Have a Brat for Us

Sometimes I think that I lead a pretty solitary life and I do. But, I have been blessed with friends and family who fill my being to its very corners. Our friends, the Johnsons, are such people. Sandy, Pete, Claire and Christian have birthdays starting the last week of March, or thereabout, and go through the second week of May. Sandy and Pete also have a wedding anniversary during that period and my Bill has his birthday. So, for several years we would get together during that period and have brats and burgers in honor of the occasions. It was a great time especially for the guys.

Bill, Pete, Christian, Frankie and Geoff

Sandy is what I call "Super Mom," even though her craft skills are lacking sometimes lacking. She can whip up a meal, a batch of cookies, a decadent dessert or an outrageous rum cake in the early evening after spending her morning driving for Meal on Wheels and spending her afternoon volunteering at the school. She is dedicated to missions and mission work in Africa. She and another friend created a successful after school project for the local elementary school. She is very active in her church and book club. She is devoted to her family. And, she works at a regular job. She loves to shop and to travel. She is a wonderful friend.

Claire and Sandy

Pete is steady and one of the most unassuming people I have ever met. He is great with the kids. He coaches their sports teams, he takes them hiking, skiing, camping and other great adventures. Pete starts camping as soon as the campgrounds open and he camps until they close. But, a Bubba he is NOT. He is as dedicated as Sandy to missions and mission work in Africa. He smiles with the most sparkling eyes when he talks about his trips trips there and building houses and schools.

Together Sandy and Pete are a wonderful pair. They love to venture out and enjoy the world around them. Have I said that they LOVE to travel? Whether it is to Priest Lake for a few days or somewhere across country or better yet somewhere out of country, they both are ready to go at the drop of a hat. What a gift they have given each other and to their children -- also their friends and family.

Christian always hamming

Claire being reflective?

It has been so fun watching these two grow from little "pip squeaks" to the bright and fun young people they are today.

We sure miss those times when we shared a brat and those times we shared at Christmastime. The pictures in this post are from our last time we all gathered before Bill and I moved from Spokane. Geoff and Erica were with us as were Pete's parents. (Sandy, Pete, Claire and Christian just returned from a trip to England and Spain. In England they celebrated Jim and Betty's {Pete's parents} 50th wedding anniversary).

Sandy, Christian, Pete, Claire, Betty and Jim

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BILL

Today is Bill's birthday. We do not have much of anything planned. In fact, when we went out yesterday it was with b-day in mind but the weather sorta drove us back home before the requisite items were secured.

The past year has been a big one for both of us but most especially for him. Some how he manages to get through it all while contending with me. For that he should be immortalized.

I have posted this picture before and am again because it captures Bill doing what he likes best -- being at the ocean. He loves the water and he is at peace when he is there. It is a characteristic he passed onto his daughter.

Through all of our struggles, happy times and just everyday times Bill is always steady. He offers unconditional love. He is always there. I am very blessed to be his spouse. Yes, even when his klutzy ways drive me crazy. Happy Birthday, Bill!! I love you.

Nor' Easter with a Surprise

Today has been a very dreary day. We have had storm warnings all day and it has rained most of the day with strong gusts of wind every now and then. We have been waiting for the storm for a few days now and it has come from the south and from the west but it changed it colors and as it headed east the winds changed and are now from the northeast. Or, at least that what the weather folks tell us. We have gotten a lot of rain but I think those to the south and northeast of us are getting hit harder. It has been the type of day when you know should just stay tucked in and not venture out much but that doesn't seem like the fun thing to do. So, we headed over to Lewes and the beach and found a whole lot of other people doing the same thing. The water was not as churning as we have seen other times. The temperature is a little warmer than it has been the last couple of weeks. The most distinguishing thing is that it is a very, very gray day.

Yet, though all of the gray of the day we saw something very amazing -- a white deer. While driving through Cape Henlopen State Park we saw deer grazing where we often see them and there with them was a white deer. We turned the car around for a better look and sure enough there it was -- not pure white but white nonetheless. Yes, there is something special in every day.

