. But it was a wild night, eh Ronny?