Jonathan Olson

After our visit up north, we brought Jonathan back home with us for two weeks for an internship with my husband.  We met the Olsons several years ago at a conference in Chicagoland, and both of our families just clicked on a very deep level.  There is lots that I could say here about the connection between our families, but suffice it to say that it is good to love them and be loved by them.  *Sigh*  

We don't see each other nearly as much as we would desire, and when we do our attention is usually split between several other beloved folks...so when an opportunity came up to abscond with one of the Olsons for TWO WHOLE WEEKS, we *JUMPED* at the opportunity.

Jonathan, the eldest, is working toward his bachelor's degree, and being a CollegePlus student, he is almost a sophomore in college even though he just graduated from high school a couple weeks ago.  Part of CollegePlus' program encourages kids to find internships and/or apprenticeships in their college years in order to figure out what career paths to explore, and what ones to cross off the list entirely.  This last two weeks, Jonathan has shadowed my husband at work.  He has been exposed to all aspects of construction/project management/site management--e-scheduling & service, inspection preparation, customer service & relations, and purchase orders.  He learned various construction processes from excavation, pouring footings, reinforcing concrete, framing walls/stem walls, in-slab plumbing (including sanitary water), underground electrical conduit, pouring slabs, framing, house wrapping/roofing, mechanicals (rough plumbing, electric and HVAC), insulation, installing windows/doors/trim, inspection preparation, siding, pre-drywall orientation with customers, drywall installation, painting, sanding, floor installation, interior trim, final grading of landscaping for proper rainwater management, garage door installation, cleaning, final customer walk-through, punch lists, repair & closing.  Yes, lots of stuff that I haven't picked up on in 17 years of being married to Steve, Jonathan picked up and now understands after just 2 weeks!  (I am thinking that I should get an internship now too!)

Every internship starts off with a *bang*!

Helping with building permits.

At the 22,000 sq. ft. club house.

Excavating already?

He's a natural.

This is a side job that Steve took on a little bit ago.  It is a shed on the property behind a friend's house.  Jonathan helped during some of the building process.

Pumping concrete.

 Also, in some of his down time, when he is not diligently studying up in his room, we've taken him out for a little "local flavor". 

We toured The Schermerhorn Symphony Center in downtown Nashville, the home of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra.

There is a lovely courtyard area that the public is free to come in and enjoy a little shade and maybe a cup of coffee.

Our docent knew every little detail about the history of the symphony, the architecture and the inner-workings of the Schermerhorn.

We caught a glimpse of the Nashville Symphony during rehearsal.  My friend Clare plays viola for the NSO, and though I tried my hardest to get her attention, the stage lights made it impossible for her to see my frantic waving.  But now I can say that I saw her hard at work! :)

I lifted this and the next few pictures from the internet.  My little camera just couldn't do it justice. :)

All the vents and some of the metal work in the railings are decorated with the Tennessee state flower: the Iris.

I am almost positive that both of the kids were wondering the same thing: "Do any of these statues have any clothes on??  Geesh!"

A view of the courtyard from the "members only" lounge area.

And now, for local flavor that is not as high-falutin':

The local "Meat & 3" in Mount Juliet--Courtney's.   (Translation: Meat & 3 means you get to choose a meat and three sides.  Good luck finding one without bacon...but hey, it's the south, where I'm pretty sure that pork is a food group all unto itself.   LOL)  Live music Thursday thru Saturday.  Today's performers: Uncut Grass.

The kids were all asked if they sing (uh, a little) and what instruments they play.  Too bad they didn't have a keyboard, because a certain young man could have rocked Rachmaninoff for the crowd.  Hey, we don't all just like Bluegrass down here! :)

I wish I got a better picture of this guy.  He was this strange mix of George W. Bush and James Brolin.  Weird.

On the weekends, we brought Jonathan to our fellowship, where he met some people and left a really good impression on those with whom he came in contact.  David and Debbie, you should be proud that your boy represented himself, your family and his Heavenly Father well while out of the nest.  It was noted by several of our adult friends within our congregation.

I think that our dear friend probably discovered that for as much wild and crazy fun that is had when our families get together, the Grant family is a pretty subdued crowd when left to its own devices.  After the months of craziness that led up to our trip north, we all have suddenly found ourselves basking in the glory of the quiet and simple things...like sitting on the couch reading Calvin & Hobbes, drawing, planning for next school year (that would be my past-time, NOT the girls') and just enjoying being still.  Translation: I think that Jon will love getting back to his big, bustling, rambunctious family!  :) 

The end of his time here has been a touched by extreme temps, so some of the outdoor things that I had planned have fallen by the wayside.  No one wants to go to a botanical garden, walk around a zoo or meander up and down Broadway in Nashville when it is 110 degrees.  No way.  We have too much of the North still in us to survive that right now.  :)

They lied: add 5+ degrees to each day's forecasted temperature for the truth.  Or, just look at my and Steve's car thermometers:

 Finally, on the second to the last day, letters from the Olson clan arrived, bringing much excitement to all three of the kids.  It was sweet.

Jonathan, it has been a joy to have you with us this past two weeks.  You have fit right in with our household as a dear friend, a temporary son, and brother to our girls.  We pray the Father's countenance always shines upon you and gives you peace, dear one.  We love you.