PET PEEVE --

Nothing offends me more than someone who does not return phone calls!! It is a rule in this house and is practiced outside of the home to return calls no matter how much we might not want to do so. The only exception made is when calls are generated by computer and that is another whole story. (If someone wants to speak with me then they owe me the courtesy of a direct or at the least the impression of a direct call). But, I wander off topic.

All the time I served as a business advisor I not only returned calls but I harped on the subject with my clients. Whether a response is positive, negative or "we don't know yet," the caller deserves to hear the answer. Retuning the call just might stop those annoying calls. If you don't want to talk with someone call when you are pretty sure that you will get the answering machine or better yet have your secretary or assistant make the call for you. At least a message is delivered. It does not hurt you to return the call but someone might be hurting if you do not even if your response is negative.

Not returning calls is not only impolite, it is unprofessional!!

There, that is said. Enough already!

She Leads the Way

One year ago today my friend, old friend and sorority sister, Terry published in her blog that she turned 60 that day. She told us about many of those famous/infamous folks who also turned 60 in 2006. She went onto say that as the first of the "boomers" we have seen some rather incredible things in our lifetimes. I viewed that post as "This is Our Year" with April 5 being the start of the year because Terry was the first of my "boomer" friends to turn 60. There will be more on the others later in this post but for now I think I will share a few thoughts on Terry. This intro picture is not the best picture in the world but it shows the joy of the day and the year on Terry's face. I love the smile.

Terry entered my life in 1965. She was a year ahead of me in school. Like some of those in other posts I have written of this past year, Terry is a sorority sister. So, the first life long bond. One of the most fun memories of Terry was when she and Sandy invited Patty and me to their dorm room for a party in honor of "Monday 'K'night." I cannot do the events of the evening justice here but suffice it say that other folks on the floor thought we were particularly weird. Terry has been blessed with a tremendous sense of humor and deep contagious laugh. She enjoys life. And, as such, she has blessed us all.

I have never been an artist. I can do some pretty crafty things but a designer I am not. That is not true for Terry. She is a gifted artist and has become quite well known for textile art. I love seeing her projects develop and come to completion. Yes, and there is a little envy from these quarters when I see a finished project of hers. You know, I take a little pride in saying I know that artist when I see she has an entry in a juried show or there is a photo of her work somewhere.

Through the years Terry and I have stayed in touch the usual ways but we also have had some periods where we lived fairly close to each other. Her calm and quiet husband Ray has always been a favorite. Her children are just older than Erica and when they were younger we spent some family holidays together. It has been one of those friendships that is always there whether there is a physical presence or not.

"The devil made me do it," but I just had to put in this picture from 31 years ago. Terry was expecting her daughter Emily. Well, two weeks ago Emily and her husband Cayo became parents of a beautiful baby girl. So, in this 60th year, Terry became a grandmother. What a wonderful birthday present and a wonderful way to end a momentous year!!

Thanks Terry for leading the way for the rest of us souls who turned 60 in the last 365 days. All of our lives have changed in this year. Besides getting grayer, rounder and slower there have been lots of reasons to celebrate and some more serious times. Many of us have retired or will be retiring by the end of the current school year. Several have moved to retire. We celebrate the future.

So, cheers to all of us -- TERRY, Ron, Carolyn, John, Carolyn (2), Mary Ann, Kathleen, Susan, Bob, Vickie, Betty, Sandy, Robin, Krause, Nancy, Joan, Mary and Mary (2). There are a lot of us, childhood, college, family and work friends who are now 60. So many, in fact, I cannot remember all who are but this I know, WE ROCK!! or at least we like to think we do.

From upper right and clockwise: Robin, Susan, Sandy, Carolyn, Betty, Mary Ann, John and Carolyn (with apologies to Susan, Mary Ann & Betty if I rushed the day).

More from Yesterday

The trip to Washington yesterday to see the Cherry Blossoms was great. The trees in bloom are not strong and over powering like oaks but are fine and delicate like heirloom lace. There is strength in renewal and heritage.

These are but some of the pictures I took.

