foolabaloney

Little White Chapel, Las Vegas

2011-08-20T09:16:00.001-07:00

Because the next 30 years are going to be even MORE fun that the first 30, we renewed our vows at the Little White Chapel, Las Vegas.

We chose the Elvis package, which was as corny and fantastic as we ever could have hoped for. Our sons were in attendance and there is little doubt that we will all remember this event for the rest of our lives.

Exiting Water, Escape from Alcatraz 2011

2011-06-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Water Temperature: 55 degrees
Distance from Alcatraz to shore: 1.5 miles
Swimmers: 2000

Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon

2011-06-06T09:55:00.001-07:00

June 5, 2011 The 31st Annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, San Francisco, CA. 2000 participants from 34 countries participating. Spectacular weather and an exciting event. 1.5 mile swim from a boat about 100 yards out from Alcatraz, 18 mile bike ride, and 8 mile run. My brother was one of the participants. The oldest runner was 78 years old! The youngest was 15. The winner clocked in just under 2 hours. My brother clocked in around 3 hours and 15 minutes.

I love this photo because it gives a little idea of the churning water as 2000 swimmers head toward the same spot on the beach. Most of these swimmers have overshot the spot, as I'm shooting toward the golden gate bridge rather than Alcatraz. These swimmers will have to swim BACK against the current to get where they need to be, and have added significant time to their swim. Spectators on the beach are anxious to see their loved ones get out of the water but it's not easy to spot them as everyone looks more or less alike until they stand up out of the water.

The Little A'Le'Inn, Rachel, NV

2011-02-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

The A'Le'Inn is near Area 51 and is definitely an experience you shouldn't miss. 98 People live in Rachel, NV, which was named after the first child born there. Stop for a hamburger and chat with the owner, who will direct you to the gates of Area 51. The A'Le'Inn also is loaded with alien and UFO photos. A new movie is coming out in March titled Paul. In the movie you will see a recreation of the Little A'Le'Inn.

He-Who sends me a Valentine!

2011-02-12T13:27:00.000-08:00

Today I received a hand-made valentine from my friend, He-who-stands-firm.

Pike's Place Fish Market, Seattle, WA

2010-10-31T16:42:00.000-07:00

I was in Seattle, WA for the first time this past week. Ever since seeing a motivational video about the Pike's Place Fish Market it has been my wish to go there. This week my wish came true.

See the women's faces in this photo? Now look above their heads and see the flying fish? VERY FUN to watch the fish mongers toss fish over and at tourists like these. I just love happy places...and this was one.

Visit www.pikeplacefish.com to find out more about the market!

Scene from the Yantze

2010-10-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

Chinese Dancers

2010-10-09T15:27:00.001-07:00

What long toes you have......

2010-10-03T17:16:00.001-07:00

Lotus Flower

2010-10-02T13:31:00.000-07:00

Lotus Flower, taken in the garden of the Winter Palace, China.

Terra Cotta Warriers

2010-09-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

RIP CURL Room, Le Casa Del Camino, Laguna Beach, CA

2010-08-17T20:12:00.001-07:00

This past weekend we stayed at Le Casa Del Camino in Laguna Beach, California. Not wanting to stay at a chain, or even at a fancy resort, we opted for a boutique hotel located on Pacific coast highway 1/2 block from the ocean. Although our reservations were spontaneously last minute we were pleased to be able to secure the "Rip Curl" room, designed by the surf company of the same name. In fact, the suites of Le Casa del Camino are designed by surf companies and a portion of the proceeds from the room are donated to a charity of their choice.

The hotel was built in the late 20's and has that old world feel of the late Victorian era. Our room had a full wall "photo mural" of a surfer on his board looking over his shoulder to catch the next big wave. It was good he was looking over his shoulder...otherwise he would have been looking at us in bed...which would have been a little strange. Blue light panels on the headboard created a blue underwater vibe. Although this all sounds a little hokey it was surprising NOT....the windows facing the ocean were open and the sound of the waves could be heard...the bed was luxuriously comfortable and we felt altogether clever for finding such an interesting place to stay.

