Columbus - my prison, my friend

Hey Everyone! It's your old friend Mike here, confirming that not everything dies in the monotonous wasteland of the midwest. Haha- of course I am mildly exaggerating! Ohio is full of life this time of year...heck, as I speak some stranger is using some sort of power tool right outside my window- probably just for fun! Oh boy, where to start?! Well, I should say that this will not be a complete update - far too much has transpired since my last posting (luckily I have seen most of you since then, being as it was nearly a year ago). Here's my best attempt to emphasize some important events with one word summaries (not in any particular order): school, friends, fun, climbing, visits, done, love, summer, beach, relaxing, Honduras, nope, scramble, hair, deportment, alone, bored, house, books, garden, shadowing, Guatemala, and the Boss. I realize many of those words might require additional explanation in order to make sense (although for some that possibility is not there), but if I have successfully hooked you into wondering what in the world is happening to me, you might just have to call. Sorry if that is annoying, given that this forum is to elucidate our activities instead of cast a shroud of mysterious fog about, but as my hero and private mentor, Henry David Thoreau says, "A man must find his occasions in himself." Speaking of occasions, I will take this one to announce something marvelous that happened here in Ohio on West 8th Ave, between Michigan and Pennsylvania - I planted a vegetable garden in my backyard! At this point, I must admit that this was my primary reason for posting, but I know that you, my brothers and sisters, will share in the joy and bounty it will provide. It is full of peppers and tomatoes and a few other surprises - I am hoping to reap a full harvest by summer's last breath, and ultimately, like HDT be able to sustain myself entirely by that which mine own hand has thus sown. Just kidding- that would probably not be good for anyone. In case anyone was wondering about my wonderful family - Tom has graduated high school and will be attending Johns Hopkins School of Engineering in the fall. Andrew and Tom are also getting back from Ethiopia Saturday - so keep them in your prayers if you read this before then. Joe just did a young life camp and is hanging around York, living the dream. Ma and Pa are in good health and spirit. Jen can drive, and does, and has yet to cause any damage. Matt and Bri are also growing like wild banana trees and I'm sure will be retiring in no time.

Well my great friends, I wish you all the best and hope to see you all in the near future. Take Ben and Sam's lead and if you ever feel the pull of the setting sun, don't hesitate to call and crash here without any notice. Especially now that I will be living in a large house with 6 other guys. The proverbial "last summer vacation of my life" is throwing its minutes at my feet joyfully, like a cat who brings the freshly killed bird to its master - so I must be off. Again - I love you all and miss you very much.

Sincerely,

Michael