tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48863360299815980552024-03-07T14:33:22.204-08:00Lorna Collins - AuthorLorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-72110004956608450782024-02-21T11:53:00.000-08:002024-02-21T11:53:21.355-08:00Friendship<p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were each allowed to choose a card with a random word for
meditation at church recently. I first picked the word “Weaver.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“That’s really not me’” was my first response.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The pastor said, “Then pick another.” So, I did. The second
was “Friendship.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, “weaver” kept haunting me, and I realized how these
two words perfectly intersected in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">You see, one of my closest friends in grammar school and
high school, Marie [Stratton] Cole is a weaver. She taught herself to make pine
needle baskets using the ancient techniques of the Native Americans. She
collects her own pine needles, dries them, dyes them using the organic dyes,
which have been used for hundreds of years. Her creations are in museums and
galleries in the Pacific Northwest. I own four of them, and each is a small masterpiece.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-EwToP2CIWwaKtAaJnwHUOO_ty21RfVhbBBLQpfQYXgRcmjSJ1ot85jbO5KSNQ8B2C78BX_x9o3QwlXboLImUf-lvi2KmhNypwwlWrBsaxx5qhdOlPoJbbLV9P2Qq4sIB5eiWl2gz2IP9vdXb74eHTyOhiERXzGYnWyTrIh1qvNXrpeDuCLHngHhIW5N/s3264/Memories.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-EwToP2CIWwaKtAaJnwHUOO_ty21RfVhbBBLQpfQYXgRcmjSJ1ot85jbO5KSNQ8B2C78BX_x9o3QwlXboLImUf-lvi2KmhNypwwlWrBsaxx5qhdOlPoJbbLV9P2Qq4sIB5eiWl2gz2IP9vdXb74eHTyOhiERXzGYnWyTrIh1qvNXrpeDuCLHngHhIW5N/s320/Memories.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think she sent me the first one, called “Childhood
Memories,” for a milestone birthday years ago. This precious gift sits on my
desk, where I see it every day. It is about four inches in diameter, and the
tiny stitches form a pattern that perfectly illustrates our friendship. The two
colors intersect, then separate, then come back together—just like we have. I
always think of Marie as close to the natural world. She loved camping and
being out in nature. Today she and her husband live in a remote area of Oregon and
is content to listen to the birds and be among the trees. In contrast, I’m a
bit of a hothouse flower. I don’t like getting my hands dirty! In the two colors,
I saw us clearly: Marie in the grounded brown, and me in the beautiful blue.
(My house is decorated in this color.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were together in high school, sharing many interests.
After graduation, we went our separate ways. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Marie was a bridesmaid in our wedding.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtLT_vvbUUB3omRXxbJChWD0aB4gbda21EzUsqiEWaB0QHpY_nu8zEsjO2gX6CsiwiOp4_YA1LuqJcuVTS9WeWz9M9PAPgC4vx2gL95sqvnKxDkP-ow-ywJJ5I7yShV5PZ8elBGgPVbZEqpHoauJl-2q6iTB_asr4rjpgEQtkikAnK39t6TVEBKacN3AN/s1970/Wedding-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="1970" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtLT_vvbUUB3omRXxbJChWD0aB4gbda21EzUsqiEWaB0QHpY_nu8zEsjO2gX6CsiwiOp4_YA1LuqJcuVTS9WeWz9M9PAPgC4vx2gL95sqvnKxDkP-ow-ywJJ5I7yShV5PZ8elBGgPVbZEqpHoauJl-2q6iTB_asr4rjpgEQtkikAnK39t6TVEBKacN3AN/s320/Wedding-7.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Wedding Party: Victoria Hanner, Marie
Stratton, Kathleen Murphy, Me, Larry, Virgil Thomas, Patrick Tedford, Jim
Tedford<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After we both married, we lived close to each other. When <i>Star
Trek</i> began on TV, both of our husbands were obsessed. We met every Wednesday
night at alternating homes for dinner and to watch the show.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Her husband enlisted in the Air Force, so we were separated
yet again. However, he was being stationed in Colorado, where we were living at
the time. Their housing wasn’t ready when they arrived, so they and their baby
daughter, Maretta, stayed with us and our four-year-old for a short time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We returned to California, and Marie continued to move
around. But she often returned to see her mother. Whenever she was in town, we
went to see her. Not only was she one of my closest friends, but her brother,
John, was Larry’s best friend through school, so their mother was a fixture in
our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, Marie moved to Oregon, and we remained in California.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, we always stayed in touch, both through email and
phone calls, but also through her mother.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2014, our class from Alhambra High School celebrated its
fiftieth reunion. We asked any class members who created unique items to donate
one or two for a silent auction. (We donated several books.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-9eacuEV9hn9HcK1OpfSVR1sLKanb8JVlbH4VejXaoSsHNJp_JXSK70lRxd26HAAr0RpwwDeI8pFzjpi07QyOwpKCMvprnRHfZLb_oVNDsVRuEjm3bjqpfBM8safN61Yw5yaG3wwODl3_eqTd6py75Deo80Eq8FVOaTZVfVcXPqbeeQN3k-5Hh6TiuU3/s1920/AHS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-9eacuEV9hn9HcK1OpfSVR1sLKanb8JVlbH4VejXaoSsHNJp_JXSK70lRxd26HAAr0RpwwDeI8pFzjpi07QyOwpKCMvprnRHfZLb_oVNDsVRuEjm3bjqpfBM8safN61Yw5yaG3wwODl3_eqTd6py75Deo80Eq8FVOaTZVfVcXPqbeeQN3k-5Hh6TiuU3/s320/AHS-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu3sf9SDlv4XR3F_VGatpM1Yb5ftFK-PRLeVFWwERGTMHnQGZ_aYuMDy8dYrhyphenhyphenB6-DUYlQlUxzQDj3X_Hdbif4nvqzPbSrKGmnvjMwamyNRup758pqlVhVix-Uk6hY4aE-fTG4qjA8OseZIBuawI-eO8vEE0NJL_erYeRXIKNxg7NfsYmhMEmepo1kKM8/s1920/AHS-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu3sf9SDlv4XR3F_VGatpM1Yb5ftFK-PRLeVFWwERGTMHnQGZ_aYuMDy8dYrhyphenhyphenB6-DUYlQlUxzQDj3X_Hdbif4nvqzPbSrKGmnvjMwamyNRup758pqlVhVix-Uk6hY4aE-fTG4qjA8OseZIBuawI-eO8vEE0NJL_erYeRXIKNxg7NfsYmhMEmepo1kKM8/s320/AHS-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Marie sent this charming basket, obviously created just for
the occasion. It features the school colors and our graduation year. Several
people bid on it, but Larry knew how much I loved it. Even though I already had
one of Marie’s masterpieces, I was very taken with this one. Unbeknownst to me,
he kept an eye on the bidding and outbid everyone else. It is my favorite memento
from the event. This one is about four-and-a-half inches tall and four inches
in diameter. It sits in a place of honor on the etagere upstairs with other
high school memorabilia.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The following year, Larry and I celebrated our fiftieth
anniversary. What an amazing surprise to receive a box in the mail from Marie!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzZ-BW_CVoLXqUrUYln9dpYGGQqfdzTGX5ma91ccIRhjRPPd5spU0hRKFKVYhQLZ_M_MnM-dwE0XYc2K7KhlhdJkPvlk_FXj-aikzmmlPJFhd6NyfARUcChNjpMuwhFTHeJojeTUK3wGhwH6UADZDjtj0OM7HkV_Phz8Wzmy_eyvfGcw02kJiI6f5TaV9/s1920/Links.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzZ-BW_CVoLXqUrUYln9dpYGGQqfdzTGX5ma91ccIRhjRPPd5spU0hRKFKVYhQLZ_M_MnM-dwE0XYc2K7KhlhdJkPvlk_FXj-aikzmmlPJFhd6NyfARUcChNjpMuwhFTHeJojeTUK3wGhwH6UADZDjtj0OM7HkV_Phz8Wzmy_eyvfGcw02kJiI6f5TaV9/s320/Links.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Inside was this beauty called “Connecting Links.” This
matches the colors in our living room perfectly! It is four-and-a half inches
tall and four inches in diameter. It is a perfect metaphor for our
relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">During one of our visits to her in 2003, Marie’s mother,
Millie, told me she had begun to write her memoir of growing up in Alhambra,
California. I said when she finished it, I would edit and publish it for her.
Her son, John, worked on it with her for several years prior to his death from
cancer in 2016. Each time I spoke with her, I asked how it was coming. She
always said she was still working on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">As she aged, her eyesight grew worse and her typing less
accurate. She went from typewritten pages to the computer, but she was afraid
she would lose her work when she closed the file. So, she learned to rename
each chapter with the current date appended as soon as she opened it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After she turned 100, she decided she was finished. We went
to her house, collected all the typewritten pages, and copied all the files
onto a flash drive. Then, I had to go through the chapters, combine the ones
that went together, and try to decipher what I thought she meant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Fortunately, her mind was sharp. If I had a question, I called
her, and she always had an answer. Where there were holes in the manuscript, I
did research and filled them in. Her caregiver and one of my friends read the
chapters to her as I finished them, and Millie gave me notes—always thoughtful
and interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">By 2020, I was nearly finished, but I still had one or two questions.
As always, her answers were quick and to the point. Three days later, she
passed away at the age of 102.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite my promise to publish the book, her daughters
decided they just wanted copies for family members, so I sent the files. (Marie’s
younger sister, Judi, passed away a couple of years ago. I still would like to have
the book published. I know quite a few people who would enjoy it. But as long
as they are reluctant, it will remain on my computer.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-7PgT_MwlM-QroiolfPo_jc4iV7aAiB3tuFYNj4_QyUc-NWsrUeOD6TxYQR-XOa7qyZVchaW8IcirovZ8pxRIe-8PgU7nogVTHUkajslRNfmRfEENIDBca0QAtLXFrDKX4nKPooCDEHQZFV_pUsrCzey4v64-Hvk95eE4VfkehUXWJUOWyJGD2dxuVmH/s1920/hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6-7PgT_MwlM-QroiolfPo_jc4iV7aAiB3tuFYNj4_QyUc-NWsrUeOD6TxYQR-XOa7qyZVchaW8IcirovZ8pxRIe-8PgU7nogVTHUkajslRNfmRfEENIDBca0QAtLXFrDKX4nKPooCDEHQZFV_pUsrCzey4v64-Hvk95eE4VfkehUXWJUOWyJGD2dxuVmH/s320/hills.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">To thank Larry and me for completing her mother’s book
(Larry created a beautiful cover), Marie sent us this gorgeous piece, “Chaparral
Hills.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 4in; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 384pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:/Users/lkcol/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image006.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Her inspiration was the chaparral-covered hills around Los
Angeles. The white pearl plants are reminiscent of the pampas grass readily
found in the area. This holds a place of honor in our china closet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each time I look at these beautiful works of art, I am
reminded of my friend, Marie, and our treasured friendship. So, both words—“Weaver”
and “Friendship”—were appropriate and perfect for meditation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-69656421838133634422024-01-26T12:34:00.000-08:002024-01-26T12:36:19.013-08:00Remembering Kae<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kae Komiyama came into our lives as part of a homestay. In prior
years, we had hosted five other young ladies from Japan and one from Spain for
this six-to-eight-week English-intensive program. Our close friend, Terri, was
the coordinator and teacher. Students were housed in individual homes and
became part of their families for the time of their stay. In our case, they have
remained part of our family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For this group, our student was Fumiko. Our daughter, Kim,
who lived about five blocks away at the time, hosted Ikue. And her neighbors,
Ceil and Keith, hosted Kae. I said we got three for the price of one in this
group because they spent a great deal of time together—often at our house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My mother was living with us at the time, and she often provided
transportation for the girls. She couldn’t remember their Japanese names, so
she identified them by their personal characteristics: Fumiko was “the funny
one,” because of her ready sense of humor. Ikue was “the little one,” because
she was short like our daughter, Kim. Kae was “the pretty one” because she was beautiful.
Mom adored them all.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sOtlV2JCEJF5h6D1riEUwmoSP9u9KxnkJKji14SyWAOKgb9l6jjRPyu-_jeVXbgABnqvBFy2jrgUEhHWOrcEeNGDIzEPz1HhLIJlCG40RIzXxQAI6DLnHRQaeqYgkqqskcSmdFWSbTCfkKXp4hwgR30g5DNpK9DXuCbQ-BQSA7-RPdLsEE8ilotXT3d1/s940/1998-yukata.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="940" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sOtlV2JCEJF5h6D1riEUwmoSP9u9KxnkJKji14SyWAOKgb9l6jjRPyu-_jeVXbgABnqvBFy2jrgUEhHWOrcEeNGDIzEPz1HhLIJlCG40RIzXxQAI6DLnHRQaeqYgkqqskcSmdFWSbTCfkKXp4hwgR30g5DNpK9DXuCbQ-BQSA7-RPdLsEE8ilotXT3d1/s320/1998-yukata.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">L-R: Kim, Kae, Ikue, Fumiko, me<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One evening, they fixed dinner for all of their host families.
Another evening, they put on a fashion show. Kae and Fumiko wore my formal
clothing, and Ikue wore Kim’s. Kae’s host mother did their hair and makeup.
Such fun memories!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbhzq_IkssPJ9qJXR_P8mIYHNz_m5Sv-r98-FYuPvnh7GU53hUuwch3QmYZFufYCjTZQqhWUX-kMh2tK-cSV4_0qTHH2iz1etyvbv44ILuqBNjwSAEDuiMVUKyGVLmU6JoiPWUxJUnMk7OdRykjmrWdi76OGHpJy4Q2dCTzlfKF4JTzmz7gZAHtvQ3Vbu/s980/1998-fahion%20show.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="980" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbhzq_IkssPJ9qJXR_P8mIYHNz_m5Sv-r98-FYuPvnh7GU53hUuwch3QmYZFufYCjTZQqhWUX-kMh2tK-cSV4_0qTHH2iz1etyvbv44ILuqBNjwSAEDuiMVUKyGVLmU6JoiPWUxJUnMk7OdRykjmrWdi76OGHpJy4Q2dCTzlfKF4JTzmz7gZAHtvQ3Vbu/s320/1998-fahion%20show.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ikue, Kae, Fumiko</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEjsfL4RkSn-mzOGpF9UYp58q9qawpTBl0zyKpr3v9xFUix9GVhg3F2hqT1-F8jUazgjY-UWYDJ688vzg4uopb6v6MwSD3RDI2Z7fVl0Vw8sEuk4785ovagMFcqGhDsbduZzWboEJ0fGJE6QPAsaGk-GkNMwCVwv_IU6GPxOqD4KBjfd6EcPRhuoXSbeQ/s955/1998-fashion%20show-dad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="955" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEjsfL4RkSn-mzOGpF9UYp58q9qawpTBl0zyKpr3v9xFUix9GVhg3F2hqT1-F8jUazgjY-UWYDJ688vzg4uopb6v6MwSD3RDI2Z7fVl0Vw8sEuk4785ovagMFcqGhDsbduZzWboEJ0fGJE6QPAsaGk-GkNMwCVwv_IU6GPxOqD4KBjfd6EcPRhuoXSbeQ/s320/1998-fashion%20show-dad.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Being silly with Dad: Fumiko, Kae,
Ikue with Larry<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was hard to say goodbye to this group, but we hoped we would
see them again when we moved to Japan the following August.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jcqO6JCLGRJ3eYDZ2aZu8PIEGbXdwNY4zeQfKeEB_Vf73-mI5AsEf_2zh8E1km71NASXS0oW9chN5DiDaTponkMGRJogYlCTFaHBw2BzqV6m-gadMBx2MnLmZicUiuEzz49k2RB1P2LTv4bi9GMbVPOnCYXkVYBol0WX_GEKDsDg4kAP2fy-ikXUs7d2/s1110/1998-girls.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1110" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jcqO6JCLGRJ3eYDZ2aZu8PIEGbXdwNY4zeQfKeEB_Vf73-mI5AsEf_2zh8E1km71NASXS0oW9chN5DiDaTponkMGRJogYlCTFaHBw2BzqV6m-gadMBx2MnLmZicUiuEzz49k2RB1P2LTv4bi9GMbVPOnCYXkVYBol0WX_GEKDsDg4kAP2fy-ikXUs7d2/s320/1998-girls.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Saying Goodbye: Kae, me, Ikue, Fumiko<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In April of 1999, Kim and Mom came to visit us in Japan. We
would spend a total of 31 months there building the Universal Studios Japan
theme park. While they were there, we celebrated Larry’s birthday, and Kae and
her then-boyfriend (and future husband), Toshi, were in attendance.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FHcVtrLYgWAE_eU5HElSWu_32jKK2cGgxiIloAmGq18d8du_1gfDuZRVX9g54TrNeRrbG80jRJ17war1e1EsCjCfq6uT8grz1Wv7ZCbOiGJVKQf1Emvc6bhHXVpsdZmMY7J6szx1qfSjV-vMTeFDw3Sfo3hHBpxiz_n_cLeP5_Grc2sngAtmR6YDSMfC/s986/Larry%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="986" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FHcVtrLYgWAE_eU5HElSWu_32jKK2cGgxiIloAmGq18d8du_1gfDuZRVX9g54TrNeRrbG80jRJ17war1e1EsCjCfq6uT8grz1Wv7ZCbOiGJVKQf1Emvc6bhHXVpsdZmMY7J6szx1qfSjV-vMTeFDw3Sfo3hHBpxiz_n_cLeP5_Grc2sngAtmR6YDSMfC/s320/Larry%205.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kae, Toshi, Kim</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L35QuilNOCYyPuQJDOW2e-k4WRCdQQpCPM3_d24ZNS61A4AignocFJ4nvtpWRpuDp_icmcW1uL1S-9AuleJo_Kk7yAGMlnMyuDdrejS15tKlSlvevRm1qubpC5eyfpPS-H_d__Q3K11vxgnlUDWrm5EVRHsLcjHEIW8FQm5SZIWn12noJ4wIm5vnFoZV/s986/Larry%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="986" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6L35QuilNOCYyPuQJDOW2e-k4WRCdQQpCPM3_d24ZNS61A4AignocFJ4nvtpWRpuDp_icmcW1uL1S-9AuleJo_Kk7yAGMlnMyuDdrejS15tKlSlvevRm1qubpC5eyfpPS-H_d__Q3K11vxgnlUDWrm5EVRHsLcjHEIW8FQm5SZIWn12noJ4wIm5vnFoZV/s320/Larry%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry blowing out his candles<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">During our time in Japan, they visited about once a month. They
arrived with no agenda except to be with us. Although we saw all but one of our
Japanese daughters while we lived there, we saw Kae and Toshi the most.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We returned to California in the spring of 2001. Toshi had a
job which required him to come to the US a couple of times a year on business.
He always tried to extend his trips so he could spend a few days with us. He sometimes
brought Kae with him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One day in late October of 2003, we received a message from
them. They had been married in Japan. Like many other countries in the world,
they went to the city hall, filled out the paperwork, and left officially
married. The wedding, however, was a separate occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Mom, we want to have our wedding in Orange County. We will
arrive on December 28.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They wanted an American wedding. <i>What the heck was that?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had a few questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Church or at the park where Larry’s brother had been
married? <i>Church. </i>(When our kids stayed with us, they attended church
with us on Sundays, despite the fact that the Japanese don’t really practice
any religion.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The pastor was Larry’s best friend, and they had met him
several times before. They wanted him to marry them<i>. </i>Religious or
secular ceremony?<i> Religious.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They didn’t need a license since they were already married,
but they insisted. They wanted one stating that they were married in Orange
County. Toshi had already done his homework and found that he could complete
all the paperwork online and pick up the license in Santa Ana. They went
straight from the airport to the city hall and picked it up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kae’s brother was coming with them and he would be Toshi’s best
man. Kim would be Kae’s maid of honor. I mentioned that here, it was
traditional for the father of the bride to walk her down the aisle. “Do you
think Dad would do it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Silly question. Of course, he would. But he no longer owned
a suit. When he left the engineering company where he’d worked for over 30
years, he donated all of his suits. We had to rush out and get a 3-day suit so
he could be the father of the bride. (Kae’s father had died when she was quite
young. I think I identified with her because I had lost mine at a young age,
too.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The wedding came off without a hitch, and it was beautiful.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPzkYx1AjVPIthRvXv-vEE9t3pVv0a8hS6f-8PG2aH_KBoVBUX2nh_v3uPbKuuSOIUa7BlYKrJFUaBSJZwkA5WXzP1mAxTRxs6j2ABnQMxQDI5iY1E_wm1v9tZqAChqm9iE4o6KcE-ATra_aj-j3fwd7mTbrRbBh_hu1BDkjV4SEKG6RvR8ZrJddf2inR/s3264/3Kae_Collins_Toshi_Church3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPzkYx1AjVPIthRvXv-vEE9t3pVv0a8hS6f-8PG2aH_KBoVBUX2nh_v3uPbKuuSOIUa7BlYKrJFUaBSJZwkA5WXzP1mAxTRxs6j2ABnQMxQDI5iY1E_wm1v9tZqAChqm9iE4o6KcE-ATra_aj-j3fwd7mTbrRbBh_hu1BDkjV4SEKG6RvR8ZrJddf2inR/s320/3Kae_Collins_Toshi_Church3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Mom, Kae, Toshi, Dad</span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On our anniversary, September 4 of 2010, our phone rang at
about 3:00 a.m. Toshi could barely speak because he was so upset. “Kae
collapsed. She may not make it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“We’ll put her on the church prayer chain, and we will pray
for her, too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, I went to pieces as soon as we hung up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She’d had an aneurism. The neurosurgeon who treated her (the
best one in all of Japan) later told Toshi he would have given her less than 5%
chance of survival. However, Toshi posted a picture on her Caring Bridge site
on her birthday, October 16, of her jumping on her bed. Her doctor could not
explain how she had recovered with only slight impairment. He called it a
miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, I was worried about her until the following March
when we went back to Japan for the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the opening
of USJ. Kae and Toshi came down to Osaka and spent several days with us. It
felt so good to hug Kae and tell her how much we loved her. Even more
important, we got to see how well she was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of years after her aneurism, Kae attended culinary
school at Cordon Bleu in Tokyo. With a lot of help from Toshi, she graduated.
Quite an accomplishment!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2015 when they next visited, she brought her chef’s coat
and toque and cooked a gorgeous four-course dinner for us and four other
couples. <i>Magnificent!</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfIGO5QbHt5BU472u0ppnSbXEhMcS-bwddcFhE7XkathiduoAaEFYMGsxvGsP5DnEa70ot7JsQXtQgC5Xog3cHLMbdHZg4EepoBYyNiqhwkqyAN46FWrtkVHHyxms5Oa1GqkKPmGZcJZXpetp7Fpnoj3LjJKsv5LGBHCzQ2b6SCmJlIPnpF8-8i-2pecL/s315/chef.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="315" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfIGO5QbHt5BU472u0ppnSbXEhMcS-bwddcFhE7XkathiduoAaEFYMGsxvGsP5DnEa70ot7JsQXtQgC5Xog3cHLMbdHZg4EepoBYyNiqhwkqyAN46FWrtkVHHyxms5Oa1GqkKPmGZcJZXpetp7Fpnoj3LjJKsv5LGBHCzQ2b6SCmJlIPnpF8-8i-2pecL/s1600/chef.jpg" width="315" /></a></i></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Chef Kae and Ruth<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She wouldn’t have been able to handle the fast-paced
schedule in a restaurant, but she started her own cooking school at home. She
taught private lessons to small groups of women and thoroughly enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They continued to visit often, and we kept in touch through
email, text, and Facebook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then in April of last year, when she was supposed to be
starting a college course toward her MBA, Toshi sent me a message: “Kae might
have pancreatic cancer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, she did, and Toshi fought to get her the
treatment she required. I assured him I had two prayer chains praying for her
with some of the same people who had prayed for her before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, and more
experimental treatment Toshi researched. He wanted to bring her to see us, but
her doctor would not clear her for plane travel following surgery to place a
drain.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, Toshi’s father died, so he had his hands full
dealing with that and caring for Kae.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She was finally cleared to fly, and he brought her on
September 29 for ten days. She still had a drain in place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After we returned from the airport, she came in the front
door, looked around, smiled at me, and said, ”Mom, I’m home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This both touched me and broke my heart because I knew more
than anywhere else in the world, this truly was her home, and we truly were her
family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They were joined a couple of days later by her best friend from
high school, Ayumi.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was Kae’s “bucket list” trip. She had about six or
seven items she wanted to do while she was here. And she did all of them and
more, including a final trip to Disneyland.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She looked much better by the time they left. And she was
happy.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EPWgtCYC5bGlc2g_Pgau6Yyjj0WlQGkXbdMK__ccjfdgu0aSMSRmcTXzZUejCuvY0TvaGYr9tBtgIsrSX9PxFdDrT7jPtRRxOXP2h74LSatj_fEUbI6XyaE4A6z2fEdaDWggaymzrANNTK7127v3gehHJ04WWeMGPFDXU2iLgSiWmF7F_vZOieseCOg-/s1124/Kae-Chruch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="843" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0EPWgtCYC5bGlc2g_Pgau6Yyjj0WlQGkXbdMK__ccjfdgu0aSMSRmcTXzZUejCuvY0TvaGYr9tBtgIsrSX9PxFdDrT7jPtRRxOXP2h74LSatj_fEUbI6XyaE4A6z2fEdaDWggaymzrANNTK7127v3gehHJ04WWeMGPFDXU2iLgSiWmF7F_vZOieseCOg-/s320/Kae-Chruch.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kae with wig at the church where they
were married<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of weeks later, I received a message from Toshi. They
had been to see her doctor, and he told them she probably had only four to six
weeks left. His last line, however, really broke my heart: <i>I’m sorry. Mom. I
couldn’t save her.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On the morning of December 20 at about 10:00 a.m. our time,
Toshi messaged me: <i>Kae loses consciousness…hope she comes back.</i> I began
to pray for both of them and continued throughout the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We went to Larry’s brother’s house for lunch to deliver his
family’s Christmas presents. I had the ringer turned off on my phone, but Larry’s
was on. He had an incoming call. “I don’t recognize this number.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I did. “I know the country code. It’s Toshi.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“She’s gone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had been thinking about what would happen afterward and
suggested he might think about bringing some or all of her ashes here to spread
in the ocean off Dana Point, her true home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I have a written note from her. This is what she wants.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">So, he will bring her back this spring and we will take her
out to sea after a small memorial service at the church where they were married
and many people prayed for her, both when she had her aneurism and this past
year. She’ll be with Grandma, who truly was the only grandparent she had.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We will love her always. She was truly our daughter.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-7967423435416429862023-10-21T12:25:00.002-07:002023-10-21T12:25:09.944-07:00STUMPY THE SNOWMAN<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On Thursday morning, Larry went out to bring in the last
trash can and found this on the porch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOnz3_5ZhxcqRo9nsaiNZyKq3DrKjZT6ye6KsQjVydeS4IDoy1T2hsiAV9WO3pNTRgH7O6-2IDcmOjPEdeFQaykAGOw4aCP8tkrawGvODf68eurUeSPJQ6fn6HX9ejCNx8m8qaWJBPZJuQ8dDvMKM1aMtOsjvHZelh9qRY6Su8ifShBpo96H27PoyPMlZ/s4000/20231021_120632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOnz3_5ZhxcqRo9nsaiNZyKq3DrKjZT6ye6KsQjVydeS4IDoy1T2hsiAV9WO3pNTRgH7O6-2IDcmOjPEdeFQaykAGOw4aCP8tkrawGvODf68eurUeSPJQ6fn6HX9ejCNx8m8qaWJBPZJuQ8dDvMKM1aMtOsjvHZelh9qRY6Su8ifShBpo96H27PoyPMlZ/s320/20231021_120632.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It came with a note:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Mr. and Mrs. Collins,<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>This is Stumpy The Snowman. He was turned from a piece of
wood that we removed when the lift was installed. (The grain looked like
redwood, but it may be something else.) The body and hat are one piece, the
limbs were taken from a neighbor’s bush, and the pipe was cut from chopsticks.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i>Mark<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We were fortunate to have had this talented craftsman and excellent
woodworker contribute to the construction/installation of our lift. We got to
know him and realized he was as much of a perfectionist as I am.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This little guy was a complete bonus surprise.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I first saw him, I thought about the snowman decoration
I grew up with. Ours was made of Styrofoam balls and toothpicks. I know Mom didn’t
buy it, but I think she attended a luncheon and won the centerpiece.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My little brother named ours “Frosty.” Not too original, but
it worked.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Frosty came out every year and was a mainstay of our holiday
decorations.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When Mom sold the house, my brother took all the family
decorations. Each year, he brought out everything, including Frosty.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When my brother died in 2020, we cleaned out his place. Unfortunately,
we didn’t find any of my family’s decorations. I assume they were broken or
fell apart over the years.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This little reminder of Frosty brought back sweet memories
of childhood holidays.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Stumpy will now become a part of our future holidays, just
like Frosty did in my childhood family. And he will be a reminder of Mark and
his talent. I can’t thank him enough for this sweet gift.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-50737974654502723472023-10-01T19:32:00.008-07:002023-10-01T19:32:52.890-07:00GETTING A LIFT<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">With all my physical issues this past year, I
became more aware of how difficult it might become living in a house with two
stories. Larry had surgery this year, too, and he realized the challenge our
stairs could pose as we get older. We discussed downsizing to a single-story
house. We’ve even begun to dispose of some of our “stuff.” (Not a bad idea
altogether.)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, we have already made a lot of improvements
to this house consistent with the way we live.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry started researching the alternatives to allow
us to stay here, even with the stairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For several reasons, we eliminated the option of a chair
lift. They take up quite a bit of room on the steps and partially compromise
the treads. Also, our stairs have a 90-degree turn in them, and it would pose a
challenge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He finally located a small one-person lift—like an
elevator but smaller. He made an appointment for the salesperson to come out to
the house to see if it would work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The engineer (Larry, of course) had picked out a location
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he thought might work, but he was afraid
the unit would be too large.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, the representative from the company
(Stiltz) suggested coming to the house to check. We agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ryan arrived with a neat app on his phone. He could
point it at a spot, and it would tell him if there were room to install the equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He found one location in the living room going up to
our guest room. Uh…no. Then he found another from our dining room to our
office. Nope to that one, too. He finally checked the area Larry had selected—and
it not only would work, but it would fit perfectly. And we wouldn’t need to cut
a hole in the ceiling.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Monday morning at 8:00 a.m., Mark arrived to
begin the installation. By early afternoon, our hall was completely draped in
plastic, heavy tarps were secured to the stairs, and the floors were covered in
cardboard. It looked like we were going setting up for a haunted house!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first item was to cut out a section of the 2<sup>nd</sup>
floor handrail for access to the upper hallway from the lift.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMmjekGLP6toW-kFjkWJ44UCjQyV2Gq2Wf6zWKi-WyTJLePgI7F8dgzo6SXBLHEqZrS-pcZ3gIqLTYJb_tvWhAMv_TfMGga1dfopo5sI3L2hlvRkrY31QUZNIE9C83hrhyphenhyphenoLhHXAEvbsEW9HaMP1IILMKJN3knxgpbh3ATd9F3QN0Hk1FQFLSuiAcecjI/s1920/Lift%20Gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMmjekGLP6toW-kFjkWJ44UCjQyV2Gq2Wf6zWKi-WyTJLePgI7F8dgzo6SXBLHEqZrS-pcZ3gIqLTYJb_tvWhAMv_TfMGga1dfopo5sI3L2hlvRkrY31QUZNIE9C83hrhyphenhyphenoLhHXAEvbsEW9HaMP1IILMKJN3knxgpbh3ATd9F3QN0Hk1FQFLSuiAcecjI/s320/Lift%20Gate.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn’t realize the pieces of the section of handrail would
be used to build the external gate—and that it would match the existing
handrail.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf3R_JIGtFzFuXibI_RyasaGv6hIGAD2zUmfJAE8R-J7LKr_EonkxQnTe6Be1zYMV6KaneLRQ6YS4xzvHVRJhN7DimMrOoWS0QSEye7RKqUf7yDk52pUcCBdIBiFJWISVOi6z86LDvKZ5B577tN2tyCTJjtO5wmGG82iiqFq7mCoo7cSLolQfv3JX7URP/s1920/Gate-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf3R_JIGtFzFuXibI_RyasaGv6hIGAD2zUmfJAE8R-J7LKr_EonkxQnTe6Be1zYMV6KaneLRQ6YS4xzvHVRJhN7DimMrOoWS0QSEye7RKqUf7yDk52pUcCBdIBiFJWISVOi6z86LDvKZ5B577tN2tyCTJjtO5wmGG82iiqFq7mCoo7cSLolQfv3JX7URP/s320/Gate-3.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SZVrJlXlPCi4jE9DkdjhO0cXWP7LORBGbnConN2Ry2l0oq9-Qm4YssHkbVQH3zBWQwepLk7zu3YRgD6eoO_9qiIDiq7lmdOZ6xXn9QY1HjQ3VBP6XlmC6PITwD8iRm-ZTBl0KB7UxsPZvaRH4bc2nb77i1gKUtWvqlxl10MPKNQNTpsUg_Z0MZ1TQmgt/s1920/Gate-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SZVrJlXlPCi4jE9DkdjhO0cXWP7LORBGbnConN2Ry2l0oq9-Qm4YssHkbVQH3zBWQwepLk7zu3YRgD6eoO_9qiIDiq7lmdOZ6xXn9QY1HjQ3VBP6XlmC6PITwD8iRm-ZTBl0KB7UxsPZvaRH4bc2nb77i1gKUtWvqlxl10MPKNQNTpsUg_Z0MZ1TQmgt/s320/Gate-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then came days of drilling and hammering and sanding to construct
all the other parts necessary for the installation, including the electrical work.
