Loud Family blog

Grace makes a video!

2011-12-05T18:32:00.000-08:00

We hooked up with a play/Video called Let's Move throuht the RCT and Grace made it through the auditons and ....here she is...lots of face time...she is the Hoola Hoop Girl...she wears a green top and a pink top.

Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAIOx5nnywE

This will be played for all the RCSD students along with a play based on Hansel and Gretel. (then Hollywood??)

Greta job Gracie!!

Thankful for much

2011-11-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

The family joined Eric and I in Syracuse this year for the annual turkey burn. I used the opportunity to test run an fondue recipe for the upcoming Holiday party at our house.

While dinner was cooking, Many of the gang watched the Thanksgiving sporting event on the television. I think it was the "Brown ball " sport.

......

I also was initiated into the celebration rite for when one obtains a turkey at no cost due to shopping receipts. It is entitled "FreeBird!" And there was much rejoicing.

A Fabulous 50th

2011-11-10T17:28:00.001-08:00

.
A beautiful weekend here in upstate New York as we celebrated my sister Cathy's 50th birthday. The day's adventure started with a tour of some fun wineries on the east side of Seneca lake as we headed towards Geneva for the evening. The various wineries and settings proved much fodder for our goofy ways AND we actually tasted some wines as well.

After the tour and some hotel checking in, we arrived at Belhurst castle. First time I had actually been there. A fantastic ( and haunted! ) mansion located at the top of Seneca lake. Dinner was quite Yum Yum and then there was cake!!

A friend remarked on Facebook that Mom must be smiling and I am sure she is.

Next stop....STATES!!

2011-11-06T13:46:00.000-08:00

OFA XC-- 2011 Division Champions

James was the top runner for his team and in this race finished 9th of all those runners! Can you spot him? He was able to qualify during sectionals and will be running NYS XC championships this weekend. I am so amazed and proud of our boy! BRING ON THE COWBELL!!

Aunt Catherine's 88th and Lucy's debut

2011-10-26T17:33:00.001-07:00

Cousin Danielle and Pete organized a trip back east for everyone to meet our newest cousin Lucy Clare this past weekend. We made an double occasion out of the visit and all met in Scranton to help celebrate Aunt Catherine's 88th birthday at Marywood.

Lucy Clare made the rounds with all the cousins and there was much cake to be had.

Saturday night we all went out for Irish food and afterwards Kristin hosted a mini celebration for my sister Cathy's 50th birthday. The family will be getting together later for the big party, but we sampled some truffles in the hotel lobby as a warm up for the party in 2 weeks.

A great weekend!

Run James Run

2011-09-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

Wow look at James GO! He placed first....yeeehaa. I have no idea why they do this running thing...if there is not a ball involved what is the point?

Surreal to me but good for you JAMES and Carolyn!!!!

traditions

2011-09-02T19:55:00.001-07:00

Some traditions, as silly as they may be, must be passed down to the next generation. Here is a sample of one such traditon. I don't know if we made this up at St. Pats those many years ago or if it found its way down from other places or generations before us but...

Paper Football.

You need an 8x11 piece of paper or something close and any size table. Fold the paper like a flag gets folded and create a triangle. This is the ball. The ball is slid by the players (2) back and forth until someone gets part of the triangle to cross the edge of the table...that's a touchdown. afterwards the fun part-the point after...the person who scores goes for the extra point by kicking the ball as shown by Grace above throught the uprights created by the opposing players fingers...the best part was at short range you could smack the opponent in the face. At long range (pro distance) long lunchroom table (6'-8') it was hard to score or kick that far but the sixth graders were expected to play at that distance.

Grace and I stopped at a restaurant the other day and while waiting for lunch the tradition was handed down.

Espana!

2011-08-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

A quick upload of some of the best shots from the big Spain trip this past spring.

This was our fairwell dinner with Carl's family. We had a great time with these folks and they were so accommodating ... hopefully we can find a way to thank them some day for the lodging, tour guides and interpreter services.

This from Gijon on Good Friday. St Peatro's(Peter's?). This is built on the bay. The plaza I am standing on is over the Roman garrisons quarters from 200AD. They found an intact suit of armor in an excavation just last year. I love the way this came out with the yellow, blue and greens. I love my Nikons...this was the s8100 (little guy) ...looks as good as the D90?

Laboral Complex also in Gijon....spectacular structure built in the Franco Era...rise of the socialist state and the architecture to support it...originally a labor camp/training center...then abandoned now being restored and converted into a community college/university...one of the largest buildings in Spain. The bell tower is the tallest masonry tower in Spain. The chapel is really beautiful. This is Neoclassism at its peak...perhaps past its zenith?

Lucas is funny. He knows he is a comedian as well. Note the tile in the background. Tile as a wall finish, both interior and exterior, are more prevalent there. The colors and designs were full of Morish influences as well.

drama queen - catching up

2011-08-14T21:25:00.001-07:00

Grace did her Christmas show, Madeline's Christmas again this year...she was awesome. She earned a spot as Giselle this year. One of the 12 or one of Madeline's 11 friends. She sang great and the "We're Flying" scene is awesome...
Bravo Gracie...BRAVO.

Giselle, Madeline, her classmates along with Madame Girard welcome a guest

Giselle and Madeline sing...

Grace's teacher, Ms G. Steve Elliott and BFF CeCe stand behind Grace after the show.

Grace , friend CeCe and her cuz Rose

I will post some short clips of this when I remeber what file and what computer/sd card I put it on.

zoom zoom

2011-08-11T22:02:00.001-07:00

This needed its own post...

Grassroots 2011

2011-08-11T21:39:00.000-07:00

We were supposed to camp with EB and JB Families for the weekend but the 90+ degrees grounded me. JB was sidelined by family issues in Jersey so poor EB was left holding the bag of campsites...however that worked itself out somehow.

Grace and I ended up going down Sunday for the day and caught The Believers, The Heartbeats Reunion with Tara N from Donna, Uniit and girl country band in the caberet. Good tunes and of course great to hook up with EB and his family including sister Christie and their Uncle.
The Heartbeats....

Grace fines the fine cuisine

...and catches a rinbow or two

...and perfects her HULA technique

Here's Grace with Karys, Aunt Christie and Shonia

See ya next year folks!!!

Tour de Cure - Grace is on TV!!

2011-06-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

WE had a nice tour...except Grace complained for 2 hours about riding further...the "Tour" people interviewed us because I was a "Red Rider" (diabetic) with my "Red Rider" T shirt (not to be confused with the infamous BB gun that shoots your eye out) then they pointed the news people to us because we were so...?
So we talk to the camera crew for some time and then pow...there she is on the 11 o'clock news...thankfully they picked her because she is way cuter and more animated...this is a fun clip - enjoy.

