Anniversary Cruise to Baja Mexico!

We celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary with a 4-night cruise and family reunion, November 14-18, with Steve and Beth, Donna (Dwight's sister) and Annie, Marcia (Dwight's sister) and Calvin, and life-long friends Tom & Carmen (who were married by Dwight just two days before the cruise). We all had a wonderful time hanging out with each other (and playing a lot of Skip-Bo!), and visiting San Diego, Catalina Island, and Ensenada, Mexico.

Pictured above - (1) Tom, Carmen, Sharon & Dwight on formal night; (2) Beth, Steve, Dwight and Sharon on the tender from the ship to Catalina Island; (3) Donna, Annie & Beth; (4) Calvin & Marcia; (5) Sharon & Dwight.

Dwight performs wedding for life-long friends

We traveled to Oxnard, California last weekend so that Dwight could perform the wedding cermony for Tom and Carmen Kruschke on November 12. Tom was the best man at our wedding 34 years ago, and Carmen's family lived on the same street as Dwight's family in the 1950's. Dwight introduced Tom and Carmen during their high school years, and they reconnected 3 years ago after Carmen picked out Tom's email address from a distribution list we used to communicate with friends and family. The wedding was small and simple and held on Mandalay Beach, a 10 minute walk from Tom and Carmen's home, and right behind the Embassy Suites, where we had dinner following the ceremony. Tom and Carmen then honeymooned with the Blackstock family as we cruised from Los Angeles to San Diego, Catalina Island, and Baja Mexico.

Dwight to start new position as Interim Pastor

Dwight has been invited to serve as the Interim Pastor for Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Englewood, Colorado (just 11 miles from our home), beginning November 1, 2005. Interim pastors have a critical role in helping congregations adjust after one pastor leaves and anticipate the arrival of a new permanent pastor. Most interim positions last about a year; this one may take a little longer. It will be the first full-time position Dwight has had since leaving Grace Presbyterian Church and going on disability three years ago, and it will be an opportunity for him to see if he is ready to handle the physical demands of full-time work.

If you'd like to know a little more about Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, here's a link to the website: http://presbycov.org/

Dwight bags a trout!

Dwight and Sharon spent a couple of days near Fairplay, Colorado this week, with friends Jon and Danny Yeagley, who've built a beautiful cabin there. Jon took Dwight fishing at Jefferson Lake and after 18 years of complaining that he'd never caught a fish in Colorado, Dwight finally bagged a couple. Jon did the same and we had a fine trout dinner as our reward.

Memorial Service for Esther Gallagher

Pictures above: (1) Picture of Mom, circa 1970; (2) Dad surrounded by three of his grandsons; (3) Sharon, Kathy, and Richard, children of Sid and Esther Gallagher, at the memorial service for their mother on August 12th at Luther Memorial Church in Madison.

Sharon and Dwight spent the last week of July in Wisconsin visiting family and celebrating the marriage of nephew Matt and fiance Heidi on the 31st. We were able to spend some time with Sharon's parents as well, and it was pretty evident that Sharon's mother, Esther, age 89, was failing. We were able to use this time to say good-bye to Mom and let her know how much she was loved. We returned home on August 1st and a week later, Mom died. We then flew back to Wisconsin for the remainder of that week which ended with a memorial service on August 12 at Luther Memorial Church in Madison. All 7 of the grandchildren present participated in the service. Brother Richard expressed for both him and Sharon the gratitude we feel for sister Kathy's steadfast care for Mom and Dad over the last six years. Mom fell in 1999, suffered a compression fracture of the spine and never really recovered. Sharon's father, Sid, age 87, is weak physically, but still of pretty sound mind. He misses Mom terribly, even though the last couple of years have been extremely difficult.

Steve and Beth enjoy a moment together

Steve and Beth have declared this is their favorite picture ever! Sharon caught them sitting outside the church following cousin Matt's wedding in Milwaukee on July 31st.

Enjoying Alterra Coffee in Milwaukee

Dwight, Sharon, Beth and Steve visited Sharon's brother Richard at his office in downtown Milwaukee in July. We were in Milwaukee to attend nephew Matt Joynt's wedding.