Before we left the hotel our suite neighbors showed us the "Lost" room. Equally interesting...they claim the most popular room in the hotel (the Rip Curl room being second).

K'ya restaurant is located downstairs and was a popular night spot, although the kitchen closes at 10 PM. They serve a variety of "small plates" that are exactly right. There is a bar on the roof of the hotel but it cuts off at 9 PM, probably to allow the hotel guests some peace as you must walk through the hotel to exit. Late in our stay we were told that hotel guests are welcome to purchase a bottle of wine and go to the rooftop anytime. I wish we had known that sooner.

We will definitely plan another stay at Le Case Del Camino and would recommend it to others. Prices drop after labor day!

Little Raccoon

2010-07-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Bee Hat Man!

2010-06-17T18:56:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the "Bee Hat Man", taken at the farmer's market on the square, Madison, Wisconsin. The bee hat man has been wearing his hat for 32 years, proving that people in Wisconsin are so much more than cheese heads. (there was also once a brat (bratwurst)hat man.

I've also met the Killer Bee Guy from Bisbee, Arizona. Also a master marketer, the killer bee guy has written a book about the exciting life of killer bee extermination and honey making.

I don't know how much money these guys make but I admire their ability to embrace their destinies.

Star Wars Night

2010-04-18T11:04:00.001-07:00

Caught a glimpse of the storm troopers at Star Wars Night with the Phoenix SUNS. SUNS have made it to the 2010 playoffs, first game tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers. GO SUNS! This was our first year as season ticket owners and now we have season passes for next year. I hope the SUNS go all the way!! There were 44 home games, not including playoffs...so it's been quite a commitment.

Wildflower

2010-04-18T11:02:00.001-07:00

2010-04-03T19:59:00.000-07:00

This country ham was a gift from relatives. We opened it the day before Easter to have a look at it...this is what it looks like. I googled country hams and it seems mold is not unusual in the process and can/should be scraped off before soaking and cooking.

We are afraid. My son says this looks like those pictures you see of people's legs who have extreme frostbite.

Maybe we are more a fresh ham family....

2010-02-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

Gator alert!

2010-02-21T12:58:00.001-08:00

So my brother told me that a gator will not attack you if you are bigger than s/he is. And he told me that a gator will not attack you unless you are standing in water that is more than waist deep because a gator drowns it's prey and they are smart enough to realize they cannot drown you unless the water is waist deep.

So here's my question....is my brother willing to walk up to this gator and test out those theories? :-D

We photographed this gator in Florida last week. At first I thought he was stone, as he didn't move at all. But it's winter, so I guess that's what gators do...just sit still like that.

Portrait of a Rooster

2010-02-03T19:24:00.001-08:00

Ok, So I had to post this one....I took this photo outdoors, on a bright sunny day...with my long lens. It seriously looks, to me, like a portrait of a rooster.

Cave Creek Balloon Fest

2010-01-10T08:54:00.000-08:00

A very enjoyable evening in Cave Creek, Arizona at a Balloon Fest. 8-10 hot air balloons were inflated at dusk. They don't leave the ground, but they are lit when the burners are turned on, which makes for great photos. This was the first balloon fest held in this location and it sure looked like a great turn-out to me. Mr. W. with the video camera and me with my camera became separated and it took us over an hour to find each other.

Fortune and Creativity

2010-01-09T08:07:00.000-08:00

That little man writing the the fortunes nailed it again! A new years reminder to not neglect my creative side. I've got some ideas about new ways to explore my creativity and will try to make more time for them.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T07:33:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! 2010 is starting out to be a crazy awesome year. Hiked the Hohokam Ruins and took this photo. I'm always fascinated by boulders like these. Just sort of stuck up there like that. Probably a good thing this isn't earthquake territory.

Mild weather for Arizona in January, but still too cold for snakes. Yay!