Oh and sorry blog...I missed you....many posts in the works. I can catch up a little now that school is out.

She blinded me with Science

2011-03-20T18:27:00.001-07:00

The Felice Clan came to visit us in Syracuse for the weekend. My Niece Carolyn was competing in a Central New York Science fair here in town on Sunday. So after she set up Saturday afternoon for the Sunday competition - we headed to dinner. Afterwards, Mr. Eric gave the family a little spin in our basement disco.

Sunday afternoon - the family headed over to the local community college to support our brilliant 7th grader and see her science presentation on plant growth.

Way to go Carolyn!

IFONLYS

2011-01-25T19:12:00.001-08:00

the IFONLYS

Aunt Betty, Uncle Leo, Aunt Clare and my Dad in Heidleberg having a big brown beer...if only we could get in the time machine and join them...just for one. How much would you pay to have a half an hour with these wonderful people in the prime of their lives having the most fun they probably ever had. I would probably give you everything I have in all my accounts for that half hour. The joy in their faces is overwhelming and yet the sadness of not being able to hear their voices is a resounding reminder that IFONLYS are fleeting. We wil miss Aunt Betty's and Aunt Clare's giggles. Hey Pop, tell us the story behind this picture someday will ya?

I spent a happy day in Heidelberg with my best friend in the summer of 1992...I remember sitting outside a local and having a bratwurst and a haffeweissen...time stood still for an hour for us as we realized we were in a place doing something that we may never get to do again...we were probably in the same place they were...smiling exactly the way they were. If only we could go back one more time and have that beer with them?

IFONLYs....

Thank you Tom Jones and all of them for sharing the awesome pics and for the great blog for Aunt Betty, my Godmother. Was she anyone else's??

Christmas Concert

2011-01-09T19:51:00.001-08:00

The SJN School Christmas Concert was the best ever with songs and dances from each class a new number from the teachers called "Snow Day"...Grace and her mates rocked...with cool songs and some nice dances.

Of course the party afterwards at the diner was way fun as usual. "Sista" Maria can't wat to be a SJNS girl like her big sister.

Click on the pic with the students singing and see that they are all actually possesed....

Slainte

2011-01-09T19:36:00.000-08:00

SLAINTE....

another marvelous and festive holiday with the clan in Owego...Thanks...and Slainte!!

Somewhere over the rainbow

2010-11-30T19:39:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how many lines I carry around with me from this movie...I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog too!....so when Grace went out for a spot in this one at the Gates Community Theater I thought great...this will be fun. Well it was but now those lines and hundred others are stuck in my head now as well...

But to the important stuff..Grace did great singing and being a munchkin, snow flake/poppie and Emerald City Citizen...we even went to the cast party afterwards. The Assistant director said Grace was a standout and we should continue to push her. She doesn't really need it...The sunday show that Mot/Eric, Jim n Rose and Cathy came to was really good (no mic problems). Thanks for coming up it means a lot to Grace.

Here's some cute pics and a short clip of one her lines.

Bravo Gracie. Bravo.

XC season 2010

2010-11-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

We had the XC banquet last night to finish the 2010 season. Both Carolyn and James ran this year for Owego.
Carolyn ran modified as she's in 7th grade. James was able to run varsity! They both ran with the coach almost every morning this summer. James had the goal of running varsity this year. All that training paid off! He ran varsity and was consistently their #3 or #4 man. The three top runners were all seniors. James really bonded with these boys and we were especially glad they were such good role models.
The coach was great---had them do some fun things like paintball and also the 1st annual Halloween Fun Run. All 40 members of the boys and girls teams dressed as ZOMBIES and ran through downtown Owego! HILARIOUS!

James finished top 20 in sectionals and the two Owego boys who finished before him are going on to States this weekend. His best time for this season was 18:11 (5K)
So here are some pictures from the season. At the banquet last night James was honored with the "Best First Year Runner" for the boys and also was chosen by the S.T.A.C. Coaches conference as "Division First Team All Star!"
He's already looking forward to next season!

Not bad for a "frosh!"

2010-11-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Encore?

You got it.

Grace gives you Joseph's Dream part 1....I'll post more soon....

Watch it a couple times and you will be humming it all day. A few nights before the show Grace woke me up with singing, in her sleep...I think it was part of this song.

WOW

2010-10-29T19:51:00.000-07:00

Grace wanted the lead in the school play real bad. She worked hard and got it...they split it up between Grace and her buddy Cece. Grace did the role of Joseph in "Joseph the Dreamer" at the performance at St. Annes....and absolutely nailed it. She had me in tears as I watched it. I heard the songs she was practicing and some of the lines we practiced but ...WOW...I guess the training and practice have had a big impact...the projection, enunciation and emotion...WOW.

But I am obviously biased so you watch...here is where Joseph is wrongfully imprisoned and cries out in a mournful lament...

finding our bald eagle

2010-09-07T19:23:00.000-07:00

The summer "to do" list also had "find a Bald Eagle" on it. So I figured now that they are plentiful the task would not be too hard...I have never seen one n the wild and Grace either so we were excited about the adventure. We headed to Montezuma where I read a woman saw 50 different eagles in one day...I figured she put a bunch of flapping fish on the roof of her car and just sat back and watched them come....

We tried just looking....within seconds of being in the park we spotted a low flying raptor type...it was a falcon....not sure which...maybe a perrigrine.or a northern harrier...cool...he dove into the marsh grasses and yanked out a snake or something...so we kept looking....

We saw Herons, grebes, Bitterns, egrets, pipers...wow ...and maybe a sand hill crane(Grace had the brochure so she was calling them pretty good from the back seat )....we did not see anything for certain on the main road...so we headed to Tschashe Pool....just south of the watch tower I tell Grace to watch the dead tree limbs....within a two seconds she screams "DAD...THERE'S ONE!"..I pull over mainly because of the shrill pain in my ear and head from Grace's casual announcement. I look to the west (into the sun) and I see a huge bird just landing on a limb...I squint but I see a line at the neck and I think she is right...that is a bald eagle....stunning bird but light was bad so I tell her....watch him and I pull the car into the next clearing and get the camera gear out...and then he flew off...see him in the pic?

I would say we met our goal but now we are going back to the same pool next time through...morning would be better light.

