Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man

Well, 3 nouns and 1 adjective. 2 nouns are just wrong. I'm back I don't know for how long. Life continues. This is where I am. First, I have fallen once again madly in love with my wife. We are going away for a bit and will begin a new segment of our lives when we get back. She wants to travel more, I'm looking at schooling. We are going to be Grandparents! My daughter has grown up. Not completely, but a fine young lady. Alex is persuing his dreams and going to be attending a 4-year college soon. Just love my kids. The family will be going to Washington DC for T.A.P.S. this year. It's spring and the worst of winter is over, here comes the floods. North Easter Lake is forming. That is where my north hay field floods until the drain channel thaws enough to drain it. I keep hearing the first line of Cream's song, Tales of Brave Ulyses. "You thought the leaden winter would bring you down forever, so you rode upon a steamer to the violence of the sun." Bring on the violence, can't wait. Last January, LM laid off 165 employees. I am out-of-work but looking. It's hard to find $16.00 an hour, even though the ND economy is the best in the nation. My favorite Governer is in Washington now in the Senate. We replaced two of the three Dems from our state and the third won't be running again. What else? Who knows. It's a new year and I might have more hope. God is still in control.

The Sky Is Cryin' 09-11-09

The sky is cryin....can't you see the tears roll down the street

The sky is cryin....can't you see the tears roll down the street

I've been looking for my baby, And I wonder where can he be

September 11,2009 Fraine Barracks, Bismarck, North Dakota

We awoke around 2:30 am to a thunderous rainstorm. Getting dressed Laurie, myself, Alexander, and Eliza left the house for a long trip to Bismarck, ND. We had been invited to participate in the dedication of the North Dakota Memorial to the Fallen in the Global War on Terrorism. We arrived 7:30 am at the Adjutant General's Quarters at Fraine Barracks in Bismarck. Treated to a buffet breakfast, we had a chance to meet and converse with the Adjutant General, The Former AG ( Who had been at Jeremiah's Memorial in Devils Lake), The Governor and his wife, members of the ND Patriot Guard, and other Gold Star family members.

Outside, the ceremony started at 9:37am, the time of the beginning of the attacks of 9/11, with the ND Patriot Guard riding in. Colors were posted, the National Anthem sung, some opening remarks by City Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk, wife of the Adjutant General, and an Invocation by the Chaplain Major Johnson of the ND National Guard.

Remarks followed by Governer Hoeven, Bismarck Mayor John Warford, Major General David Sprynczynatyk, City Commissioner Steve Schwab, and Mrs. Diane Ferderer mother of fallen soldier Specialist Dennis Ferderer as a representative for all the Gold Star Famieelies.

After this, we the families were called up to place dog tags of our lost loved ones on the Soldier's Cross in the center of the memorial.

The ceremony was concluded by a 21-gun salute, taps and a Benedictfion by Chaplain Dan Sweeney of the Bismarck Police Department.

After the ceremony, the Patriot Guard surrounded the memorial to close it off so the families could take some alone time with the memorial and place some personal items inside it.

This tribute was very moving and we appreciate those who feel we should never forget those who sacrificed everything for our freedom. This project was a joint effort of the City of Bismarck, ND and the ND National Guard.

"We will always remember. We will always be proud.

We will always be prepared, so we will always be free."

- President Ronald Reagan

Weather or not.

Last week we had a few days of warm weather. It's still warm now if you compare it to whatb we had in February. 99% of the snow melted and everything on the outer frindges of the proprerty was flooded. It has since gone down and it's looking good. Friday before Easter I got home from work, I went in the house and only spent 10 minutes inside before going outside and spending the next four hours outside. I was just having fun. My Lilacs are already starting to sprout new growth as are our roses. Now, the Lilacs we just planted as seedlings last year. Up here as soon as the land gets a chance, it wastes no time blooming. This is something you don't get in California since it's green all year.

Alabama paralyzed by inclement weather!!

Well, they weren't expecting it. It snowed in Tuskaloosa, Alabama and my sister posted some pictures of it. Not much of a snow by North Dakota standards, but we're talking Alabama so it's a big deal. Like if we had an earthquake here. I'm gonna steal a couple of the shots ad post them here for your enjoyment. Get that shovel out professor!

(Compare these pics with the ones below of my yard, he he)

Yeah, it's still cold!