Mom's Cranberry Christmas Cake

2009-12-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

3 T. Butter
1 C. Sugar
2 C. Flour
1 C. Milk
3 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
2 C. cut up Cranberries

Beat together all ingredients. Fold in berries. Spread evenly in 8 or 9 inch square pan. Bake (mom didn't have how long or what temp. I did 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, I think).

Serve warm with following butter sauce:

1 C. Sugar
1 T. Flour
1/2 C. Butter
1/2 C. Cream
1 T. Vinegar
1 tsp. Vanilla

Mix flour and sugar. Place everything except vanilla in saucepan. Heat, beating well, until hot and bubbly. Add vanilla and serve warm over cake.

We love this cake. Even dogs love this cake (but don't feed it to your dog...mine just stole the cake off the table). Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Death by Bluegill

2009-11-30T19:24:00.001-08:00

Ok, this is a strange one...I was fishing and not catching much of anything when this bass floated right up in front of me. He was still alive, but barely. Apparently he tried to eat this Bluegill and it wedged his mouth open like this so he could not breath. Probably struggled to get it loose, but to no avail. When we removed the bluegill it swam away. Unfortunately, the bass didn't make it!

In Mid Air

2009-11-30T19:19:00.001-08:00

I asked him to stand still....

Arizona Sunset

2009-11-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

Victorian Graffiti

2009-09-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

Anticipation

2009-09-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I was a spectator at the 2009 Labor Day Fly-in at Mingus Mountain, AZ. Hang gliders and para-sailers came together for their annual event. It was my second time attending.

I was surprised to find that all of the participants were men and almost all of them were over 40. There was one man that was 72 years old! This was amazing to me, since the weight of the hang glider is about 75 pounds and obviously took some strength for even the younger men to handle. For better or for worse, it wasn't a very windy day. So we ended up waiting for quite awhile for just the right breeze to come up for each jumper.

This is a photo of one of the jumpers waiting for that breeze. Every jumper had several buddies or helpers to help judge the right time to jump and to help keep everything lined up and in place. You could tell that some of the men were more anxious than others as they waited to make their jump.

Although I've jumped from an airplane myself, it isn't often that I feel that level of anticipation. But I often feel an expectancy. I guess I'm an optimist. Maybe it's called hope? In any case, I was a little jealous and wondered if I would be able to control a glider and/or land safely?

Heck, if that 72 year old guy could do it, I could....right? Right?

Laundry

2009-09-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

I seriously love this photo. Not only the colors/composition...but the whole concept that this family is just "out there" on the line...underwear and all.

2009-08-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

Young Vendor

2009-08-23T14:14:00.001-07:00

Man on Donkey

2009-08-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

Green alternative....donkeys.

I seriously thought they stole my squirrel

2009-08-18T20:31:00.001-07:00

I took this photo of this squirrel (and several others which I lost in a computer crash). This photo survived because I had sent it to work and was using it as a screen saver. When I saw the "vacation photo with squirrel" on the internet I seriously thought they stole my squirrel. If you compare, though, the stance of the squirrel is slightly different.

A Small Universe?

2009-07-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

When I was a child I enjoyed the movie, Horton Hears a Who...from the book of the same name, written by Dr. Seuss. This photo reminds me of the dust speck that hosted an entire world, unseen and unheard, but nevertheless there. And then of course, you have to imagine that this world WE live on might just be a dust speck to someone much bigger and farther away. Sort of the Russian doll thing going on with worlds inside of worlds.

Bugs and Thistles

2009-07-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

2009-07-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

"Even if I turn out to be wrong, I shall bet my life on the assumption that this world is not idiotic, neither run by an absentee landlord, but that today, this very day, some stroke is being added to the cosmic canvas that in due course I shall understand with joy as a stroke made by the architect who calls himself Alpha and Omega." --John Piper quoting Clyde Kilby, Taste and See.

2009-07-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

Good thing God made soft water!

