Bon Jour Mes Amis

Monday night. Had couple inches snow today, but no problems for the commute. Got the bike out Sunday for a cold ride to Northgate and back just to heat it up and burn the gas in the carbs. Looking forward to spring and more riding.

That's life. Listening to Frank on the headset while I type this. He was a talent. We've got an album of his best and it makes good listening on long drives.

Bought a webcam on Sunday. Need to try installing it, but I'm sure it will take longer than it should so it's sitting here in the box waiting for me to be ready to be patient, thorough, read the "Read Me" files and all that. But...each time I find myself lying flat on my face, I'll just have to get up off the floor and ....reboot.

Well, take care out there. Bon soir, gute nacht.

Weekend

Saturday morning. Weekend plans: NIA dance class, clean house, haircut, watch football playoffs, create ramp so old cat can get to windowsill he likes to sit in, plan details on trip in May to Germany and France, call family while cell phone time is free, work on ideas for remodel of garage into living space, work in study to clean up shelves, do a serious purge of papers piled up for years, practice German, practice French, think of my daughter with pride for what an adventurer she is, think of my son and blink away the sadness as we go on with the domestic hum drum (now, there's an odd phrase) that we fill our lives with.

Another Day

Tuesday night. Dark, cold. Last night a snow storm blew threw and left a wet blanket that turned to ice. Still lingering tonight. I worry about the squirrels, birds, etc. they are adapted to live in a range of temperatures, but they must just hunker down somewhere and suffer when the cold is at its worst for our area. No central heat or fireplaces or fleece jackets for them.

On sunday it was sunny for a while so I took down all the holiday lights in the yard. then i went for a motorcycle ride! down to half-price books to exchange a French CD that didn't work. now we have some to listen to in the car. Sehr gut! Non! C'est bonne!

Now we're having fun.

Thursday Morning

Dark and raining at 7 a.m. in Seattle. Pretty normal here for this time of year. Our girl has gone back to Paderborn after a great visit for the holidays. Now our attention turns to May when we plan to travel to Paderborn to visit Lauren, then go to Paris for a week with her. We may hook up with Doug & Susie Bruce on their boat in the Rhine river. They will be there somewhere, but it's a bit early to pin down a plan.

Other than that, we're moving forward, just as you are. Those not busy being born are busy dying. We started a conversational French class last night. Teacher is very impressive. Our legal matters regarding our boy's death are likely coming to a close this month with settlements with insurance companies. It will be good to have that behind us.

New Year begins

lauren is out in the tv room watching something. kathy is in bed, and I am putting off going to sleep. i just heard the rumble of someone rolling their trashcan out to the curb for Thursday morning pickup. cans must be out by 7 a.m.

cats are all napping somewhere. in the dark cold months they lay low. no dummies, der Katzen.

went to lowell and carol's house for news year day and had very pleasant time just hanging out and talking. a couple bottles of good champagne added to the fun. we finished the day bowling on WII...and it was quite a bit of fun. interactive and physical; quite a change from sitting still, by yourself, with a little controller.

it is just another day but it does feel like a new year, and I think it will see some changes in my life. not sure why, just seems to feel like a time of change and growth is on the horizon.