The dust and dirt were confined to the hallway because of the plastic installed
there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">At last, the unit itself and accessories arrived.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YG1ppRzPfnO6PEweintv9PjUEjwmQBX-zkYPNu6Mrp3LjrVUnqQqD7WDr6vVpvl0xrpyRqUrEbQ6joQsVNN7aOMy1EX6XeE27XHFAvSBQTOH_qjA75o3VVrso5-t-HfXIg1hlsMSHNj5pYg_rrhpfkDnPoMTpgcEsoC_O0UZZcZcE0U-_K5oCV1EcE1g/s1920/Motor%20&%20Cage-Garage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YG1ppRzPfnO6PEweintv9PjUEjwmQBX-zkYPNu6Mrp3LjrVUnqQqD7WDr6vVpvl0xrpyRqUrEbQ6joQsVNN7aOMy1EX6XeE27XHFAvSBQTOH_qjA75o3VVrso5-t-HfXIg1hlsMSHNj5pYg_rrhpfkDnPoMTpgcEsoC_O0UZZcZcE0U-_K5oCV1EcE1g/s320/Motor%20&%20Cage-Garage.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbq3EJQJF-QSuNh51zejkXN_4VstpAxQTtcOMHL-0GQ8lzhVuz2IU0OLCg8mlneHIWxeCUKSjwMM4FgpQ55f9185o6Tw010pz9uyJKMxR2HGKa5QpC2tdQzoMjueeUAQyxHBBF8bdF0IHUKeG3J_zWnR4QY0rhFFwdwjJ1gS38bkwelbcOPCNBQevEx4o/s1920/Inside%20the%20hosue--at%20last.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbq3EJQJF-QSuNh51zejkXN_4VstpAxQTtcOMHL-0GQ8lzhVuz2IU0OLCg8mlneHIWxeCUKSjwMM4FgpQ55f9185o6Tw010pz9uyJKMxR2HGKa5QpC2tdQzoMjueeUAQyxHBBF8bdF0IHUKeG3J_zWnR4QY0rhFFwdwjJ1gS38bkwelbcOPCNBQevEx4o/s320/Inside%20the%20hosue--at%20last.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">First, the supports were brought in and installed.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSUO37RsKugfDjNxB6G0GC4GQ7LmVkt3w1KJ-YxaEiFYG0A1_Rz12jQ7669gZXYQv-baYVMvbfn9li308u2THtV_bSTqVY_ATRXYve0PR0peYHO5EJq4KlgwLOEGDAFX8lExEx-aDgdeZT8a_VIDqaewSQoDKjcGzPea_ec49c4iqezHo8lBYFvdCJXyp/s1920/Support%20install.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSUO37RsKugfDjNxB6G0GC4GQ7LmVkt3w1KJ-YxaEiFYG0A1_Rz12jQ7669gZXYQv-baYVMvbfn9li308u2THtV_bSTqVY_ATRXYve0PR0peYHO5EJq4KlgwLOEGDAFX8lExEx-aDgdeZT8a_VIDqaewSQoDKjcGzPea_ec49c4iqezHo8lBYFvdCJXyp/s320/Support%20install.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0hqzekhgjSJgRSmw2sSOWsuv055OV6c3brKDRhJglo-FgKeowKkqyKJyBHcjdtkYoNNgMBfmFG1xwXT8vyBkSS8vYHjfhY0Y3rzlBpqOVbPTVmA1djZWeRD12cZrQkVt8m_yU3yk_Edb7qY2jCpdZWAbI9twpabgrnAq0SjiJy6WZr9B6rD-pR5EjiC5/s1920/Support%20-%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG0hqzekhgjSJgRSmw2sSOWsuv055OV6c3brKDRhJglo-FgKeowKkqyKJyBHcjdtkYoNNgMBfmFG1xwXT8vyBkSS8vYHjfhY0Y3rzlBpqOVbPTVmA1djZWeRD12cZrQkVt8m_yU3yk_Edb7qY2jCpdZWAbI9twpabgrnAq0SjiJy6WZr9B6rD-pR5EjiC5/s320/Support%20-%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, on Saturday, after six long days, the installation
was completed, and the lift was ready to be used.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1JqNk6NnH0lKVd-3VzLPNG4iMRNSpw_iU1n9-8rWGlZSKVDkrEgE8hkkDwXmYVKzDBuytN4mcgiez506R1f5nXdDszJRa7WTA8pkCo-WnBS7FeUevIeKYIqyC1Ro5lwVWMU8F_6RUB24E97xeHbW6GP0YmUq0yd1aTLcIg4qSw1x6PWZPzJF0GltACaJ/s1920/Final-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1JqNk6NnH0lKVd-3VzLPNG4iMRNSpw_iU1n9-8rWGlZSKVDkrEgE8hkkDwXmYVKzDBuytN4mcgiez506R1f5nXdDszJRa7WTA8pkCo-WnBS7FeUevIeKYIqyC1Ro5lwVWMU8F_6RUB24E97xeHbW6GP0YmUq0yd1aTLcIg4qSw1x6PWZPzJF0GltACaJ/s320/Final-5.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWesB85GL4ESS20tpl-6QNGds1HZnsAQTiBeC5S9nUKUqt6-uw1WOhiAFUbqrCUVjHl-1UJl1Et1N8aCgM35XNX2-qAyLdHI7Jqbv8SCYtg4OZpz6a3vY6clXC82zI2_fRhz94dSDxRn8O6cSH6FWRK0pDPGsGUZMXBO4grnlxjHLozUznybDNt5TSww3J/s1920/Final-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWesB85GL4ESS20tpl-6QNGds1HZnsAQTiBeC5S9nUKUqt6-uw1WOhiAFUbqrCUVjHl-1UJl1Et1N8aCgM35XNX2-qAyLdHI7Jqbv8SCYtg4OZpz6a3vY6clXC82zI2_fRhz94dSDxRn8O6cSH6FWRK0pDPGsGUZMXBO4grnlxjHLozUznybDNt5TSww3J/s320/Final-4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkwTykXsQ3y13rHBvmHLwdQmk3RtFEZTuH_3H8RIfU9H-uad6EGgZYA_M6yrOQTXjBQ244bw22E3kKHYNWe-EOpdmrHNWFAOFvCuLRFpnh-V-vnh-is3GLRA68sCvQQGHF-NeDC50pRN6z2m6VGfbG14Z2RRdNBpQfSz20wLfAaxIDqa1xlxhdP_Im-Xr/s1920/Final-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkwTykXsQ3y13rHBvmHLwdQmk3RtFEZTuH_3H8RIfU9H-uad6EGgZYA_M6yrOQTXjBQ244bw22E3kKHYNWe-EOpdmrHNWFAOFvCuLRFpnh-V-vnh-is3GLRA68sCvQQGHF-NeDC50pRN6z2m6VGfbG14Z2RRdNBpQfSz20wLfAaxIDqa1xlxhdP_Im-Xr/s320/Final-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6TMlcuPPI0nuUN9Hhyu3VOGwIjwTRzlHkTywZaob906ha04FwIyh2s8gwjjYHRtZPorn_3WtqX38EPTVsLVMygs441DrbPyTTSVjr5VFvxssguY-zLJq1hWsN9J1rVfGo5CxAA4BEHg-qZWqR99wKkhGi3uV_FPdGgj-HHnUYhV0kA58lCemFAxBDjcS/s1920/Final-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6TMlcuPPI0nuUN9Hhyu3VOGwIjwTRzlHkTywZaob906ha04FwIyh2s8gwjjYHRtZPorn_3WtqX38EPTVsLVMygs441DrbPyTTSVjr5VFvxssguY-zLJq1hWsN9J1rVfGo5CxAA4BEHg-qZWqR99wKkhGi3uV_FPdGgj-HHnUYhV0kA58lCemFAxBDjcS/s320/Final-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The lift sits in the curve of the stairs. It works very
simply and holds only one person at a time. But it really makes living with the
stairs easier!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I think we are going to be very happy with this solution.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-80013214196221287782023-09-16T17:15:00.001-07:002023-09-16T17:15:55.321-07:00100 Years – And Still Counting<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">On August 26, 2023, we were privileged to attend the 100</span><sup style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">th</sup><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">
birthday party for my Aunt Evelyn in Reno, NV. Our daughter, Kim, flew out from
Texas to join us. Thank goodness, because she did about 60% of the driving to
and from.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were there last year for Aunt Evelyn’s 99<sup>th</sup> birthday,
and what a joy to share her 100th with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpyANQdBBahkwIB92X2bbkxap05E7LFJJyg7VbtkCF0hb63bcsZsXz0qCNQUjXCITrDRkz6Yo0rECGR2mqmn2XEiYNDMHv-gdq3Cx4QSSjxBzuC1UEnwGHdDNdx1bYncYNBrQTdq2QIMB4MVDrxuRHMHDS71orLF74mLYn3WBo1XxX0NJmuUfBolZ2Ghu/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_1057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZpyANQdBBahkwIB92X2bbkxap05E7LFJJyg7VbtkCF0hb63bcsZsXz0qCNQUjXCITrDRkz6Yo0rECGR2mqmn2XEiYNDMHv-gdq3Cx4QSSjxBzuC1UEnwGHdDNdx1bYncYNBrQTdq2QIMB4MVDrxuRHMHDS71orLF74mLYn3WBo1XxX0NJmuUfBolZ2Ghu/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1057.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The party was a surprise, and my cousin, Karen, and her twin
sister, Kathy, managed to pull it off. It was held at an art gallery and
catered by a terrific restaurant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4U36Lf-PLf6Z64k0BRYXas_LCEegnWEg60DrdQwvo61yonQJpwVBndDdO051CKgk5rTVpcZ8bt7me2ojpxDOMkNrNtjuSIT1DH_UbEjj0uzi9yT29-jLTrvPpYxp-3OC5Pml8JPjB1Oznz3Laco-1kziGKedsjYS6VZ3D-Z_d2vd6YxCcpo2lp5fPdih/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4U36Lf-PLf6Z64k0BRYXas_LCEegnWEg60DrdQwvo61yonQJpwVBndDdO051CKgk5rTVpcZ8bt7me2ojpxDOMkNrNtjuSIT1DH_UbEjj0uzi9yT29-jLTrvPpYxp-3OC5Pml8JPjB1Oznz3Laco-1kziGKedsjYS6VZ3D-Z_d2vd6YxCcpo2lp5fPdih/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1024.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They told her we were coming to meet them for dinner, but she
certainly didn’t expect to see the approximately 60 guests who were assembled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All of my surviving cousins on my mom’s side came, and
several of their kids were there, too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RRbLo5vv7EJFtAwor7QgcOrkbhfTlKj6e6JtFgiGmRUDtU5eWADTcX-jGMAbeCUabyNRhYJD0LBPWhMfUyxHuniOieG19iOTbfLfsnTGC8YGCmDCAcmOjxR83UGzfMjrKLAW5W9Sq07nzgewWaDAVXzgkZV-t8adHLH2Rujx_dN4HkdjDMsZkLAECJPR/s2048/367472159_7290677494280740_6079433645749907880_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RRbLo5vv7EJFtAwor7QgcOrkbhfTlKj6e6JtFgiGmRUDtU5eWADTcX-jGMAbeCUabyNRhYJD0LBPWhMfUyxHuniOieG19iOTbfLfsnTGC8YGCmDCAcmOjxR83UGzfMjrKLAW5W9Sq07nzgewWaDAVXzgkZV-t8adHLH2Rujx_dN4HkdjDMsZkLAECJPR/s320/367472159_7290677494280740_6079433645749907880_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeV55h5zevPGL8zjiVYmej1402xp6WzPGXg-WziVYstPc8w3W7l28dtAF3DFgUMgY-R8xihkgkgJ9udZAoRBUpSJx-JtnKnrY69aQWCwS59vj2F7_r-O4UbMrvfgkhGQ_w5-3LSG6wTlnaOeZLDlc1Jo-SKPY1jFngaxP5Mf84H5ZiRnl9_mArhVQWdrS/s2048/370873288_3683074881914062_5235779688724774414_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYeV55h5zevPGL8zjiVYmej1402xp6WzPGXg-WziVYstPc8w3W7l28dtAF3DFgUMgY-R8xihkgkgJ9udZAoRBUpSJx-JtnKnrY69aQWCwS59vj2F7_r-O4UbMrvfgkhGQ_w5-3LSG6wTlnaOeZLDlc1Jo-SKPY1jFngaxP5Mf84H5ZiRnl9_mArhVQWdrS/s320/370873288_3683074881914062_5235779688724774414_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCxFsnASeeL60U5o23wofbG-uuc5jqSP37Db6h1lbN-D8g4H5sEJ8pkIMA9znFcfEccnsuZ4n-T3nU78B8VD9mkwXNs390P3NSOnmjireS9LNQZo3NILAfIag_syB4w0zZV7vVrTvDg9Htt6N0itIiw3J-kNtR0e3BEKxklvNHrMHtIRFBltkUO0dVRGX/s2048/370567608_3683074988580718_20919430195728062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCxFsnASeeL60U5o23wofbG-uuc5jqSP37Db6h1lbN-D8g4H5sEJ8pkIMA9znFcfEccnsuZ4n-T3nU78B8VD9mkwXNs390P3NSOnmjireS9LNQZo3NILAfIag_syB4w0zZV7vVrTvDg9Htt6N0itIiw3J-kNtR0e3BEKxklvNHrMHtIRFBltkUO0dVRGX/s320/370567608_3683074988580718_20919430195728062_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My aunt and uncle used to live in San Mateo, CA, and several
of Aunt Evie’s friends from there attended. It says quite a bit about her that
so many people came so far to celebrate her life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6NTYMppVJUMf7hMH396OmZlYo1vUsvOGywv7FhwoiDJfNPurZQN3nPqPfS9WRkeKg6FdIRBQe_3k6XpnI8ueKks-963_StGgXaXMAKNxiq762Q__M24siWaU0fBAU2R9wPNZQnp5L0yLt3H8dYNR38aXW6NuwOHzYGxCgtxJ4haRt-cTRvUH-so9Pld9/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_1026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6NTYMppVJUMf7hMH396OmZlYo1vUsvOGywv7FhwoiDJfNPurZQN3nPqPfS9WRkeKg6FdIRBQe_3k6XpnI8ueKks-963_StGgXaXMAKNxiq762Q__M24siWaU0fBAU2R9wPNZQnp5L0yLt3H8dYNR38aXW6NuwOHzYGxCgtxJ4haRt-cTRvUH-so9Pld9/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1026.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkenbKqTvebQIZ4Ogdtcx6EaM8TyjQqi5Sq-H0rZam3FjXgPHt5KgdNvxr7PhuDq2gSJ6jpMzgLr_p9K_xGyHsDS5e8olQSdVKyo0iAZ3Dx31a9Yd7U9kGnh_LTBWJuFqCMrGqwB1OoSR2XJ0QrzjTjbi0Soy3X9NTQVX7cv7su0yo07vvqgYerBuCngZ9/s1920/thumbnail_IMG_1041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkenbKqTvebQIZ4Ogdtcx6EaM8TyjQqi5Sq-H0rZam3FjXgPHt5KgdNvxr7PhuDq2gSJ6jpMzgLr_p9K_xGyHsDS5e8olQSdVKyo0iAZ3Dx31a9Yd7U9kGnh_LTBWJuFqCMrGqwB1OoSR2XJ0QrzjTjbi0Soy3X9NTQVX7cv7su0yo07vvqgYerBuCngZ9/s320/thumbnail_IMG_1041.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We all enjoyed a wonderful meal and lots of conversation,
sharing memories.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Aunt Evie and Uncle Frank were wonderful ballroom dancers.
For years, they took a lesson once a week and then went dancing another night.
Several of the younger members of their dance group attended the party.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The highlight of the evening for me was when one of the dancers
took my aunt out onto the floor and waltzed her around. Her face just glowed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwbkNn_Ins6SxtWnIbnV-t1Ee5hIwoXfG6gEdqv-NYvvOy1IuSnzhp_1Khn23iH26KT4qGqOxj1ZddGKn1l6SDH6BpiT2qYo5TGjaDMC2dEIZQ_FA8IS-JNmJOQBcAyXZk4JmlTEDcLfxC48sLjpY43yuudIxVTKUl3Vg-FmFetEC4q-dJwEEewmJVONc/s600/Dancing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="451" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwbkNn_Ins6SxtWnIbnV-t1Ee5hIwoXfG6gEdqv-NYvvOy1IuSnzhp_1Khn23iH26KT4qGqOxj1ZddGKn1l6SDH6BpiT2qYo5TGjaDMC2dEIZQ_FA8IS-JNmJOQBcAyXZk4JmlTEDcLfxC48sLjpY43yuudIxVTKUl3Vg-FmFetEC4q-dJwEEewmJVONc/s320/Dancing.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All-in-all, it was a joyous celebration of a life well-lived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On Monday, we went to visit her on her actual birthday. She
was still excited about her party, and several of those who had attended had
stopped by to see her before they left town.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next morning, we got back on the road toward home early.
Several landslides from the recent storm had blocked the road, causing a
reduction to one lane. The traffic in one direction was allowed to pass. Then
it stopped, and the traffic going the other direction could go. In addition,
construction trucks and other vehicles were loading dirt and rocks and
conveying them away. This delayed the trip several times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We reached home that night, tired but so grateful for having
been able to share this very special occasion with my aunt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The video of all the party pictures is on YouTube here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpdvosivxBk&t=2s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpdvosivxBk&t=2s</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And here’s a video I made with photos from her life: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2bmrqtAaKo&t=1s">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2bmrqtAaKo&t=1s</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Enjoy!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-44274558047986255792023-08-16T17:35:00.001-07:002023-08-16T18:37:15.846-07:00REMEMBERING LAHAINA<p> <i style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sorry
I have not been posting updates for a while. I have been dealing with my
hearing loss, and my “good” knee went out. Getting shots in both knees and
doing lots of PT trying to gain flexibility and strength back. Making progress—but
slowly.</span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J-wEoYxMEfZ5KNCu5JWTB35UXYAFVJDy-gMN24-6j5tD27R4fJpR__1syL02PqZUK2TP0WRP3NjS3OajzxTHXXmW7e7kejduaBIklJhRtHWzWgn6qoH-iHJuGSOdrWZHggQ_xy_8FNT8NBhK9p9heyG9divd-XL9vB1KEYinJD8PqbyBYM762VTcDlIR/s3816/60174de030c7c3d1224e46f371396f1b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2323" data-original-width="3816" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5J-wEoYxMEfZ5KNCu5JWTB35UXYAFVJDy-gMN24-6j5tD27R4fJpR__1syL02PqZUK2TP0WRP3NjS3OajzxTHXXmW7e7kejduaBIklJhRtHWzWgn6qoH-iHJuGSOdrWZHggQ_xy_8FNT8NBhK9p9heyG9divd-XL9vB1KEYinJD8PqbyBYM762VTcDlIR/s320/60174de030c7c3d1224e46f371396f1b.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><p class="MsoNormal">For the last week, I have been grieving the loss of historic
Lahaina Town. We visited Maui (and five other islands) on our first trip to
Hawaii in 1978. The charming, historical town became one of my favorite places.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On that first trip, we stayed in the old whaling hotel, the Pioneer
Inn. It was rickety and had holes in the floor, but it was also a charming and fun
location. On one memorable trip, we didn’t notice that we had booked our room in
the hotel on Halloween. Big mistake! People from all over Hawaii and the
mainland gathered in town for a noisy all-night party. They celebrated along
Front Street. Our room faced the street. Needless to say, we got no sleep that
night. But, hey, Larry got the Halloween t-shirt. He still has it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And we stayed there several other times, just not on Halloween!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In the ‘80s and ‘90s, we tried to visit Hawaii nearly every
year, several times more than once a year. We always went to Oahu, but we usually
went to at least one other island. At the time, several friends lived on Maui.
We arranged to visit them whenever we were there, and we always made a trip to
Lahaina, even when we didn’t stay there.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Before our first trip, several friends told us to eat at <a href="https://www.longhis.com/">Longhi’s</a>. At the time, Bob Longhi was there
in person. They had a verbal menu, and Bob delivered it with annoyance, as though
guests were putting him out just by being there. He was hysterical! We usually
went there for breakfast and always ordered one of their cinnamon rolls to
split. It was one of our “must go” places whenever we were in Maui. The last
time we were there, we ate dinner upstairs at sunset. Great food and a fabulous
view.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Unfortunately, the Lahaina location closed in 2019, but
their Kaanapali and Oahu locations remain. <a href="https://mauitime.com/news/business/maui-restauranteur-bob-longhi-fans-included-liquor-control-department-passes-age-79/">Bob
Longhi</a> passed away in 2012, but the restaurants bearing his name remain.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Our friend from work, Steve Russell, who lived in Wailuku,
passed away in 2016, and Suzi Osbourne, our high school friend, who had lived on
Maui for many years, passed away in 2020. On our last trip in 2015, we stayed
with her, and she often stayed with us when she was in California. However, we
have several other friends on the island. We have heard from one, but we can’t
contact the others. We pray for them and will send a written note to let them
know we are concerned.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we used to go with our close friends, we stayed at the
Maui Islander Resort. It was a great location, just a couple of blocks from
Lahaina Harbor. Larry and Bob loved it because they could walk down to the
harbor and surf early in the morning. Bernie and I loved it because there was
lots of shopping, historical locations, art galleries, and dining in easy
walking distance.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There used to be a <a href="https://www.hilohattie.com/pages/store-locations">Hilo Hattie’s</a> store
couple of blocks over, and we always shopped there for island clothing.
Unfortunately, it closed, along with the flagship store in Honolulu. However,
it appears a new one had opened in Lahaina. It was probably lost in the recent fires.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whenever we were in Lahaina on a Sunday, we attended the <a href="https://lumcmaui.org/">Lahaina United Methodist Church</a>. We loved this
charming place, where everyone was “ohana.” Visitors were presented with leis
made by church members from flowers grown in their own yards. They had a
wonderful choir, and the pastor was delightful. We always felt included and at home.
I cried when I read that it had burned down. However, the congregants have
stayed in touch and met for worship in small groups last Sunday.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seeing the historic Banyan Tree smoking and burning hurt my
heart. It was such a symbol of the old town. Hearing there is some hope of its
survival gave me reason for optimism amid all the loss.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, the museums and other historical sites are gone
forever.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While I grieve all the loss of places and people, I am also
grateful that we were able to spend so much time enjoying the very special and
magical place.<o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-10222998580588467362023-04-28T17:05:00.007-07:002023-04-28T17:05:44.230-07:00 SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING<p> <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been hearing about a new series called </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Gentle
Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.</i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> It is based on the book of the same name. I
haven’t read it or watched the series yet, but I have been doing this for some
time.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It may sound depressing, but the idea is that those of us
of a “certain age” (Baby Boomers) are closer to the end of our lives than the
beginning. Through the years, we have accumulated lots of stuff. In addition,
many of us have lived in our homes for a long time (in our case, thirty-six years).
Also, some of us (raises hand) have emotional attachment to our “stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, realistically, we don’t want to leave the
disposition of our “treasures” to those left behind. Besides, we want those
items we treasure to go to those who will appreciate them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SO, several months ago, I was looking at all of our small musical
instruments. We used to play most of them, but they were now mostly decorative.