Baby Raccoons in a Tree

2009-07-07T20:11:00.001-07:00

I just love these raccoons. They do not seem at all worried about our family reunion taking place just below them. Their mother, on the other hand, kept herself pretty well hidden in the hollow tree where they kept their nest.

Two birds, not one

2009-06-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

Find the little bird with the red head that almost looks like a flower!

Who are you, really?

2009-06-27T18:56:00.001-07:00

2009-06-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

Reflections

2009-06-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my husband and I went to San Francisco to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary. We had a very special evening planned at a restaurant in Sausalito, where we planned to watch the sun set on the city from across the bay.

We set out for the restaurant and were headed toward the Golden Gate Bridge when we saw fire trucks ahead. As the merging traffic slowed us down a little bit I looked to see what the problem was. On the sidewalk, next to a car, was man lying on his back with his shirt open. He was surrounded by paramedics and worried shopkeepers were standing around watching. They were trying to shock him back to life with that machine you see on T.V. all the time.

You could tell from the faces of the people watching that it wasn't working. One of the paramedics even stood up and turned away.

But here's the thing that really struck me....the passenger car door was open, but the seat was empty. In the back seat of the vehicle there was an old lady, presumably the wife of the man on the sidewalk, and she was watching the scene through the window of the vehicle. She was obviously distressed, and there was a younger woman with her rubbing her back and trying to comfort her.

This woman had probably been married to this man for 50 years or more and at the last moments of their lives together she was separated from him by a glass barrier...unable even to hold his hand or touch his head. And I started to think of what that must be like...and how she would re-run that moment in her head over and over and over in the days and years ahead.

Meanwhile, the traffic kept flowing. We went to our restaurant. All of the other people went to whatever destination they were headed. We watched the sun set on the skyline of San Francisco. The world went on.

It is not the first time that I have been reminded that LIFE IS SHORT and that my troubles are really small ones, in the big picture of things. It was a reminder to enjoy each day that God has given me and to find joy, even in the small things of life. Things can change in a MOMENT and tomorrow could be waaaaaaay different from today.

I am grateful for this day. I am grateful for my life. I am going to work at making this day matter.

Silver Man

2009-06-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things just don't work out the way that you planned.

Waking up is hard to do

2009-06-08T22:03:00.001-07:00

Beautiful Iguana

2009-06-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

If you sit very still
I may not see you there
although your beauty is dazzling
in a green and slippery way

So many birds, so little time

2009-06-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

Wind in my Wings

2009-06-02T06:57:00.000-07:00

28 years

2009-05-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

Year number

1981. We can have sex now! Every day! Twice a day!
1982. Adventure! Off to Africa!
1983. Crying...please...please...take me home from Africa!
1984. BABY...our hearts grew larger than we thought they could.
1985. Cross-country relocation...new beginnings.
1986. Making ends meet.
1987. Baby number two...Diapers, tantrums,and laughter!
1988. Robbing the change jar for babysitting and movie money.
1989. Earthquakes!
1990. Exploring the Pacific Coast.
1991. Seasons passes to Disney Land.
1992. Cross-country relocation. Who's going to rake these leaves?
1993. Snow, school buses, gymnastics, and new friends.
1994. Music lessons, soccer, and plays in the city.
1995. Back to Africa with our sons.
1996. Work, travel, work, travel.
1997. Opened own business, Aunty Faye's Antiques.
1998. Skiing, scuba-diving, biking...trying to get along.
1999. Wondering if marriage is going to make it.
2000. Australia and another cross-Country Relocation!
2001. Sold cars in 120 degree temperatures.
2002. Moved to the Wild West.
2003. Got hearts stomped on by small dysfunctional church.
2004. Marching band parents, college student parents.
2005. Empty Nesters! Bought a canoe and a pop-up camper.
2006. Safari!
2007. Working together!
2008. Egypt.
2009. 28 years of marriage, we've made it this far and we'd do it again!!

The Final Frontier

2009-05-29T20:03:00.000-07:00

28 years ago tonight...practicing for a lifetime together.