If you click and look at this one from Tschache Pool you can see hundrds of birds....the blow up is of an immature male bald eagle we tracked for some time but it could be a large harrier maybe.

so we will be back soon to continue this adventure...certainly on a cooler day....

the return to Blue Mountain

2010-09-03T18:31:00.000-07:00

Each summer Grace and I make a list of possible things to do during our summer week. Usually the basics of shopping, sleepovers , golf, etc...with a local "adventure" mixed in. It started with the butterfly conservatory a few years back and last year we had an excellent day in Letchworth....well there has been an idea of hiking and this year I pushed at the climb a mountain thing...I read a blog and some stuff about Blue Mountain in the Adirondacks.

I was here in boyscouts in 1979? after a 50+ mile canoe trek. We talked about climbing but we never did(confirmed by EB)....it stuck...we had to return to Blue Mountain...this time to climb.

I read some stuff that said part of the climb was hard but well marked...I said sure no problem....so we went for it. We arrived at 10am with the lure of a 4 hour round trip and lunch at the summit. 3400 foot summit with a meager 1700 foot accent.

So we go...here' s pics from the trail...

great day for a climb...only 85 on the hill but sticky in the woods....tough climb...for me anyway...thankfully Grace had no problems and powered up this bad boy...she mentally dragged me along. My legs just died on me...I was lucky to make it really. I was able to control arthritis and sugars and other issues....so lucky.

Thanks for a great trip Gracie. Please note the LLBean garb for Grace....sorry hun, Converse are nice but you need some hiking shoes for a mountain.

Then ....finally after two families w/ younger kids passed us (and three dogs)...

We took 4.5 hours....to get to the top somehow....had a quick lunch...chatted w/ the families ...enjoyed the incredible breeze and of course took the great shots from the fire watch tower...the 360 view from the tower has to be one of the Adirondacks best.

So we got down pretty good...about 2.5 hours...Grace was a little slow coming down...long legs are helpul on the way down...the AC'd car was a most welcome sight....long ride home. Grace was asleep before we left the village...what a trooper....7 hours putting up with me...but the hardest I have worked in many years and now as the soarness sets in (post climb -day 2) we have some great memories and funny stories to tell in the future "one time" moments. We called some of the siblings as is now the tradition at summits. I also called EB and JB...opened a beer at the summit with JB on phome saluting our climbs from 20 years ago.

I should remember to really warm up for this next time....will I never learn...

Hopefully the learning in this case is there is time to do everything on the list.

Note to siblings...this is a great climb for the kids...Anna would chew this up...the runners would jog it....and BTW...the gauntlet is thrown....even though I don't know if I would do it with you.

Will you return to Blue Mountain?

....but wait there's more....

2010-08-25T18:01:00.000-07:00

here's more...

Grace's half sister is officially now an honorary member of the LOUD Family

2010-08-24T18:58:00.000-07:00

Like her big sister, Maria Isabella is really loud. The volume control is broken on this one...it's either 1....or she cranks it up to 11. If you don't give her your full attention she takes it to 11 quickly. Dimmy...wass me.....DIMMMMMY WASSSSS MMMEEE.

Welcome honorary member Maria on this your third bithday. Your performance of the Happy Birthday song to yourself, Dear Maria, is tribute to your LOUD qualities.

goofy girls

2010-08-17T20:22:00.000-07:00

We said Ciao to the spanish ladies last week. Those boehlert Gonzalez' folks are just a hoot. They are all doing great and Gabbi is all grown up w/ Sydney right behind her....on the way out they gave me a little show that seemed to be designed just for blog posting so here are some more cousins and the first europeans to GRACE our domain....did you see Mo in the mirror?

It was 18 summers ago when I backpacked through europe with jb and we stopped at Mo's and we first met Gabbi....wow another bad case of the time flys. They have them in Spain as well.

We drank cidre, ate calamari at the local market, Mo made Piaie, we sang Rammones to Gabbi...(Gabbi Gabbi Hey) even Sandy was there visiting....MO took us out one night and we did shots and she washed all of our clothes in a very Rose Marie fashion...she tried to wash out the time flys......

we'll keep shooting and posting.

op ed piece

2010-08-01T06:41:00.000-07:00

well we don't usually use this blog as an op ed area like tom does with his occasionally but I figured I would mix it up a bit and tell you about a piece of Americana that has me ..."moved".

You may laugh but...it's the marriage of Chelsea...I don't know why I care... probably don't...but what enamours me to this situation is that for the most part Chelsea seems to have navigated through the pitfalls of massive popularity and managed a life. I remember small incidents over time but she was a smart kid in the middle of the liberal Clinton Camelot and she got through it with only the scars of plastic surgery. Stanford honors, nyc ballet, she shows up to volunteer at every major disaster in the last ten years....maybe its all a front and she is being set up as the next congress woman from westchester but...

We watched her grow up as she was 10 or so in 1992 when dad took office...she was first child so to speak for 8 years and so by default she was an american princess.

Well this weekend she was married in cool rheinbeck NY....this is a nice village...worth the stop if you are ever there. I did the bus garage there in 1994. I think this could have been a paparazzi nightmare but they released nice photos and "our" Chelsea is now married and and ready to take on the world.

Maybe this is nothing but the Bush twins are struggling in the same way that W did with fortune and glory and rehab....maybe there is a side to this we will never see but for whatever reason I am "moved" by the whole Chelsea growing up and being a great role model as our american princess. I hope she goes onto be a power player like her Mom in Korea (quoted as having the "iron fist in the velvet glove"). I hope she continues to achieve and stays mostly out of the limelight. I hope that she has inspired the millenials and continues to be an ambassador like her mom on womens rights in the third world. ("it takes a girl" campaign)

Slainte Chelsea....or now its Mosoltov?

The 2010 Grassroots Festival of Music and Dance.

2010-07-27T19:09:00.000-07:00

Grassroots turns 20... many good times here...many, many good and great bands over the years. Grace and I camped with the Byrons and Banfords and survived the humidity and thunderstorms....Good to know the equipment can handle the hardest rains....the floor of the tent was a little wet sunday morning as we packed up but no big deal...so we used the pool, ate some fun foods, saw great new and old bands...saw our favorite dance troop during a horriffic downpour Under the roof of the grandstand...whew! Got to see many old friends from Owego/ Rochester and beyond...good times and good tunes with good friends...the best of life.

Gracie/Greyson and Marlena having some fun outside thethe dance tent.

Caught up with some happy folks from Owego...Good to se you Annie!

Galumpha has performed all over the world and they had their roots at Grassroots 1 in 1991...so they put on their usual very cool show...its a combination of ballet, human contortion and cirq du soliel...and in the middle of the hardest most violent rains I have seen in some time...they stopped once to mop up a fully covered stage...they kept doing these crazy things despite the rain blowing all over...very courageous...and of course the grandstand was packed so we all had a great time...the rain stopped halfway through, sun popped out and we were given a great big bright full arc rainbow to close their show.

