ON THE ROAD AGAIN

A friend of ours heard about our "journey of faith, fisher, forests, family, friends and fun" and suggested we set up a Blog. A what? So here we are....on the road again with Bocahontas and Buba. Blessed with the freedom of time, we were inspired by two of our favorite causes. So we organized a road trip to Alaska which should not only be fun but also an opportunity to spread the good word about The Fisher Houses , The Orthodox Christian Mission Center/Programs and some of our National Parks. We are participating in a 2 week Mission in Tyonek, Alaska with the OCMC group in June. Feel free to check out the planned trip on the calendar link. Caribou Cabins? Blue Moose? Tundra Lodge? and our soon to be "favorite" Motel 6. Any and all suggestions, prayers and good karma are welcome and very much appreciated....poor Buba, in a car with Pam for 5 months. Lions, and tigers and bears oh my! Toggle down to the calendar and see where we are over the next months. We ask for your prayers.

Grab yourself a cold one and come along for the ride. Enjoy and laugh along with us viewing the daily blogs which are archived on the left side of this page in chronological order. We started April 22- Happy Trails!

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD

The Fisher House

The Fisher House program is a unique private-public partnership that supports America's military in their time of need. The Fisher House Foundation, through the kindness of donations received, provides "comfort homes" that are built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable America's military families to be together during extended treatment for serious illness or lengthy physical sessions....very much like the Ronald McDonald homes for families of children in a similar situation. We were first introduced to Fisher House while visiting Brooke Army Medical Center (Burn Center) in San Antonio. We were so moved by the dedication and love of the staff and volunteers that we returned for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Currently there are 44 Fisher Houses (more in the works) and our goal is to visit all of them and spread the good word to family and friends. Please feel free to peruse their website for a detailed explanation about the Fisher House Foundation and programs. Perhaps you will be inspired by the work this group does on behalf of our Armed Forces.

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is the official foreign mission agency of all the Orthodox Jurisdictions (i.e. Greek, Russian, Serb etc.) The goal of the OCMC is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ where it presently does not exist and to establish vibrant Orthodox Eucharistic Communities throughout the world. We have had the privilege and pleasure to admire the work of this organization (headquarters located in St. Augustine, Florida) for years and now that we are retired we have the blessing to participate. We are on the road to Alaska to join a Mission Team in Tyonek for a couple weeks to do some construction and teaching in an Athabascan Indian Village. "If I had a hammer"...you'll be happy to know I deep sixed the acrylic nails in anticipation of caulking and painting. :) Please take a peek at the OCMC web site for details on all of the programs they are involved with throughout the world. And do stop in to see Father Martin and his kind and loving staff when you are in St. Augustine! We will also be visiting family, friends and Orthodox Churches while on the road to share the marvelous work of the OCMC.

National Parks

Most people know that the National Park Service cares for national parks, a network of nearly 400 natural, cultural and recreational sites across the nation. The treasures in this system – the first of its kind in the world –have been set aside by the American people to preserve, protect, and share, the legacies of this land.


People from all around the world visit national parks to experience America's story, marvel at the natural wonders, and have fun. Places like the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Gettysburg are popular destinations, but so too are the hundreds of lesser known yet equally meaningful gems like Rosie the Riveter in California, Boston Harbor Islands in Massachusetts, and Russell Cave in Alabama.


The American system of national parks was the first of its kind in the world, and provides a living model for other nations wishing to establish and manage their own protected areas. The park service actively consults with these Nations, sharing what we've learned, and gaining knowledge from the experience of others.


Beyond national parks, the National Park Service helps communities across America preserve and enhance important local heritage and close-to-home recreational opportunities. Grants and assistance are offered to register, record and save historic places; create community parks and local recreation facilities; conserve rivers and streams, and develop trails and greenways.


We hope to see you soon in a national park and invite you to explore the ways we can help you preserve what’s important in your hometown.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Day 117 HOT TOWN SUMMER IN THE CITY

WRIGLEYVILLE-ALEX'S HOOD

Pleep finds the"GET NAKED" bus at the end of Alex's street and the gang ready to party pre-Cubs game a real attraction. Since he is pretty much naked most of the time he thought he would fit in quite nicely. Then he learned "Get Naked" was some sissy wine. Nope, he now knows beers and dawgs are the only way to go see a Cubs game. He's starting to think moving in with Alex might be a really good idea - Cubs games, Chicago Dawgs, cold beer, hanging out on the lake front with all the pretty girls. We had to burst his bubble a bit and explain Alex has to go to school and work, Chicago is really cold in the winter, there are no girls on the lakefront after Labor Day, and the Cubs go into hibernation in Oct.


Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier SECOND CITY...ROD BLAGOJEVICH SUPER STAR
Dawnie and I went to the Second City parody of Jesus Christ Super Star about the
former governor of Illinois.... following in the fine tradition of other Chicago Politicians such as...Al Capone. We roared and roared and roared. The Second City troop nailed the tragedy and corruption of this nut case. They re-elected this Chicago product of the Democratic Machine and while making fun of Pres Bush?? Pleep wanted to give the whole IL/Chicago political crowd a big monkey butt but he was laughing too hard and lost his balance.

For the record, being a blue collar gal from Chicago OF COURSE I WAS RAISED A DEMOCRAT. When Buba and Boca were first married and moved to Chi Town....poor Buba went into a little "culture" shock. He couldn't believe the blatant corruption everywhere he turned. Huh? What do you mean Buba, after all this is Chicago land of vote early and often. We have always enjoyed the Second City performances when we visit. Finally, over the GW bashing. I didn't realize they are celebrating their 50th Birthday this year. So that makes me...???


FRIENDS IN NEED


Barry. Barry. Barry. Photo's from the family album. Can you imagine what then candidate Obama is whispering to his good buddy? This is the guy he says he didn't know that well? May I quote The Chosen last December, "I have had no contact with the Governor's office" . Sounds familiar....like another quote we all remember "I did not have sex with THAT woman".


We are so looking forward to a sure to be future performance at Second City of - OBAMA THE MESSIAH WHO WASN'T.








CHICAGO TURKISH WORLD FESTIVAL AT NAVY PIER

Being on the Pier already it was easy to slide over to The Turkish Fest. This city is known for it's many Ethnic Festivals. With such a diverse population of people so proud of their ethnic heritage there are many choices throughout the summer to experience another's food, entertainment, art, education and customs. Boca has a enjoyed her visits to Turkey and looked forward to introducing Pleep to a taste of the Turk.



Pleep enjoyed playing with the girls in the Yurt. He thinks having a yurt on the ranch would be the best option for housing guests.

He also found a new guy friend and wants one of those outfits-while the blue velvet maybe a little warm in Boca he believes he will be a fashion statement nonetheless.


Pleep's most favorite thing at the Fest was the Whirling Dervishes-a natural dance for him. Round and round...so he wanted to take some lessons. No Pleep, no lessons---SUFI. You must learn about SUFI to whirl. The whirling is a form of dhikr (rememberance of God). Dervish is a common term for an initiate of the Sufi path: the whirling itself is known as the Sema and the participants are properly known as Semazens. He liked the idea of Pleepeus the Semazen! Of course he swung right over to the book area to buy his book and learn all about the Sufi Derv.

Boca didn't quite understand why there were booths with non-Turks? Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia) and Bosnia, Macedonia and Albania (Balkans)?? If the Fest includes "others" why is it called the Turkish Festival? What is the main commonality amongst these diverse cultures?

Pleep had a great time dancing with these nice young girls. He wanted to know if they could teach Boca and him to belly dance. This caused Dawnie to burst into a prolonged laughing fit and we had to move on to another part of the Fest.

The Turkish American Society (sponsor of the Turkish Fest) states that their aim has been to bring these groups together with the "American" people. But aren't "these groups" American people? of those ethnic backgrounds? Indeed, these areas of the world were once very influenced by the Turkish Ottoman Empire. So if they are going to host a Fest for all these different groups why call it the Turkish Fest?? In Chicago there are approximately 20,000 Turkish, 40,000 Bosnians, 15,000 Albanians, 10,000 Macedonians and 1000 Central Asians. The only common thread ol'Boca could think of was the predominate religion- Muslim. Hmmmmmmmmm. In spite of Boca's incessant Political questioning and commenting the fest was fun and the food deeeeeeeeeeeelcious!


http://www.turkishworldfest.com/

http://www.tasc.org/
and even more interesting who is The Niagra Foundation??

http://www.niagrafoundation.org/

Pleep adds Turkey to the list of places he wants to go when this trip is over. He made another friend who claims to be Irish and the two of them decided hitting Ireland on the way to Turkey would be a good plan.
Posted by Sharing our Journey of Faith at 1:14 AM