2009-05-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

God Bless America, My home, sweet home.
Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

Maryann

Miss you Maryann.
Always haughty,
Really naughty.
Yet you captured our hearts
And made us smile
Nearly every day.
Nine lives, you blessed ours.

Time to Fly

2009-05-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

2009-05-17T08:35:00.000-07:00

An approaching Haboob on Alamo Lake. We were in a canoe on the lake when we saw this dust cloud building. Before we were able to get off the water high winds and dust overtook us. We had quite a struggle getting the canoe in. Fortunately, we were wearing life jackets and were never far from shore. It was terrifying, but one of the most amazing displays of nature I have ever experienced. This was in the summer of 2007.

ASU Commencement

2009-05-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

Impressions of the day:

1. 100+ degrees --if you were old, fat, or had heart problems you should probably not have been there
2. Secret Service men looked like nicely aging quarterbacks in Tommy Bahama Hawaiian shirts and polo's
3. Security was less strenuous than most airport screenings
4. Having snipers at your graduation is something to remember
5. Alice Cooper singing "schools out for the summer, school's out FOREVER" was a strangely humorous counter-balance to Obama speech: "you're never finished with your body of work...you're just getting started"
6. The President of the United States set aside time for the entire ASU graduation ceremony but 1/2 of the graduates got up and left before he did
7. Even if you drink a gallon of water, you will probably still get a headache if you sit in the sun too long
8. 71,000 people and we find ourselves surrounded by people we know--wierd

I am the Momma

2009-05-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

Feeling a little cranky today.

Brotherly Love

2009-05-08T21:52:00.000-07:00

Random thoughts about siblings:

My two sons, so much alike but so different. And so competetive. WHY? Because they are brothers, I suppose. I was like that with my sisters and my brother. Always at odds. And yet, there are few people I love more than my siblings. Even when they are annoying me. Or are they competitive because they imagine they are vying for my attention? I hope not. I love each of them with an overwhelming love that has very little to do with the other.

Sibling Rivalry. Maybe we are comfortable being combative because we know we are safe in the relationship. Or maybe we just know the others weakness better than anyone else does. And maybe that weakness is our own? Nothing rankles more than that.

My sisters and I can be apart for a very long time and then when we are back together we will find that we own the same pajamas. Weird. Can we be that much alike, and yet different?

Will I have to live with my siblings someday? Yikes. That's pretty random (and scary).

2009-05-07T18:24:00.001-07:00

Grandma-child
Frightened, lonely, confused
turns on the TV.
Nothing happens.

Forgetting the path to her room
where five bananas, daily reward, pool
rotting on the counter with medication.
She asks yet again, "what time is is?"

Television blaring now!
Invisible hand in control.
Mocking straight lines,
mischievious lurker.

She Weeps at dusk
for another, long gone.
"I can take care of myself",
She lies.

Lame Videographer

2009-05-07T17:54:00.000-07:00

So I’ve bravely struck out on the road of video blogging with our family blog, http://emphatics.blogspot.com. Taking turns with my two sons, every third day is mine. This did not sound like a big commitment when we first came up with the idea. But one son was very busy with his own activities so every third day somehow became every other day….and then three days in a row when I teamed up with my other son for a team episode.

We are having more fun that ever before…and I’m learning more and more every day about making smooth videos. One day I learned to add words. Another day I learned to add music. And I’m cutting and snipping with (almost) ease. I’ve got the fancy movie making software, the handheld camera, and even a computer mounted camera for quick easy capture of my charming presence.

Still, I seem to be missing a big chuck of “coolness” in my videos. When my son was making the collaborative video at my house he was able to do all these neato things like fading the music, making nifty scene changes, and putting words RIGHT ON THE PICTURE. Wow. I felt like a mouse next to the giant.

So here’s the thing. I suppose I could read the directions. Nah. Never have done that before. I could go to a class. Hmmmm. Sounds boring. I could coerce my son into giving me lessons. Yah….that sounds like the best path.

Until then I am the Lame Videographer. Signing out…..