Pictures from Ghost Ranch

Sharon conquers Chimney Rock! It's probably been 20 years since she last climbed anything at Ghost Ranch, so this was a thrill and major accomplishment. A group of six from the vocal camp made the trek before breakfast one morning.

Dwight and Kyra enjoyed their walks to the Dining Hall and Pinon (where the kids program was based) every morning.

Ghost Ranch - the magic place!

We spent a wonderful week in New Mexico, July 11-17, at the Presbyterian Conference Center near Abiquiu called Ghost Ranch. Kyra (almost 7) came with us and had a blast.

Sharon spent the week in a vocal camp, culminating in a Saturday night concert performing 2 masses - one in Latin and the other a rockin' gospel piece. What fun! Dwight did some sermon work, took a bunch of pictures and read a lot. It was hot hot hot and there is no A/C anywhere at the ranch except in the main office and Trading Post (bookstore/gift shop), but it was wonderful to be there again. No TV, no cell phone service, no street lights. The last time we were at the ranch was in 1998 when Steve was on the college staff. Now we're hooked again and already looking forward to returning next year.

Sadly, we learned while in New Mexico that Sharon's mother had been hospitalized. Her dad fell about a month ago and has been in nursing care ever since. Mother could not make it alone and now they are both in nursing care (sharing a room), and will not be returning to the apartment. Sister Kathy is packing up everything and preparing the apartment to be sold. We will visit Mom and Dad this weekend when we fly to Wisconsin for our nephew's wedding (which will be the following weekend).

July 4th weekend in the Vail Valley

Steve and Beth just headed home after spending a week in Colorado celebrating their first wedding anniversary. We worshipped at Eagle River Presbyterian Church in Avon on July 3rd, where they were married a year before. Dwight preached and we enjoyed seeing members of the congregation again. Dwight and Sharon stayed at the (beautiful!) home of Ruth and Tom Powers in Edwards, while Beth and Steve spent the week in a wonderful time share condo in Vail, a wedding gift from friends Jon and Danny Yeagley. The July 3rd fireworks in Avon were spectacular, and we got to enjoy them with granddaughter Kyra and her mom Angela, who came up overnight to see them. Last night, Dwight, Sharon, Beth and Steve spent the evening listening to live cowboy music and eating unusual appetizers at the Buckhorn (Denver's oldest restaurant). Tomorrow, Dwight, Sharon and Kyra head to New Mexico for a week at Ghost Ranch, including a visit with Fred and Pat Trusell in Santa Fe. Kyra will very likely become addicted to Ghost Ranch, like all Blackstocks before her!

July 4th - Rocky Mountain high!

We celebrated the July 4th holiday at Sylvan Lake near Eagle, Colorado with Beth and Steve.

Happy Anniversary Beth & Steve!

Kirk takes us for another walk in the park!

Kirk loves the dog park - he plays with dogs of all sizes and loves wandering in the river. These are some pictures from our walk in the park over the weekend. And the walk is good for us, too! Dwight has been experiencing significantly less pain the last few weeks and we are beginning to think that his life may soon be back to normal, including the possibility of full-time work. What a blessing that would be! We are looking forward to a few days with Beth and Steve this weekend and some great travel plans over the summer. We'll share the pictures when we return!

Sharon tells Kirk to pose for the camera! 

Dwight tries to teach Kirk to fetch (this will not be easy ... ) 

Kirk plays with some new friends at the dog park - Chatfield State Park, Colorado. 

Kirk leaps for that treat! 

Dwight in front of Elbert Presbyterian Church, where he preached for most of the month of June. It's about a 90-minute drive from our home. Sharon joined the 3-member choir for the three weeks we worshiped there. Lots of fun and a beautiful drive. 

Sharon gives Kirk a treat for staying close while off leash at the dog park 

Kirk and Dwight take a break from their walk in the park. 

