Spring Saturday

In the "secret garden"

Saturday afternoon nap

Bursting with color in the backyard

After dealing with Covid and its effects on our community, it was nice to have some rest and color this weekend!

Another project underway

Step 1 - removed labels / Step 2 - apply gesso

Step 3 - spray paint applied

Charles is working on additions to his Mondrian-inspired garland in the backyard. Using donated pill bottles and peanut butter bottles, he will be adding more color to our yard very soon!

Remebering Charles' father

Venlear Joseph "Jim Alkula, circa 1933

Note: this was written by Charles' sister, Sandy:

My father, Venlear Joseph ‘Jim’ Alkula was born 95 years ago today.

The Alkula family (Emil, Hilda and daughters Dagmar and Jenny) travelled from Lepparonta Province, Finland and arrived at Ellis Island in 1902. Emil and Hilda welcomed son Everett Alkula (my Dad’s father and my grandfather), born 7/21/1904 in Ashtabula, Ohio, USA

My Father’s mother was born Adabelle Friend on 7/1/1911 also in Ashtabula, Ohio. Not sure of too much lineage from Adabelle’s side of the family. My siblings and I have done some research and have intentions of more. My father has a sister, Judy (Judith Rainery) who still lives in Painesville Ohio.

My father was a very hard worker. He quit school at the age of 16 to go work at the Industrial Rayon Corporation in Painesville, Ohio. His wage at hiring was 63.5 cents an hour. Unbelievably, when he left The Rayon’ after 23 years he was making a whole $1.87 an hour.

He and my mother relocated to Largo, Florida where my Dad continued to work two jobs, because that is what men did in those days. After two years in Florida, he was hired by a small family electrical company, S&S Electric. If I am remembering correctly, he was the first person outside the Smith family to be hired. Ironically, he also worked at S&S Electric for 23 years until his death in 1991.

Unfortunately when he left the Industrial Rayon Corporation in 1966, it did not leave him. He died of cancer in May 1991, one of thousands of people who worked in that environment who died of cancer of one form or another.

Since he died 31 years ago at the very young age of 64, it is hard to imagine what he would be like as a 95 year ‘old man’. He will always be 64 to us. Many remember him as a rather gruff man who spoke his mind. In reality, while he was very strict with us, he was very soft hearted and loved his wife and children without question.

In his eyes, each of his grandchildren was perfect and unique and loved having them around him. Oh how I wish he could meet his great-grandchildren. Two of my grandsons have carried the blond hair-blue eyed Finnish tendencies, and Christian even has his great-grandpa’s cowlick!

I am, along with my Mother, brothers Joe, Charles and Dale and sister Jackie are remembering my Dad today, with a smile and love.

He's home!

Sometime on Wednesday, Wesley snuck out of the house and was on the lam for two days! Yesterday evening, he was spotted under the deck of our neighbor but Charles was unable to get him out and so it was another night outside for him. 

This afternoon, we put out some food and then this evening, we saw him eating and were able to coax him inside. After eating some more, he fell asleep in Charles' lap. Now the Alkula household can sleep in peace!

Sluggish days

We've been dealing with bug that appears to have struck our church family following the joint Easter service with the Korean church that meets in our building.  We've been tested negative but it still hasn't been fun!

Note: as of April 24, eleven St. Paul's members and two from the Korean church have tested positive for Covid-19.

Easter in Boulder

Easter dawn at St. Paul's UMC

Dawoon Jung and Charles after worship

 

Sammy, the neighborhood cat, stopped by for a visit

We celebrated our first in-person Easter with our church family today, a joint service with the Korean congregation that meets in our building. During the service, Sammy, a neighborhood cat, wandered into the sanctuary and came up the aisle all the way to the chancel area! A quick-thinking choir member escorted Sammy to Charles' office!!

A new project

 Charles has begun work on a large art project for Belinda...stay tuned for what it will be!!

Ready for Easter

Maundy Thursday

Last year's Good Friday painting

Our week at church has been quiet with a small gathering for Maundy Thursday and nothing formal planned for Good Friday.

The big news for us today was when Charles mailed off his application for the Clergy Renewal Program from the Lilly Foundation. Now we wait for the announcement in August!

Getting ready for Easter

Charles took advantage of a delightful spring afternoon to tend to some fallen branches at the church. Easter will be here before we know it and Charles wants the church to look its best!

An early Easter treat

We were presented with an early Easter treat by Marcia Hult after church this morning, an Easter "wagon" filled with treats! 

A new project underway

While Belinda has been attending a virtual UWF (United Women of Faith, formerly known as UMW) this weekend, Charles tackled a porject Belinda wants to do in time for Mother's Day. The first phase was preparing 99 clay pots with a coat of gesso so that they can be painted. 

Stay tuned for the finished product!