The Handkerchief – A Lewis Clan Reunion

“He produced a handkerchief—crisply folded—and handed it to her. She took it with silent astonishment. She’d never before known anyone who carried a handkerchief.”  ― Cassandra Clare, City of Bones Nothing shows both polish and utility like the nattily tucked pocket handkerchief or ‘pocket square’ in the breast pocket of a man’s blazer, sport coat, or suit jacket. […]

Aunt Beulah’s House Smiles Again – A Happy Miller Reunion

There is an eternal landscape, a geography of the soul; we search for its outlines all our lives.  Josephine Hart My childhood is steeped in geography with Aunt Beulah’s House as a significant one.  These locations connect to relationships and key events.  In most cases, when memory recalls a particular occasion, it includes a place: […]

My Grandfathers’ Rocking Chairs – What They Represent

There is a peacefulness, an air of reflection, about a rocking chair that attaches to no other moving object. – Wallis Simpson We are fortunate that two rocking chairs, one from each side of my family, the Hancocks and the Rightmeiers, remain in the family. We do not know much about them, except they were […]

Giving A Voice To The Voiceless – The Christmas Shepherds

The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can. – Neil Gaiman The story of the nativity would be incomplete without the shepherds “keeping watch over their flocks […]

How To Tap Into Your Unique Inner Legacy

I’ve always liked the idea of memoirs, going into someone else’s life, going through someone else’s day and getting out of your own head. – Isabel Gillies The decision to start this BLOG came from a desire to preserve stories.  To capture those bits of memory that get lost as generations pass and years go […]

Calm Joyful Remembrance: Recall, Recount And Respond

Think only of the past as its (calm joyful) remembrance gives you pleasure. Jane Austen This weekend is Memorial Day in the United States.  This day of remembrance began after the civil war. Honor was expressed by decorating the graves of fallen soldiers.  In fact it was called Decoration Day even by my parents. It […]

If You Are In Kansas Then You Can Be An Aviator

This was my second year as an exhibitor at Kansas Aviation Day.  I and a fellow Advocate Wing member participated on the behalf of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) to showcase yet another way Kansas Aviation is employed. Since a majority of MAF’s fleet of almost 50 aircraft based in 17 countries are Cessna Aircraft from […]

Exciting First Steps For Biplane Dream Underway!

Exciting First Steps! The beginning is the most important part of the work. -Plato The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Lao Tzu It has begun!  After: the initial transport from my hangar to the EAA workshop last July, collecting of plans, Oshkosh, coordinating work teams, the fall fly-in season and the […]

Happy Awesome Birthday Mom – A Love Letter

“I know that despite whatever stupid thing I do, I’d be able to go to my mom and she’d still love me. I honestly believe that” ― Nellie Christine, RID I generally do not write about my mother, unless it is in reference to her family ancestors, the Rightmeiers.  Writing about the connection I have with my dad […]