Pilgrim Chapel Christmas Sunday

The next video is a song after their fashion show. You can barely hear me sigh about mid-way through this video. The girls in the front row, royal blue dress and black dress, had earlier disagreement about timing but not here. And last video the older girls 2nd dance.

Election Day 2008

Last Tuesday we, the American public, elected Barack Obama to be our 44th President. There were few problems reported even though record numbers turned out to vote and many had to wait in line for hours. In our little neighborhood (which surprisingly has 2 polling places, Playhouse and Art Museum) spouse and I were #23 and #24 to vote @ Playhouse. We only had to wait about 15 minutes (usually we have no wait at all). Also surprising was our polling place had 2 extra machines. Today, at the invitation of George and Laura Bush, Barack and Michelle Obama will meet and tour the White House. Below is a poem J.D. McClatchy wrote based on his inspiration of our electorate process. Spouse and I heard him read it on the MacNeil Lehrer Newshour 3 days after the election. Election Day The older couples had voted just after dawn, And by noon the exit polls are underway. Some talking head opines in San Jose. A poster leans mute and silent on the lawn. "As the wind blows, so the flag will wave," Says a cynic who is nevertheless waiting in line. The woman in front of him has been assigned The nearest booth where she plans, again, to save The Republic from itself - the drama played out In this miniature theater, with its curtain and cast. Today will be a performance of the past, Its fortunes and flaws, its certainty and doubt. The pencil has no eraser. She makes her choice, Determined but still uncertain how it will end, As the Founders were as well who thought to lend So much importance to each small impassioned voice. But will the cynics vote now cancel hers? She stays behind to watch him enter the booth. (In our democracy, we think the truth Is what everyone, regardless, secretly prefers.) She won't know anything but threats and trends Until, again in the dark, but midnights now, She can sense what hope the numbers will allow, And what you get when you smear or overspend. She will sit and stare at charts on CNN. (But aren't we redeemed by what they cannot show? The struggle in each restless heart to know The terms on which the nations fate depends.) She will think how, at last, millions have spoken as one, That freedom requires an open mind and hand, And the strength to be forgiven and understand, And that tomorrow morning it has all just begun. J.D. McClatchy

Planted Spring 2009 Bulbs Yesterday

Yesterday I planted 291 bulbs pictured above, almost all of them that I bought from Krohn Conservatory. In picture order: 45 Mixed variety Tulip bulbs (Valentine Candy Mix) 45 Bellevalia (a unique variety of armenicum) 15 Fritillaria Meleagris - the only new species and I really hope it blooms. 45 Dwarf Iris - planted this by the lamppost this year 45 Chinonodoxa - planted next to coral bells 96 mix of ice follies daffodils (no picture)& burgandy lily tulip in perennial bed It was in the mid 70's and may be the last warm day until spring so I was lucky to get these planted. Especially lucky considering we have already had a couple freezes this fall and the ground was getting more difficult to dig.

Canadian Rockies Pictures

Calgary Airport August 12, 2005 Cornelius Van Horne statue with Banff Springs Hotel in background Banff Springs Hotel side courtyard Banff Springs interior Banff Springs Lobby Douglas Fir waterslides Gondola view Banff Gondola trip - My Brother, Spouse and me. Tea House of the Plain of Six Glaciers Elevation 2075 metres (6800 feet) Tea House menu with some interesting history. View of Lake Louise from hike to Tea House On the dock at Emerald Lake Canoeing on Emerald Lake Our room at Emerald Lake at the end of the day. Waiting in the train station. Train trip roomies Dinner Our beds were set up while we were at dinner. Exploring the train Vancouver houses right on the water. Vancouver Chinatown