To the Church!

 

After arriving into Paris we immediately boarded our EuroTours bus (btw, we have the same driver as last year!) and drove to the German town of Rinteln for an overnight stay at a local hostel.  We got in around 8:30 and mandated a “lights out” time of 10:00 for the kids, which only left a little bit of time to explore the local scenery.

(Fair warning… thus begins what will most likely be a long parade of posts with pictures of churches.  They tend to be the dominant architecture in these small towns and are unavoidable but of course beautiful.)

 

I think I saw a horror movie begin on the grounds of this church one time.  Rusted gates and empty churches tend to be not the best of omens

 

  

The other (less creepy) town church

 

Early on my walk I ran into the choir conductor, Carole—who also happens to be a friend of mine from University of Michigan (we sang in choir together there and she studied voice with Freda as well!), and we finished up the tour together.  I think she’d agree with me that, churches notwithstanding, this was our favorite part of the whole town:

I WANT THAT PLAYSET!!!!!!

Sooo… I was trying to take an artsy fartsy shot of the pavement and SOMEONE had to photobomb my picture!!

CAROLE!!!!!!!

 

And finally, a view from of the bridge at sunset.

 

Artist: Danny Elfman/ Album: The Corpse Bride

Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Dessert

 

After the Brahms concert last night, Sabrina (the soprano soloist) and I were invited by the founders of the camp, Fritz and Gretchen Stansell, to attend a small dessert party at the home of a local resident and composer who has worked with the camp since its inception.

Dr. James and Helen Niblock live on the edge of nearby White Lake and were kind enough to have us in their home for delicious cheesecake and, more importantly, wonderful conversation with human beings who are above the age of 15!

More impressively, though, was the view of the lake at sunset.  My camera didn’t really do it justice but I did my best!

Walkway to the beach house

 

TAH-DAH!

 

We leave tomorrow morning for a bus ride to Chicago and then it’s off to Paris for the beginning of the European tour.  What a lovely way to end the week!

 

Artist: Pink Floyd/ Album: The Final Cut

Goodbye Again

 

I have previously mentioned my last night in Houston proper, but I had one more stop before I left the Lone Star State for good. Instead of leaving my truck sitting idle for a long period of time at my apartment, my parents were generous enough to come down for my last supper (Tex-Mex, duh) and take the General back to Crockett for his own little summer vacation.

I see you trying to photo-bomb our picture, man in the back!

 

As is apt to happen before a flight out of George Bush International Airport, I stayed with my friend Mallory the night before so that she could take me to the airport.  But first I had to finalize some of my packing with a little help from my assistant.

I know you’d love to see your great godmother when I’m in Belgium, Paige, but I’m pretty sure that you’d show up on the x-ray screening

 

She even made time in her busy schedule to ride to the airport with Mal and me:

“NO PICTURES OF THE STARLET WITHOUT HER PERMISSION!!”

 

For some reason I didn’t get a picture with Mallory before I left and the next time I see her she will have had baby numero dos, Pressley!

And finally, for one more parting shot, I leave you with one of those cheesy sunset picture from the plane worthy of Senor Velveta himself:

 

Artist: Vertical Horizon/ Album: Go

Two Suns in the Sunset

 

This last weekend was the first time I had the opportunity to drive up to see my nephew, Benjamin, since he became the newest member of the Roberts clan two weeks ago.  This was also the first time the General and I took the drive from Houston to Dallas since we ran into a little bit of trouble on Christmas day.  Luckily for us, though, we had nothing but blue skies and great music to keep us company for the 4 1/2 hour trek.

That’s at least like 60 points on the Scrabble® board

 

Benjamin was actually napping when I first arrived so I took the opportunity to hang out with big brother Luke while I had the chance.  Turns out he too is a fan of sunsets!

cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!!!!

 

LUKE ATTACK!!!! Watch out, Japan!

 

Joanie’s sister, Meg (she’s more than just that—we’re actually very good friends!), made a surprise appearance to join us for dinner. 

 

The next day we took him to Matt’s office to introduce him to the staff, as they had not yet met him.

You’re a real adult!!!!

 

And of course I wasn’t getting away without my own picture with Benjamin!

Our matching outfits are purely coincidental, I assure you

 

DON’T LEAVE, UNCLE JOSEPH!!! (I’m about 93% sure that’s what’s happening here)

Artist: Pink Floyd/ Album: The Final Cut