hristmas is a’comin’ fast, friends, so it’s time to review the Year of the Kerns, ready or not. December: Louisville KY was a fabulous Final Four destination. As usual, Husker red was seen everywhere (except on the court, where we weren’t). We did tons of touristy things we missed the last time: the Galt Hotel Christmas Display (WOW), art all over the city, a day at the zoo, glass-blowing our own glass ornaments, Ali Museum, wonderful food—including famous Kentucky bourbon, Hot Browns, and Derby pie. February: Botswana and Zambia with a delightful small group sponsored by Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Rich and I also got into Zimbabwe, since he bungeed 300 feet off the Victoria Falls Bridge. (Yes, I watched.) We did a Walk with Lions--2 hours walking 3 young lions to the river to play and then back to their compound. (After the age of 2 they are removed from human contact and eased over years into the lion world.) We found it simultaneously exhilarating and serene. Amazing!
April: Warrensburg MO with Kirkpatricks and Hesses to see a Blackberry Winter performance enhanced by John Hess’ incredible photography. And we were invited to Wichita for volleyball. There we did the zoo and the botanical gardens and declare it’s worth going just for those things alone. Jeanne acted in another horror movie, REMISSION—a post-apocalyptic thriller that debuted in Grand Island-- filmed in an abandoned food plant that was the coldest spot on earth. Oh—and she had the great thrill of getting a call-back to audition for Alexander Payne for NEBRASKA. So near and yet so far…. May: We went to England to meet our 8-month-old grandson and visit with Kristin and Ian for 3 days. Their home, a renovated chapel, is fantastic. We had grand fun rambling to nearby towns, eating in pubs, and watching Caleb enjoy a super animal park.
“ We must be related. Our hair looks the same.” Kerns and Caleb Lowe Family Drummers From there we went to Paris for another 3 days. Once Rich mastered the Metro (where a pickpocket tried to get him, but since he had a trucker’s wallet chained to his belt and tucked into a front pocket, all she got was a good grope), we did all sorts of touristy things and fell in love with the Pompidou Center.
Notre Dame Eiffel Tower lighted behind us Hidden garden we discovered
Friends Ross and Agnés Hermsmeyer fetched us and whisked us to their home in Compiegne about 50 miles out of Paris where we dined with Ross’ former English students, browsed open air markets, saw where Joan of Arc was arrested, and enjoyed our 3-day visit thoroughly.
We loved visits from Joan and Richard Wissell, Joel and Susan Kirkpatrick, and former Academic Team student Ben Brumfield who was a presenter at an international conference at UNL and came for wine and cheese and catching up.
OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) classes keep us on our
mental toes. Jeanne went on an OLLI tour around Nebraska, wrote a mystery
dinner theatre for OLLI’s Roaring 20s theme, and appeared on stage in the Olli
Follies and in THE BAD SEED. She also made some tv commercials, a web
series and a voice-over for a Velvet Acid Christ tour.
Poster Roaring 20 s for OLLI Botswana Sundowner in the field..no ”rugged camping” here
Our year was darkened by the loss of our dear step-brother-in-law Hamish Bennett. What an incredible, charming, brilliant man he was, and a monster star in the bridge world. We hope to see Adrienne in the near future, and the four delightful Bennett daughters. And you! May your holiday be joyous and your new year rich in adventures and a welcoming path home to your front door.
(Update your emails for us : Jeanne@richkern.com, Rich@richkern.com ) |
Rich tore down his
Mountain Fountain and spent late summer creating a new one—this one sported
colored lights and several birdbath areas. He’s already dreaming up plans for
next year’s creation. As usual, his gardens were tourist attractions and
lovely. Volleyball season is drawing to a close, so he will get to stop being
just that silhouette in front of the computer screens so important to the
volleyball community.