Reflections from the Basin

Just Blossoms

Presidential Monuments and Blossoms

Something I Have Always Wanted to See

We were up early this morning; 4:00 a.m. to be exact. All this for an outing to Washington to see the "Cherry Blossoms." Our plans had been to go over later in the week but I have been keeping check on their peak and because of some warm days last week, yesterday was the day. So, we decided that we would go today in order to see them before they started to fade and drop. For all who know me, you know how I am NOT a morning person especially this early in the morning. But, I have to say that the trip was worth the effort.

We had carefully considered the way we would get to the Tidal Basin area. We would try to get a parking spot at the Jefferson Memorial. Of course, I took a turn too early but all was well and I almost took another wrong turn once I viewed the Tidal Basin awash in the beautiful blossoms. We arrived at the Jefferson Memorial not much after 8:00 a.m. The timing was probably perfect because I drove right to a parking place in front of the monument. We took our time and went to the monument which I had never visited. Jefferson was such a brilliant man and I found the monument beautiful.

From the steps of the portico we looked out and could view the whole basin and the hundreds of cherry trees. We walked part way around the Tidal Basin. We were greeted by students in groups, mothers with strollers, visitors of all sorts, runners, folks on bikes, National Park Service Rangers. It was a good morning and the large crowds had not yet arrived.

I took over 150 pictures today. It seems like everyone else was doing the same and all with the same pleasant smile on their faces. I will post more pictures tomorrow.

We left Washington not long after 11 a.m. and drove to Annapolis for lunch. From there it was home where we both have been a little slow since arriving here late this afternoon.

All-in-all, a GREAT DAY!!

My Favorite Part of Spring

Spring officially arrived last week. We have had one warm day and several cooler but comfortable days since then. Today is a bit chilly and overcast but the grass is trying to get greener and there are a few daffodils here and there. The birds are singing more and more and the days are getting longer.

I keep looking but have not yet seen my favorite part of spring -- the happy blossoms of tulips. These flowers make me happy when I see them. When we still lived in Spokane I would peer down on my tulips and try to will them to bloom. Those three to four weeks of colorful blooms were always so special especially when the flowering dogwood bloomed at the same time.

Last year we were living in an apartment in Tacoma. I bought pots of planted tulips for the deck and purchased fresh tulips almost weekly for the inside. It was while living in Tacoma that I got to do something I had always wanted to do. April 15 was a cold and rainy Saturday but we decided to drive to La Conner and see what remained of the tulips. The Skagit Valley is famous for its tulip festival and it is an amazing site toe the fields and fields and row upon row of beautiful tulips. I would recommend this to anyone visiting the Pacific Northwest in late March through mid-April. It is a beautiful area by itself but when the the tulips bloom it is almost magical.

(photo was taken 04/15/2006)

addendum: Another Day, Another Deployment

It the last post I covered our loved ones in the Army and left out our Navy member. My niece Stacy is a member of the US Naval Reserves and has been for several years. Before that she was an active duty sailor and served in the Persian Gulf during that conflict. Stacy is a "spit fire." She was tiny little girl and she is not much bigger now. She was and is very agile and athletic; a fine gymnast, volleyball player, BMX rider, skier and golfer. And, she has a mind of her own.

When this war started Stacy was a single mother. It looked for sometime that she would be deployed. It was a difficult time. How could she leave her son for a long period? I remember my mom's worry about her and about my nephew and niece's husband. We all worried about them.

Stacy, thankfully, has not been deployed for long periods during this war. She has since remarried and is enjoying life with her two sons and husband in their new home.

Like the others, I am so proud of her, her service and who she has become.

Another Day, Another Deployment

This never ending war is always on my mind. My niece's husband has been deployed three times to the area -- once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq. My nephew has been deployed to Iraq (Kuwait) and is scheduled to go again in the late summer. And, today, my friend's son deployed. All of these men chose the US Army as a career. But the career and personal development part keeps being shelved for deployment to the Middle East. I love and respect these guys so much. It is that I simply despise this stupid war.

When I think of these men it is of younger beings. My nephew was a cute white haired little guy who hated shopping so much that he would get downright belligerent about it. Outside of that, Max was a kind and gentle little boy who grew into a wonderful man. He joined the Army right out of high school and is nearing the 20 year mark. He has seen duty several times to Kuwait and the Gulf War area, Iraq, Korea and Germany. Max and his wife are the proud parents of three adopted children. They have two boys and just adopted a baby girl.

