Memories of World War II May 28, 2018

    March 1943 – a visit with my brother training to be a Navy pilot

9 Years Old – A Birthday Party To Remember April 23, 2018

  lining up to form teams – I think this was Team Indecisive -i.e. they couldn’t decide on a name

  lined up ready for the first question in the X-Box Quiz, or was it Minecraft?  I wouldn’t have been an asset to any of the teams!

  looks like someone has broken ranks and is headed for the food – that’s the host kneeling on the table – hmm a bit of chaos developing

  Fizz the Cat knew all the answers

  hmm, are they paying attention to the quizmaster?

And so it went on but I left.  Too chaotic for Grandma.  But I checked this morning and there were no injuries etc and a good time was had by all.  Happy Times.

 

Publication Day In 2nd Grade April 21, 2018

  Parents and students reading the reports

   That’s my grandson Sean on the left with the skeleton(?) T-shirt

  Readers were encouraged to write comments    (The teacher is a Seahawks fan wearing his Number 12 jersey)

  Sean’s mum (Susan) reading one of the reports

I love these parent/grandparent participation events.  Such a privilege.  And they spark wonderful memories of the years when our sons were that age – and when I was that age!

A Day At The Races March 4, 2018

Yesterday marked the start of the cycling season – racing that is.  It was a chilly and foggy morning in the valley near Auburn south of Seattle.  Here is son James about to be launched – family members are gathered round.  It was a time trial wth cyclists starting every 30 seconds.  5 miles out, 5 miles return, taking approximately 28 minutes.  Various teams were represented.  James is with the Apex Team – they were well represented in the various categories.

James start time was about 9:20 and the fog had considerably dispersed by then.  That’s me to the left trying to get him at the start.   Grandson Sean is the supporter just to the right and James’ wife Susan is there in green.

I Have Been Away February 18, 2018

A marvelous trip to London and Dublin to visit family and friends.

   Son Andrew and his 2 daughters Alannah 12 and Isolde 7 in their home in Rathgar, Dublin, Ireland

  In a pub in Terenure, Dublin   Same pub, Vaughn’s, Alannah, Kerri-Anne and Amanda.  Amanda is Andrew’s wife and Kerri-Anne is her sister.

Following lunch the granddaughters and I went to the small but very good Village Bookstore 2 doors away.  During my trip I visited book stores at every opportunity.  My failing?  My interest!!  Alas, I didn’t come across any yarn stores in my travels.  It’s just as well, I could hardly shut or lift my suitcase for the return trip back to Seattle.

 

Vaughn’s in the village of Terenure is within easy walking distance of Andrew and Amanda’s home in Rathgar.  Rathgar village also has numerous excellent bars and restaurants and shopping facilities.  Up until about a month ago Rathgar also had a book store    

 

 

 

My husband Ian and I lived in Rathgar when we first came to Ireland in Year 1 of our marriage in 1968.  We had the top floor flat in a former house – very similar to Andrew and Amanda’s home now.         sort of but not exactly like this red brick home

Ian and I did our shopping at the Gourmet Shop in Rathgar but sadly the owners passed away recently and the shop is now closed – a victim of the passage of time and a small shop bowing to the dominance of a much larger shopping facility (SuperQuinn) opening nearby.

Rathgar Presbyterian Church is strikingly dominant in the village.  And this is where our youngest son David was baptized.       This photo doesn’t do it justice.

 

 

 

January 6 January 6, 2018

A date when I especially think of my sister Ruth who passed away last September.  She was born in 1926 so today would have been her 92nd birthday.  I think of her every day but today especially.  Good memories.  Following are a few pictures taken over the years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family Games December 19, 2017

  Family fun with the game of Coup – I think Ethan was Ashley’s partner – a silent one but still part of the fun

Thanksgiving Dinner November 24, 2017

   It was lovely!

  Fizz the cat was banished – she waited patiently

 

Remembering The Good Times September 29, 2017

  My sisters and me at the farm in Milford New Hampshire       some years ago

There’s A Bright Star Shining In The East September 28, 2017

When I get up these dark September mornings and take my seat at the computer I look out to see a lone bright star shining in the East.  I like to think this is a message from my dear sister Ruth who passed just a few days ago.  She is shining down on us – twinkling – all is well.  She is at rest, in peace.  And slowly dawn breaks.  Another beautiful sunrise.

  Ruth   This photo was taken a number of years ago when she was still living at her beloved farm.  The farmhouse was built in 1792 and lived in by 10 generations of the same family before Ruth and her husband Chuck bought it.  Over the years it was the focus not only for the immediate family but for the wider circle of friends and family.

Among Ruth’s many interests she loved gardening, particularly flowers.  So this photo taken on the side porch is most appropriate.