Rachel and Drew Sittin' in a Tree...

Since I last wrote in my blog, Rachel and Drew have become engaged. They've been together a few months shy of 4 years and we all knew it was just a matter of time before they made it official. They arranged a video chat with us two weeks ago and that's when they let us know. Drew was even able to work PJ into his proposal. PJ loves to dig in their backyard so Drew put Rachel's engagement ring in a box and set it in one of the holes PJ had dug. He was down on one knee when he called Rachel over to show her what PJ had found. I think she knew what was about to happen. He proposed while on one knee. Rachel cried and said "yes!" It was simple but so sweet and we're very happy for them all, including PJ! There's no wedding date yet and there's no hurry. In this age of COVID, it's a little difficult to make short or long-range plans. 

Rachel and Drew complement each other really well. They're both creative, thoughtful people, busy establishing themselves in the world beyond academics. Rachel earned her MBA this past week with plans to find employment in project management. Drew is an information management specialist working for Mayo. I should also mention that Drew plays rhythm guitar and shares vocals in a band: Francis Jennings and the Seisable Johnsons—and sometimes he does solo gigs like the one he's playing Saturday night at Taco Jeds, an outdoor venue in Rochester. We'll be there!

Autumn has arrived. The oppressive heat and humidity that was our normal for the latter part of our summer have been replaced by much dryer and cooler air. I'm noticing a little more color in the trees with each ride into the country. The cooler temps come as welcome relief to me. I'm fond of saying lately that if I never see another 85º+ day again, I'd be fine with that. I could never retire in Florida; that much I know. 

Steve and I played River Oaks Golf Course in Cottage Grove yesterday.  As I made my way from my car to the clubhouse it dawned on me that I was still in my slip-on Sketchers. I'd left my golf shoes at home. I was careful to make balanced swings and I actually played well so maybe there's a lesson in my experience.  

I received an email tonight from an acquaintance from two years ago. David had contacted me then about someone from my past and he was looking to see if I had any additional information about this person. He wrote to me tonight to tell me that Jim had recently passed away and that he'd written an article about him that I may be interested in. Yes, definitely. 

Racing Godfather, Tuskegee Airman And All-Around American Hero Jim Barbour Dies At 94

Jim was an amazing, humble man. I loved David's tribute to him.

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away today at the age of 87. She had one last wish: "My most fervent wish is that I will not be replaced until a new president is installed." 

I have little doubt that Trump will honor her wish—he won't, or that McConnell will honor his words when Obama was in a position to appoint a replacement for Scalia when he suddenly died, leaving an opening on the court nine months before a presidential election—he won't, either: "I can now confidently say the view shared by virtually everybody in my conference, is that the nomination should be made by the president the people elect in the election that’s underway right now." "The American people are perfectly capable of having their say on this issue, so let’s give them a voice. Let’s let the American people decide. The Senate will appropriately revisit the matter when it considers the qualifications of the nominee the next president nominates, whoever that might be." "One of my proudest moments was when I looked at Barack Obama in the eye and I said, ‘Mr. President, you will not fill this Supreme Court vacancy,'"

That's all I've got.