tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-164428312024-03-07T00:10:31.576-06:00SO's WhatThoughts, Musings and ObservationsStan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-39441076923907911562023-12-20T16:48:00.024-06:002023-12-21T09:33:04.816-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="fauxcolumn-outer fauxcolumn-right-outer" style="background-color: white; bottom: 0px; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-align: start; top: 0px; width: 310px;"><div class="fauxborder-left" style="background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 22163.1px; position: relative;"><div class="fauxborder-right" style="background-position: 100% 0%; background-repeat: repeat-y; height: 22163.1px; position: absolute; right: 0px;"><br /></div></div></div><div class="columns-inner" style="background-color: white; min-height: 0px; text-align: start;"><div class="column-center-outer" style="float: left; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="column-center-inner" style="padding: 0px;"><div class="main section" id="main" name="Main" style="margin: 0px 1em;"><div class="widget Blog" data-version="1" id="Blog1" style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="blog-posts hfeed"><div class="date-outer"><div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="margin: 0px 0px 45px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><span face="Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12px;"><a name="2937512451813915632"></a></span><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;"><a href="https://natsnoselo.blogspot.com/2022/12/happy-holidays-2022.html" style="color: #2288bb; text-decoration-line: none;">Happy Holidays 202</a>3</h3><div class="post-header" style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10.8px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2937512451813915632" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 546px;"><p style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i style="color: #333333; text-align: center;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i></span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i><span>Vrolijk Kerstmis! </span></i></span></span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie!</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: helvetica;"><i><span>Gleðilega hátíð!</span><span> </span></i></span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; text-align: center;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></span></p><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I hope this greeting finds you well. It does us. 2023 has been a year full of fun and family and friends - all the while mixing in the now familiar routines of retired life once in a while. </span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Like most grandparents, family time has taken on even more meaning for us. The joys of getting together (particularly with Frankie and Elliott) are hard to overstate.They grow up so fast!</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWzLxoO_c1lF-OWvR8Qty-T1zk7uOpL9PhJ_xbUcsA4J9n5U1GpUG1BJdCuWyPcjwuoOV8p7i6IfrGEY8_h-BAkeSclKBB2OnHTWmxXIwGVDISYh_IY3iATS13_pfh1kscuS4RbNo9uxTZMxB4kJ3ODH0ocvx8oJZ9DoDBO205goRz_NxripDmPQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWzLxoO_c1lF-OWvR8Qty-T1zk7uOpL9PhJ_xbUcsA4J9n5U1GpUG1BJdCuWyPcjwuoOV8p7i6IfrGEY8_h-BAkeSclKBB2OnHTWmxXIwGVDISYh_IY3iATS13_pfh1kscuS4RbNo9uxTZMxB4kJ3ODH0ocvx8oJZ9DoDBO205goRz_NxripDmPQ=w496-h372" width="496" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: helvetica;">In the space of two short months, this guy -</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg55tCNUU3Sy0Gnfh1oNTI-TQDW52_2qFSXJ_g5tbYZhhmuvPCO1mWIcWL-K7kAZDWyAb5u_m5jXegxahHEg0wBq5HZMfZ6sdnJuETyQLjrilp13ZSh6pUZ0PMb4VCCxk8NzEJjMjf1OgMORMxp3qyznB-qItxKXOD7PrNTikmtIDfVSh0CscFrg" style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="775" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjg55tCNUU3Sy0Gnfh1oNTI-TQDW52_2qFSXJ_g5tbYZhhmuvPCO1mWIcWL-K7kAZDWyAb5u_m5jXegxahHEg0wBq5HZMfZ6sdnJuETyQLjrilp13ZSh6pUZ0PMb4VCCxk8NzEJjMjf1OgMORMxp3qyznB-qItxKXOD7PrNTikmtIDfVSh0CscFrg=w285-h372" width="285" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="color: #666666;"> <br /></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: #333333;">Becomes this guy -<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN7Rr9vzKD5v0PGMKrMo21eCHruA8hwL7gwiwTl1KOu7BkFPWf5ivaFe5FMlCmc0hIfB-VArT2CvUrPgp0ZVz5A13mggdODskEb8_TkSNjmmTLYkNGktcvFK_B3zxgViyD02FReBPsigGpJN-eldPZ1-8dEklyedubnil8rX_bpHfwQ5QUyRUokA" style="clear: left; color: #333333; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="465" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN7Rr9vzKD5v0PGMKrMo21eCHruA8hwL7gwiwTl1KOu7BkFPWf5ivaFe5FMlCmc0hIfB-VArT2CvUrPgp0ZVz5A13mggdODskEb8_TkSNjmmTLYkNGktcvFK_B3zxgViyD02FReBPsigGpJN-eldPZ1-8dEklyedubnil8rX_bpHfwQ5QUyRUokA=w285-h405" width="285" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333;"> <br /></span>Frankie's looks change much more gradually now, but conversations with her always make her growth, joy in living and intelligence obvious. <br /><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span><div style="color: black; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFhvgjf1lHkXBpsoCA7gIz42Q41KQNIM5c-TkAD61hWY8inRIL6NkbBEuys49rh4HchUPBLp3cxlQq8ICysNhHwZFSTGGP4FmAycF2s-DACIPYPoOiS6q70Fe7DOvcFlbvjVqbYpzxOcVkS0A4nug1-UcLfijs0TOoy5qIT6b41jXEN4HODxVNfg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFhvgjf1lHkXBpsoCA7gIz42Q41KQNIM5c-TkAD61hWY8inRIL6NkbBEuys49rh4HchUPBLp3cxlQq8ICysNhHwZFSTGGP4FmAycF2s-DACIPYPoOiS6q70Fe7DOvcFlbvjVqbYpzxOcVkS0A4nug1-UcLfijs0TOoy5qIT6b41jXEN4HODxVNfg=w303-h404" width="303" /></a></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="columns-inner" style="background-color: white; min-height: 0px; text-align: start;"><div class="column-center-outer" style="float: left; position: relative; width: 570px;"><div class="column-center-inner" style="padding: 0px;"><div class="main section" name="Main" style="margin: 0px 1em;"><div class="widget Blog" data-version="1" style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="blog-posts hfeed"><div class="date-outer"><div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="margin: 0px 0px 45px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="post-body entry-content" itemprop="description articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 546px;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhivy3cL7-BqI7PJsdgj7BHyUw3l9cuyiWU-R5msMuuXeCNYlqGEWz960bR0uMz9c5FDuETwxztq2CElF7nBPqt_7ClzLUt7CBZ0b1YnIiNKh2eBxES9taJjIqNSH5im5OTX90Bux8i9DfO3qlK6SpEnIc92FRrhjhgXqNS8PKzMbDvEoMyuaykPQ" style="font-family: helvetica; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhivy3cL7-BqI7PJsdgj7BHyUw3l9cuyiWU-R5msMuuXeCNYlqGEWz960bR0uMz9c5FDuETwxztq2CElF7nBPqt_7ClzLUt7CBZ0b1YnIiNKh2eBxES9taJjIqNSH5im5OTX90Bux8i9DfO3qlK6SpEnIc92FRrhjhgXqNS8PKzMbDvEoMyuaykPQ=w301-h401" width="301" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTNTyqQ9AFK19QbntpDzz8l1qt67m1e8RKJgyvXApXid2klQzJydkRoSDd9ui6afKPv8z4PzkeTwVROWJvsadG3hefG-VFdby-O4bGt2e0m4rjZ5VNZD5c8uv9LzFhVkUvmchRcBam2ZgP6AmHH--GsIT8vwUwSdK8hOmtgjt6-evZFI-uVQoXLw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTNTyqQ9AFK19QbntpDzz8l1qt67m1e8RKJgyvXApXid2klQzJydkRoSDd9ui6afKPv8z4PzkeTwVROWJvsadG3hefG-VFdby-O4bGt2e0m4rjZ5VNZD5c8uv9LzFhVkUvmchRcBam2ZgP6AmHH--GsIT8vwUwSdK8hOmtgjt6-evZFI-uVQoXLw" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We try to take every opportunity to experience the joy of being with them (and their parents). And with Madeline as well. She has transitioned this year from teaching first grade to being the librarian at Lapham School in Madison. We all think it was a great move for her. Teachers (and librarians!) are so important. We've had lots of fun with her over the year - in Madison, at home and at the cabin.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwhQGDIzSnKo7mtqAgsfa6Qcv7_-2ZCRNr9ood8gjGm0L2N9P40VKc89YeKxsxjW9uXdShTebEn60M70KceOn10NBT8sOQPPa07z-jsebA3UAkLD1pkLX9XNNMhpeImJzfUymbQ1M83cdisXJwucvSKb3dHr6OVTtXMRvNM_bVQdEEUCvzG_9ImA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwhQGDIzSnKo7mtqAgsfa6Qcv7_-2ZCRNr9ood8gjGm0L2N9P40VKc89YeKxsxjW9uXdShTebEn60M70KceOn10NBT8sOQPPa07z-jsebA3UAkLD1pkLX9XNNMhpeImJzfUymbQ1M83cdisXJwucvSKb3dHr6OVTtXMRvNM_bVQdEEUCvzG_9ImA" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div>And it's great to have a professional librarian and expert book reader available when the kids want a book read.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibPENypKMaJ-7ki50A5iiNs-KTXSJPOYcI46VD31m0t6pBTNlSyYtxqsvJbNMhNEtS90kQc-sp0ANYoYPTii_V2embNCptPII6S3b5HRUvYDte9HR_5kU2BQ66GZ3P28kKoEDoyGaWCxaQpF0CzWBSYq4EmVY2PSutoxUz4bvXyE-o5fCZmDs2TQ" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibPENypKMaJ-7ki50A5iiNs-KTXSJPOYcI46VD31m0t6pBTNlSyYtxqsvJbNMhNEtS90kQc-sp0ANYoYPTii_V2embNCptPII6S3b5HRUvYDte9HR_5kU2BQ66GZ3P28kKoEDoyGaWCxaQpF0CzWBSYq4EmVY2PSutoxUz4bvXyE-o5fCZmDs2TQ" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kate and I once again shortened our Minnesota winter by spending February in the lovely little town of Cedar Key, Florida. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij86DMjcAefqOOJpAh-oRZ4hG-ZctSMKc6EkbDAwLk0yLGUSMs9vg21WjIOv0fLJQKDwFPb4gRR2YHtXL7fLjl-wdZudW_ilxoXvQY9e5BkehTXOXII7FkxY5slntsgAUXOjcJuXLwnj9kgwSYqeh7EIL1oCsyxbfsO2ynXctKuoj4TZyRSWApvg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEij86DMjcAefqOOJpAh-oRZ4hG-ZctSMKc6EkbDAwLk0yLGUSMs9vg21WjIOv0fLJQKDwFPb4gRR2YHtXL7fLjl-wdZudW_ilxoXvQY9e5BkehTXOXII7FkxY5slntsgAUXOjcJuXLwnj9kgwSYqeh7EIL1oCsyxbfsO2ynXctKuoj4TZyRSWApvg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik3WiRVHj4vQpRglG8Lu6L9rXdv8ioU2YK0R4jod6D0TgGheLUTGdBLUFi0zmGXql1MvC8HV1ZYYNja4qkhqscyxftb1eLSAXCL0o4gsBTXxz42buq_uOUvA2iDcINDptzwxxZznF3KlAhhiB5BC8K8_uR6trMJfIB9UeAfdlb7MAlI4oRkF4TXQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik3WiRVHj4vQpRglG8Lu6L9rXdv8ioU2YK0R4jod6D0TgGheLUTGdBLUFi0zmGXql1MvC8HV1ZYYNja4qkhqscyxftb1eLSAXCL0o4gsBTXxz42buq_uOUvA2iDcINDptzwxxZznF3KlAhhiB5BC8K8_uR6trMJfIB9UeAfdlb7MAlI4oRkF4TXQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It's with some regret and LOTS of excitement that we have decided to spend the month of February in New Zealand next year. We decided since we aren't getting any younger and the pandemic risks have normalized somewhat (and we've been 'jabbed' five times by now) it's time to explore the world and add more adventure to our travels.<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">We have had lots of fun with friends over the course of the year. Trips to our cabin. <br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin5ZWVUThZqcV4azIV4Yfz2W1pMqkbb2M54Dr-S4MvVCw2uqvIEWg8UTPcQAzSatKTkVwYpS8QnsC_sSu1jBI0Og0d_cPdk43iHFK7AA-4TlyfkRjfG07xKc0IWmguvuV_TdEi6PWNB6EQqbDZaq7gfY76sHQFrQTvRhxffeKOBrDzMqP3f6QbBA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2545" data-original-width="3784" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEin5ZWVUThZqcV4azIV4Yfz2W1pMqkbb2M54Dr-S4MvVCw2uqvIEWg8UTPcQAzSatKTkVwYpS8QnsC_sSu1jBI0Og0d_cPdk43iHFK7AA-4TlyfkRjfG07xKc0IWmguvuV_TdEi6PWNB6EQqbDZaq7gfY76sHQFrQTvRhxffeKOBrDzMqP3f6QbBA" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Annual get togethers that mean so much.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMC1AV98vBZ2l3JgW2rudrcMt3nhuMyTkjtUoXGJX0kvTLU7q8wbIwb6aYLYswiKADG5SChvwydLPTztUnST_es-nkVhoX6d2S2qdljOClIczHXeUGKhe7mUpBAMmFpHrWIdsBGZRmdOMQMP7jsYbeFMACRKtrrEKM7NvwNtSp0FA5djrUYUjUzw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="4886" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMC1AV98vBZ2l3JgW2rudrcMt3nhuMyTkjtUoXGJX0kvTLU7q8wbIwb6aYLYswiKADG5SChvwydLPTztUnST_es-nkVhoX6d2S2qdljOClIczHXeUGKhe7mUpBAMmFpHrWIdsBGZRmdOMQMP7jsYbeFMACRKtrrEKM7NvwNtSp0FA5djrUYUjUzw" width="311" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Even the joys of a nice walk in Saint Paul aren't lost on us (though Kate can more often be found in challenging fitness classes at our local Y).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9u6BeSwna92_uke9YDbPg-StEaKsbQNRD5O5AStWFpqnmkioWi-BO1loXDA4A5TG2fHtM_BstzUkn_X9n34CMUOlZRSIYeqXzniwTnXDsBFrNVkJnOT1otdJVEb4Ve_F36oELmg0vf_-nNcUYRg3L1DrL7QoUttbBKZRkskjDa1IxFlqY8ZTVyw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9u6BeSwna92_uke9YDbPg-StEaKsbQNRD5O5AStWFpqnmkioWi-BO1loXDA4A5TG2fHtM_BstzUkn_X9n34CMUOlZRSIYeqXzniwTnXDsBFrNVkJnOT1otdJVEb4Ve_F36oELmg0vf_-nNcUYRg3L1DrL7QoUttbBKZRkskjDa1IxFlqY8ZTVyw" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span><span style="color: #333333;">Happy holidays from our house to yours. Here's to a joyful 2024!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTWYgbbQdRM7zZKUpX4HDiivwtRGAEVjrTgDdH19Xa2YQVBaXsC5ZA31tAykhuUY4P3k8FjD3y5jDiUHvMEndBuLG049dupXr5E82sn-59_DyCRLmShYuxC4ByyrITrjZ3BowsS8SV2nfIwGiRN8hELeJ96hh9FwGcZPXdnE6WI8j-XeMb0uo8Dw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3470" data-original-width="2602" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTWYgbbQdRM7zZKUpX4HDiivwtRGAEVjrTgDdH19Xa2YQVBaXsC5ZA31tAykhuUY4P3k8FjD3y5jDiUHvMEndBuLG049dupXr5E82sn-59_DyCRLmShYuxC4ByyrITrjZ3BowsS8SV2nfIwGiRN8hELeJ96hh9FwGcZPXdnE6WI8j-XeMb0uo8Dw=w313-h417" width="313" /></a></div></div></div></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>Stan and Kate</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(Note: Photos may be enlarged </span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">by clicking on them.)</span></div>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-29375124518139156322022-12-15T14:03:00.007-06:002022-12-17T12:22:41.517-06:00Happy Holidays 2022<p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> <i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></span></p><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">I hope this greeting finds you well. It does us (perhaps this year it finds us well even if you <i>do</i> ask for details). 2022 may have been a crazy year, but for us at least it has seemed a little less crazy than 2020 or 2021. Maybe we've just accustomed ourselves to this "new normal." But on lots of levels it feels like the trend line is going in a better direction.</span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It was anything but normal for us to start the year at "good old" frigid Cranberry Lake with the Summitts. But it was great and so pretty.</span></div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx5ekIh3VfHHQerTaBE-NwlI8PF1jxckNjjWDHnC7CUXTfr10qyAzVLXVbbASMWmQMsB97wJWd3xBusl0hgQN8w3K1gO_ovbrvoZUsVN1iR1j0uf3Er7hPdgE5D5c_Lw93OXQ3R5AR5oiSc7MIgX44pZKuMWK7IMVC8coApDz1zQDERrcjTY/s4032/IMG_0218.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx5ekIh3VfHHQerTaBE-NwlI8PF1jxckNjjWDHnC7CUXTfr10qyAzVLXVbbASMWmQMsB97wJWd3xBusl0hgQN8w3K1gO_ovbrvoZUsVN1iR1j0uf3Er7hPdgE5D5c_Lw93OXQ3R5AR5oiSc7MIgX44pZKuMWK7IMVC8coApDz1zQDERrcjTY/s320/IMG_0218.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Ice crystals and tabletop curling at Chez Summitt.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xFIY0Asj3-MxK3aqva7NMXg26000xcAretYL66zjEAzQWMCspV_PXLB9yeeUG_2Ebd60XVDePxr7wAwJFzSCH8lRR2oNUuHusLW7lKCuzqeoMQyyRByL9F1vJBs4uFPniXKMEsPNraAhgPncNto72P1ZLbdEiL5UZmg9tTflk_Mcv9SABuE/s4032/IMG_0224.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8xFIY0Asj3-MxK3aqva7NMXg26000xcAretYL66zjEAzQWMCspV_PXLB9yeeUG_2Ebd60XVDePxr7wAwJFzSCH8lRR2oNUuHusLW7lKCuzqeoMQyyRByL9F1vJBs4uFPniXKMEsPNraAhgPncNto72P1ZLbdEiL5UZmg9tTflk_Mcv9SABuE/w170-h227/IMG_0224.heic" width="170" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iUwuCFaoUpMhwxAKrM6bx-WP5vMXXb6U5S7QGroKNhoXfr-NvGkWvVCqRv5w1R3KvLg-1EvGtXiEprchHgFbEvbd4Cm6Tm9J-AkUfL3LjP7hbxl2LXp5yipGKQKnTJGo68JShgBGhIAVK68-Q85j5SLbEbV58DGFZ2sopibrWDLJ7TJpiJ0/s4032/IMG_8899.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iUwuCFaoUpMhwxAKrM6bx-WP5vMXXb6U5S7QGroKNhoXfr-NvGkWvVCqRv5w1R3KvLg-1EvGtXiEprchHgFbEvbd4Cm6Tm9J-AkUfL3LjP7hbxl2LXp5yipGKQKnTJGo68JShgBGhIAVK68-Q85j5SLbEbV58DGFZ2sopibrWDLJ7TJpiJ0/w170-h226/IMG_8899.JPEG" width="170" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We again spent February in Cedar Key, Florida. Sunrises and sunsets. Birds. Libations. And (at least relative to Minnesota), warmth!</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQa7QmI4C-BW8elSY91_1zuXzCliLenoP2FcYO0JtYjDCS07xpStIVjEPdJq9x4V943rGwfA2ZeDDcBTrCUVIJBCC-Om5GoXiRFuUlniF-CGepXwEIR41rDYp6eU38XzWMfAPnOZKumLXA3MAKxv0FXxwGN6fAbEbWq8Ez_wKITzzbyY5waw/s5178/IMG_7123.jpeg" style="background-color: white; clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3278" data-original-width="5178" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisQa7QmI4C-BW8elSY91_1zuXzCliLenoP2FcYO0JtYjDCS07xpStIVjEPdJq9x4V943rGwfA2ZeDDcBTrCUVIJBCC-Om5GoXiRFuUlniF-CGepXwEIR41rDYp6eU38XzWMfAPnOZKumLXA3MAKxv0FXxwGN6fAbEbWq8Ez_wKITzzbyY5waw/w261-h166/IMG_7123.jpeg" width="261" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUQVKSYcL8_gFsygNxBkbol0kNXfupmSUH1OZtiB_ZyMV6zNG-RdJk9Piz1YXN-IFAQP5balIRKrMQ-_wLOckHvFnMELrY4ovPis0U2twg5zxgdK1YBeyCmqETA5SoWBKNwdsQCAZzqfyTeX_JQcYTh3rolYmj5C8JjxuIH10mslSGJN348Q/s3122/IMG_0559.heic" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2341" data-original-width="3122" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYUQVKSYcL8_gFsygNxBkbol0kNXfupmSUH1OZtiB_ZyMV6zNG-RdJk9Piz1YXN-IFAQP5balIRKrMQ-_wLOckHvFnMELrY4ovPis0U2twg5zxgdK1YBeyCmqETA5SoWBKNwdsQCAZzqfyTeX_JQcYTh3rolYmj5C8JjxuIH10mslSGJN348Q/w217-h163/IMG_0559.heic" width="217" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3108" data-original-width="2226" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwuhpEq6bVxvgOmfdmhNhQRjiOgIVks3jS0yqyHP8z0XBfbxqXq_uTadOpB5EkviQDzvkdgxKJtFDZqA_Uhb5PLKOvKbCiM8B7euUXp0EfFqVd1Z5aH-ooNqJZ95RgZirmxIhAOWMHFaQPqIKKm7LUde1VifQvBXDTCjF3FEa0EZaSG0Nv7o/w176-h246/IMG_7388.jpeg" width="176" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecRA2kIKaiMM72dFxrSo0UcmlrL3nkBsWFvWHrm0MrsvJxKIRdrYoOSDSGW-hOuiLaKrzN0ttTCdXoASbn0dr3Yr5NSMPDgEeIHziFG2AspcFCEKTYgd06c7fG2lW09pfH5XpWKj0BAsr7NpNXBexaAf6GsQnVWekKTCB52e7TPPjr9B88gw/s2793/IMG_7063.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2793" data-original-width="2179" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecRA2kIKaiMM72dFxrSo0UcmlrL3nkBsWFvWHrm0MrsvJxKIRdrYoOSDSGW-hOuiLaKrzN0ttTCdXoASbn0dr3Yr5NSMPDgEeIHziFG2AspcFCEKTYgd06c7fG2lW09pfH5XpWKj0BAsr7NpNXBexaAf6GsQnVWekKTCB52e7TPPjr9B88gw/w192-h247/IMG_7063.jpeg" width="192" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwC2YosXSlP3OaMxNGFNF8tHlnxATzSIQ9riO9psv-g6lzxQjWko3krF2KXEW40wNO9FtrharV45P037Ii5B-Ru9snzLqSy87KCI21ffLZ95aUr_Bs2K0sNwJkMWd_ph_M_jQwzfeXeVkFbe-Kw80VJSQtNv_lIYVqqU9_WGRd6vel7WULQY8/s4032/IMG_0310.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwC2YosXSlP3OaMxNGFNF8tHlnxATzSIQ9riO9psv-g6lzxQjWko3krF2KXEW40wNO9FtrharV45P037Ii5B-Ru9snzLqSy87KCI21ffLZ95aUr_Bs2K0sNwJkMWd_ph_M_jQwzfeXeVkFbe-Kw80VJSQtNv_lIYVqqU9_WGRd6vel7WULQY8/w155-h206/IMG_0310.heic" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeK-_jIFbouMwOSOoc64Du-hTpsn-yL8KgwNVetpMpXkoVQ8WA8K9UTGKRsrpq4koo04LmeRGZwJQYIvc1ovK4uviuYoAEP3pRtP8MfitqkmGP_BBMOAyRXIAWdA34xMSh-CgpvZp1VkxD74nHGTLxs22q5sR3d1E-_fw6UNrFoS0gk02ASE/s4032/IMG_0494.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEeK-_jIFbouMwOSOoc64Du-hTpsn-yL8KgwNVetpMpXkoVQ8WA8K9UTGKRsrpq4koo04LmeRGZwJQYIvc1ovK4uviuYoAEP3pRtP8MfitqkmGP_BBMOAyRXIAWdA34xMSh-CgpvZp1VkxD74nHGTLxs22q5sR3d1E-_fw6UNrFoS0gk02ASE/w153-h203/IMG_0494.heic" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqqaIkCTivqDzy7VrpTdmzuJalisSTzKP9YGB8QojY2WCEYVGFkOdsFdbEQ_2ORLOjrE0TqV72sOWub89JgNhdBuHkI-9nYJoF1O87BvGGAVxNjJHEb5JAOufXXza6omsuI3IvczfZlcATaMA9JbqmMfdpXrj5U6UAip6fBENBeyNKgIGefo/s4032/IMG_0367.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfqqaIkCTivqDzy7VrpTdmzuJalisSTzKP9YGB8QojY2WCEYVGFkOdsFdbEQ_2ORLOjrE0TqV72sOWub89JgNhdBuHkI-9nYJoF1O87BvGGAVxNjJHEb5JAOufXXza6omsuI3IvczfZlcATaMA9JbqmMfdpXrj5U6UAip6fBENBeyNKgIGefo/w153-h204/IMG_0367.heic" width="153" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The big event of 2022 for us was on March 4th, when Elliott Griffith Oleson was born. </span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyELt4yjSmibHmAPbOAnadOYXb_N9Gi8m9TOPovbF_U_EnqJHiYuxhFFZNqJKd6Nml5RjA1dJXE0BTPptXYna9SZm4CjjYhERv93Otodd30RWGY8Kb5jqyQhY0FqDQdVDa9tGp8fijNUNf07QN8YJECVXtSd4yGX_tahfVwQqAaPaYZufmef8/s2000/865af057-cf81-4047-b371-f88abe4ff21b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyELt4yjSmibHmAPbOAnadOYXb_N9Gi8m9TOPovbF_U_EnqJHiYuxhFFZNqJKd6Nml5RjA1dJXE0BTPptXYna9SZm4CjjYhERv93Otodd30RWGY8Kb5jqyQhY0FqDQdVDa9tGp8fijNUNf07QN8YJECVXtSd4yGX_tahfVwQqAaPaYZufmef8/s320/865af057-cf81-4047-b371-f88abe4ff21b.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YuZ2uZubZLJOFEyzbTTDILMjzyB3eUFWZHDfIR1251pOlIw0WnnJ4Cjx29da8zFzrJNZbe8U8C-tlsyEKqf56AphY1KHr4_enWZQGYDOMMVD388MrtbWUToTfqkNt4dHmE_HEXKYGHerHhw7rGvgMNhtoG88SD1c872A4xC1A9etWoXmWMw/s2016/98c7e2c2-9b12-4560-9660-c3fa9e366746.JPG" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YuZ2uZubZLJOFEyzbTTDILMjzyB3eUFWZHDfIR1251pOlIw0WnnJ4Cjx29da8zFzrJNZbe8U8C-tlsyEKqf56AphY1KHr4_enWZQGYDOMMVD388MrtbWUToTfqkNt4dHmE_HEXKYGHerHhw7rGvgMNhtoG88SD1c872A4xC1A9etWoXmWMw/w163-h217/98c7e2c2-9b12-4560-9660-c3fa9e366746.JPG" width="163" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFoWWmXG9pJ09PCwC92j3D1P0-LDc6kWiMQ8YRqAV_fChdwFtG7_L8ceiwRYXpMAtat5cm4QrlfQQARm1n2LIOvErTbMPqtUtRb3fxgaxKT7T_ykEJPEPHR2o4z_QruQxyOH8SLMwsj2_acWqNldQRwLssEDxzHa27KoGGWeM32QM78UgbCE/s1600/147a6acf-fdd3-42d7-826a-fbb0a6eb7b96.JPG" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFoWWmXG9pJ09PCwC92j3D1P0-LDc6kWiMQ8YRqAV_fChdwFtG7_L8ceiwRYXpMAtat5cm4QrlfQQARm1n2LIOvErTbMPqtUtRb3fxgaxKT7T_ykEJPEPHR2o4z_QruQxyOH8SLMwsj2_acWqNldQRwLssEDxzHa27KoGGWeM32QM78UgbCE/w162-h216/147a6acf-fdd3-42d7-826a-fbb0a6eb7b96.JPG" width="162" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lEJoHHzcm1w3vTrSP3b2QkrUkt3wtYBwcYXC16nD5u2iztXZ7PazOQdXPpMZWY2JmbybChfAUYL6-2BLXeSVWcaPZBaXTFJA0p2s-5foVPZPT0hoxZioKQDKyheEYO_jA9-rAOk7_GpnWMYM2Tbpyc-RjVat9Ex1Vkyj0xzOD0SiIavKgHs/s3506/IMG_0736%202.heic" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3506" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lEJoHHzcm1w3vTrSP3b2QkrUkt3wtYBwcYXC16nD5u2iztXZ7PazOQdXPpMZWY2JmbybChfAUYL6-2BLXeSVWcaPZBaXTFJA0p2s-5foVPZPT0hoxZioKQDKyheEYO_jA9-rAOk7_GpnWMYM2Tbpyc-RjVat9Ex1Vkyj0xzOD0SiIavKgHs/s320/IMG_0736%202.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DHSrhMsMp9oUI9kZee3wuK2YE_ktmGk6MeAiLdCzTCehUbgLVhwpdC1zdDzhyk5l_whgQUj8tiLytHUZhRX1jqp08XVDmn4qR63UtBkaJZlye1XzVI73dOVv7kTzJiukTWlO8ZSQfG5rw5Y6tAB-ERC62lZW-L2wYRvfG3sF9xatSxZJrCA/s4032/IMG_0800.heic" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DHSrhMsMp9oUI9kZee3wuK2YE_ktmGk6MeAiLdCzTCehUbgLVhwpdC1zdDzhyk5l_whgQUj8tiLytHUZhRX1jqp08XVDmn4qR63UtBkaJZlye1XzVI73dOVv7kTzJiukTWlO8ZSQfG5rw5Y6tAB-ERC62lZW-L2wYRvfG3sF9xatSxZJrCA/w193-h257/IMG_0800.heic" width="193" /></a></div></span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He was long and lean at birth but he has quickly transformed into the bubbly person we all refer to as "Big Boy."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFrG0SfKhIIWmfLV4iYaGvJS0o3MnB_XGNPGJY5yc-69PtgdfeWrdDbxEcPlERsDNY1LFQx8sPyVvArpMzsX93znDnspCindILQNCk7CcDj2NlyFJf659bpv1qm3I8QxVVCz9Fl7oKHbMIEzPZyMygUSVIceeWSw6XdkqlOE0VE9mPoUeLuw/s1415/0948d6c6-bf75-4394-8a57-6c77207e64d7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1415" data-original-width="1079" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFrG0SfKhIIWmfLV4iYaGvJS0o3MnB_XGNPGJY5yc-69PtgdfeWrdDbxEcPlERsDNY1LFQx8sPyVvArpMzsX93znDnspCindILQNCk7CcDj2NlyFJf659bpv1qm3I8QxVVCz9Fl7oKHbMIEzPZyMygUSVIceeWSw6XdkqlOE0VE9mPoUeLuw/s320/0948d6c6-bf75-4394-8a57-6c77207e64d7.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXuPhzGxxBhMbX8pKkg4JLT14D1NHYDXAZQ8o-PIRLYieTZD_zNy9Ki7yfZzvfIkNjzI-QB-0rHepMR7MNiUj5TTOi_Di8edYLTOCQDIEbAmL84GiWqzaZIfNfVmTBftbOJwmQJAPbXRIKwJDfPPwB9bWtf36o9Gj8v8-weVNBEHzZnQ0ACk/s1704/IMG_1903.heic" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1704" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQXuPhzGxxBhMbX8pKkg4JLT14D1NHYDXAZQ8o-PIRLYieTZD_zNy9Ki7yfZzvfIkNjzI-QB-0rHepMR7MNiUj5TTOi_Di8edYLTOCQDIEbAmL84GiWqzaZIfNfVmTBftbOJwmQJAPbXRIKwJDfPPwB9bWtf36o9Gj8v8-weVNBEHzZnQ0ACk/s320/IMG_1903.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCgrlfCt5iAPD_v2P1BmlYgv51YlKbK_OgQGMBkgi7mUCLoNcCmb7c6Pf97hgJ4k5djhk9akKOBy1oe1lL_1X3pP7w-5L_Jc8lJoX7QnN-2Rszve_7eAEytyqkLIhXvFW39a7Y4Teg-hSp9QYvcxW64XiQJKH53-Hf3yhBlQlmab5MZMsNEM/s3414/IMG_2403.heic" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3414" data-original-width="2560" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCgrlfCt5iAPD_v2P1BmlYgv51YlKbK_OgQGMBkgi7mUCLoNcCmb7c6Pf97hgJ4k5djhk9akKOBy1oe1lL_1X3pP7w-5L_Jc8lJoX7QnN-2Rszve_7eAEytyqkLIhXvFW39a7Y4Teg-hSp9QYvcxW64XiQJKH53-Hf3yhBlQlmab5MZMsNEM/s320/IMG_2403.heic" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VC1bdgdOVp_m1KysX2MQOhX4ZThNIBhviqIXyP-x13Wa8TT5WYbpZV0prjtTssj6saBEExr5sIXq3NNyowaiERn142m1IPaMZNFKY2binR2OBpG-bQX-V73O42Lj5hjDhTVf1Dn7SRO73oril_R6fClaW5wmNvHwsASQuEGm3W-5q6UZxV0/s1101/192139e0-ed75-41be-b2cb-480e6901ab2f.jpg" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="739" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VC1bdgdOVp_m1KysX2MQOhX4ZThNIBhviqIXyP-x13Wa8TT5WYbpZV0prjtTssj6saBEExr5sIXq3NNyowaiERn142m1IPaMZNFKY2binR2OBpG-bQX-V73O42Lj5hjDhTVf1Dn7SRO73oril_R6fClaW5wmNvHwsASQuEGm3W-5q6UZxV0/s320/192139e0-ed75-41be-b2cb-480e6901ab2f.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPnPR0vJv-R2NDPjjvzVCkHCt-G17zK355vVG6pOCJkFVk_3BXQivUuXTktBQFZo-Ewb0KZPhQ0YlCqPq72IP6L-RM6czf1OVPiTU6oh6MWVFgVUCmwPP8l6P-JqLV1YsR39UMK2ZLwh5nYg9lv42XiW3CLoxB4rmWDZFsOPLkeRJbYTqp-s/s1419/102cf264-0f26-4635-98b1-bb898dfbe6a1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1419" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPnPR0vJv-R2NDPjjvzVCkHCt-G17zK355vVG6pOCJkFVk_3BXQivUuXTktBQFZo-Ewb0KZPhQ0YlCqPq72IP6L-RM6czf1OVPiTU6oh6MWVFgVUCmwPP8l6P-JqLV1YsR39UMK2ZLwh5nYg9lv42XiW3CLoxB4rmWDZFsOPLkeRJbYTqp-s/s320/102cf264-0f26-4635-98b1-bb898dfbe6a1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">His big sister is also a constant source of joy and amusement for us.</span></div></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WGkS2-R1NqFem6CUQfYGdYoqsgzBW3ldKWa8sXRVcnGKjJy0WRrrKd5qC4-GUmf0WYMHRz3Au2qunTDiZ3cyfSqN7Bamg3s6_PWVySwlMdCdA9c3c3rcos99Ym7AmURjv0gyBIZijagIlWTYzVaRi5tCGvUnnouq9X6K-rkAuVpErxC7OKg/s4032/IMG_1220.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7WGkS2-R1NqFem6CUQfYGdYoqsgzBW3ldKWa8sXRVcnGKjJy0WRrrKd5qC4-GUmf0WYMHRz3Au2qunTDiZ3cyfSqN7Bamg3s6_PWVySwlMdCdA9c3c3rcos99Ym7AmURjv0gyBIZijagIlWTYzVaRi5tCGvUnnouq9X6K-rkAuVpErxC7OKg/s320/IMG_1220.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc0-b6t6C90-n75F4oJw_m0lYYxf9ERCv0nvO9ve5r4ied2658lwOiWoRUtCFDnjQmy4clNL2Y6CrQTeEyW72N-oizOe34GP2Jodcx4RhM4tuomj3LUCjgrJqMRrdKL4MtxAAROeb5aDgBnI-887Q9VU6bGopSVMlXHMp37rHsI0F9nir290/s3086/IMG_1996.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3086" data-original-width="2029" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwc0-b6t6C90-n75F4oJw_m0lYYxf9ERCv0nvO9ve5r4ied2658lwOiWoRUtCFDnjQmy4clNL2Y6CrQTeEyW72N-oizOe34GP2Jodcx4RhM4tuomj3LUCjgrJqMRrdKL4MtxAAROeb5aDgBnI-887Q9VU6bGopSVMlXHMp37rHsI0F9nir290/s320/IMG_1996.heic" width="210" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UjkYcfrDKzRYGzQ0dnDZAL67yqNguuGRajqnn8PWwaBrAnBtihv6Cd_QvVINVcLGfKuisJS-wilSIR53bGAPKlSqMYYvvfzsHJlR6BWSryC1ku7zry5cmS4XWwYwPTqLmo_1gaqatNPtGjf7mCP3ZP7R__HFyIvST61tw8dTXPJh8a6yRJ4/s4032/IMG_1786.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UjkYcfrDKzRYGzQ0dnDZAL67yqNguuGRajqnn8PWwaBrAnBtihv6Cd_QvVINVcLGfKuisJS-wilSIR53bGAPKlSqMYYvvfzsHJlR6BWSryC1ku7zry5cmS4XWwYwPTqLmo_1gaqatNPtGjf7mCP3ZP7R__HFyIvST61tw8dTXPJh8a6yRJ4/s320/IMG_1786.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6IP4SvkB39J0dc1mxxVClWjpNHCdrfpFi5BoDABROJyv69H64JZxqZEYJJT1xVbV5VlWbVTiMGo0o8Txbw082oBsfXbk2paxl5XPLC3PubrL7_2amY9EHHHuTkd6VF7kQz9XTDGnPkyHTR9R9JxgRaRLTfw2vsyjRIMd6GQX_hVWHiQxH3A/s2316/IMG_2395.heic" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2201" data-original-width="2316" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6IP4SvkB39J0dc1mxxVClWjpNHCdrfpFi5BoDABROJyv69H64JZxqZEYJJT1xVbV5VlWbVTiMGo0o8Txbw082oBsfXbk2paxl5XPLC3PubrL7_2amY9EHHHuTkd6VF7kQz9XTDGnPkyHTR9R9JxgRaRLTfw2vsyjRIMd6GQX_hVWHiQxH3A/s320/IMG_2395.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We've been lucky enough to get our whole family together several times this year in Denver, Madison, St. Paul or Cranberry Lake. And we'll ring in the New Year in Denver with the whole family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2S0HLPUOHfYLa3b26NMpMoUZG72htGj4EPZVoERPL7uiH4B2Y-0YUrJPvjIobBW0nliR2p1pSrWD730VWrQnCMIBCOo6UQhGTHZheo2XDMHtLnzZthHhytFtbDBBEoOVWdKX16aHzAsil9y2F8g0BQIIxmiTDpXO5WDdadXS8qdCAf5JSlM/s2850/IMG_1176.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="2850" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2S0HLPUOHfYLa3b26NMpMoUZG72htGj4EPZVoERPL7uiH4B2Y-0YUrJPvjIobBW0nliR2p1pSrWD730VWrQnCMIBCOo6UQhGTHZheo2XDMHtLnzZthHhytFtbDBBEoOVWdKX16aHzAsil9y2F8g0BQIIxmiTDpXO5WDdadXS8qdCAf5JSlM/s320/IMG_1176.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_DAt-qFADEG7hojBwneSeFatVPSkzp0TLXG-q81dsFI19LVups4fOTcLbXVcHrHP2l9Rvf_sAesF14JdjcD_0g6SWWoVotcxlMx8GZoJ_ewzAr1e5eKsvnPdpwomvyTq1sCbz-ZE_7dshdbsnHs7IoN1myA6kmYWqAg5qgRhb4SghmfXfgU/s4032/IMG_1838.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_DAt-qFADEG7hojBwneSeFatVPSkzp0TLXG-q81dsFI19LVups4fOTcLbXVcHrHP2l9Rvf_sAesF14JdjcD_0g6SWWoVotcxlMx8GZoJ_ewzAr1e5eKsvnPdpwomvyTq1sCbz-ZE_7dshdbsnHs7IoN1myA6kmYWqAg5qgRhb4SghmfXfgU/s320/IMG_1838.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvyysU_Wes1QmGzCnbs0ij3bNXkwbAdxkws1Lh2Wgb31MhV99VFd6mJfzxAxStTWAD4A7_y1pTfCJK5frZZ7TRXagEYSOU-BNGafvAggjgi2BYwZyTWi9OB0sCxGD8h6hFaut_sdfPf2AZDWbLWkzEo9qokpQtCk7fl1lTrnWWIryTKBcx3c/s4032/IMG_1849.heic" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvyysU_Wes1QmGzCnbs0ij3bNXkwbAdxkws1Lh2Wgb31MhV99VFd6mJfzxAxStTWAD4A7_y1pTfCJK5frZZ7TRXagEYSOU-BNGafvAggjgi2BYwZyTWi9OB0sCxGD8h6hFaut_sdfPf2AZDWbLWkzEo9qokpQtCk7fl1lTrnWWIryTKBcx3c/s320/IMG_1849.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><div style="font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We've been able to enjoy some good cabin time, both as a couple and with friends.</span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiJjbtgpR5KDgquUVjYThy1aV082mrKeLoimBic4yD4HWuqKc7rtEQ3MXMgyOxxLLH8R0WOarZ4nE95dEXgztnXZZqJiv3ly7Jp8LkvalD6XnEjiVTNfhzntoeNBM6eBgzMIC_xziniuB6UVbHjTXSgFMPz5SZvR8zdJgEsjtQ1hsGDtmBHE/s4032/IMG_1533.