Instruments need to be played in order to remain at their best.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3strtJBAMoTaJJFCSnpXeO6ndb1xErHpLl-AbALP8AchZZlw6JRneQ39i50MjdpDDrzg3ZN3wWZ3AFgQ2C-ZXU2_oj-r-Yx7s_oD4yjAl-NQUwa1nka_M1etP8dqO6yrzj66vTabPJUkCYFIu6TH2TkCILl_01pXNnEtqDsX2cjUSRdZklfYIoz4xMA/s427/Instruments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3strtJBAMoTaJJFCSnpXeO6ndb1xErHpLl-AbALP8AchZZlw6JRneQ39i50MjdpDDrzg3ZN3wWZ3AFgQ2C-ZXU2_oj-r-Yx7s_oD4yjAl-NQUwa1nka_M1etP8dqO6yrzj66vTabPJUkCYFIu6TH2TkCILl_01pXNnEtqDsX2cjUSRdZklfYIoz4xMA/s320/Instruments.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We discussed it and decided we needed to find a home for
them where they would be used and enjoyed. A young lady we have known since she
was very young is an award-winning composer. We asked her to come to our house,
and we offered them to her. (This photo shows only some of them.) We loaded
them into her car, and she said it felt like Christmas. She was definitely the
right person to have them. She will use and enjoy them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Waiting in line for Soarin’ Over California at Disney’s
California Adventure, we met a father and son. The little boy told us ALL about
WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbor. His eyes lit up, and he was so excited telling
us about it. (Can you say “precocious”?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As we left the ride, I reminded Larry about the Veteran’s
Day we spent at the Arizona Memorial about ten years ago. Five of the surviving
Arizona sailors were there. They had written a book about their experiences. (Only
one now remains.) All of them signed the book and also gave us sheets with
their photos and biographies. (They signed those as well.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know where the Arizona book needs to go.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Larry agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We ran into the father and son a little later and told them
about the book. He said he’d would send their mailing address so we could mail
them the book. When we got home, we found the Arizona book and also a coffee
table book about Honolulu. It had articles on the Arizona and on the Punch Bowl
Cemetery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They went into the mail, and we received a photo when they
arrived.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1ClmWwMIeMkXECRi6Xhyhre5tjvGUx52-3zuOBhTDuW64nejkyMyD7cAco712pr3IbnWYcLmLuPVIQOF2TrrW2X6pIgwiSVQmyx1bUnPShXZe-WvBcMN0gQavw1nGtJNLKj1WUIVe3fciJBeI6zFf3uXjkXhKNzPuMmx40OZMACp8dO7_xYJCk5zsw/s4032/DecLan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1ClmWwMIeMkXECRi6Xhyhre5tjvGUx52-3zuOBhTDuW64nejkyMyD7cAco712pr3IbnWYcLmLuPVIQOF2TrrW2X6pIgwiSVQmyx1bUnPShXZe-WvBcMN0gQavw1nGtJNLKj1WUIVe3fciJBeI6zFf3uXjkXhKNzPuMmx40OZMACp8dO7_xYJCk5zsw/s320/DecLan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When Larry worked at Universal City in 1997, for a year
before we moved to Osaka to build the Universal Studios Japan theme park, they
held quite a few cast member only sales. They usually closed out discontinued
merchandise and other materials at huge savings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At one, he bought an original cell from the cartoon <i>The
Little Engine That Could</i>. He was able to get a background with it, too. When
we got to Japan, we discovered our Japanese grandson was CRAZY about trains. At
Christmas when we came back to California, we retrieved the cell and took it
back with us for his Christmas gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At another sale, Larry had purchased a portfolio of signed
and numbered dinosaur prints in a presentation folio. He had planned to hang
them in his office at the job site. Unfortunately, there was nowhere to put
them. So, they spent our stay under our bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When we got back home, they went behind his armoire, where
they remained for twenty-two years. We asked if the kids would like to have
them, and their dad said they would. So, we packed them up to send. We also
found a book on how to fold origami dinosaurs and added it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They arrived today. The mother sent us this note: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hello! Thank you and Larry for the really fun dinosaur drawings
and origami book! We went to our local science museum yesterday and saw their
new dinosaur exhibit, so your incredibly kind gift had some especially good
timing! </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape alt="💕" id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 12pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 12pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span></i><i><span style="color: #1c1e21; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We’ll have to checkout
some dinosaur books next time we go to the library! Thanks again!</span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBufS6bOTujKD6Vx6MKxu6gXaupPvYQ2xbRaKD2nIJ5czYvuIhvpWtrbUVctE_KkbYRSAHnoN0D9qq6elrfGTopM4YWYVCad0tzQtE3qgb_nqaC8b0n644p-FezZwigmCUyEf7vSkZ3LmhNvOZ8CgabqcWjQ_y0-rGpiYuyFbUCSHD6z7h10fScQU_Q/s4032/Dino2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBufS6bOTujKD6Vx6MKxu6gXaupPvYQ2xbRaKD2nIJ5czYvuIhvpWtrbUVctE_KkbYRSAHnoN0D9qq6elrfGTopM4YWYVCad0tzQtE3qgb_nqaC8b0n644p-FezZwigmCUyEf7vSkZ3LmhNvOZ8CgabqcWjQ_y0-rGpiYuyFbUCSHD6z7h10fScQU_Q/s320/Dino2.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6BhkWp0e2KuSUqOV3KPFfewH3jHMzC_qgDOZ8FFEfZX73zm4bXr7M9fGYSZw8R6urRKK6S3aUA-ODhcUoR0ecERrwjLYmaYrTHOa_iA3oeuw2wUTQSvMKxwzSl9LqPvqpL8Gu9OkFQQBAuJxWJH0pDaeHVqmQ8qH7IYSwPA58DSjGajSi8KrpnJnWQ/s4032/Dinos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6BhkWp0e2KuSUqOV3KPFfewH3jHMzC_qgDOZ8FFEfZX73zm4bXr7M9fGYSZw8R6urRKK6S3aUA-ODhcUoR0ecERrwjLYmaYrTHOa_iA3oeuw2wUTQSvMKxwzSl9LqPvqpL8Gu9OkFQQBAuJxWJH0pDaeHVqmQ8qH7IYSwPA58DSjGajSi8KrpnJnWQ/s320/Dinos1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is exactly what we had hoped would happen!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday, we had lunch at a local restaurant we enjoy. I
had noticed before that they used odd cups, saucers, and luncheon plates to
serve the food. I had a very large collection of odd cups, saucers, and plates.
I’d used them for ladies’ luncheons, showers, etc. At one time, I had over
three dozen of each. I don’t host those kinds of events anymore, and I haven’t
used them for years. I kept about a third of my collection, but we boxed up
about two thirds. We delivered them this morning, and the owners were delighted
to get them. I look forward to eating a meal there someday soon served on my
china.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course, we have just scratched the surface, but it feels
good to have found homes for these items with people who will appreciate them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-44009739033753724952023-04-12T18:53:00.005-07:002023-04-12T18:53:46.950-07:00MAKE ME A CHARACTER IN ONE OF YOUR TEMPE MYSTERIES<p> <i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today, my dear friend, Marilyn Meredith, tells
you about how she created some of her supporting characters using her friends. I
was fortunate to win a contest to have my name used in one of her books (</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Spirit
Shapes<i>). She used the character again in </i>The Trash Harem<i>. I loved “my”
character! Today, she’ll tell you about another friend.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, that was one of my good friend’s request.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the years, I’ve named characters after people—usually
as a prize. This is an accepted practice used by many authors. However, the
character’s appearance, profession, and personality are usually completely
different. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wasn’t sure if I should do what she wanted, but she was
insistent. So, in this case, the name of the character is different. I called
her Miqui Sherwood instead of using her real name. But everything else is very
much like my friend: her looks, her hobbies, her interesting quirks, and personality
traits<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She appears in four of my Tempe Crabtree mysteries,
including the latest one (which is also the last.) This time she asked, “How
about giving me a boyfriend?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I gave her two.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She’d given me some hints about what she liked in men as
far as looks, behavior, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Miqui Sherwood made her first appearance in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Raging Water. </i>Her friends told me I’d
nailed it. And best of all, she loved it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now we will see if she likes what happens to her in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Final Farewell.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You might be interested in knowing how I feel about this
being the last book in the series. When I wrote <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">End of the Trail, </i>I thought it might be the last—but then I got the
idea for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Trash Harem,</i> and it had
to be written. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Because I had a major change in my life, which happened
before I’d quite finished this tale, I knew I was saying goodbye to Tempe, her
husband, Hutch, and all of her friends in Bear Creek. Believe me, it hasn’t
been easy. They’ve all lived in my imagination for many years. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Does this mean I won’t be writing anymore? Absolutely not.
I can’t imagine my life without writing. I’m in the middle of rewriting a
camping cookbook, and I have plans for either a young adult mystery set during
World War II, or perhaps just a piece about me growing up during that time. Not
sure yet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I must say a big thank-you to my good friends Lorna and
Larry Collins, who made it possible for all my books to be re-edited and
re-published. It would not have happened without all their hard work. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Marilyn Meredith</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFOX6b5pacE4UpN9dEdwCiqCxD8M4MHL73wJMavMXafXcvhvOvTPIrRfVSWnbbqhDkHC4ZisPCMQsBk4ecJ2XnHQyR0lls16J67ZfIWLaeHHshGQP0ZfIG5u5N_LAg_c7LVI-l0r1j7aJNv39lS114hbBXnI46KeyYe1-AsOgGNVdZmO_keHpIhEnVw/s329/Marilyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="329" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFOX6b5pacE4UpN9dEdwCiqCxD8M4MHL73wJMavMXafXcvhvOvTPIrRfVSWnbbqhDkHC4ZisPCMQsBk4ecJ2XnHQyR0lls16J67ZfIWLaeHHshGQP0ZfIG5u5N_LAg_c7LVI-l0r1j7aJNv39lS114hbBXnI46KeyYe1-AsOgGNVdZmO_keHpIhEnVw/s320/Marilyn.jpg" width="292" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="AuthorBio__author-bio__author-biography__WeqwH" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #373e3e; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Ember, amazon_ember, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">I'm the author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series and the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series under the name, F. M. Meredith. I've also written stand-alones in other genres including historical family sagas and horror. Reading and writing have been a part of me since I was a little girl--a very long time ago. I love to hear from readers who have enjoyed my books. I've made many new and good friends among the readers and writers at various mystery conventions and conferences.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Hubby and I live in the foothills of the Sierra much like the place where my heroine Tempe Crabtree lives. And we once lived in a beach community that resembles Rocky Bluff. </p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">I've also written several stand-alone books for Kindle and paper.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">I love to hear from my readers or have them visit my webpage at http://fictionforyou.com</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9kWcR2spRA6oacDmUON-sk5XlfOs3dexu1OI-GNz3Y3gb9vs20JucSiI_EEgXxyMWZo48duvoI5UR3w4-K93SAxgHHFV7NwLQQzSJ-S0I-VdG86lZDyEhwzK2GrUOlOOOMXjyGxU1cB15J0FqLXnUCti46oZOtLqrfxT6mH1ZWAhHCO36mt_jjHrrQ/s346/51gDGaJ3eaL._SY346_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9kWcR2spRA6oacDmUON-sk5XlfOs3dexu1OI-GNz3Y3gb9vs20JucSiI_EEgXxyMWZo48duvoI5UR3w4-K93SAxgHHFV7NwLQQzSJ-S0I-VdG86lZDyEhwzK2GrUOlOOOMXjyGxU1cB15J0FqLXnUCti46oZOtLqrfxT6mH1ZWAhHCO36mt_jjHrrQ/s320/51gDGaJ3eaL._SY346_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: -4px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 12px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">#20 and the newest and last in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree
mystery series, <i>A Final Farewell</i>.</span></p></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The discovery of a body in a neighbor’s pond piques Tempe’s
curiosity. No longer a deputy, she still begins her own investigation into to
the death of a woman who’d been missing for several years. It isn’t long before
someone tries to kill Tempe and her husband, Hutch. Miqui Sherwood has two
handsome suitors. And Tempe’s longtime friend and mentor, Nick Two John, is
extremely ill. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Final-Farewell-Marilyn-Meredith/dp/B0C1J7KR7K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F4XD4OIIWJFL&keywords=A+FINAL+FAREWELL+by+Marilyn+Meredith&qid=1681244429&s=books&sprefix=a+final+farewell+by+marilyn+meredith%2Cstripbooks%2C340&sr=1-1">https://www.amazon.com/Final-Farewell-Marilyn-Meredith/dp/B0C1J7KR7K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1F4XD4OIIWJFL&keywords=A+FINAL+FAREWELL+by+Marilyn+Meredith&qid=1681244429&s=books&sprefix=a+final+farewell+by+marilyn+meredith%2Cstripbooks%2C340&sr=1-1</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-40321912598941790622023-02-13T13:59:00.002-08:002023-02-13T14:00:16.094-08:00 The Sound of Silence<p> </p>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi2pfXMa9UydTgEQd34l63WsiWzM80HpycsQUtp0UlRPiggV2LKPr0qDC_csEXUEYCSapV7Os1o3QUZHR-M2Lr4eTUInmyT7NUH7wDts5Ew36HI7xlsKrbZO3PpH7zTKlV1q26EtuGNGNez7UUq_5itkLllUCtxDTcECRHHi1ITMRF-z73130BmyqkA/s256/1446125.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="256" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi2pfXMa9UydTgEQd34l63WsiWzM80HpycsQUtp0UlRPiggV2LKPr0qDC_csEXUEYCSapV7Os1o3QUZHR-M2Lr4eTUInmyT7NUH7wDts5Ew36HI7xlsKrbZO3PpH7zTKlV1q26EtuGNGNez7UUq_5itkLllUCtxDTcECRHHi1ITMRF-z73130BmyqkA/s1600/1446125.png" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">On January 25 of this year, I woke up with no hearing in my
left ear—suddenly, and without warning.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A few years ago, I noticed some loss of clarity in my
hearing and made an appointment for a hearing test. However, it was impossible
to conduct the test because one ear (also the left) had so much wax in it. I
contacted my doctor, who referred me to an ENT. However, the specialist could
not get me in for an appointment for over six weeks. Uh…no.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I went online and followed directions for flushing the ear
with peroxide a couple of times. Then, I used a bulb syringe and warm water to
complete the flush. Chunks of brown wax came out. Oh, and my hearing appeared
to return to normal. Of course, this was during Covid, so I never scheduled
another test.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This time, I assumed the cause was wax again. So, I flushed
the ear. However, it did not help.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My Facebook friends raised concerns and encouraged (some
ordered) me to see the doctor ASAP. The first appointment I could get was on
Monday, the thirtieth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">She confirmed: no wax. She gave me a referral. Just as the
last time, this doctor had no availability for over six weeks. They suggested
contacting another doctor, which I did and made an appointment for February sixth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, my primary doctor did some research and called in
a prescription for strong steroids.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the sixth, I underwent an extensive hearing test. The
conclusion: “sudden sensorineural hearing loss.” The specialist explained that
sometimes a virus of unknown origin will cause the body to attack the hearing.
No known trigger or cause, and no effective and simple cure. Darn! <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The only recommended treatment is steroid shots directly
through the ear drum. (OUCH!) After the injection, the patient must remain
perfectly still for fifteen minutes to allow the inner ear to absorb the
liquid. (It is supposed to be more effective than systemic tablets.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The recommended course is three shots over one week.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The other possible (though less likely) causes could be a
tumor or blockage on the nerve or on the eustachian tubes behind the ear drum.
In order to eliminate these as the cause, I am scheduled for an MRI.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today, I had the third of the three shots. I’m sorry to say,
there has been no change whatsoever. I still hear as though I am down a well
with no sound from the left. <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">☹</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I love music. During my younger years, I did not listen to
excessively loud music. Instead of loud rock, I listened to classical or
showtunes. My iPods (yes, plural—I have several) contain my 20,000 favorite
songs. I listen to them on the computer, in the car, and on long car rides.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, with no stereo sound, my pleasure is considerably
diminished.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I am finally nearly recovered from my broken leg, And now
this…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I can’t seem to catch a break.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After the MRI on Thursday, I will undergo another hearing
test. If there is still no improvement, we will do two more inner ear shots.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once again, my many, many friends on Facebook have proved
invaluable. Several have told me about people they know (or themselves) who
have gone through the same thing. All have experienced improvement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Whatever the outcome, I will no doubt require hearing aids—just
like nearly all of my friends. And I am grateful for the technology!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, one step at a time, praying for a positive outcome.<o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-40710514875631022023-02-03T15:38:00.000-08:002023-02-03T15:38:01.329-08:00Back to the Park<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">On November 21, I fell at Disneyland and broke my leg. By the
time our daughter, Kim, arrived home for a vacation on the evening of December
16, I had finally gotten the purple cast on. As part of her Christmas gift, we
had bought her a one-day park-hopper pass for the 18</span><sup style="font-family: arial;">th</sup><span style="font-family: arial;">. Of course,
she was going to use it, and I wasn’t going to miss going!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had rented a wheelchair for a month, so we decided Larry
and Kim would push me in the chair. Kim especially wanted to go on the two
rides in Star Wars Land. Larry and I had already been on both of them, so we
waited outside while she went single rider. There is a special line for single
riders where the ride operators can take people to fill ride vehicles with
empty seats. (Remember this hack when you visit!)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS_Tn17P4-7x2j1gQEQHNGe0oHpJP-pW48KcoYoZrp7tH1_fBBq39UuzlXbgSZVEaxussltJu1oUxKkr2arEtumXrcrM1LIRjmS-WDLCqvCD0IS3ylZvBybKxS3O08tMZVU58a_S_VvWmGtJ3rODGLjfi0AH40T8j6-PbNkgp06HW-cPr__kI8lUZDQ/s4000/Star%20Wars%20Wait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS_Tn17P4-7x2j1gQEQHNGe0oHpJP-pW48KcoYoZrp7tH1_fBBq39UuzlXbgSZVEaxussltJu1oUxKkr2arEtumXrcrM1LIRjmS-WDLCqvCD0IS3ylZvBybKxS3O08tMZVU58a_S_VvWmGtJ3rODGLjfi0AH40T8j6-PbNkgp06HW-cPr__kI8lUZDQ/s320/Star%20Wars%20Wait.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpHynYvDr9HqK_9Fx9uj6ad6wskTgM_Y6JhlkNpjNYgAm-VJMDJt0FKldOwQvC_NklGzqIXPC04FfMFl06ve9KkQbZVVDXuXDKc6rsnAYX1RDcPksUbHqa9s0jlldFdqtkjq3kJZMpBfiq1KX7x4L5fU_oNTkT4BmjD_UAIlena8Q9xUjPg-ppFnkgw/s3648/Star%20Wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpHynYvDr9HqK_9Fx9uj6ad6wskTgM_Y6JhlkNpjNYgAm-VJMDJt0FKldOwQvC_NklGzqIXPC04FfMFl06ve9KkQbZVVDXuXDKc6rsnAYX1RDcPksUbHqa9s0jlldFdqtkjq3kJZMpBfiq1KX7x4L5fU_oNTkT4BmjD_UAIlena8Q9xUjPg-ppFnkgw/s320/Star%20Wars.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kim went on both rides, and it didn’t take nearly as long as
if we had all tried to go together.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Haunted Mansion Holiday is also one of her favorite rides,
so we headed there next. We checked in with the wheelchair and got a time to
come back. While we waited, we went to the coffee place in the French Quarter
for New Orleans-style coffee and beignets.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then back to the Haunted Mansion. We were taken to the
handicapped entrance. I had to leave the chair and take about five steps using
my cane to get on the ride, but it worked well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then they pushed me over to Small World. They covert the
ride to Christmas music, and Kim and I both enjoy it. We got to ride in the special
boat with the wheelchair tiedown! I felt very special!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVIAcf27-EgKnR3nzoVtRfCvyelelk3lOHqCJWxV-KCW91V21Klx9tZWOPPlGdKtQRH2tDgdgwUYCj_Z_0MuHEg4UXdLLM7xhK25-G65Eyfwh0FAC_w-jbIv-yaejPDUMP0TK8-hvl0jJ7Snc952VS3f0haLi7jqQCJloKu4aw-HC5JtgLZ1eL6o_gQ/s4128/Small%20World%20Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVIAcf27-EgKnR3nzoVtRfCvyelelk3lOHqCJWxV-KCW91V21Klx9tZWOPPlGdKtQRH2tDgdgwUYCj_Z_0MuHEg4UXdLLM7xhK25-G65Eyfwh0FAC_w-jbIv-yaejPDUMP0TK8-hvl0jJ7Snc952VS3f0haLi7jqQCJloKu4aw-HC5JtgLZ1eL6o_gQ/s320/Small%20World%20Boat.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift0fRO61DA4FuXSgFvU2noR32-9vsgHfYIWsI5x9NX-u2E1BrUDlGsVn1u3iWpoio8s731Ynm_RRud6dct1AzRe_WmYhzu0LXpxR1oEQPgJFnna0qXzv7e4i55Ss72cvouAkbREM27C3Yz2miHsQy-5Zgjw3ijycqhIisSQnCAxyRfisavsOqKXG4zA/s4000/Small%20World%20Ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift0fRO61DA4FuXSgFvU2noR32-9vsgHfYIWsI5x9NX-u2E1BrUDlGsVn1u3iWpoio8s731Ynm_RRud6dct1AzRe_WmYhzu0LXpxR1oEQPgJFnna0qXzv7e4i55Ss72cvouAkbREM27C3Yz2miHsQy-5Zgjw3ijycqhIisSQnCAxyRfisavsOqKXG4zA/s320/Small%20World%20Ride.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_8" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" style="height: 180pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 240.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_9" o:spid="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 180pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 240pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, we took the monorail to Downtown Disney where we went
into the Grand Californian to sit in the lobby and listen to Christmas music.
This is a holiday tradition!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ImGsYY25IhyggAmz9v2ytCWouwpLUuCki6uNPBJcWafDE9pB04Ol4Rq6FVjO0EV127qAM3tjvwZQ1MZwfnQsEntU9E3Z4MDViN9zHF9tECU2d78CCihF_Y_JO-4h80wEtxuJo4Wpv5tH05upWMsUaLPXEosquSxDI2OaDSK77UMQiojkzvvx6qTSQ/s4032/Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5ImGsYY25IhyggAmz9v2ytCWouwpLUuCki6uNPBJcWafDE9pB04Ol4Rq6FVjO0EV127qAM3tjvwZQ1MZwfnQsEntU9E3Z4MDViN9zHF9tECU2d78CCihF_Y_JO-4h80wEtxuJo4Wpv5tH05upWMsUaLPXEosquSxDI2OaDSK77UMQiojkzvvx6qTSQ/s320/Tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_10" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 3in; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 161.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We next went to Disney’s California Adventure and went on
Soarin’ (my favorite ride in either park).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were getting hungry, so we went to the wharf for lunch.
Larry and I had clam chowder in bread bowls, and Kim had Chinese nachos. (Who
knew?) It was a cold day, and the soup tasted good.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, we went on Tower of Tower. Kim hadn’t seen the new
theming, and she enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kim wanted to ride the Cars ride. Once again, she went
single rider. (We usually do it this way, too, even when we both ride.)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqS-V58N5TP0UTyUGLNIXosaQ-dukr4CZPdGpFGPw7Ae9aJvUYO-aNGN2d93vh_zL8zwLQx0XjRPXZJdI6Y6MEWtbRSedEULeuGXYbheUFHf9bkLPIPMT6CArbHEKABXONgBBt6KLfZ5WDiA6W7eDwlEnvonQ6_EE1r1ITjLT3tGl4nePbcVA3U3O5A/s3024/Cars%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2710" data-original-width="3024" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqS-V58N5TP0UTyUGLNIXosaQ-dukr4CZPdGpFGPw7Ae9aJvUYO-aNGN2d93vh_zL8zwLQx0XjRPXZJdI6Y6MEWtbRSedEULeuGXYbheUFHf9bkLPIPMT6CArbHEKABXONgBBt6KLfZ5WDiA6W7eDwlEnvonQ6_EE1r1ITjLT3tGl4nePbcVA3U3O5A/s320/Cars%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_12" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 180pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 201pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
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</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry and I meandered over to Starbucks for cappuccinos to
warm up. While there, we talked to two different families. (This is my favorite
thing to do when we visit the park: meet new people. Many are either locals or
visit often. We compare notes.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kim returned and enjoyed her hot drink. By this time, it was
getting late, and the day was getting quite cold. Larry went to retrieve the
car while Kim and I went through the shops. We didn’t find anything we thought
we needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry brought the car to the pick-up area in front where we met
him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another lovely day in the parks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Follow up: Today I heard from the folks at Disneyland. It
looks as though they might pay for the wheelchair rental and a couple of other
incidentals from the accident. So, we should not be out-of-pocket for much.
Fortunately, I have excellent insurance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">All in all, we are doing pretty well and are ready to go
back again soon!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-90970519351390306022023-01-22T00:01:00.001-08:002023-01-22T00:01:00.176-08:00A House is a Hole…<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">There is an old saying that a boat is a hole in the water
into which you pour money. The same can be said about a house: it’s a hole in
the ground where you pour money. Since Friday the 13<sup>th</sup>, we have been
pouring lots!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I broke my leg, we noticed that the toilet in our
bathroom seemed to be leaking a little bit. We stuffed a towel around the
bottom to catch the moisture and changed it out a couple of times a week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When my daughter left after the first of the year, we also
noticed that the one in the guest bathroom was starting to make strange noises
every time it was flushed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Time to call out the plumber.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">He arrived on Friday morning, and by the afternoon, he had
completely rebuilt both of them. No more leaks, and the guest one had a
completely new flush mechanism. Not cheap, but at least both were working well.
(And they were nearly twenty-five years old, so a refresh was not unwarranted.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then, on Saturday evening, the 14<sup>th</sup>, we were
watching a TV show and heard a giant <i>CRACK</i>, sort of like a huge blast of
thunder next to the house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry looked at me. “Was that on TV?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“I don’t think so.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We looked out in the yard, and one of our large pine trees
had come down. The roots had given way with all the recent rain.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9T9cXDWfLYHTdR4SuOktDVBH29KY7SMJrxEDCfQoIHgoZsn_tFNgCBP-FlxvM-qELZSdl4fk5SSHlmTryOr9c7dqRm3BgSEB4md96xyt9yDbxTgnH6jz-CHKJfE2TchTW1d8CvARTjvv-0TyFRAwADTDINPRoSehZ2zVyxRfCjoyqNp3yL3cibNFxg/s4000/20230114_154753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9T9cXDWfLYHTdR4SuOktDVBH29KY7SMJrxEDCfQoIHgoZsn_tFNgCBP-FlxvM-qELZSdl4fk5SSHlmTryOr9c7dqRm3BgSEB4md96xyt9yDbxTgnH6jz-CHKJfE2TchTW1d8CvARTjvv-0TyFRAwADTDINPRoSehZ2zVyxRfCjoyqNp3yL3cibNFxg/s320/20230114_154753.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pl9DrQWGX3Z6MVE9UE6rvA0itFEZUtY1G03QQMCpjBVEkLxibv9r_PsAhR2GJaPQ53gxKz7dPdXObNJEPkpYGNZT8AivHTNngQt40-r0wp1Un6fxpI_sTG2cBsEH8JdVZ4ET5zVb9wYWFcuZeQz4m84n838B06h2Zpoz4XlSwYqSIlXh5vkXFc5IEw/s4000/20230114_154824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pl9DrQWGX3Z6MVE9UE6rvA0itFEZUtY1G03QQMCpjBVEkLxibv9r_PsAhR2GJaPQ53gxKz7dPdXObNJEPkpYGNZT8AivHTNngQt40-r0wp1Un6fxpI_sTG2cBsEH8JdVZ4ET5zVb9wYWFcuZeQz4m84n838B06h2Zpoz4XlSwYqSIlXh5vkXFc5IEw/s320/20230114_154824.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUN9Z8R8Trviv-LLgCJ2CsGJfM54GgWLyYAayGnZhtq8dvWrZtcJQV_8zjeuLwC5KDegKXNxVIUZE5iVAixZnWeZN4O2p0HVc7jZOj8LIbcYUjUUpv_VKmqrn8ihhPekUddsRHI0INhyZqgmpq4VYVdmKLwhckU0AL1raZVRJ7mDSV2XzatNzXzM7Lg/s4000/20230114_154918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUN9Z8R8Trviv-LLgCJ2CsGJfM54GgWLyYAayGnZhtq8dvWrZtcJQV_8zjeuLwC5KDegKXNxVIUZE5iVAixZnWeZN4O2p0HVc7jZOj8LIbcYUjUUpv_VKmqrn8ihhPekUddsRHI0INhyZqgmpq4VYVdmKLwhckU0AL1raZVRJ7mDSV2XzatNzXzM7Lg/s320/20230114_154918.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSomhcBsns9r5d8PmY5IgCMo9a_SMpwTdhSn9VZKEXQvongOuKC0Ry47GxY3oRraoi0Wu80rESyITgji2fppirElYgs9BVBCfUNY_w7XEjJEGz57VQrO7ywrP4ZGngBuUi_Y0-IXF5QIywULrxuXjcswG4uMMNOIRuFb49r-fOxNMYxjc9A80xnuJfQ/s4000/20230114_155015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSomhcBsns9r5d8PmY5IgCMo9a_SMpwTdhSn9VZKEXQvongOuKC0Ry47GxY3oRraoi0Wu80rESyITgji2fppirElYgs9BVBCfUNY_w7XEjJEGz57VQrO7ywrP4ZGngBuUi_Y0-IXF5QIywULrxuXjcswG4uMMNOIRuFb49r-fOxNMYxjc9A80xnuJfQ/s320/20230114_155015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have hated the tree ever since it showed up as a volunteer
a number of years ago. I asked Larry many times to remove it, but he liked it
and wouldn’t get rid of it. I actually feared exactly what happened—or worse.
And the pine needles were clogging up the motors and filters on the waterfall.
