Well we are back home in Oregon. We stopped in Eugene long enough to trade in the Kia and Jann's beloved VW Beetle. We now own a brand new Saturn Vue -- much more suited to RV towing than either of the two trade-ins. We will be hanging out in the Portland area for the month of April -- celebrating birthdays (hint, hint) then back to So Cal for the month of May. Then off to see the USA!!! We will travel across the top States (maybe veer into Canada) over to NYC, down South in for the winter. We will make our way back home via the mid-west -- Michigan, Illinois, to see kids and Grand Kids. Pictures are of Jann with the new car, a Peacock that hangs out at the Sam Hill (really) Museum, and the terrifically beautiful MT. Hood and some old fart showing off his 70th birthday loot. Stay tuned for our cross country journey.

Here are three more pix to go with the Casa Grade posting below.

Greetings All -- we have been spending the month of February in Casa Grande AZ, about half way between Tucson and Phoenix. Not a bad place, but we have decided that the desert winds are not for us. Good friend Harold Dickieson from Novi, MI visited for a couple of days and we had a good time. Hal has turned 80 and is still going strong. What an inspiration for me as I will be turning 70 later this year. The pix are from our RV park and the Casa Grande ruins, and a quaint little restaurant in Casa Grande. Next we head back to home base (Portland) for a brief stay. More on the summer plans in my next posting. In the meantime, enjoy the shots of AZ -- including the one that explains why we can spend our full time on the road. So long for now.

Quick Quiz -- is that Jann on the rock or is it not Jann on the rock? Feel free to vote -- just click on "comment".

Yea!! Our 11th Gradnchild was born on Monday 1/8/07 -- 8lbs 5 oz-- Evan James. Evan has already been nick named "E.J." by his two sisters. Here are some shots of the hostpital visit. Quinn and Veronica admire their new brother and then share a noodle or two in the hospital cafateria. Big brother, Christian, comforts Mom.

Merry Christmas all -- here are a few shots of our Christmas in California. As you can see, a good time was had by all. See if you can find Quinn and Veronica in the Bethlehem scene. The kids had a great morning and Dad's hands were full putting things together.

Well, here's what happens when you get operated on for Dupuytren's contracture which is what I had. After three hours of surgery and a couple of day's recovery, I am able to grin and bear it -- well, I did have the help of some little white pills. All is well at this point. I start therapy Monday the 11th. Stay tuned

I am going in for some hand surgery on Friday the 7th -- before I go under the knife I wanted all to know that our boy cat has been officially named (again) and the new name has lasted over two weeks, so this is it for sure. Edie is his name and that makes me 'Edie's Father" -- sing it Larry.

Well, I spoke too soon -- Smokey Joe just ain't working for the boy. Stand by while we try out yet another name.

Wake up Mom -- I'm hungy!!!

Hi Gang -- we are spending a couple of weeks in California's central wine country. Our RV park is in Paso Robles so we are within easy driving distance of some great attractions -- San Simion, Morel Bay, and about 100 wineries. The pix are some left over from our visit to cowboy movie land, and of course, a shot of the kids. They really get along fine and Smoky is growing by leaps and bounds. Next stop is S. Cal for Thanksgiving with the grand kids.

OK -- we have finally decided on a name for our boy-cat -- we must have tried 25 names out on him, but none seem to fit after a couple of days. So here it is, we will NOT change it again -- meet SMOKY JOE!!! He really is a terrific guy.

Hello all -- we are currently located in Lone Pine Caifornia -- the western movie capital of the world. That's right, this little podunk town of just over 2,000 is home to more cowboy movies than you can count. In addition to cowboys, the origianl Gunga Din was shot here as well. Here are a few shots of our travels.

Hello Folks -- here are a few shots of our mini-trip to Astoria, Oregon. Did you know that Astoria was named after John Jacob Astor? Seems he was a big fur trader in the early days. Who knew? The tall column is a carved memorial high-lighting the journeys of Lewis and Clark. The garden scenes are from a Chinese Garden located smack dab in the middle of the City of Portalnd. We will be leaving beautiful Portland to journey to Southern California for some business and pleasure. More details as the trip developes.

Pals! That says it all.

This is for my friends who have been asking if I am enjoying retirement. You be the judge.

Hello all -- Don Fairchild came to vist so we we took a trip down the Columbia river on a genuine paddle wheel. What a beautiful state we have adopted. Latest name for our new addition is "Lucky Blue" and you can see what he thinks of that name. Hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend.

More fun in our adopted city, Portland as well as a shot of our favorite food!

This is for Quinn who was worried that Ruby Foo ran away and did not come back -- Quinn -- here is a picture of Ruby and our new cat. Kisses from the Grand PaPa

OK -- here's a "Believe it or not" -- as you may have read (see below) I had quite an accident a couple of weeks back resulting in facial disfiguration and various bruises. Having suffered through the pain of the accident, I came out with the absuolute absence of any cronic back pain that I have been living with for the past couple of years. I am walking tall and stright with no pain. Apparently when I fell I dislodged the nerves that were pressing on my spine so that I am now pain free. Go figure!