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaiJjbtgpR5KDgquUVjYThy1aV082mrKeLoimBic4yD4HWuqKc7rtEQ3MXMgyOxxLLH8R0WOarZ4nE95dEXgztnXZZqJiv3ly7Jp8LkvalD6XnEjiVTNfhzntoeNBM6eBgzMIC_xziniuB6UVbHjTXSgFMPz5SZvR8zdJgEsjtQ1hsGDtmBHE/w156-h208/IMG_1533.heic" width="156" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8dhDOX2FIGEIo5nldeEtfu99k3nk82YEV5fO5UHk7fgPLTVIYh4ac5F5I7GbTBMlzWKzWX-GJED8NLo3UNl-7gUENO1yRZyznSf-Y24FhANjdNz63cVi4-5HAsjj39Ftb9hdyywW4zcRR2khAaatCHLc2HBmK4t7BXmP42qiN50rpet4pvg/s2604/IMG_1182.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2604" data-original-width="1953" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8dhDOX2FIGEIo5nldeEtfu99k3nk82YEV5fO5UHk7fgPLTVIYh4ac5F5I7GbTBMlzWKzWX-GJED8NLo3UNl-7gUENO1yRZyznSf-Y24FhANjdNz63cVi4-5HAsjj39Ftb9hdyywW4zcRR2khAaatCHLc2HBmK4t7BXmP42qiN50rpet4pvg/w154-h205/IMG_1182.HEIC" width="154" /></a></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYEPwhaXiv4qzcFeThQrzKlp0cA72Y-8RptTFWW201uPOqHLk4RrrsgOp-_15RE8resFXc_ATSDG3H1jaQD8OsZROT2u2-x-8HT9lsc4d7nczSXx7pzRBsVZpHTktFP8kxe-uwJplfKj8ThwE4ZtvGTtPm0JRFDgEj8yaCXxrtJdeuYpwfOM/s6960/Image%205-8-22%20at%2010.06%20PM.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYEPwhaXiv4qzcFeThQrzKlp0cA72Y-8RptTFWW201uPOqHLk4RrrsgOp-_15RE8resFXc_ATSDG3H1jaQD8OsZROT2u2-x-8HT9lsc4d7nczSXx7pzRBsVZpHTktFP8kxe-uwJplfKj8ThwE4ZtvGTtPm0JRFDgEj8yaCXxrtJdeuYpwfOM/s320/Image%205-8-22%20at%2010.06%20PM.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUM7u5dXpV0x7r22PUhrsBMAlq4luatp286sfofTDEgd9x-aVdHWYVFD0ojAn5psfR8aMrzk_ilYUUIiu2ZHfR0Xt93U2LO3h3KEPWZKzwkfkJsHRRcSRieubXaO3TpKTI-qQX2LaGPC_IClD1UoXIWOvS-qi4xC-SnOLeH6F5MJivBrN0II/s4032/IMG_2558.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUM7u5dXpV0x7r22PUhrsBMAlq4luatp286sfofTDEgd9x-aVdHWYVFD0ojAn5psfR8aMrzk_ilYUUIiu2ZHfR0Xt93U2LO3h3KEPWZKzwkfkJsHRRcSRieubXaO3TpKTI-qQX2LaGPC_IClD1UoXIWOvS-qi4xC-SnOLeH6F5MJivBrN0II/s320/IMG_2558.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Kate and I have been able to wander the West in conjunction with our travels to Denver.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1qRftiSk3DMK_jzfMr3c6K5rDlvuLCqSr-Cmu_p6jtAdT0j0G1pbnl--8Pf9Un75XHS96aPs1s-sQKVRvko4kEIAoJJG40G2y321IwkR7nzrAvejf9N9MmhUqkizn3iG0Ys2N_tLPSk6afUznCZM-ROZzEIglzTRNT3uC5b9aJfK-IFL0xw/s4032/IMG_2149.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV1qRftiSk3DMK_jzfMr3c6K5rDlvuLCqSr-Cmu_p6jtAdT0j0G1pbnl--8Pf9Un75XHS96aPs1s-sQKVRvko4kEIAoJJG40G2y321IwkR7nzrAvejf9N9MmhUqkizn3iG0Ys2N_tLPSk6afUznCZM-ROZzEIglzTRNT3uC5b9aJfK-IFL0xw/s320/IMG_2149.HEIC" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD-u-ng2Qe2odjgeTTPbPDganaOFThDCv6OklANPe7leSmNIHO-y0u6EXzV9fBIZu_ZPtihrmTgOP8f6T9NclOeK38LjkpjTBEpsjlCb_IdQYGG8vvaP4k0NnNwYgCAdIqZQemcY_Rdp9e2W0F0YS7CnL2J53UzZ9kqQHQPEpHIDKmNlincQ/s4032/IMG_2130.heic" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD-u-ng2Qe2odjgeTTPbPDganaOFThDCv6OklANPe7leSmNIHO-y0u6EXzV9fBIZu_ZPtihrmTgOP8f6T9NclOeK38LjkpjTBEpsjlCb_IdQYGG8vvaP4k0NnNwYgCAdIqZQemcY_Rdp9e2W0F0YS7CnL2J53UzZ9kqQHQPEpHIDKmNlincQ/s320/IMG_2130.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkwo1C97U2-XpJl9-hWCpP_vTWTQiGkovB3DHACHIz3fZlnAFLZZJSpGXjS9m1bVBot-HSHq15jCD2wL6tR9Jtowmi_vZT6nO4M8H8kz1yCOQ6O6Ya56_hywmrwjxUeGcJ9ePWkQQ15xdXVyM-XkE2glDt5_Kfaz9RBFo76GFeJXB6d2Rfhs/s2741/IMG_2186.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2741" data-original-width="1970" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkwo1C97U2-XpJl9-hWCpP_vTWTQiGkovB3DHACHIz3fZlnAFLZZJSpGXjS9m1bVBot-HSHq15jCD2wL6tR9Jtowmi_vZT6nO4M8H8kz1yCOQ6O6Ya56_hywmrwjxUeGcJ9ePWkQQ15xdXVyM-XkE2glDt5_Kfaz9RBFo76GFeJXB6d2Rfhs/s320/IMG_2186.heic" width="230" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Kate turned 70 as we returned from Florida.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Oh02LKUqv8UwYm0ykX_FoeYCHwB9yHABaCCGLOdaReQ9qq4aIyHPlct3h4DJIFK6Z5b9xOZc_At0iHQ-9qKmdIrjREirOZ4TGrIi74j9XdaRtsk50O9QhdksQahlQFOvA4KFfkfNu7db67ScAM2gir8-bpWwy79kGoM-miaDrpzGCez_vzM/s3179/IMG_0625.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3179" data-original-width="2605" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Oh02LKUqv8UwYm0ykX_FoeYCHwB9yHABaCCGLOdaReQ9qq4aIyHPlct3h4DJIFK6Z5b9xOZc_At0iHQ-9qKmdIrjREirOZ4TGrIi74j9XdaRtsk50O9QhdksQahlQFOvA4KFfkfNu7db67ScAM2gir8-bpWwy79kGoM-miaDrpzGCez_vzM/s320/IMG_0625.heic" width="262" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And Harry and I even celebrated our 140th birthday this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2REzTY2gT01kL1QasNojS-wHqydYjLR6JsEXw_Q7aS-C-PwxCzOVebPH0g-viG04IA9xeyAzQcI2xDoR7pC3Ey0EvYOQYrUuavFX3c1SJiZKrcVXcAv-cSAsk17KF9bObzl8gtAdh0S2vbBYaZdIHfZhJVVHCYDr1MJEbLbFL_uoS-M_6PM/s2234/IMG_2571.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="2234" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2REzTY2gT01kL1QasNojS-wHqydYjLR6JsEXw_Q7aS-C-PwxCzOVebPH0g-viG04IA9xeyAzQcI2xDoR7pC3Ey0EvYOQYrUuavFX3c1SJiZKrcVXcAv-cSAsk17KF9bObzl8gtAdh0S2vbBYaZdIHfZhJVVHCYDr1MJEbLbFL_uoS-M_6PM/s320/IMG_2571.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We have lots of good reasons for thanks giving.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2ozygYPozhykCWcltFlIoxne16CVxfGJrB1OYllWH4Z1Gee3hp6SiU7TNe7gDBQYjmN0ZHk5cCRHZBmFUoMGqIUQRjLHqQwq8GesGhrchiMYeT3xxkvL5_IuRgIk_46ZeniQ8mhtd0XnI3-yU0hYmVZvUmwFcTmH-8l4JrjOyIDNCSdSA3A/s4032/IMG_2685.heic" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2ozygYPozhykCWcltFlIoxne16CVxfGJrB1OYllWH4Z1Gee3hp6SiU7TNe7gDBQYjmN0ZHk5cCRHZBmFUoMGqIUQRjLHqQwq8GesGhrchiMYeT3xxkvL5_IuRgIk_46ZeniQ8mhtd0XnI3-yU0hYmVZvUmwFcTmH-8l4JrjOyIDNCSdSA3A/s320/IMG_2685.heic" width="320" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Here's to many S'more!</span></div><div style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjQ497G3PchG0a98fwMSs16zfeT9Ji0E2zdQ9V32M6SSo691Ng5r4Qnzu8gioVI49cnSpK_9RjtWf3yRTusd8oMvvIambJCOZcssYAGI0BuqHIXOkZXA_43VxxVwqtUKmcptDgB059kcodA1CjLTMX8r1vDoOQnVBm5woIHt6OUUY9OwKhko/s2048/1ed0b986-4ab9-4069-a3a4-84510e3b12eb.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="2048" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjQ497G3PchG0a98fwMSs16zfeT9Ji0E2zdQ9V32M6SSo691Ng5r4Qnzu8gioVI49cnSpK_9RjtWf3yRTusd8oMvvIambJCOZcssYAGI0BuqHIXOkZXA_43VxxVwqtUKmcptDgB059kcodA1CjLTMX8r1vDoOQnVBm5woIHt6OUUY9OwKhko/w280-h210/1ed0b986-4ab9-4069-a3a4-84510e3b12eb.JPG" width="280" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalExa99u7iL7IhcenkgeFu7xpQNIPbFqgbT0UwNcj4jd7OqmZjLitAXWLudSS0yY9DY6uPehh0IXdca5qz-hU_tF_Y_m7ubidKrjUz0k0qYY9smXIYcAUxXLjfSNsvmgAnzgpJq9smLKQeZLSrK6sLOqggxw-2y_7DXs6VhJWixp6uSHaUnk/s2048/ac796545-b1b4-47ec-af15-e7a2ea64b1da.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalExa99u7iL7IhcenkgeFu7xpQNIPbFqgbT0UwNcj4jd7OqmZjLitAXWLudSS0yY9DY6uPehh0IXdca5qz-hU_tF_Y_m7ubidKrjUz0k0qYY9smXIYcAUxXLjfSNsvmgAnzgpJq9smLKQeZLSrK6sLOqggxw-2y_7DXs6VhJWixp6uSHaUnk/w159-h211/ac796545-b1b4-47ec-af15-e7a2ea64b1da.jpg" width="159" /></a><br /></div></div><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">All the best to you and yours. Enjoy the holiday season and every season. We'll do the same.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_ip0g_rNe97gPNKl4a_ThFn2mT2HPeDUUB1ESdKvT5k_qNVwhNjxhY8txdAynbMIsevbb6g7XDgBFMO4S6VujVzNFRqLArPkIObbiWD6jGHTyjlffx4YDfSWnBOeGmxG5ul48H_9vnARyYVlRYeuZbm6p_lMiCRKSxnj_iWpdCJ-mB2aqfc/s4032/IMG_2642.heic" style="font-family: Times; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_ip0g_rNe97gPNKl4a_ThFn2mT2HPeDUUB1ESdKvT5k_qNVwhNjxhY8txdAynbMIsevbb6g7XDgBFMO4S6VujVzNFRqLArPkIObbiWD6jGHTyjlffx4YDfSWnBOeGmxG5ul48H_9vnARyYVlRYeuZbm6p_lMiCRKSxnj_iWpdCJ-mB2aqfc/s320/IMG_2642.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Happy holidays from our house to yours. Here's to a joyful 2023!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13.2px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><i>Stan and Kate</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "trebuchet ms", verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">(Note: Photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.)</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span><br /></span></div>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-64993631168285734612021-12-19T11:55:00.055-06:002021-12-23T12:02:13.996-06:00Happy Holidays 2021<p> <i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="color: #333333; font-size: large; text-align: center;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I hope this greeting finds you well. It does us (at least if you don't ask for details). And as we near the end the second year of the pandemic, that is saying something. Obviously, like 2020, 2021 has been quite a year. But we've left the "bunker" (carefully and so far safely) a little more often this year - to see friends and family and to do what we can to adjust to this crazy "new normal."</span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Early in the year we continued our exploration of the joys of Zoom calls (which, while they may be limited, are far superior to no communication at all).</span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlkDsk6cEuLVzeWB02D-egQG5Rnvpoi3ayJAMtkMSQkRTBONGYcYYl3MhuNXP34RjTaIpQB8uZV11FJUYruKVVYge7bvynBtESYawF0oehAzXA6oudiCg-APpZddq5xBtDgRZyLnmE52N0C8iajEty3wZx0LV4Yi3iA2SnouqdA7y0qTkVJ0A=s3148" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2361" data-original-width="3148" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlkDsk6cEuLVzeWB02D-egQG5Rnvpoi3ayJAMtkMSQkRTBONGYcYYl3MhuNXP34RjTaIpQB8uZV11FJUYruKVVYge7bvynBtESYawF0oehAzXA6oudiCg-APpZddq5xBtDgRZyLnmE52N0C8iajEty3wZx0LV4Yi3iA2SnouqdA7y0qTkVJ0A=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">In February and again in March Kate and I drove to Menominee, Wisconsin for our doses of the Moderna vaccine (with boosters in October) which made us more comfortable moving about the country (and the city). Appointments were hard to find then in the Twin Cities, and we both enjoyed the "drive in the country" through western Wisconsin.</span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5jQY4VMyr39NPEQZ2HpNaEiIohJPkRmMaWN1I17-0jmaYJiuJLM0SbU52o7SpY_WdxeS-kpHTYnV0YsF1lT4RPU75d65nER2g6OmEfAgcrm_tcuXVkhmyIyAxEHFTtbkdT_v_NuuMb_qxBcbIHIJkCtNoTaCQ1pGrpEzV95cbeBzJyzuf394=s3088" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2320" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi5jQY4VMyr39NPEQZ2HpNaEiIohJPkRmMaWN1I17-0jmaYJiuJLM0SbU52o7SpY_WdxeS-kpHTYnV0YsF1lT4RPU75d65nER2g6OmEfAgcrm_tcuXVkhmyIyAxEHFTtbkdT_v_NuuMb_qxBcbIHIJkCtNoTaCQ1pGrpEzV95cbeBzJyzuf394=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Once "the drugs had taken effect," Kate and I felt more free to carefully move about the country. In April we made a trip to Denver (with a lovely side trip to Durango) to see our Colorado family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyJGyTUT9qwfjW92dDsZvt-K7TEHpsPF0HKSOKWGHYVC9qhdCHa5nQUy4wlOiTKMs0OL0CIki7lNq7IWWR8g5daiHdZcRE8zZab_03ZgKm3P8mFnmwJD2oSP6NbISsqrF79RUy6Wnd7s8YL5VBnxkP-t7YBKpQYv6suMexdFvualBbkUQew_I=s2188" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="2188" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyJGyTUT9qwfjW92dDsZvt-K7TEHpsPF0HKSOKWGHYVC9qhdCHa5nQUy4wlOiTKMs0OL0CIki7lNq7IWWR8g5daiHdZcRE8zZab_03ZgKm3P8mFnmwJD2oSP6NbISsqrF79RUy6Wnd7s8YL5VBnxkP-t7YBKpQYv6suMexdFvualBbkUQew_I=w400-h263" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you think Kate and I were happy to see Frankie? It was still "stealth travel" with very little interaction with our surroundings as we made our way to and fro. Once home it was still lots of FaceTime calls with an occasional online game of hearts or just idle conversation - with only fairly minimal and careful interaction with live people. Peter, Erin and Frankie came to Minnesota for a June wedding. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk-hcAW2IxpEYM13v9Z4NsB8OSV6Z9OG7DXAMzAsktsUQCC0uwSvqj6TlcXoD6nFOK8L1Njk4XEZtBRE77dTXgeB_Vlz7WauNG0cfuKhc55MjWyH2_POlAq8XoOMXr8bo_NIzst_RQQ450RHjnsclhJLhRFevZAE96LOIZ5yMijGG1kId6Kzw=s3422" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="2566" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjk-hcAW2IxpEYM13v9Z4NsB8OSV6Z9OG7DXAMzAsktsUQCC0uwSvqj6TlcXoD6nFOK8L1Njk4XEZtBRE77dTXgeB_Vlz7WauNG0cfuKhc55MjWyH2_POlAq8XoOMXr8bo_NIzst_RQQ450RHjnsclhJLhRFevZAE96LOIZ5yMijGG1kId6Kzw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Madeline joined us in Minnesota for the weekend and we had a great time wondering where squirrels had gone . . . </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdqxkADFEnY8gwi6OqupqPnmghg_FLU9mqMdCrGO7QQc7NIbwd_sT2QvkdRJmVqephY60oHwwFbRJleDsAYwI309GfRTsDyEZrbgrDRZtifnSvl2JVZpFA-P3riqRepqjDKV9l6Exs2lVTymT1NCe5oU0nOhJ-AKViJHkMGTVVJCiQUKAgMco=s2174" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2174" data-original-width="1632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdqxkADFEnY8gwi6OqupqPnmghg_FLU9mqMdCrGO7QQc7NIbwd_sT2QvkdRJmVqephY60oHwwFbRJleDsAYwI309GfRTsDyEZrbgrDRZtifnSvl2JVZpFA-P3riqRepqjDKV9l6Exs2lVTymT1NCe5oU0nOhJ-AKViJHkMGTVVJCiQUKAgMco=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And blowing bubbles . . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCAApoXLIDLfaWREqjoA0fB7NNhmGzle-fZ9ZKyGob5PdpXFgdEeE7CeiTsntP5vCSeQjUXEo8KsCf86U5jXYktELGGkT9sKE7Xv9p4IuZRjYPqguziFgfVVGcv3ckb4XpwvmPE8aug2Oein9jqw2xmcvoNKxU9pTFE0449YkPHFGCNvnirQc=s2101" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2101" data-original-width="1286" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCAApoXLIDLfaWREqjoA0fB7NNhmGzle-fZ9ZKyGob5PdpXFgdEeE7CeiTsntP5vCSeQjUXEo8KsCf86U5jXYktELGGkT9sKE7Xv9p4IuZRjYPqguziFgfVVGcv3ckb4XpwvmPE8aug2Oein9jqw2xmcvoNKxU9pTFE0449YkPHFGCNvnirQc=w264-h431" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peter spent lots of his time in 2021 training for and participating in triathlons - a half-triathlon in Ecuador in July and a full IRONMAN in Madison in September. A big commitment on his part - and one with a great side benefit for us. We got to spend a week in Denver with Frankie in July while Peter and Erin were in Ecuador and later in the year we got to provide "daycare" services for a week in Madison while Peter and Erin worked remotely in Madison and Madeline worked not-at-all remotely as a first grade teacher in the Madison school district (<i>a small editorial note - the work that teachers have been asked to do and have done in the pandemic is nothing short of remarkable. Say thank you to a teacher. They richly deserve it - and they are certainly not getting rich teaching.</i>)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUzmcEt-xixs7fEwHNzmBK_uMzo9z3-tp_ET7SJ0iFpAQx65XnLg77_dME5-5DOhIG4RljFeImhLeUnnhqPUBzg8QsUK_-U_EwEsnwf6hTueEcuobmVC9OFzO8vparKCdUdmGCwaBX8VpwBcmMM4jnVk33SNAqLGbZLc6WgYH7WL6g59VpaUc=s3024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="2181" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUzmcEt-xixs7fEwHNzmBK_uMzo9z3-tp_ET7SJ0iFpAQx65XnLg77_dME5-5DOhIG4RljFeImhLeUnnhqPUBzg8QsUK_-U_EwEsnwf6hTueEcuobmVC9OFzO8vparKCdUdmGCwaBX8VpwBcmMM4jnVk33SNAqLGbZLc6WgYH7WL6g59VpaUc=w288-h400" width="288" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOTBadxvnYAto1laMOKb3K3jywpRM_3toUks659t2iWONn821r2xS6iHZWiHzjMJh2IR_YMmACXI82nDNl76-yu_Yj6tFuJV32V0MYH--8Q1Sg69zUNTFW_60eBkXOHu55g4NwRxFI72EZ6Yr075g9Q5igFlDvVWIhtfm8-pMdUNOKKV5rTog=s2862" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="2146" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOTBadxvnYAto1laMOKb3K3jywpRM_3toUks659t2iWONn821r2xS6iHZWiHzjMJh2IR_YMmACXI82nDNl76-yu_Yj6tFuJV32V0MYH--8Q1Sg69zUNTFW_60eBkXOHu55g4NwRxFI72EZ6Yr075g9Q5igFlDvVWIhtfm8-pMdUNOKKV5rTog=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPSCCg9YsDBIWO1swovNym637hbHA2s_CSsxzFb-NViZxqtFEkNWlMHxFHab-1Eqbo8L-4MdUN_0dHl2yDKfirdT2XTQqGOA7tH7pFIMMx9EbuDCmkZhvVb7aBgS7LASQH3TH7aDX5ld6exTGpzeLx4V1l6bsD3FOqD7xvFbhLlZ9-M9qmSXI=s3784" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3784" data-original-width="2839" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPSCCg9YsDBIWO1swovNym637hbHA2s_CSsxzFb-NViZxqtFEkNWlMHxFHab-1Eqbo8L-4MdUN_0dHl2yDKfirdT2XTQqGOA7tH7pFIMMx9EbuDCmkZhvVb7aBgS7LASQH3TH7aDX5ld6exTGpzeLx4V1l6bsD3FOqD7xvFbhLlZ9-M9qmSXI=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlkxhQFRZ77U8fJM3paREBmRHqzW7dzeG3jvxnkGDxZ7tKSfpAR_ctYqRZhewK9IchuQTOpp7INrYO4kd2IendP7_Y4d4zVFdcA-2JxUm6SKn6CDg6CCN3v3u3vw7Uj-hfUdeRTGe8f8QRlVpoFtuIXppM5WWH97F6IFVyd942x2uN-4Dfy9A=s1756" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1756" data-original-width="1317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlkxhQFRZ77U8fJM3paREBmRHqzW7dzeG3jvxnkGDxZ7tKSfpAR_ctYqRZhewK9IchuQTOpp7INrYO4kd2IendP7_Y4d4zVFdcA-2JxUm6SKn6CDg6CCN3v3u3vw7Uj-hfUdeRTGe8f8QRlVpoFtuIXppM5WWH97F6IFVyd942x2uN-4Dfy9A=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirJK8ZTg51XFZCBpBHn2vr82LODHjiYzZ9kWdpp_Fgm5PtdGKY8B0kGU-AYFgNoWyaH3i-DaYd4j2vcA5jKc5RdWhyFOk7lEUZw8mTN3JBOuGa-gdlcjQ44ThUq2RV6yyxALTTb3kjpJTBSVHHklBO5wHjry8aTz7ysEdwPqAtg2ZiVRVDfEs=s2744" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="1948" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirJK8ZTg51XFZCBpBHn2vr82LODHjiYzZ9kWdpp_Fgm5PtdGKY8B0kGU-AYFgNoWyaH3i-DaYd4j2vcA5jKc5RdWhyFOk7lEUZw8mTN3JBOuGa-gdlcjQ44ThUq2RV6yyxALTTb3kjpJTBSVHHklBO5wHjry8aTz7ysEdwPqAtg2ZiVRVDfEs=w284-h400" width="284" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4J34w2vL-bROdWxPueTQ2YmgTZPQtNn2AwK2JaoG09y21I1ocZu61Fm1eyEgNDC6bfO9s3ko_Eq_F5aoAhGhUFH2_BUMiOECp7wT5OFuglb_A_CEWZPXEEj2B1zm8ZMs6sH542d1oNdc2sd1-9oH8_II-rnKyq1MC0hEcyNorTXh8tUAYtOY=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4J34w2vL-bROdWxPueTQ2YmgTZPQtNn2AwK2JaoG09y21I1ocZu61Fm1eyEgNDC6bfO9s3ko_Eq_F5aoAhGhUFH2_BUMiOECp7wT5OFuglb_A_CEWZPXEEj2B1zm8ZMs6sH542d1oNdc2sd1-9oH8_II-rnKyq1MC0hEcyNorTXh8tUAYtOY=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh47l2utyQPL1kJNeikk3G2J7UKTwCO1wQhc-wcJyVDl3JNuVaMW61QWp33wwPEg61a_SbWiq4bKf3NnL1rpKN_GoyhPCPGoRi675OhAW7uU7eHMZEWPhYwO_cfCowk1KKOjKzzUmlecIfv4IQAZ7m-B_cN2u09nwzoG4ZDN1cWp3NmBfvyYNk=s3561" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="3561" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh47l2utyQPL1kJNeikk3G2J7UKTwCO1wQhc-wcJyVDl3JNuVaMW61QWp33wwPEg61a_SbWiq4bKf3NnL1rpKN_GoyhPCPGoRi675OhAW7uU7eHMZEWPhYwO_cfCowk1KKOjKzzUmlecIfv4IQAZ7m-B_cN2u09nwzoG4ZDN1cWp3NmBfvyYNk=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It might have been a little tiny bit tiring. But boy was it fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghRGRoKLgW85d07qau2GGwrx6GAmYfb_rgewWFrCFzrMC09fiUPafl7U8Bxn8EYNWydTw96Lc62buaQ4KMy59nyR1G-bFB4S8wB2Pwcct4rUUN_tkj3GxVl7TrNuq3GXWfwL7ICxRz0X2slRGf465XO3SdfOSwlR99zxmshl7raYNamZNJDPY=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEghRGRoKLgW85d07qau2GGwrx6GAmYfb_rgewWFrCFzrMC09fiUPafl7U8Bxn8EYNWydTw96Lc62buaQ4KMy59nyR1G-bFB4S8wB2Pwcct4rUUN_tkj3GxVl7TrNuq3GXWfwL7ICxRz0X2slRGf465XO3SdfOSwlR99zxmshl7raYNamZNJDPY=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">By the way, Peter successfully completed the IRONMAN in Madison. It was fun and inspiring to watch the participants - particularly our favorite one. . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB-yWaRLLKk21I8VNQnYCAty7jPwqFY6gVImaTbMQ8OsOWHZx9galTISe3TfyTnKNggAkCDChcMCDs4_sJ-hNky-_V7J7CfB2hsA1gX_iQOnj2LNvmxLKLDlMAhW5QwjKqIyv2frl51gC027MuUS6kPiniMKtoQHGi7AcGqlTcGsXeekAZyrU=s810" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="527" data-original-width="810" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB-yWaRLLKk21I8VNQnYCAty7jPwqFY6gVImaTbMQ8OsOWHZx9galTISe3TfyTnKNggAkCDChcMCDs4_sJ-hNky-_V7J7CfB2hsA1gX_iQOnj2LNvmxLKLDlMAhW5QwjKqIyv2frl51gC027MuUS6kPiniMKtoQHGi7AcGqlTcGsXeekAZyrU=w400-h260" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kate and Madeline even got to act as a pit crew cleaning up Peter's sunglasses on the little hundred-plus mile bike ride Peter used to relax between the two-mile swim and the little 26-mile jog which make up an IRONMAN.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUWOLGxJwdcnKOhIEWSaCFY7TzjR98BhRZW015IfH3hsOvVj_RNWX1WSez3oFRw5ZeDXeivMZZ4aA5CMe9F1SiV-Ogep0yhD04kWJCCVo47UyZ-syrYVdQQL-epyBU-0FzzFE_0gUXrs9qRRysgNf-2ZAPZlUigGOLx-E2rcq_Ks5JB6eDL4w=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUWOLGxJwdcnKOhIEWSaCFY7TzjR98BhRZW015IfH3hsOvVj_RNWX1WSez3oFRw5ZeDXeivMZZ4aA5CMe9F1SiV-Ogep0yhD04kWJCCVo47UyZ-syrYVdQQL-epyBU-0FzzFE_0gUXrs9qRRysgNf-2ZAPZlUigGOLx-E2rcq_Ks5JB6eDL4w=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Over the thirty-plus years we have owned our little cottage in the wilds of Wisconsin lots of "annual" traditions have developed - visits with various groups spread over the spring, summer and fall. It's been such a joy to spend time with friends at the cabin. 2021 was a little different, with most annual events crammed into July and August. So we got lots of cabin time this summer.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOKuaSpxpIxyHhXrL3FLLUVVUabY0wrJZ9WclggPYQU4Qr0NzsEutyh4KjTFLI0FaSe8x57HYyQ_10xtD5bCZlh110UTH77XqCQHbCG4I2goFBbE3l67p0wZw6SZytIc84IGLqOR4ZTntbAru-viD1kpR6s1xX-lyoPfKb6EqEedPKSFZrC2M=s6240" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3504" data-original-width="6240" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOKuaSpxpIxyHhXrL3FLLUVVUabY0wrJZ9WclggPYQU4Qr0NzsEutyh4KjTFLI0FaSe8x57HYyQ_10xtD5bCZlh110UTH77XqCQHbCG4I2goFBbE3l67p0wZw6SZytIc84IGLqOR4ZTntbAru-viD1kpR6s1xX-lyoPfKb6EqEedPKSFZrC2M=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVlIYChX3HPQ1GgsxHKexAdNsB0DOvxR6xaAGA4Tvv1XQuWSyJ_UyB2PYOybSdgUS7vTlIY0X9M4u5tLG7WxmBSs8XW-G5wI6lDcGRaLtCeHhX8lBZ7auBxvQJaRt63aht5wJxRJ6hBgPik6KJ6dt19iqimQHgcU6mt-rrtceOTH-I4Nojkw8=s5055" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2839" data-original-width="5055" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhVlIYChX3HPQ1GgsxHKexAdNsB0DOvxR6xaAGA4Tvv1XQuWSyJ_UyB2PYOybSdgUS7vTlIY0X9M4u5tLG7WxmBSs8XW-G5wI6lDcGRaLtCeHhX8lBZ7auBxvQJaRt63aht5wJxRJ6hBgPik6KJ6dt19iqimQHgcU6mt-rrtceOTH-I4Nojkw8=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWtqWKJl_SOLpVptQtzuI6pyKXkIAn98_NcpsZgVsMHBtMyHiQAYVI6OuboAPk1mjrYBNKAAdz9ZdaU7NtxOn09O_jRzvxT3wOG9pKgU9h_L8uQ4VblPNd6_26z0Z5EFbZkvVT5M3o5yAtdVCM28eC6T-i0mEHYaREC_xreJLoK6m1YEBL2lg=s3210" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2306" data-original-width="3210" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWtqWKJl_SOLpVptQtzuI6pyKXkIAn98_NcpsZgVsMHBtMyHiQAYVI6OuboAPk1mjrYBNKAAdz9ZdaU7NtxOn09O_jRzvxT3wOG9pKgU9h_L8uQ4VblPNd6_26z0Z5EFbZkvVT5M3o5yAtdVCM28eC6T-i0mEHYaREC_xreJLoK6m1YEBL2lg=w400-h288" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgipphXvitc2fuRXidTJ9zHeoavzC09FqR29CRTt7yIor9Qun-LmJLnAILtXSqJXnLvqdrp7AwPXHEK-LwZsHfDcIoY96ERiBn9AsH4whWDIfMHf2hXRsoKO9LMR1Yuo3Ae8LHjWcJFSlyAmt1V2jr0e6JAkS9JI3kcPF7XDLUpjmAujAdqrvc=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgipphXvitc2fuRXidTJ9zHeoavzC09FqR29CRTt7yIor9Qun-LmJLnAILtXSqJXnLvqdrp7AwPXHEK-LwZsHfDcIoY96ERiBn9AsH4whWDIfMHf2hXRsoKO9LMR1Yuo3Ae8LHjWcJFSlyAmt1V2jr0e6JAkS9JI3kcPF7XDLUpjmAujAdqrvc=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTbNSIn-NgUKII9dlz2hMW-re6WuLue904aY0eLLK3WD5Qk2HRFwKWRE855gUt54ym30m9zgb9UJUaHtsY3NIUFMv8251T8OGGIkS3RVXTtusU8KgdbKvbHOKJoLTffvaSWESm26vSnPGyOAnbkqS-xWXUgYf3pTXlnIZR2SMWjWamjGQqz7c=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTbNSIn-NgUKII9dlz2hMW-re6WuLue904aY0eLLK3WD5Qk2HRFwKWRE855gUt54ym30m9zgb9UJUaHtsY3NIUFMv8251T8OGGIkS3RVXTtusU8KgdbKvbHOKJoLTffvaSWESm26vSnPGyOAnbkqS-xWXUgYf3pTXlnIZR2SMWjWamjGQqz7c=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On one of our trips to the zoo with Frankie we had a chance to watch a flock of what Frankie aptly named "FlaBINGOs". We love the language of two-year olds (one in particular).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBqPH_fqY2OAX845_v3KIbU3PqNowwfIMc7XuEYJ-KjCXVEW6_Uy5nCiCTgzV7k5wcL7ABeX4hpOhYngpyqnpXlevZopT8e43wZmZljZgx67SWC1wFXA_o4TAQfc7KW59eRq0sOTAujsb4y0xMcU2jhqlkTcQkUT4hJ6oN0QLC2D8G-wbDDkY=s3722" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3722" data-original-width="2792" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBqPH_fqY2OAX845_v3KIbU3PqNowwfIMc7XuEYJ-KjCXVEW6_Uy5nCiCTgzV7k5wcL7ABeX4hpOhYngpyqnpXlevZopT8e43wZmZljZgx67SWC1wFXA_o4TAQfc7KW59eRq0sOTAujsb4y0xMcU2jhqlkTcQkUT4hJ6oN0QLC2D8G-wbDDkY=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The result was her flabingo Halloween costume. I will never call them flamingos again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj87Z-XHr1lcsDoMUSZDBmbf8uBecv0_x2ue2MmPXP7YM9jesiBSQF-wMHaWh9zkEnnIFeF4M7gEzJaum-KCa9kfQ0yy3rxqKPPDuPAfjwTTkpLzkR7K8QSKpkEbARiZGHbGkAQ1WbrhTGAkMsEDkloZAqf36Cmg1OPd4Hw9UHeiQscriDvMDA=s1600" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj87Z-XHr1lcsDoMUSZDBmbf8uBecv0_x2ue2MmPXP7YM9jesiBSQF-wMHaWh9zkEnnIFeF4M7gEzJaum-KCa9kfQ0yy3rxqKPPDuPAfjwTTkpLzkR7K8QSKpkEbARiZGHbGkAQ1WbrhTGAkMsEDkloZAqf36Cmg1OPd4Hw9UHeiQscriDvMDA=w300-h400" width="300" /></span></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Madeline is a lover of concerts and plays. In what may have been our boldest move of the year, Kate and I went with Madeline to a James Taylor/Jackson Browne concert in Milwaukee. It was tons of fun. We were masked the entire time (which unfortunately can't be said for much of the crowd). But it was great to be out and about.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6b4x8KCUg79awn79dam0CqMXihmNzvDwYpyP9p22CmK9_eWiU72za3PuR6txHTFhIQJEv4dny6CN9JbQbSbJdZnjcR95rgcUTviXNVKJk2MLax2RQs8gVrMkGWa9A9lZGRIR2hw0S4ecJcOax8KJN0G19FP2a00FJqnSGmt3rtS96u_1gKfA=s3449" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="3449" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6b4x8KCUg79awn79dam0CqMXihmNzvDwYpyP9p22CmK9_eWiU72za3PuR6txHTFhIQJEv4dny6CN9JbQbSbJdZnjcR95rgcUTviXNVKJk2MLax2RQs8gVrMkGWa9A9lZGRIR2hw0S4ecJcOax8KJN0G19FP2a00FJqnSGmt3rtS96u_1gKfA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Happy holidays from our bunker to yours! Here's to a joyful 2022!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM16fxBL_FAG6G0XbCp8KnFPp6C1F3Mz8lyPHrgIvDNlZ443Px3o6V_Tlq5l5s31xsfhIfkRRybH4tQrZ234jzOVNAGRi9vUOK_BNYNyKsSH5DvFRExeMTATpjene_v_uA5gcvoP-ucftQZYRuTyV6ndi8H-cAxmpYCaOdMFUneLt5Y7ICt60=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM16fxBL_FAG6G0XbCp8KnFPp6C1F3Mz8lyPHrgIvDNlZ443Px3o6V_Tlq5l5s31xsfhIfkRRybH4tQrZ234jzOVNAGRi9vUOK_BNYNyKsSH5DvFRExeMTATpjene_v_uA5gcvoP-ucftQZYRuTyV6ndi8H-cAxmpYCaOdMFUneLt5Y7ICt60=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: large;">Stan and Kate</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">(Note: Photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.)</span></div></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-13501384510294475902020-12-23T14:40:00.008-06:002020-12-23T17:07:05.954-06:00Happy Holidays 2020<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> <i style="color: #333333; text-align: center;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i><i style="color: #333333; text-align: center;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="color: #333333; text-align: center;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="color: #333333; text-align: center;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="color: #333333; text-align: center;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">I hope this greeting finds you well. It does us (at least if you don't ask for details). And as we near the end of 2020, that is saying something. Obviously, it's been quite a year. </span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Our family has remained virus free so far. The only blip on the health front was that I had a Pacemaker "installed" in mid-May to enable me to keep up with Kate on our many walks around Saint Paul. We've walked most of the streets within a few miles of our house, as well as lots of parks and woods in our area. I think my favorite photo of the year (or at least the one that I think captures 2020 the best) was taken near the end of one those long walks.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: xx-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeISXdOCdcOySXn-ViuCuhv1s2K4ZwQn-DCDxaGTYciGLk8HsU5Ozggtn5gcFx7iZeWPvAMqGB47Oy4HotLOYIU8mRpPXqqajsdOUQZeMWTwZ9BZaxUtzuBrVcIJkfZU0uBdJ9IA/s2048/IMG_9887.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeISXdOCdcOySXn-ViuCuhv1s2K4ZwQn-DCDxaGTYciGLk8HsU5Ozggtn5gcFx7iZeWPvAMqGB47Oy4HotLOYIU8mRpPXqqajsdOUQZeMWTwZ9BZaxUtzuBrVcIJkfZU0uBdJ9IA/w422-h317/IMG_9887.jpeg" width="422" /></a></div></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Though our travel has been limited for much of the year, Kate and I did make our trip south to Florida early in the year (sadly, we are staying put this year). First, we spent a little beach time with friends. Through our clever use of the AARP Bulletin we demonstrated how to "social distance" on a Florida beach even before social distancing was a thing.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: xx-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivowcpw2_TKNo-7wRIqPt5cRemA6UhStoeDf4iBUhs098mmVTaHxDVK1f7VLc9sdVimbSIfHUl4wtervnbo35QQCWQFo2wd5JqxMhuS28U3RVsgvP-z54EmGQZypTSIoexa-xhA/s2048/IMG_2969.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivowcpw2_TKNo-7wRIqPt5cRemA6UhStoeDf4iBUhs098mmVTaHxDVK1f7VLc9sdVimbSIfHUl4wtervnbo35QQCWQFo2wd5JqxMhuS28U3RVsgvP-z54EmGQZypTSIoexa-xhA/w424-h318/IMG_2969.jpeg" width="424" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then it was great to make our way to Cedar Key for a month. Sunrises and sunsets. </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYlmU9QuDhR-pdtsk7w2Ezrzgp1n7Lw4qsNny7g7j3K5sDe9O4gBRxENB8lsdJZNi16kLn9un_vjARCdntcc9J7coWen9YZ9L0iiDNXUc1zopMdR1JijEpWkllnC8ahSBYH2QHg/s2048/IMG_6332.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYlmU9QuDhR-pdtsk7w2Ezrzgp1n7Lw4qsNny7g7j3K5sDe9O4gBRxENB8lsdJZNi16kLn9un_vjARCdntcc9J7coWen9YZ9L0iiDNXUc1zopMdR1JijEpWkllnC8ahSBYH2QHg/w410-h273/IMG_6332.jpeg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWiM2eGUFeYgJnSnm_jnbNTZ_x3UnmGl0sGO6taU4SfVNFp-YQfDqtK4nsWlT6xpvLrkte52U5RiwMrseI9CbZWeShmfbjYeAhzS7CIe4DRwTiwNjopoRSDijsG94TsAJkssarg/s2048/IMG_8002.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWiM2eGUFeYgJnSnm_jnbNTZ_x3UnmGl0sGO6taU4SfVNFp-YQfDqtK4nsWlT6xpvLrkte52U5RiwMrseI9CbZWeShmfbjYeAhzS7CIe4DRwTiwNjopoRSDijsG94TsAJkssarg/w413-h310/IMG_8002.jpeg" width="413" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">The amazing birds enjoying the area with us. </span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDFrLEyvVvlA1n1qHhoj2j7QSYVysxSDaKTkCbj5WVCN7CajhDeUvrIMPWtgev6_TzDjBtOYZph4-kqCzzkVBiWGuiSGPY1gkaylTvoBHpCBmyOaUcutd8knke-f1d-AR46XWBA/s2048/IMG_5730.