Once Upon a Step

Sunday, August 16, 2026

Please Summer, May I have Some More?

We got a kick out of a de-lovely summer of top outdoor theater with Jason and Gigi's debut in Whitecliff's Playhouse Productions. Jason played Eli Whitney in Anything Goes and Mr. Bumble in Oliver while G developed her dance skills as ensemble in both. In reviewing the situation, they'd consider themselves part of a fine life to be back soon on the stage, giving us more glorious food for thought. Pictures misbehaved and are all twisted up.

Father's Day was spent on stage and helping Ben get his wheelchair back into service.

We had a very relaxed 250th 4th with friends. I was briefly dressed as Mary, mother of God, as part of a surprise for a member of a prayer group. Unrelatedly, Gigi impersonated a T-rex for her volunteer shift at the library.

Serious heat didn't completely deter the entire family from camping and canoeing the Meramec. Phillip, the gutsy Raccoon had the nerve to steal bread in broad daylight after being mercifully rescued from a dumpster. Time was whiled skipping rocks, exploring caves, cooking over campfires, sitting in the river to reduce body temps, and dwelling in Kairos time.

We celebrated Alex's belated birthday by lumping him in with Jason's and adding a round of mini golf.

Caption this?

Gigi had a beautifully rich faith experience at her second Steubenville conference in Springfield with her youth group. To boot, she exceeded her personal goal to clothespin ~~100~~ 200 people.

Mom/Daughter Day

Favorite Flower

One more vacation post remains to wrap up summer and then it's back into the swing.

Monday, August 10, 2026

Alex in Italia

The Extravagant and Expansive Experience of Alex (Reviewed and Appreciated by said Alex)

Alex completed his nine credit semester in Florence and came home wiser, surer, braver, and thinner. His early brush with pesto caused him to be much more leery of food, causing periodic fasts. Jason and I often pepper our conversations with Italian and we now have a third participant! Alex turned 21 in Assisi, home of his confirmation patron, Francis where he felt like he got to know him.

Though all others in his group reserved a hotel together, Alex secured a hostel for his trip to Venice to save some Euros and learned how to play the Japanese version of chess (shogi) with his roommate of chance. The business majors of the group hatched a plan to negotiate a lower rate for a gondola ride which was successful.

In Rome, he found our fabled Spanish Steps lamppost as well as our old friend, Luca. He got up close to the foundation of our faith in the Scavi tour of St Peter's. He beached at Cinque Terre, spied the tower of Pisa, was surrounded by an anti-immigration protest, climbed a mountain (alone), was shaded by the tallest trees in Italy. He filled up on amazing architecture, art, culture, churches, and new experiences. He expanded his cooking and navigating skills, drank from the fountains, and explored ancient castles and Benedictine monasteries. He traded Fourth of July fireworks for St John the Baptist's on his celebrated feast.

It was such a joy to hear his stories, and notice what caught his eye enough to photograph (a good amount of art featuring animals), to sense his perspective of the world widen, and to glimpse the ways grandi e piccoli that he rose to the occasion of independent international travel. Bring on senior year of college!