Home On The Range

We go camping at Harrison Lake tomorrow afternoon. Neither myself nor Aaron have been really camping since Scouts back in elementary school 1, so this should be fun.

We’ve got our s’mores action going on, our new king-size air mattress to go in our never-used dome tent we got as a wedding present back in 2003, our lawn chairs and bug spray and swimsuits and sunscreen and everything (hopefully) to help us get our camping fun on.

I hope this doesn’t suck. This is more of a trial run, hence why we’re only camping for one night. If we enjoy camping, maybe we’ll do it more often. Until we’re sure, though, 3pm Sunday through noonish Monday should be a sufficient getaway.

Update, Sunday @ noon: It’s been raining since 8am. Chance of scattered thunderstorms all afternoon, all evening, and all night. Prospects aren’t looking good… but maybe we’ll pack up the car and head out, anyway, to see what Harrison Lake is like. We’ll see how things pan out….

1 This, of course, is not including the ill-fated October camping trip of the girls of 2nd floor Kohl Hall back in 1999. Amy and I were the only people with competent fire-building skills, and our RA had to purchase firewood from a neighboring RV camper. An unseasonably warm October turned coats that night, and none of us got any sleep that chilly autumn night. What had started as an “I don’t want to *know* if you have alcohol in your tent, *wink-wink*” party night ended as a 5am “Let’s get back to the dorm and get some sleep” morning.

Still Rings True

Recently, I found myself reflecting on some advice given me by my high school choir director upon my graduation. There was one particular passage that resonated in my memory, but I’ll quote the whole note here:

May 1994

Well, Lady,

We’ve arrived at the end of our 4 year association. Only regret I personally have, is not having met you a few years earlier! Did you know back then, that music was your calling?

I’ve watched you grow and develop your musical skills methodically and academically. The only area you struggle with, can only happen when you decide to let go of thinking and simply; Be; Do; Feel.

My wish for you includes success in a difficult field and personal growth with the new exposures you will now experience. Don’t cut yourself off due to insecurities. Take the chance ( – it will hurt some but it isn’t endless).

Most Sincerely,
Tamara Beall

Who would have known that, thirteen years later, I would still have trouble with that.

Let go of thinking and simply be. Do. Feel.

Dr. Timothy D. King, 1949-2007

Timothy D. King 57, of Bowling Green, Ohio died Friday (February 9, 2007) at Wood County Hospital. He was born July 3, 1949 in Cheverly, Maryland to Thomas & Annie (Kilburn) King. He was married to Patricia (Brown) on December 19, 1970; they were married for thirty years.

He is survived by his sons, David (Hillary) of Chicago and Brian of Denver; daughter, Ellen King of Bowling Green; former wife and close friend Patricia; brother, William (Patty) of Piedmont, Ca.; and special friend Carol Berman of Orchard Park, N.Y.

Mr. King was the Associate Director of Residence Life at B.G.S.U. He received his BA from Macalester College, Master’s (1973) & PHD (1978) from the University of Minnesota. He was a leader with Cub Scout pack #358 and a member of the Maumee Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation. He was an avid cook, a loving father and was known throughout the community for his generosity and witty humor.

(read the full obituary at Dunn Funeral Homes)

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Christmas Memories

I recently wrote letters to my family, asking them to write down some memories about what life was like growing up, and to share some of their favorite memories or stories. Not about Christmas, just in general. I just got Mom’s via e-mail this evening, so I figured that I should probably write down some of my own memories, as a gesture of appreciation…
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