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaDFrLEyvVvlA1n1qHhoj2j7QSYVysxSDaKTkCbj5WVCN7CajhDeUvrIMPWtgev6_TzDjBtOYZph4-kqCzzkVBiWGuiSGPY1gkaylTvoBHpCBmyOaUcutd8knke-f1d-AR46XWBA/w421-h280/IMG_5730.jpeg" width="421" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfZh_8cCAb_yC5u8bSBW6gEvPcTpHdqs6hpLtrYYCG4OrxPg1NFN76mN_3GRJm9rEW65UP50hQXJGQ3xpOKyomPpAhd6QO_kNITjs78YVu3pInaDZ4Zk-OP6aBcTGh286_MYhIA/s2048/IMG_5896.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfZh_8cCAb_yC5u8bSBW6gEvPcTpHdqs6hpLtrYYCG4OrxPg1NFN76mN_3GRJm9rEW65UP50hQXJGQ3xpOKyomPpAhd6QO_kNITjs78YVu3pInaDZ4Zk-OP6aBcTGh286_MYhIA/w419-h278/IMG_5896.jpeg" width="419" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIpmUDe0J8yIqkJDLmrdEN9HFT2TsbrQ1CZfzYjCW7cwaImPCui-xo-QmUD_Ew-9NnUUunsG9d3yzeKWvc1iSrQrOrGYVvzeMVXk8GMEPzwdMd3DuUp5yJfegiCOnQbBKWRcPlA/s1554/IMG_6430.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1036" data-original-width="1554" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIpmUDe0J8yIqkJDLmrdEN9HFT2TsbrQ1CZfzYjCW7cwaImPCui-xo-QmUD_Ew-9NnUUunsG9d3yzeKWvc1iSrQrOrGYVvzeMVXk8GMEPzwdMd3DuUp5yJfegiCOnQbBKWRcPlA/w420-h279/IMG_6430.jpeg" width="420" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZOWz6fdq5bSix0fk9cSyaa9Pf-zY88elMGtoC4oj9tWGOTuMyMgLJhb6-tighMMDfw1aA3tb_ZTMORDvO4OSnGxzkDHHph2bJjb7RFdecM372BrOKXieGHf0B5hDUSQtatjuOg/s1582/IMG_6038.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1255" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZOWz6fdq5bSix0fk9cSyaa9Pf-zY88elMGtoC4oj9tWGOTuMyMgLJhb6-tighMMDfw1aA3tb_ZTMORDvO4OSnGxzkDHHph2bJjb7RFdecM372BrOKXieGHf0B5hDUSQtatjuOg/w317-h399/IMG_6038.jpeg" width="317" /></a></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With a little fishing thrown it (which this year resulted in a few lovely dinners). </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1Mhn1lrX7xf5fYcb2SlzwW7hjCmefXem0pvT8JBik2jmlbZkMdS_URvQH6OzTrHj7pC28h0Yz-4R-NOO6ca0gNBCur45NVvTa0CekSq29JnRo9W32kAk4h-xc8eQeg0Ruwh-Jw/s2048/IMG_2084.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1Mhn1lrX7xf5fYcb2SlzwW7hjCmefXem0pvT8JBik2jmlbZkMdS_URvQH6OzTrHj7pC28h0Yz-4R-NOO6ca0gNBCur45NVvTa0CekSq29JnRo9W32kAk4h-xc8eQeg0Ruwh-Jw/w321-h428/IMG_2084.jpeg" width="321" /></a><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FyQ3VbiMwV7eD9-xK5sBFfqSqr1eDa9zluA4mER3UsDAFtx-N6cKS68eu5PgnCOKXXMpeAgAbBF_tjjvk6Fw776va6ZOi7BYUYtA_ElwMvbW9kRHaHXASvlGBMSQYiAdP3eK4Q/s2048/IMG_8069.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FyQ3VbiMwV7eD9-xK5sBFfqSqr1eDa9zluA4mER3UsDAFtx-N6cKS68eu5PgnCOKXXMpeAgAbBF_tjjvk6Fw776va6ZOi7BYUYtA_ElwMvbW9kRHaHXASvlGBMSQYiAdP3eK4Q/w318-h424/IMG_8069.jpeg" width="318" /></a></div></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Lots of reading in the sun. Just a favorite place to be. We returned home in early March (with stops in North Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois and Wisconsin).<br /></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-iGAgiFQTRKREvQmv88Jo2sAWitNTuBTgpXAval2hSsM0CZEj0OnUHPm3HBYcgC9FDA78q5YDqvoXCzCTxa5H8QCpn-78RPPTt3BoenWioQUpzZ3gngoGGSPbMKLFpCF5sHtuQ/s2048/IMG_3521.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-iGAgiFQTRKREvQmv88Jo2sAWitNTuBTgpXAval2hSsM0CZEj0OnUHPm3HBYcgC9FDA78q5YDqvoXCzCTxa5H8QCpn-78RPPTt3BoenWioQUpzZ3gngoGGSPbMKLFpCF5sHtuQ/w311-h414/IMG_3521.jpeg" width="311" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">We arrived home just as the pandemic was seriously setting in. From then on Kate and I shifted into the "hunker down and be safe" mode. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">To be honest, these two photos encapsulate our most frequent positions from mid-March until today.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRdEcpis_hY7oA6-49406f05oWMbHBSFwSvyIrzyL8KYo6cipAatPENgpzWU8DzvmQcTJfiPCPZPFtieITHL6lfKIyfUfylFy0EV_6AAEDcAfy2OsLGIOcJFtFSgVPngYY2lqxQ/s2048/IMG_9942.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRdEcpis_hY7oA6-49406f05oWMbHBSFwSvyIrzyL8KYo6cipAatPENgpzWU8DzvmQcTJfiPCPZPFtieITHL6lfKIyfUfylFy0EV_6AAEDcAfy2OsLGIOcJFtFSgVPngYY2lqxQ/s320/IMG_9942.heic" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSLAJprkPnLPoJhio-gXKX-4iucGq8WAwxrlG7zZa3nBxUqhVGmbnZKgL-t8PxsYotm9zkxMQBIHOsAJmqerPzwir8bDsd8bp0JddO0zQxxzZYHfLP_dy4wHTmZStULvzjfipfg/s2048/IMG_9946.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSLAJprkPnLPoJhio-gXKX-4iucGq8WAwxrlG7zZa3nBxUqhVGmbnZKgL-t8PxsYotm9zkxMQBIHOsAJmqerPzwir8bDsd8bp0JddO0zQxxzZYHfLP_dy4wHTmZStULvzjfipfg/s320/IMG_9946.jpeg" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that is not to say that we have been entirely sedentary. There have been lots of walks.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiHP_GdVFPIB1qvC3i_aYwsZyKUT03YG2eZTKnMh7-61gD254J8V6R2JA1k2LeTb8c0PrV9eglmElqE63GifAVTr5PPsqP-RTI8F5bbqw8D0EIFNbV31xTXo5npG-hPev5cqHUA/s2048/IMG_8547.jpeg" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiHP_GdVFPIB1qvC3i_aYwsZyKUT03YG2eZTKnMh7-61gD254J8V6R2JA1k2LeTb8c0PrV9eglmElqE63GifAVTr5PPsqP-RTI8F5bbqw8D0EIFNbV31xTXo5npG-hPev5cqHUA/s320/IMG_8547.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;">We spent lots of great time at the cabin this summer and fall.<br /></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvhgG3pP1rtn8w4YK6CiSzcPypDtGbm4U9ujzEISTV0y1ToqpBxLBCdbOk9jzcVQGyN4iXP1lvjELRjs4vEhUCoNdRYANxMbduvYaVUuTUlWAtqZKp3sQRt9pjp85dZ44U0r6mg/s2048/IMG_6285.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvhgG3pP1rtn8w4YK6CiSzcPypDtGbm4U9ujzEISTV0y1ToqpBxLBCdbOk9jzcVQGyN4iXP1lvjELRjs4vEhUCoNdRYANxMbduvYaVUuTUlWAtqZKp3sQRt9pjp85dZ44U0r6mg/s320/IMG_6285.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And fortunately the "Hill House" we added at the cabin last year gives us three separate buildings at our cabin in which people can stay in relative safety. Combined with our open air porch and a couple of decks we were able to have guests and still maintain safe social distance with just a little bit of care. Not the large groups we have enjoyed most years, but at least some social contact that didn't involve a computer. We were even able to get the whole family a bit of cabin time together (which helped Kate and me with by far the hardest part of the pandemic - not enough time with our granddaughter Frankie).</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFERe-KF2rRiMeVkHEl4kZ7BMhSyDLK4XPt6TUYcCjq7RGOzKKdLU5e8Sdsh3vVnx0ZV51C-lgx4W94QwESns8TYd-cWlqmmYCL4-rV78F6GlClvCKT8xGy7diTUxyYjs7fMbsqw/s2048/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFERe-KF2rRiMeVkHEl4kZ7BMhSyDLK4XPt6TUYcCjq7RGOzKKdLU5e8Sdsh3vVnx0ZV51C-lgx4W94QwESns8TYd-cWlqmmYCL4-rV78F6GlClvCKT8xGy7diTUxyYjs7fMbsqw/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPI1q_rrO5pFkaAjAgQ476iuliCqX3JZRdKjYmea40K2aN57N7PEqZErMXLnkMMnbeZUHq7MYpRGiP30KJPczdYbNdZy0osJ08h7h62HtwvkhlLmjv1UuopHFYZieMPfZvdswpw/s2048/IMG_6472.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1414" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPI1q_rrO5pFkaAjAgQ476iuliCqX3JZRdKjYmea40K2aN57N7PEqZErMXLnkMMnbeZUHq7MYpRGiP30KJPczdYbNdZy0osJ08h7h62HtwvkhlLmjv1UuopHFYZieMPfZvdswpw/s320/IMG_6472.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-arXBD4tzoS2bHtP5p65f9mj6o6jR1IvebXg9dCeJGOiohlNJpiVdXsKL4vVMuXS-0vNQ-hTxupYGQxSaWLws6MXTgfpFcZVt1rtHXMvsLVYX0UHB0zNXYRGu9IT9UcCSE9Nihw/s2048/IMG_6594.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-arXBD4tzoS2bHtP5p65f9mj6o6jR1IvebXg9dCeJGOiohlNJpiVdXsKL4vVMuXS-0vNQ-hTxupYGQxSaWLws6MXTgfpFcZVt1rtHXMvsLVYX0UHB0zNXYRGu9IT9UcCSE9Nihw/s320/IMG_6594.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht__BCdA5U8aS4GSFyfbuxooc1O90tvyRUIIWsI95uesPWe6k0qxaJI9t1RDW_xO1sftGvWJ0I8Qz8Y5AawFBRLQTcErvU4AyGoqkeZLXWRxwRI7EF9heAyN-Gn_byzvEyHCD0Gg/s2048/IMG_6678.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht__BCdA5U8aS4GSFyfbuxooc1O90tvyRUIIWsI95uesPWe6k0qxaJI9t1RDW_xO1sftGvWJ0I8Qz8Y5AawFBRLQTcErvU4AyGoqkeZLXWRxwRI7EF9heAyN-Gn_byzvEyHCD0Gg/s320/IMG_6678.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXaIO65SRctdLfhCLHiv8w8zEuz5j_0x5AgwGI27HP84HcMlFavlTwiNHzDYCjOlu1FPsP71NamsS1fCBscamamPehm5K51lKmwjqnCWmGzwunjY1lh4Tug2OlWEVNPzif-3hSA/s2048/IMG_9004+2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXaIO65SRctdLfhCLHiv8w8zEuz5j_0x5AgwGI27HP84HcMlFavlTwiNHzDYCjOlu1FPsP71NamsS1fCBscamamPehm5K51lKmwjqnCWmGzwunjY1lh4Tug2OlWEVNPzif-3hSA/s320/IMG_9004+2.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What a joy it was to have everyone together. We even got a little time in Saint Paul as Frankie continued to grow up, climbing stairs and just being incredibly cute.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaWMbXOWg7YunueTjYO57FeS5d5CbCY6ZttpTcJn-IQ6DoThE2dM54ZZXa1XF-t8mQRT6oQdF0Q6PVp3iS27ZZHW7SlVdkdj8TDaqN4K3J_cQewLpglKJtWXCOnjY6TQ4r7Mg-A/s2048/IMG_9196.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIaWMbXOWg7YunueTjYO57FeS5d5CbCY6ZttpTcJn-IQ6DoThE2dM54ZZXa1XF-t8mQRT6oQdF0Q6PVp3iS27ZZHW7SlVdkdj8TDaqN4K3J_cQewLpglKJtWXCOnjY6TQ4r7Mg-A/s320/IMG_9196.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjW-HcvCyJRzeKqkbQyX2G790XAj6kAg9ukZgBezeMpaOt11PAL98jFz62lHm8xSYl92J3Qrn33WKyabLj1jUyHYNlKAN2QQCUOMzIlrRKCScvBMGAoMukY4OMwJEemyTYZ7yqg/s2048/IMG_9522.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjW-HcvCyJRzeKqkbQyX2G790XAj6kAg9ukZgBezeMpaOt11PAL98jFz62lHm8xSYl92J3Qrn33WKyabLj1jUyHYNlKAN2QQCUOMzIlrRKCScvBMGAoMukY4OMwJEemyTYZ7yqg/s320/IMG_9522.jpeg" /></a></div>Probably the most exciting nine seconds of the year for us was Frankie's then-record 15 step walk on our deck (the record no longer stands, but she does. Just not in one place very long). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxY57SIzv5YOQ21yaDtjPTFhE879XnpBtGRiJNxW2cBxB6T_DRiLzoWjpcbGO63XwnaAF2S51DXUeY' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We also got to babysit Frankie for a few days in Denver while Peter and Erin did a little hiking in the mountains. Fortunately Kate is a great student of safe travel, wiping down our hotel room on our way to and from Denver - TV remotes put safely in a Ziploc bag to avoid germs. </span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Family updates: Madeline has been teaching first grade in the Madison school system virtually so far this year. No clear answer as to whether the balance of the year will include some classroom time with students or not. She is (rightfully) ahead of us on the vaccination list. Her students are lucky to have her as a teacher. Virtual or not.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRzgFqHIrIVRZhQvMo1hZE4fCaGDCAYfzgRfUqkTaWLlE3ai_6pC_llZo9GudqUOIEiWeToTC831OzCLCksujXGEXBfgMUInPysRIcSniSYKhELzEhJWmlTFjoMgi7pZxpkry_Q/s1024/9a5d793b-6394-4feb-86d8-ab199f14fcac.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="875" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRzgFqHIrIVRZhQvMo1hZE4fCaGDCAYfzgRfUqkTaWLlE3ai_6pC_llZo9GudqUOIEiWeToTC831OzCLCksujXGEXBfgMUInPysRIcSniSYKhELzEhJWmlTFjoMgi7pZxpkry_Q/w314-h368/9a5d793b-6394-4feb-86d8-ab199f14fcac.jpeg" width="314" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Peter and Erin have also been really busy. Both working hard (Erin at a new job) from their lovely (but small) home, all the while raising Frankie. It looks like they have solved the small home problem. Barring complications they will close on new home (to them) shortly after Christmas. One large enough to accommodate us for visits! Come on vaccines! They have been so generous with us - letting us share in dinners with Frankie via phone.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXqNMBtsHxRAJ-6W_GKgj_pM9CsTC4MWhIOfPWeK1o-yf_mZcesQ8UZFSKISsrK3rx8sBWy0bnO3gWlyBIGmrDmbhW_1-DFav7fKDubZxLTbn36ERjwheusLap4g_dJo4yPqDYw/s2436/IMG_9792.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXqNMBtsHxRAJ-6W_GKgj_pM9CsTC4MWhIOfPWeK1o-yf_mZcesQ8UZFSKISsrK3rx8sBWy0bnO3gWlyBIGmrDmbhW_1-DFav7fKDubZxLTbn36ERjwheusLap4g_dJo4yPqDYw/s320/IMG_9792.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She likes black beans! Here she is celebrating right after Joe Biden was declared by the networks to be our President Elect!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zkpunPuEDzURmJDeh7D_xNts5uxzT7FcBjEcVT0SWbvijKw7ckJ_5LkKK2xxEqhZ1bSg33sz68_dt2EpTrnlsOJjWpz6Nb1tvW8Mtf8gdqIwlZ9DMVnicJswxVZp3wsr7_1Ng/s2436/IMG_9814.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2436" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61zkpunPuEDzURmJDeh7D_xNts5uxzT7FcBjEcVT0SWbvijKw7ckJ_5LkKK2xxEqhZ1bSg33sz68_dt2EpTrnlsOJjWpz6Nb1tvW8Mtf8gdqIwlZ9DMVnicJswxVZp3wsr7_1Ng/s320/IMG_9814.heic" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;">I celebrated shortly thereafter with a drink of my own (mine had olives stuffed with blue cheese). A great relief to us (and probably to most of you).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In closing, I thought I'd include a bit of a song from "Meet Me in Saint Louis" that seems particularly apt for the 2020 holiday season:</div></span></div></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></div></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Let your heart be light</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From now on, our troubles will be out of sight</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Have yourself a merry little Christmas. Make the yuletide gay.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">From now on our troubles will be miles away. </span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></div></span></span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">[Editor's note: a bit optimistic perhaps, but hey, it's the holidays]</span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></i></div></span></span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Here we are as in olden days. Happy golden days of yore.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Faithful friends who are dear to us gather near to us, once more.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Through the years we all will be together. If the fates allow.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.</span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></span></span></div><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><span style="font-size: medium;">And have yourself a merry little Christmas right now.</span></div></span></span></div></blockquote><div><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-glgzH2Vf9S_yAcqVGjkWTXb6ihNWqKspLS_1BKjlL76PSvRmDyojbSwmSMKwO_QXSP3KkD1LVk4rGE5bmv9Ez-u2oRYuF2TfLsjDa7zUb4zqS8Dp_bvLH_Qov52d_PnUAnTJ4A/s1202/PHOTO-2020-11-28-16-37-00.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-glgzH2Vf9S_yAcqVGjkWTXb6ihNWqKspLS_1BKjlL76PSvRmDyojbSwmSMKwO_QXSP3KkD1LVk4rGE5bmv9Ez-u2oRYuF2TfLsjDa7zUb4zqS8Dp_bvLH_Qov52d_PnUAnTJ4A/s320/PHOTO-2020-11-28-16-37-00.jpeg" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Happy holidays from our bunker to yours! Here's to a joyful 2021!!!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stan and Kate</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">(Note: Photos may be enlarged by clicking on them.)</span></span></div></span></span></div>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-82605619496959970032019-12-23T14:40:00.000-06:002019-12-23T21:18:17.689-06:00Happy Holidays 2019<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="color: #333333;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I hope this greeting finds you well. It does us. Another excellent year has passed. In almost every way - a great year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sm-OZXQYM13M_9MdRAbQRmfQvwHau5tSGXRdJpMCN4JS3u4qNHdpYHyYivmRLmtY7FPqL-6dy_814w_FikPKnH8xiKWyU2OgIjDDuDxeC8rFsmEYL3Ii2P0gpEc1fuBVpfg14A/s1600/IMG_3093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sm-OZXQYM13M_9MdRAbQRmfQvwHau5tSGXRdJpMCN4JS3u4qNHdpYHyYivmRLmtY7FPqL-6dy_814w_FikPKnH8xiKWyU2OgIjDDuDxeC8rFsmEYL3Ii2P0gpEc1fuBVpfg14A/s640/IMG_3093.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The absolute highlight for Kate and for me has been the arrival of Frances Grace "Frankie" Oleson on May 30th. Most of this card will be devoted to her arrival and presence in our lives. But not all of it. So I'll start with some non-Frankie highlights and photos. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the fifth year since our retirements we spent all of February and parts of January and March south of Minnesota, much of it in Cedar Key, Florida. Warmth. Birds. Books. Sunrises. Sunsets. Food. Drink. Doing (next to) nothing and resting afterwards. And this year I even spent some time fishing next to an 8 foot alligator. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We even made it home in time to celebrate the NCAA basketball tournament with a couch full of fellow basketball fans.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFViAk81SaR94F8iMiuw5EnxGYVnM4Ye6fIHsp9rcVBZfXgovE2j8aWvBt3UGsxoaILCDCcwTlANNJtZuO98sI4jr0K9aH37NnIHscVJrYuZzxpS65FsiRQXPhl6urIeZUMDtj4w/s1600/IMG_1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFViAk81SaR94F8iMiuw5EnxGYVnM4Ye6fIHsp9rcVBZfXgovE2j8aWvBt3UGsxoaILCDCcwTlANNJtZuO98sI4jr0K9aH37NnIHscVJrYuZzxpS65FsiRQXPhl6urIeZUMDtj4w/s640/IMG_1339.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Kate and I made our way to Pennsylvania and became long-haul truckers and moved some family heirlooms to Minnesota.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">We added a new "outbuilding" at the cabin (now officially known as the "Hill House"). With lots of help (especially from Dan) I finished the inside of the Hill House. We hope this will add to the comfort of our guests - particularly those who, like us, are less than pleased to climb into a top bunkbed once (or twice or three times) a night. And we got lots of good time at the cabin - both alone and with great friends. It's a joy to spend quiet time at the cabin, particularly so in the middle of the week!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk03R4VtVxYQiXI_Sau5sPNvjVxNsKBYRQL-9B4y5KnFmS1rdrca3ieMndT-kEyHkEIC6TgVvdE9WGzxsLYfRPb0q2QDjW5K-3M8dNYVCFQAeFQgkovF9weEl6EjpNNTng4TQJOQ/s1600/IMG_9435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk03R4VtVxYQiXI_Sau5sPNvjVxNsKBYRQL-9B4y5KnFmS1rdrca3ieMndT-kEyHkEIC6TgVvdE9WGzxsLYfRPb0q2QDjW5K-3M8dNYVCFQAeFQgkovF9weEl6EjpNNTng4TQJOQ/s640/IMG_9435.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of course we made our annual sojourns to the great Minnesota Get-Together. A highlight of the end of summer (spoiler alert - Peter, Erin and the aforementioned Frankie joined us at the state fair. So there will be a Frankie "sneak preview" in one of the next two photos. See if you can guess which one).</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd3t-xQ0MPDG6yxIEvr7qrGgVtZiLzlECJmDFpoczhurmykNsSI-caXU0NBJc_VG3mpqr5nF0GeNdfR7eC-c8Vj0wXA-LVDbk3dlK8noSsOYXdBMled9b6nDXdHpU-FHcYyRkiw/s1600/IMG_6727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1285" data-original-width="964" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd3t-xQ0MPDG6yxIEvr7qrGgVtZiLzlECJmDFpoczhurmykNsSI-caXU0NBJc_VG3mpqr5nF0GeNdfR7eC-c8Vj0wXA-LVDbk3dlK8noSsOYXdBMled9b6nDXdHpU-FHcYyRkiw/s640/IMG_6727.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In connection with one of our trips to Colorado we made a side-trip to the Durango area to visit cousins Bill and Diana, and on to Mesa Verde and Moab. Great fun. And we returned to Denver in time to attend Frankie's baptism and the attendant festivities.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5fernGIGtr8M9XSXoiUkhnjkhnkmsSV86C_zIItTEyudJem4u-cUhz91eIa5BVZ7o-o9el4Az51loC4BC4ddbwD-7RoKAqr8GlEhVTpf2TvCCblh7XsQSA1mTJvpQW9-7HVnKQ/s1600/IMG_7084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5fernGIGtr8M9XSXoiUkhnjkhnkmsSV86C_zIItTEyudJem4u-cUhz91eIa5BVZ7o-o9el4Az51loC4BC4ddbwD-7RoKAqr8GlEhVTpf2TvCCblh7XsQSA1mTJvpQW9-7HVnKQ/s640/IMG_7084.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvhymICpKSxGFl4yML5VOzV6c2d9LmnxUpnupjZITxtSm3mji0OxLoTONmm8MTvQkFHqjp5bDGXqfP5iK9AZ6CwNPwL9Z-XBxD2p98cueOBR5vrgLj-4qYKtrSlPHNFIpjgPcCg/s1600/IMG_7059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvhymICpKSxGFl4yML5VOzV6c2d9LmnxUpnupjZITxtSm3mji0OxLoTONmm8MTvQkFHqjp5bDGXqfP5iK9AZ6CwNPwL9Z-XBxD2p98cueOBR5vrgLj-4qYKtrSlPHNFIpjgPcCg/s640/IMG_7059.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26FU6HDhYs1Qgvq0P761_hZp75OWDoPs14r3CveM7o-Tr_LYiKn26q5qdtXCmMw7Yvkl-qIaYTXsxYZKAhYpZJH-Jo1v8ZFT_OWH1GrYCd9xiav1Yjd9_OZyubL6sVR7Jbh4ofg/s1600/IMG_5279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26FU6HDhYs1Qgvq0P761_hZp75OWDoPs14r3CveM7o-Tr_LYiKn26q5qdtXCmMw7Yvkl-qIaYTXsxYZKAhYpZJH-Jo1v8ZFT_OWH1GrYCd9xiav1Yjd9_OZyubL6sVR7Jbh4ofg/s640/IMG_5279.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think you will agree it's been a year of political turmoil in the United States and around the world. I found I was getting pretty worked up over some of the craziness.</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVW99_q7dRjZIs2W6mvrWYwr4_EOh-ZVr2wZeOSO9lqLSCVITYgLVEhvVTr6BAt6A45WPvfTFCfOyFoRYEiiUcyOu0YXclsUyfF7nczlmh7rZbKA8NHD0js0ZDUHTfFIyjCf-dA/s1600/IMG_3294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1458" data-original-width="1600" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVW99_q7dRjZIs2W6mvrWYwr4_EOh-ZVr2wZeOSO9lqLSCVITYgLVEhvVTr6BAt6A45WPvfTFCfOyFoRYEiiUcyOu0YXclsUyfF7nczlmh7rZbKA8NHD0js0ZDUHTfFIyjCf-dA/s640/IMG_3294.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I decided I needed to get control of myself. So I became an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. [The real reason for this 'epiphany' was to enable me to officiate at the wedding of my godson Will Summitt and his now-wife Sophia]. It was an honor and a great experience for me, and a powerful reminder of the joy that exists in the world.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY570tyF1L6gLsSv8xo7RwwwrVDw8ZlmYfLK9Eahl5lRcPVPxxUhwWfI1p6d_2MQSiL5RdypTyBrAnBAdUoHjoMGzs81eCV4OHOtIPE8TUm2QSjyGUu9PPBEvP_RiIgOg7Urtv_A/s1600/IMG_7823+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY570tyF1L6gLsSv8xo7RwwwrVDw8ZlmYfLK9Eahl5lRcPVPxxUhwWfI1p6d_2MQSiL5RdypTyBrAnBAdUoHjoMGzs81eCV4OHOtIPE8TUm2QSjyGUu9PPBEvP_RiIgOg7Urtv_A/s640/IMG_7823+%25281%2529.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've delayed Frankie for as long as I can (and I hope at least some of you are still reading this). But first a story that I find funny. Since the beginning of our parenting years I have made fun of the need of parents and grandparents to regale one another with stories of the exceptional nature of their children and grandchildren. Over the years I've tried to deflect some of this blather by saying something like "My daughter is the 95th percentile in fingernail length." Imagine my joy and wonder when this photo was one of the first batch of photos we received of Frankie! She really was in the 99.99th percentile in fingernail length!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6X0ivQaUVYoViB_dej3MA5cU6S3mjx60JzoXvGXbl0ui06-JaQT9pxQxRiGghJawsxnBhphxO3ipEByGwE3TC3W9PlECYWfAoLRXqxzpHUIfNcGFebCkEZ06XQXKD7myVD33fg/s1600/imagejpeg_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6X0ivQaUVYoViB_dej3MA5cU6S3mjx60JzoXvGXbl0ui06-JaQT9pxQxRiGghJawsxnBhphxO3ipEByGwE3TC3W9PlECYWfAoLRXqxzpHUIfNcGFebCkEZ06XQXKD7myVD33fg/s640/imagejpeg_1.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As far as we are concerned Frankie is in the 99th percentile in every way. We've so enjoyed our chances to get to know her. This card is perhaps a bit late, in part because Peter and Erin were kind enough to let us provide a week of daycare services in Denver earlier in December. What a joy! Here are a few photos of Frankie in roughly chronological order. If you want to see hundreds more - just stop by any time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX_cLZ_dkGNiot8PwIpsI61pYPF06WjBoHM6lVaqU8-XFqr5T3jaQLaaHQravDGounBkap5tPR-m8F6IA7J-zReoG9Mx_B5Xj5ilcdkfUfTCyxgpgCPKxZZig1WpDkMOqko0zMw/s1600/IMG_6073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGX_cLZ_dkGNiot8PwIpsI61pYPF06WjBoHM6lVaqU8-XFqr5T3jaQLaaHQravDGounBkap5tPR-m8F6IA7J-zReoG9Mx_B5Xj5ilcdkfUfTCyxgpgCPKxZZig1WpDkMOqko0zMw/s640/IMG_6073.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uBlRTlsG6TQMCt4FCnSz9pEmyHIXoxSLveqZ4wvGrUe7LgdSmNen66FW9xht73u3hmn0Nzs2yUum_4PJr8EnZWw_kBYZ9nlH3bLZwN8cyDhsDz3PlvJvG4n0yW_fEvl6XB2Xug/s1600/IMG_6277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uBlRTlsG6TQMCt4FCnSz9pEmyHIXoxSLveqZ4wvGrUe7LgdSmNen66FW9xht73u3hmn0Nzs2yUum_4PJr8EnZWw_kBYZ9nlH3bLZwN8cyDhsDz3PlvJvG4n0yW_fEvl6XB2Xug/s640/IMG_6277.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIE3CRJl4OCSITKhAslar4OiFLcpAOuzbw1L_CLOKlU7vDwcZXslTXleYU8qtOpgYQPc-iVcpLjHyKwc6lREqeAUf8OMJBFoFTzXvB094pROfd6idN5dEWu_1dmuZsGUGKNrWdA/s1600/IMG_4497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIE3CRJl4OCSITKhAslar4OiFLcpAOuzbw1L_CLOKlU7vDwcZXslTXleYU8qtOpgYQPc-iVcpLjHyKwc6lREqeAUf8OMJBFoFTzXvB094pROfd6idN5dEWu_1dmuZsGUGKNrWdA/s640/IMG_4497.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTaooXCzZsAhiNk1uqp1_CEisO3wuxpL4UpBvB5bXEr9Kcuk4Cfr5VKBF5g4e_oaERnsAbBx00B-h8JgrRnCn8-1grgxa-YqwFxYFEKw9yYeGmgmHOTx7v56fHg6rkFUwwcCy8Q/s1600/IMG_4604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1267" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTaooXCzZsAhiNk1uqp1_CEisO3wuxpL4UpBvB5bXEr9Kcuk4Cfr5VKBF5g4e_oaERnsAbBx00B-h8JgrRnCn8-1grgxa-YqwFxYFEKw9yYeGmgmHOTx7v56fHg6rkFUwwcCy8Q/s640/IMG_4604.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaKrchNyl7RcfdaByeZnB_7fMHQGzo-zv-kFPmPruKRr_AIlI6TBf8l7vN3BQCmCcSiz86h2uX6uW9SQGfGSiOJguO77wAMYSjEmDODG_dpoG8a4xeCBQEdMv5zj9r44BEzAK8Q/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaaKrchNyl7RcfdaByeZnB_7fMHQGzo-zv-kFPmPruKRr_AIlI6TBf8l7vN3BQCmCcSiz86h2uX6uW9SQGfGSiOJguO77wAMYSjEmDODG_dpoG8a4xeCBQEdMv5zj9r44BEzAK8Q/s640/IMG_4600.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gHaJW9Ue5H4FWNlpyvJz7HvMvCAi8n8iVX7isAEyLR1L1BBdL1ot4fVFreyM-rLE_JbGvSmyYlxG-g16ULJbKfE4zrYSY0I6L24OZpptHWA6_Q7ZKX4wga343DH8ihuifSBZhA/s1600/IMG_6616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="502" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gHaJW9Ue5H4FWNlpyvJz7HvMvCAi8n8iVX7isAEyLR1L1BBdL1ot4fVFreyM-rLE_JbGvSmyYlxG-g16ULJbKfE4zrYSY0I6L24OZpptHWA6_Q7ZKX4wga343DH8ihuifSBZhA/s640/IMG_6616.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All in all, it's been yet another excellent year for us. All the best to you and yours. Enjoy the holiday season and every season. We'll do the same.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here's to a joyful 2020!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stan and Kate</span></span></div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-75207996376568039922018-12-23T13:39:00.000-06:002018-12-24T08:06:54.209-06:00Happy Holidays 2018<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i style="color: #333333;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="color: #333333;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> I hope this greeting finds you well. It does us. With three years of "retirement living" under our belts, I think it's fair to say that Kate and I have fully made the transition to retired life. In some senses that took about a day. But it feels like our retirement years now have a normal rhythm. This will be our fourth year of traveling to Cedar Key, Florida in February. Sunrises (for me). Sunsets (for all, often with an adult beverage). Birds. Quiet. Warmth. Walks. Friends. Our trip south shortens the Minnesota winter in a way that appeals to both of us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Without a doubt our biggest event this year was Peter and Erin's wedding in Vail, Colorado. The wedding, the reception, and all of the related events were amazingly fun, moving and special. We are so pleased to add Erin to our family.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> The odds are overwhelming that Peter and Erin will also be the source of our family's biggest event of 2019 as well. Our family of five</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">is scheduled to become a little larger towards the end of May. Peter and Erin are expecting their first child then!! We are so excited for them (and for us). We celebrated with them in Denver earlier this month.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Erin's tiny glass of beer was the tipoff in this photo. Erin is doing wonderfully. Peter also seems to be holding up well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> One sad note in our year was the death of Kate's mother, Kitty. She was 93 years old, lived a full and zestful life, and was able to remain in her own home to the end, for the most part in fairly good health. She may have been small in stature but her presence was enormous. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We miss her.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Our retirement years seem to include one or two other long trips (including this year a wonderful trip with Madeline winding our way home from Peter and Erin's wedding). We spend more quiet mid-week cabin time in the summer. Lots of visits to and with family and friends. Some </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">traditional annual events. Some more spontaneous.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> All in all, it's been yet another excellent year for us. All the best to you and yours. Enjoy the holiday season and every season. We'll do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> Here's to a joyful 2019!</span></div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-63128705105634157522017-12-20T11:30:00.000-06:002017-12-21T10:32:00.664-06:00Happy Holidays 2017<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! </i><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> I thought about reprising a holiday card I sent during the Reagan era which was titled "THIS IS NOT A HOLIDAY CARD!" My long-ago card pointed out that we had sent Holiday Cards only to our wealthiest friends, secure in the knowledge that our fond wishes for a great holiday and new year would trickle down to all of our friends. It was funny in the 1980's. Somehow it seems equally appropriate but less funny now. So I think I'll just start with a photo of our family.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyiIOH1BaL2iS6ormNw9kVCOBJ29LAL2SMUcT-s95Iqc4Z6nLfZ7yC782gRgCIfS1UZ9crlifIU84JpIWcGykDfKVB7-LlHCDkMTnXay36zw21vKASolQSkrUDxLEWiinldQJjw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_11baa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyiIOH1BaL2iS6ormNw9kVCOBJ29LAL2SMUcT-s95Iqc4Z6nLfZ7yC782gRgCIfS1UZ9crlifIU84JpIWcGykDfKVB7-LlHCDkMTnXay36zw21vKASolQSkrUDxLEWiinldQJjw/s320/fullsizeoutput_11baa.