See ya next year gang.

TV face

2010-07-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Eric with his keen observance - pointed this out to me.

TV face

July 22, 2010 Urban Word of the Day

A condition in which a person's face becomes too relaxed from starting the same thing too long (watching TV).
Symptoms are: open mouth, dropped jaw, eyes glazed over and occasional drooling.

I don't think he heard a thing I said. He has total TV face right now.

The Blog Viva Victoria

2010-07-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Now the blog is graced by cousin Victoria...Viva Victoria....viva Espana!! Vickie will be in Spain for a whole year while Dad does a little sabbatical thing. This will return the Somohanhos / Boehlerts to Madrid where Vickie's madre is from.

we will miss you guys at Christmas but maybe we will visit next summer.?

So GnV will get to spend lots of time together this summer. These 2 are thick as thieves when they are together. If you call one...they both come. If you call both neither comes. They are going to be a force to reckon with soon. Trouble, capital T variety. Vickie went to art camp for a week w/ Grace and they did lots of crazy dancing and singing. They have big reunion in 2 weeks so go girls, revel in the cousinry.

Graduation

2010-07-13T18:29:00.001-07:00

My brother is right...scary how time flies. One day you're swinging a niece around with one arm and the next is graduation day.

I feel like a big sad sigh.

A beautiful day for the party just the same. The family was in full Mode and there was much rejoicing.

little bit a can jam?

2010-07-12T20:44:00.000-07:00

Little bit of can jam, some cold beer on a friday night, a frisbee that flies just right and Jimmys oldies ooooooaaawwwnn.

Yeah...an instant family classic...portable, easy, competitive (best outa 9?) and the parents can womp the kids....oh yeah...I said that...bring it kidlins.

Bither's gradumacation party

2010-07-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

Has anyone seen the last 17 years of my life?

I am pretty sure it was well spent but it seems to be just a blur of bithday parties, holidays and an occassional family thing....I think. Somewhere along the way we all got a bad case of the time flys. The flys came in and took our time.

I swear it was just yesterday we were swinging Elizabeth on the porch or walking her around the house as fast as we could becasuse she cried a lot. She obviously knew she was in for it.

Maybe it was Elizabeth who brought the time flys?

Suddenly Elizabeth went to college...yep Elizabeth brought the flys. Suddenly E, T and James are taller than us...well me anyway. My little baby is in braces. Carolyn is all grown uppy...yep they all got the flys....The only way to capture and contain the flys is to use a camera to shoot them...

We may never be able to stop these time thieven critters but we can shoot as much as we can in hopes of slowin 'em down.

Happy hunting and congrats to the Elizabeth. We are now officially in the graduation era. Carolyn will graduate HS about the same time as Elizabeth from college and Thomas will graduate graduate school when Grace graduates from HS and so on and so on.......let the higher edumacation commence (get it Commence-ment?). Ha.

OWWWW...I hit my head on a yawn.....

or was Grace trying to smack one of those time flies?

Senior Art Show

2010-06-20T08:20:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth is a SENIOR! Scary!! This year she created a booth to display her work as part of her school's annual art show. Nice work and hopefully a promising creative future. Finger Lakes Community College - here we come :O) Great job Elizabeth!

freckles

2010-06-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

I have been amused by Grace's freckles for some time...it reminds me of when we had lots of them as kids...

For the most part mine are gone...replaced with an old persons version...moles, scabs, mystery things and a general molted, transluscent sometimes bright red skin thing.

So I took a picture of Grace this weekend...and I noticed the freckles were just lovely and I told her how lovely they were and Grace admitted she liked them as well. Michelle Leone was at Grace 's ballet thing tonight and commented how she looked like a Myers. Go figure.

Do any of the other grand kids have these things??? Maybe fo a while?

Jimmy

what about Maria?

2010-06-05T19:28:00.000-07:00

Maria gets in on the singing thing....listen while she goes Twinkle.

Heeeeeere's Graaaaacie, again

2010-06-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

Just can't get enough of this kid? Well here's a clip from the school class musical....not a play mind you but an 45 minute long musical about donkeys in the bible...this is Grace's little solo where she is singing about praying.
Way to go Gracie. YEEEhah.

Gracie does Can-Can OOOH lala

2010-05-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Grace had been dancing at Denise's dance cnnection for 7 years...maybe even 8...well if you spend that many years doing something you get better at it...in fact you can get pretty darn good.
Last year when I watched her tap routine I was floored. It was a really tight routine...I sorta of got used to the 6year olds just kinda fumbling around....well no more. The girls are working it and making it work.

Here's Gracie (she is in the Micro Connectors)being all big girl on me and leading her class in a Billy Elliott number...which I am not going to try to figure out...but Grace rockes this one..

This one also has Grace rocking...this is her Jazz routine...its MJ number I think...once again she is out there leading her class with her bud Katelyn who also made her first communion with Grace...the two are probably the youngest but the hardest working...you can tell by the poise and snap...they snap those moves out...UMMMHMMM.

Grace , you go. YEEEEAHHHHH...jazz handsss

Gracie sings a family favorite for the SJNS crowd in her 5th talent show

2010-05-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

It's that time a year again...talent shows..dress rehersals, practices, receitals , and on and on...but all the driving, whining and hard work finally pay off.

After our Easter visit when Y'all made us listen to chicken fry Grace decided that she could give that a whirl...she convinced her buddy CeeCee to do it with her and she choreographed some country dance steps and well here's the second half of it...I actually walked in with Pop just as she was starting (ooops).

spring break at the George Eastman house

2010-04-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

Grace gave me a tour since she's been there quite a few times and I have not...it was cool...we had lunch there...we roamed the gardens...we did sketch book work...we did souveniers...all good stuff. Plus no flights, rental cars and it was only 1 mile away.

lost photos of communion party

2010-03-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

Found these on a sdhc card that would not work in any of my devices other than the camera until I bought one of those universal readers...Oh for joy...here's some of the keepers...Mot send me some of yours when you get a chance.

still life with green

2010-03-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

Despite the extreme gloom of the day the rain held off enough for the twosome to enjoy a few hours of post parade time with mom.

It's always nice to see the Irish eyes a smilin'. Yes even Maria is 6% Irish by my calcs. Slainte.

Let the green-ess begin

2010-03-13T15:06:00.000-08:00

Grace and Maria went downtown for the pre-St.Patty's Day fesivities. They of course received shamrocks on the cheek and green things and Grace ate some cornbeef and cabbage. They were very ecited when they got home.

Here's the aftermath.

