Its that time of the year when we Hiltons spend five weeks celebrating our four birthdays - and this past weekend we honored Jo on her 44th birthday. (How can that possibly be????) It was a joyous visit...Jo and Scott had made several changes and improvements to their home since we had last been there, so that was really a treat. They also have wonderful new neighbors next door since our last visit, and John & Connie joined us for dinner one evening so we could all get acquainted--and we had lots of friends and acquaintances in common, as so often happens. Jo's choice for dinner was the LaFonda, fabulous Mexican food, and we were joined by our young friends, Meredith Price and her friend, Paul...and then back to the Peters' home for birthday cake and presents.
It just doesn't seem possible that 44 years have flown by--Jo was the first baby born in the Presbyterian manse in Hobart OK in many many years, and the church organist rang the church bells loud and long so everyone would know of her arrival! Our family doctor had to be called away from Rotary Club meeting to get her delivered. And it just couldn't have been that long ago--could it? Jo is now deep into her photography career, and several of her presents will enrich that gift of hers...but who would have thought anyone would be so excited about an old Polaroid camera?
As we left on Saturday morning for home, Jo was taking off on her scooter to assist with graduation at San Antonio Community College, where she serves as Director of Interpretive Services. I look forward to spending time with them in mid-June, while Jerry makes his third journey to Uganda with FPC Midland to spread the Good News of Jesus and plant another church in Eastern Uganda. Jo & Scott will be over here to welcome Jerry back upon his return from Uganda. Jo's actual birthdate is the 13th, so Happy Birthday to our first-born...we are so proud of you, and the woman you have become. You and your younger sister are such a blessing to us, and to all those who know you.
Last night, as Ralph & Sally left our house and started down the sidewalk at dusk, Jerry saw LOTS of things flying in the air ahead of them, and cautioned them to stop. Its good they did...for on a low branch of a tree in our neighbor's yard just beside our garage was a huge beehive! Jerry called the police, who gave him the phone number for Bee Busters Inc. He arrived soon after, but by now it was totally dark outside. Tim estimated the hive to be the size of a football. Did you know that it takes 3500-4500 bees to weigh a pound, and this hive was probably 3 1/2-4 pounds? And further, it was not there when I walked over to my neighbors about noon. Those little rascals move fast! The Bee Buster (who turned out to be Tim, a member of our church family, and someone we have known for years) donned his uniform, and prepared a large white bucket (with a tight-fitting lid!) by placing some sticks and twigs in it. If he doesn't do that, to provide some airspace, some of the bees will die by being crushed in the confined bucket. He was glad it was night, because the bees don't like to fly in the dark, so I'm glad I didn't wait until this morning to call. He walked up to the hive, held the bucket up under it, shook the branch while pressing down on the hive, put the lid on it securely, and the job was over. The bees would then be on their way to a new location in the country. Tim told us that in the daylight we would be able to see white on the branch where they were beginning to build a honeycomb..but unfortunately, there were still a few bees who got left behind buzzing around this morning, and we decided it was not prudent to walk up for a closer look. But I think I'll go check it out now.....
