MotoGP

Brian and I went to the MotoGP race on August 29 and had a great time. Here are a few images from our time there.

This is looking at the pagoda from inside the track.

The various motorcycle manufacturers had tents set up to show their stuff, so we spent some time walking through them. Here's Brian on a Honda. Looks like he just needs a license and he's ready to go!

These are some of the Moto2 GP racers. We got there too late to see the entire race, but we caught a few laps.

This is one of the MotoGP racers. I don't remember which one.

This is an American who was on the pole for the race. He was from Texas. He stayed in front for a while, but was passed about midway through the race by the eventual winner. He finished 2nd.

They had 3 parachutists drop in before the start of the MotoGP race. The announcer obviously couldn't see them as he kept saying they would arrive any minute while we were watching them drop from the sky. Even after they landed, the announcer was still encouraging everyone to watch for them.

Circle Centre Mall, January 2010

We went to Circle Centre Mall in January. It isn't something we do often, so I thought I'd take some pictures there. These are some of the results.


This image is looking east from the Arts Garden at the south side of Washington St. It's the detail of one of the buildings along there that I thought interesting.


This image is looking east from the Arts Garden at the north side of Washington St. It's one of those pictures you can provide someone in 2050 to say this is what downtown looked like 40 years ago. Meanwhile, you can use it to show someone what it looked like just a few months ago.


Looking the other direction, over the railing to the floor below, we saw that there was some kind of art show going on. Here Brian and Janet are checking out the stuff.

The next few images are of some of the art.











This image is of the glass "sun" hanging in the main hall of Circle Centre. I've taken this picture a gazillion times, but I keep thinking I'll get a good one of it. I think I am now giving up.

Fireworks

I really like fireworks. Seems like I always have. But I can't watch them now without thinking of what Morgan said to me just before Independence Day, 2003. I asked him if he wanted to plan to see fireworks, that maybe we could go where there were some really great ones. He responded, "No, Dad. I've seen all the fireworks I think I can stand now." He had just returned from Iraq.

These are fireworks we saw while in Savannah, GA, for Independence Day, 2010.

Banner Close-Up

Here's a better view of the banner itself. See below for more information about it.

Back at the House

I had a banner made using the graphics we had used in previous years for the masthead of our Memorial Day program. I imagined it (the actual design was created by Nancy Connor, a talented artist that I work with) evoking the memory of anyone who has ever received a folded flag. Although we tried to get an actual Marine for the hands, we wound up borrowing a coat and gloves and using Janet's hands. The hands of the flag receiver belong to Brenda Leive, the leader of the Military Support Group.

Better Look at the Plaque

Here's a closer look at the plaque on the rock.

Wreath and Flags

Here's a close-up of the wreath and flags.

Memorial Tree

Here's the memorial tree, decorated for the day.

Memorial Day Service

Now that we're nearing the end of summer, I'm getting around to putting up pictures from things that occurred earlier. We held a small service at the memorial tree in back of the church. I said a few words at the service, the ABC's of remembering what those like Morgan have done for us. A is acknowledging each day that there are those who give much that we might enjoy our way of life. B is live to benefit those around us, in the spirit and example of those like Morgan. And C is live with courage and do those things which we know to be right even when they are hard and exact a significant price.

Spring Storms

We've had some strong storms over the last few days. These images were taken a couple of days apart, each after a strong storm had just passed.

Sunset breaking through the clouds.

A bright rainbow after the storm (the image doesn't do it justice).

Angelica and John's New Home

We traveled to Louisville for the housewarming party at Angelica and John's new home. Here are a few pictures of the trip. No interior shots, though, so you'll have to visit yourself to see what they are doing on the inside!

Summer Ridge Springtime

Summer Ridge is very pretty in the spring. Here are a few images from earlier this spring.

Trees along Midnight Pass

More trees along Midnight Pass

Janet and Pumpkin walking

Redbud along Midnight Pass

Lilacs in our yard

Backyard Birds

We've seen an amazing number of different birds in the backyard this spring. Here are a couple.

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-wing Blackbird

Indianapolis Museum of Art Gardens

We went to the IMA to walk the gardens on Mother's Day. Here are images from that day.

Son and mother

A fountain in the formal garden

Gary and Janet

Memorial Weekend 2010

We held a special service Saturday evening, May 29, behind Connection Point Church to remember those who gave lives for our freedom and liberty. A parking lot has now been constructed in the area where we did this in 2008. We gathered next to the memorial tree, planted in 2005 by the Military Support Group (see picture below). Afterward, many of those who attended joined us at our house for a cookout and fellowship.

The banner above hung over the door to the house, as seen in the first photo above.

Maui 2009 Post 2

OK, the Internet wasn't available because someone cut a fiber optic cable! The newspaper says that everything was marked like it should have been before someone started digging (they aren't identifying "someone"), but it makes you wonder why this seems to happen even after all the marking. Anyway, here are some more Maui adventure pictures.

We went parasailing. Doesn't look like Brian thinks that was such a great idea!

OK, that's better! Now that we're off the deck of that boat, we're really flying!

1,200 feet doesn't seem that high up, until you look straight down!

Tickling our toes in the water. They won't drop us in, will they?
Rachel and Andrea's turn. Andrea looks like she has the same opinion as Brian did at the start.

OK, now we're with it. Just took getting into the air.

Get those toes wet!

That's all for this update. More to come (if we have Internet access).