On the town this morning!

We ventured out for some errands this morning, making time for breakfast at B&B Cafe'. They have a custom of taking photos of dinners each morning, and today, we joined the fun and appeared on the B&B Facebook page.

A new painting!

Metsälaulu (Song in the Forest)
36x36, Marble acrylic on canvas 

Charles completed a new painting this morning that will be entered into the Freeborn County Fair in August. He'll have three entries in total: A poured paint piece, an acrylic painting (shown above), and an oil painting still in process.

Happy birthday, SpongeBob!

This morning, Charles led the celebration of SpongeBob SquarePants' 40th birthday at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community's morning report.

SpongeBob's driver's license (from Bikini Bottom) says that he was born July 14, 1986.

A foggy farewell

 Charles was preparing to leave the retreat center when he noticed that it was particularly foggy outside. Stepping out the east door, he saw a beautiful scene, the St. Benedict statute shrouded in fog!

A fair time

A chicken named "Bleu Cheese!"

Best in show ribbons

That would have been interesting to see!

After the retreat was over this afternoon, Charles decided to drive to Columbus (about 18 miles west of Schuyler) and take in the Platte County Fair. It was free to get in as the fair is primarily focused on 4-H and FFA exhibits.

 

Spirituality & the Arts

St. Benedict overlooks the center

A holy place

Time in the chapel

Trying watercolors

"The Hug"

Charles had an enjoyable time this week at the Spirituality & the Arts retreat in Schuyler, Nebraska.

A beautiful sight!

Charles drove to Schuyler, Nebraska this afternoon where he will be attending a two-day conference at the St. Benedict Retreat Center. As he arrived, a stunning double rainbow was seen in the sky!

Back deck visitors

There are two neighborhood cats that have been regular visitors to our back deck. We're trying to get them used to us with the goal of eventually rehoming them through the local humane society.

One of the cats is a young grey cat who reminds us of a young Wesley, we've named "Grayson" (or Greyson). The other is a black cat that we're calling "B.K." (Black Kitty). We're hoping to get them into a stable, safe situations before winter. 

Albert Lea's parade

We volunteered to help with the July 3rd parade in Albert Lea. It was great weather, lots of interesting entries, and appreciative crowds. It was a great way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the USA.

A visitor from Montana (via Iowa)

Stephanie Kraai, a friend from our time in Montana, visited with us this week. We appreciated her driving from Iowa (where she were visiting family) ... to spend time with us. It was great to catch up with you, dear friend!

A page is turned

We celebrated Charles' “retirement” (from the itinerant UMC ministry) with a visit to the Farmers Market in town and then supper at our favorite place in Albert Lea. A bonus was sharing a slice of dense cheesecake! To be clear - Charles is continuing to work as the chaplain at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community and also as the pastor of Glenville United Methodist Church.

A visit with Judy

Last Sunday, Belinda had the pleasure of being with our friend, the Rev. Judy Clark, as she spent her last Sunday as the interim pastor for the Open Doors United Methodist Church in Wells, Minnesota.

More buttons!

We met up with our friend, Judy Clark today (and two of Judy's friends) for supper, and Charles was thrilled to be presented with 24 buttons from the recent Minnesota Annual Conference!

Looking great!

We got some cool t-shirts to show our support for Charles' run for Albert Lea City Council. The campaign is underway and these shirts will be worn all around the city!

Charles' sign!

We got Charles' campaign sign in the mail today and it's already up, welcoming passersby on Garfield Ave.

Today at Central Park

 

We had an enjoyable afternoon at the Albert Lea Pride Festival in Central Park. Belinda was on hand with the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce. Charles in the meantime was manning the table for the Albert Lea Art Center.

Albert Lea's nightlife

Photo-op in New Denmark Park

 

Eddie Cochran painting at the AL Art Center

A classic!

Cool!

Lots to look at tonight

We took in some of the sights and sounds of the Eddie Cochran Festival tonight in downtown Albert Lea. It was nice to see Broadway alive with people of all ages, taking in the amazing cars as the community honors the local legen.

Mountain Sky Annual Conference, pt. 2

At this morning's Clergy Session, Charles was among those approved for retirement. For us, this is not retirement in the traditional sense but just means that Charles is no longer part of the itinerancy system in The UMC.

Mountain Sky Annual Conference, pt.1

Watching AC online

Charles' retirement video is played at AC

Charles is participating in this year's Mountain Sky Conference (being held in Billings, Montana) via computer in his office at Thorne Crest. This afternoon, his retirement video was played to the Annual Conference.