A day at the dog park with Kirk

Today was so beautiful - the first sunny weekend in about two months. We took Kirk to the dog park at Chatfield State park this afternoon - it was hot enough that we decided to stick close to the river so he could walk into it several times to cool off and drink. Dwight's had a good week with a lot less pain and we are very encouraged. Sharon is trying to finish up some projects at work before taking off a lot of time during the month of July. Steve and Beth will be here the first week in July, staying at a time share in Vail. We'll go up for the July 4th weekend and stay with friends, enjoy the fireworks and Dwight will preach at Eagle River Presbyterian on the 3rd. He's preaching a lot this summer at various churches and is enjoying the discipline of sermon preparation. There will be two other trips in July - a week at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico and a week in Wisconsin. Kirk will be in a pet care facility for most of the month, poor baby.

Happy 1st birthday to Kirk 5/31/05! 

Red Rock Canyon - just west of Las Vegas

Yes, we saw a small herd of donkeys in the wild!

Lunch at The Stratosphere!

Dwight and Sharon "On Top of the World" in Las Vegas - Hah! As if 1100+ feet is on top of anything! We thought the oxygen was pretty thick down this low!

Our Weekend in Las Vegas

Arrived home last night after a 4-day weekend in Las Vegas - warm and sunny, had a great time, but our hotel left a bit to be desired (silly me thought $89 a night slightly off-strip would be OK, but it was pretty run-down, and then there was the mid-day screaming pounding on the door brawl between two men for about 30 minutes 10 doors from us ... ) But we had fun, lost some money and mourned the fact that you can no longer drop coins in the slot machines (all slots have been sealed off and you have to use bills, then get receipts when you cash out, like that ever happens!)

Went on a couple of day trips to Hoover Dam and Red Rock Canyon, but believe it or not, the highlight of the weekend was visiting First Presbyterian Church Las Vegas for worship Sunday morning and then returning that evening for their choral concert - 100 voices with orchestra. It brought us to tears and was a wonderful experience.

Had a couple of nice meals, one at the Bellagio and one at the Top of the World Restaurant in the Stratosphere, saw an improv comedy routine at Harrah's, but mostly we relaxed and visited various Starbucks around town (where there are NO one-armed bandits!)

Dwight and Sharon in Hawaii November 2004 

Finally we have a profile picture!

After much brain damage was incurred by both Sharon and Beth trying to get a picture posted next to our name in this blog, a co-worker of Sharon's managed to downsize our 2004 Hawaiian sunset cruise picture so the blogger program would accept it! It was a memorable trip last November to The Big Island for our 33rd anniversary. We decided that of the two islands we have visited, we enjoyed Kauai more when we were there 3 years earlier, but this was a wonderful trip, too (and we traded in our United miles for first class seats!).

We're experiencing beautiful weather here in Colorado. Dwight gets to go to the Rockies season opener this afternoon - sunny and 70 degrees! Snow tonight, oh well. Should warm up again later this week.

A beautiful weekend in Colorado!

Had fun last night, enjoying dinner at home with friends, trying to teach Kirk how to behave around guests - he did pretty well considering he's still a baby! Today is gorgeous, sunny and mid-60's. We're heading to the dog park this afternoon and to a sneak preview of "Fever Pitch" tonight. Worship tomorrow, and on Wednesday, Dwight starts an 8-week class on spiritual formation at Genesis Presbyterian. He had an interview Tuesday with a search committee of a church looking for a part-time interim pastor, but no word yet, so they may be looking at others. We'll see ...

Dwight's had a couple of good days pain-wise, so we continue to be hopeful that this last surgery may help, but too soon to tell.

Sharon's work is going well, but budget problems in the city (actually all municipalities in Colorado are hurting big time) are making her feel vulnerable for the first time. She's survived 4 years of layoffs so far and is not sure her department will survive the next one. There will be a question on the November ballot regarding increasing the city sales tax and it will boil down to a vote about what kind of services citizens really want.

Kirk checking out the appetizers! 

Kirk at 10 months 

Some pictures - just for fun!

Thought we'd share a few pictures - one of son Steve and wife Beth on their honeymoon last July; recent ones of Dwight and Sharon, and of course, Kirk, the very large puppy.

Beth and Steve on their Vail honeymoon July 2004 

Dwight waits to offer the daily prayer at the Colorado State Senate, February 2005