Friday, March 31, 2006
from Kay
Hi everyone-
Just a check-in with all of you. It's Friday- when I think a little more clearly after the week, homework, my class Thursday night, etc.
Max- can we look at your house listing online? That would be fun to see it. I hope it sells quickly for you guys!
Looking forward to seeing everyone again in this next month and next.
I think Spring is finally here- probably more rain, though. We are hoping to get our outside cleaned up from all the remodel- hope we can relax out there soon!
Hugs to all-
Kay
Just a check-in with all of you. It's Friday- when I think a little more clearly after the week, homework, my class Thursday night, etc.
Max- can we look at your house listing online? That would be fun to see it. I hope it sells quickly for you guys!
Looking forward to seeing everyone again in this next month and next.
I think Spring is finally here- probably more rain, though. We are hoping to get our outside cleaned up from all the remodel- hope we can relax out there soon!
Hugs to all-
Kay
Monday, March 27, 2006
Life!
We had a gorgeous day of spring yesterday. This is in between many, many days of rain. So we went out sailing on the little 26 ft boat we have here. It was so great. Definately the big plus with this job is the access to the boats.
For those who haven't heard, we have listed our house in Perth for sale. Should go on the web site and advertising this week. We are thrilled with the appraisal amount so we'll see what we end up getting. It's a great time to sell in Perth so for once Max and Whitey may come out ahead. (Cross fingers)
Hope everyone has a fantastic week!
Love you all,
Max
For those who haven't heard, we have listed our house in Perth for sale. Should go on the web site and advertising this week. We are thrilled with the appraisal amount so we'll see what we end up getting. It's a great time to sell in Perth so for once Max and Whitey may come out ahead. (Cross fingers)
Hope everyone has a fantastic week!
Love you all,
Max
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Bridget - Frank Beacon
Dear Bert,
I want you to know I sincerely and thoroughly enjoyed seeing you and your family this week. I felt that it was a beautiful celebration of Herb's life. Thank you for including me in the circle of friendship in your family. It means more to me than you know.
I ghostwrite a weekly genealogy column called "Frank Beacon" for an online newsletter for Everton. "Frank" is a 40-something genealogist who writes about family history topics. I wanted you to be able to read it.
Love and light,
Bridget
THE LAST CHAPTER
By Frank Beacon
"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten,Either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing."--Benjamin Franklin, 1735, Poor Richard's Almanac
Millions the world over have been watching the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy this month. Eyes glued to the set, they have gazed upon their heroes as they attained great heights and depths of athleticism as well as gold, silver and bronze medals. Quietly, on Sunday, an old friend of mine passed away. Even though he was a big, big man and an avid sports fan, Herb was one of those gentle spirits you find every so often, that never leaves a mark on your body, but a significant footprint on your heart.
For 15 years, he struggled with a progressive neurological disease called Inclusion Body Myositis. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you a lot about it except to say that for most people, it is quite debilitating. For Herb, however, it was merely a challenge to overcome. No matter what the disease did to his body, he found a way to circumvent it, to rise above it. He either built a tool to do what his body couldn’t do, or enlisted the help of someone that could build it for him. That disease never conquered him; in fact, he died of untreatable cancer, discovered just days ago.
Herb is a hero in my eyes. He may never have won a gold medal, but he was a superb genealogist and writer. He had a way with words and enjoyed the task of quietly and thoroughly compiling his family history, including several books. These will be treasured even more by his family, now that he’s not here to tell the tales himself. Every word, every story was an act of love for those he was leaving behind as he prepared to move on to his next great adventure. And the way he left this one gave an example worthy of emulation.
When doctors operated on Herb last week, they found his body infested with the cancer. It was so bad they literally stitched him up and sent him home. A care specialist was sent to assist him through his last hours, and when she got to know the person inside the frail body, she cried, “This is so sad!”
Herb looked at her with compassion. “Every good book has to have a final chapter,” he said. “I plan for mine to be the best it can be.” And that’s exactly what he did.
Even though his family knew he had to be suffering greatly, Herb never showed it. He called his family to him from the far reaches of the globe where they have settled over the years. He waited until each one of them came to say their goodbyes. He spoke of his love for them in his gentle way and expressed his appreciation for their friendship. Then quietly, Sunday morning, he passed away in his sleep. No drama, no unfinished business, no loose ends. Every twist in the story that was his found the proverbial happy ending. On his computer, he left instructions and list of items to be taken care of. He also had written his own obituary – usually one of those hard and painful chores for families before a funeral. In simple, loving ways, he showed courage and spirit, writing the things worth writing, all way up until the last paragraph.
Just a thought,
Frank Beacon
3/13/06
My Ancestors Found
I want you to know I sincerely and thoroughly enjoyed seeing you and your family this week. I felt that it was a beautiful celebration of Herb's life. Thank you for including me in the circle of friendship in your family. It means more to me than you know.