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> If you are paying attention, and you probably still are since we are only two paragraphs into this note, you may notice that our family photos now include five people. About this time last year Peter became engaged to Erin Swietlik - a fellow Denverite who, like Peter, migrated to Denver from the Midwest. We are looking forward to Erin's official entry to the family next June, when she and Peter will be married in Vail, Colorado.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztklCDLzxb_Mc6zR8zBFHiYEFXCXzkDbs0uu1OURwH4Xd0XKtTtnao85w7qPkYhjfbQw-zOm3TRFOb8w3OOLh_sR0u9vF6SK0rfnAkMhkddERX-ome_rQHgt438O1KJFjLZFo9A/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztklCDLzxb_Mc6zR8zBFHiYEFXCXzkDbs0uu1OURwH4Xd0XKtTtnao85w7qPkYhjfbQw-zOm3TRFOb8w3OOLh_sR0u9vF6SK0rfnAkMhkddERX-ome_rQHgt438O1KJFjLZFo9A/s200/IMG_0963.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Kate and I have spent a bit of time this year helping Peter and Erin with wedding planning. It's been fun to do a bit of nuptial planning along with them. We haven't been much help, but then again they don't need much help. We're excited about their wedding, but much more excited about what a wonderful couple they are.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YkHDwvAMhyTqDX53CV5ehRk_KyAc0IxauNnZPRgUZUAbSebht-SYPUeXFSpGryJfVTEjbbzOW2Y7ECpbmNtFisUllMT0h2STfZGHI6edTWFgiiXWA2sZ6lMVhOd7ya7kJ46uHw/s1600/IMG_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YkHDwvAMhyTqDX53CV5ehRk_KyAc0IxauNnZPRgUZUAbSebht-SYPUeXFSpGryJfVTEjbbzOW2Y7ECpbmNtFisUllMT0h2STfZGHI6edTWFgiiXWA2sZ6lMVhOd7ya7kJ46uHw/s320/IMG_0146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Kate and I have also enjoyed several fun trips to Madison to see Madeline this year. We've even gotten to help a bit with home improvement projects she is undertaking at her new house. This year Madeline has learned the joys of a pressure washer. I think she enjoys it as much as I do. We also had a great time laying carpet tiles in her basement. Madeline recruited a quality squad of carpet installers, with our friend Dan leading the installation team. I think we did an excellent job and made a great team, although the three oldsters on the squad had a bit of trouble walking the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> For the first time in her many years of teaching in Madison, Madeline is teaching the same grade in the same classroom for the second year in a row. I am constantly amazed by how hard teachers work. The time, energy and even money that teachers like Madeline invest in the kids in her class gives me great hope for a better future. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijdbjAzf9RckKi3FMkYYfARXHU4mEGaE2fuoCsLi3HE8rI2E8WUz4saLLplLWQDh4Iyr697Pu1CB8dWPGDz3d-et3n6NMX0cJEcKlQ9LWAy4BmPqD4soy-QDF4uR2F-cINDg5jA/s1600/The+Kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijdbjAzf9RckKi3FMkYYfARXHU4mEGaE2fuoCsLi3HE8rI2E8WUz4saLLplLWQDh4Iyr697Pu1CB8dWPGDz3d-et3n6NMX0cJEcKlQ9LWAy4BmPqD4soy-QDF4uR2F-cINDg5jA/s320/The+Kiss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> I read recently that Facebook and other forms of social media (including holiday cards!), populated as they are by happy talk and photos of friends and others in rapturous enjoyment of their lives, are causing a phenomenon whereby we all feel a little less good or just plain bad about the fact that our own lives contain some problems and slow spots. Although Kate (like Mary Poppins) measures up as "practically perfect" and I am incredibly witty and urbane (hey, I live in a big city!), our lives are not <i>always</i> a romp in the park. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45k6v7hBnmxanujHsolWYbSPVzOYAtZiV4kcgENTp158x1ozNtqC-oMhT4ArmVtR6Mp251tIcVSoeRGEgoCjCaXc8f9ox63G7WmJELLoLrgb4jhiZFb5Ptwnec5KEWjF26b-tMw/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45k6v7hBnmxanujHsolWYbSPVzOYAtZiV4kcgENTp158x1ozNtqC-oMhT4ArmVtR6Mp251tIcVSoeRGEgoCjCaXc8f9ox63G7WmJELLoLrgb4jhiZFb5Ptwnec5KEWjF26b-tMw/s320/IMG_0192.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Our retirements have meant that we spend much more time together than we did during our working careers. One thing that helps us is that, like a couple of two year olds, we are really good at parallel play - most often with Kate in the kitchen and me in the family room. We can still communicate with one another if necessary. Often with responses of,"What, I couldn't hear you!" But we still have our moments of conflict. For example, once in a while Kate can get quite aggravated at her one-man "IT staff." And I can guarantee that her IT staff sometimes thinks that his "client' could try a bit harder to solve iPhone issues before staffing them out. For some odd reason in the last year we are both more given to yelling at the TV news than we were between January 20, 2009 and January 20, 2017. At least we don't yell at one another. We try to limit our daily television news intake to the excellent PBS NewsHour. However, the end of the NewsHour often leads to another form of parallel play, as Kate heads to the wine cellar and I to the liquor cabinet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> One aspect of our lives which is almost always a 'romp in the park' for us is our road trips together.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_r-9dsALLgeoHtjvW1D1MnTUTqpvCHzgjn7Hbcva-2mGWli51TlfSkEq9x0HOwYcCCN_EFYrJeGvuc7GVFLIJ1oqCC76O5zemwOKMDXkWo11bmcN4-jaroT0qZMjOSHTkEO6jw/s1600/IMG_9792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_r-9dsALLgeoHtjvW1D1MnTUTqpvCHzgjn7Hbcva-2mGWli51TlfSkEq9x0HOwYcCCN_EFYrJeGvuc7GVFLIJ1oqCC76O5zemwOKMDXkWo11bmcN4-jaroT0qZMjOSHTkEO6jw/s320/IMG_9792.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Once again this year Kate and I made our way to Florida with our pals Dan and Francine. A wonderful trip it was, including a visit with our friends Don and Phil at their condo in Fort Myers Beach.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yweqrL1MZslyJDPenUWyzF3izQDEbSiQYc-j8pgHUnHYJUd1hti9Fwfrz3PFWIpBQ5R9bZ9jSlfheWQjoTQUjRr14EhqHnoTnTis6axO4HeT6avb4v0m7c51ZU9axOseHEY6cA/s1600/IMG_8991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1600" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yweqrL1MZslyJDPenUWyzF3izQDEbSiQYc-j8pgHUnHYJUd1hti9Fwfrz3PFWIpBQ5R9bZ9jSlfheWQjoTQUjRr14EhqHnoTnTis6axO4HeT6avb4v0m7c51ZU9axOseHEY6cA/s320/IMG_8991.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> And some great time in Cedar Key. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The birds, sunsets, relative warmth, and slow pace of life are just great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We are planning to return to Cedar Key for the month of February this year. It's a great place to "do nothing and rest afterwards." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> We spent lots of great time this summer in the north woods, whether at our cabin, on bike rides, or (in my case) on canoe trips. We like the fact that we can plan our trips north to maximize our mid-week time there when it is even more quiet and peaceful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Another highlight of our year was a fall trip to Colorado. We watched Peter participate in his first triathlon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFQvBzlXq6R0HR9R5AxerpO092okhqcr-LcBiv9I_PHyI7HYz5NfFbDAhey9afA9gUKSRbVvrTG3mQJBmFs3NixwO4KtBrRnYigi0IYH0OWY4Uj_Wm_5VPov2Sbjus6PbQGcmMA/s1600/IMG_0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFQvBzlXq6R0HR9R5AxerpO092okhqcr-LcBiv9I_PHyI7HYz5NfFbDAhey9afA9gUKSRbVvrTG3mQJBmFs3NixwO4KtBrRnYigi0IYH0OWY4Uj_Wm_5VPov2Sbjus6PbQGcmMA/s320/IMG_0419.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Erin got a kiss after the swimming segment. No time for a kiss for Kate as Peter headed for his bicycle. In addition to lots of time in Denver, we explored Vail, Fort Collins, Crested Butte and the Durango area, where we had a great time getting reacquainted with my cousin Bill and cousin-in-law Diana.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> All in all it's been yet another excellent year for us. All the best to you and yours. Enjoy the holiday season and every season. We'll do the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> Here's to a joyful 2018!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Stan (on behalf of Kate, Madeline and Peter - none of whom should be blamed in any way for the contents of this greeting)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRyR3fozs_UK9hdOWDxVKD_3-lRJxY6a0K-9RPNrJXPRmV0a5nE9E5k39H9j7orC3jNdfPk-qQ8XaW9kCrtvBcnPxvCJ5XfZGw_XYBCll3U1Gm4RBI-1RJ2LiZn33GWfHsw27OQ/s1600/IMG_0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRyR3fozs_UK9hdOWDxVKD_3-lRJxY6a0K-9RPNrJXPRmV0a5nE9E5k39H9j7orC3jNdfPk-qQ8XaW9kCrtvBcnPxvCJ5XfZGw_XYBCll3U1Gm4RBI-1RJ2LiZn33GWfHsw27OQ/s320/IMG_0677.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(Note: Photos may be enlarged by clicking on them. Photo credits to SSB and OSL.)</span></div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-35951139744570768682016-12-23T12:09:00.000-06:002016-12-24T10:32:53.183-06:00Happy Holidays - 2016<br />
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<i style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! År Ruumsaid Juulup! Season's Greetings! Peace!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvejK_MOadNB_uwLGmf68lV4IxGqOJdPi8ezo2BdQt06zmmi4Y9jqqyYmQkCiAXcw2TkNrfuLHMnrNhdDj_NyDGNuKy4PDr2G_RscKZ6TH3jNAcILvF4OztfZuHbuZG98OVLk9g/s1600/fullsizeoutput_10e40.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvejK_MOadNB_uwLGmf68lV4IxGqOJdPi8ezo2BdQt06zmmi4Y9jqqyYmQkCiAXcw2TkNrfuLHMnrNhdDj_NyDGNuKy4PDr2G_RscKZ6TH3jNAcILvF4OztfZuHbuZG98OVLk9g/s320/fullsizeoutput_10e40.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I hope this holiday greeting finds you well. It does us. And our little family of four will once again be together for the holidays! The house is decorated. The new painting that Kate and I bought for our holiday present to one another has been placed above the fireplace and the stockings are hung as well. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I am glad that I don't have to report on any significant health events this year. 2016 was pleasantly uneventful on that front. The travel report for 2016 is also a good one. Winter in Minnesota is fun but a bit long. A trip to Florida with our friends Dan and Francine was the perfect way to take a few weeks off of winter.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We spent ten days communing with birds and dolphins and manatees and reading novels and eating fish (and perhaps sipping on a few wines) in the sleepy but lovely village of Cedar Key, Florida. Just an amazingly great time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Then it was on to Fort Myers Beach where we basked in the sun and the amazing hospitality of our friends Don and Phil. More laughs and fun were had in the sun and the sand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">And there were more amazing birds.</span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Peter and Erin came to the Midwest to celebrate Peter's birthday. Who can resist the joys of balmy April days in Minnesota and Wisconsin?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">In June we headed to France with our friends Tom and Kathy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Dordogne area was just amazingly fun. Ancient cities, meandering rivers, great food, lots of laughs, an amazing VRBO host and just a great time.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Our friend the peacock, looking good in an amazing Dordogne garden. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">And of course, some time in Paris. This was as close as we chose to get to the Mona Lisa. But there was no shortage of great art, great food, and lots and lots of "short walks" - which weren't all that short.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Prior to heading to France I worked hard to improve my French, which has lots of room for improvement. I had so much fun trying to communicate with this lovely woman in the garden of the Rodin Museum. I thought I was doing pretty well. But she gave me an odd look when I told her that "my French wasn't good but my <i>husband</i> spoke French quite well." Fortunately, Kate arrived shortly thereafter and clarified things a bit. Still, it's one of my favorite memories of a great trip.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">After Tom and Kathy returned to the USA, we spent a wonderful week in Brittany with our French friends Chris and Val, and got a chance to meet their families and see the part of France they are originally from. Yet another great experience. We stayed in a chateau, a gite that was kind of like a home for hobbits, and a pigeonere (a lovingly modernized pigeon rookery).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">On our return to the Minnesota, Kate quickly put the gardens in order.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The Train Party once again marked the halfway point of a wonderful year. It was great to spend time with our immediate family and our Train Party family as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We found a way to get some quality time at the cabin. The "Tuna" once again plied the waters of Cranberry Lake. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">An enormous rainstorm and a burst dam 40 miles from the cabin caused what we hope is a "hundred year" flood in July. The water rose at least three feet in a day or so. No real damage (at least for us) and it actually was kind of a fun experience.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The big news for Madeline is her wonderful new house in Madison. She becomes more handy on a daily basis. And I enjoy having a family member who now likes to discuss toggle bolts, lawn mowers, pipe draining and other joys of home ownership and maintenance. She's teaching first graders this year (another new grade level!), so calling Madeline busy is quite an understatement.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Kate and I made a trip west in the fall, starting with a Light Up the Night Walk in Denver with Peter and Erin</span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society</span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">. For me it was quite a moving experience. It's a joy to still be "vertical" eighteen years after my cancer experience.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We followed the LLS walk with some hikes in the mountains near Steamboat Springs. Magical.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We did run into some traffic jams on our way back to Minnesota. But it was more than worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Kate and I get shined up once in a while (in this case for a wedding). But we spend lots of time lounging around Saint Paul. Feel free to visit any time. We leave once in a while, but when we are home we never close! We'd love to see you.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Have a great holiday season and a great 2017!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Stan </span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">(on behalf of Kate, Madeline and Peter - none of whom should be blamed in any way for the contents of this greeting)</span></div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-59997086623555057932015-12-18T16:06:00.002-06:002015-12-21T11:13:28.036-06:00Happy Holidays - 2015<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! År Ruumsaid Juulup! Season's Greetings! Peace!</i><br />I hope this holiday greeting finds you well. It does us. And our little family of four will once again be together for the holidays! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">2015 has been a year and change and adventure for Kate and for me. I retired in mid-January and we left for a planned six week trip shortly thereafter. At the end of our first full day on the road I suddenly began to feel quite strange. Thanks to some quick thinking on the part of Kate, my sister Linda and especially my brother-in-law (now known as "Saint Wood"), an ambulance was called almost immediately. Within a couple hours what had been a sudden blockage of one of the arteries to my heart had been repaired. Although it's in the "black humor" category, I was pleased to discover that my sense of humor, bad though it might be, remains intact under stress. In the ambulance as we sped to the hospital, the EMT reviewed my EKG printout, looked me in the eye and said with great gravity, "You are having a major heart attack!" It was only with great effort that I stopped myself from responding, "I didn't need the damn adjective!" It turns out that in the context "major" simply means that the blockage of one of the arteries was total. But because we reacted so promptly and the stents worked well, the short-term blockage did no long-term damage to my heart. I felt fine the next day, and have felt fine since. However, we delayed our trip and returned home to let me get used to new medicines and do some "medical stuff."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />In late March we left again on an abbreviated version of the trip we had originally planned. This time everything went smoothly! Kate's mother's 90th birthday celebration had been postponed for a couple of months, but the event was great when it finally happened. And, because of the delay, Madeline was able to join us for the party. After the party, we visited Baltimore, made our way to the home of Kate's friend Carolyn for a wonderful week in the hills of North Carolina and then wandered back to Minnesota by way of Asheville; Lexington, Kentucky; and the home of our friends Tom and Kathy in Peoria. A little slide show is attached to give you some visual sense of Opus 2 of our post-retirement trip east (the slides may not load well on iPads or phones).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kate and I are settling well into retired life. It's been great fun, but there are adjustments to make. Fortunately, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">we enjoy one another's company. Plus, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">like a couple of two year olds, Kate and I are really good at parallel play. For example, we've learned that it works better for us to play Words with Friends from separate rooms on our iPads rather than at a Scrabble board in one location. I believe this may have something to do with my game playing style. I blame my parents.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Madeline continues to teach in Madison. For the first time in seven years of teaching, she is teaching the same basic course for a second year in a row. Last spring she completed her masters in Experiential Education. We were proud to go to her graduation and were the only non-class members invited to the party the night prior to the graduation ceremony.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">There is some small chance that our invitation to this prestigious event was related to the fact that we agreed to cook a paella for the group. But we like to think it was because of our exceptional parenting and personalities. Madeline is pondering yet another step into full adulthood - a home purchase in the Madison area. We are hopeful that in addition to an economic role in the process, she will avail herself of Kate's great skill in interior design and all things culinary and of my home handyman skills. We like Madison and especially like hanging around with our favorite daughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Another favored destination is Denver (or any location that includes Peter). He continues to love Denver. His job at Academic Impressions continues to go well. He has taken great advantage of the mountains, hiking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter. In at least one way he is his mother's son. He is definitely the family's most creative chef. It's really fun to watch the man at work in the kitchen. Peter has also been an active wedding attender this year. It seemed to me that he was on his way to a wedding every couple of weeks this spring and summer. One of the weddings was in Chicago and involved our whole family. It also gave us a chance to spend a bit of time with Peter's girlfriend Erin. In at least one way Peter does take after me. He's very good at finding an excellent partner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our year has been busy, replete with cabin time (with lots of guests, only one of which was a bear), birthday celebrations, high school reunions (Stan), books (both), food preparation and consumption (Kate, with some assistance in the smoked or grilled arena from Stan), plays and other "cultural" activities, cycling (Stan), exercise classes (Kate - the Queen of Saint Paul's east side Y), soccer and other sport watching (Stan), Hallmark Christmas movies (mostly Kate but truth be told Stan too), wine (both), bike trips, hikes, fairs (state and art) and lots of other fun activities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In September we began a second driving trip east, which we elected to call the "<b>M</b>" trip, since we spent time sailing in Lake <b>M</b>ichigan, on <b>M</b>ackinaw Island, visiting friends in Rockford, <b>M</b>ichigan, at Kate's <b>M</b>other's house, visiting <b>M</b>addox, <b>M</b>usial, <b>M</b>antle and <b>M</b>ays at the baseball hall of fame, in <b>M</b>ontreal, in <b>M</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">aine, with longtime friends at a <b>M</b>an-<b>M</b>ade Ohio lake (ok, it's a stretch, but it was too much fun to leave off the list), seeing <b>M</b>adeline in <b>M</b>adison and returning home to <b>M</b>innesota. I hope the little slide show of the <b>M</b> trip I've attached will be viewable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have a great holiday season. Stop by any time to visit us in Saint Paul. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Call first though. We might be on our way to your house.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />Stan </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(on behalf of Kate, Madeline and Peter - none of whom should be blamed in any way for the contents of this greeting)</span><br />
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-80946020881565680792015-10-01T09:21:00.001-05:002015-10-01T09:50:18.834-05:00Nag-a-vationKate and I have spent lots of time over the last two weeks (and over the last 33 years) driving to and from places. In the beginning, I was most often the driver (I, after all, have a Y chromosome). There were major flaws in this approach for us. First, I have attention span issues. Though I am probably better than Kate at knowing precisely where the car is on the road, my mind wanders. Second, Kate is, by her own admission, a terrible rider. The frequent sharp intakes of breath are distracting and offensive to the driver. I can read in a car. Kate gets nauseated if she reads (even if she reads a map - which, by the way, isn't a great skill of hers even outside a moving car).<br />
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So long ago, in an aggravated and less than pleasant state, I stopped the car, handed Kate the keys and said, "All right, you drive!" Though it was intended as a rebuke, it was inadvertently a great decision.<br />
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Kate always pays attention. Look at that classic "10 and 2" hand position! Her speed is reasonably rapid, but safe. She's a little shy about passing on two lane roads (the Y chromosome might help out a bit there), but she keeps us safely heading down the road, rain or shine (yesterday, as we were driving to Montreal from Saratoga Springs, NY it was light rain, but quite beautiful). A fact I could observe in detail since I was in the role of rider.<br />
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I have done a bit of driving on this trip - most notably a nighttime drive to a restaurant in Somerset, PA. I did OK. Only ran one red light when my mind wandered off to consider the exact location of a Mexican restaurant we had considered but rejected for what turned out to be a surprisingly good Japanese restaurant in the middle of nowhere.<br />
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But I do have a role in this operation. I am the Nagavator. As we travel I ponder maps and routes, sights and points of interest. It's not a passive activity. I am excellent at converting the images on a map into real world action. It is with no little pride that I report that in grade school I always was in the 99th percentile in "Work-Study Skills" (much of which involved map reading for some reason) on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills.<br />
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And with the frequent availability of cell phone service, I have been able to take my nagavation skills to the next level. It's much easier than it used to be to find fun, off the beaten path, restaurants. On our last trip, finding "Thai Smile" in a small town in Kentucky where the alternatives were fast food was a masterstroke. Yesterday, we breakfasted at The Triangle Diner in Sarasota Springs. </div>
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Trust me, if you are in Sarasota Springs this is a better alternative than coffee and a croissant at Starbucks - although to be fair the coffee at Starbucks is much better.</div>
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Sometimes too much reliance on the phone has its downsides. Yesterday as we drove into Montreal, I trusted the Google Map's directions without checking the map on my own (our atlas doesn't include Canada - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. But I did have a small map in a Montreal travel book I bought before our trip and I failed to use it). Google had us make a left when we should have gone a few blocks to our right. This led us right into a protest being made by thousands of angry teachers! At least they were teachers. And they were angry about certain teaching issues in Quebec that aren't particularly clear to me. They were able to separate their anger about those issues from any particular anger at two Minnesotans driving a green Toyota. Unfortunately, they seemed to fail to grasp the subtle nuances of not walking across the street like a herd of lemmings against a red light. The result was two stranded, confused and - it must be said - tense and snappish retired persons in a car going nowhere. It gave us some time to determine where we really needed to go. Which we were unable to do until we got the assistance of a nice man who was not a teacher (he was walking in the opposite direction of the swarm of teachers, getting nowhere fast). He was kind enough to help us find our way. I even took the wheel for the last part of the drive. We made it to the wonderful apartment where I sit now without too much further trouble.</div>
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I think that many of the divisions of labor Kate and I have settled on are a good examples of what couples can, or should, do. We fill gaps for one another. It's sometimes a little hard to admit that your partner is better at something than you are. On matters of style or party or menu planning, it has always been impossible for me to deny Kate's obvious superiority. And it's probably obvious to Kate that I can do math in my head better than she can. But we have also discovered lots of more subtle ways that we can fill gaps for one another. For, example, in preparing some meals (which Kate has planned beautifully) I can add some value right at the end in helping to ensure that all the food is ready more or less simultaneously.</div>
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And now for something completely different, a bit of a trip summary:</div>
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Oddly, this trip has seemed to involve lot's of M's. </div>
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Sailing in Lake <b>M</b>ichigan with our good friends Dan and Francine. Sometimes Kate was at the wheel.</div>
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Other times we had normally crowded bays all to ourselves in the unseasonably warm September days.</div>
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And we somehow were also able to find our way to shore for some refreshments.</div>
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My nagavation skills enabled us to spend a nice evening at the very north end of Lake <b>M</b>ichigan in <b>M</b>anistique. We dined at an odd but good Chinese restaurant instead of the Bob's Big Boy that was our alternative.</div>
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We crossed over the <b>M</b>ackinaw Bridge to leave <b>M</b>ichigan's Upper Pennisula.</div>
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We took the ferry to <b>M</b>ackinaw Island for a lovely day walking there.</div>
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Then it was on to Rockford, <b>M</b>ichigan for a really fun evening (and an amazing lamb chop dinner) with Kate's long-time friend Barb Stuart and her partner in meal preparation (and life) Sally Klokkert.</div>
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Next we headed to Kate's <b>M</b>other's house in York. Peter and I planned his surprise appearance there - and it went wonderfully. Kitty and Bob wondered who the beardless young man walking into their house on a Thursday at 10 pm was!</div>
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While there, we had to make the obligatory trip to the <b>M</b>arket.</div>
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Then it was off to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY to explore the baseball heroics of Musial, Mantle, Mays, Mathewson, Manush, Maranville, Maddux, Marichal, Matthews, Marquard, Martinez, Murray, Mazeroski, McGraw, Mize, Morgan, McCovey, McGinnity, Medwick, Molitor and Clemente and Stargell.</div>
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We are now in <b>M</b>ontreal for five days that promise to be glorious. They know food here. The city is beautiful. They speak French here (I'm told in a slightly different way than in Paris, but I'm sure I can butcher both versions of French with equal skill).</div>
