Our World - Lonely

 Lewis and his Aunt Beth
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Winston and his Dad return from a walk
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Goodbye hugs for Mommaw
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Winston and friend in car
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Lewis ready to ride
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And away they went

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Thanks all for making this Christmas a delight for us!

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My World - Carolina BBQ

 My brother-in-law and his wife host a "pig picking" for friends and family in June. They provide BBQ pork and chicken, rolls, ice tea, etc. Others bring salads, desserts and other items. Tables are setup across the front yard and games in the back. A good time was had by all! Thanks Lynne and John!

But the special treat for was seeing our almost year-old great-grandson.

My World - Family visit

picture by Marianne

My Colorado son and granddaughter arrived Sunday (after an unscheduled overnight in Chicago due to airline delays). They went to West Virginia to visit family there and will be back with us Thursday, before returning home this weekend.

My World - Surprise visit!

photo by Marianne

Yesterday afternoon when I returned from taking more bags of leaves to the composting facility, Marianne was sprucing up a bit. She said we were having company in about an hour and asked me to put away some more stuff. As we waited for "said person" she was being unusually coy and not committal as to who was coming. Then, much to my surprise my daughter, Beth, appeared! She had made a quick weekend visit to see her step-Dad in West Virginia who is seriously ill. And she stopped to spend a few hours with us (and buy us dinner) before going to the Baltimore airport for her flight back to Arizona.

Thanks Beth - it was good to see you!

My World - Great grandson

We went south to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Marianne's family in South Carolina. We stayed with our Christy this time and had family meals with Jim and Tammy. But the center of attention throughout was Bryce, our 5-month-old great grandson.

Bryce with uncles Chris and Michael

Snacks for nibbling while the turkey cooked

(I turned off the camera when the turkey was done)

Bryce wanted a big spoonful!

Big smiles all around
(photo by Marianne)

Marianne and her boys play Rummikub

Bryce roots for the home team

PhotoHunt - Framed

And to be framed and hung! Before we redecorated our family room, this wall was where family pictures were hung. We wanted to get new frames and had lots of new pictures to add. We finally bought new frames in July and started selecting which pictures to use, but put them all away during our grandsons visit. So now it's time to get back to framing and hanging.

My World Tuesday - Smiles

On the way back from a visit to the West Virginia grand parents, my daughter and her family spent two nights with us. The grandsons were all smiles and we all enjoyed the visit!

My World Tuesday - Tragedy near and far

Danny Markham, Marianne's grandnephew, died January 7. He was 41. A memorial service was held Friday attended by many relatives and friends. The service began with the song "Danny Boy" and closed with bagpiper playing "Amazing Grace". There was not a dry eye to be found.

This tragedy was close and personal for us, but at the same time the earthquake in Haiti has affected many lives. We will miss Danny, but will comfort each other within the family and our lives will move on. The people of Port au Prince are in dire need of medical care, and basic shelter, food and water. Many have begun the aide effort and many organizations are responding and can use our contributions. I would like to recommend one for you to consider. SIGN (Surgical Implant Generation Network) is a non-profit organization that supplies orthopedic implants (and training) to surgeons in developing countries without real-time imaging and power equipment. Dr Lew Zirkle (a college classmate) founded SIGN after many years of working with orthopedic surgeons around the world. He got his start in Vietnam treating Vietnamese patients as well as US soldiers while an Army surgeon. SIGN's initial projects were in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. The SIGN team is setting up in Haiti. If you would like to help go to the SIGN web site and donate online or send a check.

Window Views - Snow scenes

Shot of the snow on our van window Saurday night

Apparition is my lovely wife grinning at me through the reflected snow scene

And this one is lovely granddaughter in the next window

And last, a view out my office window Sunday morning

My World - Early white Christmas

Sunday we celebrated Christmas with family visiting from South Carolina. Friday's snow fall gave us a truly white Christmas. These grandsons are teenagers (and granddaugter soon will be 24) so the day started slowly with morning coffee. Opening presents was followed by freeing the cars from the 18 or so inches of snow; and then more playing games. Marianne fixed a delicious Christmas dinner that was enjoyed by all.

My World Tuesday - At the lake

View of the lake

Monday we took our second trip with the grandsons to Greenbrier State Park for a picnic lunch, swimming and generally enjoying the outdoors. Greenbrier is about 30 minutes from home and was a favorite spot for Marianne and the boys' Dad when he was their age. The park also has a kayaks, paddle boats, bath facilities, and miles of trails, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. (Second and third image taken on July 27, the others taken July 22.) For some more shots around the lake, see Marianne's post and my post last October.

Marianne and the boys

In the water

View through the trees

And a card game to pass the time

My World Tuesday - Family surprise

On Saturday we succeeded in surprising Bro John (light shirt right center) a few days in advance of his 60-th birthday! Marianne and her siblings have been doing this for the decade birthdays for some time and this time it was her brothers turn again. His wife came up with the idea of us showing up at a pig picking they were having to celebrate the end of the school year (she works for one of the local schools). There were 50 or so others there to enjoy the company and food. John provided the BBQ pig and chicken; otheres brought salads, beans, desserts.

The food was great and there was plenty.

On Sunday, we celebrated his birthday; old family stories were retold and new ones told. We renewed sibling rivalries with card games and just enjoyed seeing each other, as we live in South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland and Connecticut.

And the guys helped John load the tables and chairs to return to his boss who graciously loaned them to John.

PhotoHunt - In memory of Bill

Bill and Dad, at the Cemetery a day after Mom's funeral

Monday would have been my brother's 66-th birthday. It has been nearly 5 years since he died, just 3 weeks after Dad. He was retired Navy and Vietnam veteran, serving on the USS Forrestal during WESTPAC 1967 cruise. After returning from Vietnam, the Navy transferred him to San Diego. He quickly adopted Southern California, saying he would never leave. Though his Navy assignments took him to sea, California remained his home. Here's to you, Bill! I miss you.

PhotoHunt - My family

My hunt this week took me back in time to the early 1950's. This is a family Christmas card Dad made with Mom, brother, sister, Dad and me (with airplane). Dad probably took the photo using the camera's timer.

Going, going, gone

Going
Going

Gone

Marianne's sister went home today via Amtrak, catching the train at the Baltimore BWI station. Her brother and other sister left earlier in the week. We certainly enjoyed having all of them visit. Lots of conversation and laughs and songs and food and cards, along with a few tears, as we remembered the good times and the not so good. See Marianne's blog for more picures and comments.