HONORING ANGELA

Last Friday would have been Angie's 30th birthday. This is always a difficult day for me. I do miss her so. However, in life the love and remembrances of family and friends do ease the pain. Early in the morning flowers arrived from Katie McCabe. She was Angie's best friend in high school. They were really soul mates. Patty, Ronnie, Lisa and Aunt Cosie called. Friends emailed. I even found out via blog that she was toasted back in Indiana. What a great tribute!

Then to top it all off, Rick and May drove south and we went to the Olive Garden for dinner and once again toasted Angie. That was Angie's favorite restaurant. I am so grateful for all this support. I thank you all.

DAVID IV

How is this for a blesssing? Last Wednesday when Ron and I stopped by the Central Coast David IV was born. Here are some pics, none of which do him justice. He is perfectly beautiful. Here he is only one hour old. He didn't even have his first bath yet. Still, I was certain that you all would like to see my Dad's precious namesake.

FIRE IN L. A.

Just a quick post to show the smoke from the Griffith Park fire as we saw it driving to Glendale. From Tessie's house it was much more dramatic. But this shows it behind Glendale Memorial which is at least 3 miles. Ron and Rick were born at this hospital.

CONFIRMATION IN PORTLAND

What a wonderful weekend I just experienced! Last January Cristinia, Amy's future sister-in-law invited me to be her sponsor for Confirmation. Confirmation is when a person decides to fully accept the Catholic faith as a mature Christian. I am so honored to have been Cristinia's sponsor.

So last Thursday I flew to Portland. Amy and Cristinia picked me up at the airport. Flying into Portland was such an exhilarating experience. Looking out the window at the endless green beneath me as we flew over Oregon made me think of the Land of Oz. There were shades of green I never knew existed. Anyway once we landed I couldn't stop commenting on the dogwoods, rhodendrons, azaleas. Flowers of so many varieties bloomed or were about to burst forth everywhere I looked. Amy's garden alone could fill a plant magazine with beauty. I've included a picture of the front of Ron and Amy's house.

Anyway we went to brunch at Viola's (a precious little restaurant) before we headed back to the house. Amy and I visited most of the afternoon. Thursday night there was a potluck for the group from Christina's church, St Rita's. I went with Cristina and Aaron and was able to meet Deacon Don and some of Cristina's friends.

On Friday Amy and I took a long walk and had some coffee at Starbuck's. I went for lunch with Rick and May at a sweet and delicious Mexican restaurant that is owned by their friend, Marsala's, aunt. From there the three of us ran around to Target and the Grotto looking for gifts. By the time I got back to Ron and Amy's I had little time to help Amy prepare for the after-confirmation party.

The Confirmation was truly beautiful. Cristina is truly beautiful, inside and out. I was so moved by all the confirmandi's. They were young and old, male and female and from all ethnic backgrounds. Some of the Mass was in Spanish. The entire service was quite impressive. Afterward we had a get together at the house (graciously provided by Amy and Ron). It was perfect.

Saturday morning Amy, Ron and I took another delightful walk and ended up having breakfast at Bumblekiss. Delicious! Amy and Ron had french toast and I had a spinach, sun-dried tomato, yum-yum scramble. Too too good. After that I spent the rest of the morning reading and then Ronnie showed me a movie on his new huge screen TV. In the evening we celebrated Cinco di Mayo by having dinner at a Tex Mex restaurant with Rick and May. That was followed by another movie at Ron and Amy's. Am I having fun or what?

Sunday was another special day. I was invited to attend a First Communion of one of Marsala's little daughters, Paloma. As anyone who knows me knows I love the Church sacrament thing. It is so special to me. Ten little angels received Holy Eucharist for the first time. How precious!

Rick, May and I left the church and went for Vietnamese food before I went to the airport. When I went to change planes in L.A. I was offered a free United ticket because they had overbooked the flight from L.A. to Palm Springs. So by waiting for the next plane I earned a free airline ticket. Good for me!

My kids showed me such a beautiful weekend. I am so grateful for them. I just love visiting them.

