A bigger and better Tank

Here is a more recent picture of Tank. I took him to the vet yesterday and she said that he is gaining weight nicely. (She previously told me he was too thin)

Boys are both underway with their basketball seasons. Got to see Patty Anne at Matthew's game the other night, but was not able to stay and visit. His team will do ok, they have decent starters, but the bench is weak. Ryan has only had one scrimmage but looked better than last year. I think if he gets more comfortable, he could be a decent shot.

We are hosting Thanksgiving here if anyone is interested.

If I don't see you have a great one.

Shouldn't we start thinking about dates for our annual Christmas drink fest?

HERE IS MT ST HELENS. THESE WERE TAKEN FROM 6 MILES AWAY. THAT IS AS CLOSE AS THE NORMAL PERSON CAN GET. IF YOU ARE INTO HIKING YOU CAN GET ALOT CLOSER. TO BE ABLE TO SEE STEAM RISING OUT WAS QUITE A SITE! WHEN THIS ERUPTED IT PRETTY MUCH LEVELED 230 SQUARE MILES OF FOREST, ABSOLUTLY AMAZING, TO US ANYWAY. HUGE TREES WERE SNAPED OFF LIKE TOOTHPICKS, AS YOU CAN SEE. VERY INTERESTING IF ANYONE EVER GETS OUT THAT WAY.

Happy Birthday Chris!

Have a great day!

Mysterious Mike

We have just returned from Gloucester. We got very very wet but had a great time visiting with Tim, Emmy, Cathy and Chris. When I was younger, I didn't really understand phrases such as "It does my heart good" or "a sight for sore eyes". As I've grown and as I've had experiences such as visiting Gloucester and leaving there feeling very much at ease again, I understand such sayings a bit better. It actually does my heart good to return to Gloucester once in a while. When I start feeling grouchy, ill at ease and not really comfortable in my own skin I know it's time to go breathe in some sea air. When I see everyone again, it is indeed a sight for sore eyes.

We were able to go to dinner with Tim and Emmy last night and Tim regaled us with a number of stories--one tidbit we learned is that Grampie apparently was a boxer back in the day. He boxed as "Mysterious Mike". I don't have any idea where that non de plume came from but I'm betting the Mike had something to do with the Irish. When he told ms this, I had a hard time picturing that in my mind's eye. Then I started looking around for a picture for this blog entry. Looking at Grampie here, I think I can kind of picture Mysterious Mike.

More new stories to come and this will give me a new research road to travel down.

And it's a grand journey indeed.

Someday

I came across a book Amy wrote many years ago called "Someday". It's so much fun discovering these things again after such a long time. I thought you all might enjoy too.

Honor a veteran today.

Ryan and his buddies after their last football game. Remind you of anything? I think it's very cool that history is repeating itself a little bit with Ryan, Weenie and football. Ryan will probably never put on a football uniform again but he'll always have his accomplishments to learn from. He met a personal goal of throwing for over 1000 yards passing in his career (1112). despite some setbacks. I think this is huge. He sets goals for himself and works to meet them despite circumstances working against the effort. This will serve him well in college. Nicely done boyo!

This is 1925--no numbers, no pads that I can detect and yet eerily similar!

This blog will turn 3 years old this Friday!! You'd think I'd get tired of writing or run out of ideas, but not so far. It helps a bunch that you all join in and add stuff. Happy Birthday, Blog!

HI EVERYONE,

PATTY ANNE AND PAULA, NOT TO KNOCK THE FALLS IN ITHACA, WE HAVE BEEN TO THEM AND THEY ARE VERY NICE. THESE ARE THE MULTNOMAH FALLS JUST OUTSIDE PORTLAND ORE. AS YOU CAN SEE THE TOP OF THE FALLS ARE NOT EVEN IN THE PIC, BUT NOT MUSH HIGHER. IF YOU LOOK CLOSE YOU CAN SEE LORI AND APRIL ON THE BRIDGE, THE ZOOM WE HAVE IS PRETTY GOOD. WE HAD A GREAT TIME OUT THERE AND WILL TRY TO POST SOME PICS OF MT ST HELENS. I WOULD RECCOMEND ANYONE ANYWHERE NEAR THERE TAKE THE TIME TO GO SEE THAT, WELL WORTH IT AND ONLY A COUPLE HOUR DRIVE FROM PORTLAND.

HOPE EVERYONE HAD A GOOD WEEKEND.

TAKE CARE. CHRIS AND LORI