musings of a middle aged man

It has been nearly a month since the last posting and I was sitting here trying to decide what to report. We do live eventful lives, work 5 days a week but all that is confidential, suffered from the crud that makes its way around the community this time of year and in my case hit another milestone in my progression of middle agedness (if that is a word). It was bad timing for a birthday as the crud was going round and we couldn't risk indulging in large amounts of sugar related products that would lower our immune system so I made do with 1/2 gallon of ice cream and Lynda a more sugar free sorbet. Thanks to all that sent cards and to those who called me on that auspicious day.

Our next major event will be the first part of May where we will experience the granting of the degree of BSCS with minor in math to our son Seth in Fairbanks, AK. Any wishing to attend are welcome. It is nice in Fairbanks that time of year and the hotels still have their winter rates.

The weather is turning more into spring and we have had definitive signs that nature is feeling the change as well as the early morning knocking on the side of the house has started by the red-breasted sapsucker. Ever since I removed the deck he has found it to be optimal habitat to sound out for a mate and make holes in the siding for a nest only to abandon the project and try another spot. I put a house up for him last year to cover the one hole made but I apparently didn't paint it the right color or make it the right shape or maybe his pounding did not sound good enough to attract a mate. I hope I don't have to make more birdhouses this year to cover more holes.

Belated posting for my educational adventure. I spent time at Nashville's Opryland Hotel and Convention Center learning more about my craft. I stayed at a Best Western nearby and walked each morning to the convention and back in the evenings. I would say the learning experience was well worth the time and expense. This was the biggest turnout that APTA had yet with about 2000 students and over 5000 therapists. This picture is from the convention center area looking towards the enclosed hotel area and food court at night. The second picture is during the day looking down to the man made river.






I met up with Lynda and Marcus in Seattle on the way home. They were waiting for our airplane to depart for Ketchikan and Wrangell. We were looking forward to returning home after a prolonged absence. On arriving home I went to work and found that I needed to continue on to Juneau to pick up a patient. It was a long day but I got a good nights rest and was able to help the lady back to Wrangell the next day. Tomorrow I go back to Juneau for another transport. I will fly on a small plane this time and the weather promises to be tolerable for a safe flight. Life is good in Alaska.

Good Morning, apparently there were tornadoes passing over where I am staying. Had some fierce thunder and lots of rain but don't see any damage out my window which is the top floor of the hotel. Strange time of year to have such extreme weather and the storm continues to the East. Day two of education so I will be off learning how to bandage and mobilize to decrease swelling. Great class so far.

Trip to Chattanooga, TN

Had a wonderful visit with my brothers, Rick and Ken and my parents at Ken Willes II house near Collegedale, TN. This pict is where Ken works as a professor of art at Southern University. We were making the tour of both his and his wifes workplace admiring their accomplishments that are many. Check out his work on Southern Universities website.


Here Kenneth is in his office with the trophies on the windowsill.


Below is Rick showing Allison, Kenneth's Wife and our newest Sister, how good the picture came out he just took of her. Kenneth is in the background helping prepare the meal in their kitchen. The artwork you see on the wall is a Kenneth Willes II original.



I had a wonderful visit with the family and look forward to seeing them all again in the future. Rick and Dad drove back to California, Mom flies back today and I am finished with day one of continuing education here in Nashville at the Opryland Hotel. Will post some picts tomorrow, today was cloudy and I was trying to find my way around. The place is huge.

Seth's Birthday

Seth left yesterday, he is back up in Fairbanks. We miss him already!

I am working hard so I'll be ready to leave on Friday. (I even got our taxes done!) I am going up to Anchorage to see Amanda for a couple of days, then I am flying down to Thousand Palms to visit with my parents. (Marcus just got a haircut so he is ready to go.)

Below are some pictures taken on Seth's birthday. He is 20 now!


Seth gets the honor of lighting his candles.


Ron loves birthdays, or I should say he loves cake and ice cream.


Marcus can't understand why he doesn't get any.

Our New Year

We have been having snow, ever since Christmas. Marcus enjoys playing in it, then coming in to melt.

The town put on a fireworks display on New Years Eve, Ron and I watched it from our bedroom windows. They went off around 6:30pm so we were able to go to bed early. Seth had some of his friends over, and they were up all night playing games.

Cynthia's Needlework

Here is Seth's Computer Bag with the Cross Stitch that I sewed on for him. Cynthia made the cross stich for him for Christmas.