Spoke to a capacity crowd at the Unity Church Sunday morning. My speech covered the whys and wherefores of my journey across America, the stories about my adventure and how the trip has transformed my life.
My presentation was well received with only a couple of congregants sleeping through it. Hahaha!
A potluck immediately following was enjoyed by all. Afterwards, I reconnected with friends I had made 2 years ago when I trudged and hobbled into Quincy. Monica Thompson who offered her home to me for about 3 weeks, gave me several back massages(she's a maseuse) and took me to her chiropractor for an adjustment at her expense. She was definitely God sent to me back then.
Then there was Jesse Mazzoccoli the church worship leader and professional musician. He almost joined me on my walk 2 years ago when I left Quincy and crossed the mighty Mississippi but I just couldn't close the deal!
Got reacquainted with Barb, the Smarts, Mac and Joyce, Edwin and others. Met Bryant for the first time. He's a up and coming young graphic artist in town.
And of course there's Jim Burns my host for the next couple of weeks. He's a South Sider from Chicago originally who was transplanted down to Quincy decades ago where he began a long teaching career in the Quincy school system.
In his younger years during the Vietnam War he protested the war and the draft alongside Fr Daniel Berrigan who just passed away a couple of days ago at the age of 94. Jim was a member of the Order of Christian Brothers.
Last night Jim and I went grocery shopping at the local Hyvee then over to Imo's Pizza Restaurant. Met Tim who manages the restaurant and found out he lived in Leadville, CO for 3 years prior to immigrating to the flatlands of IL. Leadville is reportedly the highest incorporated city in America at 10,152 feet above sea level. Leadville's not too far from Idaho Springs where I've been staying the past 15 months.
Jim and I got up at 530 this morning to go on a 4 mile hike with Deborah Lee, Jim's lady friend, fellow Unity Church member and owner of the 4 Winds Farm just north of town. She's also a wholistic practitioner who makes her own salves, essential oils and such.
Later this afternoon Jesse Mazzoccoli and I will be getting together for supper at Chicks On The River a local eatery along the riverfront. Attorney Bickhaus called and confirmed my 2 speaking gigs on Wednesday.
It's been a whirlwind so far and I'm really enjoying the reconnection with these Quincyites.
The weather has been cool, misty and blustery with high humidity. Going out to 4 Winds Farm I could smell the earthy loam emanating up from the chocolatey black soil. There is so much greenery around and Deborah's expansive garden adds color and fragrance to the air. We picked spearmint and peppermint from her herb garden for our tea. We also picked onion, horseradish, garlic and other goodies.
Tomorrow, I plan on cooking a great breakfast of eggs, bacon and homemade hashbrowns for Jim and me.
Well, gotta go. Looking forward to seeing my family next weekend as well. Hoping too that I can get with Scott Witzig and Michael Kaiser my 2 best friends from yesteryear.
Pics show Unity Church, 4 Winds Farm garden, Deborah Lee, Tim from Leadville, Colorado and yours truly wearing a hat Jim got from traveling to his ancestral home in Ireland.
Peace to one and all!
May 2, 2016- Monday
BR Schoenbein
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