I did not know Jon, my niece's husband, when he was a boy. I just know that his wife and family are very proud of him and his commitment. They have two beautiful children -- a girl and a boy.

Now, our friends' son, is another story. He and my daughter are the same age and they have been mostly fast friends since they were six years old. My fondest memory of them was one afternoon I looked out the living room window and there they were sitting on a limb of tree discussing in their seven year old way the world and world affairs. That was the way they were and continued to be as they grew up. Perhaps one of the happiest days for all of us was the day Nate graduated from West Point. Erica graduated from Johns Hopkins two days earlier. They savored their joy that is evident it the picture at the intro to this post. They were ready to meet the world.

Nate deployed today. His wife and young son await his return. Their second child is due this summer. Our thoughts and prayers are with them always and with all of those who are serving. Be safe and God's speed.

A Few Hours In Washington, D.C.

It was time to take Frankie back home and so yesterday Bill and loaded up Frankie and Bentley and went to Arlington where we left the dogs while we spent a few hours in the District going to the World War II Monument and to the Roosevelt Memorial. It was a beautiful day albeit cold and very windy. That did not detract from the beauty and significance of these two sights. Besides, it is always inspiring to see the Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson monuments.

When I first started this blog it was in part to help me compile thoughts I had of my mother. She has been gone for a few months now but I am constantly reminded of her and my dad when I see old pictures or think about things I am doing and wonder what they might think. They grew up in the Depression and World War II marked the onset of their adulthood. Those two eras defined the strength of that generation, That strength is evident in both of the monuments we visited yesterday.

Dad enlisted in the Marine Corps the day after Pearl Harbor. He served in the South Pacific -- Guadacanal, Iwo Jima, etc. Because of this I was more drawn to the Pacific side of the World War II Monument. Each state is represented and each front is represented in this memorial. There is much to take in and one visit in the cold is not sufficient. We will go back when it is warmer and the water fountains are turned on so that we can see the full beauty of the space.

Nearby is another memorial we have not visited. I had wanted to visit the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial for sometime but have always found something else to do. Besides, I was not expecting much. There was so much made of the statue of him in wheel chair that I thought for some reason that was all there is of the monument. How wrong, I was. First, the statue is pretty small. Second, this is a massive but unobtrusive work. It is inspiring and very symbolic. It is divided into rooms each representing one of his four terms in office. The first focuses on the emptiness of the Depression, the second on need for hope and the New Deal, the third on the War and the fourth on Warm Springs.

My Dad never said much about Roosevelt. He always liked Harry Truman. But, my Mom really hung on his words. She is the one who always told us about listening to him on the radio and how sad it was when he died.

I have never been much of a Roosevelt buff. After visiting the memorial I think I shall study his words and works more closely. His leadership probably shaped my beliefs more than I have previously thought. Whether it is his "Four Freedoms" or words to encourage a depressed nation I think that I need to learn much more about this man.

How True!!!

Warmer Weather and Four-Pawed Family

The last couple of days it has been in the high 70's. I have really been wanting to get out and do some yard work. But, alas, it is to cool off tonight and we go back to some colder temperatures for a few days. We have managed to open up the windows and air the place out a bit and went to Dover yesterday to get the car serviced. We took a different route, for us, home and really enjoyed the green starting to show in the fields of many of the farms. You can tell that some of the trees are getting ready to bud and there are a few daffodils up.

We are sitting our "grand doggie" while Erica and Geoff take a few days in London for their anniversary. It has been quite an experience dealing with our active puppy Bentley and the more senior Frankie. They are getting along quite well and even the cat is showing some signs of acceptance.

Today we decided to take the dogs to the beach. Since Frankie is from Miami he seemed to be quite energized by the activity. Bentley, on the other hand, did not like the stairs on the board walk and didn't seem to enjoy the beach as much as Frankie and Bill. For Bill, there are no bad days at the beach.

Here is Bill enjoying taking the "boys" down the water line.

Catch the wave action in this video I took.

Clouds, Water and Birds

Wind beneath his wings.

