A lot of September was taken up by the worst cold I have had in years. I sincerely hope I don’t get another one like that for a very long time.

        My choice for Birthday baby of September is my grandson, Ryan. He is Dave’s second son, and a very caring young man. I love him dearly.

Ryan, on his September trip to Paris
(photo courtesy of Ryan's Facebook)

        Other September birthdays I have on my list are:

Jeff and Tammy Hills, daughter and son-in-law to Gordon and Alice (Bunny) Pfister

Gordon Pfister (Jack’s son)

Mark Pfister (Gordon’s son)

Kurt Kapasuzoglu (Suzie’s grandson)

I hope you all had  HAPPY BIRTHDAYS    

Note from Bill Vivatson

“There is much discussion and news regarding ‘the swine flu’. Our dinner table was no exception. I could not pass up the opportunity to say, with tongue-in-cheek, that the ‘shot’ may not be needed; an oink-ment has been developed to control it.”

(Since this little vignette, I have received a note from Bill saying he had suffered a stroke, but that he was making good recovery.  I am so glad.)

From Hildy -

Throughout Heather and the kids' visit, there seemed to always be a problem locating Tasia's complete two-piece bathing suit.  She'd either go in the hot tub (made cool on those hot days) with the top part or the bottom part. No matter what we did, we could never find both parts at the same time.  One afternoon, Tasia announced to Dan that she wanted to play in the water.  Dan said, "OK, but we have to find your swimming suit".  They looked all over the place and couldn't find any swimsuit.  Dan said, "I don't know what you're going to swim in".  Undetered, Tasia announced, "I'm going to swim in my body".

Dave shared this note he received from Russ, who now lives in Flagstaff, Arizona, but who seems to be fascinated by The Grand Canyon.

“Hey Dad,
          Well we drove four hours to the North Rim on thursday before my GrandCanyon run. Stopped at Lees Ferry (where you drive across the grandcanyon on that bridge) and saw a Ringtail cat in the bathroom! Ate dinner at Jacob Lake then hiked into the Aspen Groves near the North Kaibab trail and camped out  with Marley in the Park in our new Mountain Hardware tent we got for $50.
          I started the run just before 5:00am and made it to Phantom Ranch by 8:00am - took a break, ate some food and the sun had just barelypenetrated the Canyon. The North Rim trail is incredible - two waterfalls come down the walls and there are several large swimmingholes both under the falls and along Bright Angel Creek (which is barelysmaller than the Virgin River through Zion). Once you get past Cottonwood Camp it is very similiar to the Zion Narrows as you are in a tight twisting Canyon for about 10 miles - but there is a nice wide trail so you are not in the river. No pictures this round as I was going for speed - but I'll get plenty next week. I'm leading a four day backpacking tour across the same route.
          Took me eight hours exactly and I ran about 18 of the 24 miles. Basically I was able to run almost to Indian Gardens up the Bright Angeltrail (minus the steep sections) then my legs quit working and I had to hike the rest of the way uphill - luckily there was some shade and a thunderstorm moving in to block the sun. You wouldn't believe how effective powerbars are when your body is running on nothing! Those newpower goos (quick glucose and salt) are fantastic energy boosters aswell.
          I think I'm going to start getting into Adventure Racing after this...it was an amazing experience! Enough for now - write me back and start using facebook!
Russ”

          Nancy and John had a surprise “drop in” visit from a couple of her “Evans” relatives who are visiting here from their home in Wales. She kindly shared this note with me.

Hello Nancy and John
  How lovely it was to see you last Sunday.  Thank you so much for your hospitality. I hope the good weather holds up for you to finish the roof.  I have told Haulwen and Eira all about you,and the wonderful welcome you gave us.
   We caught the ferry ok and managed to go to the Suquamish Museum and we also went to see Chief Seattle's grave.  We had a great time, but the icing on the cake was to meet you both.  Hope you can come to Wales sometime so that we can extend the same welcome to you.
     Best wishes, Carol and Malcolm

Published in September issue of Northwest Prime Time: (my story)

                                     Sign Language

When  my baby granddaughter was found to be profoundly deaf, I joined a class to learn sign language.  It soon became clear that my arthritically deformed fingers were not going to be able to form the signs even close to perfectly.  I was devastated.
My daughter, who understood my disappointment, patted me on the shoulder and said,  “Never mind, Mom, Heather will just have to learn that her grandmother speaks with an accent”.

