Today's strage episode

Bradley O'Leary left this morning about noon. He was here since Friday evening when he arrived with Our Bradley and David Quinn right before the snow storm of the winter hit. We had twenty four inches in Ivy. They arrived just when the snow started to fall. Rick arrived home about a half hour later from his bike ride. He said the snow started to fall when he was riding by Peacock Hill. By Saturday morning we had an amazing amount of snow on the ground. It snowed all day. Our Bradley, Brad O and Rick shoveled for two days. The drive way was perfectly cleared by Sunday. The deck was also clear.
I have gotten to play lots with David Quinn who can talk and loves to play and especially chase balls and play with balls.

I am not sure why he left but I feel very sorry for my daughter to have been abandoned in such a strange way. They seemed to be arguing alot. I am not sure what some of what was going on. Some is just Bradley's personality which is very assertive and bossy.
Supposedly he was going to go back to California or to Chicago.

Yesterday was filled with fun. We baked cookies with David Quinn. Brad made soup with the leftover ham. We drove the big Dodge they had rented to Rick's office and took David Quinn for a hair cut. Then went to Timberlakes for lunch. We met Walker there. I ate a cheese sandwich. We walked with Rick to the Ice Skating Rink where we rented skates. I skated some. Both Bradley and Brad seemed to be having a great time with David Quinn. I need to write more tomarrow.

Bradley is leaving Cresent City

Bradley called about two hours ago and said they were just leaving Crescent City for San Fransisco and they fly an overnight to Philadelphia and finally arrive in Wahington , D.C. at 11:30am tomorrow. I am a bit worried about David Quinn but she seemed okay with the delay. She called this morning at seven-thirty our time which would be four-thirty their time. She called to find out about which Rental car company we used. I told her Hertz but Rick really rented from Budget. hope she calls back so I can get it straight. Rick is out at Spin class. We have a box of barbecue ribs sitting on our front door steps. They are for our Christmas Eve dinner.
I have been buying a lots of food the past few days. Our freezer and refrigerator are full. I hope we have enough room for everything that is sitting on the front stoop.
I ate lunch with my Tennis- MJ lady friends at Savour. It is a very nice restaurant on Twenty- nine north. We had our own room in the back. I sat beside Jean Carver. I enjoyed talking with her. Usually she gossips but she did not do as much today. She does book buddies and likes to talk about that. I too
I gave away two Christmas presents, one to the Snows and the other to Finley's gas station. I gave the snow's a round ot Edam cheese with crackers. There was no one home at the Snows so I just hung the bag on the door. I took a big box of cookies from Sam's to Finley's because they are always so nice to me. I am so glad to have such an honest, reliable garage to take my car to. Yesterday, I took Hallie a birthday present. I gave her an outfit which I bought at Maternity Motherhood. I was worried about her not having sweaters to wear and now it it starting to get cold. Rick just arrived home so I will write more later.

Joining The Watercolor Guild

It is freezing cold today. The weather reporter, said "the coldest day so far this winter."
About two months ago I joined the Central Virginia Watercolor guild. I am going to take a workshop after Christmas and I got a letter from the teacher telling us what we should bring to the first class. I have some of the materials but will probably buy the brushes she recommends since they seem different than oils. Although I did take a couple of watercolors classes from Trilbe Knapp and she did not care what kind of brushes we used. I guess because we were beginners. Trible made me very observant. She never let her students move forward unless they got it near perfect. whatever they were copying. We began with postcard she brought to class and then moved on to our own creations. Art supplies can be very expensive. I also have been watching some tapes that I brought home from one of the meetings that give instruction. It is quite amazing to see the different styles of the teachers. My favorite so far is an Englishmen that sells his method with brushes and his mantra is: " If you can Dab, you can Do it" I keep saying that to myself. The others teachers seem like curmudgeons, very self absorbed. I like watching them all though because they take it so seriously.

I stayed home all day yesterday and wrapped Christmas packages and wrote addresses for Christmas cards and I did a couple of pages on the scrapbooks. This is the hardest project for me for some reason. I think the best way is to make myself do just one page then move on to something else. I am going to close off. I have wanted to write for several days but keep putting it off. It is a very quieting thing for me to do.

More about Emergent Christianity

The speaker, Phylis, Tickle, covered a lot of territory. I tried to put down phrases that were pertinent to me. One of her themes in church history is: "Who has the authority." This is a question that the church always struggled with and the answer has caused schisms. It is the struggle right now because of the gay question. She did not say that but definitely alluded to this. She thinks there is a cycle of five hundred years and every five hundred years something significant happens that changes the direction of the church. She went back into Jewish History and came up with different events every five hundred years. I did not follow this since I don't know enough Jewish history. Like most historians she saw the continuance of Jewish-christian history.

The Reformation started with the translation of the Bible. I think this is very accepted now. It would not have happened until the printing press was invented.

Emergence is born with Michael Faraday in 1842. I have to look him up and learn more. He is a biologist. She also talked a lot about women and their getting the vote and going to work. They become very important in the church since there are so many of them

Another theme that is very central to emergence is What does it mean to be human. this question is still being answered. this is all wrapped up in DNA, Einstein, and the idea that philosophy and psychology are now important to religion.

She ends by talking a lot about the Holy Spirit and how in the twenty first Century the Holy Spirit is going to be Central to religion. I have a list of books she handed out to read. I think the most important for me to read soon is "The World is Flat."

Saturday at Saint Paul's Ivy

Saturday we woke up to a threatening snow fall. While we ate breakfast there were pellets of snow hitting the windows. Before breakfast Rick had read the religion section of the newspaper and showed me an announcement of a lecture at St. Paul's Ivy entitled Emergent Christianity. The newspaper is filled now with stories of change in the Churches both Catholic and Protestant. I thought I would get some insight on to what is happening so I decided to go even though it was not originally on my agenda. It was a spontaneous happening.

The speaker was very old women but she had a young persona. I heard later Phyllis Tickle has been famous in the Episcopalian church for years she was very witty and engaging. The lecture was three and a half hours but we got a break.

The first half was really the history of Christianity. She said the first written accounts were people who knew Jesus than people who know the people who knew Jesus. the story is intertwined with the rise and fall of the Roman empire. After the Barbarians invade. The city of Rome becomes completely illiterate. She said the monks in the monasteries sneak the biblical writing out one book at a time.

I met Rick at Church for the installation last evening at six'oclock. I took cookies and cheese to the party afterwards. The cookies were from the freezer. They were frozen and all I had to do was put them on a cookie sheet. I thawed out the freezer yesterday. I arrived at the service early and sat behind the Drayers. We always sit in the same section but not the same seats. David Drayer is always asking me about Bishop Mc Devitt where I went to High School. He grew up around Harrisburg but he is never very specific; I think it was Steelton. I am going to take my year book Pridwin, and show him the next time I go to church. They often sit in front of Us. He always has a huge smile on his face.
The sermon preached was by another minister named Paul who seemed to admire Paul Walker a lot. He kept referring to him as Walker. What I remember of the sermon: Winston Churchill told the English people. " We will never, never, never, never give up." But Paul
sid we should always tell ourselves: we will always, always, always always, always give up. Because god is there to take care of us. I don't completely understand it but I'll think about it.
I moved on yesterday some with my scrapbook project. I seem to always procrastinate. At
five-thirty I am going to go to dominion Book store for a book signing by my former professor who taught me twentieth Century southern history probably ten year ago. It was thie first coursee I took to acclimate myself to the University before I enrolled. I had to take at least two cource to see if I could handle the work. It was probably one of the best courses I every took. I also learned a lot about my adopted homeland,"the south" Southerners have a different mind set then northerners.
I can't decide whether to buy this book but I am leaning that wasy since I can give it to rick for a Christmas gift.

A Rainy Wednesday

It has rained all day and it is still raining. I am glad I did not have to leave the house although I am going to go down to church in a few hours to the instillation ceremony for Paul Walker who will be installed as the new rector of Christ Church. I just finished making cookies for the event. I might also take some cheese and crackers too, but I think they probably have tons of food which they usually do at church events.

I want to write more about our trip this weekend. On Friday we had lunch with Joe at the Ecumenical house, a retirement house that we are all urging Joe to move into. We met Megan who is a young girl ( she told us she was thirty) in charge of recruiting new people to move in. She was very bubbly and friendly to us and also to Joe. She showed us three different living situations that Joe can move into. He seemed to like the one which was only one bedroom with a sitting area and a bathroom. This is the least expensive too. We also saw the common areas and the recreation room. Everyone in the community has their name on the door and they are encouraged to decorate it. Megan told us about the activities that Joe could be involved in if he moves in. Next, we had lunch in the dining room which was in the bottom floor. We took the elevator whit lots of older residents. It was very clean and I thought cheery and not too large. The portions of food were small but that was okay with me. The rolls were freshly baked. We bought a few items from the little shop which sold all the craft items the people made. Before we left we walked around the grounds.
But all we can say right now with Joe is one day at a time. He does not seem to be very anxious to move although I think he will eventually.
After lunch we drove to Lancaster. Rick had bought tickets to see the Sight and Sounds of Christmas Carols. the performance was in a small theater close to the town we stayed in, Leola. We saw lots of Amish in their small black carts driving through the countryside. There are lots of big working farms in the county but also lots of shops that sold Amish furniture and souvenir items.
The next day we drove into Lancaster and went to the Amish quilt museum. We learned how the quilts were purchased and the differences be tween the Amish and the Mennonites.

