Somewhere Out There - An American Tail

When Denise & I were in the process of adopting Olga (Celeste) this movie came out. It always makes me cry happy tears.

Celeste just walked in to the room and I was too choked up to talk. We are so lucky to have our very own "Celestial Being."
Ya tibia lu blu, Mia Olinka

Arizona Senate Bill 1070

Arizona Senate Bill 1070 "demands that police officers inquire about the immigration status of every person they have an interaction with whom they believe to be undocumented."

Watch the video to see who is behind the bill and who was involved in writing the bill. Is this who you want writing our state and national laws?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilKUxWbGQj4&feature=player_embedded

The video starts with the anchor talking about what appears, at first, to be unrelated to the Arizona law. It ties in. So keep watching.
After watching the video, let me know what you think by leaving a comment.

Soccer & Volleyball at Mile Square Park

We met at Mile Square Park today to watch Jiho play soccer. When Isis saw me, she ran and grabbed my legs, giving me a look that melts my heart.
Bonnie's look says, Grandma is having way too much fun torturing her grandson.
Tigerboy was having way too much fun to be concerned about omah's look. Isis and Bonnie were styling in their sunglasses.
Isis found a toy baby stroller and sat in it. "Look grandpa, take a picture of me!"
If I were a rock star, this is what I would look like. Aren't I cool!
I love Popcicles and I can get half all the way into my mouth. Watch me!
If you look closely you will see grandpa in my sunglasses. He loves taking photos of me. You can't blame him, I'm just too cute to resist. ;-)

The Boy's team

The pre-game huddle

Jiho & Tu

Sai was filming the game. See Jiho on the other side of the field.

Jiho was number 8.
Tigerboy and Grandma practiced volleyball.

I'm ready Grandma.

Hey look! Grandma and I have the same stance while the ball is in the air.

Sai saves the ball! Way to go, Sai!

Now Sai's sister saves the ball as she flies into the air. Wow!
These are the women who played volleyball and those who supported them.

Saturday Morning Hike with Winnie &John

Denise and I went on a hike with Winnie & John to El Moro Canyon, just North of Laguna Beach.

It was a cloud covered morning. It was great for a mildly strenuous hike up and down the hills.

After we left El Moro Canyon, we ate breakfast and hiked around Crystal cove along the beach.

John delighted in showing me the bottom of his shoes.

Winnie & John searched the tide pools for hermit crabs and other sea creatures.

I love nasturtiums.

Denise loves to take photographs.

La Mare working in concert with the wind created this beautiful sculpture. Click on it and see the figures that will bring you delight.

Looking out at the ocean is wonderfully refreshing.

Winged messengers herald the day's secrets.

Mushroom took a break after the 2 hour hike.

Mushroom Hat

My dear friends, Fred & Leila, gifted me with a special birthday hat. I wore all day today.

When I went to visit Eda Bea in the hospital, her nurse, smiled and said, "oh, now it makes sense. Eda Bea said that she was waiting for Mushroom to take her home. We thought she was hallucinating. Now that we see you in your hat, we understand that she was serious."

This hat has made so many people smile today. I might have to wear it in public more often. ;-)

Tigerboy goes to soccer practice

Tigerboy listens to the coaches instructions along with his parents.Time to control the ball

The coach says, "Everyone stop the ball with your foot!"

Everyone runs and kicks the ball.

Tigerboy scores ! ! !

Click here to see Isis play Mustache-Beard game with Mushroom

Isis was having such a fun time playing with her abuelito (grandfather) Mushroom, that she hugged his thigh really tight. When I have been picking her up, she rubs her finger across my mustache and beard and says, Mushtache. Beeeeeard. This time she got carried away. It was so much fun.
Click on the title to see the YouTube video of our little word game.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwuKJmn8kWo

Viet Nam Meditation

"Hey Man, are you meditating? Wow, that is cool, man. I've never seen anyone meditating before. Wow."

We were on our way back to replenishment station; on our way back to take on

more arms,

more bombs,

more destruction

to throw at the Vietnamese.