September 17, I received the final manuscript from Priscilla.  Now, I get one last chance to make any corrections or changes.  From now until the book is actually ready for the market is usually 4 - 5 months.  It’s going to be a long winter!

        What a treat!  Jack showed up on my doorstep just in time for me to invite him to dinner with me.  I had been enjoying the wonderful smell of corned beef simmering most of the afternoon.  Corned beef and cabbage, carrots and yellow potatoes tasted mighty good and I had the pleasure of introducing Jack to horseradish.
        He was a very welcome guest and good company.

September 10
        I was very honored to be one of seven seniors to be selected as Special Senior.  Our being selected was for a wide variety of reasons, the one constant being we were all at an advanced age when we started something new in our lives.  One lady makes hundreds of sandwiches every week for people who are hungry.  Another bakes many dozens of cookies for the same reason.
        I am still surprised, but very pleased, that the writing that I find so enjoyable is looked on by others as a  volunteer effort to add something to history.

        On September 12, my niece, Suzie Burke, was honored at a “toast” or “roast” by Washington News Council.  I am still pouting that I wasn’t able to attend, having caught a very bad cold.  I’m sure I missed a very fun evening.
        As told me by my family, who all were there, it was more toast than roast, since the main thrust seemed to be an accounting of all the things Suzie has been responsible for in revitalizing Fremont.  On the list are things like the wonderful new J. P.Patches and Gertrude statue, “Late for the Interurban” which is visible from North 34 street, almost opposite History House, another of Suzie’s “inventions”.  There are many more.
        Son Paul has promised to bring me a Suzie bobble-head, which were raffle tickets.  I will love having it.

From daughter-in-law Nancy -

Here's a picture of the Traveling Buddha original sculpture in soft clay, just before I delivered him to Nichols Bros. They have completed the molds and are now casting 12" high concrete statues, which they finish with patinas in a few very nice colors - they said he's been very popular with their customers.
He's a jolly little guy, isn't he? He sure was fun to sculpt.

Sept. 28, I received the following e-mail from Hildy and Dan:

“We arrived at Yellowstone yesterday.  Wow!  It's beautiful.  Unfortunately, there's a forest fire in the park caused by a lightening strike on Saturday which is keeping one road closed right now.  The weather's expected to cool though to perhaps squash the fire and maybe the road will open up in a day or two.  There's "stuff" I want to see beyond it.    Today we're checking out all the geysers and touring with a park ranger later this afternoon.

Hildy”

from Anne and Dave:28th

“After sitting for two long days we arrived it to Flagstaff last eveningabout 5:30p. Sunday we drove for 10 hours and got to Tremonton, UT. We had  wonderful weather and stopped just inside Idaho at a rest stop for lunch. We sat under a tree and had a great view of the Snake River...looking quite placid....considering we were quite near the Hells Canyon area where there  are many river rapids and canyons.”

I had an appointment with Dr. Lylja because my right foot is causing me so much pain.  His assessment was that there is really not much to be done, except to provide cushioning for a couple of feet that have just been “worn out”. He suggested I get something made to go into my shoes to try to make my feet more comfortable. 

          Dan called while I was out to say they have snow falling in Yellowstone.  They are hoping enough snow will fall to quench the forest fire, so they can get to the parts of the park that have been cut off. I’m sure Dan is happy.  He loves snow.

from Anne and Dave 30th

“Today, Jana, Dave & I went to the Museum of Northern Arizona. It is nestled among the ponderosa pine trees and is of 'rock' construction and quite cool inside. There are several rooms to explore inlcuding geology, pottery, baskets and pots, textiles and cultures. It is a fastinating place and Dave & I would have stayed longer, but we had to get Jana off to a class at the university.”

