My wife Lois and I two weeks ago had our 30th wedding anniversary. Our relationship, since 2006, has been a bit unconventional, in that we have been living in different states (She in Virginia and me in Ms, La. and now Alabama). I generally make it back once or twice a year for Thanksgiving gatherings. So it was a joy last week to hear that my son Alex, who is studying Sociology at Central Michigan University and was stopping by Virginia to borrow his mom's car to come down here for a visit would have his mom with him when he arrives. Lois is also in school working on getting a business degree at George Mason University. Both have one year to go before graduation. So they are both now on summer break and decided to come down to volunteer with Habitat/Tuscaloosa for the week. After Lois's first day on the worksite and seeing what I do (herding the cats) working with volunteers, she said something that was very moving for me. She said, " I see that you are in the right place". I really see my job as more of a mission or calling from God than just a job. In 2005, when my friend Bart Tucker first invited me to Biloxi, Ms. after Hurricane Katrina to work on homes that were devastated by the storm, I felt a strong calling or pull to stay for more than the one week. Long story short, the one week turned into 2 1/2 years. You can read details of the first jaunt if you google "peter salemme one life uprooted" washington post article. In that, when I was deciding to commit to help Bart and Habitat in Biloxi for what I thought originally to be one year, I told my wife and kids that some men go off to war in the service to foreign countries but that I was going off to serve in Biloxi. And to their credit, it was with my family's blessings that I set out to answer that calling.
     This week also we hosted a group of volunteers from Duluth, Ga . The highpoint of the week came when we got to unload the house for the Jemmison's that was built once in a parking lot at the baseball stadium parking lot in Kansas City, knocked down and packed up on a truck (thanks, Doug!) and shipped back to us in Tuscaloosa, where the foundation awaits its resurrection. The two foundations that we are working on had the rigid insulation installed by the group from Duluth. We were rained out one day during the week. Many of the group were under 16 years old. We had a little painting party off site at a certain YMCA camp to keep them occupied and out of trouble for one day. Jared (our volunteer coordinator) promises to do better to enforce the 16 and older rule for volunteers to keep our insurance guys happy.   
     For my wife and son's visit, I planned a bunch of activities for the evenings and afternoons. We saw Crosby Stills and Nash at the Tuscaloosa Ampitheatre on Weds nite. It is outdoor seating and it was threatening to rain. We brought ponchos just in case . (Umbrellas are verboten).   It was a great show. The old guys still got it. They expressed their grattitude for all of us coming out in the rain to see them. The rain held out and a good time was had by all.
     The other special event was a private tour that I arranged with new friend David Womack to see the private garden and residence of Jack Warner. David for 30 years was in charge of the grounds of the University of Alabama and knows lots about plants and how to grow them. My wife has been interested in gardening for years also, so I thought she would enjoy the visit, and she did. Jack Warner is a famous local. His fortune came from the invention of the flat-bottommed paper bag. Before those, things bought at the store would be wrapped up in paper and then taped up. He is now 95 years old and he and his 2nd wife develolped a beautiful estate overlooking Lake Tuscaloosa. HIs old home houses much of the art collection that he has gathered over the years. I've attached some pictures of his house and garden.
     Other news, we are losing a staff member, Pete DeWorken, who is moving on to something new. He's still not sure yet, but he's steppin out. We're gonna miss him. Pete is my list-making hero.
      Lion's Den's coming closer. Doug's gonna help with the electric panel. Drywalls almost done. Steady pressure and don't panic, right? See ya next week. Love to all (especially my special guests this week!)    Peter, Peter