Some snow fun

2010-03-09T18:29:00.000-08:00

As winter begins to melt away a large mound of snow in my yard reminds me of the fun we had in the snow this winter. Grace and Maria make a snow...person or something in the front yard. Maria did not last long...she was more interested in watching TB in Dimmys house.

The big storm for the year was a 16"er...hopefully we are done?

I included a shot form the backyard on that lovely snowey night. However after the plows came through...I shoveled out three times...probably moved 3000 lbs of snow by hand in a 48 hour period. ...reminding me it's only pretty until the plows come.

here's Bracie

2010-02-19T17:15:00.000-08:00

She got her first installment today in beautification and my wallet got its big deduction. Oh well...so far not to bad for poor little Gracie...but she looks pretty good...so no worry.

the d90 hd video fun

2010-02-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

Now the blog will be littered with random short videos because....we can!!

The newest weapon has the video capacity with HD. So here a little diner fun from earlier tonight with my pal Maria. She loves coming to the diner with Gracie and me.

the d90 arrives

2010-01-28T19:19:00.000-08:00

The latest weapon in the war on image capturing has arrived here and the basics are set up....right out of the box I love it...it shoots even better low light than the d40x...the video is pretty sharp...I will post one soon...heres a couple test pics....

piano lessons

2010-01-16T19:54:00.000-08:00

Maria came over today to give Grace some tips on her piano technique. It was pretty high level but I think it had to do with advanced fingering techniques. I could not keep up.

more faces anyway

2010-01-02T18:46:00.000-08:00

well there are a few that made me laugh so I am going to post again despite my proclamation.

more faces of christmas

2010-01-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

This is the front runner....needs some PS though...

I will send and repost shortly after the magic.

Mot's pics are lovely...I don't think any of mine are better so no post from me.

2009-12-29T19:43:00.000-08:00

The many faces of Christmas

Eric and i headed down to Owego on Saturday morning to continue the festivities with the Myers clan. Kristin hosted everyone for dinner and the stomach bug alert level kicked down to yellow thankfully after anna started feeling better.

The afternoon consisted of exhausted sport - inclined nephews, the first try of an experimental Hor' duerve "Grandma's Garlic Yum Yum" and much sugar-enhanced goofyness. Presents were unwrapped, beverages consumed and mash potatoes thoroughly ketchupped. Nephews cracked smiles and there was much rejoicing.

To finish the evening, the ladies did their best Isadora Duncan imitation.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

2009-12-25T20:15:00.000-08:00

Please take a moment to study the image...If I asked you what it was and how many things do you see...what would you say? HHHmmmmm? Answers below...

Well its called Angels and Doves so by now you know it is a snowflake made of snow angels...Grace made the angel a couple of winters ago and I have been goofing around with the image to see what I could do with it...quite a bit....it may be a part of the C card for years to come....but besides the angels...look in the negative space....find a ring of doves flying toward the outside with eyes...then a second ring of doves flying counter-clockwise and the another ring of doves fling toward the outside much like the first ring...the bonus outer ring looks like scottish terriers to me...did you get all of that? Good Job.

'Tis the Season - Part Deux

2009-12-25T19:33:00.000-08:00

Then comes the big broadway styled production by Cara DeEmmanualle...wow what a production...an army of volunteers...an army of fees...but it's what Grace is really good at and we gotta break into this racket somewhere....she made the b cast, green company...almost made red...maybe next year.

So a minor role but a great intro to the process of going out for it...just barely making it and then making it through the call back three rounds....Grace was a tropper.

So we go to the practices...we pay the money...we buy lots of tickets and we volunteer and then the shows and friends....wow whata production...and the show was good too.

God Bless Grace, she ad-libbed her one litle part and gotta a crowd laugh and made me really laugh because we talked about the bit that morning. Great job Gracie...we are all so proud of you.

We went out to the diner for a little party afterwards...joined by the Pratos and the Elliotts. A lovely evening at the theatre.

"Tis the Season

2009-12-25T19:18:00.000-08:00

AHhhhh the holidays. There is noting quite like them you know....the lights, the money, the warmth, the chaos, the spirit of caring, the ripping and tearing...and of course the Ballets and the shows with the dress rehersals and practices and the costumes and the....

Grace has a birthday in there as well as Lizzy and a bunch of Grace's friends...It really is chaos.

So here's what all the work is about...the Pittsford Ballet School does the Nutcracker every year...Grace's 3rd...this year she is a party boy...here's the pics.

Grace did splendid.

2009 turkey day stuff

2009-12-05T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yummy stuff at Pop's with a documentary from Mark's sister Mary, Sister Mary. What a world of difference between there (being the Congo) and here. Talk about being thankful for what ya have. Thank you for turkey.

Mot rolled in friday and we had lots of cousin fun at the Felices. I have attached a few photos capturing the silliness and usualness of our holidays...

We had to have a few minutes of piano receitals with all the girls playing a nice Christmas song and then to finish the cultural portion of the afternoon we had a little ballet...nice 4th arabesk Grace. Then we had general yelling and screaming, followed by the omnipresent game of LIFE. I somehow came in last...

A lovely dinner...

A little "one time story"...

A little after dinner movie to amuse the stuffed pallette...complete with Mot demonstrating the "gaping video awe" with Anna in accompaniment .

Sadly we depart but with the warmth of the knowledge that we will return for more in just a few chaotic weeks.....Grace's play is coming up too!

the big sleepover

2009-11-15T15:06:00.000-08:00

Grace' s sister had her first sleepover friday night...I was not sure why I said OK to diapers, up at night, tantrums and all that go with a 2 year old but Grace was excited so we go...Grace and I pick her up after dinner...I thought she would be a little excited...she was vibrating when we opened the door...she was just bouncing around like one of those excited little atoms. She has got her stuff on and her bag packed...she is babbling incoherently about her blankie, she jumps up on Grace then jumps into my arms...I guess she is ready.

She has not been to our house in at least 6 months so the whole way (3.2 minutes) she is chanting something about dimmy's house. If nothing else children can bring to you an excitement for things we jadedly take for granted everyday. Fun.

We had a good night. Grace and I read to her and she was ready for bed she was so happy to be in Grace's room sleeping with her. She is doing better with her language. I think she is picking up about 90% of what we are saying to her. Whoa ...is she a firery little thing....the "NO"s come leaping out of her if it's not her way...we had to "convince" her a couple of times to see things our way.

Good night sleep...only two "pops" for blanket uncoverings and the girls are ready for a little saturday morning cartoons. Maria approved of the Bravia XBR9. "Dimmy I wan wa TB". OK buddy.

I dragged the girls out for a little leaf jumping...Maria was not as comfortable with the concept as Grace but got used to the jumping in slowly.

We included a shot of the stump...thats where we removed the silver maple hanging over the

house...big tree.

