Weather

I always like to have a white Christmas. I thought it worked pretty well for us this year, even though we are in California.

We flew to B and L's place for Christmas and got to experience some "Christmas" weather, snow and wind when it is below freezing. We also attended B's graduation and then took part in their move to Washington DC.

We still needed more "winter" so we spent some time at B and R's in New York. After three weeks, we thought that we had experienced enough winter so we flew back back to California. Three weeks is about long enough, right?

While we were back east California had been having, well, California weather. The day we flew that changed. It cooled and they had some rain.

The thermometer stayed in the 60's or lower and then last Sunday night it decided to get really rainy.

I guess you could say that we are in the middle of the rain, however it has been harder up around LA. We got 1 3/4 inches on Monday within a few hours. There was a lot of wind with it. We went to the coastal side of the mountain about the time the storm was at it's worst. There were sheet of rain in places. Our wipers stopped before we got there, an old problem, but we made it okay. About thirty minutes after we got there, it just suddenly stopped.

Tuesday morning we went hiking on the hill. There wasn't any water running in the draws (we are close to the tops of the mountain) and the trail wasn't muddy. I guess rocks and sand don't do much for making mud. It started raining later and we got 1 1/4 inches. At one time we even had some hail. There was also lots of thunder. There were some water spouts spotted along the coast and even a tornado that flipped a car and did some other damage. We now had a total of three inches with forecasts of more to come.

Wednesday it started raining around 8:00 and continued all day. The next morning there was 2 inches in our gauge from the rain that fell all Wednesday and during the night.

So this morning, Thursday, we were up to five inches. Yes, it started raining again at 10:00 and in three hours we had another two inches, bringing it to the total of seven inches, the average annual rain fall for Yakima, WA.

It has continued to rain on and off since then. Yes, we are to receive more. Also today, there was another tornado that touched down in Ventura. It's path was about one and a half miles long but not very wide. It did some damage but fortunately, no loss of life.

As I am writing this, I'm also hearing thunder. I only have one thing to say. Do you know how much snow all that rain would be if it was colder? They have been getting lots of that white stuff up on the mountains where they ski. Yes, they do have some skiing not all that many miles from here.

If God is welling and the creek don't rise, you may hear from me again.

Graduation

In this life, we never know just what the impact will be as a result of our actions and values.

In about 1918, B's father was in college in Billings, Montana. He lost his girlfriend in the 1918-1919 flue epidemic. We don't know if this is why he stopped going to college or if there was another reason. However, he still had a desire to go to college. He graduated from Montana State College around 1931. He passed on this value of education to his children.

My own father would have loved to go to college but knew it wasn't possible for him for numerous reasons. When his sister wanted to go to nursing school, he helped out some with the finances so that she was able to go.

While growing up, my father and mother, who was a teacher, emphasised the importance of a college education on many occasions. All five of his kids graduated from college. When the youngest decided to become a medical doctor they helped him realize his dream.

Both of these fathers, along with their wives, have had an impact on their descedants. The things that they valued has been passed on, through their children, to their grandchildren. Many of their grandchildren have gained college degrees.

On December 20 we had the opportunity to see our youngest son gain his Ph.D. This is the first doctorate degree on B's side of the family and the second on my family's side. (The first being a MD). I am proud of all that he has done to get to this spot in his life. Equally, I am thankful for his grandparents who placed a high value on a good education that has been passed down through the generations. I know there will be generations to come who will benefit from this also.

My camera hasn't returned from the doctor's office yet but our son shared the ones his wife L took.


We are also very thankful for our great daughter-in-law who supported him in many ways that enabled him to accomplish this.

Thanksgiving 2009

Since it is the middle of December, almost, I think I had better get this posted or forget it. I dropped my camera so it is currently in to the doctor. Collyn graciously took this picture so I would have one to post. (It doesn't look like I will have it for Christmas either.)

Monica, whom Collyn lives with, invited us to join her at her home. We greatly appreciated this. Nephew K came down from LA and also joined us. We all pitched in with providing food and had a delicious meal. It was great to get to know Monica and to spend time with all present. And yes, we all stuffed ourselves.