Thanksgiving and Aniversary Celebration

Yesterday evening I wrote a long entry into my blog but for some reason it did not go through so today's is going to be a shorter version
than I will do another.
We spent the weekend in Harrisburg and Lancaster celebrating Thanksgiving and our forty first wedding anniversary. We had dinner with all the extended Bradley clan at jay Foerster and Jenn's house. I brought the shrimp. I also brought cheese but they had so much food we never put it out. We
left home early in the morning and arrived in Hbg. exactly four hours later. We checked into the Hilton and drove up to Joe's house. We spent some time with him looking at wedding pictures because he did not come to either of the boy's weddings. He gave us a big
box of od papers and music which Rick put in the car and I am beginning to decipher. There was a big clean out of the house last week when Erin Brytus and her husband came from Dayton and put some of the old furniture in a uhaul and drove it back to Dayton. they put any thin they thought I might want in a box.

We spent a lot of time with Joe the next day. First, we took him to a Notary Public to have his documents for a Living Well signed. The office was in the old Knights of Columbus building which is right across the stree from St. Patrick's Cathedral. Homer was a Knight. Each year the members would have a party for the kids in the neighborhood there at Christmas. Santa would come and he would give out gifts.We went there other time but not too much since there was a bar there and Homer was not much of a drinker. In fact I never saw him drink. Joe and to sign six different documents and Rick and I witnessed them. Rick kept track of the papers and made sure Joe initial all of them.

Another Rainy Day in Cville

My biggest problem is staying focused. I don't do as much as most people but I still have trouble staying focused. That is the big reason for my blog. I am trying to write myself notes every day and also look at the calendar to know what day it is. I read the newspapers but always seem to be behind. I always have a pile in a basket.

My favorite kind of reading is to read about art especially drawing. It is more understandable then math but you still have to pay attention to details. I think I also like the color and looking at the colors in painting. I am just learning the names of some colors. I have also been reading about how to write essays. I think if I write often enough I'll improve and this will improve my thinking.

Rick and I went to the Jimmy Buffet concert Tuesday night at the John Paul Jones Arena. There were lots of older people there; everyone wears Caribbean costumes. Rich wore one of his Hawaiian shirts. I wore a colorful pants suit that I wear to play tennis with a pink necklace. We took potato skins and Shrimp that we bought at Sam's on Sunday. I am glad I have Rick to help me with some of this kind of thing. I was one of the crowd that got into a lot of the singing and dancing. It was a pretty sany crowd.
The big family news is that Walker will get his article about financial education published in the Richmond Times Dispatch. I am very excited for him.

The big national news today is Ophrah Winfrey is going to retire. I'll probably plan my day around this event. But that is okey. It is popular culture.
It poured most of the day. I really didn't want to go out but I played majhongg with my friends and really had to. I won twice.

My Problem

My goal right now is to finish two scrapbooks. I am having a very difficult time. I spread everything out on the dinning table and look at pictures but I cannot decide what to say or how to place the pictures. I have been reading Scrapbook journaling which helps, in fact it gave me the initial push to start the whole process but for some reason I find it very difficult to move forward. I look at the pictures but am never sure what to write as the caption or how to tell a short story about the picture. Years ago I read a book Write it down Make it Happen. That is why I am writing this entry. I am going to tell my self: My Goal is to Finish My Scrapbooks and Move On; Like the political group.

Yesterday I went to a seminar at the Piedmont Community College on Free Speech. It was moderated by Coy Barefoot who is our neighbor. He had a very impressive panel including Bob O'Neil and Bob Gibson and the head of the Rutherford Institute, John Whitehead. They were all individuals who were well versed in the subject. Coy ask good Questions but the most insightful questions were from the audience because they always premised their questions with stories and experiences that peppered what they asked. I wrote a letter to Coy today commenting on the program which is a first. I need to comment in the news more about what I think.

Today I watch the interview of Sarah Palin by Oprah Winfrey. I admire both women who are very self assured and confident and want to get their view point across to the world.

Fixing the dishwasher on a rainy Friday

Robert Sconnover's son Johns, is here. He is looking at the panel and figuring out how to paint it so it fits in with the rest of the appliances. He has to put a krylon primer on it first. He is going to take the panel that is on there off and then put on the one that he will paint. We actually have two other panels in our house right now which were sent from the Sears's warehouse. The panel was discontinued in white and bisque. It has been a long drawn out process to return this dishwasher to a working machine. We use it constantly.

We have the remnants of Ida in Cville. It rained all day yesterday and is raining right now. The workmen cannot work outside because of the rain.

Yesterday I worked on picture albums. I am having a terrible time finishing them. I keep procrastinating.I don't want to do anything else until I finish them.

I also played Majhonn with my friends. I play this game both to keep my brain alert and to socialize with women my own age. One of the women is a gossip and likes to talk. Yesterday, she spent a long time talking about her step mother. It is distracting and you don't focus on the game. It is a game that takes lots of concentration. After Robert and his son finish I want to go to the grocery store.

a gorgeous fall day

I took Roko and Jorvanna to the airport this morning so they could rent a car and follow some of their friends to Knoxville Tenn to attend and play in the next tournament. They have slept late every morning so I was worried they would not wake up in time but they did. They had to be there at nine o'clock. I went shopping afterward mostly for Christmas stuff but the most important item was paint for our dishwasher panel. We have worked on this problem for weeks and I wanted to get it finished. So I stopped by Loews and picked up the paint. It is absolutely gorgeous outside. Rick has been raking leaves and now I see him out the window spreading mulch around the trees at the top of the hill by charlie's I cleaned up Bradley's room some but still have lots to do. The washer just stopped.
Rick and I watched two of the tennis matches at the Boar's Head last eventing. We saw Singh vs Kim. Sing was the Cville favorite because he is still a student at UVA. It was an exciting match that was finally settled with a tie breaker and Kim won to the disappointment of the crowd.
I am tyring to make Tucker's room look presentable in case Tucker and Liz want to stay there at Christmas. So I have been organizing books and papers and have come across some interesting letter and pictures.

I am reading Active Voice which is about writing more abstract essays instead of just narrative which I seem to do. I think beginning with my next essay I will try to include more generalities. the author talks a lot about writing in present and past tense. I remember Joe Spekteck used to circle our verbs. I need to pay attention more to the tense I am writing in.

A chilly Friday Morning

Our guests from Croatia are still here even though Roko lost his match at the Boar's Head tournament on Wednesday. They have turned in their rental car and decided to drive with another player to Knoxville Tennessee for the next match. Yesterday I took them downtown to have lunch with Rick on the mall. Walker joined us. We ate at Bixby's. We sat outside. It was chilly but fun because the leaves from the trees kept falling on us and our food. I am going to have to clean the room downstairs for Christmas. Mary Robinson just walked around the lake. I like my computer vantage point because I can see who is out walking. I can also see the seasons changing. The yard is full of dry leaves. We will rake more leaves this weekend but in the other part of the yard by the Sycamore Tree. This weekend I read the Prayers of the People at church and then we go to the Mistletoe festival which is at the Omni. Hallie and made lots of baby things and it should be fun looking at them. I am working on albums for Christmas. I will probably go over and watch more tennis later today. I would like to add a link about the tennis matches but I am not sure how to do it. Later.

Roko looses in the Second Round

I am just back from the Boar's Head sports Club where I watched Roko Karanusic loose his match. He lost the first set 7-5 then came back to win the second match 6-4 but seemed to fall apart 6-0 in the third match. He had a communication thing going with Jorvanna his girl friend during the whole match. I was sitting beside her and they communicated with there eyes and body language. I brought him home in the car but we are not sure where she is. He told me that they will turn in the rental car. He said they on on their way next to Knoxville Tennessee and they to Chaplain, Illinois. It is quite good Tennis. The serving is hard and the rallies are long. Roko and Irvanna cook all their own food. They leave some for me. Today I had pasta with mushrooms and Asparagus for lunch. This morning I ate left over sweet potatoes.
I played tennis this morning with Helene, Mary Anne and Jeanne Carver. We are trying to organize some tennis for the winter since the league does not have enough interested players.

Duane Snow won the election for the County Board of supervisors yesterday. I was either at the poll at Meriwether School or watching tennis. I went to Rival's with April, duane's daughter and her husband and their kids. They drove their van. We stopped at Wendy's on the way home because there was no food at the party. I think they went because they thought that their would be food their.

I go to my last Abraham Lincoln Class tonight sop I can not write anything else.