Wind Chill Advisory in effect until 12 PM CST Monday...

Tonight
Mostly clear. Lows 20 to 25 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 30 below to 40 below zero.

Monday
Sunny. Highs zero to 5 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 30 below to 45 below zero.

Monday Night
Mostly clear. Lows 10 to 15 below. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill readings 20 below to 35 below zero

A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect until 12 PM CST Monday. The combination of westerly winds of around 10 mph and subzero airtemperatures... will result in hazardous wind chills of 25 below to 40 below zero for tonight and Monday morning.A Wind Chill Advisory means that very cold air and winds will combine to generate low wind chills. This will result in frostbite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken. If you must venture outdoors... make sure you wear appropriate clothing... including a hat and gloves.

And these are Sunny days and clear nights.

Last week we had a couple of days where it warmed up to 27-30 degrees. This was noticeably warmer. It's miserable and going out to feed the hayburners is a chore but y'know, when it does get warm in March or so, it will be beautiful and pretty beyond words and greener than anything in Southern California. The contrast makes it more noticeable and you appreciate it more. I can't wait 'cause I'm freezing my nose off right now.

My Little Canner!

Laurie's been very busy lately. She loves canning and I'm not enough help, but I try. Pickles, Raspberry Jam, Peach Butter, Peach Butter w/ Cinnamon,3-Bean Salad, and the ever present, Pickled Beets. Also we have frozen peas, beans, and squash. Our tomatoes got a blight but some will be okay for salsa. Then, the cherry and grape tomatoes are doing great and are very sweet. It's kinda exciting. I planted a bunch of shrubs and they are doing good too. I just love living here.

Anniversary Passed!

August 8th was the anniversary of our moving to North Dakota! Has it really been 12 Years? I've only been back to San Diego twice but we're going back this fall. A lot of memories, kids growing up, adjusting to new weather, different houses and towns, a great church, and now, Laurie's fantastic new career and my current job that's a departure from what I've always done. Wow... We first moved to Devils Lake into an apartment where some friends of Laurie's lived, Then moved to this house uptown. It had been fixed so two small families could live in it. One in the basement. We've become friends of the landlord and always stop to talk with them when we see them. The house was weird so we moved into this 80 yaer old huge house near downtown. It had one time been 5 apartments but was originally a single family dwelling. Here is where we spent most of our time in ND. Laurie eventually locked herself in the attic that was very big and studied for a year or so when she got into nursing school. It was here that we went through most of the troubles of raising high-spirited children. Here we lost Jeremiah. Then we moved outside Petersburg to our current place. 28 acres of hay and insects. There's a lot that needs to be done but I have never felt so at home in my life. I can sit out on the porch at night and listen to nature and sometimes I think I hear God. I know I see has hand out there. One day, it was evening and this fog rolled in. It was so low that it just sat in the channel that runs across our land. The sun was sinking behind it and the hay had been cut but more had grown. It was magnificent but faded before I could break my rapture and get a camera. One night I was coming back from the barn and walking towards the front of the house. It was lit up from the yard lights and there was this gigantic full moon just above the garage. I had no equipment capable of capturing such a sight but it was wonderous. It's August late, so football's starting which means the weather is changing. We'll be watching for tornadoes and soon the deer will be everywhere. I am so thankful for what I have. I know it really doesn't belong to me, God is just letting me use it. But until he calls me to a better place, I'll cherish this one. Selah.

Motorcycle Training

It's been awhile but I'm back for now. Laurie and I spent a weekend down in Fargo at the NDMSF training seminar. North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Foundation. This organization is national out of California and they hold seminars on motorcycle skills. If you are a new rider or a wanna-be new rider you can take this three-day class and learn the skills to pass the driver's test and operate a bike safely. The class was fun and we both passed. Some DMVs will waive the practical test at the DMV if you've had this course. Many insurance carriers will also grant a discount for it. I beat her on the written test (big deal) but she whaled on me with the practical. Maybe because she's been riding her bike a bit. Anyway, they hold the class on a closed-course so you don't have to worry about traffic. You go through a series of exercises to teach operations, turning, stopping etc. They have a bunch of smaller bikes (175cc and 250cc in our case) so the bike isn't overwhelming. The instructor's were great and I learned a lot. Now I just have to go get my license.