One to warm you bones....

More Mt Hood tomorrow!

West Coast Extravaganza: Mt Hood

This is what they call a “white knuckler!”

And a good one....

West Coast Extravaganza: Grandpa

Ok, so I feel like I should show pictures from the trip in chronological order San Francisco, Thanksgiving with the Baum’s, Portland, Josh and Michelle’s house, and then the last day – the day we drove over Mt. Hood in a blizzard to see my grandfather. But, really, I want to start with my grandpa, so I will.

It was wonderful. Granted, my mom, aunt, brother, and even my father were all trying to prepare me for the worst. And even though it was hard, it was wonderful. He didn’t really remember who I was, from what I could tell, but he was really happy I was there. Ian said afterward, that he noticed that on a few occasions grandpa got a little crinkle in his eye to show he knew what was going on. That made me happy. It also made me happy that he and I got to play cards, that I got to tell him about what I do and how everyone in the family is, that Ian got to meet him and it made my whole trip worth it to get a few hugs and kisses on my cheek. He was sad to see me go and I cried off and on back over the mountain, but it was all worth it.

I have had a lot of time driving over that mountain to think about every place where our family (especially Florence) has gone wrong when it comes to my grandpa. There are many times in the last 13 years where we could have done better, where I could have done better. In January, he will turn 93 years old, when the snow thaws I want to go back, but if I can’t make it, I will know that I had Monday, I had a three hands of Gin, I had hugs and kisses and I had a chance to tell him one more time how much I love him.

To sum it up: we're all pooped

I promise tons of pictures for the next few days from the trip, but here is one to hold you over...

I have great beach pics from San Fran, city scapes from downtown Portland, awesome Mt. Hood shots, and some family photos that will make you smile.

More tomorrow after we get some rest.

Over the mountain and thru the woods to...Grandpa's

In one week, I am going to see my grandpa. He tops the list of my all time favorite people. See most people who know him think that he is the strong silent type. He is not known for outward expressions, smiling, or excessive talking. But, I know him a little differently.

I know him as the grandpa who played gin with me for hours, taught me to love country music while dancing around the living room, loved to have me over to do my homework, taught me how to drive, rushed to the Ponderosa for the early-bird special, quoted Elvis, took me down to the beach every day to see the dolphins, hummed Red River Valley, watched the fireworks on Fourth of July, went to the grand opening of the Winn-Dixie, helped mom make my prom corsage out of orchids, and loved me like crazy…

So next week, when I see him and he barely knows who I am, it won’t matter. I know who he is, even if he has the rest of the world fooled.

Here is one from the memory book:

Hey Fidel, you're buying the beer...

Week 11: the mighty Personal Fowls (7-3-0) taks on Fidel Castro Did your Mom (3-7-0)

Loser buys drinks on Tuesday night in San Fran.

Next Stop: San Francisco

We leave on Tuesday for our West Coast "Thanksgiving Extravaganza!" Off to see the Baum's and Sylvester's and then up to Portland, OR to visit the Jindrich's. This will be one for the record books.

Back from DC

Long flights, long hours, tons to do and see...all worth it to see this little face at the beginning and end of my trip.

Meet Sarge's little "cousin" Annie Howard.

She is the most adorable peanut you have ever, ever seen. And she happens to have some of the best parents in the whole wide world.

Way to go Doug and Angela!

On the road again: DC

I am in DC for work today turn Thursday. Some photos from the web.

Congrats: Jax & French

We went to Jax & French's reception last night. They were married in Mexico (click for pic) but had a party in Austin, at the Zilker Park Clubhouse.
Here is the view from the Clubhouse!

2006: a good year for Grandma

My Grandma J is a Cards fan and a die-hard (Union Yes!) Democrat. All and all, I say it has been a pretty good year – wouldn’t you Grandma?

Here is a shot from when Grandma came to stay with me in DC (in March 2005).

(Other than the St. Louis thing, some would say Grandma J and I share a lot in common.)

Don't forget to vote........

(http://frankandernest.com - for every punch line you'll ever need)

Flashback: Urio

I wanted to write this post about a new Italian restaurant in Austin that we tried (and really enjoyed) tonight. And I was searching the internet real quick to find a picture of Lake Como Italy, where I spent a semester in college. (Because this is a phlog and the post needed a picture to be complete.) Anways, in google when searching for Lake Como Urio (that's the village where my apartment was)...I found this link. This is the apartment I rented when I was there. It brought back a flood of memories and now I want to rush off to Italy. However, since I can't do that, Ian and I can head back to Cibo on Congress for some AMAZING northern Italian dishes.

So here is a picture of the Lake - enjoy the view and wherever you are find a good Italian place, poor a glass of wine and close your eyes...(PS: Como, I will be back some day)

Inside the Clay Coyote Gallery and Studio

Some new photos from inside the gallery. Also, just in case you are interested you can order just about everything online.
(PS: click on the pic to make it bigger)

Outside of the Clay Coyote Gallery and Studio

The open house was a success, or as my mom would say, "the best one yet." But she says that every year. Belwo are new shots from outside the gallery. And looking down to Todd Lake.

Born Free………

Sarge in Minnesota – off leash. He was so happy to run free in the front yard.

And boy did he sleep well that night!