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Then it's on to <b>M</b>aine and eventually <b>M</b>innesota. A great trip so far. Two thu<b>M</b>bs up!</div>
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<br />Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-619105709724225812015-06-11T12:49:00.002-05:002015-06-11T12:51:12.913-05:00Limits of EnjoymentHow does our enjoyment or approach to experiencing something affect others? Kate and I went to a Weepies concert recently. If you don't know the Weepies (or I suppose even if you do know them), they are a married couple who make what Spotify calls "folk-pop" music. Probably "The World Spins Madly On" is their best known song. I'm pretty sure it was a background song on Gray's Anatomy (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHnO9c-97U">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWHnO9c-97U</a>). "Painting by Chagall" is one of my favorites. Six players at this concert, including a drummer. So the music was slightly upbeat, once in a while what you might call light rock and roll. They are not AC-DC or the Grateful Dead. They aren't the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra either.<br />
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We saw them at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, where the Prairie Home Companion is often performed. Seated right behind us was a middle-aged guy named Fred (his pre-show monologue enabled me to know his name and much more information about him, and about the Weepies, singers like the Weepies, early albums by Deb Tannen [aka Mrs. Weepie], and a variety of other topics). He was completely jazzed to see the Weepies in person. Probably his favorite group, or at least it appeared that way. He was just excited. When his date went to the rest room after the opening act I whispered to Kate, "He'll find someone else to talk to while she is gone." And so he did, bubbling over with information and opinions. When a song started he could hardly contain himself. He had to yell "Whooo!!!!!!" or "Yesssssssssss!!" at the start of each song. At least for me, these were not "Whooo!!!!" songs. He was so excited that he took a photo from our balcony seats during an early song. He had already informed his date that he didn't take very good photos with his iPhone. I could see the truth of that statement when a minute into the second song a flash went off, startling both Kate and me and confirming at least one reason his photos weren't much good - since the flash ensured that he had a photo consisting of mostly a flare which was my bald spot and perhaps some definition on the others in my row. None of the flash reached the stage until it was too late. Just a guy enjoying the concert in his own way. And the concert clearly meant more to him than it did to me.<br />
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In the row in front of us at the same concert were a couple that had a Jack Spratt quality. She was short and sort of squat. He was rangy. But his most remarkable quality was his hair, which rose in a tufted mountain over his scalp what must conservatively been six inches. For the warmup act Ms. Spratt sat in front of me, and Jack sat in front of the woman to my right. After the break they rightfully changed seats, in deference to the shorter woman on my right. Ms. Spratt was careful to inquire of both of us if we could see (I could with a small adjustment of my seating position - my neighbor really couldn't). Ms. Spratt even said that they considered bringing a swimming cap to deal with the problem. But I really appreciated her effort to minimize Mr. Spratt's impact on his fellow concert goers.<br />
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Life is full of examples like these. Two of our neighbors at the cabin are "motor" guys. They are happiest on a mower or an ATV or driving a backhoe or revving up the Jet-Ski. I'm happiest watching birds or reading or staring into space - and their enjoyment affects mine.<br />
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And it goes both ways. My cabin habits are quieter (and therefore to my eye less intrusive). But I don't hesitate to wander onto their property when watching a bird or throwing a bocce ball. I don't think that's offensive but they might just be too nice to say anything.<br />
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Also, I humbly admit that I like to think of jokes in the run of a conversation. And I also must admit that once they are floating around my brain I have a nearly compulsive need to "share" them. I know I have interrupted and deflected many a serious conversation and not a few business meetings to share something I thought was funny, often when someone was making a serious point. I'm just another excited guy enjoying myself and doing what I love. Reacting to a situation in a way that feels natural and right. But it does affect other's ability to make their point. To say what they want to say. To accomplish what needs to be accomplished. To enjoy the conversation.<br />
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So what is "the answer"? Like most things, there isn't "an answer." People get enjoyment in different ways. Some have fun in a noisy way, others quietly. Some love a little controversy and argument to spice things up. Others hate that. I know I should do better at respecting the situation and the needs of others. Perhaps next time I will apologize after making a joke at an inappropriate time. But I will probably still make the joke.<br />
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<br />Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-5987213494227861532015-04-20T16:26:00.000-05:002015-04-20T16:29:45.215-05:00Structured Spontenaeity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The first goal of our just completed trip to points east, my mother-in-law Kitty's celebration of her 90th birthday, can be put in the "mission accomplished" category. It went really well. Great food. An interesting and fun crowd at the party. A great week with Madeline leading up to the party (completed with an exciting Badger game right after the party where Madeline and I led the Badgers to victory with clever celebratory clinks of our drink glasses after positive plays by the Badgers). </div>
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There was lots of laughter and fun. At least from my perspective, a success in every way.</div>
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But, like many of the trips we have been on, the initial part of our trip had a clear direction and endpoint - in this case the party itself and getting Madeline to the airport for her flight back to Madison. </div>
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Then Kate and I set out on a somewhat different type of journey. One with a much less defined structure. It reminded me in some ways of 1980 - a year I spent being "a bum", wandering from place to place in an almost completely random way. And particularly of the time spent in Europe with a Eurail pass and later a bicycle. At that time I would go places and change directions on a whim with no particular destination or time parameters built into the equation. </div>
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We are once again free to choose at any time to speed up or slow down. Turn right or turn left. But we aren't kids in our twenties anymore. We have some need, at least at this point, for structure. A plan made with at least a little forethought. So there was some learning and adjustment to make.</div>
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Sometimes on the second part of our trip we began in a fog, unsure if we were even going in the intended direction, to the extent we had an intended direction.</div>
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But in almost every case the fog quickly cleared to allow us to see our way more or less clearly - even if the fog and clouds were still in the area.</div>
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It was really fun to make choices and change directions, especially since we had at least a modicum of structure - plans to visit Kate's friend Carolyn and her husband Gary in Ashe County, North Carolina (now "our" friends Carolyn and Gary) and at some point after that to visit our friends Tom and Kathy Seymour in Washington, Illinois.<br />
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Our newfound freedom, with its lack of time constraints, let us have a great little side trip lunch with Kate's long-time friend Barbara.</div>
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To scale the heights of Whitetop Mountain (in Carolyn's car).<br />
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To go on a "goat hike" around Carolyn and Gary's farm. And when the rains came, the planning we had done enabled us to find shelter.<br />
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We could spend a Friday night at Phipp's Store near Lansing, NC.</div>
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And go on nice long hikes.<br />
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We even got to stop by Kate's childhood home -<br />
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and find the mark she had made in the sidewalk in the late 1950's.<br />
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And we found time for some horse racing at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.</div>
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Where we more than broke even on the day thanks in part to this horse's run to the wire (fortunately he chose to speed up and not to slow down).<br />
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We were even able to share a glass of wine (well, several glasses of wine) with great friends.</div>
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What a deal!</div>
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I'm sure we will continue to improve on our newfound ability to "stop and smell the flowers" on future trips. There are definitely lots of flowers out there.</div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-17429333900003450262015-03-31T16:37:00.000-05:002015-04-01T06:09:09.308-05:00Adjustments - An Extrovert on the Tundra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I always knew that the first few months of retirement would involve adjustments. The trip that Kate and I had planned was planned in part as a segue into that new era. A fun time to adjust to a new life stage for me and for us. Then that trip was derailed by my heart attack, creating a new set of adjustments that "trumped" the retirement changes, at least for a while. </div>
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The fact is that the physical challenges of my heart attack were quite short term. I felt fine except for one hour or so and was only a little bit uncomfortable afterwards - and what little discomfort I had was due to a few tubes and ports that remained in my arms for a day or two. I didn't really feel any different than the days before. No worse and also no better. Just about the same. There were some physical adjustments to new medicines, and there are certainly mental adjustments to make as well. "How hard can I exercise?" "Is that pain or discomfort or feeling anything to worry about?" And oddly, my experiences with cancer 16 years ago prepared me quite well for the process of answering those questions.</div>
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One adjustment that I hadn't really anticipated was the effect on me of the relatively quieter life of a retired person. If the many Myers Briggs tests I have taken during my corporate lives at Pillsbury and Scoular are accurate (and at least on this metric I believe they are), I am an extrovert. I'm not always bubbly and outgoing, but I get energy from interactions with others. At least in part, I had apparently long been being "energized" by diverting serious discussions with my work colleagues down mostly useless but entertaining side roads by means of jokes and puns and silliness. And in retirement there was less opportunity for finding that energy. Kate can only accommodate so much of my silliness. So I need to find ways to replace that energy source. And during the winter in Minnesota idle conversations over the back fence are few and far between. It's been fun and energizing to get together with my buddy Harry - also recently retired - to watch soccer matches and hang out more than we used to have the chance to. </div>
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Another "energy source" was the annual get-together with friends to watch basketball for twelve hours a day during the first weekend on the NCAA basketball tourney. Great fun, and lots and lots of silliness.</div>
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It also gave me a chance to work on my cooking skills with my new smoker.</div>
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Believe it or not, this is a staged photo. The actual cooking results have been excellent. </div>
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My retirement adjustment process is going well. But it is a process, and not always in the ways I had anticipated.</div>
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Kate and I are now off on Opus 2 of our trip east (the short version). We picked up Madeline in Madison for her spring break week, and went on a lovely walk in the Madison arboretum as she taught on Friday. This spring-fed stream had sprung madly to life way earlier than its surroundings, covered with green aquatic plants that looked to us like they would make a lovely salad. Amazing.</div>
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We are now in Pennsylvania seeing childhood friends of Kate's and preparing for Kate's mother's 90th birthday party - which was delayed for a few weeks due my health issues when we first tried to head east. I'm looking forward to the party and to exploring the city with my camera in hand. York is an old city, and a fun one to look around in. And we'll be joining friends here in York to watch the Badgers and Spartans march on in the basketball tourney. Then it's on to Baltimore, North Carolina and who knows where? This part of retirement is easy to adjust to.</div>
Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-25622014174116904422015-02-12T15:40:00.002-06:002015-02-13T06:15:19.463-06:00Back to the Keyboard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've told lots of people to "watch this space" for updates on the retirement trip Kate and I had planned to start my retirement. As most of you know, our trip took a really unexpected turn. At the end of our first full day on the road, I felt very strange and ended up having a "medical episode" (aka a heart attack). Thanks to my brother-in-law (who henceforth will be known to us as Saint Woodrow) we called an ambulance quickly and dealt with this before any serious permanent damage happened. Two of the major arteries feeding my heart were partially or totally blocked. I was getting care from paramedics almost immediately and was on the operating table at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines having three stents inserted less than an hour and a half after my first symptoms. Great medical care and acting promptly averted what could have been a very serious problem. I feel great, and really have all along (other than for the two hour period described above, which was remarkably weird).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Also quite weird, at least in retrospect, was the blog entry I had posted just before we left (see below). Part of the entry reads "wouldn't it be ironic if I retired and only then, after 16 years, had cancer return? And we have all heard those stories. Person retires and soon has some fatal or near fatal experience." Perhaps just a little too close to home.<br /><br />I think the oddness of that posting has had a chilling effect on this, my next post. What if some random writing in my blog like "Jon Stewart is going to retire from the Daily Show" causes just that to happen? Plus, while I'd looked forward to writing a bit of a travelogue of our trip, spiced up with observations and thoughts that occurred to me along the way, I have no desire to do a medical travelogue describing electrodes on my once-hairy chest or the very minor side effects the new medicines I'm taking are having on me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life goes on - and in my case it's going on really well. And plenty of thoughts have been rolling around in my head, whether or not they are of any interest to others. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, I'm going to keep this first post-medical-event entry pretty non-substantive, just in case. Kate and I went to the condo of our friends Don and Phil for a wonderful (and heart healthy) dinner last night. So there is a bit of a travel component to report upon. The view from their condo is as beautiful an urban view as I can imagine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;">And the view from my end of the table was great as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />There is nothing much more fun than sitting around a table having a fun and wide-ranging discussion of life with great friends. Especially after a period of pleasantly following the precept of the old Spanish proverb - "did nothing and rested afterwards."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be around Minnesota for a while. I will soon be back at the keyboard writing something a bit more substantive. Now that the coast is clear.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">P.S. We took some tulips to Don and Phil's when we went for dinner. They were really droopy and sad when we arrived, and putting them in water didn't help. After we left, Don gave the stems a fresh cut and they came back beautifully.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since these tulips seem to me to be analogous to my heart attack experience, and since I've been thinking about serendipity and metaphors and "messages from god" lately (it's certainly a possible topic to write about), I thought I should add this PS as a sort of trailer or teaser for an upcoming blog entry.</span></div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-86968677047639427992015-01-26T13:29:00.002-06:002015-01-26T13:51:17.114-06:00Is Worry Good?A week or so ago I had lots of fun giving my retirement speech at the great retirement party thrown by my friends from Scoular. As part of the speech I repeated a couple of "principles" I had come up with years earlier as I left Pillsbury - one of which is that "worry is good." In the speech I was referring to the fact (at least it seems like a fact to me) that any potential problem with a deal that I had worried about in my professional life never reared its ugly head. It was always the "random violence" of the unexpected that kicked us in the head.<br />
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This principle became more real to me a couple of years later. As most of you know, I was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor shortly after leaving Pillsbury. It was treated successfully and I have been healthy ever since. But I do get blood tests several times a year to ensure that there are no blood-borne signs that some form of cancer is returning. Those tests (by now about fifty of them) have always been fine, though they have been a source of worry for me every time. Except for one - about a dozen years ago. I was feeling great at the time and didn't get at all nervous and worried about the potential of bad results. And wham!!!! - there were some bad signs in the test. MRI's and some fairly painful bone marrow testing followed. And in fact everything was normal on closer inspection. But I have since taken it to be one of my obligations to worry about each and every blood test. I hardly think about cancer until my blood has been taken for examination. Then I do worry. Because I illogically believe that it's the safe thing to do.<br />
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The day after I retired, I had another blood test (as well as my annual bone survey - x-rays of every bone in my body. <i>Unrelated but funny side note</i>, my skull x-ray was rated as unremarkable). One fairly recent development in the testing process, on the whole a very good one, is that the results are quickly available online. I don't have to call a nurse and bother her. I can simply check the online site (every 10 minutes) until the results arrive.<br />
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Most of the results came in quickly, and were normal. Except for one, a test for "immature Granulocytes." The range of "normal" results listed on the web site for these immature little beings is between zero and zero. That seems a pretty small range. Here's what I saw:<br />
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<table class="labResults" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Nimbus Sans L', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; table-layout: fixed; width: 629px;"><tbody style="border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px;">
<tr class="even" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.333em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: top; word-break: normal; word-wrap: break-word;"><td style="background: none; line-height: 1.333em; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top;"><span class="lab-result-full">Granulocytes, immature, automated</span> <span class="lab-result-abbrv">(IG #)</span></td><td style="background: none; line-height: 1.333em; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top;">0.02 x 10^3/uL</td><td style="background: none; line-height: 1.333em; padding: 0.8em; vertical-align: top;">0 || 0</td></tr>
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Of course, I didn't know a Granulocyte from a stick. But still I was worried (even more than the preventative worry mode that I was already employing). So I read about Granulocytes, learned that they were just a symptomatic marker for certain problems, can occur in the absence of any serious problems. I also learned about the three types of Granulocytes, and noted from the other test results that I was in the range of normal on each one. So that should have calmed me down. Of course it didn't.<br />
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My online research was conducted at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Fortunately, my regular doctor is also a friend and neighbor. So when I was sure that he and his family were moving next door, I took my laptop over for a professional read from someone who at least knows what Granulocytes are. Tony was reasonably sure that this was not anything to worry about. And that helped. More results which were also good helped as well. But my worry was still at a heightened level. </div>
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I guess my worry continued was because I was concerned about irony. Cause wouldn't it be ironic if I retired and only then, after 16 years, had cancer return. And we have all heard those stories. Person retires and soon has some fatal or near fatal experience. The story I remember is that of our old neighbor at the cabin. She and her husband built their retirement dream home, retired to it, and he died a month later. Of course we all tend to imply cause and effect when we hear those stories. At least I do. Though if you think about it logically, if you know a thousand people who retired at age 60, it's statistically pretty likely that one or two of them will die in the next six months. Of course, there are no stories told about the 998 who are fine. But boy do you hear about the two who aren't. [Here's an interesting article I read recently which gives some insights on this general subject - <a href="http://timharford.com/2014/12/learn-from-the-losers/">http://timharford.com/2014/12/learn-from-the-losers/</a> ]. <br />
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Believe it or not, I am not the worrier I was when I was a kid. In those days, if my parents said they would be home at 10 p.m. and it was 10:10 p.m., I was reasonably certain that they were dead on the highway. I've made huge progress in this area over the years. Actually, it was when I had cancer that I internalized the idea that you should solve the problems you have, and not worry unduly about those that you don't. Still, progress is not perfection.<br />
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A friend of mine once told me long ago about Maeve Binchy novels. I've never read any of her works. The friend said they were all the same. The main character spends most of the novel worrying about ____________ (fill in the blank, for me it would most often be <i>cancer</i>) and then in the last chapter or two they are _________________________ (I fill in this blank with <i>run over by a bus </i>). There is a good lesson there, so I'm not going to read any Binchy novels in case my friend was just making this up.<br />
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I had my oncologist appointment last Thursday. Tim, my oncologist, could hardly have been less concerned by my Granulocyte reading (mature or immature). I had a pleasant conversation with him and headed on my merry way completely reassured. I probably won't give any thought to cancer until my next blood test in June. Was the worry good? Probably just a waste of energy. Will I worry next time? You bet. You can't take chances with this stuff.</div>
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-62876289630222441232014-12-20T07:33:00.000-06:002014-12-20T07:33:01.011-06:00Happy Holidays - 2014<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979px;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul</span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979px;">! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! År </span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979px;">Ruumsaid Juulup! Season's Greetings! Peace!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">I hope this holiday greeting finds you well. It does us. And once again together for the holidays. Traditionally I've used this holiday post as a bit of a retrospective on the year just completed. And I'll do some of that this time as well. But with Kate's mid-year and my impending retirement, I may be a bit more forward looking than is traditional. The possibilities opening to us are too much on my mind these days to ignore.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">But first the facts. We are all healthy and well. Madeline continues to enjoy teaching in Madison. She is working on her masters in Experiential Education - which seems to me could be loosely translated as "having fun in the great out of doors." The program has included spelunking, canoeing, and the "experiential" part culminated in a backpacking trip in the Big Horn mountains this summer. It's been fun to vicariously enjoy her advanced education (though to be fair I should add that the program has turned a bit more traditionally academic during the fall semester).</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Peter continues to love Denver. In addition to his job at Academic Impressions, he seems to find time to hike and snowboard and refine his beer sensibilities. He definitely is following in his mother's footsteps as a chef. "Food porn" is an important medium of communication between St. Paul and Denver. He and Kate both know how to prepare and present food. And it makes me happy that he hosts a Thanksgiving dinner for friends in Denver (traditionally a meal that I play a larger role in than normal - and one that he has sous cheffed with me since he was young). We miss having him around St. Paul - especially when he informs us that it is 62 degrees in Denver on days where it is 13 in St. Paul, but love his joy and enthusiasm about his life in Denver. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Kate has had the most dramatic changes this year. She retired in June after 39 (and a half) years at the Minnesota Attorney General's office. We promptly headed to California and wine country with the kids.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">What a wonderful trip it was. It gave us much pleasure!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Kate has become a regular at a wide variety of exercise classes at the Y. If she isn't body shredding she is core conditioning or Tabataing or combining aerobics and style in her line-dancing class. I joined her at that class one recent Friday and it is clear that she is the leader of that particular pack. She is looking and feeling great.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">As for me, I'm feeling great and looking as good as my facial and physiological structure will allow. I've enjoyed what will be my final year of work at Scoular, many pleasant hours riding my trusty Bridgestone MB-5 mountain bike and paddling my Old Town canoe, much laughter, trips and time with family and friends.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">The future excites me as well. I retire from Scoular on January 15th after nine years working with a wonderful group of lawyers and clients. Kate and I will have a level of freedom we have never enjoyed. We'll exercise that freedom first by heading to Madison to celebrate Madeline's 30th birthday. Then home to pack for a sojourn east to help Kate's mother Kitty celebrate her 90th birthday. From there it's a bit further east, then south, then west, then north. We have a few general plans, but are trying to remain unstructured - taking each day as it comes and letting things lead us wherever they do. Watch this space for updates on our progress. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">All the best to you and yours! Enjoy the holiday season, and every season. We'll do the same.</span><br style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;" /><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"></span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.5714282989502px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">Stan, Kate, Madeline and Peter<br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; font-size: 12.6666669845581px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><br /></span></span>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-74958354315305373642014-11-21T12:02:00.000-06:002014-11-23T11:39:55.556-06:00Perfect ImperfectionSometimes perfection isn't all it's cracked up to be.<br />