Sunday; filled with fun

I had an eventful day yesterday. We went to the nine o'clock service at Christ Episcopal church and I stayed for Sunday School. The lesson was on "Judging Others" part of a Sermon on the Mount Series. The class is very biblical and usually led by Dave. Someone reads from the scripture and then Dave tell us his interpretation of what it means.
Judge not and you shall not be judged. Don't look for the speck in others eyes when there is a log in your own. I have a problem with judging people so it helped me to hear others thoughts. Dave also had a list of other passages that are also significant to the lesson taught.

We have guests in our house right now. The Boar's Head Sport's club is having a men's invitational tournament and the Ix's ask us to house of the players. We have Roko and his girl friend Jurivanna staying here. We think Roko is 155th in the world but I am not sure of his official number. they are from Croatia, although we learned she is Serbian. He is very focused and very particular about his food habits. Rick offered to cook him a steak Saturday night and we were told he does not eat any red meat and that he and Jurvanna wanted to cook the food. Rick did grill large shrimp which we bought at Food Of all Nations and he would not even eat these. We made a special trip to buy the steak and shrimp. Roko and Jurvianna have gone shopping and have lots of food stored in the refrigerator. Tonight he plays doubles.

Last night I went to an event at the club called "Hitting with the pros." About twenty five members got to hit with both some of the pros and some of the UVA players who are wild cards at the tournament. It was really fun. I hit better than I thought I would. After this we were treated to very nice food and got too talk to some of the other members especially the Ix's

In the afternoon I took Inge Van Hook my neighbor who lives across from me to the Harps of Gold concert which was held at the First Presbyterian Church. there were seven antique Harps lined up across the front of the church. The event was a fundraiser for the Wednesday Music Club. The Harps were played by students who have been given scholarships to learn to play. The playing was a bit sketchy at times but the choice of x songs was excellent.

What's happening in late October

I am spending time on the Duane Snow campaign for Board of Supervisors. He is our neighbor and I am friends with his wife. We o back many years when we used to do all Night Long the prom all nightparty for the kids all over the County. the ideas was to keep the kids at one party instead of driving all over the county. Recently we biked around West Leigh and the other neighborhood close to us. It was fun having an older woman to bike with. We discovered new roads, the Tree Farm being the most adventurous, but always found our way back home. the tree Farm road is off Old Ballard and literally goes through a tree farm but ends up close to Garth road.

Duane is running on the Republican ticket. For many years I have voted Democrat. The Democrats are more the people's party and my children have led me in that direction. I grew up in a very Strong Republican party because Homer my father worked for the state of Pennsylvania and his job depended on the Republican being in office. Otherwise he did not have Job. When the party was out of office he worked for the city.

I attended a meeting Monday night to organize for Election day activities. I am going to be a poll watcher. I need to go to Albemarle county office building to do the training Thursday night.

Yesterday Theresa called and talked for a long time. She is going to go to Harrisburg and help Emily clean out the house on Briggs Street. Emily is gently trying to nudge Joe,my brother,into moving into Ecumenical house. We are going to drive to Harrisburg on Thanksgiving day. I need to write my sisters and see how far they have gotten on what we should bring to the dinner which will be held at Jay Forster's house.

A New Grandchild,

I never wrote about the biggest event in our life our life, meaning Rick and me. We will soon be grandparents. Walker and Hallie are expecting a baby in March. They are super happy. They have known for awhile and told us when they came over for dinner one night about a month. Hallie is wearing maternity clothes and looks pregnant.

Last night I went to dinner with Rick and Walker and Halllie at L'Etoile restaurant on Main Street. Rick and Walker were entertaining the Charles Fund who are here for meeting. The Charles Fund is a family foundation. The family visited some of the sites that they give money to. I sat next to Sherman, a husband of one of the members of the Charles Fund who is taking a trip across the country to take pictures and write a book about Route 66. He told us a bit about what he is doing the book, also about other books he has been involved in. Mostly at dinner we a were just very friendly and chatted about everything. John a husband of one of the family sat next to me and told me all about Rochester and his job as an engineer.

We just got a call from Tucker confirming that he and Liz will move to California. This is also big news. He is working for the same company Cambridge Associates but he will be in a smaller office.
I ordered pictures off the Kodak gallery page.

Birthday party, Political Events and Lincoln

My life is very full right now. Saturday night I hosted a birthday dinner for my favorite neighbor Charie Rivers who will turn eighty on October 27th. I had twenty five people for dinner. We had steak, green beans and orzo; for dessert we had birthday cake and ice cream. I ordered the food from Foods of all Nations. Stan prepared it for me. Fran Bonitti another good friend of Charlie's ordered the cake from Sam's and I picked it up. All of Charlie's kids came to the party, two from Texas, Caroline who spent the week here with her daughter, Rachael in Cville and Clay who is the oldest and came as a complete surprise with his wife Guiliana. Kim Tom's wife picked them up at the Richmond airport. They arrived and hour before the party and Clay and Guilianna changed downstairs. Tom and Kim and their kids were also here. Having Clay come made for some excitement. Rick called Charlie on the phone about 5:30 and ask him to come down and move some furniture. He came and when he did we were all waiting and yelled surprise.

Rick and I concluded that there is some tension in the family and that is why we never see Clay. Right now he does not have a job. He told us he was fifty years old. His wife has a job selling pension funds. She is very Spanish looking and was never really accepted my Charlie's mother. After the party the kids, the Burns and Rick and I sat around the table and talked but no one was in any hurry to go up to their father' house.

Charlie just brought the dishes back from the party. I sent a lot of food with Caroline so they had food to eat the next morning.

Monday night I hosted a dessert for Duane Snow who is running for Board of Supervisors from the Samuel Miller District. I thought I would have a full house but only about twenty people showed up. We sat in the family room and everyone asked questions. Well, Phil Williams ask a lot of questions. The people who came were mostly from around the lake. The discussion seemed to focus mainly growth and housing. I made two pumpkin pies and a cake for the event. I purchased cookies and tiny eclairs form Sam's club.

Last night I went to my class at the University and listened to a professor talk about Lincoln and emancipation. The teacher was very old. He had one arm that would not move and he seemed blind to me, since his eyes never completely opened. All these old professors seem to get winded. His conclusion was that Lincoln was a racist. He wrote a 1300 page book about Lincoln, concentrating on his political career. Lincoln never really wanted to free the slaves unless that is what the country wanted. He did want to preserve the union and that was his number one goal. He also wanted to die as a great person.

a Rainy Saturday

It has rained all day today, a steady downpour and it is still raining. Rick was out in the yard most of the day with Jim Mc Williams pruning trees and chopping down one tree. Jim has a machine that grinds up all the excess material and turns it into mulch. I stayed inside and worked at the computer and read left over newspapers and magazines. I still have some to read. I copied many of my pictures but learned that I need to buy another memory stick. Hallie and Walker were going to have a yard sale but cancelled it because of the rain.

I have two projects going on I am knitting sweater for my new grandchild and a picture I am preparing a canvas to paint with Dixie.

I am also taking course at UVA on Abraham Lincoln. WE heard a very famous lecturer on Wednesday at the Architecture school. Probably the most famous in the world. He was my age. He said he worked at the library of Congress when he was a young man and that got him interested in being an historian.
During the question and answer period I ask one question about his research and how he suspected some of the newspaper articles he thought were written by Lincoln and if how he came to his conclusion that they were authentic. He said you look and style and vocabulary. I AM still suspicious. I want to look at Walker's blog but don't seem to have any luck getting into it. I will try again.

progress at Philhaven

Today we had our meeting with the councillor at Philhaven. After some prompting from Elaine, the moderator, we got Joe to make a decision and say he would move from Briggs Street. He will contact a Real Estate person. He will contact Megan at Ecumenical house all this before he goes to his next session. We all felt relieved and happy there was movement. At first he said a few months before he would contact anyone but finally got him to make a commitment. I took him to the meeting. We were the first ones there and so we sat outside across the street on a park bench and looked at the river. We held hands as we crossed the street. I told him about the Book Everything you need to know you Learned in Kindergarten He did not let us stay there to long but at least he was willing to go and change perspectives.

Elaine was very good in leading the decision making. She told Joe he was on the Hot Seat and had to set the agenda. From then on she kept him on tract. Emily, Mary Anne and I added some comments but mostly he talked.

After the session Emily, Joe and I had dinner her at the Crown Plaza. Joe ordered a chicken sandwich. Every time we have eaten he has taken pat of the food home. He took a roll home tonight. He was restless during dinner and got up to go for walks several times. Emily and I talked about traveling and also the session and kidded Joe about what he was going to take from the house. He described the setting of his new room some but not too much. I feel relieved and also satisfied that we made some progress. I gave everyone a copy of The Berg to take home and read.

