Happy Valentine's Day

Alex and I took Cheryl to McMinnville for lunch today as a Valentine's present.  We all had a great time and lunch.  On the way back we swung by the housing development we were looking at buying in last year.  If you remember, it's in Carlton.  We fell back in love with it.  So..... we'll see.

After we left Carlton we went by the Trappist Abbey that's about 5 miles from there.  In the early 1960's my father worked there as a lay laborer.  Occasionally he'd take me along.  For several years I've been saying we ought to stop by just to see it.  Somehow, until today, we never took the opportunity.  I only remembered one monk, a Brother Martin.  As fate would have it, he is now working in the guest/booksore area.  When I saw him I was sure it was the same guy so I ask him his name.  Sure enought it was him.  He's now 84 and still going strong.  When I told him who I was he spent at least a half hour chatting about my father and how much they used to enjoy telling war stories about WWII.  When he found out Alex was interested in the monastic life he invited him and I to come for a visit and tour.  What a fun and interesting day.

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day and will also have a memorable President's Day on Monday.