This week I have been virtually in Indianapolis. I am teaching a hybrid remote course working with a mentor for the hands-on portion of the course. I am observing from my dining room table, but the schedule of the course is on Eastern Time.

That means that I have to be up very early. Luckily the commute is only down the hallway as I have to start at 6 in the morning which is well before the time I usually get up.

It is also a bit of a pain as when they break for lunch the morning is barely started here. While they are breaking for lunch I am having a mid-morning snack and taking the shower I skipped first thing in the morning. Then I am trying to figure out a quick lunch while they take the afternoon break.

Since I have been virtually in Indianapolis I have been thinking of my last visit there 11 years ago. I had been teaching a class in nearby Crawfordsville, so let some family friends know that I was in the area. They invited me to come visit them after the class was done and spend some time with them before heading off to the airport

I arrived early enough in the evening so that we were able to visit the Soldiers and Sailors monument in downtown Indianapolis. It is a fantastic monument.

I really enjoyed spending time with David and Karen. They have been good family friends for a very long time. Karen has been a good friend of my Mother since they were growing up together back in Iowa.

Here is a rare picture of me without a beard. I am looking at this picture and am thankful that I have lost a bit of weight since that time. My hair looks a lot darker also, must have been because we were in the shadows.

After visiting the monument we walked over toward the Indiana Statehouse. I remember having a nice dinner at a Cuban restaurant, but do not have any pictures

My students are staying right in this area, so it was definitely in my thoughts this week.

I have more memories from the trip, so will probably share more of them in the next week.

Steven