Larry dutifully cleaned them out periodically, but he refused to do anything
about the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We live at the top of a hill. The very top was cut away when
they built our house in the late 1970s, and the material removed was used for
fill for the houses across the street. They have topsoil. We do not. We are on
bedrock (good for earthquakes, but not so hot for growing things).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Plants don’t do very well in the yard because there is nowhere
for the roots to take hold. I have been afraid that one of the trees would come
crashing down on the house. They were getting tall (about 35 feet each—and there
were three of them).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The good news:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->It mostly missed the house and fell into the
back yard</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The only collateral damage was to a couple of irrigation
water pipes and outside lights</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->The gutter was bent but not so badly that it has
to be replaced.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We called a local tree service, and they sent a couple of
guys out right away. They cut up the big branches and stacked them in the front
yard, promising to return early on Sunday morning (at 7:30 a.m.).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They arrived right on time, as promised, with a huge truck
and a wood chipper, and began cutting up the debris. We also asked them to cut
back the other two large pines, trim the jacarandas, and shape the Japanese
maple. (These projects were years overdue.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It took nearly six hours, but by the afternoon, their truck
was full of tree trimmings, and the work was completed. We were very fortunate,
even though it was a very expensive job. At least no damage was done to our
house!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Several thousand dollars later, the big tree is gone, and
the others are now trimmed down to a reasonable size.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I still hope the rest of 2023 will improve…</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-90788318055861642502023-01-15T16:34:00.001-08:002023-01-15T16:34:18.640-08:00The Year Without Christmas<p><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Grinch struck our house. 2022 was not my best year—at least
not the end of it. We missed Christmas altogether, and for a Christmas junkie,
it wasn’t much fun.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82NDjxUBEKPZJ2-BZk1E0ej0VBZCeN83sxHoa8n_pLXMHQAsDzS9hiS-5D4bjlSDDSmI_rdGsbW8R73BTP0t6X3BaSTdvtmCCPziq4Q2JFqJccndQiA0_rOBsr00uJi8_pRImKnKP07TTOO9e815kuUw7Sper8y4qxyf9iWJIikx9ltEu3Fmc-9HGuQ/s600/ban-merry-christmas-graphic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82NDjxUBEKPZJ2-BZk1E0ej0VBZCeN83sxHoa8n_pLXMHQAsDzS9hiS-5D4bjlSDDSmI_rdGsbW8R73BTP0t6X3BaSTdvtmCCPziq4Q2JFqJccndQiA0_rOBsr00uJi8_pRImKnKP07TTOO9e815kuUw7Sper8y4qxyf9iWJIikx9ltEu3Fmc-9HGuQ/s320/ban-merry-christmas-graphic.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I broke my leg three days before Thanksgiving, so we missed celebrating
the holiday with the family. (For the first ten days, I was confined to my
bedroom upstairs, and could go nowhere.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry cooked a nice dinner and we ate together on a TV tray
next to the bed, but it wasn’t the same. My brother- and sister-in-love brought
us turkey soup made from the carcass as well as rolls and dessert a couple of
days later. Delicious, but the best part was seeing them, if only for a short
time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I finally got to see the orthopedic surgeon, and had the much-hated
splint removed and the cast put on. No surgery required. Thank God! Things got
a bit easier at this point, but Larry was still caring for me. No time to even think
about Christmas decorations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Kim was supposed to arrive on the 16<sup>th</sup> to stay
through January 1, so I had hoped she might put up a few decorations and bake
some cookies. However, she arrived with a cold. We tried to keep our distance,
but…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, we both caught it. (NOT Covid, just a garden
variety cold, but this one hung on for nearly a month.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">No tree. No stockings. No cookies. Few gifts, and then only
the ones I had gotten before the broken leg. Most of the kids in the family are
getting too old for gifts anyway, so I have taken to giving each family a
check. (I’d rather shop, but I fear those days are over.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had already gotten Kim a ticket for Disneyland, so on the
18<sup>th</sup>, we all went. We took the wheelchair, and Larry and Kim pushed
me around. She got to go on the rides she especially wanted to enjoy. By the
end of the day, they were both very tired.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We went to church on Christmas Eve so Kim could see some of
her friends. Lovely service, but it felt as though something was definitely
missing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The rest of the time was very quiet. Kim borrowed our car so
she could go to some of the places she has missed, and we ate at her list of
favorite restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We all went to bed early on New Year’s Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On New Year’s Day, we took Kim back to the airport. Then we
came home to rest and try to get over our colds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We have both been feeling better the past couple of days,
but the house remained in fall mode until last week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hoping for a real Christmas for 2023. Hope your holidays
were a bit more festive than ours.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-33118258770111094272022-12-01T20:04:00.006-08:002022-12-01T20:04:45.631-08:00And Then I Did This…<p> We decided to renew our Disneyland annual passes because we
could. They had already announced that they will no longer offer passes for
next year, and we have really enjoyed ours. Besides, we had some extra required
withdrawal funds from our retirement accounts available.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We really love the Disney parks, and we live within half an
hour of the Anaheim resort. (Both of us were there during the first year when
we were kids.) Last year, we made sure to go at least twice a month in order to
justify the price. (They are OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Besides, whenever we go, we always put in 10,000 to 13,000
steps. Much more fun than going to the gym.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">For the past year or so, I have also been walking the marina
with my friend, Cathy a couple of times a week (about 3-1/2 miles to cover the
whole thing). I have been enjoying these early morning walks. We talk, see
people we know, and the time goes quickly. Sometimes Larry joins us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the 21<sup>st</sup> of November, we made our usual trek
to Disneyland. We were having a great time. We arrived at park opening and had
already put in about 3-1/2 hours—and over 8,000 steps.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had planned to see the new Lion King show in the
Fantasyland Theater, eat lunch, and then head home. We took the train around to
the Toontown station opposite the theater.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We started to get off. Larry went down the stairs first. (We
have gotten on and off the train hundreds of times—literally.) I started to
step down, and my foot slipped. I was still on the top on the floor of the car.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You need to understand that there are two different kinds of
train cars. One has the seats facing the front. The stairs on those cars have
handrails all the way to the bottom. The other cars have the seats facing the outside.
These have no handrails. The floor of the car is about 3-1/2 to 4-feet off the platform.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Of course, we were on the latter kind of car.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I tried to catch the lower step as I felt my right foot
slip. Didn’t make it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My left foot landed hard on the cement platform at the
bottom and folded under me. Then my head hit the ground. I heard it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fortunately, I never lost consciousness. I was certain I had
done some damage to my left ankle right away. It hurt.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Being Disney, people swarmed around immediately. They
actually emptied the train and stopped it from running until I was taken care
of. Security was called and arrived quickly.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They asked if I wanted them to call an ambulance. Uh…no
thanks.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A nurse with a wheelchair arrived and did an assessment. (My
eyes were dilating and I was making sense—and joking.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He and Larry got me into the chair. He had brought a couple
of ice packs and put one on the ankle and another on my head. Then they pushed
me to the infirmary. (Did you know they had one? Actually, I did.) We talked
and joked all the way.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They said I should have a CAT scan since I hit my head, and
even I recognized that I needed to have my ankle x-rayed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I wanted to go to a hospital closer to home—just in case I
might need to stay.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They sent Larry to get the car from the parking lot while
the nurse (Tom) brought me fresh ice packs. I was actually pretty comfortable.
A knot rose on the back of my head, and the ankle started to swell and hurt.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Larry drove the car to the special waiting area at the front
of the park. He called me, and Tom pushed me out to the car. They helped me get
in, and then we drove down to Mission Hospital. I knew (from having broken my
wrist in 2019) that Urgent Care didn’t have a CAT scan machine, so the ER at
the hospital made the most sense.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There was a wheelchair outside the ER, so Larry grabbed it
to get me inside.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was checked in fairly quickly. When they noted I was
taking a blood thinner, they decided I should be seen in the trauma area. So,
off we headed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I was taken care of by two nurses. (Dale was one, and I
never got the name of the other one.) Carrie took all my vitals. We talked
about how I could easily remember her name since it is the same as my niece. (I
said I always called her “Care Bear”, even though the stuffed ones came about a
few years after she was born. Carrie at the hospital said she had been called
the same thing.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then, I was taken to have the CAT scan. It wasn’t too bad—except
getting on the table.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They brought me back to the trauma area and settled me in a bed.
I was surprised when they brought in a portable x-ray machine to get the
x-rays. I was also surprised when they took a chest x-ray as well as one of my
pelvis before getting four different ones of the ankle.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then we waited…and waited…and waited.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Three hours later, they told me they were having a problem
with their blue-ray and wi-fi. They couldn’t send the x-rays to the orthopedist,
but they were working on it. They said the files were in the machine, but they
couldn’t transmit them.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I asked why they hadn’t pulled them off with a flash drive
and taken them to the doctor, who was in the hospital. No one had an answer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">They finally brought in another machine. They took another
chest x-ray and three more shots of my ankle. Then the technician (the same one
who had taken the first ones) pulled a flash drive from the machine and
scurried off. I laughed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I could see a computer screen about twenty feet from where I
lay. A few minutes later, I saw images appear. Catherine, who had been trying
to make me comfortable (bringing warm blankets, etc.) sat down to look at them.
I knew they were mine from the obvious swelling around the ankle and the
angles.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Not long afterward, Dale appeared to tell me they had
finally gotten the files read. “Your head is fine. So is your chest.” (I could
have told him this.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“I saw my ankle.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“You saw the break?”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“No. It was too far away, but I knew they were my x-rays.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">“Well, you have a fracture of the fibula.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank God, it wasn’t the ankle joint itself!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Catherine finally put on a splint—the same awful kind they
had put on my wrist. I hated that one, and I hated this one even more.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Once it was set up, they said I could go home. I was more
than ready!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We had each only eaten a small red velvet cupcake around
nine-thirty. We only ate those because we had decided to see the show at noon
and then eat a late lunch afterward.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It was now nearing seven in the evening. We had been up
since six a.m. and had spent over six hours at the hospital.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We drove through a drive-in and picked up sandwiches for
dinner. We were starving!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When we arrived home, we had another challenge. We have a two-story
house with no bedrooms downstairs and only a half bath. I needed to get to bed,
so I had to find a way to get upstairs. Larry pulled, pushed, and dragged me
upstairs. Once we reached the landing, I crawled into the bedroom. Getting into
bed proved another challenge, but we made it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We finally ate our dinner in the bedroom. I ate half, and
Larry ate all of his.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At the hospital, they’d offered me a boot. Un…no. I had one
when I sprained my ankle at the same time I broke my wrist. It was uncomfortable,
and I felt as though I was off balance and falling down every time I tried to
step. (The bottom was curved and about 2” off the ground. It was also slick.) So,
they gave me crutches. I warned them I didn’t have enough upper body strength to
use them, but we brought them home. Unfortunately, I was right…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next day, our friend who had borrowed my mom’s walker
brought it back. At least I could push down on the walker and hop. It allowed
me to get around. Not easily, but at least I could move. A little.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The toilet proved to be the biggest challenge. To get there,
I had to cross our (large) bedroom, go through the (large) dressing room, get
through the (narrow) door, and then sit on the (low) toilet. Unfortunately, the
bathroom door opened over the front of the toilet. Works fine most of the time,
but I now had to get the walker into the room with me and figure out how to get
around the door. (The next day, Larry removed it.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The issue was then how to get up from the toilet using only
one foot. We have a towel rack next to the toilet. Unfortunately, it is more
decorative than functional. It can’t be used as a grab bar.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thank goodness for Feldenkrais training! At least I could
figure out how to get my weight balanced, but it wasn’t easy! And the more
often I did it, the harder it became.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After he removed the door, Larry rented a wheelchair. BIG
HELP!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I could actually sit in the chair, wheel myself, and push
with my good foot. Much simpler.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">But the issue of getting off the toilet continued.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The day after the accident, I called the orthopedic surgeon.
This was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The earliest appointment I could get
was the Wednesday AFTER Thanksgiving. (I presume he was booked up and was
taking at least the entire weekend off, just like everyone else.) SIGH. This
meant dealing with the heavy, uncomfortable splint, wheelchair, and low toilet
for nine days.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Larry was in the office
working. I was feeling over-confident. I got to the bathroom, sat on the toilet,
and took care of my business. Then I tried to stand up…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As I nearly got up and onto the seat, the wheelchair rolled
backward, and I landed on the floor.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I lost it. I still had over three days before I could see
the doctor, and I couldn’t even get to the bathroom by myself. Larry had told
me not to try to do it by myself, but I was feeling guilty for being so demanding.
(He didn’t see it that way, thank God!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I acquired a few more bruises but no more damage to
other bones or joints.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The next day, we got a 2” padded extension for the toilet
seat. This brought it up nearly to the same height as the seat on the
wheelchair. Getting off became a bit easier.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Wednesday finally arrived, and I went to see the doctor. He
cut off the awful splint. My leg felt much better without the darn thing. The
foot was still a bit swollen and had turned a lovely shade of Shrek green.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He took a couple new x-rays. The break is healing nicely,
and I hadn’t done any additional damage. Thank God.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">He quickly put on a cast—much smaller and lighter than the
hated splint. I got to choose the color. I picked purple. Once it set up, he
said I could walk on it a bit. Of course, he warned me not to overdo it. (I
suspect he intuited I probably would if not warned.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So now, I am getting around on this beautiful foot.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFGAReUsFFv6KPbNic6wBXupYCuJiklor6H4iNwmSyyvIypa9eXPJoFGkwdWv2i7gTmQKJHbApxypz8k3j9YFlBZgOZEAX5beqjRr_qWZOAVhTPvUa5ue35w0CDkOvLBcGOFp71i2dRf6AtSOWkZasew5ft4EdJ6GCQxegQkj6wE0gIKVdPx1bmQXsw/s4000/cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFGAReUsFFv6KPbNic6wBXupYCuJiklor6H4iNwmSyyvIypa9eXPJoFGkwdWv2i7gTmQKJHbApxypz8k3j9YFlBZgOZEAX5beqjRr_qWZOAVhTPvUa5ue35w0CDkOvLBcGOFp71i2dRf6AtSOWkZasew5ft4EdJ6GCQxegQkj6wE0gIKVdPx1bmQXsw/s320/cast.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I am back to using the walker here at home.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Kim arrives on the 16<sup>th</sup>, and I look forward to
having her here. We got her a Disneyland ticket for the 18<sup>th</sup>, and we’ll
go. But we will take the wheelchair since it should be a lot easier.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And, no, I haven’t gotten tired of Disneyland. <o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-31452256326921148132022-11-04T09:00:00.001-07:002022-11-04T09:23:45.036-07:00My Favorite Go-to Recipe<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">My niece, Carrie, has been posting her favorite recipes. I
tried a couple of them, and they are easy and delicious!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Whenever I can’t think of anything else to fix, I always
turn to a frittata.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first time I ate this dish was in the late 1970s at <a href="https://www.longhis.com/">Longhi’s</a> restaurant in Lahaina, Maui,
Hawaii.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a favorite place where we always ate breakfast when
we were in Lahaina. Bob Longhi started the restaurant on Front Street a couple
of years before our first visit in 1978. He took verbal orders himself, and
there was no written menu.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob came to the table and told us what he was making that
day. He generally offered a couple of choices for breakfast, including eggs
benedict and his huge, yummy cinnamon rolls. (We usually ordered one to split.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One morning, he offered a spinach/cheese frittata. Since I
had never had one, I asked him what it was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob was never one to answer a question directly. (Actually,
he was often a bit surly—but funny.) “Just order it. You’ll like it.” (He
always sounded short and impatient.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I decided to try it. I figured Larry would eat it if I
didn’t like it, and I’d at least have half a cinnamon roll…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihgxWLOiQZNtwvpCGc6qLTjq8RRaNRHY3wcIYt6j3Nl9Mr0h1-mqLU7fFyAdYXuwzLHvI1LzsLshr4XBHkrYlxW5afAKKpVR_l8yZUNuyile8qSKc7pNgAe-BlUuQuQPU9FAynNpPaQXemazHLIhRZdpOoK4ppzT1eP1BcpogvPPiADRESykFulUdIA/s2040/Spinach_Frittata_with_Bacon_and_Cheddar_Spinach_Frittata_with_Bacon_and_Cheddar_Spinach_Frittata_with_Bacon_and_Cheddar_-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2040" data-original-width="1360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihgxWLOiQZNtwvpCGc6qLTjq8RRaNRHY3wcIYt6j3Nl9Mr0h1-mqLU7fFyAdYXuwzLHvI1LzsLshr4XBHkrYlxW5afAKKpVR_l8yZUNuyile8qSKc7pNgAe-BlUuQuQPU9FAynNpPaQXemazHLIhRZdpOoK4ppzT1eP1BcpogvPPiADRESykFulUdIA/s320/Spinach_Frittata_with_Bacon_and_Cheddar_Spinach_Frittata_with_Bacon_and_Cheddar_Spinach_Frittata_with_Bacon_and_Cheddar_-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Then I ordered tea.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“You want what?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">“Hot tea.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob shook his head. “You mean you want me to go across the
street to the gas station and run the water in the restroom until it’s hot,
then carry it all the way back here, just so you can have hot tea?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">By this time, of course, I was laughing. “Uh…yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">He harrumphed and left the table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, the frittata was delicious, and the tea bag came
with a pot of steaming hot water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob’s dog was always present inside the restaurant. He
usually wore a red cotton bandana. He lay in a corner and never bothered
anyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bob never wore shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr8EV7j-KRb9SVYu93JE-vYko8zuh64VpyUAclxY5Q6EAe3Xxqg_UHXzpS40pnavnb21GeZPgE-n_bXEXYbJx8hR3sp0ZjqJpeHkokZX2LEKmOtbbE6bwlicJC3AgNKOk_yQwYp33O3PFstDhc9zumlSRIKz-YtbuoyqZvVF4Fzd5G-R5COlBnyVqKg/s254/Bob2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="204" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKr8EV7j-KRb9SVYu93JE-vYko8zuh64VpyUAclxY5Q6EAe3Xxqg_UHXzpS40pnavnb21GeZPgE-n_bXEXYbJx8hR3sp0ZjqJpeHkokZX2LEKmOtbbE6bwlicJC3AgNKOk_yQwYp33O3PFstDhc9zumlSRIKz-YtbuoyqZvVF4Fzd5G-R5COlBnyVqKg/s1600/Bob2.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 180pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 144.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:///C:/Users/lkcol/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.jpg">
</v:imagedata></v:shape></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For years, we always went to Longhi’s in Lahaina for
breakfast whenever we stayed there. I don’t remember if we ever ordered
frittata again, but after tasting it there the first time, I started making it
often.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One year we entered the restaurant, with its distinctive
black-and-white checked floor to find the dog missing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I asked where he was, Bob answered, “He retired
upcountry.” However, a painting of the dog graced one wall. It was still there
the last time we ate there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we attended the Maui Writers Conference in Kihei in
2005 and 2006, we ate at their location in the Kihei Mall. And yes, we ordered
a cinnamon roll. They were as good as we remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were sad when we learned that Bob had died in 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For a couple of years, we stayed at a condo owned by a
friend of our friend, Bob Schwenck, in Kaanapali. We never got to Longhi’s for
breakfast, but on one of our last evenings, we ate dinner upstairs at Longhi’s
in Lahaina and watched the sunset. Bob painted a picture of the gorgeous view.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxAlwWgkf7AHVg4hRhdZGIRHpgLSR2j4zPT7PF1rgE1jxFnT8zU3eDISrzbvW8J3hXY6E1Z5Isw_OqExDFbOkvybFNnEjHanFp90PtQgs0gEuAnsC-jhBITTOizKTAIKhEyTuPiVP-oouNJofnjifl7bOrlZlVvQS88rYmL7-BVuk7GEKwa92qDT2nw/s3145/Maui%20Magic.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2455" data-original-width="3145" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxAlwWgkf7AHVg4hRhdZGIRHpgLSR2j4zPT7PF1rgE1jxFnT8zU3eDISrzbvW8J3hXY6E1Z5Isw_OqExDFbOkvybFNnEjHanFp90PtQgs0gEuAnsC-jhBITTOizKTAIKhEyTuPiVP-oouNJofnjifl7bOrlZlVvQS88rYmL7-BVuk7GEKwa92qDT2nw/s320/Maui%20Magic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">I just read that the Lahaina location is now closed, but
there are two others still on Maui. We’ll have to try them out when we get back
there</span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;">Easy Frittata<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I made one of these whenever I have leftover meat and
veggies.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Chop leftover meat and veggies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Chop sweet peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and other
fresh veggies (These are my basics)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Cook all the ingredients until tender in oil in a
medium skillet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Mix 4-8 eggs with a little milk or cream. (I use
my immersion blender.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Pour egg mixture over the other cooked
ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Top with shredded cheese. (There is never too
much for my taste!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Turn heat to low, cover and simmer for about 15 minutes. OR
place in a 350-degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Cook until cheese is melted and
eggs are set.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Cut into wedges and serve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Good for breakfast or brunch. Leftovers can be refrigerated
and reheated for another meal if there is any left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every time I make this dish I remember the first time I
tried it, and remembering always makes me smile.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-5105025380055667382022-10-28T13:32:00.005-07:002022-10-28T13:32:44.267-07:00I Don’t Like Halloween<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">Please don’t hate me, but I don’t like Halloween. I never
did. I don’t like to be scared. I don’t enjoy masks and costumes. And I really
don’t like clowns!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I love Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. But Halloween is
different. It is intended to frighten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was little, my mom made all of my costumes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The first one was when I was twenty-six months old. My
grandfather had just passed away, so she and my grandmother pinned a sheet
around my neck. I think I look frightened in the photo.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIavE-zOrvffCKK1vym28l8wKJCG_KAjMiBixjIz9S7vCz4Sa-5PFoNsPY26Zygg8WM26xKm92jQY-KUR6R2BuI0RmfTsu87m4L5ClxrGSZ2Gp3pBZuZTdt3GagNG2h_paO5MZRow7NgmFITR0Pl9hX8FyOA5KOBm5uAd6qgzkRkrOoBmc0abIcg_mvQ/s417/1948-Ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIavE-zOrvffCKK1vym28l8wKJCG_KAjMiBixjIz9S7vCz4Sa-5PFoNsPY26Zygg8WM26xKm92jQY-KUR6R2BuI0RmfTsu87m4L5ClxrGSZ2Gp3pBZuZTdt3GagNG2h_paO5MZRow7NgmFITR0Pl9hX8FyOA5KOBm5uAd6qgzkRkrOoBmc0abIcg_mvQ/s320/1948-Ghost.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">One of my favorites was Little Bo Peep. I adored that one.
It was pretty, and I got to carry my stuffed lamb. The “staff” was made from my
great-grandfather’s cane, wrapped in crepe paper.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwigaYoBtm9z3cxsUSFSBiH2VRyZwHR-ORFlbjODXF5oLL-YeIeoyNpWQ-gXeWzatTUGeUlbMhv7XXg1sQwGdxbIAwqm0fCj2SauBoDX3q8McX3_EkFP7Rkni1LUyA5DsMmKfbp2gtycL342WZEpeavSNYSCc-NHXtez1MLHyrqk7Aee59_tmD36LaQ/s494/1949-Bo%20Peep2jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="494" data-original-width="411" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwigaYoBtm9z3cxsUSFSBiH2VRyZwHR-ORFlbjODXF5oLL-YeIeoyNpWQ-gXeWzatTUGeUlbMhv7XXg1sQwGdxbIAwqm0fCj2SauBoDX3q8McX3_EkFP7Rkni1LUyA5DsMmKfbp2gtycL342WZEpeavSNYSCc-NHXtez1MLHyrqk7Aee59_tmD36LaQ/s320/1949-Bo%20Peep2jpg.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_M3tyPuXCMVq3puUjv2rWVyWF9v7xs9vsDLkkhW0hUydbjCxHTTlWK6RidwKL1Gcvk3TKati7a1GBGk1JczV2j5gwQsQqLdTqwokvxhfSvwUdC_I5Emvo61rsKT0DiybV5NOcRxcdKhrL8nvh_wqYfOIxe_rFCkCILLmEE7TuldgMrJJWbqsDykXJQ/s567/1949-Bo%20Peep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_M3tyPuXCMVq3puUjv2rWVyWF9v7xs9vsDLkkhW0hUydbjCxHTTlWK6RidwKL1Gcvk3TKati7a1GBGk1JczV2j5gwQsQqLdTqwokvxhfSvwUdC_I5Emvo61rsKT0DiybV5NOcRxcdKhrL8nvh_wqYfOIxe_rFCkCILLmEE7TuldgMrJJWbqsDykXJQ/s320/1949-Bo%20Peep.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Another year, Mom took an old wine velvet dress of hers and
made it into a princess costume. My dad painted a pair of my shoes in gold and
made me a crown. I rather liked it.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I got to grammar school, Mom made us several different
simple costumes. One I remember was a graduate. She used a cotton blouse for a
robe and made a “mortarboard” from cardboard and crepe paper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I often forget how creative Mom was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We always had a carnival at school, and they were fun. They
weren’t meant to be scary. They featured games and contests. I remember the
dunking machine. The older boys all wanted to sit on the seat so other boys
(nearly all of those who tried to dunk them were also boys) could throw a baseball
at a lever. If they hit it hard enough, the person on the seat would fall off
into a tank of water.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A teacher or other staff member would take a turn during the
day. Whoever the “mystery guest” was that year was the favorite target. I
especially remember when the principal took a turn. He was a real surprise
since he always seemed very formal and proper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When Kim was little, I made her costumes as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The Halloween she was one, I made her an angel outfit. Her
friend, Matt, who was a month younger, was dressed as a devil. He carried a
pitchfork. Kim carried her halo, which she refused to wear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNkVIGx-WwAoMKOGuTyE9xTQeUopmATvM7WXK_w_hsWiYnQtdRVbnHrKavjup4puEJjBMiHGkvkcAU-nz2ow6nS8PjJmEV03wl3Tc-tcOa6huwp1vjYuTR9ueVHR6Qa9JDD7h9O9xfzs2PIdQwtpS-DVWpTtxH5JE6xu228PsdT8pbUQbD-Qo8GNaOw/s429/1969-Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="390" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNkVIGx-WwAoMKOGuTyE9xTQeUopmATvM7WXK_w_hsWiYnQtdRVbnHrKavjup4puEJjBMiHGkvkcAU-nz2ow6nS8PjJmEV03wl3Tc-tcOa6huwp1vjYuTR9ueVHR6Qa9JDD7h9O9xfzs2PIdQwtpS-DVWpTtxH5JE6xu228PsdT8pbUQbD-Qo8GNaOw/s320/1969-Angel.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of years later, she was a bride. Once again, I
fashioned her costume—this time from a set of curtains.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeozegXwv8Cl3uG8FJCCoTjgo8XyS4AgxJMy1b54Y5waxx4BnqhO6pKO7Fdz6DMsCCIy032DzyRGlsbC-PenfXjVxwla13DwabBhTI4kARxxFuW36HL412Iva4gFOt4JkdjCt-LrV9JEgB73qGS-4AfbLk-GQhLI41M4wYENDyJ5yp8vnoNwlV7TiW7A/s414/1971-Bride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="351" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeozegXwv8Cl3uG8FJCCoTjgo8XyS4AgxJMy1b54Y5waxx4BnqhO6pKO7Fdz6DMsCCIy032DzyRGlsbC-PenfXjVxwla13DwabBhTI4kARxxFuW36HL412Iva4gFOt4JkdjCt-LrV9JEgB73qGS-4AfbLk-GQhLI41M4wYENDyJ5yp8vnoNwlV7TiW7A/s320/1971-Bride.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Next, she was a witch. (The hat and wig reappeared several
more times in later years.)</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxapXYPhfhMUJYsJDxCE1joDtOiNWQoK6U7LaKzNXvnhT_outfRF45eWPhV7-7anLtKUNyK4FBhTaIQpZ150PkIelaGTJttzRnN273nEbLexyvRJlLeovwphhxMwAhk1sa49dFSBhDB1oWEY5K-f0p4aBO2gSCY9ACqbKyTY8KN-juCWPHjpnowg9lg/s590/1974-Witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="288" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFxapXYPhfhMUJYsJDxCE1joDtOiNWQoK6U7LaKzNXvnhT_outfRF45eWPhV7-7anLtKUNyK4FBhTaIQpZ150PkIelaGTJttzRnN273nEbLexyvRJlLeovwphhxMwAhk1sa49dFSBhDB1oWEY5K-f0p4aBO2gSCY9ACqbKyTY8KN-juCWPHjpnowg9lg/s320/1974-Witch.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">When the TV show </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Isis</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> was popular, Kim and her best
friend, Cheryl wanted to be the superhero. So, Cheryl’s mom and I made the
girls these outfits.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZuhTbWCssCsVgHLfV74T7U3jjeLu7Uni3an0mER1Ay_iAztJrOYFLo4Un9d_f9jnW0RAz1U9xWD8hO3bm4-hkd_ef1RqT60LzjTO4nogSvSoRcLOeWE1B0U1ga53-mlpBzRpuo7Vffrx1SNbtH_JIY9oLNVPwWJvt1bUQL96Pdkxd46VQ6fpWG52Gw/s552/Isis2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZuhTbWCssCsVgHLfV74T7U3jjeLu7Uni3an0mER1Ay_iAztJrOYFLo4Un9d_f9jnW0RAz1U9xWD8hO3bm4-hkd_ef1RqT60LzjTO4nogSvSoRcLOeWE1B0U1ga53-mlpBzRpuo7Vffrx1SNbtH_JIY9oLNVPwWJvt1bUQL96Pdkxd46VQ6fpWG52Gw/s320/Isis2.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw5Qfzk8HO6dm0EAS0cE5pWwloMuH4Ht9exBKAurEvxLzaTP9_keLLAUciG5JX9mNZFRAvFrOqMriiGqQEdkhhEDJZaTFg9-krs4rCpdXgJqITLq0y2RAmM__w9sVelhhDWiGbvFVUSGgAUg3-ho5Y52ETazCfwMg6SOcvWde3vhdlvQSFXdHar-E3w/s560/Isis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="361" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMw5Qfzk8HO6dm0EAS0cE5pWwloMuH4Ht9exBKAurEvxLzaTP9_keLLAUciG5JX9mNZFRAvFrOqMriiGqQEdkhhEDJZaTFg9-krs4rCpdXgJqITLq0y2RAmM__w9sVelhhDWiGbvFVUSGgAUg3-ho5Y52ETazCfwMg6SOcvWde3vhdlvQSFXdHar-E3w/s320/Isis.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">Later on, she and her work team were dalmatians. They wore
hooded white one-piece pajamas, painted with black spots. These were really
cute.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Okay, so I enjoy the cute and pretty costumes. I just don’t appreciate
the scary ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh, and I do miss seeing the kids in their costumes. Most
parents don’t let their little ones go from door to door anymore. Churches now have
trunk-or-treat events. And many malls have trick-or-treating. I can totally
understand parents’ reluctance to have their children visit neighbors, who may
well be strangers. We have very few kids in our neighborhood. But I miss seeing
the little ones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once Halloween is over, I look forward to Thanksgiving and
Christmas. I’ll start playing holiday music next week!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-16146136230708760852022-10-07T00:00:00.003-07:002022-10-08T11:09:02.181-07:00Is Aging a Crime?<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> <i style="text-indent: 0in;">Today, my friend and fellow writer,
Janet Greger (J. L. Greger) is my guest writing about aging. Lorna</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><o:p></o:p></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes those of us over fifty feel like it’s a crime to look our
age. Characters (at least positive ones) in movies, TV shows, and ads are all
young, fit, and beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">One result of this hype is </span><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;">sales
of anti-aging products have soared worldwide</b><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">. Sales of these products in
the U.S. alone is estimated to be about $12 billion annually.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">Not surprisingly, mislabeling and false
claims for these products are also rampant.</span></b><span style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0in;"> That is criminal.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">One of the products being widely advertised now is BOTOX. Injections of
botulinum toxin drugs, like BOTOX are effective in reducing the signs of aging
(i.e. reducing crow’s feet around the eyes, laugh lines, and wrinkles on the
brow). However, many doubt the wisdom of—but not the profits from—BOTOX
parties. At these events, women receive injections of botulinum toxin at
multiple sites in a party environment in someone’s home with plenty of food and
alcohol. Nevada has now banned these at-home parties. Many states require that
injections at these parties be made by a physician or nurse. However, basic
safety requirements are difficult to maintain at these events.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">In the U.S., the FDA is the chief agency monitoring the safety of
cosmetic products and assessing the veracity of the claims. Most Americans
don’t realize the FDA can not only fine but also incarcerate manufacturers and
spa/store owners who knowingly produce, advertise and sell dangerous or
mislabeled items.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">The current situation could be described this way: </span><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;">those who try to make the public believe it is a crime to look old are
sometimes committing crimes themselves. </b><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">This is a basic premise in my new
mystery.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">In </span><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Compromises-Science-Traveler-Greger/dp/1735421421/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664995693&sr=8-1">FAIR
COMPROMISES</a></i></b><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">, twenty residents in New Mexico come into clinics and
doctors’ offices complaining of double or blurred vision, sagging eyelids, and
headaches the day after a political rally. Public health workers quickly
hypothesize the cause was botulism toxin in improperly home canned food served
at the rally. Unfortunately, one individual’s symptoms are much more severe. If
her muscle paralysis continues unchecked, she will die. New Mexico health
officials contact the FBI because this patient is a candidate for the U.S.
