Interesting Week

My posting has not been as frequent. I am not particularly interested in commenting on politics or the stock market although they have held my interest this past week. Life is as normal as it can be.

But I did have an interesting event this week. I was cleaning the basement and re- organizing some of the "stuff" that all of us accumulate. I came across a folder that had obviously been misplaced years ago. It contained papers from the preschool that John and Jessica went to in 1985. There were papers from both John and Jessica. It was hard to look at them and not think about how unfair life has been. To John, to Jessica, to Mike, to Steve and I. And then oddly enough John's senior year book from St. Francis was under the stack of papers. I am sure everything had been in the same place since we moved into this house almost 8 years ago. I think John ask about the yearbook once but it was not an important possession to him. I re-read all of the
tributes to my son from 1999. I cried. I looked through the nursery school papers then and there was a Mothers Day card to me from John. It said "I love you Mom" .

Did he know how much I needed that? Was it purely circumstance? I think not. I still have to believe that there is a better place awaiting all of us. We miss John and I am sure he misses us but it is comforting to know he is there watching over us.



"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. "
(John 14:2,3)

Home Sweet Home

"Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
John Howard Payne

Sometimes we have to get away from home to appreciate its benefits. I had the best time ever in Jacksonville with Rosemary and Bob but it was so good to get home. I missed Steve and Mike. I like the comfort of home. It still feels safe here. But the weather is not as good as Florida. Today snow flurries are being mentioned in the forecast for Sunday/Monday. OH NO!!

As we head into the holiday season I am trying not to focus on last year. It is hard sometimes but there is plenty to be thankful for and that is what I will try to remember. Hug you kids, call your parents, be thankful for good friends and remember to tell them how important they are in your life.

Jacksonville, Florida

“Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated; it satisfies the soul and frustrates the intellect. It is at the same time rewarding and maddening - and it is without a doubt the greatest game mankind has ever invented.”
Arnold Palmer


I have been on a little holiday this week starting Monday with a drive to Florida with my parents. I have offered this service of sharing the driving with my Dad for several years since my mom's broken hip but they have always declined. This year it worked out because I was able to have them drop me off in Gainesville where Rosemary picked me up. I have had the privilege of introducing Rosemary to the great sport of golf this week. Of course there has been a little shopping, tennis and drinking thrown into the mix of activities but that is all part of the plan. Today we are off to brunch and an ocean gambling day cruise.

My dear Spartans were a disappointment yesterday but if they had to lose I always feel better when it is to Ohio State. Those Buckeyes just seem to be able to keep squeaking along but hopefully are getting better and better. They face Penn State next week and that will probably be the big ten matchup this year.

A long weekend in California

When you can get an airfare of less than $100 round trip to California what better way to spend the weekend. We left Friday night and came home on the red eye Monday night. A few hours of sleep yesterday morning when we arrived back home and it was the perfect escape. We packed in many activities and had a great visit with Jessica.

We started on Saturday morning with a visit to the Getty Villa. The Getty Villa is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria. Antiquities arranged by themes including Gods and Goddesses, Dionysos and the Theater, and Stories of the Trojan War are housed within Roman-inspired architecture and surrounded by Roman-style gardens. The new architectural plan surrounding the Villa is designed to simulate an archaeological dig. It was a beautiful way to display these artifacts in a natural setting. The pictures are of Steve and I in the outer peristyle and the herb gardens.





Dinner on Saturday was at the Stinking Rose Restaurant. I think Steve heard about this place on the food network and has wanted to try it ever since. Garlic is the theme and it was used in almost every manner. It was a great experience and I can now say I have eaten garlic ice cream. We have some souvenirs but not the garlic bulb hat.




Sunday was a gorgeous morning and we went to Venice beach to walk the beach and check out the boardwalk there. It remains an alternative lifestyle area. We then went up to the Griffith Park Observatory and saw the planatarium show. This is another basically free LA activity that is well worth the sight seeing time.






Jessica was able to take off work MOnday and we made the "Sideways" movie tour of Santa Barbara wine country. Well two wine tastings and lunch anyway. It was a perfect day and this area of the country is absolutely beautiful. Here we are finishing lunch in the picnic area at Gainey Winery.







It was a whirlwind of activity and it was nice to see Jessica but as always it is great to be back home.