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Kate and I went to a cooking class hosted by our financial advisors last Wednesday. Forty people or so - most acquainted only with our advisors and the person we each came with. A little wine, some conversation, a French Proven<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">ç</span>ale-themed meal prepared and eaten by the attendees (with lots of supervision from the chef and several sous chefs).<br />
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The chef asked the group to gather round the main preparation table and then asked us to number off into six groups. Since most were standing next to their partner, the result was six groups of six who didn't know each other.<br />
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Kate was in the potato group - teaming with our friend Ann and with a former president of the University of Minnesota to prepare French potatoes with Dijon mustard and Kalamata olives.<br />
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Her group seemed to be having a great time, with lots of laughter.</div>
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and the resulting dish was just beautiful.</div>
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Our group of six was perhaps a bit less cohesive. We were charged with preparing the main course - Salmon Proven<span style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">ç</span>ale. Two of our group seemed to be natural, if self-appointed, leaders. Take charge guys! Perhaps it was an odd mood on my part but one, a high-energy surgeon with one tear-drop earring and a "large" personality to complement his small frame, just wasn't a guy I wanted to share my Wednesday evening with. So I adopted a reduced role as a red pepper dicer, garlic peeler and basil preparer, all of which would go into the sauce which would cover individual pieces of salmon, sealed in parchment paper and oven baked to a moist and tasty perfection. Meanwhile, I carried on a pleasant conversation with Susan, another team member.</div>
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When the sauce was prepared it was time to put the salmon in the parchment paper, add the sauce, fold, seal and bake. To facilitate preparation, we put the sauce in a metal container about 12" high, filling it with sauce to a depth of about three or four inches.</div>
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A little background here. As anyone who knows me will attest, I am fond of puns. Though it is often reviled by the unwashed masses, the art of punning requires cleverness and quickness. A pun uttered feebly a minute late is no pun at all. I know I should have devoted my life to curing cancer or stopping thermonuclear war. Instead, I've spent it refining my quick-response verbal skills to better enable me to make all manner of puns, double entendres and quips. Add to this the fact that I spent last "weekend" with the boys in yet another five-day, no holds barred verbal jousting session. So my verbal reaction time was fast. Very fast.<br />
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As our team was putting salmon and sauce into parchment paper, I had the aforementioned sauce container, which was making its way around the group. The take-charge surgeon, urging the team to complete our mission, had inserted himself on my right. I was passing the container to the right, holding it by the top, where the metal was warm but certainly not hot. As he prepared to grab the container from me the surgeon asked me, "Is this hot?" I replied no, though admittedly a more complete answer might have been appropriate. Whereupon he grabbed it by the bottom, which was of course quite hot since the heat from the sauce was transmitted directly to that part of the container. <br />
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A couple of yelps later he exclaimed "You said that wasn't hot?!?!!" I responded that it wasn't, if held in a logical manner. He responded, "Are you saying that lawyers are smarter than doctors?"<br />
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It was here that a measured response would have been in order. Perhaps it was the wine, or the previous weekend with the boys, or just that I love a verbal joust, or the fact that I didn't view this as a confrontation between two professions. Whatever the case, I responded, "No, I am saying that <b><i>I</i> </b>am smarter than <b><i>you</i></b>."<br />
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This was exactly the perfect response, at least it was if my goal was to express clearly what I was thinking. With two weeks to ponder and consider, I couldn't have improved on either the response or the timing or the inflection. Still, the momentary hush that "fell over the crowd" made it clear to me that a bit of verbal restraint had been called for and I had failed to employ it. The moment passed quickly. To his credit the surgeon let it go. And I still can't quite decide whether to be proud or ashamed of my response. I'm probably both, if I'm honest about it.<br />
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<br />Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-50908656203468202802014-09-06T08:09:00.004-05:002014-09-06T11:09:00.356-05:00Done RightI've felt really good about three things in particular lately. They aren't really connected, but perhaps I can "tie the room together." Perhaps not.<br />
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First is our kids. We apparently raised them right. They both came home for the Minnesota State Fair this year, and they both took time out of their busy lives to spend Labor Day with us at the cabin. Because they wanted to, not due to any begging or pleading on our parts. Though we would have been perfectly willing to cajole, if not beg.<br />
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I acknowledge that the primary draw may have been the joy of a Donna's pork rib sandwich.</div>
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But it really felt good to have them make the trips. The fair has been an annual tradition for our family for their entire lives - as it has been for many Minnesotans. And it's a great event. People from all parts of society, getting together for a cornucopia of varied treats. Food. Animals. Art. Trinkets and gadgets. People watching.</div>
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And family time at the cabin, another lifelong tradition. As it always has, the "family" expands and contracts depending upon the weekend. But it's so good to spend time with them and enjoy the wonderful people they have always been and continue to be.</div>
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Second, Kate and I spent a quiet but practically perfect day yesterday. Yuppie coffee and the paper. Followed by a trip to the Y for Body Shred and Core Conditioning classes (the aches in my arms, shoulders and butt this morning make it likely that it will be harder to have a practically perfect day today). Then a rousing game of PickleBall - a court game we had never heard of played with a Whiffle Ball and low net with Ping Pong rules, more or less. A Costco and Cub run to pick up some food needs. In a probably doomed attempt to help me look better, Kate went with me to the "Hurtburger's" black dot sale - where we bought nine or ten shirts (with a commitment that I will turn into rags or give to Goodwill a similar number of my current shirt inventory). Then a movie (more on that in a minute). Walking through a garden store. Discussing the movie and life. A quiet dinner. Then another movie at home (partly to watch an earlier movie of the female lead in our afternoon movie). Conversation. Laughs. Tears (from the movie). Exercise. Just a nice quiet day spent together.</div>
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Thirdly, Kate and I have started going to movies lately, and we've seen some good ones. I found "Boyhood" just amazing. Such a fresh and original approach. Really a collection of moments from the life of a boy as he grows to be young man. The choice to film it over a long period of time created possibilities that most films don't have. At at least for me it really resonated. No grand, cataclysmic epiphanies. Just a long string of moments which had a nice progression and growth but without too much effort to "tie the room together." The whole "present moment, only moment" philosophy has always made sense to me. I have a little sheet of paper in my office which says only "E I +". It's a reminder to myself to try to make every interaction positive. Not happy or laughing, necessarily. Just an attempt to remind myself to pile up positive moments - the stuff life is made of.</div>
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Then yesterday, we went to "The Fault in Our Stars" - based on a "teen novel", I guess. One I will have to read. About two teenagers with cancer, their developing relationship, their world views, and more. There is nothing much more sad than young people with cancer, I suppose. But there is also much to be learned from thinking about in what direction a potentially terminal illness leads you. Obviously, having experienced cancer at the "young" age of 48, this is subject I've thought about quite a bit. And I thought the filmmakers (and I'm guessing the author of the book) did a wonderful job. At least, their approach really resonated with me and my cancer experience. There was one line about how Gus (the male lead) was made up of <i>both </i>his tumor and his heart. It's probably lost on most viewers. But it was something I thought about a lot when I was sick. The tumor is you - or part of you. The whole "battle with cancer" metaphor, used so often, is for me missing the point a bit. [Note: please do NOT put it in my obituary. I'd be happy to have the phrase "he lived with cancer for ___ years" in my obituary (hopefully with the blank filled in with a 68).] For me at least, I dislike the idea that the only successful approach to cancer is to "beat" it by not dying from it. I thought then and think now that there is great value in living well with cancer. Or, more accurately, in living well. With love and laughter. Treating every moment like the precious thing it is. Surprisingly hard to do. Even if you've had a potentially fatal illness and should know better. And the movie does a good job making the point that we all have a limited time to live, but doing so quietly and with humor. So where does that take you? In the end, at least for me, the movie says it takes you to love. To making the most of your "small infinity" - in the parlance of the book. </div>
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And in a futile attempt to tie this disparate room together, maybe we didn't raise Madeline right. She recommended the book to Kate but not to me. Maybe she knew that in my own way I had already read it.</div>
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<br />Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-66003487654016275162014-06-18T10:31:00.000-05:002014-06-20T08:35:14.786-05:00Changes - With WineIt's a time of transition for our family. Kate retired two weeks ago in her usual graceful way. Working hard to the end (she was the last to leave the office on her last day - sliding her keys under her boss's door).<br />
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She hosted her own retirement party, which was really fun. And almost all of the food has now been eaten. I'm a few months from joining her. It's fun and exciting to think about how to approach the freedom that we hope retirement will bring. Especially fun since I'm sitting on a lovely early-morning deck in Napa Valley watching an Acorn Woodpecker fly around eating bugs, drinking a nice cup of coffee. Watching the sun make its way down the mountain in the distance. With a trip to Dehlinger (probably my favorite winery) just a few hours away.<br />
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Kate thought that planning a trip shortly after retirement would be a good transition for her. The kids agreed to join us (it took them under a minute to ponder the "go, no go" question and come up with the right answer. It appears we didn't raise idiots). She was certainly right about the trip. It's been really fun to visit (and to share with them) the sources of much of the really nice wine we and they have had over the years. I think the magnums of Brown zinfandel at Christmas dinner will taste all the better for it (if that is possible).<br />
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I spent 1980 and part of 1981 bumming around (I called it a sabbatical on my resume, just for looks). One of the realizations I had on that trip was that the big variable was how you spent your time. Not your money. I met so many fellow travelers with a Eurrail pass who spent their two Eurrail months on trains, physically placing themselves in lots of countries but not seeing much of any of them. I decided then that I wouldn't fall into that trap. It was a great decision, and a great experience. Sadly, the observation about the primacy of time was a lesson learned for the trip but not one which I generalized very well. I think that the biggest variable in all of life is choices about how to use the time you have. My brush with cancer (now almost 16 years ago!) really helped me to internalize and generalize that lesson. Even in my "work life" I've tried hard to focus on what I believe is important. Relationships. People. Making interactions, whatever they may be, positive ones (which for me doesn't necessarily mean happy and funny ones - though that is a subject for another missive).<br />
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So what will I do with the extra time I will have post-retirement? What will Kate do? What will we do? I think I can say confidently that wine will be involved. Hopefully even more time with our many great friends (warning to you - the founder of Suckfish Tours will be on the loose).<br />
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One of the things that I hope to do more effectively in my post-retirement time is writing. I often "think" better when I try to write down observations. And I write better when I imagine I have an audience. Hence this blog. Over the past few years I've drifted to emails and Facebook postings of photos - both of which are great. I've used this blog mostly as a vehicle for holiday greetings. It seemed like a good morning to start writing again. Hopefully, in this or some other format, I'll be sitting with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, writing more. <br />
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Stan<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Yin and Yang</span></b><br /><br />
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Yesterday we went to two wineries - Dehlinger and Christopher Creek. It was our third trip to Dehlinger, our first to Christopher Creek. Carmen, our host at Dehlinger, is wonderfully nice. She's knowledgeable and informative in a lovely, quiet way.<br />
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Liam, our host at Christopher Creek, is flamboyant, a storyteller. Mention a wine and he's off to grab it. Liam spent ten years playing guitar in a rock band. I'm guessing that Carmen did not.<br />
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The first four Chrisopher Creek wines we tasted were tasted from the barrel - they won't be bottled for a year or so. They tasted great at the time. In the end will they be great? You can't really be sure at this point. Dehlinger makes consistently amazing wines. Not only have I never had a bad bottle of wine from there, I've never had a Dehlinger wine that wasn't remarkably good. The quality range at Christopher Creek is wider (this observation is based on less experience, and they are newer. So I'm definitely comparing apples and oranges).<br />
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So which one did I like best? The answer is resoundingly "both of them." The contrasts were wonderful, obvious and amazing. Both experiences were gratifying individually. But putting them together was for me the thing that made the day great. Wine making through two lenses. Dehlinger more scientific and consistently excellent. Christopher Creek with the approach of four guys sitting around blending things together until they get what they think is right.<br />
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Oddly, the joy of difference has been a theme running around in my head this week. Katelyn, our host at Biale earlier this week, jokingly was talking about "not putting yourself in a box." She was referring to Biale visitors saying "I only drink white (or red) wine", though we jokingly took the concept quite a bit further. David Brown, the winemaker at Brown, has said that the worst thing he can do as a winemaker can do is "know" how he makes a particular wine from year to year. He tries to remind himself to start with the grapes and conditions and find his way to the wine.<br />
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Since this is a retirement celebration, the question of how to be a retired guy has been much on my mind. There is an appropriate degree of routine in life (have I mentioned I've really missed the New York Times crossword this week?). But it seems to me that one of the "rocky shoals" in the sea of retirement is becoming too routinized. Too sure that either Liam or Carmen is right. They are both right. Easy to see yesterday. Much harder to see and experience in the million more subtle ways the need for routines and "right" answers closes me off and puts me "in a box." I thought it was an interesting coincidence that I was telling Madeline about a Kahlil Gibran quote I've always loved ("Say not I have found THE answer. Say I have found AN answer."). I don't think it was a coincidence at all. Maybe I really do have a subconscious mind!<br />
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It was great yesterday when Kate said how much she enjoyed the Syrah wine yesterday. She and I will need to continually be open to experience. I'll also have the "boys" to help. Nine guys who definitely can look at the same thing and see it through nine (or at least four or five) different lenses. AND who are willing to discuss it vigorously without confusing disagreement on an issue with a lack of personal affection. In this my good friend Barny is a role model as well. He's a wonderful example of a person who is always trying a new approach, a new way of looking at something. When I do something for the 105th time, it's<i> highly </i>likely I'll do it the way I did it the 104th time (read - "a near certainty"). Not so for Barny. I can learn from his example (though I must admit it's a little scary calling Barny a role model in this regard).<br />
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<i>Unrelated side note: </i> We've been checking on pronunciations this week. We had for three years pronounced Salvestrin as "sal VEST trin." Tom Green said it was "SAL vestrin" - and he was right (or at least closer). All of us have pronounced Dehlinger as "DELL ing er". But the actual correct pronunciation is "DAY ling er." Thought some of you would like to know. But I'm sure if you have the need to pronounce either one through a different pronunciation lens, it will be OK. Unless you are making a documenTARY.<br />
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<br />Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-87824652663047014822013-12-24T14:41:00.001-06:002013-12-25T07:56:04.800-06:00Happy Holidays - 2013<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979004px;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul</span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979004px;">! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! År </span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979004px;">Ruumsaid Juulup! Season's Greetings! Peace!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope this holiday greeting finds you well. It does us. And, importantly, together for the holidays. With Peter living in Denver and Madeline in Madison our times together as a foursome have been more limited this year. As we drove to a party last night we had a ten minute "pun fest" beginning with a discussion of a "pan chocolate" and evolving into more and more obscure ice cream jokes - a truly wonderful experience. I wish we had more chances to engage in such group silliness - but I relish the chances we do have all the more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we do get chances. Kate and I visited Peter in Denver twice this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The altitude might have been hard for the old folks, but the attitude was wonderful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Madeline and I made a trip to the wet, cool Boundary Waters in July. The weather was crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, sometimes a wet sock might fall in your "Splash" cup. But it's a temporary setback at most. Regardless of the elements, we had a great time together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the years have passed, we have more and more great annual events that are such important parts of our lives. Dinners with great friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Boys wandering in to watch the first weekend of March Madness. Followed shortly by a similar group congregating at our cabin for a "weekend" (Wednesday to Sunday should be a weekend - and for many of us the day isn't far off when weekend will be a foreign concept).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Memorial Day at the cabin with our bird count. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A late spring made it a record year - 77 different species sited by our intrepid team of bird watchers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And lots of other groups visited the cabin as well, Gangs of 8, 6, 4 and 2 visited Cranberry Lake - finding a lower lake level this year due to dam repair. It's still a beautiful place. And by next year the lake will have returned to its normal level and the pontoon will be back in action.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As always, the Labor Day game dinner and get together was amazing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kate and I were able to make our way to Pennsylvania to see Kitty and Bob twice this year (Kate also visited without me). Here we are at the Accomac Inn - serving customers since 1722. You can add our names to the "satisfied customer" list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A very special treat this year was a visit from our friends Chris and Valerie from Paris. They were kind enough to visit for a great week in October. The Twin Cities have some great galleries and museums - but they aren't exactly the Orangerie or the Musee d'Orsay. So we skipped museums and enjoyed the out of doors in Minnesota and Wisconsin. A magical week for us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year we were the visited more often than the visitor. Visits from friends are a great joy. But rest assured that Kate and I may well "darken your door" in the near future. We probably won't bring lobsters. We might bring wine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the best to you and yours! Enjoy the holiday season, and every season. We'll do the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stan, Kate, Madeline and Peter</span><br />
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Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-8565961339791346852012-12-25T11:19:00.000-06:002012-12-25T11:19:23.040-06:00Happy Holidays - 2012<span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.571428298950195px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979004px;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Best Wishes! Joyeux Noël! Feliz Navidad! Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan! Glædelig Jul</span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.571428298950195px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979004px;">! Gajan Kristnaskon! Hyvaa Joulua! Buorrit Juovllat! Gledileg Jol! Nodlaig Mhaith Chugnat! Buone Feste Natalizie! Natale Hilare et Annum Faustum! Pozdrevlyayu s Prazdnikom Rozhdestva is Novim Godom! God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt! År </span><span style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.571428298950195px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18.91428565979004px;">Ruumsaid Juulup! Season's Greetings! Peace!</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcFVhJDtqHfzd-Sfk4aCX3qWoqBBf7bdXMtC6zkBhVrymOLDHgML7O7YUFmQnv3Sm_7y-U8KtfUHkOzOLJu0U_212Z6x9OnCJaafhdHMJItRBDhzgisGsxZap2zYGpXbibgZwUg/s1600/IMG_6234+-+Version+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcFVhJDtqHfzd-Sfk4aCX3qWoqBBf7bdXMtC6zkBhVrymOLDHgML7O7YUFmQnv3Sm_7y-U8KtfUHkOzOLJu0U_212Z6x9OnCJaafhdHMJItRBDhzgisGsxZap2zYGpXbibgZwUg/s400/IMG_6234+-+Version+3.jpg" width="330" /></a><br />
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We hope this greeting finds you well, as it does us.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxiwcr3bZXOn8rLuyaCkWk89kG0oWColXZ6nqarIWv9QKZ72n-7dy4H88hwGCTxH0vDQSMIjvI0nHOO7bmFQyspiyESCVlLA5EPts17CYOD-1QZnP2_1UbI8CsWEBsQ6Nd8nDYA/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxiwcr3bZXOn8rLuyaCkWk89kG0oWColXZ6nqarIWv9QKZ72n-7dy4H88hwGCTxH0vDQSMIjvI0nHOO7bmFQyspiyESCVlLA5EPts17CYOD-1QZnP2_1UbI8CsWEBsQ6Nd8nDYA/s400/IMG_5388.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
We are happy and healthy. Thankful for all this past year has brought. And excited to experience what 2013 will bring.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv7j57bGKHmgAHyUrTJo7fKDQ05Q1eggH9R0vNrRldC5pHd-hndfLxeMx0GXxoVsSjatwvaZDuck6cS9F6u0VfkIWMnIHwouX_JLVtjRmHbDYd91zOeu1sZ68jqgXLwUbH1PKnw/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv7j57bGKHmgAHyUrTJo7fKDQ05Q1eggH9R0vNrRldC5pHd-hndfLxeMx0GXxoVsSjatwvaZDuck6cS9F6u0VfkIWMnIHwouX_JLVtjRmHbDYd91zOeu1sZ68jqgXLwUbH1PKnw/s400/IMG_6149.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;">2012 has been a year of transitions for us. The saddest one came in March, when our wonderdog Greta's legs just ceased to support her. How do you thank your dog for a million laughs? We miss her goofy, quizzical expressions and the wonderful presence she was in our lives for nearly 16 years. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">A happier, though no less profound, transition occurred in September when, shortly after this State Fair photo was taken, Peter moved to Denver. Kate and I miss having him blocks away. But the change has been a good one (at least for Peter). He's living with good friends, has a job, and confirms he is enjoying life in Colorado. And he's home this week for the holidays!</span></div>
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Madeline continues to teach in Madison. She's team teaching a class of fourth and fifth graders. She has more teaching responsibilities than last year, and she loves the work. She also has her own apartment and is "transitioning" to "grown-up" furniture and fixtures she actually bought in a store rather than found at Goodwill or on the side of a Madison street. She made time to join me on a wonderful trip to the Boundary Waters this summer.</div>
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What a treat to 'sandwich' a trip with Madeline between a spring trip with Curt the two Toms and my annual fall trip with Harry. Three in one season!</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQnLle34EqbUS7et1B0cM3GkCH37t2s9SocafZ7q-4ptoXzKAy5QKKiBZ5p8clljK_UfkvU5iKa-uTaEYaDqnGg_xRevcJhnaNh53gyUJ_v_dUiLkRRdTSpBRT1TPmjm_uFCGKQ/s1600/IMG_2194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQnLle34EqbUS7et1B0cM3GkCH37t2s9SocafZ7q-4ptoXzKAy5QKKiBZ5p8clljK_UfkvU5iKa-uTaEYaDqnGg_xRevcJhnaNh53gyUJ_v_dUiLkRRdTSpBRT1TPmjm_uFCGKQ/s400/IMG_2194.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Another 2012 transition for Kate and for me was our 60th birthdays. They were fun and not at all traumatic. Though I don't feel that I've grown up yet, it's hard to say you are young or even middle aged when you hit 60. Perhaps aches and pains last longer - but we remain thankful for the experience.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_bG_eZW-ny2UQEFU2u5NU0xepsJbK6kVVZ6C97hP62DWOfotDQtzuGdhPFYKAoY1nAW3zQfab69KnNRareNKIDgZDERseok0uaeJRBYgprw2WfBtamsdlfsm5bVX1BILv7GDIg/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_bG_eZW-ny2UQEFU2u5NU0xepsJbK6kVVZ6C97hP62DWOfotDQtzuGdhPFYKAoY1nAW3zQfab69KnNRareNKIDgZDERseok0uaeJRBYgprw2WfBtamsdlfsm5bVX1BILv7GDIg/s400/IMG_0746.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />One of my favorite transitions of 2012 was more chances to see my brother Bruce. I love his sidelong glance in this photo.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD4xOY7UJIcDNcoUyi4MmODQgsaALCUTUU75SzcVMkWNOqXcEV9Y4VQy6-rPo6kUecou_XijrNIZNBr4WNSEwaJNo694Pn1L_FjSBBL771gwcjc22_1VyaSUgaPhEfhyPDEQALg/s1600/IMG_5632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD4xOY7UJIcDNcoUyi4MmODQgsaALCUTUU75SzcVMkWNOqXcEV9Y4VQy6-rPo6kUecou_XijrNIZNBr4WNSEwaJNo694Pn1L_FjSBBL771gwcjc22_1VyaSUgaPhEfhyPDEQALg/s400/IMG_5632.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />We had a rare chance to get all the members of the Oleson family in one place - just before niece Claire headed off to India for an indefinite period of time. It was a great opportunity which we really savored.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbwbfQKv9omaALENse3fHcZpo8KAWpMfIgPsY9Q9XcZxI9iBpatP3Ic5CQ_f_DsM3VFcr9kzRnZhs-jMI5Y-2oBYrJvmvsPRK0xz9Th54dusz8h3wOlsbc9GM9t2sR0Hao_ZO5Q/s1600/IMG_5669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbwbfQKv9omaALENse3fHcZpo8KAWpMfIgPsY9Q9XcZxI9iBpatP3Ic5CQ_f_DsM3VFcr9kzRnZhs-jMI5Y-2oBYrJvmvsPRK0xz9Th54dusz8h3wOlsbc9GM9t2sR0Hao_ZO5Q/s400/IMG_5669.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />A spring trip east gave us a great chance to bring our own special brand of excitement to Kitty and Bob in York.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii63FIrTQh9bSTjeH3fIqvg4g4fdzIK-ub-EtiiUW0gCWhJKF-lXpEmOcovu7V9puXJc8bnG7Q7M12QrpAd534wnAjEY2EUuO7L1mMgv2ABsjVO1Q6htnkpZRyTgHAhkD3jwcqtw/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii63FIrTQh9bSTjeH3fIqvg4g4fdzIK-ub-EtiiUW0gCWhJKF-lXpEmOcovu7V9puXJc8bnG7Q7M12QrpAd534wnAjEY2EUuO7L1mMgv2ABsjVO1Q6htnkpZRyTgHAhkD3jwcqtw/s400/IMG_5375.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />Then it was on to New York, for a memorable week. It gave Kate a great chance to reconnect with her step-brother Fred, his lovely wife Alexandra and her cousin Connie.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Kate, Madeline and I really enjoyed the whole New York experience. <br /><br />As usual 2012 was replete with trips north to enjoy the wonders of the northland (nature, wine, food, friendship - to name a few).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALDpb9rDPznxcKk0PBQrE6pYDbryr-0cvCLIPFK_GQk7YqDJ1vEcM363Cgz5unj2KpJuK6RNtHVD1lggGihN8od3PQ-2FORyDjnOUYiKfFP8YD3Yzi61fWoc7gp2IuHLK7-q6hg/s1600/IMG_5748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALDpb9rDPznxcKk0PBQrE6pYDbryr-0cvCLIPFK_GQk7YqDJ1vEcM363Cgz5unj2KpJuK6RNtHVD1lggGihN8od3PQ-2FORyDjnOUYiKfFP8YD3Yzi61fWoc7gp2IuHLK7-q6hg/s400/IMG_5748.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />We did go south too - to a lovely wedding in Omaha with Amy, Dan and our many "Train Party" friends. Another sidelong glance for me.</div>