From the day we started on our trek east I have been almost mesmerized by clouds that have appeared along the way. It intrigues me so that the landscape seems to change with the clouds and light that shines through, reflects off of, or just fills the voids. The clouds when we were travelling through the mountains were strong and almost bold. The storm clouds are always ominous and foreboding. The clouds over the ocean tell a story of the day.

One day last week we went over to Cape Henlopen State Park and walked the length of the fishing pier. This was the first day in several weeks that the temperature was warm enough to venture a bit without a hat and gloves. It was warmer but the wind was blowing very strongly. Since I had my camera with me I took some pictures of what was really interesting to me on that day -- clouds.

I have also become very fascinated but the changes in the water and sand with the temperature, wind and sunlight. Here are some pictures taken the same day from the pier featuring clouds and/or water. And, my longtime favorite but ever elusive, birds.

From the pier Birds, water, light clouds & lighthouses Churning Water

New Family Member

On Wednesday we welcomed a new member to our family. He is about 3 1/2 months old and is about 11 pounds and is a bundle of fur. We have named him Bentley.

Bentley

He is a Lhasa Apso with an apricot coat with brown tips. The breed standard says that he should have black eyes, nose and lips. He has green eyes, tannish nose and lips. Oh well, not to standard just like the rest of us. He should fit in just fine. He really has taken to Bill and already is showing signs of wanting to be a watch dog.

Just Strollin' Through

Sometimes I am able to post some very good pictures on this site and other times they are not so good but truly represent what I am trying to convey. Today, I must post a picture or two of a visitor. This fellow has been roaming through the neighborhood most of the morning and because he is usually too far away, it is snowing steadily and I am trying to focus the camera through two panes of glass and a black window screen the images are not as sharp as they should be.

Our visitor, a red fox seems to be stalking local rodents. As he is ready to pounce his tail fluffs up very much so. It has been pretty fun watching him off and on this morning. I have only seen red fox in zoos or running across the highway in southwestern Montana. This fellow keeps coming back to a patch of trees in the adjacent lot and then trots on through our yard. Maybe it is because it is snowing that he is spending so much time here. Whatever, I am going to go now and see if I get a better picture.

Update

Just a quick posting to thank everyone for their prayers and concerns for Eileen. Eileen went home from the hospital yesterday and is now focusing on recovering. The kidney is working well. Jose is also doing well. Also, our black kitty George Ann is getting healthier even though we are having difficulty adjusting the insulin. She has gained 1 1/2 pounds and is looking much better than she was.

More of the Surrounding Area

It was kind of crusty and cold on Tuesday but we had not been out for sometime. We decided to drive to Ocean City, Maryland. It is just over 30 miles to there from here. Because we arrived in this area at the start of winter and now winter is just ending, I am still trying to visualize the area in bloom and "boom." The trip south to Ocean City is mixture of very tightly populated areas where one beautiful house is built almost on top of the next beautiful house or condominium unit and quiet almost undisturbed stretches of Atlantic beaches. The above picture is of beach area near the Indian River Inlet. There is some road and bridge reconstruction going on in the area but there is also great care to protect the dunes.

Ocean City is on a narrow strip of land that seems to go on forever. We drove all the way to the pier and amusement area. I have to say that the cold day and it being an off season time of year made for a lonely scene.

Here we are at the pier. It is so very gray out and uninviting. It makes the uninitiated (us) wonder what all the big fuss is about.

Just a few feet away from where the last picture was taken is this scene of the beach. I am just beginning to imagine how many people will be setting up their umbrellas here in a couple of months.

If you listen carefully you can almost hear the sounds of delight and fright of the summer visitors.

When I put on my "business advisor" hat I look at this picture with sadness because there is no commerce going on or so it appears. But, these shops are closed for the winter and will be opening in just a few weeks. For some it will be in just a couple of weeks. Then they will bustle with visitors buying t-shirts, Italian ices, hot dogs, jewelry and more.

For me the number of hotels, motels, apartments and condominiums on this strip of land called Ocean City is numbing. Yes, I know there are places where the impact is greater but on this cold day in February with most just contractors in view I had to wonder "Why?" It will probably become more evident as summer approaches.

A sampling of just some of the motels and condos.