Happy Memorial Day 2008

It's a little cool & breezy, but otherwise a beautiful Memorial Day in Roseville.

Today is the quiet day of remembrance and celebrating. Yesterday was the party day. We had a great picnic and dual-birthday celebration with the cake and food supplied by Donalyn & Kevin. Sara & Kyleigh entertained each other almost constantly for 2-1/2 days and joined in a fun game of tag/hide&seek with the Clark girls on Sunday afternoon. Later in the evening the adults played musical chairs with neighbors (sorry, too crazy and involved to go into details on this one!).

Now, on to the next party...

Paradise Bay...

...sounds like a body of water, doesn't it? Actually it is the name of a very nice restaurant in Sausalito, California on a beautiful body of water -part of San Francisco Bay. I met Anne here for lunch today. We had a great lunch and a wonderful conversation. We discussed life, love, politics and everything in between. We went real light on the politics...after all, a Republican in Marin County has to be real careful what he says and how loud he says it. Joking. We really had a nice conversation about politics, current and past. Anne gave me great insight into life in France. She confirmed that which I have felt strongly about for the past few years: that history is not taught to the children in that country with as much emphasis as should be given to the great sacrifice of Americans during WWII to liberate their country from Nazi Germany. People of our generation, both in France and the USA, fully recognize the extreme sacrifices made for freedom during that terrible war. Then again, I sense that the younger generation of this country may not appreciate those sacrifices -and cherish freedom -as much as they should either.

In all, it was a beautiful day on the bay -and two people each came away with a new friend.

Reno Trip

I expected to post some photos from our Reno trip, but have none at this time. It was a fun trip. Doris, Smitty, and I enjoyed the drive both ways. We stopped in Truckee for lunch at "OB's" on the way. On the return trip, I showed them the Foresthill Bridge and the American River near Auburn.

The reunion was fun. Smitty and 3 others were the only in attendance that served aboard the USS Manatee during WWII. We saw a good show while there. The hospitality room was the social center of the reunion, where people sat around talking and reminiscing and, like all good sailors, told lies known as "sea stories."

Maybe our next time with Doris & all will be at Piseco Lake...

Coast-to-Coast Excitement

My sister Doris and my brother-in-law George "Smitty" Smith are flying in from Tampa tomorrow, and believe me, we are all excited. Although I've visited them "back East" quite a few times since then, this will be the 1st time since 1969 that they have been here. We remember the date, July 20, 1969 -when Neil Armstrong set foot on the Moon- as we sat in the back yard on Hillgrove Drive in San Diego, sipping our wine and looking up at that big, bright Moon. I remember thinking at the time, "Wow, its happening right there, right now!"

The photos here were taken at the Piseco Lake Darksiders' annual clambake. George looks a little serious here, but he should, as he has the responsibility of navigating that party boat.

After 2 days of relaxing and visiting family and friends in Roseville, we're heading to Reno for 3 days to take part in a convention of George's shipmates who served aboard the USS Manatee during WWII (when he was 10 ;-)).

We'll keep you posted with more photos and stories.