A BIG day

I am here on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota (my alma mater), celebrating my 30th reunion, as I graduated May 27, 1979. However, more importantly, my son John is graduating this afternoon ... and the weather is gorgeous, so they announced that commencement will, indeed, be held outside, as had been planned. John gets to end his St. Olaf years in style, too, as tomorrow the St. Olaf Choir (of which he is the bass section leader) departs on a 10-day tour of England, Ireland, and Wales. It has been a glorious weekend of connecting with old friends, and enjoying delectable musical treats.

Minnesota 5K

This morning I ran a 5K on the St. Olaf College campus which is part of what they call Celebration Weekend (Commencement) - we came to Minnesota yesterday to see my son John graduate tomorrow, and also to enjoy my 30th reunion (as I graduated from St. Olaf on May 27, 1979). Conditions were not conducive to a good time - it had been raining, and the course was all on grass and a few dirt/gravel roads - but at least, thankfully, the rain stopped during the race. So, as opposed to my personal best of 29:14 from May 1, this morning my time was 31:08. But I was just trying to focus on staying upright today, and in that, I succeeded. Christy came, and although she didn't run it, as she had suggested she might; but it was wonderful to see her there, cheering me on loudly (WOO, DADDERS!).

Celebration Weekend

Michelle and I are in Minnesota, having traveled here yesterday for what St. Olaf College terms "Celebration Weekend" - my son John is graduating, and, in a happy combination of circumstances, it is also my 30th reunion, as I graduated from St. Olaf on May 27, 1979. As I write, it is about 5:45 on Saturday morning, and I am still at the suburban Minneapolis home of our hosts, David and Cynthia Lenz (David being our former Pastor in Ann Arbor). I will leave before too long to drive the 40 minutes or so down to St. Olaf, that I might pick up my registration packet for the reunion, and check in to run an 8 AM 5K race on campus - a good way to start the day!

Later, John's mother Deb sent us this picture of Michelle, John, and me at the graduation ceremony just after he had become an official alumnus.

The Shack

For Christmas, I was given The Shack, a Christian novel that has gained immense popularity over the last couple of years. I read it this spring, and am now participating in a small discussion group at our church led by our Associate Pastor. It is a real eye-opener and mind-stretcher, and I value it and recommend it to any who might wish to try it. For reference, you might wish to check out the website .

Unusual family dynamics

My Dad, R. Loyle Borton (b. July 4, 1907), the 6th of 9 children (7 of whom lived into adulthood - such a mortality rate was not uncommon in those days), was just weeks shy of 50 when I was born, eldest of 3 children in his second marriage. Thus I have an older half-brother (Jerry) and half-sister (Joanne), both now deceased, who would be 76 and 74 respectively this coming August. I also have several near-contemporary nephews and nieces, the oldest of whom, Jeff, is only 6 weeks younger than I! When Joanne died in August 2007, and I was at her home following the funeral, I was reminded of our enjoyable visits there when we were children, and the home next door of the family of my Dad's younger brother Von (which has since been turned into a home for senior citizens). When Uncle Von died in April 1974, I remember how shocked and stunned Dad was, telling us, "It just doesn't seem real - Von was the youngest of all of us, and the strongest and most vital."

Predictability

I am very much a creature of habit, and this time of year provides a perfect example. I am a strong baseball fan (having followed the Detroit Tigers since the mid-sixties), and enjoy grilling a turkey burger as I watch each game. So I am enjoying that dinner right now (immediately post-run ... I did 10K this evening, in just over 1:02) as I watch the Tigers play the Chicago White Sox.

Conducting again

On Thursday night (April 30), I was delighted to return to my former profession of conducting, when I guest conducted the Emerson (Middle School) Orchestra in a piece I wrote for them ("Emerson's Enduring Excellence"), as I had done twice previously (11/14/06 and 6/3/08). Here, in this photo taken by my good friend Doug Tidd, I am receiving the applause of the audience afterwards.