Brother Joe and his problems

I am in Harrisburg, Pa. Today we have a counseling session at Philhaven. The goal is to help Joe realize his sisters support him but also help him make a decision about his living situation. Mary Anne now seems to be ready to have him make a move from Briggs Street since he calls her whenever there is an emergency and she is becoming frustrated. Yesterday I talked to Elaine the councilor at Phillhaven for about one hour. I gave a list of questions that Emily and I had formulated and asked her to address this questions at the session.
I am in the computer room of the Crown Plaza hotel. I will spend three nights here. Mary Anne was negative about me staying with her. Rick said just stay here the whole time at the hotel. Yesterday besides going to Philhaven I also took Joe to lunch at Red Lobster and to a New Balance shoe store where he bought a new pair of walking shoes for $109.00. He also bought socks and sole inserts. It will be interesting to see if he wears them today. I have been keeping a diary of what has happened. Last night I got a call from Emily and a call from Theresa and talked to them a very long time. I am going to go for a swim then walk up to Joe's and have lunch with him at Roxy. I plan to stop at Strawberry Banks on the way. I have been reading a new little paper call The Berg. I got copies for everyone. I wanted to have some remembrance of this trip and so I am glad I did this.

The Keil Canal

the ship is approaching the Keil Canal. Rick and I had an early breakfast on the deck. It was wet so their were not too many people on the deck. There were lots of ships in our view and the sky was very cloudy and ominous. Rick is at his Bike class. I just sent a letter to our kids. I have only received responses from Walker. Yesterday we got off the boat and took a city bus to the small town of Edam where we thought we would see them making cheese. They only make it on Wednesday didn't see anything but we did walk around and look at the old houses and also bought some cheese to send it back to America. We went to another small town on the ocean but it was very touristy and did not like it as much. We did like riding the bus which gave usa a view of life outside of Amerserdam: lots of dairy farms and suburbs.
I am in the computer room. It looks like Michael is going to do a private lesson. He is the young man who is teaching the classes. He told me he played tennis for Indiana University and has played at the Boar's Head.

When we got back for our bus trip we took a one hour canal ride through Amsterdam and saw lots more of the city. The boats people live on look very dilapidated and I have a feeling don't have bathrooms. I thought it would be a very unappealing way to live.
Today we will just take in the scenes of Germany from the deck or our state room.

Today we are in Edinburgh. We leave in about half and hour. Rick is taking a nap. I just went on a tour of the royal ship Britannica which was quite interesting. We saw the private quarters of Queen Elizabeth which were quite ordinary. About fifty family members can travel on the ship and I think I learned 143 crew. It was very old and none of the rooms very large except the state dinning room and the living room across the way where they got together after dinner to play cards or play the grand piano. We also saw haw the officers lived and socialized.

Last night we saw the Tatoo which is a spectacular show of the Scottish bagpipers in full regalia marching and playing. There were also other military bands; the Swiss band and the Royal English band and a group from Tonga and Australia. It was a bit like going to a basketball game. We were lucky with the weather since it had rained five times when we were out touring during the day.
It was a bit complicated getting to the city. First, we tendered, then we took a train and then we walked but ended up on Royal Mile where there were lots of young actors and actor and singers and dancers from all over the world preforming. We took a free tour of the Central city by a group that advertised free tours. Our picture will be on their website. I am going to wake up Rick and then we will go to lunch.

We are cruising the North See on "The Journey." We left Oslo yesterday and are sailing toward Scotland. We have had beautiful weather which is surprising since we are so far north. In Oslo the ship docked right beside a castle. We walked through the grounds on our way back to the ship. There is water everywhere in Oslo.
We were the first people off the ship. A Hop on Hop off bus was waiting for us. We got on and had a tour of the city which included a sculpture park, watching the tennis championships and two museums, the viking ships from 800 AD and the Kontiki museum.

It has rained all day. I was suppose to go with Jane Dorrier to the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center for a session with Alexandra on Journaling. We purchased it at the event they had in the spring. It was cancelled because of the rain. I have been at the computer a lot catching up on letters and life. I put pictures on Ofoto and also ordered photos.
Walker and Hallie left for their honeymoon on Wednesday night and arrived in Florence on Thursday, his thirty sixth birthday. We saw pictures of their apartments when they came over for dinner on Sunday. One apartment is in the wall of a city. I need to learn to pronounce the names of where they are. Walker said he would write. I am sure they are just settling in right now.

Yesterday I went and picked up veggies for Hallie at Horse and Buggy Produce in Belmont. I ate some of the lettuce for lunch with the strawberries and goat cheese. One of my goals is to loose ten pounds so I am trying very hard to pay attention to what I eat and to eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible. We have rhubarb and cabbage in the frig too. Last night we went to a gorgeous big house for a party put on by Legal Aid. It was at the home of the drummer for Dave Mathews Band. They were on the Today show this morning so I saw him in the background. He was hidden by the drums. I was surprised at how big the band was. The house was like a hotel, all rock and wood.
I did not go to yoga. I have Rudy with me. I took him for a short walk earlier and want to take for for longer one later. We have a big weekend. I read at church then we go to the picnic at the Bascoms, Saturday night we go to a 60th birthday party for Caren Powell. I am going to go to the Boar's Head and lift weights right now.

It is one week after the big event. I can hardly believe it. In many ways I feel very sad that it is over. Hallie and Walker got to spend a few days at Fort Lewis and unwind. I have not really talked to them. I did get to look at the pictures the photographer put up on her website. Tucker had to leave immediately and fly to Delaware for work. Liz went to another wedding. Her best friend Shanti was married the same day Walker was and Liz went to something the next day. Bradley David Quinn and Nate left for California on Monday and are already back to their lives there. Rick is riding in the Tour de Madison this morning. I tried to write all my sisters. I feel bad about not getting to talk to more people. Everything went by so fast. i don't think I relaxed enough. The wedding was just beautiful. Rick and I talked about all of it. The church was a perfect size as was Greencroft where the reception was held. Everyone got ot dance a lot. Maybe that is when I should have talked to people. Some I will probably never see again, like Ryan Nally and Billy bye. Maybe I will see Walker's high school friends but not Olaf who came all the way from India and played a beautiful solo. I am going to add a a picture.

This was probably one of the the biggest weekends of my life. My son was married to Hallie Smith, I got to have my grandson and daughter and her boyfriend visit with us in our home. Tucker and Liz were in the background but excited and supportive about everything that was happening. I need to write about some of the events to make them real. Bradley, David Quinn and Nate arrive about noon on Thursday. They had trouble finding 66 and 29 after they left Baltimore. They arrived and I could not believe I was seeing them.It was some exciting for me especially to see David Quinn. He walked in the house and was immediately at home, We played all week end. First just with piggy toes and tongues and smiles and eyes, then with a tonka truck and shells and the rocking chair which tucker played with. He loved it. Bradley was excited and happy to show off her baby and said she could not believe how good the house and yard looked. Nate just fix in and went along with every thin. I am tiered and will finish tomorrow.

I have not created a post in several weeks even though my life has been very busy. This Saturday Walker and Hallie are married at St. Paul's Ivy. We throw the rehearsal dinner party Friday night at the 4H Center, Camp Albemarle. Big Jim's is doing the food which is ribs and chicken and beans and cookies. I bought some hoola hoops and chalk and bubbles for entertainment for the kids. I am a bit nervous about everything. Bradley is flying in with her son, David Quinn and friend Nate. They arrive Wednesday night. The flight looks complicated so I hope they make it through. I want to make sure there is enough food in the house. We are going to tell my sisters who are all coming that there is and open house on Saturday morning before the wedding. Hallie and Walker sent out a long description of what is going on here. It is suppose to be beautiful weather except for 30% chance of showers on Friday. I have my costume ready. I bought my dress at Belk. Today I am going to return the shoes that Rick gave me for my birthday.
Yesterday I turned 67. I received lots of greetings from my sisters and Jane and Chili. Rick cooked me both breakfast and dinner. I went to yoga with Ra and then to the Miller Center and heard a moving talk by a man that had been in prison for ten years and then because of DNA was released. He supposedly had raped a young women who was just finished college. When the woman found out she picked the wrong person she forgave him and they wrote a book together. the big thing is when do I get my hair done whether I do my nails. I am going to go out now and begin my round of errands.

Celebrating the Grand Opening of the New Visitor Center

Last night we attended a very momentous dinner celebration to commemorate the opening of the new Smith visiting center and museum at Monticello. We had dinner in a tent on top of Mount Alto. I sat beside a ninety year old doctor who was still teaching at Georgetown. His name was Karl. He said he was born in Vienna and at one time studied Freud. I wore the same dress I wore to the Boys Engagement party. It was a pretty exclusive group. Everyone gave a big chunk of money except for Rick and me. Rick's clients give money and he is their executor so indirectly he is giving money.

This morning I went to a ribbon cutting for the new center and the unveiling of a statue of TJ right out side the center. It was quite festive with lots of hoopla, bands playing, and speech giving...and old time rally. I wanted to hear Michael Boochla and Annette Gordon Reed who both gave speeches but not very long ones. I did take notes. Annette praised Monticello because the foundation has recreated the mountain and home into the first real southern plantation with slave dwellings that school children and adults will ever see and experience.

I sat beside the director of History and Social Studies for Albemarle County. Her name was Pat Hughes and we discussed lots of history as we waited for the event to begin. I noticed several people left when a black music group began to sing; maybe I read into this but I thought they were snubbing the group.

It has rained all day long. I went to the post office and sent some of the studies I copied to Bradley. I spent yesterday at the Medical School library learning about studies that doctors and medical people are doing to see if yoga reduces stress. I took some pictures but have not yet put them on the computer.