Senate, and they fear she may have been targeted.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">The mystery turns from being the analysis of a severe
food safety breach to the investigation of a diabolical murder attempt using
“cosmetic” botulism toxin when scientist Sara Almquist, with the help of a
talented FBI lab crew, discovers a more sinister source of the toxin at a spa
in Santa Fe. FDA officials then help the FBI solve this case and seek justice
for the victims.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">FAIR COMPROMISES</span></i></b><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"> </span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; text-indent: 0in;">has a message</span><b style="font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;">:</span></b><span style="color: #050505; font-family: arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; text-indent: 0in;"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It’s not a crime to show your age, and the relentless search for
youthful beauty can be dangerous</b>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;">Now you’re ready for some fun. Read </span><b style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;"><i>FAIR
COMPROMISES</i></b><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: 0in;"> and see what happens to a politician who tried too hard to
look young.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Compromises-Science-Traveler-Greger/dp/1735421421/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1664995693&sr=8-1"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sara Almquist and her FBI
colleagues rush to find who endangered the lives of a hundreds at a political
rally by poisoning the food with botulism toxin. The poisoners’ target was a
woman candidate for the U.S. Senate; the rest were just collateral damage. As
these agents track clues from a veterans’ hall in Clovis to health spas of
Santa Fe, they must make a multitude of personal and professional (perhaps too
many) compromises.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSojXJKSb2GJeeiPQ6hgYUfdXUKx6Z6cHI_YQfp5hdLbnfTk3fBW8KGSFIgRMiq0BO4r8qpXrBN42FbjlCM7EaD4Y_Z-1IY3egRlfxEB9Ue3xGHnH6CoYNyYSwclZsKsXd7Nbzb-7uwMQlYkNKiY3V12xQMwGPZFcp7c__igenALIdp6Gm7O0Uc2i3A/s729/janet2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="729" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSojXJKSb2GJeeiPQ6hgYUfdXUKx6Z6cHI_YQfp5hdLbnfTk3fBW8KGSFIgRMiq0BO4r8qpXrBN42FbjlCM7EaD4Y_Z-1IY3egRlfxEB9Ue3xGHnH6CoYNyYSwclZsKsXd7Nbzb-7uwMQlYkNKiY3V12xQMwGPZFcp7c__igenALIdp6Gm7O0Uc2i3A/s320/janet2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="color: #050505; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: arial;">J.L. Greger is a scientist turned novelist. She includes
science and international travel in her award-winning mysteries and thrillers: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Flu Is Coming, Games for Couples; Dirty
Holy Water, Fair Compromises, </i>and seven others. <a href="https://www.jlgreger.com/">https://www.jlgreger.com</a></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-35107524694262365912022-09-30T00:01:00.012-07:002022-09-30T00:01:00.174-07:00<p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">My Grandparents’ House<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My grandparents, David and Mary Ann "Minnie" Methven, purchased the house at 423 Westbourne Dr. in
West Hollywood, California in 1929. They moved from the house at 4125 Hammell
St. in East Los Angeles, California.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My grandfather built the first house by himself when the family
moved to California in 1919. He did everything except the plumbing because his
brother-in-law was a plumber. The house is still standing all these years later,
although it has been remodeled to such an extent that the original house is no longer
recognizable. (I could not find a good photo of it.) Mother and I used to drive
by it once in a while just to see if it still existed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The new house in West Hollywood was much larger than the old
house. The family now had three daughters and needed more space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9Ufi7pouloLK0Or9XlMFQNkfgU-iHQFRwSg-x2-Tr5y5C3lUFq0eUSXFpgCjxxfkPnzZ_utFnutOM09TpfWisI5v6M9rtcafDsLiXpafXqrIweBiJ-zUFJJh35cdov0MaGAF8DyuqxX8ZKS3kPK-zcOCqnaTip4xoI0LxV_ZfIrMOv5cPb89eegJvQ/s1480/Methven%20home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1480" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9Ufi7pouloLK0Or9XlMFQNkfgU-iHQFRwSg-x2-Tr5y5C3lUFq0eUSXFpgCjxxfkPnzZ_utFnutOM09TpfWisI5v6M9rtcafDsLiXpafXqrIweBiJ-zUFJJh35cdov0MaGAF8DyuqxX8ZKS3kPK-zcOCqnaTip4xoI0LxV_ZfIrMOv5cPb89eegJvQ/s320/Methven%20home.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The story I was told was that the builder had intended to
live there himself, but he had to move to another state. Grandpa heard about it
from a friend and purchased it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have this small painting of the house. Grandma told me
that during the Great Depression, itinerant artists went from house-to-house
volunteering to paint them for a very small amount of money. The actual
painting is about the size of a postcard. It is done on a thin piece of wood
and is signed “O.J. Russert” and dated ’33.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Until her death, Grandma hung it next to the front door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">At the time I was born in 1946, my parents lived in the “little
house,” an ADU behind the “big house.” My grandfather built the “little house” originally
when his father came to live with them. Great-grandpa later moved to the third
bedroom in the main house, and my older aunt and uncle, Gordon and Muriel
Collin, moved into the “little house.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was originally just one room with a Murphy bed with a
half bath (toilet and sink) attached. It never had a shower or tub.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When my aunt and uncle moved out, my mother moved in. She
lived there when my dad was in the military in WWII. They were married on
October 27, 1942 at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather at <a href="https://forestlawn.com/parks/glendale/">Forest Lawn Memorial Park</a> when
Dad was home on leave, and their reception was held at the house.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHGBDjRnc3pMVnozJWic0e2Bg5ASDLplrML55XmUmREn9zrn-KsCyDwMZta6HCfL9s2BXRv5GfRH7bMbRPYD332nQv2XejAEKBgIyXvufD0DL7QP0NjLv4yhrbelYeRU6y8fJorHM5ns6_5RicDS_J3-gB1X26o2RUorYYOhOnq0gwyW9mjD7O2DFtw/s160/1942-Ray%20-%20Vera.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="126" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHGBDjRnc3pMVnozJWic0e2Bg5ASDLplrML55XmUmREn9zrn-KsCyDwMZta6HCfL9s2BXRv5GfRH7bMbRPYD332nQv2XejAEKBgIyXvufD0DL7QP0NjLv4yhrbelYeRU6y8fJorHM5ns6_5RicDS_J3-gB1X26o2RUorYYOhOnq0gwyW9mjD7O2DFtw/s1600/1942-Ray%20-%20Vera.jpg" width="126" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dad and Grandpa added a lovely, large, sunny kitchen and
breakfast nook on to the “little house.” My parents still had to go to the “big
house” for showers and baths, but it was a cozy place to live.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After over four years in the US Army, Dad was discharged. <span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He first reported on April 21, 1941
and served through November 24, 1945. Since Dad passed away at thirty-seven
years of age, the loss of these four-and-a-half years was significant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">My earliest memories are as a baby waking up in my crib, which was
shoved against one wall of the living room/bedroom. Mom and Dad were in the
kitchen with the lights on entertaining friends. Smoke arose around them (Dad
smoked) as they talked. I knew I was supposed to be asleep, and I tried to be
as still as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">I remember the yellow kitchen with its sheer curtains. These are
happy memories of a time when I was safe and cared for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">Every day, when Grandpa came home from work, he walked by the “big
house” and tapped on the kitchen window so Grandma would know he had arrived. However,
his first stop was the “little house” to see me. He carried me around and
talked to me. Sometimes, he took me to the “big house” and pointed out objects:
door, table, picture, window, etc. Because of this, I had a 52-word vocabulary
at one year old. (Mom wrote all of them in my baby book because she was sure no
one would believe her.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was a bit older, Grandpa read to me. Although space was
at a premium, the bottom drawer of the dresser was filled with books. Grandma and
Grandpa and my parents bought me lots of <a href="http://www.littlegoldenbooks.com/">Little Golden Books</a>. Some of my
favorites are still published. I wore out quite a few. It was through Grandpa
that I learned to love reading.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dad and Grandpa loved working together on “projects.” Grandpa adored
Christmas. He and Dad built lots of decorations from wood and many “found”
items.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">They built a whole village of “tiny houses,” most of which were
based on real structures. They created a village on the front lawn, surrounded
by a miniature picket fence, and covered in Ivory Snow (washing machine soap
flakes). They formed street lights from tin cans and wired them to illuminate
the “village.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #222222; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">Later on, they added a Santa on the roof, two large reindeers,
and a sleigh full of presents. In this photo, a few of the “tiny houses” are
along the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u6Ff0_oj9ghFyNWwANGYm7v06PThX-tEwow--yMpQ7uxftyVvUu1pK1rk063JET4Pg4poRQ2dtzOArvtUkQcycwTPSoW6HY2ZycXrI0Hi5qkpmIVGNXgiyLF5pd7SFK3sw8jMRqQrQsuLlmnH9Q7K4i9XJvwbxIT0eVNYL3xhrO_hv9vLyFmmVyg5A/s1396/Christmas%20House2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1396" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u6Ff0_oj9ghFyNWwANGYm7v06PThX-tEwow--yMpQ7uxftyVvUu1pK1rk063JET4Pg4poRQ2dtzOArvtUkQcycwTPSoW6HY2ZycXrI0Hi5qkpmIVGNXgiyLF5pd7SFK3sw8jMRqQrQsuLlmnH9Q7K4i9XJvwbxIT0eVNYL3xhrO_hv9vLyFmmVyg5A/s320/Christmas%20House2.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dad and Grandpa both worked at the Broadway Department Store
in downtown L.A. They obtained the reindeer—previously used in a window display—when
the store discarded them. After my family moved to Alhambra in 1948, the deer
came with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Grandpa died of a heart attack at the Broadway at closing time
on October 27, 1948. He was just fifty-five years old. I was twenty-six months
old, but I still remember him. And I remember the night he died.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have a memory of standing at the screen door of the “little
house” waiting for of his footfalls on the driveway and the sound of his voice.
They never came.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unfortunately, most of the “tiny houses” were lost in a fire
in Grandma’s garage a couple of years after Grandpa died.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ironically, my father also died of a heart attack in the
Broadway on February 16, 1954 at opening time. He was only thirty-seven years
old.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My grandmother passed away on the 26<sup>th</sup> of March
in 1969, while we were on the road driving to Illinois, where Larry had a job.
When we called to let our parents know we had arrived, we learned that they had
just attended her funeral. The house was sold a year later, before we returned to
California.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I am grateful to have these photos of my grandparents’ home
since it was the site of</span> <span style="font-family: arial;">many lovely memories.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-71348611092757956492022-09-23T17:08:00.004-07:002022-09-23T17:08:14.338-07:0057 Years – And Counting<p> <span style="font-family: arial;">On September 4, 1965, Larry and I said, “I do.” How can it be
that long ago?</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR7JmiAeaszW5e-t4O6uVN6jEtweC6cf1uAxi-glnun8n7ee2bKsm6P4Rcrfvt3lPL25Q78ZJAYxpwgFGQzq-1rnDF-FH2eGfE5oakCHhe8lIHmqYj0Z-xJUOUwRy8j_f-LhG0YJ3RNNwti23G4CDxT3rz8BBtlvDT6cN1SfOAffPJESF3IZBTDz02w/s1905/Wedding-Lorna-Larry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1905" data-original-width="1564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSR7JmiAeaszW5e-t4O6uVN6jEtweC6cf1uAxi-glnun8n7ee2bKsm6P4Rcrfvt3lPL25Q78ZJAYxpwgFGQzq-1rnDF-FH2eGfE5oakCHhe8lIHmqYj0Z-xJUOUwRy8j_f-LhG0YJ3RNNwti23G4CDxT3rz8BBtlvDT6cN1SfOAffPJESF3IZBTDz02w/s320/Wedding-Lorna-Larry.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, to celebrate my August 24 birthday and our 56<sup>th</sup>
anniversary, we spent wo nights and three days at the <a href="https://disneyland.disney.go.com/hotels/grand-californian-hotel/">Grand
Californian Hotel</a> at the Disneyland Resort. We LOVED it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because we had enjoyed our time back at the parks so much,
we decided to get annual passes again. We had them for years, but when the
prices went crazy, we gave them up. Going back made us realize how much we had
missed spending time there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because the passes are SO outrageously expensive, we decided
to go at least every two weeks to make them worthwhile. We call it “theme park
aerobics,” and we put in 10,000-18,000 steps each time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">With the horrible heat wave this year, we decided to go again
for our anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We arrived on the 4<sup>th</sup>, our actual anniversary. We
did not have park reservations for the day, and it was the actual Labor Day
Monday, so we just checked into the hotel, enjoyed the cool air, and rested in
the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last year, Larry decided to add the concierge service on to
the cost of the hotel. (It’s only money…) We decided to do it again this time.
We figured we actually saved money because this includes food service most of
the day and night in the <a href="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/12/a-closer-look-the-veranda-at-disneys-grand-californian-hotel-spa-at-the-disneyland-resort/">Veranda
Room</a>. We ate all our meals there during our stay and avoided the insane prices
at the resort restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first night, we went to the Veranda and sat outside.
From there, we could see the nighttime fireworks from Disneyland. They also
piped in the accompaniment music. We met several other Disney fanatics and had
a great time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">A perk of staying at one for the resort hotels is early
entry to Disneyland. It used to be an hour, but now it is only half an hour.
Still… They also limit early entry to about a dozen rides in Fantasyland and
Tomorrowland, but heck, we love avoiding the crowds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX-G4LZXW7oO-j0NtUzjjzmgqefKgXRBGtDz4GsVTw-T1gUYO0AH2O7rkIO25FmAMVWt4O9a1tlGveZ-M7Xc5Pf0jxcS36YATw2O1NHNEbA94xM1BpZdgURIymiiDG0l8lCvQ0kdS4Hqn__NSiOGS9L4v6FKeTiVylA-4LYm0w02EfeuzhVhFM-A3dA/s4128/Disney%20Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX-G4LZXW7oO-j0NtUzjjzmgqefKgXRBGtDz4GsVTw-T1gUYO0AH2O7rkIO25FmAMVWt4O9a1tlGveZ-M7Xc5Pf0jxcS36YATw2O1NHNEbA94xM1BpZdgURIymiiDG0l8lCvQ0kdS4Hqn__NSiOGS9L4v6FKeTiVylA-4LYm0w02EfeuzhVhFM-A3dA/s320/Disney%20Statue.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">First day in Disneyland<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We went in early on Tuesday morning-before the heat set in. We
rode on about seven rides, and got back to the hotel before 10:00 a.m. We rode
the monorail back to Downtown Disney. The hotel entrance isn’t far from the
monorail station.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vNA1zrYwq3TuXEnumcezi0nJfo-TWSEmgFgz-TcDnCFLg1h9JGLWzAo4zCJSRwmwaVnQpZTFGVlbQBlfquUGiKNH_wmkxUZIgdFD3arN0qIOtCa8pJR72L7ndX9fm1NJ02hm4wbVfui6UD_ZXOfItoVPD_DulJtSIu7Sioe_SlZbk8x41w47uYgyrQ/s4000/20220905_091940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vNA1zrYwq3TuXEnumcezi0nJfo-TWSEmgFgz-TcDnCFLg1h9JGLWzAo4zCJSRwmwaVnQpZTFGVlbQBlfquUGiKNH_wmkxUZIgdFD3arN0qIOtCa8pJR72L7ndX9fm1NJ02hm4wbVfui6UD_ZXOfItoVPD_DulJtSIu7Sioe_SlZbk8x41w47uYgyrQ/s320/20220905_091940.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had gotten coffee before we left, but when we came back,
we ate breakfast in the Veranda Room. Then we went back to our room, cooled off,
and worked a bit on the computer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Late in the afternoon, we went into California Adventure and
rode Soarin’ Over the World (our favorite ride in this park). We had never gone
on Grizzly River Run—the river raft ride—because I have never wanted to spend
the rest of the day in wet clothing. However, this was the perfect time to do
it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">While we waited in line, we met a couple of young men from
San Diego. One was a surfer, so he and Larry talked surfing. They also love
theme parks, so we entertained them with stories about building <a href="https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us">Universal Studios Japan</a>. What a nice
way to pass the time!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We took the ride—and got soaked―but it was so hot, the cold water felt good.
Then we went back to the hotel and showered. I washed my hair and changed
clothes. Later, we went back to the Veranda for their afternoon hot hors d’oeuvres.
Just perfect!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next morning, we again took advantage of the early
entry. The Haunted Mansion had just been changed to the <i>Nightmare Before
Christmas </i>theming. While in line, a young man spotted Larry’s surfing
Mickey Hawaiian shirt. He offered $100 for it. However, it is one of Larry’s
favorites, so no sale. So much fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs1ZjXJiZ06h0T5lFLVmztWFstO6oRAVqoOnO1YSq16kVUsRwpkFaywiZPHBB79nB57H7uvirZDQg4SHNtY0EXBM06pBqGwrWin_0GxXJCY6TJ5Kn4LL2Awa5NY9Mk-1Ub49XgqgNzusScS-IQLZGRg6pLEn18k5Ps8L9zWmzJwPo5fGbRhnhWNtIVA/s4128/Castle%20selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMs1ZjXJiZ06h0T5lFLVmztWFstO6oRAVqoOnO1YSq16kVUsRwpkFaywiZPHBB79nB57H7uvirZDQg4SHNtY0EXBM06pBqGwrWin_0GxXJCY6TJ5Kn4LL2Awa5NY9Mk-1Ub49XgqgNzusScS-IQLZGRg6pLEn18k5Ps8L9zWmzJwPo5fGbRhnhWNtIVA/s320/Castle%20selfie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before we left, we took a selfie in front of the castle.
Fortunately, a nice family volunteered to take our picture. This one was
better.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziiSIR6ry-6HjPkphYZ86tSfTIdsvWc_YY_uw4UFbclP1IxI1KmM8ZyXUlB4inXB6NxTZYAaS6UXH6-nmaBQkIfVMBe8igxshSG9flgauE7WeOhSHJBPWsayVMozn05XdELynJlzDTFHB9jkkWBmveBX0vdRmkRW41Y2Wk_KNYx3zaaTqr4JXZs0SKw/s2366/Disneyland%20Castle%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2366" data-original-width="2352" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziiSIR6ry-6HjPkphYZ86tSfTIdsvWc_YY_uw4UFbclP1IxI1KmM8ZyXUlB4inXB6NxTZYAaS6UXH6-nmaBQkIfVMBe8igxshSG9flgauE7WeOhSHJBPWsayVMozn05XdELynJlzDTFHB9jkkWBmveBX0vdRmkRW41Y2Wk_KNYx3zaaTqr4JXZs0SKw/s320/Disneyland%20Castle%20(2).jpg" width="318" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We ate lunch (tea) and then packed and checked out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The three days and two nights away from the unbearable heat at
home really helped!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not a bad way to celebrate!</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-39273227523082647722022-09-09T07:00:00.003-07:002022-09-09T07:58:11.191-07:0099 Years – And Counting<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Growing up, Aunt Evie was my very favorite relative. She was
the youngest of three girls. My mother was in the middle. Evie was six years
younger than Mom and seven years younger than Aunt Muriel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mom and Muriel were raised as proper Victorian children—to be
seen and not heard. They had to behave, and Grandma was very strict.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8H_XThSfQVXgYa5NixyhYA9y-Uacb4sFPmJdEhc14E2B2FEu3mk-NTpLJql9Lpgk9vobJo8ttnCljRHRzKmkyrddsyES0GUVBOuryBeYF2gHoKM9JHFMx5PBlWnGOlg1i7d-9Vni3zjKRgTyfJ9-DOgfisvgAbedoeN9GrfQ6pk6nDSyXGzGlU-mQg/s933/Sisters-1988.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="913" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8H_XThSfQVXgYa5NixyhYA9y-Uacb4sFPmJdEhc14E2B2FEu3mk-NTpLJql9Lpgk9vobJo8ttnCljRHRzKmkyrddsyES0GUVBOuryBeYF2gHoKM9JHFMx5PBlWnGOlg1i7d-9Vni3zjKRgTyfJ9-DOgfisvgAbedoeN9GrfQ6pk6nDSyXGzGlU-mQg/s320/Sisters-1988.JPG" width="313" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mom, Evelyn, Muriel</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Evelyn on the other hand, was quite spoiled, both by her
parents and her older sisters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1JiOTMFZvovVtw5yzWSpihFPtSaHAXNYYRD55NcvdqsQJRP2dRQVJjq7JzZGqp5dDeNM97ec642q15AHc01XOy9mDckxalVFtE-3My3Er_qN3Sj5kVPAaPCgEYU0gdb0ftKyS3nquPlOXOKzbQomgVLWS_gZZroe8-IYWt9vaVLPPP75jribLnFozg/s458/1942-evelyn%20methven.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="346" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1JiOTMFZvovVtw5yzWSpihFPtSaHAXNYYRD55NcvdqsQJRP2dRQVJjq7JzZGqp5dDeNM97ec642q15AHc01XOy9mDckxalVFtE-3My3Er_qN3Sj5kVPAaPCgEYU0gdb0ftKyS3nquPlOXOKzbQomgVLWS_gZZroe8-IYWt9vaVLPPP75jribLnFozg/s320/1942-evelyn%20methven.jpg" width="242" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She was tiny and cute and was of a different generation than
her sisters. She was twenty-three years old when I was born. She and her
husband, Uncle Frank, were the fun relatives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When I was in my early teens, they hired me to babysit their
kids. The twins, Karen and Kathy, were only three years younger, but they
wanted to be sure they weren’t alone in the house when they went out for their Friday
night “Date Nights.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have always believed they also wanted to give me some
extra spending money, and this was the only way my mother would have allowed
it. In addition, they recommended me to their neighbors, and I babysat for
quite a few children on their street. Another reason they were important to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They conspired with my cousin, David, to plan a surprise
party for my fifteenth birthday. David, who was a year older, brought all his friends—several
of whom were guys. They also invited my girlfriends. The party was held at
their home around and in their pool. Uncle Frank barbequed. This is a very special
memory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not long afterward, they moved to the bay area. The first
Thanksgiving week after they moved, my younger cousin, Eileen, and I took the
train to visit them. While Eileen and the twins played, Aunt Evie helped me to
make two wool dresses—one for me and the other for my mother’s Christmas gift.
Since Evie was a fabulous seamstress, the dresses turned out perfectly. (This dress
was one of the few garments I ever made for myself that I actually wore. In
fact, I wore mine out as did my mother.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After I was married, we tried to visit Evie and Frank at
least once a year. When she knew we were coming, Evelyn always tried to find a
new and fun place to share with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Although I was not fond of seafood, we always went to Berkeley
to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spenger%27s_Fresh_Fish_Grotto">Spenger’s
Fresh Fish Grotto</a> (now closed). They had halibut Florentine, and it was
delicious!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">My very favorite place was <a href="https://alliedartsguild.org/">Allied Arts</a> in Menlo Park. This place
benefits the children’s hospital at Stanford, and their restaurant was always a
delight. I often bought gifts when we visited the little artisan shops on the
property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">For several years, Evie was a docent at <a href="https://filoli.org/">Filoli,</a> the former home of the Matson family. We
visited several times, and once she took us on a private tour.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We often drove over to Sausalito for brunch at the <a href="https://www.oursausalito.com/sausalito-hotel-guide/sausalito-hotel-rankings/alta-mira-hotel-and-restaurant-closed.html">Alta
Mira Hotel (</a>now closed). I have many happy memories of this place, including
taking our “kids” Silvia and Kazue there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Aunt Evie suffered a stroke in 2011. It left her with some
speech and balance issues, but her mind remained sharp. I created this video to
celebrate their 72 years of marriage. They loved to dance, and I think it kept
them both young. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4H05UpTFoM <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4H05UpTFoM"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape
id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1033" type="#_x0000_t75"
href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4H05UpTFoM" style='width:192.75pt;
height:2in;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square' o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/lkcol/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image005.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4H05UpTFoM " style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-NhqHNODo-UuKHRd4WvIfrzY7HJaj6aXHvrYae7gfdWxbZCrXxQrdFtikPJnGkfc5792pyTfWKuJY4RprA0OrVPJ-KAUoyvbtBLmgY1bk81TopsRm70dB7lvcCFlqZzw0_TEZOgMlBKB7RCvK5hbywtFsv0cYp2CpXJOdTqdij8P4EjKSrNKkZ1cVg/s320/2013-0817-Mom%20and%20dad%20dancing.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: arial;">70</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-family: arial;"> Anniversary</span></span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Aunt Evie and Uncle Frank were married for over 73 years
when Uncle Frank died in 2016. My cousin, Karen had planned to move them to her
home because their split-level home had become too much for them to manage.
After Uncle Frank died, Evie moved in with Karen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I created this video for Uncle Frank’s memorial service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x89KAWHlfaQ&t=4s <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x89KAWHlfaQ&t=4s"><span color="windowtext" style="mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3" o:spid="_x0000_i1032"
type="#_x0000_t75" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x89KAWHlfaQ&t=4s"
style='width:108pt;height:2in;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:/Users/lkcol/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image007.jpg"
o:title=""/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--></span></a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x89KAWHlfaQ&t=4s " style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_cSgzg7mxL4QRmOlpmdblhaE3Xl1YmrXo6RpGxIFf2mrSTV5mpZ8NGlSGETusqmGyzyydv8Up89lj8sWFrtu_nXrSgkesupRiMgBUsoHklrMPz4SoaricsOQ0rjeNd69vK6ANQE4uW_w-p5MkHUOQ2oqXrEjyJzaqvQPzkFOIXjblc0DF-3Qs5f_tA/s320/2013-0204-Mom%20and%20dad%20walking%20at%20school.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On August 28 of this year, Aunt Evie turned ninety-nine. We
decided to visit her. Karen has now moved to Reno, NV. So, we drove the Tesla
there and spent a few days. What a wonderful trip!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We first spent a day with Karen and Evie going over several
books of family photos. I may be the only one left who could identify who they
were! What fun to see all the familiar faces.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Karen’s home is like a museum of my childhood memories</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt;">―</span><span style="font-family: arial;">jam
packed with Evie and Frank and Grandma’s things. So nice to see them all again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day, we took our great-niece (who also lives in
Reno) out for lunch. Since I had told her all about Aunt Evie, I wanted them to
meet. Both Evie and Karen were very impressed with this young lady. (Of course,
we are biased, but we think she is truly special.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next day, we picked up Evie and Karen and took them to <a href="https://www.scheels.com/stores/nevada/reno-sparks/features/reno-sparks-attractions-entertainment.html">Sheels</a>
in Sparks for lunch. Afterward, we went to the indoor Ferris wheel. Aunt Evie LOVES
Ferris wheels! Karen won’t go on it with her, but Larry and I both bought tickets.