Daily, I would find a place, a secluded place, where I could escape the cruelty, the ever present, oppressive weight of killing.

1972 is

only a thought away,

only a glance away,

only a sting away from today.

Viet Nam beckons me to return. "I forgive you. I will help you forgive yourself," she whispers.
"Come, I await your return to how you should have come in the first place.
Come, I have forgiven you." I hear her call.

For now, I feel the sting, I look for a secluded place, away from the memories

of the bombs,

of the killing,

of the cries.

Ave Maria plays on my headphones, pulling out the splinter of Viet Nam from my heart.

Tears well.

Throat tightens.

I sit. Quiet. Quiet. Quiet.

I ponder, I wonder, Will the ghost of Viet Nam, release me before I return. No?

"I forgive you. I will help you forgive yourself.", she whispers.
"Come, I await your return, to how you should have come in the first place.
Come, I have forgiven you." I hear her call.

Flag over the US Capitol 18 December 2009

Today, I received a gift. It came in the form of a flag and a certificate. Denise had contacted Senator Dianne Feinstein requesting the flag that would hang over the capitol on Jeremy's 40th Birthday, 18 December 2009. The flag came from the Architect of the Capitol.

When I opened the box from the U.S. Senate, its contents brought tears from my eyes. I am grateful for our son, Jeremy. I am grateful for the gifts he brought into this life and for the gifts that he left behind.

One of his kidneys lasted 17 years. That is amazing. Denise and I were conflicted with our emotions when we found out. We were amazed that it lasted 17 years and we were disappointed that its time was done. It is a little sting of death and its associated grief that cruelly reminded us that Jeremy is dead. I miss him, terribly.

Xmas Letter 2009

Moving Boxes

Or Xmas Presents

Take your pick of either boxes, we have plenty of each.
Mary & Raymond, Do you remember these xmas presents from 2004? We should get together again for another humongus xmas party. You two were stinkers for leaving all 8 kids with us, while you guys relaxed in a hotel. But hey, it was so much fun to reunite with all of the nieces (7) and nephew (1).

We’ve moved from The Great North WET (Washington) to Sunny California with lots and lots of boxes!

Our new contact info. is: 7114 El Paseo St., Long Beach, CA 90815, ph. 562-596-2280.

Celeste got the drive of her life as she drove a 26 foot diesel Penske moving truck along highway 99 near Fresno. She was helping her dad drive one of 3 loads of furniture from Kent, Washington to Long Beach, Sunny California.

Celeste is working fulltime at JC Penney, and they love her! She enjoyed going to the beach this summer and is getting to know cousins again. She’s bee a vigilant caregiver to her Grandma, when both parents are out of the house!

Great Grandma Eda Bea has reconnected to many friends, and retired, after 18 yrs., with the Long Beach Fire Ambassadors. She was recognized by the City Council for her many years of service and received a certificate from the Mayor.

Mushroom has reconnected with family and old friends. He continues to conduct his shamanism healing practice. Mushroom volunteers at the VA, where he works in the Hospice Unit.

Mushroom took Denise to Avalon on Catalina Island for their 35^th anniversary this summer!

Denise is putting forth effort to allow the universe to express her skills in the workforce. Until she becomes employed, she’s learning how to manage 3 rental properties in 2 states and is helping all of the above family members to make Great Grandma’s house a home. She took Mushroom for a weekend getaway in Carlsbad, CA, while brother Cass filled in at home caring for Eda Bea.

Bonnie and Jiho moved to Los Angeles where Bonnie is working and Jiho is going to school to learn acupuncture. They came over to help decorate the house for xmas.

Gifts

Our greatest gifts this year have been:

* The going-away parties given by coworkers and friends!

* The visits by faraway friends, who didn’t want to let us leave in the first place!

* The welcoming we received from our Southern CA families & friends, who helped us to move in and had us over for dinner.

We wish for you Happy Holidays and a love-filled New Year.

Denise & Mushroom & Celeste & Eda Bea & Sugar & Ginger