old friends

This is about the length of a friendship, not the age of the people.  I have known Mary Louise for about thirty five years.  We became friends because both of our kids went to the same schools and two of our kids were in the same grades.  V-burg is a small town and everyone gets to know each other at some point.  Even though Mary Louise and I don't see each other very often, when we do get together we seem to pick up the conversation right where we left off the last time we were together.  Here's to old friends!!  Here,Here!!

my cooking skills

I took this funny picture of the stove top in my kitchen several years ago.  There were two black "burned-on food" stains and one spill over mark left on the burner of the electric stove after I removed the cooking pot from the burner.  It looks like the stain took on the form of a smiley face.  That's really funny because I am not a good cook at all.  I never really got the cooking "bug" and therefore I'm pretty bad in the kitchen.  My repertoire of successful dishes numbers about six to eight with bonus points given for accidental successes.  (Most of the successes were in the "hot dish" or soup categories.)  Apparently my kitchen still loved me though--thus the smile.  I took this picture to remember the occasion and then I scrubbed the stove top clean.  Good memory, though.

life's a merry-go-round

There is a wonderful carousel in Salem, Oregon that has hand carved wooden animals for children of all ages to enjoy while riding at a fast pace around a circle filled with motion and music.  The wooden figures are a work of art and are created by skilled artisans in the onsite workshop.  This picture was taken while I was visiting the city in 2016.

starting a family tradition

A couple of years ago--July 4, 2016, to be exact--I was able to see the beginning of a new family tradition unfold.  A dad, a mom and a baby took a dip in the La Jolla Cove to celebrate our national birthday.  It was a quick dip.  The water was chilly.  A good memory with many more to come.

Vancouver, B.C.

In November of 2016 I accompanied my two sons, their wives and three of the grandchildren (the fourth wasn't born, yet)  to Vancouver, B.C.  We rented a house and had a fun family vacation over Thanksgiving Day and the weekend that followed.  The area we stayed in was just perfect.  It was close to two main streets and there were lots of shops, restaurants and things to do nearby.  We enjoyed  some lazy mornings with a stretched out breakfast and lots of talking and playtime for the kids.  I'd do it again.

apple pie

The one thing I can say about my kitchen skills (or lack thereof)  is that I can make a delicious apple pie.  I like to use a nice tart apple--stayman winesap--and I can make a decent crust.  It always looks nice and it tastes wonderful.  That's it.

Spring training

I don't know what is wrong with my face here.  Oh, yes I do, it's MY face.  That's what's wrong with it.  So, here's the thing.  I was just learning how to take selfies and I forgot to smile.  I was concentrating so hard on the technique that I forgot all about the content.  hmmmm  Well, here I am at a Pittsburgh Pirates spring training game in Bradenton, Florida with Joan.  I always went to the games during the Pirates-Twins day series.  Joan had season tickets and she would invite someone that supported the opposing team to accompany her to the game.  I was the designated Minnesota Twins fan.  I loved those games.  Many people wore Twins shirts (or Vikings or Timberwolves) just to show support and rile up the fans as well.  What a blast.  Thanks, Joan!!