After a few dance classes and books we got some lunch. Grace has a new afinity for Big Macs so we got a couple of those on the way home and some fries. Maria said she would like some fries so we arranged for her to enjoy those as part of her lunch. You can see that convincing her to eat was not really an issue.

I think Maria enjoyed her stay...I dropped her off at 5 staurday and she just sorta looked at me as if I just called her a name on the playground. She was strong and did not cry but clearly she will be wanting a return trip soon. Grace loves her so much and Maria loves her big sister in a big way so I am sure there is more to come.

Mom Mom

2009-11-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

Grace and I created this remembrance for Mom Mom at our church.

orange tree

2009-10-22T18:48:00.000-07:00

Joe @ 50

2009-10-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

The BIG 5 - 0, the half century mark...wow he's old.

Let us all take a lesson from Joe in his grace and dignity...he made it look easy. Thanks for the fun party Cathy (and Amy).

opening the vault

2009-10-13T18:30:00.000-07:00

I have almost 2000 pictures (color prints on photographic paper from Kodak...remember those?) that some of you have never seen except for the rare case where I shared double sets and or scanned a few and shared electronically...well there are some good ones and once I finish digitally archiving all of them you will get a nice dvd w/ them all on it...yeah for us.

so here's an old one I shot on slide...was supposed to be for mom and dads 30th maybe...never quite got it to them...I have 7 in the sequence...this was the best one...some are pretty funny.

More to come...

Das is Cobbler!

2009-10-06T18:18:00.000-07:00

The Prato family came down in mid September for the Jones Pond Friends and Family weekend. Aside from some chilly weather, there was much golf cart driving lessons and the saturday night potluck. We made our annual cooking show video to show our popular BlueCherry Cobbler in the making.

another pool pic

2009-09-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

A couple more groovy shots

2009-08-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

....I am beginning to think I only do this stuff so I can take more pictures of kids in pools

flowers

2009-08-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

I thought the blog needed some color...shot these at seabreeze after the rain...

warning...author not responsible for suden loss of balance , dizziness, and or sudden destabilization of personal color balnace....

Should you dare to click on these images...

back at you

2009-08-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well we are just going to have to keep up with the Jones/Myers' aren't we???

Last night was the big sleep over with the follow up Seabreeze day...not sure what I was thinking when I let Grace do this one...but it turned out lovely...

So some diabolical tendancies are emerging...note to self to make sure Grace gets lots of driver's ed. Here we see dear sweet Grace BASHING into the nearest old lady on the Bumper cars...

Then she lines up her next old person....

BAM....she puts the old guy into the rail...please not the hand over hand technique (nice Grace)

but that's not enough for Grace she puts the poor old dude into the dreaded power slide setting up for the "accidental" head-on.

Better watch out grampa Jim...I think she is in serious training...just waiting for an opportunity to take you on and then out.

It rained pretty hard for the first 2 hours making the waterslides the thing to do....I sat under my umbrella watching the lumbering greyness envelop the bay. People watching was always fun...ever amazed at what some of the poulation is willing to wear in public and have burned onto their skin.

The sun came out after cheeseburgers and there was much rejoicing....beautiful afternoon.

The girls recant the gloiries of the day in the back of the Element and we begin talking about what we will do the next time we are here.

Slainte ladies.

Out for a ride

2009-08-28T07:45:00.001-07:00

Thursday morning, the Felice's headed out to do some sneaker shopping while Pop and Cathy headed to the local airport to pickup the brother in law pilot. We had spotted some rather nifty looking pedal bikes earlier down at the beach, so Thomas, Elizabeth and I were dropped off at the bike shop to give one a spin after lunch.

While the bike did LOOK fun, after actually getting on one, you realize that they are made of cast iron and the entertainment of pedaling one wears out in about...hmmm.. 30 yards. So the entertainment factor was short. But we did catch it on camera.

Rehoboth continued

2009-08-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday night included a stop at the local Tiki inspired mini golf. And there were straws hats for the borrowing. And there was much rejoicing.

Welcome to Rehoboth

2009-08-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

We arrived Monday evening after our fun ferry trek. We have rented a house from my friend Nicholas - who has been a great host for us. Joe will be arriving tomorrow morning sometime and Eric is driving down late thursday evening after work.
Aside from Michigan poker, Arthur has been taking some spins at the Lego aircraft assembly line alongside the nephews. As for me - well...
As always, the workload at the job has hit a pinch just in time for vacation - so i am actually working while we are down there. I have had several phone meetings so far that involve me walking down a street with phone in one hand and waving the other arm wildly - all in a very public way. At least people seem to be getting out of my way.

What's a Letchworth?

2009-08-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Well a Letchworth is really quite priceless when it comes to William Pryor Letchworth that donated the huge tracts of land that now make up the GORGES state park just south of Rochester. Thanks Bill.

I read a series in the D&C a while back about the Genesee River and all the stuff along it's path and they recommended Letchworth State Park...I never have been there and have been meaning to so it went straight to the top of the list of things to do with Grace this smmer...

SO Day 2 of the Smmer Vacation 2009...grab Grace's buddy CC and head straight to the "Grand Canyon of the East". Great day trip.

So we stopped at the big damn that keeps the genesee from flooding Rochester every 7 years as it did in the 1800's ...its big and strong and well guarded by dozens of turkey vultures trained to get the terrorists...go get them boys!

then we get to sit in the big chair of course...

Then up to the park and the upper falls for lunch

I think it was a Seinfeld episode that had a bit about "feats of strength" that had to be performed at family gatherings so...Grace gave us her version....

...whoa nice job buddy. Don't forget to bend it back or the park rangers get mad.

Then we hike and drive north to the middle falls...spectacular...complete with rainbows.

BUT WAIT...there's more. Even more canyons and waterfalls...we continue north to the lower falls...a more difficult hike...but very cool. I told the two of them we could have an ice cream and that kept them going. Motivation when hiking is a key component to success.

whew...good hike and now it's time to head back....I was reminded of the ice cream so...

whoa Dad we don't need to go that fast ...the ice cream will be there...it was.

A perfect day.

On to Rehoboth!

2009-08-26T14:47:00.000-07:00

Leaving Owego early on Monday - the Prato's, Pop & I headed down to New Jersey to meet up with the Felice's and pay a visit to the New Jersey Myers clan and our Aunt Esther. Route 81 was under lots of construction, so we took some back roads down to Clark Summit and proceeded down to New Jersey.