I went with her first, and she was like a little kid. On the last revolution,
the car stopped at the top. She gave a fist pump and laughed. Larry changed
places with me, and again, the car stopped at the top. She was thrilled! Of
course, we had to have ice cream before we went back to Karen’s house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We returned home with great memories of my precious aunt to
add to those we had accumulated through the years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xVL0gZz1vhyoZ0SbG90S25lpuRD6g0Ss6DaZ5bjaI-H8yP7LDPCP37cw6zh1fvQjazrTS0_nDdeOQjLl28AZ83KRt4jQeadocxtmA8MBMhwBSMbMI-o1uGoZgFGxwIlqMtcYgwd38KwoZBvNTnP7MCwisGk52ZsbcdV6OoQkxTcGh5ssCIQqRIav4A/s1280/birthday%20lunch.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xVL0gZz1vhyoZ0SbG90S25lpuRD6g0Ss6DaZ5bjaI-H8yP7LDPCP37cw6zh1fvQjazrTS0_nDdeOQjLl28AZ83KRt4jQeadocxtmA8MBMhwBSMbMI-o1uGoZgFGxwIlqMtcYgwd38KwoZBvNTnP7MCwisGk52ZsbcdV6OoQkxTcGh5ssCIQqRIav4A/s320/birthday%20lunch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx6PdQpWMlwJsL_1U1hUn5Bm38jRwnrwosOmuAdSXpbzBGuRIJCN6bhZCwWmbcEKiLEEnMuaQOShlzrpDl5_sehuKKtgGsEYogBtdeCgqYgupK5iBZTn0cIrKMfhYmM8Og8uhcMeexpUhKZL3qW7Nj_HQtFnSLAV9E7vGqulHOkYSxRWt-xvN6NzZbA/s1280/evie-99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUx6PdQpWMlwJsL_1U1hUn5Bm38jRwnrwosOmuAdSXpbzBGuRIJCN6bhZCwWmbcEKiLEEnMuaQOShlzrpDl5_sehuKKtgGsEYogBtdeCgqYgupK5iBZTn0cIrKMfhYmM8Og8uhcMeexpUhKZL3qW7Nj_HQtFnSLAV9E7vGqulHOkYSxRWt-xvN6NzZbA/s320/evie-99.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_TbMgJBQFZfXkWfM20zDAkH-2N25ZbDMJDw-67iMH_MPucPxhRqFIJyXxVduHe6S69aKQ7--s4UW2o2BYYcEDnJ4z9RVSUyD5YRbGzQpsMLxzgd9q0tBk36sezcgTkNBnm-BP3DOvjD3MFqd0ZVep8on8IZQ6_-VeRhtDXnnMjYTA6hLwQuIUfSC5g/s2048/FerrisWheel1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_TbMgJBQFZfXkWfM20zDAkH-2N25ZbDMJDw-67iMH_MPucPxhRqFIJyXxVduHe6S69aKQ7--s4UW2o2BYYcEDnJ4z9RVSUyD5YRbGzQpsMLxzgd9q0tBk36sezcgTkNBnm-BP3DOvjD3MFqd0ZVep8on8IZQ6_-VeRhtDXnnMjYTA6hLwQuIUfSC5g/s320/FerrisWheel1.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d-FmskItmdVKUYw25Ap_aIp1E5-4_NxS8eZet0Sylm6IjbAqXC8klzdyE5AmVZn5_DaIlzwwfRMoBYtkLV6op6nBgF9_ZnYscIPZypaMtgIEXPfy-cam5S94S7L5Orn7hYfsH4FpiO0LPoJBUi2wZ3tcGivWG_K-MUfOJb53VvgWIsS-peoREBDcSg/s2048/FerrisWheel2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d-FmskItmdVKUYw25Ap_aIp1E5-4_NxS8eZet0Sylm6IjbAqXC8klzdyE5AmVZn5_DaIlzwwfRMoBYtkLV6op6nBgF9_ZnYscIPZypaMtgIEXPfy-cam5S94S7L5Orn7hYfsH4FpiO0LPoJBUi2wZ3tcGivWG_K-MUfOJb53VvgWIsS-peoREBDcSg/s320/FerrisWheel2.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">For her actual birthday, Karen continued with the Ferris wheel
theme.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZt7tmCk-J4dHczna1U0B3Vr1y2BiI4FazhFkWoMJ8wsDbdQTwPDTq8GGImhrkP255R9mVx4o3YAtM3RUDBodyhPUkaAELOsPknYihPkTcK2bqcufZhhhmxXnkQnGrY_gPCyuTwDzNLQTARhFy1qNrUG4H5rDMXN9zf80NrCPdC9JVOKp1kLoFFdk9w/s2048/Bday%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZt7tmCk-J4dHczna1U0B3Vr1y2BiI4FazhFkWoMJ8wsDbdQTwPDTq8GGImhrkP255R9mVx4o3YAtM3RUDBodyhPUkaAELOsPknYihPkTcK2bqcufZhhhmxXnkQnGrY_gPCyuTwDzNLQTARhFy1qNrUG4H5rDMXN9zf80NrCPdC9JVOKp1kLoFFdk9w/s320/Bday%202.jpg" width="156" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfWzXxu0sZnez8-X8z8L1IlcwFVzYJvA2j2WFj1j_MtE-xKdKHiV1qeRBRujkFZW0XHHqbtWdwxr3XqfMF91bAFwQey2OacVjAEF4-JRkmBzoONpoSgd3Ll4os5_8HNHxBkpKpw-F-_zrnLVboICvmkNWCi2OX3okjPGNZv-ERUiIJmr_5eC5ZBnS5g/s2048/Bday%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="996" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfWzXxu0sZnez8-X8z8L1IlcwFVzYJvA2j2WFj1j_MtE-xKdKHiV1qeRBRujkFZW0XHHqbtWdwxr3XqfMF91bAFwQey2OacVjAEF4-JRkmBzoONpoSgd3Ll4os5_8HNHxBkpKpw-F-_zrnLVboICvmkNWCi2OX3okjPGNZv-ERUiIJmr_5eC5ZBnS5g/s320/Bday%201.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">August 28, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I can’t finish without mentioning Karen once more. She is
one of the most loving, giving, generous people I know. She takes exceptionally
good care of her mother. Both in her former home in California and in her
current home, she has given Aunt Evelyn the master suite so all of her familiar
furniture fits. Karen is constantly thinking of things for her mother to do to
keep her engaged and interested. Her twin sister, Kathy still lives in
California, but she visits whenever possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Karen’s daughter, Heather, and the grandchildren live around
the corner and spend quite a bit of time with Karen and Evelyn. I can’t imagine
a lovelier way to live at her age! Many thanks to Karen for loving your mom, my
very favorite relative.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-42923934471436856132022-09-02T18:22:00.000-07:002022-09-02T18:22:01.116-07:00Finding “New” Relatives<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: left;">We had our DNA sequenced a number of years ago.</span></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: center;">* * * *</span></span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In January of 2018, Larry and his brother received messages
through 23andme.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>According to 23andme, we are 2<sup>nd</sup>
cousins. I was born in 1969 in Pennsylvania and was adopted through Catholic
Charities. My mother was 19 or 20 years old and from the state of California. I
am looking for any information you can give me.</i> [Edited]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a no-brainer. Larry only had one female relative who would
have been the right age. We lived in Illinois in 1969, and we had no idea this
particular woman had ever lived in Pennsylvania. But, as Dr. Gates says on
his show <i>Finding Your Roots</i>, “DNA don’t lie.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry forwarded the email to her and asked what she would
like him to do with it. She immediately replied, “Give her my contact
information.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We did so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We located the young lady on Facebook, and were struck by
how much she looked like her mother’s other daughter. Yes, they were definitely
related.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We invited her to come to California with her family but
since she lives on the east coast, she has not done so—yet. We stay in touch
with her through Facebook, however.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">* * * *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">On January 11 of this year Larry received another message
through 23andme. This message said:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>I am on 23andme, and they have
you as my 1<sup>st</sup> cousin. I never knew who my father was. That is why I
am reaching out to you. The man I thought was my father refused to sign my
birth certificate. He was 100% Native American. So was my mother. They were
from Northern Minnesota. My results say I am 52% European. I don’t look like my
siblings. My coloring is lighter. I’d like to find out the truth.</i> [Edited]<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Imagine discovering a “new” first cousin at 70+ years of
age!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This one was a real puzzle. Larry’s dad had three brothers.
(Thank goodness he was off the hook since Larry and his brother are first
cousins to her and not half siblings!)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The family moved from North Dakota to California in 1923. As
far as we knew, none of the brothers had returned to that area of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We looked at the map. His new cousin, Jeannie, grew up on a
reservation just over the state line from the little town in North Dakota where
Larry’s family had lived. Hmmm…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I started by eliminating the two eldest brothers. Both had
married young and had remained married for over sixty years. We also did not
remember either of them ever traveling. One had a mobile home at Balboa. They
went there on all their vacations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">This left the third brother. He never married, lived with
Larry’s grandparents for much of his life, and when they died, he lived with
his oldest sister. However, how he would have connected with Jeannie’s mother
remained a mystery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">That is, until Larry remembered an incident from his
childhood. He and his father drove his grandmother and this uncle to the train
station in Alhambra. There, they boarded a train to visit her sister. Larry was
about ten at the time. This would have been the year Jeannie was conceived.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We subsequently learned that Jeannie’s mother was an
alcoholic, and this particular uncle of Larry’s was also an alcoholic. We now assumed
they met in a bar…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The final clue came when Ancestry posted the 1950 census. We
checked each of his grandmother’s sisters. Only one had remained in the
Midwest, and the census showed her living in Minneapolis. Her death record
showed her in the same city. BINGO!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We began to send Jeannie information on the family,
including quite a few family photos. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She sent a recent one of herself. When I
saw it, I was stunned. We had a photo of his grandmother at about the same age,
and they looked nearly identical: same features, same expression, same
coloring.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-3noof8WvpSyqIxvjl4Wm16cFeR-jRfhTERqUu8lUyaBpXoDr-HbtshI5O0YAUc-D_rmBSEzVyN3QHQ-lVrNxIXtIr2GaZE4Jgn0d3gF6HIxOfmTBvPw34jN85MElh4RQ8VMVfV0NbrlMEybyNjGpqeiYwduvomAsGO_KgSo3LnGhA_HwLeKni5hrg/s777/Jeannie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="777" data-original-width="468" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-3noof8WvpSyqIxvjl4Wm16cFeR-jRfhTERqUu8lUyaBpXoDr-HbtshI5O0YAUc-D_rmBSEzVyN3QHQ-lVrNxIXtIr2GaZE4Jgn0d3gF6HIxOfmTBvPw34jN85MElh4RQ8VMVfV0NbrlMEybyNjGpqeiYwduvomAsGO_KgSo3LnGhA_HwLeKni5hrg/w227-h377/Jeannie.JPG" width="227" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzBmZE6B_NdCi3hCe8EfDp7L8oyinZK_sofvo_tDAqygGrBTUiuy2rvt42mKUSX4UKxri3ZSOiGkw-UAl8FT5X8V7YW5paMy4amzxnkNtvtWH6Pd8VzAhIsYuth8YPZr-giwluzJIlDm7iTEsHw-wl2jjE_fbsos_6Q7MOPz8vGVzWFced2Ycgyx5Vw/s2487/p_g11agt96x9w0137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2487" data-original-width="1913" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzBmZE6B_NdCi3hCe8EfDp7L8oyinZK_sofvo_tDAqygGrBTUiuy2rvt42mKUSX4UKxri3ZSOiGkw-UAl8FT5X8V7YW5paMy4amzxnkNtvtWH6Pd8VzAhIsYuth8YPZr-giwluzJIlDm7iTEsHw-wl2jjE_fbsos_6Q7MOPz8vGVzWFced2Ycgyx5Vw/s320/p_g11agt96x9w0137.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She told us she and her younger brother (the youngest of her
ten siblings) were removed from her mother’s care due to neglect when she was
three and he was a year and a half. They were put into the foster system. She
had one good foster home and one abusive one. Fortunately, she found a school
counselor who removed her from that home and took her home to live.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She married young, but she must have inherited the Collins
long-marriage gene because she and her husband celebrated their 50<sup>th</sup>
anniversary in April. They have three sons, all successful with families.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It took us several days to figure all this out, but we were
quite certain we now had the relationship correct. (We checked with Larry’s
brother and a couple of other cousins. They agreed with our conclusions. And we
confirmed that the other two brothers never went back to the area once the
family moved to California.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We invited Jeannie and her husband to come for a visit and
to meet some of the family. They decided to make the trip their 50<sup>th</sup>
anniversary celebration, and they arrived mid-June for a few days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, we continued to send her information and more
photos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, the grandparents and all her aunts and uncles, as
well as her father, are gone. But we planned a visit to the graveyard where
they are buried for their visit. Larry’s brother, Casey, went with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I ordered matching t-shirts for the five of us. They say:
Collins Family 2022. We wanted to emphasize that she is, was, and always would
be a member of the family.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">She said she had a little trepidation as they exited the
plane, concerned that we would actually be there to meet them. However, as soon
as we saw one another, we felt a bond.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We picked up Casey at his house, and he asked them in for a
moment. As she walked by him, Casey said, “You look just like my grandma.” He
had seen the same resemblance I had from her photo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The day before they arrived, I made up about a dozen small
bouquets. We took these to the cemetery with us and placed them on the family
graves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Most of the family are buried in the same area. (They
purchased their plots when the cemetery first opened, and they got them al
about the same time.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We found Larry’s grandparents first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-AZWkPerEZJinMRMZmQVYhB-6-DARpB8JjuWNU0ImtSogfP22JBYhUiklQfSId4gUW77Oxb-ivVvO3kmEaHPfg7JTebwiidJ0zh9rZcuBumY_rCRz1ayFaqpN9cCoAwQZtuA7zjyyUG7lsun_8QAEgEhnxyMAoesvdoPz83b025G7AdiKfkqx0OVYA/s4000/Olive%20M.%20Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-AZWkPerEZJinMRMZmQVYhB-6-DARpB8JjuWNU0ImtSogfP22JBYhUiklQfSId4gUW77Oxb-ivVvO3kmEaHPfg7JTebwiidJ0zh9rZcuBumY_rCRz1ayFaqpN9cCoAwQZtuA7zjyyUG7lsun_8QAEgEhnxyMAoesvdoPz83b025G7AdiKfkqx0OVYA/s320/Olive%20M.%20Collins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAESH4Sbv7cRGVbuJBr--c5_xjUHE9zJIMLaTlewLdvzpqsop1lVYrvZJUnqI7GVD8UjKqXlXExYMXlDe5G-UN61VrspE1Hf-dXizUri8QLp_q06WddSy0qM4o1Uxn-_vOBmV1149puxONZHFK90SOPzhy2Arcw0jckL0fcu0M57P0TYwwbGgh3jc-qg/s4000/Thomas%20F.%20(Frank)%20Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAESH4Sbv7cRGVbuJBr--c5_xjUHE9zJIMLaTlewLdvzpqsop1lVYrvZJUnqI7GVD8UjKqXlXExYMXlDe5G-UN61VrspE1Hf-dXizUri8QLp_q06WddSy0qM4o1Uxn-_vOBmV1149puxONZHFK90SOPzhy2Arcw0jckL0fcu0M57P0TYwwbGgh3jc-qg/s320/Thomas%20F.%20(Frank)%20Collins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we located the eldest brother and his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlE2rdDZIR3_30f3gdIfIMIKj57WpgDynCBKzsWa8egcqa2C_yOb_Tpbcu1ZDDEar0ye9J6W9usEdz4bsRmstNPNCfQAoCjH83lbcw6cC0xskmbFVt9iZkFHisL8ofHq3VgJtNsptEkxrllPqY-15yiq0iRHViC7uVjXSywzcwSRMtCNCzGkFM3y2_Q/s4000/Lura%20Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlE2rdDZIR3_30f3gdIfIMIKj57WpgDynCBKzsWa8egcqa2C_yOb_Tpbcu1ZDDEar0ye9J6W9usEdz4bsRmstNPNCfQAoCjH83lbcw6cC0xskmbFVt9iZkFHisL8ofHq3VgJtNsptEkxrllPqY-15yiq0iRHViC7uVjXSywzcwSRMtCNCzGkFM3y2_Q/s320/Lura%20Collins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVatxzcE7MD3pdRTvOL0Pp-6mPNR5eQnhaR7abcu1JD7qYcPAbqD48YENgh7fav_LU6EGJ91J6e8jZmUUjxrqhyHvbmwcD7PyA7GqZLALXqrpZBqiZ8E0G8_88z3ppusMVvNmc3R3jRGZI3PUB26uckXnuwCRLXyl-mzOVdGeHfcaH8rbuPuQWbtr9Q/s4000/Maurice%20Clark%20Collins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVatxzcE7MD3pdRTvOL0Pp-6mPNR5eQnhaR7abcu1JD7qYcPAbqD48YENgh7fav_LU6EGJ91J6e8jZmUUjxrqhyHvbmwcD7PyA7GqZLALXqrpZBqiZ8E0G8_88z3ppusMVvNmc3R3jRGZI3PUB26uckXnuwCRLXyl-mzOVdGeHfcaH8rbuPuQWbtr9Q/s320/Maurice%20Clark%20Collins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We found several of the others, and then we located
Jeannie’s father. She was able to place a bouquet on his grave. It wasn’t the
same as meeting him in person, but at least she now knows who he is and where
he is buried.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuocHMb4Gcd_dfwc_wSNMJ6g244dsAcnbCdQLV-WmSAdkv6hCFdSPPmE_IPB0lfZ1489m91rLifh8jihrOgriqREnF4QxPWTo1B95U0EgeyAK8R-klDQG6vJrG-1RE3l653y7u8f101uLDGsx50li022Uz_-3gJXo-Dbus01fkpvGKTm_l0qsnoDxTIQ/s4000/20220615_125227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuocHMb4Gcd_dfwc_wSNMJ6g244dsAcnbCdQLV-WmSAdkv6hCFdSPPmE_IPB0lfZ1489m91rLifh8jihrOgriqREnF4QxPWTo1B95U0EgeyAK8R-klDQG6vJrG-1RE3l653y7u8f101uLDGsx50li022Uz_-3gJXo-Dbus01fkpvGKTm_l0qsnoDxTIQ/s320/20220615_125227.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGI_7rHp6X1Eom6ySOeXXE4HxvVG13_i063o0eqRJELN8D9REeG1oB0ye45Ibh3nWxULwIIKwCAhaasW5UYakNkJtcJp_A-eQMFSNGrN2fwt57d_p8evz2eb7dwhr5LPnlChXakUeC1PgyIurTx_gPVXxVK-_sC0pmrQ8axyUEaX5111SAo3L7URivg/s4000/Francis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGI_7rHp6X1Eom6ySOeXXE4HxvVG13_i063o0eqRJELN8D9REeG1oB0ye45Ibh3nWxULwIIKwCAhaasW5UYakNkJtcJp_A-eQMFSNGrN2fwt57d_p8evz2eb7dwhr5LPnlChXakUeC1PgyIurTx_gPVXxVK-_sC0pmrQ8axyUEaX5111SAo3L7URivg/s320/Francis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We drove past our first home where a cousin now lives. She
had a previous commitment and wasn’t able to join us for the day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we went by the house where Larry’s grandparents lived
in Arcadia, and where his uncle lived. Last, we drove by his aunt’s home where
he lived when he died.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our last stop for the day was for a late lunch at <a href="https://clearmansrestaurants.com/locations-menus-reservations/north-woods-inn-san-gabriel/">Clearman’s
North Woods Inn</a>, where the family had celebrated many occasions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SOg8uk3OGBFWxny2_NoIrU09nTTsdZn-iHMUGqwkxU9Y81YUprU8H8vzP5aTWIv6nFkLo2IIZ7vbroA8rqGBuanopPYhxg7Jc0Ba55IlLeHkzSxwjBlzZo8QXobkTEEFqZS06-BVGMf7YVCEp4RSTw1HdtLDl5uh1VG936ZnUruAFlueRHNFdixQ-w/s4000/Lunch%20at%20North%20Woods%20Inn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_SOg8uk3OGBFWxny2_NoIrU09nTTsdZn-iHMUGqwkxU9Y81YUprU8H8vzP5aTWIv6nFkLo2IIZ7vbroA8rqGBuanopPYhxg7Jc0Ba55IlLeHkzSxwjBlzZo8QXobkTEEFqZS06-BVGMf7YVCEp4RSTw1HdtLDl5uh1VG936ZnUruAFlueRHNFdixQ-w/s320/Lunch%20at%20North%20Woods%20Inn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had a lovely day together, and it felt as though we had
known each other forever.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">During their stay, we went through more of the family
pictures, and I put together a group to send to her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We spent a lovely day at <a href="https://www.missionsjc.com/">Mission San Juan Capistrano</a>. Jeannie enjoyed
hearing about the history of the Native Americans from this part of the
country. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of her “bucket list” items was to put her feet in the
Pacific Ocean. She had done so in the Atlantic and also the Gulf of Mexico. So,
we went down to San Clemente, and Jeannie fulfilled her goal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JtLo5k8swphXpvinqfrn6OTZXpdOWnLgo05ijKS-mIO71dCT2ZcndO3wPbH0Wz74MDRHMvQa3izYn6jzbjhNrOkK9L2Pcte5MfTM2XavGlTB-9ZamArpcEcda54rPw6AAYRgWPvt8mn0dG0qMqltu37I5E3Oj3Qe95LSFwS0HVDutE8ymf6Fj7WeXw/s4000/Pacific%20Ocean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JtLo5k8swphXpvinqfrn6OTZXpdOWnLgo05ijKS-mIO71dCT2ZcndO3wPbH0Wz74MDRHMvQa3izYn6jzbjhNrOkK9L2Pcte5MfTM2XavGlTB-9ZamArpcEcda54rPw6AAYRgWPvt8mn0dG0qMqltu37I5E3Oj3Qe95LSFwS0HVDutE8ymf6Fj7WeXw/s320/Pacific%20Ocean.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before they left, we heard from one of Larry’s cousins.
Years ago, she had been given their aunt June’s cedar chest. She asked if
Jeannie would like to have it. She was thrilled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucvV0b03M0hzgXdQSy6ZwaDn07mZbdCIf-KIftfXC0vezs34IowZrguoaYpfdsIHpzLKZbR5CPZoU1gFr1UyCUkHrb8RKWaq2qg5rvF2yio3a1F3OTVMaTeq-K5m38q64mIdutdJjgYx4ycio28kXyLO9qtTrldUzxZmxOV7BUJkguOuj2B6M2hFGYA/s4000/Jeannette%20(June)%20Harris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucvV0b03M0hzgXdQSy6ZwaDn07mZbdCIf-KIftfXC0vezs34IowZrguoaYpfdsIHpzLKZbR5CPZoU1gFr1UyCUkHrb8RKWaq2qg5rvF2yio3a1F3OTVMaTeq-K5m38q64mIdutdJjgYx4ycio28kXyLO9qtTrldUzxZmxOV7BUJkguOuj2B6M2hFGYA/s320/Jeannette%20(June)%20Harris.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZjNqoE6Es9B4i-yEcWHmN-1PWvpwHi6WOQrt3p_OLpyAGi3Wy-f-E1nPTewvATFPvyhvMiJ8kmOKCwqg7OSvfKXLB8hKLyShFU9LNlve_YqG7x-VqW4nd87OVU0KHppD3_Wh1UQbK27Ei1CIF2fRrKotPedy_5aa-GaAdmvZWcBVQ3gUGLAntJcMTA/s4096/June's%20Cedar%20Chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZjNqoE6Es9B4i-yEcWHmN-1PWvpwHi6WOQrt3p_OLpyAGi3Wy-f-E1nPTewvATFPvyhvMiJ8kmOKCwqg7OSvfKXLB8hKLyShFU9LNlve_YqG7x-VqW4nd87OVU0KHppD3_Wh1UQbK27Ei1CIF2fRrKotPedy_5aa-GaAdmvZWcBVQ3gUGLAntJcMTA/s320/June's%20Cedar%20Chest.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">It has been shipped and should arrive in Minnesota soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We couldn’t give Jeannie her father, but we did try to
introduce him and the rest of her relatives to her. She and her family have a
standing invitation to visit again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Have you ever discovered “new” family members via DNA?</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-28975985489133288442022-08-26T00:01:00.010-07:002022-08-26T00:01:00.172-07:00Princess Tea<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Before we went to London, I
promised my best friend, Kathleen’s, granddaughter, Maxine, we would have her
and her parents come down to our house for a tea party, using my mom’s tea set.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When Kathleen was in the
hospital in 2015, I took her a small arrangement in one of my mom’s teacups.
