Snow ...

I still haven't found the computer thingy that downloads pictures from my memory card to my computer so I did not take this beautiful picture.

We have a bit of snow but not much - mostly it is cold.

It got down to about 22 last night and they are saying that it will get down into the mid-teens tonight.   Brrr

Truthfully, I am glad that I am not working & don't have to drive in it.  The roads are wickedly icy & there are too many stupid drivers out there.

Snow, ice & speed don't mix - unless you are standing on a pair of skis. 

I am still devoting most of my time to unpacking and sorting through all my years of accumulation.  I would like to have it at least 90% done by the New Year.

Well, I best get back to it - I hope everyone stays warm & toasty.

Drive carefully & Dress Warmly

Drowing in Boxes ...

After 3 weeks of unpacking I am still drowning in a sea of boxes & packing paper but at long last I can see the end.

The garage & sunroom are still full but all other rooms have now been declared 'Box Free' zones.

 

Life is slowly getting back to normal. 

Normal is good.  

Come to think of it ... Normal is GREAT.

I am happy.

Dana & I are off to spend the day together.  

We signed up for a 'Gourd Art' class while I was still living in SD but had decided to return to Seattle.  

We always have fun together.

I'll post pictures of my masterpiece when I get home.

Katy and her entrouge (Sneakers & Chewie) arrive home today for Thanksgiving week.

I am so excited to have a full house!

Life is One Happy Game

Happy Birthday John ....

Happy 9th Birthday John

Have a

supercalafajalistickespeealadojus

Birthday today!!!!

We wish you the Best Birthday Ever

Never Forgotten ...

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War."

Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938.

In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.

Thank-you

Walkabout No. 35 (127 Hours)

Today was the 2nd scheduled walkabout for Therese & I since my return to Seattle and we woke up to rain, lots of rain and dark, gray skies. 

Miserable. 

Since I was still living off all that beautiful & dry California sunshine - Therese & I decided to stay inside and go see a movie instead of our usual outdoor walkabout.

We were both interested in checking out  the movie 127 Hours.  Based on the true story of Aron Ralston.  Ralston, a seasoned mountain climber, became trapped  for more than 5 days when his arm became crushed & wedged by an 800 pound falling boulder in a desolate and remote area of Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

Ralston ultimately survived his ordeal by first break his right forearm and then amputating it with a dull knife.  After he had freed his arm from the rock he had to rappel down a steep hill with one-arm and hike for over 6 miles through the desert until he was finally spotted & rescued by a family out hiking.

The movie is based on his book, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place".


Last year I had seen Ralston being interviewed on CNN and found his story compelling so when I read they were making a movie about his ordeal I knew I definitely wanted to go see it.

James Franco in 127 Hours

 James Franco, as Aron Ralston, nailed it. 

Watching the scenes where he has become trapped and begins to realize that he will probably die are so intense & frightening.

I felt like it was me who was trapped. 

This picture is riveting - he is not screaming in pain but because he has just realized that he will probably not get out alive.

The film is full of moments where I would forget to breath ...   

The movie definitely has some gruesome moments but the overall story and acting make it a must see.


Aron Ralston, who is still a mountain climber, is a shining example of human spirit & will.