Our cousin's Cindy and Joe met us at our Aunt's hospice along with Cindy's kids Shavonne and Cj. Our cousin Steven also stopped in later as well. A very nice visit, it was good to see our Aunt Esther ( my godmother btw!) Heading out of Howell, we booked down the Garden state parkway, we headed to Cape May to make our 6:oo Ferry. The ferry was a good source of amusement, before and during.

The sea became a bit choppy - but we fixed that with additional beer.

Winfield

2009-08-12T21:36:00.000-07:00

Pop made a trip up to visit in honor of the cataract thing. Which of course means a trip to the Winfield Grill. We all just love the Winfield.

Thanks for dinner Pop!

Gracie loved the Eastman

2009-08-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

Grace did her vocal summer camp at the Eastman last week. Very cool...right across the steet. She ate with the Eastman summer students at their dorm...pretty swanky...she loved being a college student.

They did a performance on friday at Kilborn Hall...very nice...cannons, rounds, harmonies...they did great.

Grassroots Fest

2009-07-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

Well its not exactly like I remember it...certainly more food options, some logistics are a lot better. More importantly though was combining this with kids and camping. We hooked up with Godfather JB and his crew and had splendid time. EB and his kids also joined in the fun.

Fun with wall painting and the "happiness parade"....imagine if they did this at 10PM?

...and of course a highlight for me was seeing the Horseflies...have not seen them since '91?

Did not catch Donna this year...too late for the likes of me. Grace said it was quite a weekend so maybe this will become an annual event. Good partying with you all!

Granma rocks!

2009-07-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

What could be better than 2 weeks with grandma and cousin Katie at swimming lessons and tennis and shopping...and general lavish grandaughtering by St. RoseMarie??

Nothing...hope you have a speedy recovery Rose. Thanks for everything.

2 years and counting

2009-07-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

Next saturday we have our second anniversary of transplant. I called andy and told him we should celebrate with a steak...he said sure.

So we caught up on the med protocols, pharmacuitical issues and the usual star trek banter. He is doing good. We always compare meds...since it was the 8:00 hour we had our meds with us and did a visual analysis...pill count equal but my mass is higher...signficantly, my cellcept dose is 2x his...

So it was good to be out, be seen, etc....thanks Cath and all.

Life is still a dinner...go have a steak with a friend and laugh at life.

Love, Jimmy

seabreeze fun

2009-06-20T18:38:00.000-07:00

The annual end of the year Seabreze dayfor St John Neumann School turned out to be quite lovely. Kids did the usuaul run around, find friends, roller coaasters etc and then the water rides.

No rain!

This marks the end of the school year and typically a long weekend with Dad culminating in Fathers Day...then the big summer transistion of camps, swimming and tennis.

We certainly have issues with separation anxiety. I feel it worse now than in years past...I am going to miss "Lttle Miss I think I am a Comedien"...not sure where she is getting this behavior from??

Today we went shopping and then the movies and games...tomorrow ...GOLF!!

strangers in the blog

2009-06-17T20:20:00.000-07:00

Caaaaarrl....stopped by to see us. He has a meeting with Tops tomorrow so he was able to swing by see the new Kitch and have some Beef Burgandy with Grace and I.

Splendid.

more orange thanks to grace

2009-06-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Here's some funshots of Grace playing a little softball for the Eastside Orioles---with those lovely orange uniforms.

more orange

2009-06-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

Lookie what catherine gave me!!!

AN ORANGE FLEECE!!!

No Way.

First a kidney now this? {Sniff}

Thanks buddy

again with the dance?

2009-06-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

Grace did her regularly scheduled dance receital saturday night...and did great....she's a great dancer and just her smile and facial expressions are fun to watch. Maybe next year we can get the Felices up for a weekend event???

So once again...Heeeereee's Gracie!

Fun stuff!

more from "Oven Valley"

2009-06-05T22:12:00.000-07:00

Small screaming Russian child in front of me screaming at takeoff/350lb nice lady on the other side of me using my seat (or a chunk of it anyway) yields the following expression...Cathy is taking this far better than me.
Note the curious passenger behind us.

It was raining when we got into the capital of "Bizzaro". Very normal for us, but bizarre for this ez bake oven community. Here we have weird cloud things around a brown jiggidy jaggedy mountain that appear quite bizzarre against our round green mountains.

Dad, here is your picture of "Jabba The Rock" from the Botanical Gardens. Look closely...do you see Jabba??? All taken amoung the cacti and Chuhily (see older posts). I have about 30 shots of the sistas being twinny. Here's one.

getting late...will post the rest soon.

OK ...I'm back....

More Chihuly or a real cactus?

Then we meet the first of the cuz' (Tom) at a a place called Rula Bula(?) gaelic for party I believe and Tom shows us what happens hen you snarf down wosabi w/o knowing it. Great food and great choice cuz Tom. Thanks.

Then to the party at Mike and Julie's for the rehersal thing...Rock band was well rehersed...some of the Jones Brothers were very well rehersed.

No party would be complete without the obligatory cocktails on the veranda and a view of jiggidy jagedy mountains.

All this of course leads up to the big moment when Mary does the big "I does"

Billy?

Then on to the paaarrrtty!

Then to the lovely grounds for some cool photos

Hummingbird in the pic??

The day after the wedding I got to spend a day with my pal Jeff and his family...we tooled around his Triumph TR6....cool ride.

Here's the back of the camel's head on camel back mountain...we had lunch at Greywolf CC and watched a womens golf tournament. Great day. Plus some quality time with the siblings in the Phoenix IKEA ...thats 5 that Iv'e been to!

This whole trip was just right cuz of Joe and his hospitality...Thanks Joe and all the Jones'!

Of course on the way home we took the "I am happy we aren't behind any screaming kids" picture...good trip back.

Hey Cath...if I whistle the stewerdess will come and charge us $2...

We are Jones Cousin's

2009-06-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

.. I really cannot recall the last time we all traveled together. Always seems like somebody's got somethin' else goin' as some would say.

The Jones tribe made most excellent hosts as always as we took the time to tour around Phoenix before our cousin's Mary's wedding. Besides the Botanical Garden, we hit up IKEA and a Bead store along with the standard set of Jones parties and all the requisite merriment. Our Arizona and California cousins are fully equiped for silliness and revelry.. so when we are all together...it is critical mass time.

We finally had an opportunity for a family portrait. I love the picture - yet find it a bittersweet reminder we are supposed to be a tribe of six.

Wherever Mom is now - I know we gave her a couple of good laughs over the weekend. - Tom

all for Mary's wedding

2009-06-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

What a great excuse for a mini reunion...and cousin Joe's place provided all the comforts of home. Boy did we get to know the I10...

here's my favorite shot from Mary's reception.

chihuly2

2009-06-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

fun stuff at the botanical...plus the curved bill thrasher...

