"What a Fantastic Day!"

It is hard to put into words a day where you got to see people you have not seen in years. The first thing in the morning, I went to the EV Malt Shop with my dad to meet with other members of the infamous "Liars' Club." It is a group of guys (most of them my dad's age or older) who come into the Malt Shop in the morning and afternoon to drink coffee and make fun of each other.

Some of the guys I remembered from childhood, but others it was like meeting them for the first time. Of course the kept telling my dad it was good that "your son did not get his looks from you...Donahue!" That was said over and over again. It was fun to be able to just listen to them talk. During my time in the Malt Shop I had the pleasure of meeting Kurt...the minister of my home church the North English Christian Church. Kurt has been at the church about four months longer than I have been at Speed. He has a great personality and the North English Christian Church is also growing. He was nice enough to give me a tour of the old home church...how things have changed, but at the same time how things have stayed the same.

Another highlight of the day was meeting with my Aunt Reva and Arland and Reva's daughter Nancy who I have not seen in years. My Aunt Reva was my second grade teacher and I also went across the street to her house when I was in junior high and high school to get ice tea she always had ready for me. She told everyone (yes we ate lunch at the EV Malt Shop) that I have always been her favorite nephew.

Later that day Kari, my mom and dad and myself went to a large household auction in a community about 14 miles from here. We were amazed at how cheap things were going. Kari got four glass serving dishes for three dollars and we were able to get Mitch an auto harp for only $25.

Tomorrow should bring more "hometown" adventure since tomorrow the North English Celebration starts. I do find it funny that every time I meet someone I went to high school with I always think, "boy when did they get old!"