I ghostwrite a weekly genealogy column called "Frank Beacon" for an online newsletter for Everton. "Frank" is a 40-something genealogist who writes about family history topics. I wanted you to be able to read it.
Love and light,
Bridget
THE LAST CHAPTER
By Frank Beacon
"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten,Either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing."--Benjamin Franklin, 1735, Poor Richard's Almanac
Millions the world over have been watching the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy this month. Eyes glued to the set, they have gazed upon their heroes as they attained great heights and depths of athleticism as well as gold, silver and bronze medals. Quietly, on Sunday, an old friend of mine passed away. Even though he was a big, big man and an avid sports fan, Herb was one of those gentle spirits you find every so often, that never leaves a mark on your body, but a significant footprint on your heart.
For 15 years, he struggled with a progressive neurological disease called Inclusion Body Myositis. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you a lot about it except to say that for most people, it is quite debilitating. For Herb, however, it was merely a challenge to overcome. No matter what the disease did to his body, he found a way to circumvent it, to rise above it. He either built a tool to do what his body couldn’t do, or enlisted the help of someone that could build it for him. That disease never conquered him; in fact, he died of untreatable cancer, discovered just days ago.
Herb is a hero in my eyes. He may never have won a gold medal, but he was a superb genealogist and writer. He had a way with words and enjoyed the task of quietly and thoroughly compiling his family history, including several books. These will be treasured even more by his family, now that he’s not here to tell the tales himself. Every word, every story was an act of love for those he was leaving behind as he prepared to move on to his next great adventure. And the way he left this one gave an example worthy of emulation.
When doctors operated on Herb last week, they found his body infested with the cancer. It was so bad they literally stitched him up and sent him home. A care specialist was sent to assist him through his last hours, and when she got to know the person inside the frail body, she cried, “This is so sad!”
Herb looked at her with compassion. “Every good book has to have a final chapter,” he said. “I plan for mine to be the best it can be.” And that’s exactly what he did.
Even though his family knew he had to be suffering greatly, Herb never showed it. He called his family to him from the far reaches of the globe where they have settled over the years. He waited until each one of them came to say their goodbyes. He spoke of his love for them in his gentle way and expressed his appreciation for their friendship. Then quietly, Sunday morning, he passed away in his sleep. No drama, no unfinished business, no loose ends. Every twist in the story that was his found the proverbial happy ending. On his computer, he left instructions and list of items to be taken care of. He also had written his own obituary – usually one of those hard and painful chores for families before a funeral. In simple, loving ways, he showed courage and spirit, writing the things worth writing, all way up until the last paragraph.
Just a thought,
Frank Beacon
3/13/06
My Ancestors Found
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
basketball
The Utah Jazz beat the Phoenix Suns last night.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Happy Birthday Davis
Happy Happy Happy Birthday Davis!!!!
We're having cake in memory of you!!!!
Love Aunt Max and Uncle Whitey
We're having cake in memory of you!!!!
Love Aunt Max and Uncle Whitey
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Gwen and Davis
Gwen- what a great poem! We are all very impressed- it has such great words and descriptions! We posted it on our refrigerator. Good job!
Davis- Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Davis- Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Aunt Kay, Uncle Duane, Megan, Marisa... love to you both!
Davis- Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Davis- Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Aunt Kay, Uncle Duane, Megan, Marisa... love to you both!
Gwen
Congratulations to Gwen. That's a gorgeous poem.
Love, Aunt Max
Love, Aunt Max
Gwen's Third Place Winner in the State Poetry Contest
The Enchanted Moonlight Ball
Fairies are cute and sweet,
Even their dainty, little feet.
Fairies clean fairies dust,
Fairies just think they must.
Fairies dress in fashions of silver,
They will glimmer and sparkle forever.
Fairies have lovely colorful wings,
And twinkling shiny rings.
Fairies ride magical butterflys,
up into the beautiful sapphire skies.
Fairies hide frome rain under leaves and flowers,
Some go out and take rather cold showers.
Fairies, fairies, i love them all!
Come One, Come all to the Fairy Moonlight Ball!
Gwen's Third Place Winner in the State Poetry Contest
The Enchanted Moonlight Ball
Fairies are cute and sweet,
Even their dainty, little feet.
Fairies clean fairies dust,
Fairies just think they must.
Fairies dress in fashions of silver,
They will glimmer and sparkle forever.
Fairies have lovely colorful wings,
And twinkling shiny rings.
Fairies ride magical butterflys,
up into the beautiful sapphire skies.
Fairies hide frome rain under leaves and flowers,
Some go out and take rather cold showers.
Fairies, fairies, i love them all!
Come One, Come all to the Fairy Moonlight Ball!
Gwen's Third Place Winner in the State Poetry Contest
The Enchanted Moonlight Ball
Fairies are cute and sweet,
Even their dainty, little feet.
Fairies clean fairies dust,
Fairies just think they must.
Fairies dress in fashions of silver,
They will glimmer and sparkle forever.
Fairies have lovely colorful wings,
And twinkling shiny rings.