THE FAMILY REMEMBERS DAD

Four children, twelve grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren (with two more on the way). Not bad rewards for a life well lived.

My Dad's family gathered to honor his memory and the weekend was perfect. The only one missing was Lisa in Italy. She joined us by way of a beautiful letter that was read at the ceremony at Montana de Oro. The Marines came out, played taps and presented the family with an American flag.

We spent our time at Patty's and Scott's remembering Dad and all his wonderful sayings. We shared our memories of our life in his presence with joy and laughter. We ended the weekend with some wine tasting at the Letitia Winery. Once again we loved being together supporting each other. What would we do without this amazing family? Thanks, Mom and Dad, for leaving us this most precious of gifts.

OUR SECOND ITALY TRIP

Last month Ron and I returned to Italy to visit Lisa. She invited us so she could show us all her favorite spots. Ron and Amy joined us as well.

We actually went to her host family's business on Via del Corso. That is the Energie/Miss Sixty place. We had dinner at their villa north of Rome. Our daughter is one very blessed young woman.We were invited to a fabulous dinner at the villa where she lives and we were able to get to know her host family better. Such adorable little girls and a wonderful mother and father. Lisa's host mom, Mierav, is only one year older than Ronnie and a very special lady. The little girls are Joy-3 years old, Daphne-5 years old and Jael-6 years old.

We did some sightseeing and a great deal of walking and eating. It was a very nice trip. I included a couple of fountain photos. The dark one is me with the kids in front of Trevi Fountain our first night there. The daytime one is Amy and I in front of a Bernini fountain in Piazza Navonna. So much to see.

MY DAD

A couple of weeks ago, on April 13th, my dad passed away. Such a beautiful man. It would be impossible to even to begin to explain what this man meant to me. He wasn't just my father. He was truly my "kindred spirit. It really seemed as though we didn't even need to speak to communicate.





There was never a moment in my life when I felt he didn't love me. I honestly know he made me the person I am today. Our political viewpoints varied in the past few years. But we never lost patience with each other in discussing them. There was always a willingness to listen to one another's oppinions. I so appreciated that.





He never missed an important event in my life or that of my children. We were together all but two Thanksgivings in 61 years. Summer vacations never went by without a nice long trip and visit with him and Mom. They would spend over a month at a time at our house just being with Ron and me. I have been blessed so much with all that time. But now what??? I miss him so every moment of every day.





In my eyes Dad could do no wrong. I am silly enough to believe he felt the same about me. Everyone needs someone like this in their life. And now that he is gone I have lost my greatest supporter. I am truly at a loss. Although I realize that I carry him with me forever in spirit, my heart aches beyond the words to explain. Remember, "It must be winetime somewhere." as it is now for me. I love you, Dad.

LAST DAY IN USA BEFORE ITALY

Here we are about to travel again. Tomorrow we leave for Italy to visit Lisa. Yesterday we came into L.A. to spend some time with Mother. We had dinner at Gaucho's Grill with Jose and Diane and Mother. Then I couldn't resist Ron's sweet face. So here we are. I am so excited to see Lisa and to top it off Ron and Amy are joining us there. How lucky are we!

Arrivederci!

BRAND NEW CAMERA

OK, everyone. Ron and I bought each other this new camera for our anniversary gift to each other. The megapixels are larger and I needed to try to downsize my photos. This is an experiment so let's see how it worked.

A VISIT FROM OUR OREGON FRIENDS

This week our good friends, Dick and Sue Chambers, came south for a nice visit. Most of our time was spent cooling off in the pool. We also dined on the patio. Then last night we had dinner at Macaroni's Grill. It was a nice visit.

DAD'S 85TH BIRTHDAY DINNER

Sunday was the night for Dad's birthday dinner. We went to Cagney's Steakhouse. Most of us had steak and lobster. Patty had spoken to the head of food services the night before and he treated Dad and us royally. There was a birthday cake and champagne and everything. It was perfect. Thanks Norwegian.
p.s. I realize the only photo I have with Dad and his children is out of focus, but I included it anyway. We can pretend it a softening lense, done on purpose.