When we were little girls, Mom used to serve us tea using her tea set. Kathleen
recognized the cup.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When she passed away, her
husband made sure the tea cup went to her granddaughter, Maxine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc5AySFWm4CRNCEiULGCc2BXKopD-azLzmRc-5VofrpV1rT1zkuMYuBoGUvtWJnug9mbQbPhNJBQquJDezhLWQLZxdrB-F-S5Nue8mX8pDc-I0KkmQ5UPsLbAuz0p6GDZ4gdtTCRBViTRaWNlXiMoD2MWtU4VF04AeQDEgZcn4GgC-H9SppcMolUubw/s1242/Maxine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1242" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHc5AySFWm4CRNCEiULGCc2BXKopD-azLzmRc-5VofrpV1rT1zkuMYuBoGUvtWJnug9mbQbPhNJBQquJDezhLWQLZxdrB-F-S5Nue8mX8pDc-I0KkmQ5UPsLbAuz0p6GDZ4gdtTCRBViTRaWNlXiMoD2MWtU4VF04AeQDEgZcn4GgC-H9SppcMolUubw/s320/Maxine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because of Covid, we weren’t able to get together for our
tea party in 2020. However, when we returned from London, the time was right. “Tea”
with my mother consisted of buttered toast and tea. However, I wanted to do the
more elaborate Princess Tea like the one served at the Rubens Hotel. And I
wanted to invite our great-grand niece, Everleigh, to join us with her
great-grandparents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">We set the date for June 25, 2022 and sent out eVites.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I created a formal menu, just like we were given in London,
printed them, and placed one at each place..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_j5W9zLNXV9IemWPyrmdzTlYt1340k85eal8pueGOchsDWHeOUF6mtc-ieDNs5zOleIbdibRlGCm_Jq2Tm-f2hhy7ziEGi5rzdDvxBjnwVIFCqMNpARu6hsdA1IArHB4UgJAPIPR5UdLiWRSUKJY_BBa1XeV4TBRtJC_0POj6JB4_dgRYyZu43R7rA/s1620/meu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="1075" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_j5W9zLNXV9IemWPyrmdzTlYt1340k85eal8pueGOchsDWHeOUF6mtc-ieDNs5zOleIbdibRlGCm_Jq2Tm-f2hhy7ziEGi5rzdDvxBjnwVIFCqMNpARu6hsdA1IArHB4UgJAPIPR5UdLiWRSUKJY_BBa1XeV4TBRtJC_0POj6JB4_dgRYyZu43R7rA/s320/meu.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The princesses arrived right on time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cPmERwaoc34Hb6400jIhUQNdxkd5VDXYWUnqQoL9sUaS_z0JRA6T0NN8eKW8AT9jrR9D2xO2Q_apXuTbds9O2diwRIfifRxtHTrODmMDNPNnAh6S8XMWhyV2tgD06hNO4UukYW2TNf7yZm1vwsiuMbs8tPdyYTk8CaJBY6ESKxkQ2fqeWJKcFpWRGQ/s480/Two%20princesses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cPmERwaoc34Hb6400jIhUQNdxkd5VDXYWUnqQoL9sUaS_z0JRA6T0NN8eKW8AT9jrR9D2xO2Q_apXuTbds9O2diwRIfifRxtHTrODmMDNPNnAh6S8XMWhyV2tgD06hNO4UukYW2TNf7yZm1vwsiuMbs8tPdyYTk8CaJBY6ESKxkQ2fqeWJKcFpWRGQ/s320/Two%20princesses.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">Maxine was dressed as Snow White, and Everleigh was Isabella
from <i>Encanto</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">I set the dining room table with my good linen cloth and napkins—the
ones my mother gave to me as a wedding shower gift over fifty-six years ago. Then
I set out all the various items—ready to serve.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XSNK8LeHYUMWGIYwv58IN9GpnqOoCkRaGdyzPq9oPNuWoI720WzXlXXOLnoaIos0BkeqVdXyUzCpWrWW6Xd-kR4yyDcsdA_WeOv9KBtg9lWHIDJa-zB7IREwZyqppllbOslIx8wN67P7h3PwRDKGbsbDUWjgjCb_Q4EPSy3I72_HPMjXGPAuYaP1mg/s320/tea1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XSNK8LeHYUMWGIYwv58IN9GpnqOoCkRaGdyzPq9oPNuWoI720WzXlXXOLnoaIos0BkeqVdXyUzCpWrWW6Xd-kR4yyDcsdA_WeOv9KBtg9lWHIDJa-zB7IREwZyqppllbOslIx8wN67P7h3PwRDKGbsbDUWjgjCb_Q4EPSy3I72_HPMjXGPAuYaP1mg/s1600/tea1.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we were seated, I poured tea—the freshly brewed
variety. (Do you know how hard it is to find loose tea?)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQymX1HxsXy9oGAhw0F8zQ4oz_Nr_FoecreVHTpLNWJIAg_38On0sPY2YzsB2fBC9Ssj7NQu_kdRNCn1DqCxte1hCM4Ay1kKMx3J4yNTVar6nwBvXtYaByyaO0Wizjz2jwdxd8btqz4ROL-GMZ-Gh5k-GY00c-MMWji6TSFxlV5wtIqKI7V6GZ8NB1Gw/s480/serving%20tea.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQymX1HxsXy9oGAhw0F8zQ4oz_Nr_FoecreVHTpLNWJIAg_38On0sPY2YzsB2fBC9Ssj7NQu_kdRNCn1DqCxte1hCM4Ay1kKMx3J4yNTVar6nwBvXtYaByyaO0Wizjz2jwdxd8btqz4ROL-GMZ-Gh5k-GY00c-MMWji6TSFxlV5wtIqKI7V6GZ8NB1Gw/s320/serving%20tea.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They seemed to enjoy the food, as did the adults.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGvuG8P-FZVr_6vrCMb0UZ4H8Cdzhhp14vBVFivVgLarGR3iiyv22s7HNJccn93v6BFMunhqsu8Q5uP6eRF1w6psFqiJ5xzQRvPVXDdELEmWJ65RNMQypS7De8kmuC772xKzSn168nCFkYFM-iTJ9-DONzBs3JAtpxouoRLSfUb9RyTXy-_3K1sCJ-A/s320/sipping.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGvuG8P-FZVr_6vrCMb0UZ4H8Cdzhhp14vBVFivVgLarGR3iiyv22s7HNJccn93v6BFMunhqsu8Q5uP6eRF1w6psFqiJ5xzQRvPVXDdELEmWJ65RNMQypS7De8kmuC772xKzSn168nCFkYFM-iTJ9-DONzBs3JAtpxouoRLSfUb9RyTXy-_3K1sCJ-A/s1600/sipping.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The week before was Everleigh’s fifth birthday, so we had
cupcakes to celebrate, and her great-grandparents brought bags of favors. It
turned into a birthday party!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFHQTosqntFTlHrI8RSpk8XTn1vxY4f7h-ybN9BteNPur6WrC3_fFLm70BQzreBuwz2zpBO7jI-Gp4ZttRXc4gir-4Dfkh9wx8Efmgir6_h_8s-tn0CU1rO2eWEtu-DHSl7Ldd1-4iLu9rTx_qs5gdle7vUKKp-r1_taCF7r9TBgpjLlV_uqBTMFyCA/s320/birthday%20cupcake.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPFHQTosqntFTlHrI8RSpk8XTn1vxY4f7h-ybN9BteNPur6WrC3_fFLm70BQzreBuwz2zpBO7jI-Gp4ZttRXc4gir-4Dfkh9wx8Efmgir6_h_8s-tn0CU1rO2eWEtu-DHSl7Ldd1-4iLu9rTx_qs5gdle7vUKKp-r1_taCF7r9TBgpjLlV_uqBTMFyCA/s1600/birthday%20cupcake.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4XwmUSz2aBYhLA2wodJI7eKHjWBg-pOozN-DW62Eu5JhtPAEE50FPxAgw0kd0KmDn6jFI5NK4sIC1mNs8XfqFn68zKyW6PZgTNWo1z4n1s4RpLvnv0N9Q-PvLetMh8ZAmEdiLCZOPyd2Sntw-PrOlqVTJbvjTf3dJ2UjDBeF6jtcG0qcZ5DV_MxEeQ/s320/Happy%20birthday!.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh4XwmUSz2aBYhLA2wodJI7eKHjWBg-pOozN-DW62Eu5JhtPAEE50FPxAgw0kd0KmDn6jFI5NK4sIC1mNs8XfqFn68zKyW6PZgTNWo1z4n1s4RpLvnv0N9Q-PvLetMh8ZAmEdiLCZOPyd2Sntw-PrOlqVTJbvjTf3dJ2UjDBeF6jtcG0qcZ5DV_MxEeQ/s1600/Happy%20birthday!.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">After we ate, the girls entertained us by dancing and
singing and “playing” the piano.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-IZkakDx7bIrm-_964QHpp8VUt-eraGjUV5D1myBRDKli807vQK3M6QkeU1VlBPCdPHNqpy9oZXzCAYPYmKZNUcJ7n0bWYSdLrH1jZ1BBMjSuh5Lnzrf-35lE9GQIzJywgQ6r9aOVq3uaewBwEvFZIQoe8MdXtebXj5lyOFJ3Yp3358edQx-2ZZRfg/s320/Everleigh%20piano.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM-IZkakDx7bIrm-_964QHpp8VUt-eraGjUV5D1myBRDKli807vQK3M6QkeU1VlBPCdPHNqpy9oZXzCAYPYmKZNUcJ7n0bWYSdLrH1jZ1BBMjSuh5Lnzrf-35lE9GQIzJywgQ6r9aOVq3uaewBwEvFZIQoe8MdXtebXj5lyOFJ3Yp3358edQx-2ZZRfg/s1600/Everleigh%20piano.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Casey took the girls
to the backyard, where they played in the rock garden.<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBkXGWr4p_JIqaidadvY89YODS9q9eQb4PhRQrK6-eMCYliAwjfMkFjURkY1FgaWTzetE_FsJFdHLt6HYFrDFSeN-6SJxEl5iFS9JqyWGfwMdhJQ-w4sPtkJWRW7h9efTN54-ecnCLGV9zSpsw1ZJ95nPYszYVEmzZN_JSE86PzSXri7UAWRG0LHgmg/s240/rock%20garden.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="180" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBkXGWr4p_JIqaidadvY89YODS9q9eQb4PhRQrK6-eMCYliAwjfMkFjURkY1FgaWTzetE_FsJFdHLt6HYFrDFSeN-6SJxEl5iFS9JqyWGfwMdhJQ-w4sPtkJWRW7h9efTN54-ecnCLGV9zSpsw1ZJ95nPYszYVEmzZN_JSE86PzSXri7UAWRG0LHgmg/s1600/rock%20garden.jpeg" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNLQi0_U13j91O6v4ptSJxklCExXrVPcVNawpLBkemLpRTmQ3eCgyxbKzWKMbb4pyCDwaUVcvnPXH0JRlWyNhylaQToRcMUMWuL-EYjQ60HWkNPC4sOH7EdnBdIK6U7EzThCDtj8-jTt_n44EnCafPZ97juzd_N30RF897uhd1cmPgfFbpLJcsevG-g/s320/casey%20and%20princesses.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNLQi0_U13j91O6v4ptSJxklCExXrVPcVNawpLBkemLpRTmQ3eCgyxbKzWKMbb4pyCDwaUVcvnPXH0JRlWyNhylaQToRcMUMWuL-EYjQ60HWkNPC4sOH7EdnBdIK6U7EzThCDtj8-jTt_n44EnCafPZ97juzd_N30RF897uhd1cmPgfFbpLJcsevG-g/s1600/casey%20and%20princesses.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">And a lovely time was had by all!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXX_uSWhz9Krea18_BJzFhoNmwgTqeBdA4sAfkylwHVxg2L5l4PdGo5cm3Uy81Ipsugp-12oavTv85n3jWerNjymRR3kukzrdU6Nh-pcZeegviXsEn7TqiqVcAqD0mzhULXclANaFbsC4hn-Qm4KpK5u_v84iCxY5A4nAZqZShGszs8-Mznh_AIZ9SA/s480/Everleigh%20and%20Lorna.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXX_uSWhz9Krea18_BJzFhoNmwgTqeBdA4sAfkylwHVxg2L5l4PdGo5cm3Uy81Ipsugp-12oavTv85n3jWerNjymRR3kukzrdU6Nh-pcZeegviXsEn7TqiqVcAqD0mzhULXclANaFbsC4hn-Qm4KpK5u_v84iCxY5A4nAZqZShGszs8-Mznh_AIZ9SA/s320/Everleigh%20and%20Lorna.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">The next morning, Larry said, “Watching the girls yesterday
reminded me of you and Kathleen as little girls.” I realized he was right. We
used to dance and sing and play for hours.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;">They had such a good time together, and it was as if
Kathleen and I were together as girls again. And I smiled.</span><o:p></o:p></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-37784874636399451662022-08-19T00:01:00.008-07:002022-08-19T00:01:00.241-07:00UK TRIP 2022 – PART XII<p> <i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">May 19, 2022</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Belfast to London to L.A.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We slept fitfully worried
about what our day of travel would bring. We were awake well before our alarm,
so we showered, dressed, and finished packing. All the dirty clothes went into
my suitcase, while nearly everything else went into Larry’s. I carried most of
the souvenirs and gifts, along with my computer, in my under-seat carry-on.
Larry had his usual stuff and his iPad in his backpack.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We joined a large tour
group in the dining room for breakfast. Then we returned to our suite to brush
our teeth and make a last check before we went downstairs to check out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Recovered our car keys and
loaded the bags. Then one last trip, this time to the <a href="https://www.belfastcityairport.com/">Belfast City Airport</a>. Once
again, Larry had written down the turn-by turn directions, and these were easy
to use.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We followed the signs to
the Hertz car return. No one there yet, but fortunately, there were written
directions. We left the car and made our way into the terminal. We located the Hertz
desk and turned in the key.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we tried to check in
for our flight, but it was still nearly three hours before the scheduled time,
and they didn’t begin check-in until two hours ahead. So, we found a place to
sit and wait.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, we got in line to
check in. (The flight was showing a fifteen-minute delay from the schedule.
Situation normal for flights on this trip.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">While we waited, we decided
to check our two rolling bags all the way through to L.A. rather than put them
in the overhead storage. This meant we only had to carry our under-seat bags.
This turned out to be a good choice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The actual check-in was easy
and relatively quick.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we went through the
security check with the normal hassles…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Flying is NOT fun anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just like the other flights
we had been on in the UK, the departure board did not list the departure gate
until right before it began boarding. So, we sat around and waited for the gate
listing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They announced the gate,
but it wasn’t listed on the board. We moved with the crowd toward gate four.
Finally, about five minutes later, the gate number finally appeared on the
board. Fortunately, it was Gate 4.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, this gate was
the farthest from the waiting area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we arrived, they told
us to have a seat since they weren’t actually ready for us. Half an hour later,
they finally called for boarding. We discovered this short flight to London boarded
via a stairway rather than a jetway. Once again, we were happy we had decided
to check our rolling bags all the way through.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We reached Heathrow an hour
later than scheduled. We were originally scheduled for a three-hour layover. But
they didn’t have a gate for us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They finally found one, but
we were stuck on the plane for another half hour because the gate we had been
assigned was for international flights, and our flight was domestic…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They called for “coaches”
(busses) to transport us to the correct terminal where we could get our
connecting flight. Of course, there was another very long walk to get to the
international terminal, followed by another security check since we were now boarding
an international flight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we finally reached the
departure lounge, we discovered the flight would be delayed. (No surprise.) The
gate number had been posted, so we took the connecting train to the “B” gates. It
was another long hike to our gate—once again the farthest one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course, when we got
there, we were told to have a seat…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The flight was ultimately
delayed well over an hour. Finally, they began allowing us to go down to the
jetway. Thank God we were allowed to use the jetway this time, although some
passengers had to use roll-up stairs. With all the walking, our decision to
check our larger bags was supported. (Ours were still pretty small. Several
others brought much larger bags onto the plane.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once again, Julie had reserved
the first row at the back with only two seats on the side. Great place to sit.
Just the two of us together.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Again, we watched movies
during the flight. We actually saw the same ones at the same time. (<i>Jumanji,
Back to the Jungle</i> and <i>Super Intelligent</i>, which we both liked.) Then
we each watched different films. I sat through <i>Licorice Pizza</i>, which I
HATED. I also watched <i>Can You Ever Forgive Me</i>. Interesting true story. I
also started a couple of other films, which I gave up on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We ate lunch. I gave most of
mine to Larry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Near the end of the flight,
we were served another meal. Once again, Larry got a lot of mine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Because we were near the
back of the plane, we were among the last to exit. Then we had the long, long
trek to passport control. It certainly went much faster than the last time we
were there. We spent about two hours in 2016. This time, the lines moved
quickly. We then had another long hike to baggage claim and a bit of a wait for
our bags.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry called Danny of
Angel’s Transport. He was waiting outside the airport for our call. We still
had to wait about fifteen minutes for him to reach our location.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, we had our bags
loaded and were ready to make our way home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">About halfway there, Larry
started sneezing like crazy. Fortunately, I had a pack of tissues in my purse.
We both figured his hay fever was acting up. However, by the next day, it had
developed into a full-blown cold. [The lady in front of us on the plane coughed
quite a bit during the flight. I suspect he caught it from her.] Larry took a
Covid test the next morning. It showed negative. So, it was just an ordinary
cold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">By the time we got home, it
was after ten o’clock the night of the 20th. Since we had put in a nearly twenty-three-hour
day, we were more than ready to climb into our own bed. Boy, did it feel good!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Last Thoughts<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Traveling isn’t as much fun
anymore. Flights are a hassle, and everything takes much longer. Every airport
has different rules—the ones in Glasgow surrounding liquids were absurd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Cars were the bane of our
existence on this trip. Almost nothing went right.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Seeing my cousins was worth all
the problems. Love them!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We were able to fulfill our
promise to take Kathleen’s ashes back to Ireland, and we were glad we were
finally able to do it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Afternoon tea in London was a
great treat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">London is a great walking city. We
only took the tube once, and that time mostly just so we could say we’d done
it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We probably won’t be making
another long trip any time soon. (But then, we say this nearly every time we
come home.)</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-10933220308635902672022-08-12T00:01:00.013-07:002022-08-12T00:01:00.187-07:00UK TRIP 2022 – PART XI<p> <i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">May 19, 2022</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Hill of Tara<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Our room was HOT during the
night. I got up a couple of times to try to reset the air conditioner. However,
it didn’t work. So, on our way to breakfast, we asked to have it fixed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Following breakfast, we
returned to our room and got ready for the long drive south to the Hill of Tara.
We had promised my best friend, </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jhu4_G5J-lE"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Kathleen Murphy Stewart</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">,
we would take some of her ashes there several years before she died in 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNFKfxflEKGsbRvoszByAV3CJhumbif9Esr0FsuVvAZ9xK9GHo--JSqUkkneyJ-9Lq16WxtsLpyXNO5aY1B96yGi5bVW5e4EFVfQTxhbptsKfR8Hmo1NRAmxH9D4kItEK3GYNET7u7gl-XzMylFBpJ5O_Fyh25qXGwnjM4uzgw42USq7sRL4hHCL69g/s600/30788_392376328401_1062507_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="542" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNFKfxflEKGsbRvoszByAV3CJhumbif9Esr0FsuVvAZ9xK9GHo--JSqUkkneyJ-9Lq16WxtsLpyXNO5aY1B96yGi5bVW5e4EFVfQTxhbptsKfR8Hmo1NRAmxH9D4kItEK3GYNET7u7gl-XzMylFBpJ5O_Fyh25qXGwnjM4uzgw42USq7sRL4hHCL69g/s320/30788_392376328401_1062507_n.jpg" width="289" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Larry was stressed even before
we left, concerned about the long drive, crossing the border from Northern
Ireland into the Republic of Ireland, and finding the location. Fortunately, we
had Rick Steves’s maps to help a bit for this trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We stopped by the concierge
desk and asked Philip the best way to get there. Jean and Owen had told us we
would need euros for the tolls, so she gave us some. (We only had brought
pounds, although we actually used few of them—mostly for our laundry.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had charted the route on
the Rick Steves map, but it wasn’t nearly detailed enough. Once again, Larry
had written the turn-by-turn directions. Philip called it up on Google Maps for
us on his computer. He tried to print it out, but his printer didn’t work. He
made a few notes for us of milestones to look for. Drogheda was key.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we finally hit the
road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The border crossing was a
non-event. Just a sign along the road: Welcome to the Republic of Ireland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As usual, the major motorways
were fairly easy to follow, but when we got off those, the route became
convoluted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We followed Larry’s written
instructions, but we must have made an error because we realized we were headed
in the wrong direction. We pulled into a gas station and asked how to get to
the Hill of Tara. Bless the clerk! He called up the turn-by-turn instructions
on his phone. Then he walked us out to the road and pointed us in the right
direction. He let me take a screen shot of the directions, and we were on our
way again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I fully expected we would
see signs as we got close. Instead, we traveled down tiny unmarked lanes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi212x3wENeWMqPom6UmFDGTWi36ftlss7PJmw3mB8HuwT6BzEc6mwOX5yAB9GiRSYj_833BbwZvDbz-3AEQ86gn7EoVtaql0v0ktCIBcwT1c1HRX-JI8kwGdB5IzLFkE36rglNAb_dhzmiruhY29mv5w30fr-78QCrntUmVFwWWhv17ef9e4qWumqQZQ/s1280/Small%20road.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi212x3wENeWMqPom6UmFDGTWi36ftlss7PJmw3mB8HuwT6BzEc6mwOX5yAB9GiRSYj_833BbwZvDbz-3AEQ86gn7EoVtaql0v0ktCIBcwT1c1HRX-JI8kwGdB5IzLFkE36rglNAb_dhzmiruhY29mv5w30fr-78QCrntUmVFwWWhv17ef9e4qWumqQZQ/s320/Small%20road.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgrDHRINu4UpOPRtwXU6tL5WGmghR-uqtem_JIp2XNRHbSGE87jZTYLrCDUmgv3J-Li7fWRbaEabzvb3oTRkUmfR71xcyaulFQUyxjKyP9ts2kAslBSRqkPei9PqvDV8yV0C3VSxWWS7QECL_hgbi4tLMm2L5hjtmNfmkJDS7rlIxeYG150ZOEy2Mlg/s1280/Small%20road5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkgrDHRINu4UpOPRtwXU6tL5WGmghR-uqtem_JIp2XNRHbSGE87jZTYLrCDUmgv3J-Li7fWRbaEabzvb3oTRkUmfR71xcyaulFQUyxjKyP9ts2kAslBSRqkPei9PqvDV8yV0C3VSxWWS7QECL_hgbi4tLMm2L5hjtmNfmkJDS7rlIxeYG150ZOEy2Mlg/s320/Small%20road5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK0KdyMt2Ifcdpdd2e99UErPNrAPZTUVLIQ0R_odoP2SRRNpf-ZyMFxUH6nIm6l2jItD8stWft-vYBlwIvUcd-KL9oZTx0UOMLKOQuTNdlLTIbMBnItMU9jTJo0X0gT46-ABhO2Ij_bqmYpmoGZ4HXDeYMjvOjMGHdtjqt4IGyhmubUHnTjDU_FYIOw/s1280/Small%20road4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpK0KdyMt2Ifcdpdd2e99UErPNrAPZTUVLIQ0R_odoP2SRRNpf-ZyMFxUH6nIm6l2jItD8stWft-vYBlwIvUcd-KL9oZTx0UOMLKOQuTNdlLTIbMBnItMU9jTJo0X0gT46-ABhO2Ij_bqmYpmoGZ4HXDeYMjvOjMGHdtjqt4IGyhmubUHnTjDU_FYIOw/s320/Small%20road4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lgqM7otcJIt1OGOq15QGFDIU4vTGJjqKDBYNHENjHaz8QYax9eCtzLzo012LY4Z3jC00B6n60G6-TK3aydIWArSLPC17T5mG4RZ-vE25jAWTqJspdfz2b3WdaMAY-jypp1nmh1AzeEeYya7VdZAJ8hdoEv7qKY3z2devH5mdGTGwEW1BpkHktWLjUg/s1280/Small%20road2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8lgqM7otcJIt1OGOq15QGFDIU4vTGJjqKDBYNHENjHaz8QYax9eCtzLzo012LY4Z3jC00B6n60G6-TK3aydIWArSLPC17T5mG4RZ-vE25jAWTqJspdfz2b3WdaMAY-jypp1nmh1AzeEeYya7VdZAJ8hdoEv7qKY3z2devH5mdGTGwEW1BpkHktWLjUg/s320/Small%20road2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There were no signs at all.
We finally drove through a gate into what looked like a farm yard. The only clue
we had that we were in the right place was a tour van. (We couldn’t figure out
how it maneuvered the very narrow roads.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a major historic and
cultural site and tourist attraction, so one would think there would be large
signs pointing the way. Uh…no. We remembered the visitors’ center at New Grange
with a wide road and direction signs. We had expected much the same at this
place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a nearly two-hour
drive, we’d found it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The website said the
visitors’ center would open on the 19<sup>th</sup>, hence our choice of the
date. When we got there, however, we discovered it would not open until the 28<sup>th</sup>.
Oh, well…<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94Am1gHW0-c4xDbdGvfTyNQatfOhwZh_N6sqkp87kgrzXCNFlPpaUq2VtSAbwsF8BMByQq_7GStBmKbJbwREC11GaqHYM_15CbyfYrkPX6Hv0j3-stsj9eW4TvWPOQlGjCRuNE8lBOOSZ5eryVDfjqasUuf4nDnIhrKmcH04gzWGf_ocA0v0g1gSD5w/s3264/Tara%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94Am1gHW0-c4xDbdGvfTyNQatfOhwZh_N6sqkp87kgrzXCNFlPpaUq2VtSAbwsF8BMByQq_7GStBmKbJbwREC11GaqHYM_15CbyfYrkPX6Hv0j3-stsj9eW4TvWPOQlGjCRuNE8lBOOSZ5eryVDfjqasUuf4nDnIhrKmcH04gzWGf_ocA0v0g1gSD5w/s320/Tara%204.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBv46XHo7LPsofkf06Udj2vQSNsCSCZHv_90dkmUklDM_Q7EHLcggHwwpjxwktKLjzOTSpUrmW3jDYcip5ZFqylef5Bk7ul14C1x8PGDXogBPS4Yd3mBffRz1IkiUpUMY7hSVW5LzdeLDuURHtFSFM85tS8nY45czyXU0wUPulxqGVWBw2VtVcWEuKw/s3264/Tara%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRBv46XHo7LPsofkf06Udj2vQSNsCSCZHv_90dkmUklDM_Q7EHLcggHwwpjxwktKLjzOTSpUrmW3jDYcip5ZFqylef5Bk7ul14C1x8PGDXogBPS4Yd3mBffRz1IkiUpUMY7hSVW5LzdeLDuURHtFSFM85tS8nY45czyXU0wUPulxqGVWBw2VtVcWEuKw/s320/Tara%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNVOXGrcaP3y9KyOn5j-Nydcw21TctTOchqicOot1gSPXQXcQZa1P0IdYcn8ucHYJOMcvNKIAXekn3YOYSnO8nCNQ2dYuKhME6nbTKLGdfD3_0R6XeUwcKrc9PZjvR2-XpUguAI0AuyhO1KpZw9Mr7BPEjMs7F4Qb-HMp7yeeGKKjmX_nMkpuASDfAA/s1280/Sign.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNVOXGrcaP3y9KyOn5j-Nydcw21TctTOchqicOot1gSPXQXcQZa1P0IdYcn8ucHYJOMcvNKIAXekn3YOYSnO8nCNQ2dYuKhME6nbTKLGdfD3_0R6XeUwcKrc9PZjvR2-XpUguAI0AuyhO1KpZw9Mr7BPEjMs7F4Qb-HMp7yeeGKKjmX_nMkpuASDfAA/s320/Sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We followed the path and
finally reached the signs on the site describing the location where Kathleen had
asked us to spread some of her ashes. Her widower, Bill, had gotten them to us not
long before we left home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw0ARRWZHO2Eku2Yva4MeZapVaijvNVmFSUDevkG8JtfcgAsUHsdSj3GIgfmrGfwD2DyaUWZmjwfs_moYHnMb3N2yCyxFjr2o_5fOryKmPJRAXahIHcHZa9hgM8eyQI9BfrtyyLsrInFD9kjIpyh3NcfVpWDWXyct59mbiWeLgfIuGg-LqHpq1j6TtA/s1280/Hill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYw0ARRWZHO2Eku2Yva4MeZapVaijvNVmFSUDevkG8JtfcgAsUHsdSj3GIgfmrGfwD2DyaUWZmjwfs_moYHnMb3N2yCyxFjr2o_5fOryKmPJRAXahIHcHZa9hgM8eyQI9BfrtyyLsrInFD9kjIpyh3NcfVpWDWXyct59mbiWeLgfIuGg-LqHpq1j6TtA/s320/Hill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEVd80OGwdlZZUc346ptcLtBrk45sVpTQAEsvUbJMy9lSx8sQCivkYO5l_60Q3x890z4nawgEZsUOp42WlDMx_6NNKktDta3tecK_2J2jOSa9fAB7X1yOy853vtJtcm57QxS0NH9Qd6XiTMfYyyT9G8nrwpWHffEWjiHkY-9W82PERDI7VgHWu0jomA/s1280/Larry-Hill2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEVd80OGwdlZZUc346ptcLtBrk45sVpTQAEsvUbJMy9lSx8sQCivkYO5l_60Q3x890z4nawgEZsUOp42WlDMx_6NNKktDta3tecK_2J2jOSa9fAB7X1yOy853vtJtcm57QxS0NH9Qd6XiTMfYyyT9G8nrwpWHffEWjiHkY-9W82PERDI7VgHWu0jomA/s320/Larry-Hill2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXz6uJ2ZZ6DJFWwwSiy3Qc8QYUbghpMmxTJAsWwmRiMrhBphwBENSrlFcsr6HzhldNV5iCshTfADwsTkQ-6yj3Y141-B6rm08q_pL9ywE6EldTSIxz_Aw8u0ZZdKHKsK5uuX1jbpcqG1PbmEG58gJyURi-jXgV8XbEQyty7-Y2nnPM_1u4LZtciWomQ/s3264/Tara%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXz6uJ2ZZ6DJFWwwSiy3Qc8QYUbghpMmxTJAsWwmRiMrhBphwBENSrlFcsr6HzhldNV5iCshTfADwsTkQ-6yj3Y141-B6rm08q_pL9ywE6EldTSIxz_Aw8u0ZZdKHKsK5uuX1jbpcqG1PbmEG58gJyURi-jXgV8XbEQyty7-Y2nnPM_1u4LZtciWomQ/s320/Tara%205.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #A2A9B1 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<h1 style="border: none; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was cold and blustery, but the view
was beautiful. Larry just wanted me to drop them at the bottom, but I thought
we should take them to the top. I placed them at the foot of the large standing
stone, <i>Lia Fáil</i>. (Her widower later told me it was her favorite spot, so
I was happy I had chosen the right place.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></h1>