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One "transition" this year was our own little "TARP" program. A new well and water system at the cabin.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZYKfUIcAAF_C3sjYdEMfAdziUJHEDdW-aYhGUAiVy9zY4l_ZrvuXTb8KzKZnjtkQ2GcyTY-b0lDsPa9P_OjLJnsG9J2nrqWwW0gRIQBJmb6FBjoFhZaFCYtzoXLlKttwI73_TQ/s1600/IMG_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZYKfUIcAAF_C3sjYdEMfAdziUJHEDdW-aYhGUAiVy9zY4l_ZrvuXTb8KzKZnjtkQ2GcyTY-b0lDsPa9P_OjLJnsG9J2nrqWwW0gRIQBJmb6FBjoFhZaFCYtzoXLlKttwI73_TQ/s400/IMG_0305.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />As I wrote this a year ago new metal roof was being put on the house. Since then our friend and remodeling expert Brian spent much of 2012 putting our house in order. We think we have the infrastructure of our old home in good shape.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjLKyYiefI0DaMHStbAetfIrYyFEkmPmADlXIx8HhXk2wPpydJyHl5H6lXeuRNRkzCdtKYu34sN6rPrfK3tXhBq4due33yIr2TK-KNoaCLjwWJ4HyIDpKmGor4o-Qy-KjNh1i3g/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjLKyYiefI0DaMHStbAetfIrYyFEkmPmADlXIx8HhXk2wPpydJyHl5H6lXeuRNRkzCdtKYu34sN6rPrfK3tXhBq4due33yIr2TK-KNoaCLjwWJ4HyIDpKmGor4o-Qy-KjNh1i3g/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jIuqLmxa741iV_QWbDpvZOeBiD53c0efBcnYWe3KgIEb0leTGdrTU-2wnwkHw7hru6S7q066qj0o9nCWad4dpqs6gk0c0oKohyj8155bTv_wAtowaqBkbWvWy0IuJp_wkp35MA/s400/IMG_6182.JPG" width="400" /><br />Stop by at any time and give us a chance to prove it. Here's to a joyful 2013!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LGfiHZCHeyQMTEce49GUI-Pxg11y7WylIqj6AZpeDB1qaad8qoOHjg9IEtRIYXfiW52xgqD0FqfJcniu1zuNAKXqsSwOXY04kZwfpKlYHk14yAW6AEmLU1FtwucYCV_tOxWD3w/s1600/IMG_6054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1LGfiHZCHeyQMTEce49GUI-Pxg11y7WylIqj6AZpeDB1qaad8qoOHjg9IEtRIYXfiW52xgqD0FqfJcniu1zuNAKXqsSwOXY04kZwfpKlYHk14yAW6AEmLU1FtwucYCV_tOxWD3w/s400/IMG_6054.JPG" width="400" /></a>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-20607998720801588622012-04-03T22:26:00.013-05:002012-04-08T17:35:22.069-05:00It's a Small Big VillageHello from New York City - it's a village on America's east coast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1ybAo-Xxlcw7xY4seRl_PlKFQaIsFoWUi_HqCSDvXw2UeapjNUwErrPcEOkXIwblgmhkp83pm9r8gUAJMoWizH7sPrkhBI5K4vCvQmdoUEy7hxpjOHYHIKkpUEYeq1ESGvXmTg/s1600/IMG_5388.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1ybAo-Xxlcw7xY4seRl_PlKFQaIsFoWUi_HqCSDvXw2UeapjNUwErrPcEOkXIwblgmhkp83pm9r8gUAJMoWizH7sPrkhBI5K4vCvQmdoUEy7hxpjOHYHIKkpUEYeq1ESGvXmTg/s400/IMG_5388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727385626047685218" border="0" /></a>It's Madeline's spring break, and this year Kate, Madeline and I decided to make our way to NYC, with a couple of stops along the way. Our trip is relatively unstructured. But before we came we reserved tickets to a couple of shows. I'm told that's what you do when you come to "The City." Kate and Madeline took the lead in planning this endeavor. We'll be going to see <span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked</span> on Thursday night. This afternoon we're going to a matinee of <span style="font-style: italic;">Priscilla, Queen of the Desert</span>. I knew a bit about <span style="font-style: italic;">Wicked</span>, but before we came I thought I should learn a bit about <span style="font-style: italic;">Priscilla</span>. When I went to the website, I discovered that the fourth person in the cast list is a man named Adam LeFevre, a guy I knew very casually many years ago when I was in law school in Iowa City.<br /><br />I thought that was a big coincidence, but I was wrong. Yesterday we returned our car to the Newark airport and were on the AirTram making our way from Enterprise to the train station to catch a train into Manhattan. It's an unusual setup. Each car in the Tram is divided into several sections - each holding a maximum of six people or so. At the first stop two people who were jammed into the space with us got off and a handsome young man got on. In case you don't know this, the NYC metro area is supposedly pretty big. Imagine our collective surprise when the handsome young man turned out to be our friend Andy Buck, a member of our "Train Party family."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxJO44TAjd_9zOhU-qIH4eXM8MlAn4vsWm5Z7sQ4wQAY_CetJkaeh2jp7m8sE9GtY-wi-hhkxg0_jhv7Wnbu9Y4SWN3b7EQ18B_lCQBoyNUnaVaSaHmSvJrrJmrZg7CX3nQJUXw/s1600/IMG_0744.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxJO44TAjd_9zOhU-qIH4eXM8MlAn4vsWm5Z7sQ4wQAY_CetJkaeh2jp7m8sE9GtY-wi-hhkxg0_jhv7Wnbu9Y4SWN3b7EQ18B_lCQBoyNUnaVaSaHmSvJrrJmrZg7CX3nQJUXw/s400/IMG_0744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727382479450868770" border="0" /></a>Incredible. A wonderful start to the NYC portion of our visit. Before that we got to spend an lovely evening with our friends Myra and Rob Doughty (Myra and Kate have been friends since their childhoods in York, PA) and a couple of days with Kitty and Bob in York. We clearly haven't lost our dynamism. Just a few short hours after our arrival we had reduced Kitty and Bob to this state -<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal1bXp0UFP2Af6twSRLeJY_sN91LnAEdUKmfXNSpZGhLG_oAy0KHzt5paNHEHjHA4HlGi6tuvbdfgGyDfHqXprCPlq7oeaswNwCGNIVBNskTviVJL2THIrAaBpY9yxKhZG6SkaQ/s1600/IMG_5375.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgal1bXp0UFP2Af6twSRLeJY_sN91LnAEdUKmfXNSpZGhLG_oAy0KHzt5paNHEHjHA4HlGi6tuvbdfgGyDfHqXprCPlq7oeaswNwCGNIVBNskTviVJL2THIrAaBpY9yxKhZG6SkaQ/s400/IMG_5375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727508040079514738" border="0" /></a>Last night we enjoyed a great evening with Kate's step-brother Fred and his wife Alexandra and Kate's step-cousin (if that is a category) Connie. It was fun for Kate to catch up, and fun for Madeline and me to meet wonderful and unmet friends (is there such a thing as a step-brother and sister-in-law?? If so, Fred and Alexandra are mine). The trip to this village has started on a wonderful note!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzsofbfHeU5F7Uo2NWzrbdoRkY1rD27f4jesKMNvIYcpSvyvzachmT95QzKsI8x6wmaH8LcQU2gM4JT_mTVhPSISTDOHLPAfa71ZiaB8jav7l2mM4nvPrhB97kP-egbKspAEl5A/s1600/IMG_5393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzsofbfHeU5F7Uo2NWzrbdoRkY1rD27f4jesKMNvIYcpSvyvzachmT95QzKsI8x6wmaH8LcQU2gM4JT_mTVhPSISTDOHLPAfa71ZiaB8jav7l2mM4nvPrhB97kP-egbKspAEl5A/s400/IMG_5393.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727384858711755106" border="0" /></a>Let the fun continue. We're off to see the wizards! I understand many people here think they are one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw-MZ28Ph6bM0xqN2p_inf8Dwblqo61kHKlkW3rznL5WkZdEcqDhK5dTIAQGKMojhRocGEjLa6tsR8WZl84ucUFM0eED0f2nKbUe6dF2gjRQdS1yKQggowS7N5A2CW_CtnY9FLQ/s1600/IMG_5402.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFw-MZ28Ph6bM0xqN2p_inf8Dwblqo61kHKlkW3rznL5WkZdEcqDhK5dTIAQGKMojhRocGEjLa6tsR8WZl84ucUFM0eED0f2nKbUe6dF2gjRQdS1yKQggowS7N5A2CW_CtnY9FLQ/s320/IMG_5402.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729154783005807538" border="0" /></a>Each morning we drank a great cup of coffee in Madison Square Park, checking out the Flatiron Building. We saw some stuff. Like this Russian guy on the Lower East Side with a his laptop.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfP2PssAwHxQOSo0fWpHAzL-wVZpqlHC6WyCx3gQNHCz-Kgn_Kr4JhhDDdMQewjJ2AKE-j229j6gcT3ceN1cYvR90XOEv1CxqtRJ1ncXlkbRV2iWvJx49oKQ7iE-YrCgFoVW2Fg/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfP2PssAwHxQOSo0fWpHAzL-wVZpqlHC6WyCx3gQNHCz-Kgn_Kr4JhhDDdMQewjJ2AKE-j229j6gcT3ceN1cYvR90XOEv1CxqtRJ1ncXlkbRV2iWvJx49oKQ7iE-YrCgFoVW2Fg/s320/IMG_0802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729154064603012610" border="0" /></a>We saw lots of amazing art. Monet. Chagall. Some Chuck Close - Madeline' favorite.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWKbuoTcVnm7CnI_yfOV7un9lpCvod69Gn7E6y3SygN_vu0bmE6VtXctJW0db8rZeU72II1GAyVCrnuPIH5JbN9KF3sha725z2ZsBJ0JRMkX5pna0PJD7QLh8ImY2BWAbCIuEjw/s1600/IMG_5462.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWKbuoTcVnm7CnI_yfOV7un9lpCvod69Gn7E6y3SygN_vu0bmE6VtXctJW0db8rZeU72II1GAyVCrnuPIH5JbN9KF3sha725z2ZsBJ0JRMkX5pna0PJD7QLh8ImY2BWAbCIuEjw/s320/IMG_5462.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729156233320647586" border="0" /></a>But my favorite was this one - titled "The Innocent Eye Test."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_gQE0EySuJvfIIKtkFmMdmQAAtgxXe4trsbveCyGVi-g3phOF_8eynLkWcDPI-DC_g9VO2pc45QC9GcbVxw1BbhV-_Js7V8RNn0SQ6-EV0d202LADM67YFlQhlyXrVpl8CLo1g/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_gQE0EySuJvfIIKtkFmMdmQAAtgxXe4trsbveCyGVi-g3phOF_8eynLkWcDPI-DC_g9VO2pc45QC9GcbVxw1BbhV-_Js7V8RNn0SQ6-EV0d202LADM67YFlQhlyXrVpl8CLo1g/s400/IMG_5467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729153756252668770" border="0" /></a>Had some great meals - including one at the Union Square Cafe, where we had the crow's nest table in the background.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzEI0ebvbmRzlF8OKQ7qAixM4V5fB6cGHVjKMuu-ycGbGVPT9gUEXZG3iuGH86UtzPXgtBSp25TGU0l66LuNftS200woo7i46dMxWxm_vRH4aJGXQ4ZsuLoFZtZWPpxwgtsHUkA/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzEI0ebvbmRzlF8OKQ7qAixM4V5fB6cGHVjKMuu-ycGbGVPT9gUEXZG3iuGH86UtzPXgtBSp25TGU0l66LuNftS200woo7i46dMxWxm_vRH4aJGXQ4ZsuLoFZtZWPpxwgtsHUkA/s320/IMG_0801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729159618587622338" border="0" /></a>The food was amazing almost everywhere. We loved Otto - a restaurant near NYU that Andy recommended. This pizza with fried egg was controversial. But the meal was amazing and the controversy lots of fun.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb-VWmo-U3TYo0Hn-o-WbIZJ-wb_B2ZKkwS7AiJgsPoAgGa3r76sDOpy_tyx1PLHQjZALcf9wrOThEwYEE77L8dd-hHmcyLDwa1MZdS9l5nzQaH878njiZ2rCfEJKO62M83BDkw/s1600/IMG_0786.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb-VWmo-U3TYo0Hn-o-WbIZJ-wb_B2ZKkwS7AiJgsPoAgGa3r76sDOpy_tyx1PLHQjZALcf9wrOThEwYEE77L8dd-hHmcyLDwa1MZdS9l5nzQaH878njiZ2rCfEJKO62M83BDkw/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729160692121347410" border="0" /></a>Just a great trip. Lots of fun.Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-19238358893088913982011-12-21T10:28:00.028-06:002011-12-24T08:58:38.107-06:00Happy Holidays 2011!<span style="font-style: italic;">Happy Holidays! Joyful Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Joyeux Noel! Feliz Navidad! Glaedelig Jul! Seasons Greetings! Peace!</span><br /><br />Another year has flown by, generally following the familiar and wonderful pattern of our lives over the last several years. Frequent and fun get togethers with friends and family. A great family spring break trip. Good jobs. Good health. We know that life offers no guarantees - which makes us all the more thankful that our lives continue to follow such a pleasant trajectory.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmflx80x77xK5NazQ5Lf4Ws8p-2JBaFDt1tcq6AHe-EfBUo3R3LmYVSU9ACI4PsMAjpXfGIHc_d-D_SEvLdLNMxhe_q6kIgOQEUVHv2pbwF9bvFLoujn55jav7BaGmCj45wPQPQg/s1600/IMG_0231.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmflx80x77xK5NazQ5Lf4Ws8p-2JBaFDt1tcq6AHe-EfBUo3R3LmYVSU9ACI4PsMAjpXfGIHc_d-D_SEvLdLNMxhe_q6kIgOQEUVHv2pbwF9bvFLoujn55jav7BaGmCj45wPQPQg/s400/IMG_0231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688959987662183970" border="0" /></a>A tremendous highlight for us was a Spring Break trip to Paris. Madeline and Peter are both college graduates, but Madeline is a teacher, so we have retained the ability to plan a Spring Break trip. If my memory is correct, this is at least the sixth consecutive year that Kate has said this might be the last year that the kids will join us on a trip - so let's make it a good one. And we did. But I'm starting to think that if we keep funding the trip we might still be making family spring break trips decades from now. I hope that is true.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT13tLjTOJkyFEuyTFlxYrcGVE0N3mxEHtl6Tqyq8Q4sTm2JCMmauMiVFDycmi5k7hbJqrdfwiF4BCPmhPnf4Cw4vj3j0K4nLjA-471eQW5YH83BnVdDMHOEEeE4wygbe8waCdSQ/s1600/IMG_2454.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT13tLjTOJkyFEuyTFlxYrcGVE0N3mxEHtl6Tqyq8Q4sTm2JCMmauMiVFDycmi5k7hbJqrdfwiF4BCPmhPnf4Cw4vj3j0K4nLjA-471eQW5YH83BnVdDMHOEEeE4wygbe8waCdSQ/s400/IMG_2454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688960446556023570" border="0" /></a>Paris is a magical place for us. And it was such fun to be in such a great city for art and wine and food and friends with our adult children. (There is much more description of our trip somewhere down the page - so I won't try to recreate it here).<br /><br />Another highlight this year was a trip to California's wine country with our great friends Tom and Kathy Seymour.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy5WbSJzJw1zg0K_ivfx1TPGdDQrPfNqUwz1h5BRWBGwpGlBY-oXh78F4idGSXs6Z7GmBAKVT3hwlpAzRUzLGRLj8knXgb-H8Z6QqCMLZVFl4SJ2PVsWSvUJExPSmmqUZYN-puA/s1600/IMG_3895.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqy5WbSJzJw1zg0K_ivfx1TPGdDQrPfNqUwz1h5BRWBGwpGlBY-oXh78F4idGSXs6Z7GmBAKVT3hwlpAzRUzLGRLj8knXgb-H8Z6QqCMLZVFl4SJ2PVsWSvUJExPSmmqUZYN-puA/s400/IMG_3895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688960255491696402" border="0" /></a>It was such fun! Great wine. Great conversation and laughs. And it's the vacation that keeps on giving. Apparently we joined several wine "clubs" while we were there. So wine (and charge card bills) keep arriving at our door - even months after the trip.<br /><br />We didn't get the opportunity to get dressed up and go dancing as a family at a "Train Party" wedding this year. But Kate and I did get the chance to go to Pennsylvania to see Kitty and Bob and attend Nick and Lindsay Albright's wedding.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqsBoT94NwYQ1huosDb9BElE0BQfRu3AJCd83NxC7IVKCW1LXVs7sNRpNK9_5i78HI_MP1hUUa7r_uOfojEEtkxNAnp0_XuXJFl1k92_6f_3yDWaOmbf6ycmIFd-xxFXrZ_Fiow/s1600/A+rare+photo+of+these+three+together+and+laughing+it+up.++At+the+wedding+of+Liza%2527s+son+Nick..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqsBoT94NwYQ1huosDb9BElE0BQfRu3AJCd83NxC7IVKCW1LXVs7sNRpNK9_5i78HI_MP1hUUa7r_uOfojEEtkxNAnp0_XuXJFl1k92_6f_3yDWaOmbf6ycmIFd-xxFXrZ_Fiow/s400/A+rare+photo+of+these+three+together+and+laughing+it+up.++At+the+wedding+of+Liza%2527s+son+Nick..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688962977694786194" border="0" /></a>Sadly, we did get dressed up as a family. But it was for the service for my mom, who died in August.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IBHIWuuys-2dH1QEtIUF2lxjgeCd-89ESp6EWODay7ffjXvH7fd1GDwmFP8wiqCzemDHmLpiF7e4Uu-T7KBCoOBJErc2c9Mkw7sARyKGM0v-tksGpLC0XuYmXjaizVVGxF1gfA/s1600/IMG_0914.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IBHIWuuys-2dH1QEtIUF2lxjgeCd-89ESp6EWODay7ffjXvH7fd1GDwmFP8wiqCzemDHmLpiF7e4Uu-T7KBCoOBJErc2c9Mkw7sARyKGM0v-tksGpLC0XuYmXjaizVVGxF1gfA/s400/IMG_0914.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688961473183326002" border="0" /></a>Alzheimers can be a cruel disease, and even in the best of circumstances it's never easy. Over the past years mom gradually lost her skills as a driver and then her exceptional skills as a cook and as a bridge player. But even to the last week of her life she didn't lose her personality and her joy in living. For that I am thankful. In an odd way (which I freely admit may just be a rationalization), I feel like the disease "distilled" in my mom her wonderful essential spirit as other aspects of her life fell away.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHaD02cePbyFDjFhLe3JyFuBhzUG2msCHk1Wg3Eclgy-jvWy7uAePxp8tkBk7rvCuPfwDEIck5jLeXfIsWNdql7npK1yETH7HcWzCaZyZvfYoxlpiULMAFmZvj7XYtiZJpahQ9A/s1600/The+last+photo+of+mom+and+me..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHaD02cePbyFDjFhLe3JyFuBhzUG2msCHk1Wg3Eclgy-jvWy7uAePxp8tkBk7rvCuPfwDEIck5jLeXfIsWNdql7npK1yETH7HcWzCaZyZvfYoxlpiULMAFmZvj7XYtiZJpahQ9A/s400/The+last+photo+of+mom+and+me..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688960689012415586" border="0" /></a>Even in this last photo of us together, I see the joy and spirit that I was lucky enough to have as such an important part of my life for the last 59 years. A life worth celebrating and trying to emulate.<br /><br />Our other ancient mariner, Greta, is still hanging in there. The nerve signals from her brain no longer reach her back legs efficiently. But at 16, she's still part puppy (and part old woman).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlnxD_tWtgnPYMyL3Ds2IO0yPUyYMyGdPhsPyVMilJYTuG50-0rDWKxpkDHjwgOsU3hYcMmHaJUHNR1WlF9xAu22-vkmdaURxVug2iyCXuQ4n0yJdnkjX-5w5KaD5LZOlq5cI3w/s1600/IMG_4527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZlnxD_tWtgnPYMyL3Ds2IO0yPUyYMyGdPhsPyVMilJYTuG50-0rDWKxpkDHjwgOsU3hYcMmHaJUHNR1WlF9xAu22-vkmdaURxVug2iyCXuQ4n0yJdnkjX-5w5KaD5LZOlq5cI3w/s400/IMG_4527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688960905119364114" border="0" /></a>As our only "child" still at home, she gets the royal treatment (at least from Kate, and sometimes even from me). She really is a wonder. She ignores any obstacle (including me if I am in her way) and always soldiers on.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgYX8iBqDjWAWdsdvg86d5CegnmP5l7j0uuaxU07SSg97xqSsg9q0P-vn9wPWpUp6shNtwWDOLMI7wxLwMIx77ubrbYK_uku2Knv21OO3Welo9Sp4J_8Ai9Nopq1QjkETXtR4tA/s1600/IMG_5027.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgYX8iBqDjWAWdsdvg86d5CegnmP5l7j0uuaxU07SSg97xqSsg9q0P-vn9wPWpUp6shNtwWDOLMI7wxLwMIx77ubrbYK_uku2Knv21OO3Welo9Sp4J_8Ai9Nopq1QjkETXtR4tA/s400/IMG_5027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688962113425953442" border="0" /></a>We enjoyed lots of weekends at the cabin with friends, which are always fun. I love the fact that several have become annual traditions. Bird watching on Memorial Day. The Gang of Eight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ht1eEOskdoB5Z-VSeyU0apfVdshdbrjLtHfWI9sxhoJBdhwHWnZELAEp1-lS6lPx899Kg217XED3gJep_dFRx0kYGSlvHi0TY7HdJEff5rY3SwEUj7NQZqN7M_zh5P0_FYNiKg/s1600/IMG_0784.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Ht1eEOskdoB5Z-VSeyU0apfVdshdbrjLtHfWI9sxhoJBdhwHWnZELAEp1-lS6lPx899Kg217XED3gJep_dFRx0kYGSlvHi0TY7HdJEff5rY3SwEUj7NQZqN7M_zh5P0_FYNiKg/s400/IMG_0784.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688962438724651858" border="0" /></a>Labor Day. The Gang of Six. Such a great place to share with friends. We're so glad they keep coming back. And the wine and conversation on the porch only seems to get better.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDnW4BlYoRsyOcxrUeOP5bk-Qnhvfc-CeG7Rii0xCDcyTNBMNYEJvfsgkcM6iXdwGcc3y9Ocn1LLa81AhzPjibHVv6T2E4OlwI02paWoZMX_1S4Rg6guEdnisHTEf2WdFq-BHcw/s1600/IMG_4600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDnW4BlYoRsyOcxrUeOP5bk-Qnhvfc-CeG7Rii0xCDcyTNBMNYEJvfsgkcM6iXdwGcc3y9Ocn1LLa81AhzPjibHVv6T2E4OlwI02paWoZMX_1S4Rg6guEdnisHTEf2WdFq-BHcw/s400/IMG_4600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689500949464328914" border="0" /></a>This year Madeline and I made a trip to the Boundary Waters - in addition to my traditional spring and fall trips. It was three trips to this most wonderful of places for me. Marvelous. And such fun to experience with my daughter as well as with dear friends.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRqkvikHzXseT7owWAXv4q72WsuCw7aa7_ibqF9wKgXlvYUeF-oa0xxCXDVJEaiYxPoN6LFm9-8vJFONgsjZUFSPfkTSJlfGW0YUSEqw3IaCEyr2H3rijRA4vzEnHx257LaQYyQ/s1600/IMG_4608.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRqkvikHzXseT7owWAXv4q72WsuCw7aa7_ibqF9wKgXlvYUeF-oa0xxCXDVJEaiYxPoN6LFm9-8vJFONgsjZUFSPfkTSJlfGW0YUSEqw3IaCEyr2H3rijRA4vzEnHx257LaQYyQ/s400/IMG_4608.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688961313224207698" border="0" /></a>The kids grow up. Peter has a "for real" job in Minneapolis. Madeline is substitute teaching daily at Lincoln Elementary in Madison. Kate and I don't feel like we are growing old. The last year has been a good one indeed.<br /><br />We all wish you the best this holiday season.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUXP6hMmz5wVkSEj5obJF53iwaX-VuvaAaOtGCwdVPino0b6icQCGtU9bNgqhNLlGKRxZvPlArocQRRzbe3hLTl0ReBK98lKJCkPoXKojdaPf-SK8GIfSRv0M3Z22S5fAriF7zQ/s1600/IMG_4934.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQUXP6hMmz5wVkSEj5obJF53iwaX-VuvaAaOtGCwdVPino0b6icQCGtU9bNgqhNLlGKRxZvPlArocQRRzbe3hLTl0ReBK98lKJCkPoXKojdaPf-SK8GIfSRv0M3Z22S5fAriF7zQ/s400/IMG_4934.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689153833491799906" border="0" /></a>Happy holidays!<br /><br />Stan, Kate, Madeline and Peter.Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-29885194549501964022011-08-22T18:52:00.027-05:002011-08-23T09:25:56.941-05:00Mom - 1926 to 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3lMfxcUQLjyxu1r3t-Clu1E8djdPkQlF1o9z_4pOSM-0GgKIRuBINyAjajlkpeZeTZWhp0_jINYRRwsf9lnyxNwMH1LKqU5pCT2htfe6NIgk8nWp97Xm7MFms-Bx5xTDgQH0vQ/s1600/A+bit+of+an+angelic+look..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3lMfxcUQLjyxu1r3t-Clu1E8djdPkQlF1o9z_4pOSM-0GgKIRuBINyAjajlkpeZeTZWhp0_jINYRRwsf9lnyxNwMH1LKqU5pCT2htfe6NIgk8nWp97Xm7MFms-Bx5xTDgQH0vQ/s400/A+bit+of+an+angelic+look..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643834174122355682" border="0" /></a>
<br />One of the best people I've ever had the privilege of knowing died recently. My mother Carol. I thought I'd share a few photos of this wonderful woman.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ljkcbzbmvz2a2w2YyEqXDBQjWgnCeoL6evxSxuKvXETlEE3TG0q3qsZp-zVZnJhR6okK_grrcVRVxT4sVrrHqHWL47hxVamTTa5Hc8uz8f-brsIZ8viQcHWs8v0Wah0AvUVaMQ/s1600/Carol+1+year+old.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ljkcbzbmvz2a2w2YyEqXDBQjWgnCeoL6evxSxuKvXETlEE3TG0q3qsZp-zVZnJhR6okK_grrcVRVxT4sVrrHqHWL47hxVamTTa5Hc8uz8f-brsIZ8viQcHWs8v0Wah0AvUVaMQ/s400/Carol+1+year+old.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643834412137156018" border="0" /></a>Here she is as a one year old. I understand they cut her curls off for the photo.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ctem5E0DbDXKozdIpJGhmVm6fI278xq1_WFnnWdt7KsjBBidefQSL9zK7pG83OG8jUMR6NxHjW4aij9aO2jhF9xN1zEPXEleZnwlJ4bbFD8xgt9dFmwSHAo94-M3mpeY5nIPXA/s1600/Carol015.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ctem5E0DbDXKozdIpJGhmVm6fI278xq1_WFnnWdt7KsjBBidefQSL9zK7pG83OG8jUMR6NxHjW4aij9aO2jhF9xN1zEPXEleZnwlJ4bbFD8xgt9dFmwSHAo94-M3mpeY5nIPXA/s400/Carol015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643834905604434338" border="0" /></a>I love this old sepia toned photo of mom.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmh1gsuvvlw4xN33TYgdGJb17IRGR9liM1IkE14W-idYqxmEvV26WsbU8GyCSFVyKOy48-iRbAqg0Ig2-d8VkJeVj_IdqizuwtZ5x7l2BUKUAFYntbGfE_6dNZ5FhOV-qjpSRlQ/s1600/Carol011.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmh1gsuvvlw4xN33TYgdGJb17IRGR9liM1IkE14W-idYqxmEvV26WsbU8GyCSFVyKOy48-iRbAqg0Ig2-d8VkJeVj_IdqizuwtZ5x7l2BUKUAFYntbGfE_6dNZ5FhOV-qjpSRlQ/s400/Carol011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643835717547049506" border="0" /></a>A night out in Omaha with some friends.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAt1YP7v4STpoNDy0ZwBU-TxjBQua8iDuN7U5oEMQubEUD0VpToeEpHKeBrrxUBkWaG9IwkG4D0nqbmDyhvFENmrqugSpcKXldEjv1cCkwPbVmIRrYb29y8O2p-POM13QCLo1mw/s1600/Carol009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixAt1YP7v4STpoNDy0ZwBU-TxjBQua8iDuN7U5oEMQubEUD0VpToeEpHKeBrrxUBkWaG9IwkG4D0nqbmDyhvFENmrqugSpcKXldEjv1cCkwPbVmIRrYb29y8O2p-POM13QCLo1mw/s400/Carol009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643837080222557042" border="0" /></a>The girl in the polka dotted dress.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSyXIDQe444EUi6dtBzPy9k9xO7GG8062JwKGAM2q4_h2a9Kgt-G3nerEVEX9XyQIK61XsmlJETOja51tUwHcMmQG0qL37jQG_wbZQzAecJEdG9Tp0ecKALOKku_pSgqlUXmlqg/s1600/dale+carol+wedding+photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 375px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPSyXIDQe444EUi6dtBzPy9k9xO7GG8062JwKGAM2q4_h2a9Kgt-G3nerEVEX9XyQIK61XsmlJETOja51tUwHcMmQG0qL37jQG_wbZQzAecJEdG9Tp0ecKALOKku_pSgqlUXmlqg/s400/dale+carol+wedding+photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643836211156910626" border="0" /></a>Mom and Dad on their wedding day - June 24,1950.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcKDg3zdoqOFYnZGRmoaZj07cKtKH1D3DWAbL7pVX4ZuNUsXuIWJnABEFeWv9rWXUE_11fYt1s74aPYcICRE5Oy2Eb5tn2iuY_1NWGd2eMxGjAKReHSUB_e2FaV1AHHonDXmTSg/s1600/Carol010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcKDg3zdoqOFYnZGRmoaZj07cKtKH1D3DWAbL7pVX4ZuNUsXuIWJnABEFeWv9rWXUE_11fYt1s74aPYcICRE5Oy2Eb5tn2iuY_1NWGd2eMxGjAKReHSUB_e2FaV1AHHonDXmTSg/s400/Carol010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643836604230680530" border="0" /></a>Their first Chrismas card photo. Really a good looking, happy couple.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVpgRrpx6nGyD6s2KTzwN9B4McJ1oJP7fnow_3hNRnWvVWxBIHZnrEEZGCGG3qWYf6qL1dsJ62oVhdewFeMd-UUVTYZ4W7k5yK7XE-83ShHZm0FXskjWZCEkImMF9HCZPnMkiUA/s1600/%2522+got+up+to+take+this+photo+and+then+went+back+to+bed.++I%2527m+equally+sure+that+mom+acted+with+grace+and+love.++She+always+did..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVpgRrpx6nGyD6s2KTzwN9B4McJ1oJP7fnow_3hNRnWvVWxBIHZnrEEZGCGG3qWYf6qL1dsJ62oVhdewFeMd-UUVTYZ4W7k5yK7XE-83ShHZm0FXskjWZCEkImMF9HCZPnMkiUA/s400/%2522+got+up+to+take+this+photo+and+then+went+back+to+bed.++I%2527m+equally+sure+that+mom+acted+with+grace+and+love.++She+always+did..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643837348997112370" border="0" /></a>And then along came trouble - a baby with a nasty case of colic (me). I'm not sure that mom found parenting me lots of fun. Or any fun. I'm sure my dad got up to take this photo and went back to bed. I'm equally sure that mom acted with grace and love. She always did.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QYzDpIaLf-sL4exCC21KG2ilhAe6WY2cs3-J703oOLfRdKSx5okmllfJZjmbLLyhTY5yGiST1D-DmukUMJFtsP688axMmUeQAdFm2G3hot_TD7r9JsdqTX0JKuI45aAQPbifmQ/s1600/Carol012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QYzDpIaLf-sL4exCC21KG2ilhAe6WY2cs3-J703oOLfRdKSx5okmllfJZjmbLLyhTY5yGiST1D-DmukUMJFtsP688axMmUeQAdFm2G3hot_TD7r9JsdqTX0JKuI45aAQPbifmQ/s400/Carol012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643838166065834354" border="0" /></a>To me, the scariest of our posed family photos. The only fake smile I can remember in a life of smiles. This was a woman who smiled from her heart.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PYYIx-SyRr4gQiCEHP-b78b3imROQ2rJwCS2rshtwVUVnDO4NdT4xAcX9x4KZqwtMUnROcTl31AKOLhH6JbvjQAAfKYx1-iWRQvI2spn0ViHOF69PU_De5NBAq-zYC7QaqhWcQ/s1600/60+oleson+family+xmas_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4PYYIx-SyRr4gQiCEHP-b78b3imROQ2rJwCS2rshtwVUVnDO4NdT4xAcX9x4KZqwtMUnROcTl31AKOLhH6JbvjQAAfKYx1-iWRQvI2spn0ViHOF69PU_De5NBAq-zYC7QaqhWcQ/s400/60+oleson+family+xmas_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643839276569609666" border="0" /></a>Second place in the scary photo contest.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENQAG95FLZ_7Ga0b2xnE1YSYmP9NLLAnwrOn6v6G2lVdFJDUofzXcNtwQo72gM_LCluYUQAxyjbt2jjOoyV_8VB7VyGiR50bqt0PomeS0max20-wuudWTmxMkGVhTyOLKed53SA/s1600/stan+mom+lw+wedding+79.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 338px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENQAG95FLZ_7Ga0b2xnE1YSYmP9NLLAnwrOn6v6G2lVdFJDUofzXcNtwQo72gM_LCluYUQAxyjbt2jjOoyV_8VB7VyGiR50bqt0PomeS0max20-wuudWTmxMkGVhTyOLKed53SA/s400/stan+mom+lw+wedding+79.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643840133700592530" border="0" /></a>With Mom at Linda's wedding.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUzsdXv4BzT5uU1ZYugsISc7TZaUyus1qVFRm5GEMKwb7us6h3g_XaMdWETizAbbgt0IUfY6j3gdpYlKdfYnzhr2rADprRvZvdE2n4dYFQHoxfDDL0x3K1_BugucGql-ESX2YtA/s1600/cruise+serious+and+silly.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUzsdXv4BzT5uU1ZYugsISc7TZaUyus1qVFRm5GEMKwb7us6h3g_XaMdWETizAbbgt0IUfY6j3gdpYlKdfYnzhr2rADprRvZvdE2n4dYFQHoxfDDL0x3K1_BugucGql-ESX2YtA/s400/cruise+serious+and+silly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643838733059862082" border="0" /></a>One of my favorite family photos - taken on an Alaskan cruise to celebrate Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary. Straight smiles from the "nuclears" - wackiness from the rest.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6KsKMz7GXNJ43FXeWgCmWb5_c0_y8bLtlyWQeoSMvSg5PyPdX_s3zEGMgrqQvfysyxVyiLXZBBvklgOyAtRfOsy9_cLwQN3Z_uc-q0h8N1RXLXSzegwCABX21Z0kcd9xXTWtXA/s1600/Three+generations+who+know+how+to+build+a+fruit+plate..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6KsKMz7GXNJ43FXeWgCmWb5_c0_y8bLtlyWQeoSMvSg5PyPdX_s3zEGMgrqQvfysyxVyiLXZBBvklgOyAtRfOsy9_cLwQN3Z_uc-q0h8N1RXLXSzegwCABX21Z0kcd9xXTWtXA/s400/Three+generations+who+know+how+to+build+a+fruit+plate..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643839878160769250" border="0" /></a>A three generation fruit plate.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp_LcSNaxOGrzxnzlLZY7W-dSScQVsqV3huI_kLvhVUkQA6G_ZcPidKhc_zoaFSpyrjKtb-CcyJyMBJwlV41bfeVUOEu85dPqIl2GNonI8rekMVw9fYCfHVMJtjExzyoB-VtfMw/s1600/With+her+grandson+Peter+when+he+graduated+from+college..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZp_LcSNaxOGrzxnzlLZY7W-dSScQVsqV3huI_kLvhVUkQA6G_ZcPidKhc_zoaFSpyrjKtb-CcyJyMBJwlV41bfeVUOEu85dPqIl2GNonI8rekMVw9fYCfHVMJtjExzyoB-VtfMw/s400/With+her+grandson+Peter+when+he+graduated+from+college..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643840686247345298" border="0" /></a>With Peter at his college graduation.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYYv-zXHeOrZlXCFaLnTRk7i6oMwCGm-z3-2LroPkyGG-jfK9O9JGbAh2Bu1R5j9voMUNlJbQa-gOZjreiZeyvMMKIjsaDG3RewMy12cI_YTNbqHRuBHdBcg227icGiYPdhyphenhyphenPJQ/s1600/Mom+with+my+sister+Linda+and+me..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYYv-zXHeOrZlXCFaLnTRk7i6oMwCGm-z3-2LroPkyGG-jfK9O9JGbAh2Bu1R5j9voMUNlJbQa-gOZjreiZeyvMMKIjsaDG3RewMy12cI_YTNbqHRuBHdBcg227icGiYPdhyphenhyphenPJQ/s400/Mom+with+my+sister+Linda+and+me..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643840976586262018" border="0" /></a>A laugh with Linda and me.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHd9oSOQxthAizOLGhaUeaQj8cjs_hwlbNNL_V6Eb7_4K0vNhXEk5mpngQTsmE1b0hyHm3_9IOnc87Glp_XGtT61rQo_nnVp1eUfRwTNbk0jYZkyt_accSlwpuYC84KrPiStj2g/s1600/IMG_0467.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHd9oSOQxthAizOLGhaUeaQj8cjs_hwlbNNL_V6Eb7_4K0vNhXEk5mpngQTsmE1b0hyHm3_9IOnc87Glp_XGtT61rQo_nnVp1eUfRwTNbk0jYZkyt_accSlwpuYC84KrPiStj2g/s400/IMG_0467.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643841340273420610" border="0" /></a>With her precious double cousins about a year ago.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mr9WgoJ7H_7tn9NO2783ygjq-YRGiujdxgacapVlq2Op-GeOAj86yb2SbpZZGASqiS5jWaS-mLTEEP_EWw0pOtYdWEGTgNf-yTyiVfhxkMcovzfXCoO_xMyC-TnMyyqhZo4HAQ/s1600/About+a+month+ago..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mr9WgoJ7H_7tn9NO2783ygjq-YRGiujdxgacapVlq2Op-GeOAj86yb2SbpZZGASqiS5jWaS-mLTEEP_EWw0pOtYdWEGTgNf-yTyiVfhxkMcovzfXCoO_xMyC-TnMyyqhZo4HAQ/s400/About+a+month+ago..jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643842000795201138" border="0" /></a>A little over a month ago. She had lost her desire to eat much, but not her smile. That she never lost.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlOD1hywh0Pv7XPSzR36ZYM-i4hcIG9InjIPoGPbmG4PUNEnOY6XXd25oiUvx7ELMsEvzPa_gXDyczZBiE1-4K2fUXEDGqN1t_seL5lDIbMjcfwPZ2kG8T5DuxXx7dUvCeDlt6w/s1600/IMG_4643.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlOD1hywh0Pv7XPSzR36ZYM-i4hcIG9InjIPoGPbmG4PUNEnOY6XXd25oiUvx7ELMsEvzPa_gXDyczZBiE1-4K2fUXEDGqN1t_seL5lDIbMjcfwPZ2kG8T5DuxXx7dUvCeDlt6w/s400/IMG_4643.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643842383033000882" border="0" /></a>August 3rd.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3qVFKBgweSC9P5nG-LEPHxR6X5O3ZBqFPim2U3C-ttAW7Gm-nW0jt1BIyhgR6_JGch6bMcz3FjK996WTL83e0UuLQXlT2v_-1HNVqQX777dyxO-17MzygxLLHqGGITlNNJmk0g/s1600/IMG_4892+-+Version+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3qVFKBgweSC9P5nG-LEPHxR6X5O3ZBqFPim2U3C-ttAW7Gm-nW0jt1BIyhgR6_JGch6bMcz3FjK996WTL83e0UuLQXlT2v_-1HNVqQX777dyxO-17MzygxLLHqGGITlNNJmk0g/s400/IMG_4892+-+Version+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643842717378644898" border="0" /></a>The last photo I took of this wonderful woman - on the day she died. It took me a very long time to figure out that on that day her face didn't capture her lovely peace. It was her hands. Here's my attempt at a eulogy for mom - written to be read (haltingly, it turns out) at the service we had to celebrate her life:
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<br /><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:0 2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Thank you for joining us today to celebrate the life of a wonderful person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She meant the world to me and to every member of our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It means so much to us that you took the time to join us today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Our family would particularly like to thank the staff here at Edgewater, who we now think of not as the staff but as “our friends here at Edgewater.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mom was treated, as Lila would say, “like she was the only one here” by the folks at Beacon Springs over the last two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their compassion and warmth and flexibility, particularly over the last two months, has been nothing short of amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They made it possible for Mom to deal with the physical challenges of the last months of her life with much of the same grace and warmth that she displayed so constantly over her nearly 85 years.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Linda, Bruce and I were raised by two remarkable people.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Our father Dale – or “Big Red” as I call him now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Intelligent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Logical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With the problem solving skills of an engineer. A lover of a good argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(He would call them “discussions” but I would argue with that characterization.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Honest to the point of sometimes being a bit blunt. With an edgy sense of humor.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">And Carol, whose life we are here to celebrate today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Kind. Warm. Happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Rarely without a genuine twinkle in her eye and a smile on her face. If dad had the problem solving skills of an engineer, mom had the problem solving skills of a great counselor or minister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Helpful. Loving.
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">These two were exceptionally good parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Very different, but complementary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In my view particularly because of the fact that each of their children knew at the most fundamental level that they were loved, trusted and respected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Succeed or fail, I always knew that mom was there for me. Her love and affection have always been a constant, unquestioned part of my life. For a person like me who was a spectacularly unsuccessful athlete and awkward with girls, this was an enormous comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I failed at something, I never thought it was because I wasn’t a valuable or worthwhile person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My mom’s presence in my life saw to that. Of course, that didn’t mean that dad wouldn’t remind you that your 8<sup>th</sup> grade football coach liked having you on the team because you were “fun to talk to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every month. For the rest of his life.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mom was much gentler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>More supportive. With a great sense of humor, but one that was never cutting or biting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Affectionate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Always there with a smile. And a laugh or a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She always knew, seemingly by instinct, what you needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Even if you were a teenage boy and what you needed was food in large quantities.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">There was one notable exception to her helpful, generous nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That was when she was playing board games and cards. She always played within the rules but she always played to win.
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Dad too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Ours was a competitive household when it came to games.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No quarter asked for or offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t think dad would even let a child win at Candyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If he drew Queen Frostine, to the top of the board he went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course he would only play Candyland once – quickly and correctly understanding that the game was determined once the cards were placed in a pile and the rest was just wasting time finding out who won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Mom would have quickly come to the same conclusion, but she played anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She might have even cut her grandchildren some slack in Candyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But not in a game that required even a small modicum of skill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No one “let” anyone else win at games in our family. That is why so often the number of players among the five of us was limited to three. With Linda and Bruce sensibly developing “other interests.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For anyone who has played a game with me in their life, I apologize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But please blame my mom and dad.
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Over the last seven years, Mom and I both habitually started our day by completing the four Jumbles in the newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>When I was stuck on a Jumble in the morning, it was fun to call mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She would either have already solved it – in which case she would gently help me discover the answer myself with a clue or two – which hearkened back for me to her homework help in much earlier days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or we would solve it together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She never called me to ask for help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t know if that was because she never needed help or because she was unwilling to incur the vast cost of a long distance toll call for something so frivolous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Old habits die hard.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">As the Alzheimer’s took a greater toll on her game playing skills, she turned more and more to Word Search puzzles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think it is fair to say that she was a word search savant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In her word search world, you found the next word on the list, and then circled it with an almost military precision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No working ahead searching for subsequent words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In a puzzle with twenty words if I played by her rules – which I tried to do - I’d sometimes find one or two words before she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And as I’ve already described, I was trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And when I did find a word I sometimes wondered if she wasn’t letting up just a bit, like she might have with a grandchild at Candyland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In her honor, we included in your program a quick word search made up of words and phrases that for one reason or another we associate with mom.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Mom was always there to help. To help me. Or Mrs. Vollers, a retired teacher in Newton who needed some help and whose family lived elsewhere. Or Lela Shultz, her wonderful neighbor at Park Center. Or Tonya, the young woman from Belarus who mom and dad met on one of their international trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or dozens of other friends for whom she was always there. I always find it appropriate that mom and dad’s international travel was mostly with an organization called Friendship Force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To me, mom was a one woman Friendship Force.
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">All of us help others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But, at least for me, it’s sometimes out of a sense of duty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or guilt. Mom truly felt the joy of giving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was never “counting”, never helping for show or for credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She loved and lived to be a help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As her Alzheimer’s advanced and she sometimes became what Kate aptly described as “pleasantly confused” – she still frequently told me slightly improbable stories in our phone calls describing how she had helped someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In her heart, I’m sure she had.
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<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Since dad died, when I’m trying to figure out why something doesn’t work, or how to solve a problem logically, I often say I’m “Channeling Big Red.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But for most of my life when I determine how to treat people and how to behave in the interactions that make up every day, I always try my best to emulate mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I often fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The behavioral standard she set is hard to reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I suppose now I can call that trying to “Channel Carol”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No one could have a better role model.
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">From the day I was born until a week ago - every day of my life until now - I was lucky enough to be showered with the love and respect of this wonderful woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A great mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love you, mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I’d like to say publicly from the very bottom of my heart the last words I said to you privately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Thank you.</span></p>
<br />Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16442831.post-13784820013735309572011-06-09T10:02:00.023-05:002011-06-14T10:31:42.310-05:00Wine CountryIt's been an amazing last couple of months. Paris with the kids. The cabin with the boys. A Boundary Waters canoe trip. Memorial Day at the cabin, counting birds and eating. And now we find ourselves in California with our good friends the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Seymours</span>, tasting wine and enjoying ourselves.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQY_kljlCND7hURocBfTO1XKjLYbx4ijum_TEZFeushpCp7ykCEFhjVnPbZuUIy7VFRJKeRFzv-Y-lRwSvU2JcCMNjcOkUSVm7-5OXK_h27Ksva34P5BWBS3fiFyzYodJBXGxlA/s1600/IMG_3792.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQY_kljlCND7hURocBfTO1XKjLYbx4ijum_TEZFeushpCp7ykCEFhjVnPbZuUIy7VFRJKeRFzv-Y-lRwSvU2JcCMNjcOkUSVm7-5OXK_h27Ksva34P5BWBS3fiFyzYodJBXGxlA/s400/IMG_3792.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616237077917027442" border="0" /></a>One would think that I had almost no ability to spread these various trips and vacations out in a rational way. And one would be right. But what a nice flow to go with! We are staying in a great little bungalow in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Calistoga</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit4xY5m5X0VGnei5mWr-xwUFQCSpnUQAKTC4-aeNioTYDPL3lbMsCJ-5uKZHiXnQPX7leJFqmd9FrH67yei5J7DQvPWGTJYvWtS2Ho8_UZt0Qeg4fOo4L4QFN3lAVv_8K9p3icg/s1600/IMG_3796.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhit4xY5m5X0VGnei5mWr-xwUFQCSpnUQAKTC4-aeNioTYDPL3lbMsCJ-5uKZHiXnQPX7leJFqmd9FrH67yei5J7DQvPWGTJYvWtS2Ho8_UZt0Qeg4fOo4L4QFN3lAVv_8K9p3icg/s400/IMG_3796.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616237913948509058" border="0" /></a>Our tasting trips yesterday were great, each unique. Beginning with a elegant trip to Brown Estates - stunning wine, caves, lovely presentation. Just off the charts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DQpP52j9G4NYyHAszzEOAbkdMJNoRiNkE_7cyr4hV3hCorqLSQNQbYgVM5YGRdBtETR10WVIlyy_2ZeTMeZU0yJHY8lDkXoxASScxUC2ZT2aobMcPoNcu-e_F8Tj_TrZfImcfg/s1600/IMG_3800.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DQpP52j9G4NYyHAszzEOAbkdMJNoRiNkE_7cyr4hV3hCorqLSQNQbYgVM5YGRdBtETR10WVIlyy_2ZeTMeZU0yJHY8lDkXoxASScxUC2ZT2aobMcPoNcu-e_F8Tj_TrZfImcfg/s400/IMG_3800.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616238918910285842" border="0" /></a>The experience was amazing. And it will have legs - just like the wine - since we agreed to have their wine shipped to the tundra four times a year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV96dTLrK09Z_hge-Z_wnxlOI2v_Ca4u0xXLIMY9_JMZRhVxLcl3jSzEWx_3xS-aKM4r1IswoYVL7K2E1eoye66t0OqPJHZ-zJqeUd4LThZuWhX8QYuzxew2Z7EWo2LtKcnBcFPw/s1600/IMG_3819.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV96dTLrK09Z_hge-Z_wnxlOI2v_Ca4u0xXLIMY9_JMZRhVxLcl3jSzEWx_3xS-aKM4r1IswoYVL7K2E1eoye66t0OqPJHZ-zJqeUd4LThZuWhX8QYuzxew2Z7EWo2LtKcnBcFPw/s400/IMG_3819.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616241423452719922" border="0" /></a>Then it was on to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Behrens</span> Family Wineries (or whatever their name is today), for a tasting in a trailer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xRxH-VjQdol86HSmMGxZugdv0iE8GN_deutdehklf6biRSKcLWapuUxZoPd_dq83BS-PNWsmFYAFEyXMBiyRGAS2gitKLeUBt7O8b-TfpAKqSqxG6PFoWUXwRiTglhu6G_UTRw/s1600/IMG_3859.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xRxH-VjQdol86HSmMGxZugdv0iE8GN_deutdehklf6biRSKcLWapuUxZoPd_dq83BS-PNWsmFYAFEyXMBiyRGAS2gitKLeUBt7O8b-TfpAKqSqxG6PFoWUXwRiTglhu6G_UTRw/s400/IMG_3859.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616242397937333842" border="0" /></a>Again, great wine. Presented with less elegance, but with a great sense of fun. They even feature wines for meat eaters like me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg34zFb9-itP-h78PJZg8bmDGUcFC2rFqO3CsH8Y2Mt-1TgBjqcR0HlPK1Z0aNC6KRvgTroHM4Eq4GLEYR7RXUpQGC4hQ0K4gbeLkA-_eB5FklYdcvn1zRXYjs0XAgBsrb-55dA/s1600/IMG_3858.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihg34zFb9-itP-h78PJZg8bmDGUcFC2rFqO3CsH8Y2Mt-1TgBjqcR0HlPK1Z0aNC6KRvgTroHM4Eq4GLEYR7RXUpQGC4hQ0K4gbeLkA-_eB5FklYdcvn1zRXYjs0XAgBsrb-55dA/s400/IMG_3858.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616242991270695842" border="0" /></a>And finally on to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dehlinger</span>, where we were hosted by Carmen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Dehlinger</span>. This was a generous act on her part - she is being married on Saturday. I'm sure we'll attend.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY5sble7zMXrlybCkOb4P_PIand0_U5Zi7wVpVz18RbHS1oppALh-ArqNnu1cMLq-uU1rlBSraEXoeV3DK5AZl9EUSl1r6yru2zof63jLkhD84d2vly-mwwzyjBqXarRzKwUp5w/s1600/IMG_3865.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrY5sble7zMXrlybCkOb4P_PIand0_U5Zi7wVpVz18RbHS1oppALh-ArqNnu1cMLq-uU1rlBSraEXoeV3DK5AZl9EUSl1r6yru2zof63jLkhD84d2vly-mwwzyjBqXarRzKwUp5w/s400/IMG_3865.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616256659523118130" border="0" /></a>And of course, after a day of wine there is one great way to end the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyTyE26Tdo5qk2Xm7-7fJlnWDM_wgzRFTrzIYxP_BbziEocKITvmQgPZ5Qsp1VaTt9gc1KGyeXzVyV2Vq6lLu92k98kb5By-OYvpckSQ5v9Deb6ZZbX3PGuozPwRilDEKNJ707Q/s1600/IMG_0355.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyTyE26Tdo5qk2Xm7-7fJlnWDM_wgzRFTrzIYxP_BbziEocKITvmQgPZ5Qsp1VaTt9gc1KGyeXzVyV2Vq6lLu92k98kb5By-OYvpckSQ5v9Deb6ZZbX3PGuozPwRilDEKNJ707Q/s400/IMG_0355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616259999823513250" border="0" /></a>It's been a remarkably fun trip so far, and I'm sure that will continue. The one counterpoint is thoughts of home. Greta, whose back legs are weak in the first place, has had a problem with one of her front legs. It's healing fine and with Peter's care I'm sure that will continue.<br /><br />The far more serious concern is my mom. She's had slowly advancing dementia for a long time. But she is in a great living situation and my sister Linda does a great job of seeing her regularly and ensuring that she is well cared for. Though her memory has weakened, her basic personality has remained much the same - as sweet and loving as always.<br /><br />In the last couple of weeks a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hiatal</span> hernia (basically a problem where the esophagus meets the stomach) has <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">reoccured</span> and created lots of discomfort for her. She has found it difficult to eat. And with the dementia she tends to simply choose not to eat - ignoring the "big picture." Linda reports that she has even been a bit stubborn. Not her normal style. Of course, I'd be stubborn too if I had a stomach ache. But my mom's behavioral standards are so much higher than mine. Any good vibes for Carol are more than welcome. Alzheimer's is such a difficult disease. And no one deserves the best more than my mom.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cwxpkmKLhJD8pNlxeb8jWrZbnih2g-zNT574GjQq209lOOdkGdM4YR5LG_YlKpGnDDdXposQ8SvmjT0O0_bhHtXJ8yanOSYfLYA_MEW45FkFK1WOYhA9qd-0bK6-5kpHA2AuIg/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cwxpkmKLhJD8pNlxeb8jWrZbnih2g-zNT574GjQq209lOOdkGdM4YR5LG_YlKpGnDDdXposQ8SvmjT0O0_bhHtXJ8yanOSYfLYA_MEW45FkFK1WOYhA9qd-0bK6-5kpHA2AuIg/s400/IMG_2204.JPG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616359031247542754" border="0" /></a><br />We're off to continue the California saga. With joy and a little sadness in our hearts.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thursday</span><br /><br />An up and down day for my mom yesterday - but it ended on a positive note from Linda and Claire.<br /><br />As for the wine - nothing but positive notes. We had a marvelous time at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Biale</span> vineyards.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrrnvJ6DMgwqHtYIpPW6Ao3DdkqiE1v84l-VDSIiEA7_PTp5JkWeI_O9Ubh4M9Vqn8QCcWhjiJXvFUF8WFtSL9xopLz3NawL6G_5YVQA6QDYu-FlUn2zThdKvKHrjI2Pec8AtVQ/s1600/IMG_3884.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixrrnvJ6DMgwqHtYIpPW6Ao3DdkqiE1v84l-VDSIiEA7_PTp5JkWeI_O9Ubh4M9Vqn8QCcWhjiJXvFUF8WFtSL9xopLz3NawL6G_5YVQA6QDYu-FlUn2zThdKvKHrjI2Pec8AtVQ/s400/IMG_3884.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616607442018724850" border="0" /></a>Their wines are marvelous. Our host - a young man named Austin from all places Texas - was fun and informative. We sat on the deck in the late morning watching the fog burn off in the southern part of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Napa</span> Valley. It's a pretty idyllic place.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iTfI1oKD3PIEgHz3kz9oDQHFdHftyQubfcHURQs6lTIx6vWgOF1KmIv689PaJZGgVH41HP1hYy7rWWrCJQnTgdQ7LU4Tv9dmfefwdp_K6HzxL4gR06YVKK_OngADg7TaD6XQZQ/s1600/IMG_3895.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iTfI1oKD3PIEgHz3kz9oDQHFdHftyQubfcHURQs6lTIx6vWgOF1KmIv689PaJZGgVH41HP1hYy7rWWrCJQnTgdQ7LU4Tv9dmfefwdp_K6HzxL4gR06YVKK_OngADg7TaD6XQZQ/s400/IMG_3895.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616608446314646706" border="0" /></a>We are certainly drinking wine. But not in any huge volume. Just great quality wine. Sipping and comparing and contrasting. Learning a bit. More about what we like than anything substantive about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">winemaking</span>. Kate and I are now proud members of the Black Chicken Society. The photo of Kate above is just one small part of the secret handshake.<br /><br />Today it's off to Stony Hill. And then to points as yet unknown.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunday</span><br /><br />Our exploration of the California wine country has continued to be amazing. Over the last couple of days we've tasted wine at wineries that were new to me - a couple of which were new to Tom and Kathy as well. One was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Salvestrin</span> - where we talked Caterpillars with Eddie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Salvestrin</span>, and wines with Luke.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFFGni3Deq2V4jQs9Q5rIDydpR8wDTvG-hDy7EyEpXu-1GHCHqd5Z7FEnOr7xhgHfmJXr5XWg0tdqvL2ZpwFjK2lMsoVc6C83cDHylH2ZNOFiIx4Wa3LtLGe9xce9tCdtiuMjcw/s1600/IMG_3982.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFFGni3Deq2V4jQs9Q5rIDydpR8wDTvG-hDy7EyEpXu-1GHCHqd5Z7FEnOr7xhgHfmJXr5XWg0tdqvL2ZpwFjK2lMsoVc6C83cDHylH2ZNOFiIx4Wa3LtLGe9xce9tCdtiuMjcw/s400/IMG_3982.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617386879697474466" border="0" /></a>We also had a great tour of a winery called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Littorai</span> - whose approach is bio-dynamic and sustainable, and whose wines are great.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVaR6dJ5ki50ExqN0OEPvInITsDS949mhRT2XIUBinvzoMlEOsq_qrDK5PKXRMgPyF3fkRxZGqMY14AGpwyYlsjDWFWnMIahQ4pOtra7lP0DI7M8YkAE91YHRoH4-JGH0p1Pgyw/s1600/IMG_4019.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVaR6dJ5ki50ExqN0OEPvInITsDS949mhRT2XIUBinvzoMlEOsq_qrDK5PKXRMgPyF3fkRxZGqMY14AGpwyYlsjDWFWnMIahQ4pOtra7lP0DI7M8YkAE91YHRoH4-JGH0p1Pgyw/s400/IMG_4019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617387724426146610" border="0" /></a>The experiences have been wonderful and extremely varied. Wineries from fancy to basic. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Bocce</span> ball in St. Helena.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEici2HcZnHuBxlogaG30ERZjzneC7QRNA1RBYpUuJy_slz4jcfnhZ3fC0lfTR0Sw2FVuP7WelI6XV7rFwm_hm9EoWlCYSrXs91pITPMgZzhU7eCnKgPiaL40wjh6M7lIlgUpjwCQg/s1600/IMG_0389.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEici2HcZnHuBxlogaG30ERZjzneC7QRNA1RBYpUuJy_slz4jcfnhZ3fC0lfTR0Sw2FVuP7WelI6XV7rFwm_hm9EoWlCYSrXs91pITPMgZzhU7eCnKgPiaL40wjh6M7lIlgUpjwCQg/s400/IMG_0389.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617388209792917938" border="0" /></a>We played on the town courts in the afternoon and went back to spectate a bit after a lovely dinner that evening.<br /><br />I've put together a short video. I've never posted a video on the blog - I hope it works to convey a bit of the experience.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzQoUpZfd4-KmS0qTHs2lgT-kZr56-vyCLPleJp9yHKi6jhZ1im0N3AmM0X-stUJbShCH_JXTaYbfU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy. We are.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tuesday</span><br /><br />Now that we've returned to San Francisco, I can get a bit retrospective about the wine portion of the trip. About the wines and the people. So interesting and varied. In my mind the best of the wineries fell naturally into groups. Two long time producers - part farmers, part great wine makers - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Biale</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Salvestrin</span>. Two wineries stalking wine making perfection without as much regard for the god of marketing - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Dehlinger</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Litterai</span>. And two purveyors of elegance in their wine and their tasting rooms and everywhere - Brown and Merry Edwards. And an old friend finally met in person - Carol Shelton. And, more important than the rest, two old friends often met in person - Tom and Kathy.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdoTKJx3ZIPjbMpiY5W80f0i01lhpnXRHJ8yrEF1rzJUMbHje45gMLEyMjwvCPWqNul7W0b1dtKYzVUJpBCPZP1PmjO2YqAUZPLbJMPVAPYZVujsfzQ8bCoywO2hs6V8nb5-hig/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdoTKJx3ZIPjbMpiY5W80f0i01lhpnXRHJ8yrEF1rzJUMbHje45gMLEyMjwvCPWqNul7W0b1dtKYzVUJpBCPZP1PmjO2YqAUZPLbJMPVAPYZVujsfzQ8bCoywO2hs6V8nb5-hig/s400/IMG_0398.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618079985084373122" border="0" /></a></div>No reflection of the wine country would be complete without a reference to the people we met along the way. Austin and Luke, friends from different wineries. Carmen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Dehlinger</span> (now perhaps "Mrs. Carmen _____" - we missed the wedding). Eddie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Salvestrin</span>. The accountant at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">bocce</span> court and Stan the mouthy player (he seemed vaguely familiar). Niles, our six and a half year old host at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Litterai</span>.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTezSzQht_3y4Ohj956o1bTluzuwsuac3sN51YenhG73geqd52mt0ZyKReiftvnixZXcLTfAi7ApIRWnZNVi2riMGi88qTqvbPt5WlcpDwseYCurlzoVEGHUK4Il-kwB2mFy0w-A/s1600/IMG_4022.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTezSzQht_3y4Ohj956o1bTluzuwsuac3sN51YenhG73geqd52mt0ZyKReiftvnixZXcLTfAi7ApIRWnZNVi2riMGi88qTqvbPt5WlcpDwseYCurlzoVEGHUK4Il-kwB2mFy0w-A/s400/IMG_4022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618081634923236290" border="0" /></a><br />And most of all for a thousand laughs now and I'm sure many more to come - B. Fife, Deputy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Sommolier</span>. If I tried to describe him like you might a wine I'd go with "part Barney Fife, with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Dobby</span> the house elf note. An essence of uneven <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">sideburn</span> on the cheek. And an ephemeral quality - appearing and disappearing almost magically." I think I'm happy enough that I didn't get a photo. Legends don't need photos.<br /><br /></div></div>Stan Olesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12967514597257501983noreply@blogger.com0