I want to include the pictures we took the road trip to the north shore of Massachusetts. I will try and include two small pictures.

It is Saturday before Easter. Last night we entertained Hilah Francis who was in Charlottesville to bury her ninety seven year old mother. I served Lamb chops and cottage potatoes and asparagus for dinner. She is an interesting
lady but it is quite difficult to get a word in edge wise. She spent the night here. I cooked dinner and Rick cooked breakfast.

I worked today more on albums. We have Rudy until tomorrow;I took him for a walk. Rich is wathicng the Masters. I am just writing the main idea of what is happening in my life. I need to add more details. I hear Rich in the kitchen preparing food. He is stirring and mixing. Rudy is outside in front of the window smelling the grass.
He never strays too far except to go to Chilli's house.

I should have added the pictures earlier but had trouble. I want to see how it goes.

Friday we spent a good part of the day just sightseeing. We took the shuttle to
Copley Square which is in the center of Boston. I read about the city library and wanted to see it. It looks like a European Castle. Huge marble steps greet you as you enter. You walk up the steps to the main reading room I had read all about the murals in the guide book and that is what I wanted to see. The murals which were also on the walls up the steps were religious which surprised me. We did not have time to study them but just gazed and appreciated the beauty. We saw the reading room which seemed to extend a mile; Huge green lamps on every table. The room was packed with people reading or doing research. We wondered around the rest of the library. There was an exhibit on the top floor of Joan of ARC, another surprise to see a saint featured in a public place.

We crossed the square to Trinity Church. We were asked to pay there. At first Rick did not want to go in. I heard them practicing for a concert at noon. The attendant suggested we come back but I thought we will never walk back so we went downstairs to the shop and bought four dollar senior tickets. We also bought a tea shirt for Paul Walker which had Twenty Reasons to be and Episcopalian on the back I have not read all twenty yet.

When we walked outside it was pouring down rain and cold. I was very glad I had on my winter coat. We decided to take the subway but first walked about two blocks to the Christian Science Monitor Complex. This square is the center of Boston and where the famous Boston marathon ends. It is quite beautiful and amazing to see Trinity Church reflected in the John Hancock building.

We walked to the Christian Science monitor complex next. Our driver from the Trolley told us not to miss the Mapararium. We walked in the rain. The church was not yet open when we got there so we walked across the street and went to the library and museum where the mapararium is. We took the tour and saw the maparium which is a globe of the world in 1935. You are inside the world; the geography boundaries are different especially in Africa and Asia but most of the countries are recognizable and it is quite an experience. We learned all about Mary Baker Eddy, the only woman to found a religion from the talk and the exhibits which we went to next.

Tucker met us right at noon. He had picked a restaurant right on the Charles river called Neptune's lobster. It was in a decrepit old building right next to an old iron bridge which was abandoned. The theme was water and boats. We all ate seafood. Rick and I shared a fish fry plate and shrimp with coconut sauce. Tucker told us about his job and we talked about the economy in general. His company still has lots of clients who have lots of money to invest. He goes with a group of people to different cities and advises the clients about what to buying sounds like stocks and bonds.
To get to the restaurant we had to walk across a park that was part of the " Big Dig" which was a redevelopment project that went on for years in Boston and connected many historical buildings and the downtown businesses with the waterfront. Before the project there were many overpasses, lots of concrete everywhere like you see in big cities but now many of the roads are underground. We had driven through the underground roads on are way to downtown.

Boston is very historic so many people want to visit and see the sights both old and new. The architects have done a great job mixing the old and the new and every view around the city is an architectural feast.

After we had lunch with Tucker we got lost trying to find the spot where we were suppose to pick up the trolley. Rick had bought the trolley tickets on the Internet for thirty four dollars. Later we figured we could find the trolley anywhere. The trolley goes to sixteen very famous historical sights. Passengers can get off and on where you spend as much time visiting the sights. We only had until four o'clock and so decided just to spent the rest of the day seeing all the sights so we had an overview of the city. We never got off the trolley. There was a running commentary about what to see and we got ideas for our next day.
We arrived back at the Doubletree about five. We had a swim in the pool and watched the scullers some more and then went over to Tucker's and Liz's apartment. They had prepared appetisers and served us wine and we talked about what was happening in their lives. we got to play with Griffen who has gained alot of weight and see their apartment.

We are back from our long weekend in Boston visiting our son, Tucker, and his fiancee Liz. The weather was cold and rainy but we still enjoyed all our adventures. I took my brown warm winter coat which Tucker had advised and Rick wore his new raincoat. It rained all day Friday. We wondered around with out an umbrella.
We stayed at a Doubletree hotel very close to the Harvard campus where Tucker lives. We had a view of the Charles river and saw teams sculling all weekend. We were amazed at the number of boats since we never see this sport being practiced in Cville although they do practice on the reservoir. They were on the river about six in the morning until late at night. The best part of the hotel (besides the living room) was the shuttle service they provided to the city of Boston. We just had to tell the concierge we were going to take it; and when we were ready to return to the hotel call and tell them we were at the meeting place. It was free. The hotel was sandwiched in right beside a busy highway so it was dangerous when we walked any place. We walked over and back to Tucker's house several times we had to be very cautious since we had to cross several intersections. We were very careful. I guess this is part of living in a big city.
Our plane arrived in Boston at nine. We taxied to the hotel. We talked to the concierge who told us about the shuttle service. I wanted to walk around Beacon Hill which I had never done before, also see more of the downtown. We left the hotel about ten thirty. We were dropped off close to the state house and Beacon Hill. We just walked on the fringes of the Hill but did go inside the state house and saw the dome and also went into the house and senate chambers. In the house chambers a small group of members were just finishing the prayer and then we said the pledge of Allegiance with them. You could tell nothing was going to happen for a long time so we left. We walked more throughout the hall and found the senate chamber which was much smaller and we learned from a press person this room was under the original dome. The members there were also standing around waiting for something to happen. Rick was in touch with Tuck on his cell phone. He told us to be in front of 100 Summer Street at noon. We walked more and found a museum/art/library which we wondered into. We looked at the pictures some artist had taken of modern Boston and what was going on there. We saw they were going to have a recital at noon but we were too busy to come back. That was disappointing. We walked through the cemetery of Old North Church which houses the graves sights of Sam Adams and John Hancock and many more of the famous patriots. I was excited to see this. The tombstones were very old and black. The writing on them was worn thin so it was very difficult to read. Several school groups were walking around. The whole weekend we saw tourists, maybe we noticed them since we were tourists. We did not specifically walk the Freedom Trail but saw many of the sights that are part of this famous trail.
We found Winter Street which led through a mall to Summer Street. We knew Tucker would be in a sky scraper since he is on the thirteenth floor. We found 100; we were there early so we just wondered around the neighborhood and took in the sights and sounds of Boston. We saw several stands selling fruit and vegetables. Next Episode: Lunch with Tucker

Last night I took Inge Van hook to a musical Soiree at the home of Laura Horn. I don't know Laura. She had an amazing shome. People commented baronial. It looked like a medieval castle. I was invited to go to the last Soiree by Booie Carpenter. I thought it was so nice I wanted to go again. So when the invitation came I accepted. It costs sixty dollars. the money goes to scholarships for needy children The music was superb; a cello and flutist. The flutist, Elizabeth Brightbill was able to make amazing sounds. Inge and I sat on the front row. They serve dinner after the performance. We ate with people we both know from the BHSC from tennis. I learned the couples in this group get together and read plays and then have dinner. I wonder where they get the scripts?
Rick did not want to go because he says he likes to relax on Sunday night.
I play tennis is a couple of hours but want to have a chance to write before I start my day of activities. I don't know how people accomplish what they do. I read some of the Washington Post. I read about Obama firing the president of GM and also about a talk Bill Gates gave about his newest school initiative. I was going to comment to walker about that . Maybe later since I must get my day going. I made broccoli soup for lunch.

I am working on the invitations to the Rehearsal dinner party but I didn't address too many because I keep thinking I have to use blue ink because the ink on the invitation is blue. I did work on Walker's album some although I have not finished that either. I wanted to but cannot come up with any good ideas for words to put on the page. Maybe I will look at a scrapbook blog. I bet their is one. I did a load of laundry earlier. I went to yoga. I think the yoga is good for my arthritis because I have to put weight on my hands and wrists. I use the blocks for Downward Facing dog.
Bradley called and told me she was going to write Kim Innis. I am going to pray that she does. She said her professor ask that she wait until later to finish her paper. I read about how to edit old blogs which is something I want to learn about. I have not read Walker's blog in awhile. I think I will do that.
Yesterday I went to a focus group at the Double tree hotel about aging. There were ten seniors there. They gave us sixty dollars for just talking mostly about Hospice. It was quite interesting.

I just got off the phone with Hillah Francis who talked over an hour about her mother dyeing. Hillah was in her late nineties. I am still feeling a little drained from the talk. She is very meticulous about whatever she says. She was solving some of her problem by talking to me and I will call it a listening experience. If I was a counselor I would get payed to do this exercise. I did not know whether to offer our house for her reception. I did not want to do it without Rick's permission.

