In Memorium

Lavinia Jane (nee Purdie) Glass
September 17, 1910 - December 22, 2007

We lost my grandmother yesterday after her unyielding strength could no longer hold off Mother Nature. In her 97 years of life, my "Grandma Glass" was a force to be reckoned with. She was married to my grandfather for over 50 years, until his passing in 2004. She was mother to five children, one of whom died just 5 months previous to her own passing. She was my mother's mother, my grandmother, and an example of strength, perseverance, fortitude and love. We will miss her greatly, but extremely fortunate to have had her in our lives for so long. We love you, Grandma Glass.

Yes, Virginia, there IS...

In Virginia now, visiting my side of the family. Luckily, I've had time to spend with my mum, sister and brother-in-law, as well as various high school chums I still keep in touch with. Tomorrow, I'll get to see my brother and sister-in-law, and my cute-as-pie nephew who I am planning to steal away from his parents at my first chance! This is the first time I've seen him in a year, so he's not the tiny 2-month old he was last time I saw him; he's up and running around now (and flirting with the ladies, so I hear...).

On my mum's computer so I don't have any pics to post just yet, although I realize I've been promising pics for some time now with no follow-through. That will be rectified shortly.

Adam and Kika are doing well and send their regards to all of you out there who might be reading. Hope you're all well and best of holiday wishes to you and yours.

Key West Coincidences

Adam, Kika and I spent 3 days in fabulous Key West. This was my second time there, and Adam's third, and Kika's first. It's a place with a reputation for drinking and good times, and both are definitely to be had there. Duval Street is the main tourist drag, with loads of bars, restaurants and shops to keep you entertained. However, we found ourselves enjoying the slightly quieter areas of the town better, which may indicate our aging souls.
The best thing about our trip down there was all of the fortuitous circumstances we happened upon. The first full day we were there (Sunday), we saw a sign advertising a dog holiday parade in the dog park. While we didn't force a costume upon Kiks, we did go to the park to check out all of the cool breeds of dogs that showed up. There was everything from Great Danes to Rhodesian Ridgebacks to Huskies to yes!, another Rat Terrier. Of course Kika was in no mood to be sociable and almost bit off the other Rattie's nose, but the other dog took it well...
On Monday evening, we found out about the "Little White House", the house where U.S. presidents since Harry Truman have been staying when they visit the island. Adam was dying to go in, but since we got there by 5:30pm, and the grounds close by 6pm (and there is a $9 fee to go in) we thought we were out of luck. So we just decided to walk around the grounds for the last 1/2 hour we were there. Lucky we did, because as it turned out, there was a special event for the public that night to tour the downstairs area of the Little White House, which had been set up as if the President were coming for a stay. All the china that was used for the Clintons was laid out, and the rest of the downstairs, which consists of a living room, game room, parlour, etc., were exactly in the decor that the Truman administration had originally used. It was a wonderful history lesson to walk around and read the interpretive signs in the museum area and understand the full history of the house. Not to mention, they brought us a glass of champagne to heighten the effect...
Later that night, we decided to go out to an outdoor bar for drinks and nosh. We weren't super hungry, but decided to split an entree while the New Orleans Saints played the Baltimore Ravens. Just as I was about to order, the bartender informs me that in a few minutes, free appetizers would be brought out for halftime, and so we could skip on buying a pricey entree. He was right on. So we only paid for our booze, had free appetizers, and called it a relatively early night, because I was just about to come down with a bad cold, which I'm only now getting over, by the way.
Gotta go for now...we're off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz...actually, Adam's grandma.

Lost...in Translation

So getting lost in the middle of an Oregon forest this summer wasn't enough, so I had to renew my fading reputation by getting lost yet again; this time, on the streets of Florida. I took Adam's mum's dog for a run this evening, on a route I've done twice before, but somehow took a wrong turn that set us back by about an hour. The street names here are a confusing mix of numbered avenues, roads, ways, drives and terraces. Just when I thought I'd made my way back in the vicinity of the house, I found myself numerically quite a distance away. Luckily, I had a spry little puppy with me who was more than game for an adventure (although her idea of fun was stopping every few seconds to pee on lawns), so we trudged on. I had to ask two separate people for directions, and just when pups and I were a mere 3 minutes away from the house, who should come driving up but Adam and his mum, very worried, but quite happy to see pups and me alive and well. So it's been an evening of physical exertion, disorientation and frustration, and finally (the goody) pure embarassment.
The upside of this evening, however, was that I got a chance to see TWO burrowing owls up close. They are listed under the Endangered Species Act as "species of special concern", so I'm really psyched that I got a chance to see them. Tomorrow night, I'm going running in hand with a cell phone...and a digital camera.

Happy Channukah

Tonight is the first night of (C)hannuka(h), and we brought our menorah from Michigan so we could light it with Adam's mum here in Florida. I'll miss having latkes with our friends Mara and Andrew, but we three will do up the holiday here with swimming, kayaking and shopping. Ahhhhh....what better ways to celebrate?
Happy festival of lights to you all!

Stealing Service

So we are at the end of Day 3 in Florida, visiting Adam's parents, and only tonight did I realize that his mum has a wireless connection from the house. Someone nearby is paying a pretty penny for me to use their wireless service...I offer my thanks...
Kika is doing "okay", but has had a tense few days with her new "cousin", Adam's mum's new puppy. That puppy is all over the place and Kiks, at 12 1/2 years old, just isn't having it. They came to blows--or should I say paws??--earlier this evening, and we had to physically separate them. Hoping they learn to love each other--or at least tolerate each other--before this trip is over.
Adam and I look forward to several more days here in the fun and sun before we head northward to cooler temps again. Promise to post pics from the last week as soon as Ads gets them off the camera.