WE ARE THE WORLD!

Yesterday I attended an awesome

event where my niece Ruby was

formally bethrothed to Gaddi.

Gaddi's mother is from the Congo

and currently lives in South Africa.

His late father was from Rwanda and

some family members still reside there.

Ruby is my husband's sister's child and

she was born here in Indianapolis.

Old Glory flies amidst the Flag of the congo
with the smiling sun as well as the flag of
Rwanda.

Ruby and Gaddi met at IU and both graduated

and now live in Fairfield california where they

moved to plant a Christian Church. As you can

see Gaddi is a tall, handsome young man whose

family came from Africa and Brussells to

formally meet the Hughes-Knouse family and

ask for their daughter's hand. They also wanted to make their intentions clear that they would take Ruby as part of their family and wishing for the same commitment from our family.



The degree of their commitment can be shown

by the distance from which they traveled.

They wanted to assure our family of the upright

character of their son and requested our family to

speak of Ruby's qualities. This was very easy as

Ruby loves God, is a very caring person who is the

rock of her family. Her brother Hank spoke for the

family. Marie Claude the eldest cousin spoke for the

Mother's side and Uncle Albert, the father's brother

represented him.

We all could say something to support our family's

good intentions and even I was inspired to say how

accepted I was by the Hughes family and how loving

and good they were. After some tears as we do have

loose tear ducts (inherited from my mother), they

presented the Hughes-Knouse family with gifts.

First they presented many bottles of wine, beer and

liquors and a beautiful framed african art piece which

had 3 woven baskets representing prosperity. They

also gave Christina a beautiful original ostrich leather

purse.

Ruby presented Gaddi's Mom with chocolates,

bracelets and a beautiful scarf.

We had to sample some of the drinks

they had brought and we all agreed

that would not be a hardship.

Then we were served a wonderful meal made

mostly by Ruby and her Dad Ed who is

a professional caterer.

Other friends and family came by

later and it was a lovely warm

evening on the deck.

We will be all looking forward

to the wedding in September when

many more will celebrate the union

and we are promised more

African wedding traditions and music.

PINK BRIDAL SHOWER

Barb is the hostest with the mostest.

Her house is perfect for a gathering anytime

because she makes you feel comfotable.

This last one was for Linda's daughter Lauren

who is having her 1st baby girl. Obviously

the theme was pink.

We were supposed to wear pink but some of

us ignored the message. Other's follow orders.

Linda

is affectionately called "The Dog"

because she is like a dog with a bone on the

tennis court. Obviously gets everything but it

may also mean she is a top dog. She is a legend

on the court. Someone gave her the dog stationery

with the tennis racquet and she loved it.

The B & B Ride

COGINDY is an organization that celebrates cycling in Indy.

Last Saturday we joined about 120 cyclists in a

tour of downtown.

The ride started at the Earth House which is an

old church. It had a vey cool coffee shop and

acts as a community center for the area.

This little guy did not last long as this was

not a kid's ride.

Sarah, Doug and I were the only participants.

First stop was Fountain Square.

Note the newly remodeled fountain
Next stop was the Sun King Brewery
Doug is 6' 5"
You get the scope of this stack.

We were able to taste the 4 different brews.

Next it was a bicycle polo exhibition.

This is the hottest new sport. I for

one will stick to tennis. The next stop

was the UPLAND brewery tasting house

up in broad ripple.

The last stop was supposed to be the UNION JACK for pizza

and no doubt more beer. As my droid showed the rain moving

in on my radar app we decided to hightail it out of there.

I decided a better name for this ride would have been

The B&B ride as it was obviously beer and more beer.

My best Mother's day gift!

Yesterday my son called to wish me a

Happy Mother's day and we had our

usual video call with the baby.

I had heard that lately he had been

adding many new words to his vocabulary

like "back pack" and "tractor".

So I said baby D if you can say tractor surely

you can say Popo.

Then he said it plain as day but only once.

Here he is proud as punch in his new backpack.

I just think this smile or smirk is precious

don't you?

God's paintbrush.

Sometimes there is a storm and just after the

storm the sky becomes blazing like

a field of fire. Conditions have to be

just right to create these colors.

There is something scary about these skies but
also something beautiful. I always feel God's power
when I witness skies like this.

This was after a Monday night pizza dinner with the tennis

friends just outside of Puccini's at clearwater.

Pet People.

Rocko is sitting in his personal chaise.

I must admit I was worried about spending 2 nights

at Sharon's as she has 3 big dogs and 3 cats.

People who know me also know that I am not a

pet person and I just don't understand how someone

would be able to manage and care for all those pets.

I recently discovered it is "LOVE".

Rocko shares the home with these two black labs Pepper and Abbie.



I thought it amazing that they could all co-habitate under one roof
with 3 cats. This cat below I thought was pretty friendly coming
into my bed. Her name is Millie. And no I am not getting a cat.
But as cats go she was nice. I could not photograph the other 2
cats as they rarely showed their faces. That seems to be common
with some cats. They just disappear when company comes.

Here I am with one of the few dogs who likes me.
She sent me a message to tell me that. Her name is
Sophie and she is a pointer. She always comes to me
for petting.

Jill's dog Boodle nipped at me twice

I am not sure what I did to earn that. People say little dogs are like that.

Temperamental maybe but she didn't snap at others in the boat. Maybe I

should get over it.

Now this aviary thing I don't get.
This guy has this in his front room and these birds
do come to him and perch on his head. I think
they maybe more loving than fish. But I don't
get warm and cuddly over these.

Now Sugar is a whole nother matter. She is cute and cuddly and warm.

This is Diana's cat who seems to like red wine. Now there is a girl who I

may have something in common with. Still not getting a cat but I think

I will just continue to enjoy other people's pets. However don't ask your

pet to give Auntie Nettie a kiss.

My Kentucky Derby Weekend!

What do you associate with the Kentucky Derby?

Race horses and hats. Well, I had forgotten this

hat tradition or I would have arranged one but I

manged to get one for my derby photo.

Food is another tradition and great house parties

with racing pools and mint juleps. Southern

hospitality is always a Louisville hallmark but

more so during the Derby week. Margaret is

posing by her table laden with beef brisket,

sandwiches, potato salad, meat balls, cucumber

sandwiches, shrimp and lasagna to name a few.

Bourbon balls are also a great end to a meal.

Guests are eclectic. I met several psychics and people from all walks of life.

Below Sharon poses with a cocatoo who flies from head to head.

I met Sharon in Jamaica about 47 years ago. She was a lay

missionary for a small school that I taught briefly at before I

came to College.

We went to 4 different parties.

One was at her ex husband, Tony's home.

Tony is in the light colored shirt and he is

a most amazing host as well as fabulous

cook.


This is Tony's patio which is more than

beautiful

Here I am posing with Julia child who is a

lifesize doll who stands in front of his bar.