Ivan

I remember taking my youngest two to the B and I store on South Tacoma Way when they were little. We went there because they were fascinated by Ivan, the gorilla,who was locked inside a cage that sat among the many shops inside the huge complex. Maybe that is why I really don't like going to any kind of zoo, because Ivan always looked so sad sitting there looking out at us. I know it made us all very happy when we heard that Ivan had finally found a new home at the Atlanta Zoo. It wasn't long ago that Ivan died and is free at last. This morning in the Tacoma paper, there was an article about the new book for children about Ivan that has just been published. I'm sure it's well done and worth the read, but I know the story so wont be spending any money on it. It's just toooo sad.

Star Center

We had band this morning at the Star Center. It is a new facility located where the old Mt. Tahoma High School gym used to stand. We have rehearsed all over the area, from a music room at Ted Brown Music Store, which we outgrew, to local churches and assorted halls. We now think we have found a home where we'll have lots of room to grow and where, thanks to the racket we make, folks are finding out about us and since our move, we have had at least 5 new musicians join. I hope we can keep making music for years to come and I hope my favorite trumpet player, 93 year old/young Juan, stays healthy so he can keep on tootin his horn. Here is a little of what I managed to catch of him this morning.

Birthday party

We celebrated Berg's 9th birthday a second time last night. On the day of her birthday, she was in Hawaii celebrating with her other grandma and grandpa, this time she was here at grandma DD's with her other aunts and uncles and cousin Jacob. It was a fun evening and we all said we need to get together more often. I agree.

January summer

I've been following the Hanseatic since last summer when we first spotted her just off Petersburg, Alaska. She traveled north, then east along the "inside passage" to Greenland, Europe, Africa, South America, and now is in the Antarctic. Just as she was able to make it past the northern most part of Canada during our summer, it's now summer in the southern hemisphere and folks on board are taking in a little balmy Antarctic weather. I'm sorry, but of all the places to visit in the world, that is probably the last place I'd go. Well..unless it were free :o)

Wild blue wander

It looks like Bergen's riding lessons have paid off. She is riding with her grandma amd grandpa in Maui and I'm beginning to wonder if she is going to ever want to come home again :o)

Birthday party

Talk about a fun birthday party.The guest of honor is the one resting his hands on Bergen's shoulders, plus, he's her grandpa. He is now officially 70, is still running his own seiner and keeps up with the younger guys without a problem. Happy Birthday, Bob :o)
Here's another version of Bring Him Home, sung by the Mormon Choir. They do such am amazing job with their music. And another Requiem aeternam . I could listen to it over and over and over. Oh..and if you want to sign any of these petitions, here's the URL.

Len's view

I have so many good memories that include this view. It will be sad saying goodbye,but as I have found so often, you can't go home again. If you're feeling rather melancholy, here are a two songs you'll love listening to :o) Bring Him Home... Pie Jesu

Purdy big waves

Mom took this picture years ago, before there was a "Pearls" restaurant. I still haven't been down to see how things look since our last big storm though I did hear that part of the bulkhead fell in. Mother nature certainly has a way or rearranging things.

Bonding

I'm all for playing hooky when you're nine years old and can snorkle with your aunty in Hawaii. That is the one thing I enjoyed when I was was in Maui. If I ever go back, that is the one thing I will do again.

Maui rainbow

My daughter in law's mom and dad are vacationing in Hawaii and this rainbow appeared right out their front door. They are in the Kaanapali area, just down the road from the big golf tournament, you know, the tournament that has been trying to happen, but the stong winds have made it almost impossible.

Heavy construction

Mommy and daddy were off with friends yesterday, watching the Seahawks beat the Redskins, so granny and Jacob spent the afternoon switching between the game and cartoons, but mostly we played with toys. I have enough toys at my place to keep any kid happy. When the girls are here, they love having a tea party, doing art work or sewing. With Jacob, it's trains, planes and automobiles of any size, but they have to move fast and the noisier the better.

Sign of Spring

Problems

For some reason, I can't post pictures. Hopefully things will be working soon.
Oh...and since you can't enjoy a picture, read this....lots and lots of food for thought.

Paradise sunset

I love this picture of Paradise with the late afternoon sun on the snowy trees. We used to ski there when we were young. There were no chair lifts, just a rope to pull us up the short runs, but we always had a blast.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year family and friends. This being my 72nd new year's celebration, there've been changes galore. As a kid I dreamed that someone would invent a radio watch so I could secretly listen to soap operas in school. Now I see Apple is working on a wrist computer. Heck, if I were in school still, I could finally listen to "Rush" on all kinds of gadgets. Heck, the way online learning is going, kids wont have to "go to school". Kahn Academny,anyone??
Doctors used to come to the house when we were sick and no one bought health insurance, gas was fairly inexpensive thanks to a plentiful US source..it may be that way again thanks to fracking, and we can keep our money here at home.
Plastic hadn't been invented, hence we saw no mountains of brightly colored kids toys piled sky high, waiting to become shag carpets or car bumpers. Our phone was made of oak and hung on the wall with a short cord which meant conversations were short.
I remember gas rationing "during the war" so we had to/got to ride the bus to town, taking the ferry because there was no bridge. The two room school house in Rosedale with grades one through four, and our bus making the turn around at the giant stump and Mrs. Pratt letting us listen to Let's Pretend when we had to go to school on Saturdays to make up for days missed because of the long freeze in 1950.I wonder how unions would handle that today.

I remember the special people who were such a huge part of my life and are no longer with us and I appreciate all those who are here and part of my life now. Most of all, I can't imagine life without an Azumi and of course the little people :o) Happy New Year and may it be a dandy !