Russ & Dave
(photos courtesy of Anne's blog)

Thought for the day:
          Why isn’t the number 11 pronounced “onety one”?
                 -The Red-necked Hippy column in the Selkirk Sun
                   newspaper

I wish I knew the answer to the Thought for the day.

Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

    Son, John, is the closest of my August birthdays.

Click here to see a video of
John teaching Pup Spanish.....

    Paul’s daughter, Megan is an August child and so is Thomas Withrow, Heather’s husband.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE AUGUST FOLKS  

    I have been named "Special Senior" by Foss Home, along with 6 others.  There will be a reception on Thursday, Sept. 10, from 2:00 - 3:30, at the Bitterlake Community Center. This should be fun.  I understand those of us who have been chosen are all folks who made “interesting” life changes after the age of 70.  I was over 70 when I wrote a story about Pioneer Square and it was published in The Pioneer Square Gazette, the first of my stories to be published. That was a defining change in my life, adding a whole new dimension.  I’m grateful. 

From Carolyn:

    Isn't this rain beautiful!  I think I hear all the trees and plants breathing a great big thank you!

(After this heartfelt message, which came after a break in a most unusual, for us, hot spell, the whole rest of August was one weather excess after another.  Each day seemed to bring something we weren’t expecting…some good, some not so good.)

    Dave treated me to two more fun visits to Woodland Park with the wheelchair.  I love it.  This is something I have wanted to do for a long time.  He assures me he is enjoying it, too.
    Woodland Park covers many acres.  The “new” layout takes one by pathways between big trees, so that viewing each exhibit is in a way that is special to that exhibit.  We spent a lot of time watching, and listening to, some large, black gibbons called Siamang  .  They are amazingly noisy as they swing through the tree branches high above.  We were told they were courting.  I must say it sounded more like quarreling in very loud voices.

    On the second visit, we met up with Hildy, Heather, Skyler, and Tasia for a picnic lunch together.  Tasia, who is 2 ½, was most excited to have seen a pink “teraffe”, which Hildy translated as “giraffe”.  Nobody seemed to know why she thought it was pink, except that pink is her favorite color.

(from Alice, who is married to my nephew, Gordon Pfister)

We are off to Helena, Montana at the end of theweek for a repair project on an Historic Mine - then home for three weeks- then back to Montana and then Idaho for a couple of "digs".  Thanks toour lovely daughter Tammy being a flight attendant for Alaska Air - wewill leave our little RV in Helena - fly home (free) and then back (alsofree) in time for the Butte project.  We'll let you know how all thatgoes......  :)  Bunny

(In their “retirement”, Gordon and Bunny keep very busy with a program of the U. S. Forest Service… Repairing, restoring, digging up… whatever is needed.)

The base of a Fire Lookout Gordon & Bunny were helping to rebuild in 2003 (see August 2003 for full story)

Bunny getting lots of advice...

The barn they were helping to rebuild

    One evening, John and Nan treated me to dinner at Rosita’s, our local Mexican restaurant that seems always to make the “Best in Seattle” list  We all agreed it was very good. I hadn’t been out for dinner for quite a while, which made it very special.

In a message dated 8/26/2009, Frank Withrow writes:

“Senator Ted Kennedy
With sadness today I try to remember Senator Ted Kennedy and why he is so important. What made him  so effective?  Yes, he had flaws as we all do, but he was  always willing to listen to the other side and to fight for the little  guy.  He never tried to trash his opponents, but sought to find ways to work  together for the better good of this nation. The nation has lost a great  leader and a great personal fighter for a better America. He was a fighter for  the disabled among us so that they could share in the goodness of this nation.  Of the three Kennedy brothers  who gave so much, he was the  last and longest fighter for the common man. His work will be with us for the  future of a better word. The patriarch of a great family has passed this way and we are better for his walk with us.  If we are wise we  may pass a health care act that honors his wishes. He believed in America's greatness and  above all else he believed in America's goodness. May we work harder to make  his dreams come true.         
Goodbye”

    I echo Frank’s sentiments.  Ted Kennedy seems to have done more things for the needy than most.  He was a power for good in the Congress. His presence will be sorely missed.

