Category Archives: Outdoor world

Newlywed Love (#72)

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June 27, 1970

Nate and I had had 2 rough weeks experiencing the stress of no income and summer school/student teaching adjustments for me. When Saturday finally came, we decided to escape from it all – just for a few hours.

The sunny, warm weather invited us out to play, so we packed a picnic and drove the half-hour to Allerton Park. Though we weren’t sure about dogs being allowed, we took Baron along anyway. He had never failed to win the hearts of everyone he met.

Allerton, one areaAllerton Park has been described as “a vast prairie turned into a personal fantasy land of neoclassical statues, Far Eastern art, and huge European-style gardens surrounding a Georgian Revival mansion.” *

We had explored the estate’s 1500 acres enough to know how not to get lost, and loved the surprises hidden on the grounds. Just when we thought we’d seen every piece of sculpture, each garden, and all the unique oddities on the property, we would come across something new.

Allerton..

Allerton factored into Nate’s and my relationship almost from the start. It was a peaceful place where two people in love could spend time together, whether walking through dense woods or on manicured paths. We had our first serious talk about our relationship on one of those walks, and on another one, explored the possibility of marriage for the first time.

The manor house was gorgeous, and we wondered aloud what it must have been like to live in such a place. The owner, Robert Allerton, had many homes and owned one of the largest Chicago hotels, so when he didn’t need this one anymore, he donated it to the University of Illinois for retreats and study.

Allerton_House(Photo credit: D Finnigan – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18609642)

On this day, feeling depleted, Nate and I were looking for privacy and carried our blanket, picnic supplies, and doggie a long way from the mansion. We were looking for a giant meadow that had a dense forest on the other side of it, because we knew that deep within it was a secluded sunny patch of ground.

After spreading our blanket there, we stretched out on it and snuggled close, with Baron between us. The security of giant trees on all sides with an open sky above was the perfect hideaway from all of life’s woes.

Almost immediately the 3 of us fell sound asleep. When I awoke an hour later, Nate was still lying next to me but was up on one elbow, staring at my me. I smiled back and felt completely enfolded in his love. The problems of our week had evaporated, and no getaway ever meant more.

BaronWe shared our simple picnic, took turns reading aloud to each other, and had some intimate conversation about life and love. We also took time to admire our handsome puppy.

The therapeutic benefits from this one day would last a long, long time.

“May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:11)

* Wikipedia

Newlywed Love (#68)

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June 6-14, 1970

At Nate's house.After Nate’s last exams and the end of my school year in Danville, the two of us headed off to an all-day Nyman family reunion. From there we continued on to Nate’s home to spend several days with his brother (right) and parents.

Our two little charges, Toby 2 and Baron, came along, providing non-stop entertainment.

From there we drove to Wilmette where Mom and Dad had a chance to get acquainted with their grand-doggies. The first Toby, our family dog for 15 years, had been Mom’s constant companion, and she missed him dearly. Cuddling with two lookalikes did something special for her heart, and even Dad bonded with our little buddies.

Mom loves the puppiesDad and puppy.

During the week we connected with Mary, Bervin, brother Tom, Aunt Agnes, and others, one of which was our friend Connie.

 
She had a new puppy, too, and her roommate was longing for a dog of her own. She asked if we’d ever consider parting with one of our little guys, and though we gave her a firm no, we looked at each other and then told her we’d think about it.

Connie and pup

 

At the beachToward mid-week we drove the 110 miles to our family’s summer cottage in Michigan, where the poochies had their first beach experience. They wore them- selves out dashing up and down the dunes, and though neither braved a swim, both loved scampering along the water line. Nate and I bragged to Mom and Dad about how smart they were, learning to potty outdoors and even whining to get out when they needed to go.

Puppies diggingAs the week passed, we talked about the possibility of parting with one of our puppies. The reality was that two dogs might be one too many in our small Champaign apartment.

By the time we arrived back in Wilmette, we knew what was the wise thing to do – surrender one of them to Connie’s roommate. She was thrilled when we told her and came right over to play with them and learn their personalities.

Since Nate and I loved them equally, we let her choose which one she wanted: it was Toby 2. The only good thing about this transition (so difficult for us) was that now, instead of being a #2, Toby 2 became a full-fledged Toby – and a definite #1 with his new owner.

Holding him closeOur drive back to Champaign after a week away was quiet and sad. I held Baron close, promising him we’d never let him go. The next day, however, brought a bit of bad news. While showing him off to several neighbors, one of them said, “Don’t you know dogs aren’t allowed in our building?”

We hadn’t considered such a possibility and had never thought to ask the landlord. But one thing was certain – hiding one dog would be easier than hiding two.
“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” (Matthew 10:26)

SIX GRANDS AND FAMS (#58)

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SIX GRANDS AND FAMS

As of tomorrow, Meg and Nate’s newlywed story will be on hold for about 10 days. Six of my grandchildren and their parents will be here taking precedence over     blog-writing time as we play at the beach.

Iowa.

Florida

From Iowa (top) and Florida (bottom)

    But before this brief hiatus, one last post about the newlyweds,                       sending them out on a high.

                                ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

May 4, 1970

From my journal:

This afternoon Nate was home before I was, writing one of his long final papers. When I began to put my key in the apartment lock, the door swung open wide, and before me stood a tall, black stool upon which was an avocado green napkin, upon which was a large silver tray, upon which was our long-awaited Chicago teachers pension check — $838.11…. instant salvation from debt – presented to me on a silver platter! Exuberant hugging, kissing, and a celebration dinner out!

JournalWe had been struggling to stay ahead financially, borrowing here and there from parents and the university, but had both been bothered by it. When the check from Chicago came, we could hardly believe it! It had been weeks, actually months, since we’d applied, and we were sure my teaching record had slipped through the cracks.

What a pleasure it would be to pay off the university and Nate’s parents. The money we owed Dad for his help with the Mustang would take longer, but with these funds, we could make a big dent in it. And what a good feeling that was!

HailstonesEven nature decided to celebrate with us. A sudden, wild hailstorm covered our brick street with marble-size hailstones, delivering them in a torrential rain. Because it was warm out, we skipped down the stairs with bowl-in-hand and filled it with hailstones.

Though it was nearly 11:00 PM when we climbed back up to our apartment, we had made a fun, slap-happy memory. The fact that we were soaked didn’t detract from the reality that it had been a good day – a very good day.

We had fresh bounty for our bank account and a bowlful of hailstones for our freezer.

“Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…” (Ephesians 5:15-16)