I am still working on Walker's picture album. I need to copy some more pictures and also buy more paper from Michael's. I also need to stop at Lime Tree to pick out some low key cards to send to Liz for our invitations for the Rehearsal dinner. I have to write to Ellen Jensen and also LL. Thomas who was Hillah's husband.

Yesterday afternoon was spent with Hallie getting the schedule of events ready for Walker's wedding. I was very bad at the hole punch part of the project. I was very glad when she took that job over and I tied the ribbons.

I put some pictures on the hard drive of the computer and want to add one here.
When looking through my pictures I found one of Rick siting at his desk working with a very relaxed Aiko on the desk. I want to add this one since it was intriguing. I don't remember taking it. I probably got a kick out of seeing Aiko so relaxed. He is Rick's companion and hangs out wherever Rick is.

Rick is in Philadelphia at Walker's bachelor party celebrating with all Walker's friends. I called early this morning well, I called at 6:30 and he had just woken up. He said they were out late last night eating at an Italian restaurant and then drinking at a bar. Billy, Walker's old friend from law school brought t-shirts. I hope someone take pictures. It is chilly in the house. I am going to work on an album for Walker today and listen to music and then later go to the last festival of the book event which Ellen Abbot is participating in. The clock just charmed so it is 7:45.
I was just reading about reflective writing. I want to reflect on what I did this week. I went to four different events for the Festival of the Book. Each one had famous participants talking about their books and why they wrote them. In fact one was called what we write why we write. I don't write enough and this is a good form. Yesterday, I went shopping at Sam's and spent about one hundred and twenty five dollars. I bought mostly supplies for the house like dishwasher soap and toilet paper but I also bought fruit. I splurged on one book for David Quinn which was only six dollars. I guess I should add a picture right here from the Festival but I have not yet perfected that process. I searched for that word. I can tell listening to the authors that they are much more comfortable with words then I am. I am so glad this program has a spell check. I am going to walk Rudy then start my work on albums.

I want to add another picture of David Quinn right now. I am not sure it will work because I have saved it to the home page. This one is really of his second birthday. Bradley and David Quinn are camping right now with her students from College of the Redwoods. Maybe she will take some pictures and I also can add these.

The rain has finally stopped. Looking out the window is very peaceful because the light is so bright and the grass so green. I went to art class this morning at nine. It was one of the few lectures we have ever had. Usually we just draw after she gives us a description of the project she want us to work on. Akemi showed us lots of portraits. She is very soft spoken. I have to get very close to hear her what she is saying. I will try and describe our project. We have to bring in different costumes, (clothes) and use this in our portrait. The clothes were stressed. We actually have to do two different pictures one will be a double portrait and the other is to have background. We do not copy a picture though but we have to look in a mirror and draw ourselves using pastel oil. We are allowed to copy the background.

This class is very difficult for me because so much is taken for granted. I have to read books about drawing and painting to really appreciate what Akemi is talking about. She also had a few slides about color. Teacher always start with primary colors but don't elaborate much after that.
After class I went to North Ridge to have a breast looked at. I have a small purple mole on my right breast and I want to make sure I was okey. The nurse practitioner said I should go to the dermatologist. I also went to the Lime Tree To order the invitations for the Barbecue and then to the Boar's Head and used the exercise machines.

David Quinn's birthday was Wednesday. He turned two. I am going to try and put a picture on this blog. i put them in my documents so it might work. Bradley had a party for him at a Mexican restaurant in Orick which is north of Trinidad. she invited her neighbors her classmates and some of the friends from the Day Care Center at College of the Redwoods.

I just read Walker's post about the Chieftans. Amazing what he observes and remembers. He wrote about the Chieftans. We attended their concert last night at the Paramount. He gave me tickets to the concert as a Christmas gift. I met him in front of the Paramount about six thirty. We went to Fellini's for dinner and then on to their concert. The theater was packed. We sat in the third row with wonderful views of the Chieftans while they sang and danced. I enjoyed it all; the tin whistle, the flute, the harp, the guitar, the fiddle and the banjo. All the songs are haunting. I am still feeling the emotion from the music. It is late at night I couldn't not sleep. I can't decide whether to go to Richmond tomorrow to look at more mother of the groom dresses. I spent this afternoon looking and trying to decide. It is after twelve. I think I will go to sleep and decide when I wake up.

I am going to try and add the screech owl picture that my neighbor Jane Burns sent to me. WE saw the screech owl Saturday morning at the event for the National Parks. I don't think I can do it through the email. I will make it an attachment and do it that way. Instead I will add another picture of Hallie and Walker. It has been unseasonably hot. Yesterday after church Walker came over and had lunch.He told us about setting up a wedding address registry for gifts at the Happy Cook and also told us more of the wedding plans he and Hallie have made. My next job is to order the invitations for the rehearsal dinner barbecue. Last night I could not sleep it was so hot. I am sweating right now. I want to open up old entries and try to add picture to them. That is my next learning experience.

We are home from our event in Staunton. This morning we saw two different owls that live in the Shenandoah National Fores; a barn owl who lives high in the mountains and High in the trees. He was very large with extra large eyes that kept roaming around the room and almost looked straight at us. The screech owl weighed six ounces and had strange plumage down its face. The ranger made the calling sound of both birds. It was a great presentation. We spent a lot of time with the Burns our neighbors and also the Mc Kees. I did a lot of NIA at the Boar's Head with Ginger before the class collapsed. Last night we saw some of Ken Burns movie and heard a very moving personal talk about his new series for Public Radio. I want to go for a walk before long because it is so beautiful outside. Rick is doing something in the yard, I am not sure what. I also want to call Bradley and make sure she is doing okay. This week is David Quinns birthday.

Yesterday I did go to Vito Perriello's funeral mass. There were probably one thousand people there according to Wendall who sat across the church from me. I wonder if he saw me. I also saw Dr. Mike Dickens and Melissa. I said hello to Linda. Perriello. I have always had mixed feelings about her because she is so assertive. I need to be more accepting. " That is just her style" There were lots of people there that we knew from the past because many people had the same age children as our children. the same era. My favorite part of there service was Do na no bis Pacem at the beginning of the service. I think I read the singers were from the UVA choir. Sunday I read the prayers of the People At Christ Church. We pray for Vito Perriello.

We are going to spend the night in Staunton at an event celebrating the National Park system. We attend a dinner with the feature speaker being Ken Burns. He just completed a new film series about the National Parks and will talk about it at the dinner. I am not sure if we get to see any of the movies.
I went to yoga today. It went by fast for some reason. Ray told us to pay attention to our breathing. That is the most important thing. She seems to stress that over getting deeper into the poses although she does talk about form sometime. This class is not as difficult as the Wednesday class.
I am going to take knitting to do in the car.
After yoga I went to Levys and look at very fancy silk dresses but all the sizes were very small; the silk and the colors were gorgeous. I have a hard time with superlatives. I also went to Kinkos and copied pictures. My goal is still to complete and album maybe two by the end of the month. I will complete Rick's album and my album. I need to use the word "I" more. I read in a book about clutter you don't say there is too much clutter you say I have created clutter and I need to clean it up.

Yesterday I went to yoga at the Boar's Head. When I am at yoga I have to use the blocks a lot to get into the poses. I used to be self conscious but now I am not. I just use them. I learn a lot from the teachers who talk about breathing and our bodies and what happens inside our bodies when we do the poses.
After yoga I went to Lime Tree and looked at invitations for the rehearsal barbecue. The man who runs the store is very helpful. I took some samples for Hallie and Walker to look at. I met Walker for lunch. We talked about the samples and also Vito Perriello who died Sunday and whether we would go to the viewing together. He said if he was not too busy he would go with me. He called later and said he was too busy so I am going to go the the service myself at one o' clock. Paige Perriello was Bradley's best friend in middle school but then went to ST. Anne's for high school I always thought this affected Bradly and she did not understand why her best friends moved away. Grandma and Grandpa both died within the next year and I think this also had and affect on Bradley. But this is all speculation; who knows. I am organizing the shelves in my office. I am going to get all the pictures ready to put in albums then put some in if I have time. It is interesting looking at the old pictures. I am also enlarging some of the 4 by 4's that don't show up but do show up when you enlarge the.
Monday and Tuesday I looked at Robert Warren tapes. I am trying hard to pay attention to the colors that he uses. I want to do some of the picture on my own without the help of Dixie. One of my goals is to just journal everyday in my blog. I am making progress on my knitting sweater for David Quinn. I want to finish the front this morning.

