Salvage
This was prompted by poetry written by daughter, Debra. It speaks of my penchant, inherited from my dad, of saving and "repurposing" stuff. |
Spring Break 2005 . . . An Introduction
An attempt to explain Spring Break Fun from the kid, old kid (me), parent and community perspective. |
Brother Bob
At a recent family gathering it occured that we are rapidly approaching the time when memories begin to fade. I'll record a few of mine. |
Toe The Mark
This came from the last letter Grandpa DeKorne wrote from his deathbed to son, John. It got me thinking about just what it means to live a good life. |
Keeper
No name could be more appropriate than the one given to this beautiful Alaskan Malamute. She was brought into this family as the keeper of my three grandsons, however before she was old enough to understand her role in life, she became my keeper . . . my dog and my protector. |
Bureau du Roi
Grandpa DeKorne was a well know woodcarver. In 1914 he was commissioned to construct a replica of the famous desk created for King Louis XV. |
She died when I was 10 |
My Europe Trip . . . 9/2005
The trip was motivated by my desire to maintain a close relationship with two European families. The Sprijbroek family, who live in the Netherlands and Ginny and I have known each other for many years. They have visited our home, we attended their wedding and enjoy watching their family grow. The Schoumaker family from Ebly, Belgium graciously opened their home to me for the second time. Raoul and Cassandra welcomed me to their home in Milan, Italy, planned a wonderful visit to Venice, treated me like a tourist but more importantly as a friend. A high light was enjoying a gourmet meal with their friends. Finally, I fulfilled a long time goal to visit the World War II memorial in Normandy, France and the Berlin Wall as well as a leisurely train trip through central Europe. |
Recent Deaths
The death of my sister, Bernice Luebke and brother Bob (Baldwin) Wierenga occured while working as a Katrina Relief volunteer in Pass Christian, MS during the winter of 2006. |
Six Man Football |
Project Isaac 2007
I spent much of the 2006 winter working as a Katrina Relief volunteer. My home base was the First United Methodist Church of Pass Christian, MS. In my search for a spot to continue my service this year, I stumbled upon the Missionary Supply Network. |
Keith & Diane Strong 2007
It was just a year ago that I happened to answer the phone at First United Methodist Church of Pass Christian, MS. I was a rookie volunteer temporiarily taking the place of Mike Zimmerman, the coordinator. The voice at the other end was calm yet desperate. "Our home was nearly destroyed by Katrina" she said. "A wall of water completely filled our two story home, up to just a few inches from the roof. We have been working five months to clean up the mess and salvage what we can. We live in a FEMA trailer and want to rebuild our home and our lives, but we just don't know where to begin." |
Katrina Progress -2007
It was interesting to note changes that have taken place following the Katrina disaster of 2005. Most of the demolition has taken place and debris removed . . . |
The Rose
Some people who know me may remember "The Rose' being one of my favorite songs. Daughter Cindy aka Sandy Feet, for my birthday, learned to play it on her ukulele. The last lines go like this: Just remember in the winter far beneath the bitter snows |
The Joy of Fitness by Don Wierenga March, 2005 In my youth and early adult life, sports and physical activities were the only things that mattered.They were far more important than school or learning, more important than family or relationships: it was where I experienced success and self satisfaction. |
A String And A Rope by Don Wierenga The reunion photo was taken July 8, 1940, the summer before my mother died. I’m viewing it for the first time. I quickly scan the rolled picture, brittle and cracked, looking for familiar faces. I easily identify siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. and finally locate myself. I’m seated on the ground in a grouping of 10-15 cousins. |
From the Heart by Don Wierenga May23, 2002 Reflecting on his youth. Dick (Rhem) recounted his early years when each week he was required to memorize passages from the catechism. |
Bob (Baldwin) Wierenga by brother Don Wierenga (03/02/05) Not too long ago through the persistence of sister Bim and the organization of Kris (Decker) Buth some of the Wierenga family met at the Christian Rest Home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeanne is a resident there and brother Bob lives close by. So at Christmas time, 2004, we had a family reunion of sorts. Not much like those of the past when multiple families crowded into Bob and Jackie’s basement and watched Bob’s old family movies. |
by Don Wierenga 6/8/2003 I have some reoccuring dreams that focus on certain topics but usually with a different twist. For example, golf. I miss a tee off time, or I forget my clubs, or I’m totally outclassed by my partners, or the course winds it’s way through city streets. Or running: I’m totally exhausted before I start, I win a marathon without breaking a sweat, or |
Getting There We have rockets and space craft traveling to outer space at the rate of about six miles per second. A jet airplane travels about 10 miles in a minute. It takes me about 3 hours to make the 150 mile trip to Glen Lake. Sixty five years ago it took about twelve hours. |
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Don Wierenga 2004 When people asked who I was going to vote for I said I really didn't know and I didn't, right up to the moment that I entered the voting booth and darkened the bubble for John Kerry. |