Southern Hospitality and Home Cookin'

KR and I decided to combine a Thanksgiving trip to Utah with the redo of a postponed (because of Hurricane Ike) jaunt down to see Matt & Megan in Houston. We were excited to see their new house and see how they have settled into Texas living. We flew into Nashville and rented a car, then did a slow loop through Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, then back to Nashville through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. As you can see, I don't like to sit still for long...Matt and Megan have a wonderful home in a suburb of Houston, and find their neighbors, lifestyle, and friends delightful. It was very satisfying for us to see them move on to this new stage of their lives in such a positive way. And we saw some cool places too! If you ever get a chance to go to Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry is a must. For a rundown of the pics: 1) KR in a field on some random Civil War battlefield, 2) the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, 3) the Cool Cotton Chick, 4) Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola,  5) we visited and had some BBQ with Taylor Kenck, a missionary from Wenatchee (in Mobile), 6) Matt & Megan in front of their new home in Houston, 7) the Mississippi at Natchez, 8) we drove nearly 400 miles along the Natchez Parkway into Tennessee, 9) birthplace of Elvis - Tupelo, Mississippi, 10) birthplace of Helen Keller, 11) Ryman Auditorium - Little Jimmy Dickens, 12) Stones River Civil War Battlefield, 13) KR at the Hermitage - home of Andrew Jackson, 14-15) KR at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to see the Rockette's Christmas Program. (November 19-29)

  

 

The HiLine

In the process of carrying out some family business in early November, I drove the Montana HiLine (so named for the old Great Northern rail line that follows the Milk and Missouri Rivers across the top of Montana). It is a LONG way up to that Montana\North Dakota border! I did get some beautiful, clear wintry days for driving. I returned down through the Western Dakotas, Wyoming, and stopped to see KT in Rexburg. By the way, you do not see many Toyota Tundra trucks up there - they buy American. Enjoy a few pictures of the HiLine: 1-2) the Missouri River near Fort Benton, 3) marker for tepee of Chief Joseph at Bear Paw Surrender Battlefield, 4) Fort Union NHS, at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers - site straddles the North Dakota-Montana border, 5) bridge over the Little Missouri - stomping grounds of my favorite president, 6) Devil's Tower - movie or no movie, it is an eerie place. (November 6-15)

 

 

 

 

RIP

Two of my favorite authors passed on to the great literature class in the sky. I will miss their books. I read everything they ever published.

Michael Crichton 1942-2008

Tony Hillerman 1925-2008

Seeking Warmth

Late Fall in Wenatchee is always exciting, as all of the outside creatures are looking for someplace to park themselves for the coming winter. This year was no exception. We had some workmen over to check our water softener, and they casually mentioned the black widow spider by the little box where the water pipes enter the house. It was small one, perhaps recently hatched. We found Mama and her nest further back along the pipes. We called pest control within the hour. Eeekkk. Then I was downstairs in my office working and noticed movement on the carpet out of the corner of my eye. It was a tiny baby mouse. I threw the pillow on the sofa and stunned it, then carefully loaded it into a plastic bag. Four mice later, using various traps and sticky pads - I think we got the whole family.

Seattle For Halloween

Emmett was excited to get away with us and visit his cousins in Seattle (it also gave Mark & Laurel a chance to come up for air with the twins). We enjoyed some rousing soccer games, watched the kids bond, and tried to take some pictures of Noah when he would cooperate. He did find the giant earthworm worthy of his attention. Ella was a ghost, Will a Star Wars something or other, Noah an astronaut, and Emmett was Peter Pan. (October 24-25)

KT the Coach

I headed to Utah in October for the funeral of my Aunt Thea, and had the opportunity to stop off in Rexburg for a few hours to catch one of KT's soccer games. She is the player\coach. It was a beautiful fall day in Rexburg and I was able to take a some nice pictures of her team in action.

Summer and Fall Projects

2008 was quite the year for the home "checklist". Besides finally 1) putting the new drain along the front of the house and raising both porches to level' with new foundations, 2) we painted the entire house exterior, 3) dejunked, reorganized, and repainted the garages, and 4) removed a large part of the cement patio in the back and replaced it with a new landscaping area. And I have got our list for 2009 ready to go!

Double Take

The big news of the year had to be the arrival of the twins to Mark & Laurel. This event has been well-documented in all the family blogs, but as the proud grandparents, we could not be more pleased and happy for them. Welcome to the family Isaac and Eva.

Ellensburg Rodeo

As is becoming our habit in recent years, we selected a new fair\rodeo to attend in the fall. Since none of us had ever been to the Ellensburg affair, it was logical choice. Smart move! Great weather, reasonable prices, a day trip, easy access, great facilities, a hometown feel, and good food....what else could you want? KR even got to dance in the Native American dance circle.