We woke up very early. Rick met with the neighbors, two Peters and Bob, we are not sure of his last name. They discussed the dam problem and sent a letter to the state. The State of Virginia is trying to get our neighborhood ot buid, reinforce our dam. IT is an impossible situation since it would cost the neighborhood a million dollars. It has caused lots of friction. While he was at the meeting I took Rudy for a walk around the lake and then down into Chile's yard. When I got home Rick was leaving for the office. I cleaned up the kitchen, knitted and watched a Robert Warren teaching tape. "Painting Bear lake." I am trying to pay attention to the colors that Robert uses when he paints. He seems to have a set group of colors for each type of painting, land scape, flowers , still life.
Now I am sorting pictures. I have decided that I am going to write my goal: My goal is to complete one album in two months. I keep putting this project off . I have almost completed one for Rick and one for me. I am going to keep them in this room so I don't have to go upstairs and then down stair. I read a book entitled. Write it down, Make it happen. the authors thesis was that if you write down your goals. You will complete them. My goal for next week is to organize the room. I wanted to make this room cheerier but getting a new chair cover is very expensive.

This morning I went to Merle Robertson's house and knitted with two other ladies. No one seemed to be doing much knitting just gabbing. I had to start twice because the first time I put sixty stitches on the needles instead of fifty. We talked a lot about food and current events and travel and church. You could call it a gab fest. We did pray at the end over a pink baby blanket that Merle had made. On the way home I stopped by the School House thrift shop and to my utter disbelief saw a baby carrier sitting on the front porch. It is in very good condition. Bradley ask me yesterday to give one to David Quin for a birthday gift. Meg Gibson runs the shop and told me it just arrived three days ago. She is a blast from the past. She used to run Christ Episcopal church. Well she ran it in the background but I won't get into that. I went to Toys are us next and spend Marty's twenty five dollar gift card.I spent a log time looking because I could not decide the best way to spend the money. I stopped at Kroger and bought groceries. I only spent eleven dollars but got the two things I wanted most. milk and yogurt. this afternoon I worked on bills. Early this morning I walked with Rudy around the lake. I might add picture here.

My companion today is Rudy.
We went for a walk about an hour ago and now he is lying in his favorite place, the sofa. I found him here after art class. I came home immediatly because I thought they would call from American Express but they never did. I am trying to knit a sweater for David Quinn. Tomarrow I am going to my knitting circle. I am going to wrok on this project. They news is all about the "Stimulous package." Tonight President Obama will talk to the congress about the state of our economy which is falling apart. The government is going to invest in Citi Group and probably several other failing banks. That is what the talk is going to be about. Today I worked more on the picture of the lady isn the blue dress with the Big Handds. Akemi told me it was by Cezanne. she also told me whenever sh goes into museums shebuys post card and that is awhat we copy.

Today, I put the pictures from Mike Burns thumb gadget to my computer and then to Ofoto. Now I have lot ofpicture of the party. I had to make several calls to the Burns but I really figured it out myself. Maybe I can even add some of the pictures but I think I will do that next time. I played tennis at noon. My partner was Mary Anne Jordan. We played against Polly Hirsch and Peggy Caplw. We beat them 7-5 but they were beating us when we had to quit because of time. Polly Hirsch is in her seventy but very competitive. Right now it is dark.

Wildlife tht I noticed today: Today I watched the crows at the Boars head after tennis I went up to the gym to lift weights. I looked out the window and saw lots of crows circling the tennis quarts. I also watched the geese swim down the lake which was lovely because the light was on the lake. Mike Burns gadget had lots of pictures of shoes on it and also Merril clothing. I am not sure he is working for them but it was interesting looking at the photos because they were gorgeous scenes, SOME BY THE Ocean, some by lakes , some in National parks and some city scenes.

Rick is watching the Red Carpet, the preview to the Academy awards. I think the show goes overboard on the women's dresses. It is more a fashion show than anything. We went to church this morning. We are very loyal. I took notes on the sermon. Yesterday I spent the day at church at a Women's retreat. The morning was about Loving Jesus the afternoon was about emotions and relationships, presented by Christie Walker. We had to fill in a puzzle with all the names of the books of the Bible. We shared our answers which I think most tables did. We got 27 and there were suppose to be thirty. A woman clergy person sat right beside me. Also Consie Palmer, Boowie Carpenter and Georgia Davidson were at our table. We had good intense discussions.
I bought the center piece and took we took it to the office and gave tit to Walker as a gift. The Burns sent pictures from the party and I am going to send them to Ofoto and have some developed tomorrow. That is my number one project after I send the addresses. Bradley called and I talked to her awhile. She got the album I sent. Rick went for a long bike ride and I finished there Eyes are Watching God. We he got back we took a walk around the lake.

I created a Post late last night but then lost it because I used one of the buttons up top. The is my next question to figure out how to use the. Yesterday I went to Ruffin for drawing. We are doing a whimsical figure. We created a mini sculpture out of our eraser and then had to draw it on a 22/30 paper using oil sticks. My mental process were interesting. I wanted to destroy what I started because I thought I was doing the wrong thing. There is no wrong thing especially since no one will look at this project not even Akemi because I am not getting a grade. I am 67 and am doing this class for personal enrichment and feel lucky I have the chance to be there especially since it is free. After class I was going to go to MahJongg but the BHSC was preparing for a party and the ladies were going to play at Olive's house but I wanted to finish the Big Read book before Tuesday when I have to turn it in at the Gordan Ave. Library. I came home and read. Ten people are waiting in line to read this book. Also the plumber came and fixed the toilet in the downstairs bathroom. This semester we are learning about texture. I am trying to pay attention to all the texture in the world and then recreate it on paper.
I worked some on Bradly's finances. WE have gotten most of the debt paid off. She said it is cold in Trinidad. I called Murphy's store. I got a man named Warren Shoel on the phone. I thought he was Peter Horner's partner. I sent him a check but when I called the second time I learned that Peter horner had never heard of him. I hope she is okey. She is my constant worry. At night I worry that she and David quinn cannot go to sleep because of the cold.

The Valentine Party is over. It was a tremendous amount of work but I think pretty successful. I think we all enjoyed meeting the people and talking to all about life. the videos went over pretty well even though there were a few glitches. Today Liz and I went looking for a dress for her wedding. It was very nice of her to ask me to do this. We went to Chico's, Belk and then the West End wedding store where I finally tried some dresses on. I am not sure how formal to be. I will look a bit more before I decide on one. The owner gave us Web site to look at some.

I feel a bit drained right now. I came home and tried to figure out Bradley's money situation. She bounced a check which went back to Bank of America. Since it is President's day there is not much we can do anyway. We had lunch at Timberlakes. Rick and I split a turkey sandwich. When I came home I ate some cracker's with crab dip on crackers.
The food at the party was not exactly what I expected. The steamed vegetables were way too big to really eat with your fingers. And the crab dip was not what I expected either. I thought it was going to be a hot dip but wt was cold. We should have had more chairs for the old people.

It was a very hard thing to do because both boys and Rick kept complaining about spending money so it took some of the fun out of it. I tried not to obsess too much.
Chilie just called and told me someone form the state is coming to shot the crow that keep flying over the houses and the lake. I am going to go for a walk.

I just lost a long blog because I was tyring to add a yahoo insert about Impressionist. This taught be a lesson. I should have saved it first and then tried to add the insert. I went to Ruffin this morning for my drawing class with Akemi Ohara. The kids were already busy drawing. We are learning about shading. I am copying one of the Impressionist pictures but I am not sure whose picture it is. It is a middle aged woman in a long blue dress with very large hands. I have finished a good part of it but have not yet tackled the hands. I folded up the picture she gave us and then divided the paper I drew on in sections and tried to use the sections as a guide. I have never done this before but watched one of the other students do this and just tried it.
I like going into Ruffin because I get to see all the different art forms. Right now on the first floor there is and exhibit of clothes. There are many mannequins wearing the outfits but also there are pictures of the clothes. ( schematics). There is a gallery on the third floor and I often peek in that room to see if it has changed. I learn just looking at the art work on the walls. I decided I am right brained and that is why I like all of this so much.
I made chocolate strawberries for our party. I am going to check on them after I finish this. I also went up and took last week's issue of the hook to Chilie. He gave me a thermos for Rick to take when he bikes. Last week he had to go out an pick Rick up because he had tire trouble.

Today I went shopping and bought some cheese for our Valentine Party. We are having a party to celebrate the engagement of our two sons Walker and Tucker. Walker will marry Hallie on May 12Th in Charlottesville and Tucker will marry Liz on July 4Th in Golden, Colorado. The party is at the McGuffey Art Center on Second Street. Different types of artist rent space so they have a studio to make their art and display it. I have been very nervous about this party because I want it to be nice but not want to ruffle any feathers about how much food to serve. We have about one hundred people coming to the event. I am going to post a picture of the couples if I can right now.

Yesterday I drove home from Mary Ellen Klin's house. She hosted a shower for her sister Patricia who is expecting a baby in April, right before Walker's wedding. I stayed over night because I did not want to drive around Washington late at night. IT was still a bit harrowing to drive 495 with trucks and cars speeding by you on every side. I kept talking to myself so that I would not make any mistakes. I did make one when I was suppose to get off Route 66. I got over a bit too far and headed toward Mananas Memorial Park. It was a beautiful ride and I am glad for the mistakes. I took Patricia the afghan I made in the Shaw ministry group. I also took her a small baby blanket and a baby book and picture album. Three of my sister's were there Agnes was there with Jim, her husband. They are the parents and were quietly happy with all the excitement. Emily came with her husband Harry. He drove Jen and Emily and they brought Lucy her new baby who was just beautiful. Mary Anne my oldest sister came with her daughter Anne Marie who finally looks a bit older. I took lots of pictures but have not yet put them on the web so I cannot add them here. Maybe I will add something else.
I ordered the food for the Valentine party. Now I want to order corsages for the girls so everyone will recognize who they are. I have not yet watched any television today. Chili invited us out to dinner today. Rick told me to go with Chile and the Van Hook's. I am planning on going. Rick is going to stay late at bike class.