                               *          *          *          *

    A funny thing happened on the way out of my shower, a couple of mornings ago.  While toweling off, I noticed a little, round sticker on my damp skin.  Further examination made me burst out laughing. I have no idea where it came from, but  the sticker read “Examined by #4”.

                            *          *         *          *          *

From Bill Vivatson, a friend who now lives in Yakima, but who worked with Vern at Boeing for many years.  Bill came originally from North Dakota:

    “Every once in awhile I get the urge to write to the hometown editor. I put 'tongue in cheek' and composed the following.  it was published as sent.

UNDAUNTED
    In the early months of 1942 there was a flurry of activity within CHS to compile the High School Annual. Each Class was formulating their portion in an effort to show well among the other three. One of the daunting tasks was to select or compose a Class Motto. I do not recall the selection process or the person or persons that came up with “UNDAUNTED”. It was the selection – UNDAUNTED.
    The Class of ’42 was the first to graduate following the December 7th 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. We were embroiled in WWII which included the loss of friends, neighbors and relatives. Following VE and VJ day there was a division of the spoils that led to the Cold War. In the midst of all this it was difficult to remain UNDAUNTED.
    In the early ‘50s Univac was the subject of computer language application research. In due time it was able to add 2+2. With further refinement it could subtract 2 from 4; then multiply 6X8, anon, anon until it could do more and more until the technology was applied to personal calculators and eventually to personal and industrial computers. There were few that, in some manner, were not affected by the looming computer age. It was difficult to stay UNDAUNTED in that circumstance. The list goes on with the family, making a living, coping with computers, cell phones, blackberries, GPS, global warming, promoting Class Reunions and the list grows exponentially. At a couple of our last reunions I suggested that we reconsider our Motto in view of our entry to the realm of Senior Citizens and ease the tension created by our need to be UNDAUNTED. I suggested that we update our Motto to LIVE IT UP WHILE YOU CAN.
    I will be contacting each of our surviving members to officially formalize the change.”

                    *          *          *          *          *

My note to Suzie, my niece…

    “ I ran across this today in an old file and wondered if your Mom ever told you about this one?  We both remembered it with many chuckles.”

(Suzie)

“Oh yes!  It was one of her favorite stories!  The two men were important business clients of Dad's and the intros were at a Convention Dinner Party! - Love, Suzie”

    My sister, Florence,  was very proud of the Memory Enhancement class she had just completed, so it was with great confidence that she agreed to introduce the key speakers at a business meeting.  Their names were “Mr. Langhart” and “Mr. Hammerschmidt”...names made to order for her new method of word association.  We had grown up with a “Lang” cook stove in our kitchen, so that made the first picture.  “Hart”, the second part of the name, was easy...a valentine.  “Hammerschmidt” called forth the picture of a blacksmith brandishing a hammer.

    At the meeting, she arose with great aplomb and introduced “Mr. Langschmidt” and  ”Mr. Hammerhart”!

Florence and me

    After being postponed once because of the HEAT WAVE, the Summer Family Picnic hosted by Dan and Hildy was a huge success, as always.  Their beautiful garden welcomed.  Dan grilled chicken and sausages.  There was the usual scuffle over deviled eggs.  There were incredible salads and enough food to fill an army, but we made good in-roads. 
    Our “family” affairs are so wonderful!

Quote of the Week (Borrowed from HistoryLink.org)

The strongest bond of human sympathy outside the family relation should be one uniting working people of all nations and tongues and kindreds.

-Abraham Lincoln

Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

Home Page: Dixie-Press.com

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