Great trip you all....had some great food too!

The dessert biosphere/ecosystem is such an extreme and bizarrre place. This is where mother nature was challenged and said ..."Yea? No water, No Problem" Adaptation. A system that thrives in an extreme environment. If only we can adapt the way nature does. There is a sustainable movement that is supposedly gaining some ground that thinks more biologically. Whole man mad ecosystems that immitate natural sub systems in order to reach a new level of sustainability. Hopefully it fares better than Biolab?

Time for a little Chihuly

2009-06-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

We stopped by the Phoenix Botanical Garden while we were in town to check out the desert flora and the Dale Chihuly Exhibit. Simply stunning. My brother Jim correctly noted how the artist was capturing within the glass the intensity and contrast of the desert flowers against the rather bleak desert landscape. More pics on my Flickr Site -->

work

2009-05-20T20:38:00.000-07:00

Top secret stuff-

Here is the Hoselton Toyota folks doing the natonal Toyota Image II....if you aint got a portal...you ain't nothing in the car dealing world....grand pening in a few weeks.

Here's some high end renderings for Ren Sq. Don't tell anyone...just me and afew others have seen it.....ooooh wee....I just have to explain to the renderer that we dont need any glass where they are showing it.

Dance Benefit 2009

2009-05-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple shots from Grace's tap routine at this years benefit. They did great. It was one of the best tap routines from that age group I have ever seen. I am almost an expert now.

They raised miney for bone marrow transplants so it was a good cause....

great job goose...we are going to have to have everyone come to the June 6 show tosee how good you are!!

talent show 2009

2009-05-07T20:02:00.000-07:00

Grace decided to dance this year after 2 years of singing.

She did a lovely ballet piece to an avril lavene song that her buddies CC and Jackie sang.

Very graceful as usual.

Will Maria follow in her big sister's footsteps?

Here's a shot of Grace's crazy teachers.

Anna's Communion

2009-05-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

Always splendid to get togther for a little phils chicken and laughs.

Anna looked very lovely as you will see.

We enjoyed the Lito and Fiesta decks and ooohed and aaaahed over the new FR floor where Grace and U Jimmy beat Thomas and James in a rousing foosball battle.

We are running out of sacrements to get the gang together...

The secret life of Bees

2009-05-05T19:41:00.001-07:00

Watching Jim's crab apple tree Sunday - you would thought it was half price at Old Country Buffet.

Flowers bee Good

2009-05-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

I have other more important stuff to post but I have to shoot the crabapple every year so here is this years model.

Communion Preview

2009-04-19T18:43:00.000-07:00

Jim and Grace had everyone over today to celebrate Grace's first communion. Jim was snapping away with his Nikon - so i am sure he will have much better pics.

This was **supposed** to be our "Arthur between the Doubting Thomas's" - however one Thomas was not so doubting....

Easter 2009

2009-04-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

A little cake for the joint cousins birthday party. My notso-little Godson Thomas provided the Ham. And there was much rejoicing.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House

2009-03-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

Before the Splint Alex and I headed over to do the grand tour of the new restoration(nearly complete). The visitors center was just opened that day. Nice.

We saw two of our old profs. Alex bought bricks.

Looks great. We used to have parties in the house when I was in grad school. I remember sitting n the dining room drinking labatts out of a cooler sitting in folding chairs with prof shibley and day.

Looks great.

the 25th annuaul splint mcgriff

2009-03-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

Man I am getting old.

25 times we have done this silly thing...

Yet...it still is something I look forward to every year.

strangers bearing IKEA gifts

2009-03-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

Eric and Mot stopped by for 4.3 minutes enroute to a party....while here they imparted upon us, or more imortantly, the Kitchen....some new shiny silver pots!

Yeeaaa.

They are so nice I will be leaving them out and NOT using them.

IKEA- Looks too good to use!

We took pics but Jimmy forgot to reset the autofocus and therefore all were a little blurry...nice...here's what I could salvage.

Thanks you guys!

Slainte

2009-03-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

For the first time in 5 years I was able to take Grace to the St. Patty's Day parade. Mostly because it always coincided with Splint. It turned out to be a gorgeous sunny day so grace and I went to a corner near my office and we made the most of it.

We saw our friend Annmarie Brogan on a float, we took goofy pics and just enjoyed watching all the silly people. The flower city glass float was very popular because everyone used it to take pictures of themselves including us.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to ya all.

here's some christmas photos

2009-02-23T19:12:00.000-08:00

well it sure would be nice if jim posted some of hose darn pictures he's always taking. Well here's some for "y'all".

Here's the gang "Samplin the Spirits" or "Doin Inventory" as the folks say....but this year we got out the cognac that Mark L bought me like thiry years ago. I am not sure why we saved it but we did. So after many a story over the years as to its origin and travels I regailed everyone with why Mark gave it to me... I don't know. Suffice to say it was out of friendship and Mark's emotional downloading or typing all his letters of intro when he was at SUNY B for accounting. We sampled it....and it was lovely...even velvety, I guess. The bits of cork floating in there gave it a delightful full bodied like thing.

Thanks Mark...Cheers.

Mot and Eric head south to the tropical southern tier for a respite from that darn Syracuse lake effect....

the evil"twin" sisters plotting over some Christmas confection

The holiday highlights would not be complete without the loudfamily band firing out 100 versions of eye of the tiger...yeahhhaaaah. Even Pop needed some jam time.

No fun here....practice up....Grace and I are coming back down for the American Idol rematch.

and we leave his post with yet another lovely picture of the evil "twin" step sisters laughing over our mortal follies.

Time Flies 2009

2009-02-22T18:54:00.001-08:00

Cathy, Elizabeth and Thomas came over to visit this weekend. Scary how a year goes by. We went to dinner at Coleman's. [ An Irish pub here in Syracuse ] The chicken pot pie and the Guiness stew were quite yum yum. Afterwards, we rented Wall-E to watch. And there was much rejoicing. Here is 2009 and 2008.

At Least I got the lights to work

2009-02-21T14:14:00.000-08:00

I had to get a special washer to get the track lighting to work...several weeks of phone calls the washer shows up....yea! Not sure it was worth the wait but I likey the lights.

gift from the past

2009-02-01T08:36:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad brought this back from Ireland in 1973? Its a nice irish linen with a pretty cool 70's graphic.

It sat in the dining room hutch for 20 years....I think I asked Mom for it about ten or 15 yers ago and then it sat in my attic until last week....

Tada...now its nicely framed...most expensive frame I have ever done....try to ignore my reflection.

Maybe this belongs in Pop's Pub for a little while? Whada ya think Pop?

Can you find the bottle of guiness??