Fairies ride magical butterflys,
up into the beautiful sapphire skies.
Fairies hide frome rain under leaves and flowers,
Some go out and take rather cold showers.
Fairies, fairies, i love them all!
Come One, Come all to the Fairy Moonlight Ball!
Monday, March 13, 2006
and more photos...
more photos from Kay
from Kay
Guess what! Kay is learning how to post images on the blog! More to come!from Kay
Weather
And there was snow in Sausalito the other day.
Glad you all got rain though.
Max
Glad you all got rain though.
Max
Sunday, March 12, 2006
rain
After 143 days, it rained in the Phoenix valley all day yesterday.
It was great!
Ellie
It was great!
Ellie
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
prayers
Wow! Today, I received an envelope packet from the First Baptist Church in Raleigh, Mississippi. Tommye Jo and Briscoe Price (Hazel's sister) attend this church. There are about 20 prayer cards inside.
Enclosed are "Prayer Cards". These are signed by members of First Baptist Church Raleigh who are praying for you. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
I John 5:14
Each card reads -
"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him."
Dear Herbert Blue family
I prayed for you in Prayer Meeting this Wednesday night. May God bless you and keep you in His will. I will continue to pray for you throughout this week.
"The effectual, fervent prayer...availeth much."
In Christ,
Each card is signed.
This prayer group sent a packet to dad when he had his aneurism surgery and sent a packet to me when I had my hysterectomy surgery. I'll take all the prayers I can get. What a nice gesture.
Ellie
Enclosed are "Prayer Cards". These are signed by members of First Baptist Church Raleigh who are praying for you. "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us."
I John 5:14
Each card reads -
"He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him."
Dear Herbert Blue family
I prayed for you in Prayer Meeting this Wednesday night. May God bless you and keep you in His will. I will continue to pray for you throughout this week.
"The effectual, fervent prayer...availeth much."
In Christ,
Each card is signed.
This prayer group sent a packet to dad when he had his aneurism surgery and sent a packet to me when I had my hysterectomy surgery. I'll take all the prayers I can get. What a nice gesture.
Ellie
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
health
Yea, James is back in school today. His tonsils finally went down.
I was sure we would be going to the hospital this week. I didn't need
another round of stress.
Today, I finally get a morning at home alone. Ahhh, the sound of silence and peace.
Ellie
I was sure we would be going to the hospital this week. I didn't need
another round of stress.
Today, I finally get a morning at home alone. Ahhh, the sound of silence and peace.
Ellie
Saturday, March 04, 2006
from Kay
Marisa has seen Pink Panther twice and loved it. Megan saw it yesterday- said she thought it was "okay".
We're having typical spring weather in March. This past week it has been 50's-60's. This morning we woke up to new, several inches of snow. It's clear blue skies- one of those pretty snowy mornings. Duane's friend called with a free Snowbird Tram pass- he was out the door in five minutes for "first tram". I am trying to get back to my exercising- that hasn't happened for weeks. So, I'm going for a skate-ski hopefully today.
You'll probably all talk with Mom- but just to give you an update here as well:
Yesterday morning, Charley, Mom and I went to the cemetary to make arrangements for the committal of Dad's cremains. It's scheduled for next Friday, 11:00am. Werlings are coming and hopefully Father Hart. We picked a niche that's second row from the ground and facing the east- facing the mountains and gets the morning sun. There's a bench across from it. It's the Catholic cemetary. The mauseleom is recently built. It's a nice cemetary- clean and feels spiritual.
Love, Kay
We're having typical spring weather in March. This past week it has been 50's-60's. This morning we woke up to new, several inches of snow. It's clear blue skies- one of those pretty snowy mornings. Duane's friend called with a free Snowbird Tram pass- he was out the door in five minutes for "first tram". I am trying to get back to my exercising- that hasn't happened for weeks. So, I'm going for a skate-ski hopefully today.
You'll probably all talk with Mom- but just to give you an update here as well:
Yesterday morning, Charley, Mom and I went to the cemetary to make arrangements for the committal of Dad's cremains. It's scheduled for next Friday, 11:00am. Werlings are coming and hopefully Father Hart. We picked a niche that's second row from the ground and facing the east- facing the mountains and gets the morning sun. There's a bench across from it. It's the Catholic cemetary. The mauseleom is recently built. It's a nice cemetary- clean and feels spiritual.
Love, Kay
Pink Panther
If you want a good laugh then go see The Pink Panther with Steve Martin. Somewhat predictable but you'll laugh through the entire movie.
Max
Max
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Leg Room
Of course I went first class. I'm never going back to the cattle cars. If nothing else there are a better quality of people in first class.
There was a bit of synchronicity in the movie on my way home. They were showing "Elizebethtown", a story about a young man going to a small Kentucky town to bury his father. Since the young man was Orlando Bloom he got to hook up with hot blond. No such luck for me. Kind of a thin story - they put more effort into the soundtrack than the screenplay - and it does have a very good soundtrack.
And don't forget the ample leg room.