2009-04-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

And the colors on these walls are degraded simply by our breath.

Along the Nile

2009-04-24T20:35:00.000-07:00

Along the Nile...I never once felt acrimony. See the smile on this small child's face? And the face of his mother? These people never meant me harm. Not today..not tomorrow.

2009-04-24T20:27:00.000-07:00

Birds of the Nile.

Reflections on the Nile

2009-04-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

The Nile is a shallow and slow moving river. This is not what I expected. There are no crocodiles sunning on the banks, but on a lazy cruise past the sandbars you can spot fishermen, cattle, and women and children bathing and washing laundry.

The east side of the river is for the living. The west side of the river is for the dead. For that reason, you will see the houses and synagogues and most of the activity on the east. On the west you will see burial tombs and ruins.

Even far from the city there is smog from the burning sugar cane fields.

Close to the river Nile you will see farmland. Beyond a 3 mile stretch from the river there is very little but sand. If not for the river, there would be no life in this place.

Dendara

2009-04-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

2009-04-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Yes, these are all my photos. Photography is my hobby. I am delighted with digital and the opportunity it offers us regular folk to create and have fun without the extravagant expense that used to be associated with photography.

2009-04-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

"Once you have looked into the eyes of people in a foreign country, you realize you all want the same thing: food on your table, healthy children, laughter, freedom to be. The religion, the ideology, and the government may be different, but the dreams are all the same"

Erma Bombeck

The Emphatics

2009-04-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

So we're off and running on our new family blog: http://emphatics.blogspot.com/

Check it out! Should be a blast and an outlet for our creativity.

Seriously Cool Chihuly

2009-04-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

Seriously cool Chihuly Exhibit at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix, AZ. These "Icebergs" appeared to be floating freely as the wind blew them around this pond.

Remembering the Dresses

2009-04-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter! Me, third from the left.

Heros and Super Heros

2009-04-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Concerning Super Hero's....why are they always in costume? I suppose you can assume it's because they want to go on with their ordinary lives without people knowing that secretly they are going around fighting evil and saving the world. Think about how inconvenient that would be. You'd never get any work done with all those people hugging you at the water cooler. And really, the people who are saving the world and WANT you to know about it are really annoying (Brad Pitt, et al).
I'm not really an expert on Super Hero's ...not sure if that's because I'm a girl. Seems like boys appreciate Super Hero's more than girls do. But maybe the costume itself enables all those special powers? There might actually be something to that. I know when I'm wearing something really awesome I feel like I can conquer the world.
And come to think of it....firefighters, police personnel, and even military groups...they all get to wear costumes. And look at all the cool things they get to do.
Recently, both of my sons wrote blog posts about Hero's. One, with his satirical wit, defended his choice of Super Hero: Batman. The other, with his gentle heart, eulogized Mr. Rogers.
One of my hero's is Erma Bombeck. When I was in college my mother and I were at odds (to say the least). I came home once on break and my mother was reading one of Erma Bombecks books. I picked up the book, started reading, and then started laughing. I couldn't stop (this is typical for me) and started reading aloud to my mother. The story, as I remember it, was about applying false eyelashes. We started laughing together and ended up crying we were laughing so hard. Erma Bombeck, in that moment, created a bridge, through humor, for my mother and me to connect. I will never forget that. I cried when Erma died. She didn't save the world, but she made it a better place.

Working out the Kinks - Hello Bloggers!

2009-04-11T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hi! This is my first blog post on blogger. I'm still working out the kinks. Since I love to write this should be a blast. I also am very excited about keeping up with my sons blogs through this site.

This is a recent photo of me, just after I got my Sharon Osbourne hair color....or colour (if you are British). Black Cherry. You may see photos of me in the future which were taken in the past....and I will not have black cherry hair. Ok...you've been given fair warning.

Since this photo was take JUST AFTER I got the new hair color you can see that my dogs are really quite confused by it. And that cleavage...that was accidental. But Mr. W. really likes it. :-)