Thanksgiving

On this day, the eve before the big feast, I know many of you are busy getting things prepared for tomorrow. Or you may be on the road or getting ready to travel. What ever you are doing, I hope that sometime between today and tomorrow evening you take a minute or two and think of all the things you have to be thankful for.

I would like to list a few of mine:

• For all those who have sacrificed and defended our country in the past and who are now doing so, which enables us to have the freedoms we enjoy.
  
• For righteous leaders who have guarded those rights.
• For government officials who have been and are more concerned about what is just for all people in the long run, not just for today, and who are more concerned about fulfilling their responsibilities than the next election.
• For ancestors who had the courage to move to this country, do the hard work that it took to become established here, and then leave it a better place for their descendants.
• For parents who didn't give us all that we wanted, but rather taught us the ethics and rewards of a hard days work.
• For families who are always there for you no matter what turns the road takes.
• For medical personal, and their families, who have put in the years of study that enables them to treat medical conditions that were untreatable not that many years ago.
• For those in research that makes our lives better and more enjoyable.
  
• For the blessings of my own health.
• For our children and their families who bring us much joy.
• For the beauty of the land, no matter where we may live.
• For the opportunity that we have had to travel and see family, friends, things and places that man has made and done, and the wonders that the Lord created.
• For phones and computers that allows us contact with our loved ones in seconds.
• For conveniences that we have in our homes, electricity, running water, heat, etc.
• For a spouse who continues to love and support me.
• For all the delicious and varieties of food that we have so readily available to us; and of which, tomorrow, I will probably eat too much.
  

I could probably keep going on, but if you aren't already bored you would be.

Just let me add that I wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

To Los Angeles

We made a trip into Los Angeles to see our nephew K. It has been about three years since we have seen him.

He is working for a company that edits the sound and picture for productions. They edit the films and also make copies of the originals. He gave us a tour of the business. It was quite impressive. They have a lot of machines.

K also took us up to the observatory. One really has a good view from up there. I thought the most impressive part was the show in the planetarium. At times I felt like we were flying.

K had been wearing his hat all day so he says he has hat hair in this picture.

It was good to see him and we had a great time.

Hoover Dam

While we were in Nevada, we went out to Hoover Dam. It is amazing that blocking off such a small, narrow canyon can back up so much water. The dam could have been even higher than it was. I’m not sure why they didn’t build it higher; too much water to hold back or too much area covered by the backed up water.

They are building a controlled access road in the area and this is the bridge that will span the canyon just below the dam. I thought that this was amazing.
Here is the dam and power house. It is a good drop. Because of time, we didn’t take the tour.

I also thought that the fault line in the rocks was of interest.

Las Vegas

Since we had seen the fabulous creations of God we thought we would take in some of the creations of man. So we went down to the strip in Las Vegas.

Some of the things that we found all the buildings share:

• They are easy to find your way in but not always out.

• Along with the above, you always seem to end up at the casino part.

• They all have lots of shops inside also, like a mall.

• They are huge, taking up at least a block on the strip and going even further in depth.

We saw some of the street productions. The volcano at the Mirage was pretty good. They use lit up water for the eruption along with bursts of flames. You could feel the heat from it. The grounds are very tropical looking with lots of plants and waterfalls.

We took in part of the Treasure Island show, but weren’t impressed due to the dress and context of some of the show. And this is a family show?

We went into the Caesar Palace and about got lost. The ceiling paintings and statues are great.

We also went into the Venetian. There is a ‘canal’ inside and another outside with gondolas that you can take a ride on. The shops are laid out like a Venetian street scene. The ceiling is domed and painted like the sky. With special lighting on it which changes, it looks like the real thing. We also saw some live statues in this area. The eyes blinking gave them away.
Our favorite place was the Dancing Fountains at the Bellagio. These are also outside. We stayed and watched it three times. Each was different with different music.

In all, it is impressive. I could do without the card passing out along the sidewalks, the adult shows opened up onto the sidewalks, and the dress of many of the people on the streets. (We stayed out of the casinos with the exception of when we got lost and funneled into them.)

Maybe the reason I liked the fountains was because it wasn’t trying to appear to be something it wasn’t. All the others were created to look like something else or to deceive the onlooker. It sort of reminded me of Satan’s enticements. So I have to say, give me God’s creations any day to savor and enjoy.