I had my first visit to my blog, my son, Walker. He said he enjoyed reading it. Yesterday I went to Ruffin Hall for my drawing class. The students are working on a difficult project which I don't think I can finish. First, we collected texture samples from the world. I went around and found my samples mostly from baskets I had around the house. We had to make copies by using paper and charcoal. Next, we had to recreate these etchings on 4 by 4 papers and paste them on a larger sheet. WE created a value scale. The second part was to do a drawing of the small objects she handed out. We had to shade this and Akemi copied this on another piece of paper which she had gridded. The next part becomes very difficult . We had to use the value scale we created and replace it on our own grid. I get the idea but it would take a long time to finish. I had to miss one class because of the snow and was very late for the next two.

Right now I am trying to get a handle on my bank account and see if all the checks I wrote have gone through. They have not. What I am learning is I have to pay much more attention to what I do. I have to be aware. This morning when I woke up at ^:05, an ungodly hour I read letters that Van Gogh had written about his paintings. He wrote them to another young artist, I think his name was Canard. He talked about colors. I took Rudy for a walk so he would do a BM , which he did . I am waiting for a repair man to come from Sears to work on our trash compactor. I have lots to write about but at this point will try to add a picture or maybe even a link which Walker showed me how to do when we had lunch together at his house. WE bought lunch at FEAST but then took it to his house to eat.

My big event today was going to see Dr. Keith Frick, my rheumatoid arthritis doctor. I am now taking four mithotrexate before I was taking six. I also take fozomax to rebuild my bones. Like many older women I am loosing bone and the fozomax replaces it. I am doing fine. I was a mess about two years ago when I would wake up and not be able to move, the medicine has worked miracles for me. I am very happy the doctor's figured out what was wrong with me. Dr. Morris sent me to Dr. Frick who did all kids of test before putting me on the medicine. he monitors the medicine and how my joints are doing. I also try to eat the foods they suggest on the web site and lift weights.I went shopping after the doctor's visit, well I went window shopping because I really am not yet ready to buy any new dresses for the weddings that are coming up in May and July. Marty, Rick's sister had a shoulder replacement yesterday and Berkeley has kept us posted on how she is doing. About an hour ago Dick called and told us more about her operation and recovery. Winter is still with us. When I went out today it was freezing cold. I have a visitor, Rudy, Walker's dog. I took her around the lake twice so we both got some exercise and were outside. The road opposite our house is still very icy and dangerous.

I read at church today. Deuteronomy. Moses is the main speaker in the lesson. He tells us not to listen to false prophets. When I cam downstairs this morning Rick had already turned on the Australian open between Federa and Nadal. I watched it as I cleaned up the kitchen and put away the dishes. Excellent tennis, fun to watch and keep track of the points. I was happy the Nadel won' 3to 2. We ate breakfast and then rushed off to church.
At church we prayed in the dressing room then I went to the back of the church and sat in a seat and Wayne Duncan came and we had a long talk about the upcoming sermon and Jesus. HE explained why we should talk to everyone about Jesus. After church I went to Sunday School class and learned about Holy Communion or the Eucharist. I want to read all the handouts that David gave us about Thomas Crammer writing the book of common Prayer. Rick and I bought some chilly forthe Superbowl and we bought extra and took it over to Walker's house for him and Hallie to eat for breakfast. We also bought chicken wings for supper. I feel very tired.

Yesterday I drove to Scottsville and painted with Dixie. I will take a picture of the picture and maybe put it on the web. That is a lot of steps and will take time. I was very frustrated with the situation yesterday. We painted on Dixie's new porch. The sun was beaming in and it was difficult to see. Also Dixie ahad her back to me. The picture was a bridge over a river. It reminded me of the largest Stone arch bridgein the world close to Harrisburg. I feel very tired and will write later.

I want to add another picture to my blog. I have four sisters and one brother; Mary Anne, Agnes, Joe, Patty,(me) Emily and Theresa. We are good friends although there is some friction between some of the siblings. I am too old to worry about it and don't really think about it unless I'm with them and they complain about each other. This picture if of us together at the last family reunion in Have'e de Grasse at Jimmy and Anne's reunion. They had a picnic outside their house and served buckets of crab that we had to pick apart and eat.

There is a dusting of snow outside my window. The roads are very icy and school has been delayed so I am home for the morning at least. Yesterday I stayed home all day. I finished my show for Patricia and watched TV and looked at old social security records that Rick wanted to see. Right now I have a load of wash in the machine and I hear the buzz of the machine in the background.

Our weekend was spent at the Virginia State Bar meeting in Williams burg Va. We stayed in the lodge. I took advantage of being there and went to the museum and also swam in the pool. We shopped at the outlet's. I bought yoga clothes for me and Bradly at LUCY which was having a gigantic sale. I figured that I should buy the clothes since it was such a good sale. Bradley can use the clothes when she teaches. I think I bout about ten pieces for seventy dollars.

Today we drive to Williamsburg for a state bar meeting. I am taking my knitting to do in the car. I am just about finished a Shaw which I want to give to Patricia at her shower. It is cold outside. Rebbecca is coming to clean and I plan to go to the University and draw with my drawing class this morning. Right now I have to clean up the kitchen and dress before Rebbecca comes. Last night I helped with the homeless men. There were several people there from Christ Church both men and women. I talked to several of the men. I will write later about what I learned.

I take food over to Wesley Memorial church this evening and help serve the homeless men food. I have to be there at 5pm. I bought the five cans of beans on Sunday after church when Rick and I went shopping. I don't know whether to make them here or just take the cans over there and make them there. I muct remember to take playing cards with me. I am doing laundry right now as I type. I am waiting for the Sears man to come and fix the trash compactor. I dod not want to miss him. I ate spinach and salad for lunch. Two squirrels are chasing each other down the tree as I look out the window. It is cold in the house so I turned on the stove in the great room.

Today is Inauguration Day. Barrack Obama will take the oath of office at noon. Rick and I will be watching it at the County Office Building with a group from JABBA. Walker said he was going to watch it with Hallie at her house. there is lots of excitement in the air. Thousands of people are streaming into D.C. walking since all the roads are closed. the trams are open so some came by bus. We thought of going to Washington at one point but it was too expensive. I took a picture of Barrack when we went to a rally in 2007 but I don't know if I can find it. Maybe later.
Last night we were invited to dinner at the Van Hooks our neighbors. WE had Salmon which Inge prepared. Delicious. I forgot a gift so I want to buy something after watching the Inauguration. It was Inge, Mack, Chile and us. a very lovely evening.

Today Walker was suppose to be on NPR but for some reason the connection did not go thought. I just spent half an hour trying to find the podcast but did not have any luck. I went to yoga. I did okay. Ray, the teacher is very helpful . I always feel better after I do it even though I cannot get into all the poses. I talked to Bevin Cetta after the class about California. I told her we went to Bodega Bay for Christmas. I ordered more invitations to our engagement party. I am going to pick them up on the way to the movie. I want to add a picture to my Blog today but am not sure what to add. I don't have any of yoga. The weather today is freezing. I wear gloves and hat whenever I go out. I have so many hobbies going on in my life. I knit, I have two projects incomplete, I draw, I need to draw something in my sketchbook, I am going to help with Pacem, which feeds the homeless and I am trying to finish getting together all the pictures for the video for the engagement party.

Today I added a picture to my blog. It takes time to search through the pictures but it helps me remember some of the things I do, especially the trips we have taken because we have taken so many. This morning I went to the University to my drawing class. Akemi, the professor had a real crowd. About ten kids to many. She talked to the students about what to bring and what was expected of them. I have taken the class before but want to get better. After we talked she gave us two sheets of paper and we had to draw something we saw in the classroom. The first drawing I did was a girl sitting on a stool with her back to me. The second was a Chinese girl in a sideways posture. After class I went to Barracks Road to Bank of America to find out about the joint bank account I opened with Bradley. It is all set up. Now I need to tell her she can go to the bank and get checks. I have to think about the USAA account now. I also bought some charcoal at Michaels, made some copies of pictures to put in albums and bought some groceries. I want to learn more about blogging then work on the album for Rick.

I am very confused about how to create this blog but I am going to just play with the whole thing until I have it worked out. I want to add a picture. the picture I have decided is me standing on Second Street with the Pennsylvania State capitol in the background. Rick took this picture when we went to Anne Marie's wedding in Harrisburg. I grew up close to the Capitol and so it has many memories for me. I will write about growing up in more details later. Now I need to get ready for my day.