<h1 align="center" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz5eTHR1GqfPF-6g5zYj2i4Eeq1BWHJ5ePSSEPTrgLJrvsqtmNXjTO1jHszhUvRrEpiJuWAoDO3jb0_2lAoi9eJ4MvGSz4jbC61-RC-AWXET3FpZfpOlU_23uYwnQ2bKxVxZDb09tnwcG9DLiEAX3prWqp4_bdFgKCBWTcjHNa_vJFrA_JnySqTQVfA/s3264/Tara-the%20envelope.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTz5eTHR1GqfPF-6g5zYj2i4Eeq1BWHJ5ePSSEPTrgLJrvsqtmNXjTO1jHszhUvRrEpiJuWAoDO3jb0_2lAoi9eJ4MvGSz4jbC61-RC-AWXET3FpZfpOlU_23uYwnQ2bKxVxZDb09tnwcG9DLiEAX3prWqp4_bdFgKCBWTcjHNa_vJFrA_JnySqTQVfA/s320/Tara-the%20envelope.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></span></h1><h1 align="center" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0IMcwsrosHTkKFx-BSYKTpUa2g2Rl2WlCIyI6LCeOSYl3-buK6Q51f7W8JpwBF3a4iTiwDSwLUZSBlGCIVOvQNsjSUBF0OafISIU3prG3zgpL956VXaMDjUwbnRaVz05mlZcuicYHOSH4eoeCsO3FoALpepgsAji2jBf8_z5--txPGY0TWdFdoLZMw/s3264/Tara-spreading%20ashes.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM0IMcwsrosHTkKFx-BSYKTpUa2g2Rl2WlCIyI6LCeOSYl3-buK6Q51f7W8JpwBF3a4iTiwDSwLUZSBlGCIVOvQNsjSUBF0OafISIU3prG3zgpL956VXaMDjUwbnRaVz05mlZcuicYHOSH4eoeCsO3FoALpepgsAji2jBf8_z5--txPGY0TWdFdoLZMw/s320/Tara-spreading%20ashes.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieH3nLvIYbUjNAH5qVYyKG5FsAR-H3NrwBAHPR0cGVpgWClGS2vbGGPqeI5HnwX73IpLqZ-2DsrwUWdgC9xs2-7b-Y8wn9XnWCmC2ssP3RQN9hGNiZ_thACTeByVMQNuQPwY3un0XExjjm3F6Vo7RGit_vIZQlTUbYhHHUCxv4F2ZndJlIspqJSWSGxA/s3264/Tara-standing%20stone.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieH3nLvIYbUjNAH5qVYyKG5FsAR-H3NrwBAHPR0cGVpgWClGS2vbGGPqeI5HnwX73IpLqZ-2DsrwUWdgC9xs2-7b-Y8wn9XnWCmC2ssP3RQN9hGNiZ_thACTeByVMQNuQPwY3un0XExjjm3F6Vo7RGit_vIZQlTUbYhHHUCxv4F2ZndJlIspqJSWSGxA/s320/Tara-standing%20stone.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></h1><h1 align="center" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></h1>
<h1 style="border: none; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As we walked back to the parking area,
I picked a couple of the wildflowers from around the site. I also found two
feathers and picked them up. I put them into the small envelope where her ashes
had been.</span></span></h1></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm9uFjcDGU8mZVRVwlB1nqD2o3Z58zFshX1SUBt4y-bz3iTT-IG4JsFym-Hu5IZYb3kD4joQIE4ypgDsejqTQbX5fDMoM6Jl6KjQVUZIkY4O7Cm1GM0WhDYaoIsDVfwnROHl0mU1BS1jSsQvBFaM5Uzpt3ydPiT7Tj0yPQTJSA4ah_zgGSAlIYCAOAQ/s3264/Tara-flowers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbm9uFjcDGU8mZVRVwlB1nqD2o3Z58zFshX1SUBt4y-bz3iTT-IG4JsFym-Hu5IZYb3kD4joQIE4ypgDsejqTQbX5fDMoM6Jl6KjQVUZIkY4O7Cm1GM0WhDYaoIsDVfwnROHl0mU1BS1jSsQvBFaM5Uzpt3ydPiT7Tj0yPQTJSA4ah_zgGSAlIYCAOAQ/s320/Tara-flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xIYYF6EWBYPImsM1BESAFRpXOdTHSBUtFffqM7e9AeVMbp5HfhVTM4kit1V58W7IAWvjTOdpp3jtPEf-7uc95njnKcUALmbeQMOIEEicBdQ_hbAFLA4Twqldva2qqw9lA72HHH7T1YLln1oy8wSC2XEI54l-1qYFDTFRtdIHc4AB0sxFN-ww4gBftA/s1360/Kathleen-envelope.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1360" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xIYYF6EWBYPImsM1BESAFRpXOdTHSBUtFffqM7e9AeVMbp5HfhVTM4kit1V58W7IAWvjTOdpp3jtPEf-7uc95njnKcUALmbeQMOIEEicBdQ_hbAFLA4Twqldva2qqw9lA72HHH7T1YLln1oy8wSC2XEI54l-1qYFDTFRtdIHc4AB0sxFN-ww4gBftA/s320/Kathleen-envelope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">We went into the tiny café
for a cup of coffee. I had a lemon slice (a piece of lemon cake) and Larry had
a chocolate muffin. He ordered ice cream with his. However, the waitress added
ice cream and whipped cream to both of them. I gave Larry the whipped cream and
about half of my ice cream. I did eat some as the cake was somewhat dry. But
the coffee was delicious and warmed us up.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGccxSKnek94aQC_S5sYvr8El9cpJWvGLvQ-kQ0rho9hNMjFaj28BsNs_xZF9pQmJPWjlHWtsCramXbmYMKAMRlwYcOCwv-q07QFlMRqvUp83NQUn1w3l3ij52dw3kD8TWcgMuGQoijF95f2yJuM-neCMoj_MSxaG9FNzJlDhTaM5sUjQ1cmnDu-8Xg/s1280/Stone%20Meaning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="662" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGccxSKnek94aQC_S5sYvr8El9cpJWvGLvQ-kQ0rho9hNMjFaj28BsNs_xZF9pQmJPWjlHWtsCramXbmYMKAMRlwYcOCwv-q07QFlMRqvUp83NQUn1w3l3ij52dw3kD8TWcgMuGQoijF95f2yJuM-neCMoj_MSxaG9FNzJlDhTaM5sUjQ1cmnDu-8Xg/s320/Stone%20Meaning.jpg" width="166" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the gift shop, I found a
few items I wanted, including a t-shirt. Larry liked the design, so he got one,
too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then we set out on the long
journey back to Belfast. This time, we had to follow a “diversion” (detour),
which bypassed the toll plaza. It took over an hour and a half each way—a total
of more than three hours on the road. But we’d known this before we started
out.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we got back to our
room, we discovered that nothing had been done about the air conditioning. We
tried again to get it to work, but after waiting about half an hour, it was
still HOT (nearly 80 degrees Fahrenheit). I called down to the desk and asked
them to fix it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">They sent someone up to the
room. He tried several times to get the programming to set, but he was as
unsuccessful as I had been. He called down, and they said they would send up
someone from maintenance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We took the time to sort
out our clothes for our return trip home, reorganize the suitcases, and get
everything prepared for our flight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After waiting for over an
hour with no response, Larry went down to the desk to ask them to change our
room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">He returned with the keys
to the Moselle suite! WOW! This was gorgeous!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Only one night, but the
accommodations were fabulous.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We didn’t spend long there,
but we could get used to it!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw6LOjcTYymEoVoY-ZnFa1VsrJh8fp1mPATSxPrLMZr2De0gk6B0V9wNpuAOVgFYgtTWvazMvCBTHg_xexczAncKJ39fajqWDY_B-0vA4efLQjhDyyUhMWeurIGj9hodV9FrsMP7-kRqwp_ABCBkcKhgsFhCwleukCjRnMMQyRPnNCF-nL2wtM_5P-g/s1280/Suite4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqw6LOjcTYymEoVoY-ZnFa1VsrJh8fp1mPATSxPrLMZr2De0gk6B0V9wNpuAOVgFYgtTWvazMvCBTHg_xexczAncKJ39fajqWDY_B-0vA4efLQjhDyyUhMWeurIGj9hodV9FrsMP7-kRqwp_ABCBkcKhgsFhCwleukCjRnMMQyRPnNCF-nL2wtM_5P-g/s320/Suite4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdDFeq5XvPWfuvkMfkJk1QA7qnzRqlvIDXldrsZTdLqz5mm6dQ0UL38NIeS-Vmu0gt9Fqz-cxeLjNA7elZNGdWigS1nm11crc87IEGKdUcJd2gUFg91OWgwuDYJ_ylRHXHOlqaIK0Mzp_azq8oBZiSzRjK0QDSq6F7RE8MGdsXjPmu3HMBYO5kmJ1Lg/s3264/Europa%20Moselle%20Suite%20-%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcHb9ERGyzRBAv26PV2PjDN70UOJfQXVFJB6wVI80T45fqEZwDFP1B36kjxQvdrRGqpkr6BSWcvtyaJnQYIO1xLRO3gw5cmLMrIZtpLjx1hmpLK26v28wQuLnCQ7xJcIQtMtldj4GB51E66gTCv9ypDW8lRkAMDij2S_P206o1o38vJjhMAR6iN8whA/s3264/Suite%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcHb9ERGyzRBAv26PV2PjDN70UOJfQXVFJB6wVI80T45fqEZwDFP1B36kjxQvdrRGqpkr6BSWcvtyaJnQYIO1xLRO3gw5cmLMrIZtpLjx1hmpLK26v28wQuLnCQ7xJcIQtMtldj4GB51E66gTCv9ypDW8lRkAMDij2S_P206o1o38vJjhMAR6iN8whA/s320/Suite%201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0j1PiHRO0Vr3vGiyI2yao_D7fZ963Nn99DGETQ4oHTwN6rmN6j5h_NUJVOypIr_yn9_dScQpL3zlEk3PyEE8874nZS_CRdGvvlLhNxApwmtcGUePtCSxC0nzOaZWi_xSmhZnV1MLzgXBp3Gx6aQ-irayKcZVvtNmX2iIAtadeAhrf_qlepKW9yCR6w/s320/suite6.jpg" width="240" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgumVFa_SjAjFdvar2HCyPkYGL3IvzWXU4A4n2LAJSqWkopM3DMnJ6MyTpSZRfSGR0TD5RSH8n2NCSgK4ERYx_2peGwAHJQHHtJa4YxH0ycgm47W3M-JndH0td_XaX3qZryPJTNWlwTgFA_XvG-hWhK690c-PMSHAVKk7DLiQVX_k3LSV_RxQrCUyb9w/s1280/suite7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgumVFa_SjAjFdvar2HCyPkYGL3IvzWXU4A4n2LAJSqWkopM3DMnJ6MyTpSZRfSGR0TD5RSH8n2NCSgK4ERYx_2peGwAHJQHHtJa4YxH0ycgm47W3M-JndH0td_XaX3qZryPJTNWlwTgFA_XvG-hWhK690c-PMSHAVKk7DLiQVX_k3LSV_RxQrCUyb9w/s320/suite7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnooIJcfG3tc1CQbSMiY-BcgnrWvtFXTE72-jlpQ7on40z-eN4Eqxm3TWxf85as3T0kd62XVGMvtYRR459niKTLXr8GCaOmhGgKklUI09CWfZKl0e5hQXCi8tE5XtZ1cv-s9nSvLt0U_5UGQjRnuKlWIKyWrRYC4Ru2LxKdiB8i911926ZX4DTPA0YQ/s1280/wsuite8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4feTH24zaK8mmVYLUfIuhpQ8xnGjY4wNThdBzUFBDTXNSVZlmuxNmjR26eIn6wJldZ_BJG5D36d-ls0iXebdQp4m_uy_YFFC4W8Q02PLiRF7G4GLiYJwJwvQNnu9H-KoZHKFPp2NguV8X5dRWbN54n5ji5JHtY863F5aphZ7o7hIxnJzfF09QrANKw/s1280/suite%20bath3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4feTH24zaK8mmVYLUfIuhpQ8xnGjY4wNThdBzUFBDTXNSVZlmuxNmjR26eIn6wJldZ_BJG5D36d-ls0iXebdQp4m_uy_YFFC4W8Q02PLiRF7G4GLiYJwJwvQNnu9H-KoZHKFPp2NguV8X5dRWbN54n5ji5JHtY863F5aphZ7o7hIxnJzfF09QrANKw/s320/suite%20bath3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNFCtVKBQy6QOA1a9v3Aqilog0qGs7wtopQ6mR4W74EaeQRJm5CPNq8FRQhWloig2MAxf2XchQjQCZtvvfB8obUUJDUs9MpS4zTLqKj_b9GyXx70pxZVCqMIphFEnnzvtUvuzDGwVpvOk2R-NfDJDPbxd7sAgOjk574XDo39nLvQ1GJNvRFdl5AXbKw/s1280/suite%20bath%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-22419386506286990912022-08-05T00:01:00.009-07:002022-08-05T00:01:00.171-07:00UK TRIP 2022 – PART X<p> <i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">May 18, 2022</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Coleraine to Belfast<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We slept very well in one
the most comfortable beds we’d had since we arrived in the UK. It was firm and
cozy. We took our time showering and dressing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary had a morning meeting,
so we had agreed to eat about ten-thirty. Gary had told his mum he wanted her
to make a real Ulster Fry for breakfast. He bragged about how hers was the
best, so we were anxious to taste everything.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Once again, Jean had
everything under control and refused all offers of help. So, we joined Owen in
the snug.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I decided to plug in my
computer and call up my Ancestry tree so I could show Gary how it worked when
he arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jean called us to the table
and poured tea. Their friend, Harold, often joins them for breakfast. Jean had asked
him to join us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Just as we sat down, Gary
arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon the table groaned with
an amazing variety of foods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6OU14cnT-19YM1bsYs2Z9hirF-Ab7DVbRvPD3oPMREfUkIFsOagCJaR5oRELJvRnobrVkU8NK4G-Z5FmoNGnAiywqtYB_dMGrv1oBDPXbxR_4lE_6tAP17ALUruujdSsaSrbA-LJNOSOCDKL_wrwmfG8JsMeCeTiUDyOnAHcB8bkwzRwIVTHuq0uVA/s1280/Ulster%20Fry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6OU14cnT-19YM1bsYs2Z9hirF-Ab7DVbRvPD3oPMREfUkIFsOagCJaR5oRELJvRnobrVkU8NK4G-Z5FmoNGnAiywqtYB_dMGrv1oBDPXbxR_4lE_6tAP17ALUruujdSsaSrbA-LJNOSOCDKL_wrwmfG8JsMeCeTiUDyOnAHcB8bkwzRwIVTHuq0uVA/s320/Ulster%20Fry.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubXLb1L8Tw2hQ1NA4H3qb_2sevqpW-QUJ5pZPF3Rcbj-ZWDW294rAyyiyrMOWy_jClfMQBaw70jwnqgaNyeycrhlMQjSuHZQjA2558hnGV6xISG_kzAmOIvPFsIXavj0mWroIQB9NOQoB4ndX5S9mqTse-H1ZwtFiSVFNBKOhnQ6UHS-DNGztFl6x9w/s1280/Irish%20Breakfast2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1280" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubXLb1L8Tw2hQ1NA4H3qb_2sevqpW-QUJ5pZPF3Rcbj-ZWDW294rAyyiyrMOWy_jClfMQBaw70jwnqgaNyeycrhlMQjSuHZQjA2558hnGV6xISG_kzAmOIvPFsIXavj0mWroIQB9NOQoB4ndX5S9mqTse-H1ZwtFiSVFNBKOhnQ6UHS-DNGztFl6x9w/s320/Irish%20Breakfast2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Everything was delicious. Yep,
my second cousin (once removed) is a terrific cook!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After breakfast, I showed
Gary how the Ancestry tree worked and sent him the login information. He was
very interested and said he would add the information for his family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary had to leave, so we
returned to the table. Jean brought out a bunch of documents, and I added this
information to the tree. Larry photographed the documents themselves. I
intended to add them when we got back home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We took another drive down
through the town of Castlerock where they pointed out the location of their
guest house, now an apartment block. Then we drove to see the </span><a href="https://www.wmf.org/project/mussenden-temple"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mussenden Temple</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
and the shore. So many picturesque spots!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAScKHUp3Kq_PWKE1BgWYchZI1E72-0UWgtsN1DS4hsyxBQ9mZgofQUZ05834c-wThX3iK0glgALBsYcesTIq6qdYVaUHD0sKH8bjFiGi757Jg8H8kBc_Owb0HZkn2COlevVsnufw9rmu-ciziSHYpjumbfgwPG7EZZe8BHv130mApijQgcNF9sf2dQ/s1280/Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAScKHUp3Kq_PWKE1BgWYchZI1E72-0UWgtsN1DS4hsyxBQ9mZgofQUZ05834c-wThX3iK0glgALBsYcesTIq6qdYVaUHD0sKH8bjFiGi757Jg8H8kBc_Owb0HZkn2COlevVsnufw9rmu-ciziSHYpjumbfgwPG7EZZe8BHv130mApijQgcNF9sf2dQ/s320/Temple.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsPUVXd4rH45Kl6Hl1W71Pa2TlzCA54HNRns11glTn5vM6XZFBpVkO2P3ZVVq30OyXraItA7b0Al07GrW49zcQ8hdmIPmLgizpijTUutTXBUobZwIhZByGUj3vIHwcu2hFigaXt9GDxzb15BEJLNVAWFTvJXU_QODUqDAqHWTzeoD0afq4kgqechvdg/s1280/Shore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsPUVXd4rH45Kl6Hl1W71Pa2TlzCA54HNRns11glTn5vM6XZFBpVkO2P3ZVVq30OyXraItA7b0Al07GrW49zcQ8hdmIPmLgizpijTUutTXBUobZwIhZByGUj3vIHwcu2hFigaXt9GDxzb15BEJLNVAWFTvJXU_QODUqDAqHWTzeoD0afq4kgqechvdg/s320/Shore.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we got back, it was
time for us to return to Belfast. We loaded our bags into the car and then
exchanged lots of hugs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Owen told us how to get
back to the motorway. The return trip was much easier and faster than the trip
there. By now, Larry had figured out how to get from the motorway to the hotel,
despite all the one-way streets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We checked back into the Europa.
Once again, we were upgraded to the executive level.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It was dinner time, so we
decided to return to the Piano Lounge for a light repast. Have I mentioned I liked
this place?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I had the same salad I had
ordered before. Larry had a sandwich. Good food again. Such a relaxing spot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We returned to our room to
do some writing and prepare for our long drive to the Hill of Tara the next
day.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4886336029981598055.post-3837088508495501722022-07-29T00:01:00.008-07:002022-08-02T18:05:20.496-07:00UK TRIP 2022 – PART IX<p> <i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">May 16, 2022</span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Belfast<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When we checked in, we were
informed that we had been upgraded to the executive level—to a beautiful room
on the tenth floor. We had a real king-size bed! [The most comfortable bed we
had experienced so far.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When we had arrived, Philip
welcomed us to the “<a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/europa-hotel-from-most-bombed-to-a-belfast-beacon-of-change-1.4670710">most
bombed hotel in the UK</a>.” During “The Troubles,” the </span><a href="https://www.europahotelbelfast.com/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Europa</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
was bombed thirty-three times. No damage to the interior, but the front was
frequently covered with plywood to conceal shattered windows.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a beautiful
facility. Without fail, everyone on the staff was kind, pleasant, and most
willing to assist us. They were obviously understaffed, but they managed well,
including with the large groups we observed coming and going while there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The breakfast buffet at the
Europa was similar to the offerings at the Jury’s Inn in Glasgow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After breakfast, we went to
our room where I wrote some blog posts and washed some underwear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Later on, we decided to go
down to the </span><a href="https://www.europahotelbelfast.com/dining/piano-lounge/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Piano
Lounge</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> for something to eat. I loved this place! Larry
ordered an open-face salmon sandwich, and I had a chicken Caesar salad—the best
salad I have had in the UK. We enjoyed our meal and took our time eating while appreciating
the view out the window.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /><!--[endif]--></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAo6yXRXQBKsKsd70_xR3detplUVUhxYa-oyQQOFStNDpE1wczEw3uicpfvzPOhAV879DHAxwCvyZHHwq8pPFebzorVrocwCCkvE-vqQ1FbEQOPFQwcAuFZJIR15Ljwug0P8XiG_WKbOdpE0xaArrnfZOyCwEA_5EcFIeeYzG_jiB9SZU4Oglb9KKFA/s1280/Larry-Piano%20Bar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAo6yXRXQBKsKsd70_xR3detplUVUhxYa-oyQQOFStNDpE1wczEw3uicpfvzPOhAV879DHAxwCvyZHHwq8pPFebzorVrocwCCkvE-vqQ1FbEQOPFQwcAuFZJIR15Ljwug0P8XiG_WKbOdpE0xaArrnfZOyCwEA_5EcFIeeYzG_jiB9SZU4Oglb9KKFA/s320/Larry-Piano%20Bar.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in the room, we packed
everything we wouldn’t need in the morning. I continued writing, and Larry
looked at Google Maps for directions on how to get to Coleraine, where we would
spend the next day and night with my cousin, Jean, and her husband, Owen. Then,
he wrote the turn-by-turn directions. He also showed me the map and had me
follow the directions so I would know the route since he would be driving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We watched a little TV
until it was time for sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Mary 17, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Belfast to Coleraine<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After breakfast, we
finished packing and prepared to drive to Coleraine to see Jean and Owen. Jean
is my second cousin once removed. [Our great-grandfathers were brothers.] We
saw them when we were last in Ireland. Our visit was the highlight of our first
trip, so I really looked forward to seeing them again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Just before our first
visit, she had been awarded the </span><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13419311/mbe-honour-meaning-award/"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">MBE</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
(Member of the British Empire), which she proudly showed off to everyone in our
group. When we arrived this time, we discovered that it 2017, she had been
named the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Sheriff_of_County_Londonderry"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">High
Sherriff of Londonderry</span></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">. This is a one-year appointment.
My cousin is a bit of a local celebrity!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We followed Larry’s
directions, except we missed one turn. We found our way and got back on the
route. However, we thought we had driven too far. I decided to call Jean to get
more precise directions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She laughed. “Just keep
coming, and I’ll come out and wave to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Sure enough, about two
blocks later, we saw her on the porch waving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We were so glad to get
there. Jean and Owen were as much fun as we remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We settled into the “snug,”
the cozy sitting room with a great view of the bay, and caught up. And we
laughed and laughed. Jean is a hoot, and she kept us in stitches.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrVoBS0gpHgCkQ3oSTPsFrfne1wey3138Wa5VS9FzTOX-LIstMzuc3DX141rOUQyaALj4IZJlBr4MXArD0f_NnhT7R5jrAW_8rwFHbuRxqT98_9L7LEy9twzZusmDgkosLbnijO6WgxM1jb_GkifmAl3XQ3yzyFrrjnSn2oLxSXjI583wyMPsORHGwQ/s458/Jean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="301" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrVoBS0gpHgCkQ3oSTPsFrfne1wey3138Wa5VS9FzTOX-LIstMzuc3DX141rOUQyaALj4IZJlBr4MXArD0f_NnhT7R5jrAW_8rwFHbuRxqT98_9L7LEy9twzZusmDgkosLbnijO6WgxM1jb_GkifmAl3XQ3yzyFrrjnSn2oLxSXjI583wyMPsORHGwQ/s320/Jean.jpg" width="210" /></a></span></div><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibENmiUgOVyYj3pxp9yxdY0-ECnGU0DyZEzYVa9pMBG6CvH7dWcO6ZtCm_1B90ewWZ_JJ8DOPaGnQJEx9mie6kcXUierDIPF3mGzEP7P6auhBZEzoDstZZp2_K5xigrYXEJW2OyJxoZEIP01pKgzyHlo63t_MS3ZrDOWYsWT87bQJetT761ncE9-Qwhg/s349/Owen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="349" data-original-width="316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibENmiUgOVyYj3pxp9yxdY0-ECnGU0DyZEzYVa9pMBG6CvH7dWcO6ZtCm_1B90ewWZ_JJ8DOPaGnQJEx9mie6kcXUierDIPF3mGzEP7P6auhBZEzoDstZZp2_K5xigrYXEJW2OyJxoZEIP01pKgzyHlo63t_MS3ZrDOWYsWT87bQJetT761ncE9-Qwhg/s320/Owen.jpg" width="290" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a chat, she showed us
to our room—a lovely homey one with its own attached bath. Jean ran a guest
house for many years not far away in Castlerock. When they built this house,
she designed it much like the guest house with several guest rooms with en
suite baths. Our room was lovely with another comfortable queen-size bed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">We gave her a copy of </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dominic-Drive-Ronald-Travis-Lund/dp/B08T43TVWC/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1653678265&sr=8-1"><i><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dominic
Drive</span></i></a><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> because I thought she might be interested in
our childhood story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After a while, she
suggested we take a tour of the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">She and Owen showed us the
little two-room cottage where her mother and father settled when they left Scotland.
No electricity or indoor plumbing, just a bedroom and kitchen. (Jean’s mother
was Scottish, and her father was Irish. Jean was born in Scotland, but the
family moved to Ireland when she was six.) [This is a painting in Jean’s home
of the cottage. It is now just a storage building.]<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsUbppVL8gL5tOt3QHyZt8SXbeRLvETpGGAxuHM8PU57cizQCt__UMA36SmH_sXZj0GGHD-U1ISoPCvhZKkr4WoVD6ZOyZuVaIwHno48ktPLcD-bPRJ0DmUa7LH2Ezr_WLpW8-mFPF5pnv8LtPMXeoolu100J_awCUNYeOUYsk4zjvuIBSmiEGh6ElA/s1127/cottage%20painting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1127" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsUbppVL8gL5tOt3QHyZt8SXbeRLvETpGGAxuHM8PU57cizQCt__UMA36SmH_sXZj0GGHD-U1ISoPCvhZKkr4WoVD6ZOyZuVaIwHno48ktPLcD-bPRJ0DmUa7LH2Ezr_WLpW8-mFPF5pnv8LtPMXeoolu100J_awCUNYeOUYsk4zjvuIBSmiEGh6ElA/s320/cottage%20painting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We saw all the places where
the family had lived during her childhood and the schools she’d attended. The
weather held as we drove from place to place. In fact, the only time we had any
real rain on the whole trip was coming home from dinner with Amanda. The next day
in Beith, it drizzled, but we didn’t need our umbrellas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We drove down to Castlerock.
As we took the path to the viewpoint, a light drizzle began. Larry got some
photos, and then we headed back to the car.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqXKAPerXw7boym6J5OXW8UMgn1nXXOrG_24gYnGgf-JXyOwoG96YahKSXPU-V76Rwvc8YFJntDb7ODHqazWCMtF2ijmSX1uc4ZnEvWd0XyfvmyUnWXCrV6To6Vkcl6yAJUwayOHrQpqNQUwRGUlI0hFC48AS4gHuFTBfrEHcgXwP9goF9KY_-K0Lew/s1608/Castlerock%20Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1608" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqXKAPerXw7boym6J5OXW8UMgn1nXXOrG_24gYnGgf-JXyOwoG96YahKSXPU-V76Rwvc8YFJntDb7ODHqazWCMtF2ijmSX1uc4ZnEvWd0XyfvmyUnWXCrV6To6Vkcl6yAJUwayOHrQpqNQUwRGUlI0hFC48AS4gHuFTBfrEHcgXwP9goF9KY_-K0Lew/w435-h137/Castlerock%20Beach.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5fBK_Wn_-EnS3oX9NCVPufmqTV3XDe2BxL_w8Hhq_cgvByWS2DdfaQSwfdO6ou_IKyCTH-lWY4reJ5SJ824kQsWwl7H3u68MQyvscA-eFqmGc_y7A3CvNQTuAhtiyQS38hqqOJXQ5UJ5sFMTVCBCu2v5vqsGsAAzcXULJR0baLnQnFDZlcOmxSc9OQ/s1280/Castlerock%20Golf%20Club.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1280" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS5fBK_Wn_-EnS3oX9NCVPufmqTV3XDe2BxL_w8Hhq_cgvByWS2DdfaQSwfdO6ou_IKyCTH-lWY4reJ5SJ824kQsWwl7H3u68MQyvscA-eFqmGc_y7A3CvNQTuAhtiyQS38hqqOJXQ5UJ5sFMTVCBCu2v5vqsGsAAzcXULJR0baLnQnFDZlcOmxSc9OQ/s320/Castlerock%20Golf%20Club.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We drove back to the house.
It was raining lightly as we got out of the car, but we just ran into the house
between the drops.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We had wanted to take them
to dinner, but Jean insisted on cooking so we could spend more time together.
She disappeared into the kitchen from time to time, but she didn’t want any
help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Her elder son, Gary, lives nearby,
so he was going to join us. I am a friend of her younger son, Stuart, on
Facebook. He lives in New Zealand, so Facebook is great for staying in touch.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cNPCZMmxujZ_52-mqwUZr6mNNoGXmW227L9GGbJN-PHwbznubWMYbS56Z_3aaY6s-_xICel2lRrzP54wXhIEwvp6bfqNrI_rYCGFUmtpBRXneu_ocPIbjT_5UTS-uLOyUOWEWfcukhTtKJGWctFOzpvv47yHm_6wmIrweV0rLNPYlBrF4ScrybkGVA/s482/Stuart2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="389" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cNPCZMmxujZ_52-mqwUZr6mNNoGXmW227L9GGbJN-PHwbznubWMYbS56Z_3aaY6s-_xICel2lRrzP54wXhIEwvp6bfqNrI_rYCGFUmtpBRXneu_ocPIbjT_5UTS-uLOyUOWEWfcukhTtKJGWctFOzpvv47yHm_6wmIrweV0rLNPYlBrF4ScrybkGVA/s320/Stuart2.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Stuart
Caulfield<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary isn’t on social media,
so I didn’t know much about him. But that was about to change.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiy93G5A4nGCs4X2Ga2crGl9leHea6X0dgAif0p0yTBSDaaZUk-ulVKvIK75PJNC4zCrxyo-_-yg4xKp0bC8QD4NyLQXrvKg-eEBO3s3V1QLD9jz-0pUeSXN_de9gL2SGmdciKkK4scGPW-KRKZYNdARJmFBjsiYIU7Sensn-Ocj4AiqZgJODvlRFuQ/s1280/Gary%20and%20Jean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiy93G5A4nGCs4X2Ga2crGl9leHea6X0dgAif0p0yTBSDaaZUk-ulVKvIK75PJNC4zCrxyo-_-yg4xKp0bC8QD4NyLQXrvKg-eEBO3s3V1QLD9jz-0pUeSXN_de9gL2SGmdciKkK4scGPW-KRKZYNdARJmFBjsiYIU7Sensn-Ocj4AiqZgJODvlRFuQ/s320/Gary%20and%20Jean.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Jean and
Gary</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When he arrived, we
introduced ourselves. Owen poured wine for the others and offered me nonalcoholic
elderflower tonic water. Delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, our meal was
ready. Jean had fixed a lovely salad served with delicious bread, including her
homemade Guinness bread. She followed with a stir fry and rice. She is a great
cook, with the experience of all her years of cooking for her guests in her
guest house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary proved to have his
mother’s sense of humor. He kept us laughing, and I liked him a lot. His
friend, Monica, arrived while we were eating. She’d been delayed, but she
finally made it. I liked her as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ij7FXi93SP7qb4HJkqgyakccZIZMRr0DQadoulyoGpZerw1r4DhFmApp-3MvOTAOaRTzAdT8yOhvuYXDk2lJEBzH2UDmF1KwvVntFjldEcE-SMPFOOhYN6uj_NNx9G6jEnP3pW9dAuxZeHqno2lxe22lcG8LFJmZdLF8z4-IC3ufHImWxE9_aSDqWg/s1496/Gary%20and%20Moni.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1496" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ij7FXi93SP7qb4HJkqgyakccZIZMRr0DQadoulyoGpZerw1r4DhFmApp-3MvOTAOaRTzAdT8yOhvuYXDk2lJEBzH2UDmF1KwvVntFjldEcE-SMPFOOhYN6uj_NNx9G6jEnP3pW9dAuxZeHqno2lxe22lcG8LFJmZdLF8z4-IC3ufHImWxE9_aSDqWg/s320/Gary%20and%20Moni.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary and Monica</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Dinner was delightful with
lots of laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We retired to the snug and
talked some more. I told them about my Ancestry tree and said I would give them
access to add details for their family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Gary left but said he’d be
back in the morning. We continued to chat until after eleven. It stayed light for
so long, I didn’t realize how late it was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We said good-night and went
to bed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Lorna Collins -http://www.blogger.com/profile/01800799069326690421noreply@blogger.com2