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 

Sharon enjoying a cup of coffee with Dwight downtown on a day when he was offering the Senate prayer 

Kirk is NOT allowed on the furniture (yeah, right ... ) 

Easter Snow?

Yup, sure looks that way. Following two beautiful weekends this month, our Easter is destined to be cold and wet, oh well. Guess we'll spend it by the fire! We'll be worshiping at Genesis Presbyterian again this year for Easter, where Sharon is a member and sings in the choir. Dwight's going to teach an 8-week course on Spiritual Formation at Genesis beginning in April. He's also had a nibble from a church in the Denver area looking for a part-time (and short-term) interim pastor. This would be a good opportunity for him because it would help him evaluate whether or not he'll be able to go back to work following his last back surgery. So, we'll see if this is what God has in mind for him to do ...

Our hearts ache for the community of Red Lake, Minnesota this week. Littleton residents know only too well what they're feeling. So much brokenness and pain. Our prayer this Easter is that they find peace, comfort and support, and that they discover ways to help the children of their community find meaning, faith, and direction.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Kirk, the lapdog?! 

Dwight continues to improve, with Kirk's help!

Nearly 3 weeks after Dwight's fourth back surgery, we are feeling optimistic that he might find some long term relief from his back pain. He's walking every day and taking good care of himself. Kirk is taking good care of Dwight too, but hasn't figured out that a 120 lb lapdog can be a little overwhelming to someone with a back injury!!

Kirk aka Kierkegaard, waits anxiously for Dwight and Sharon to get home.