06/01/04 Center Chatter

Dear Friends,

The city is full of sumer sights and sounds today - two little girls
dancing through the fountains along Witherspoon in front of the great lawn,
some older boys playing in one of the waterways where it is clearly posted
"no swimming, no wading" -- but they were having such fun!, the river is up
over the sidewalk that I can usually walk along and part way onto the great
lawn. A huge barge went by -- actually about three barges attached to one
towing vessel. People walking, running, crying, fighting. Big people and
little people. Brown people and white people. It's amazing.

Today I started my 3rd week at the new job and I'm feeling more and more
comfortable in this role. The editing of the manuscripts is both
challenging and fascinating. Knowing more and more every day the work that
goes into one small published document is an eye-opener for me. I don't
mind the morning commute, but the evening commute gets tiring. I leave
home around 8 a.m. and get to the office somewhere between 8:30 and 8:45.
I get an hour for lunch so if anyone wants to join me, just call or e-mail
ahead. There is usually a meeting two or three times a week for anywhere
from one hour to three hours. Other time is spent editing manuscripts,
working with my editorial assistant to cover all the bases and
collaborating with other colleagues to make sure I'm doing things"right" or
am on the right track, at least. I try to take a brisk 20 minute walk at
lunch -- I have sneakers and shorts and a t-shirt in my drawer that I
change every week! Then I come back in and eat in the cafeteria or at my
desk (that's what I'm doing now). I get out of here a little before 5 and
head home.

I loved my first three-day weekend in 17 years! Man, those things are
great! Katie, Jenny, and I drove up to Kokomo, IN on Saturday to visit my
sister and her family. We attended her church on Sunday and drove back
home, just missing the Tornadoes and heavy rain storms along the way. We
spent Monday at home, doing errands (a new gas grill and a new hammock for
Ken!) and we went to the visitation for Madalyn Bryant (mother of Mary
Gish). On Friday after work I was able to greet Betty and Ed Ward at the
visitation for Blanche LeMon. The girls and Ken and I also enjoyed
Memorial Day picnic at some friends' home. Andrew left the second day of
summer vacation for a week-long trip that included a visit to his counsins'
in Bethseda, MD with Grandma and Grandpa Hartung and 3 days in Philly with
G and G and his two male cousins who are 13 and 10. He'll be home on
Thursday!

Today at lunch I also ran into Joey Bailey (Jane Flanigan's "little"
brother!) and Steve Sexton. Steve is riding in bike race for Mutilple
Sclerosis Society on Saturday. This is a major "outside" fundraiser
supported by the Presbyterian Center employees. Last year they donated
just over $1000.00 to the cause.

I'll be at church on Sunday to see the high school youth share their
mission trip experience. I'll be around for VBS next week in the
evenings. I'll be preaching at Patteson Memorial on June 13 and at Beulah
on June 27. I'll be in worship again on June 20. It's good to visit
around when you get a chance. So far I haven't found any church who had
anything on Beulah. Every church struggles with filling the pews,
balancing the needs of the much older adults with the much younger,
contemporary versus traditional, air conditioning that works or doesn't,
money worries and average to above average preaching. I'll continue
visiting other Presbyterian churches on occasion so I can see what good
ideas I can get to bring back for more work for Terry and Ken!

Blessings, Judy

Judy Hockenberry
Associate for Curriculum for Children
Office #1215
(502) 569-5483

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