Day 1072: Home again

It's so hard to say goodbye again.  Who knows when we'll be together again.

On the other hand, Molly was very happy to have Daddy home.

Day 1071: Climbing in Columbus

Brad and Jason coaching Caitlin on belaying.

Climbing gals

Me, Caitlin, Laurie and Sarah

 This is me, high on a slanted wall.  Jason on belay.  I made it a few more feet and then had to descend cause my arms were shaking.  

It was another great day in Columbus.  We went to a huge craft fair this morning, something I usually don't like.  However, we discovered one vendor who made unusual jams, jellies and mustards.  Then we spent three hours at Vertical Adventures where Brad works.  He is so much happier teaching climbing than doing roofing.  

We finished the day off at a fantastic restaurant where I had my first chocolate martini.  Probably won't have another, but we had a great time.  Sarah's 96 year old grandfather died today so she was glad for our company.  He was one of the last links to her father, who died of ALS several years ago.  

Day 1070: Sisters

Caitlin, Laurie and Nancy

Christmas in Columbus!

Unfortunately, brother Steve couldn't come with us this year.  That leaves my husband surrounded by ladies!  

Day 1069: Another Injustice

Protests are raging across NYC and around the country.  Peaceful, but disruptive, thousands have staged die-ins in Grand Central Station and on highways through the city.

The video seemed to provide such clear evidence that the officer used excessive force, an improper chokehold that caused Eric Garner's death.  But again, no indictment.  No charges, no discipline.  No justice, no equity.  A man died, for selling individual cigarettes. There is no sense of proportion.  Why did five cops have to tackle this man over cigarettes?  Are officers not taught how to defuse situations with reason and persuasion? Why? Why?  And then, they stood by, while he was dying.  No one attempted CPR.  No rescue breathing.  They did nothing to help him.  The answer is inescapable.  His life was not valued.  They had no empathy, they did not see him as a human being.  A father, a husband, a grandfather.  He resisted.  The officers turned their backs on him.  They had the power and they used it.

This photo is so inappropriate to the topic in discussion today.  It's like lighting the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center while protests are going on.  But, I have no other photo today.

This is the ad in Vogue for the studio where Colin works, the Lindsey Adelman Studio.

His friend, Mary Wallis, is inside the refrigerator holding the lamp she designed that is being constructed and promoted by Lindsey's staff.  What a thrill!

Day 1068: John Oliver in Concert!

John Oliver!  Our favorite comedian and political satirist, along with John Stewart, appeared at UB tonight.  Rescheduled because of the snow storm, he made the best of Buffalo's battle with thunder snow.  He worked it into a good chunk of his material.  The audience roared in response.  What a show!  The best I've ever seen.  The material was timely, incisive, outrageous.  He has such a sharp eye and his observations are woven into hysterical stories.  I laughed till tears ran down my face.  And everyone who knows me, knows that's the sign.

The opener was a young woman comedienne who also studied in the Upright Citizen's Brigade like Colin has.  We missed another one of Colin's shows last night.  If there wasn't a parent meeting last night, we could have stayed in NYC one more day to see him perform.  He got into the 400 level class and will have another show.  When?  In May!  Only the busiest month of the year for us!  Rats.  I'm sure he's just as happy that his parents aren't in the audience.

It's a terrible picture, but John is definitely recognizable.  

Day 1067: In honor of John

Our dear friend and neighbor, John, passed away on Sunday.  He was a noble, loving man who was devoted to his wife, family, and community.  He was the father of five, including our friend, Ellen, and the grandfather of ten, including our friends Margaret, Jake and Clare.

John served as a village trustee for eight years and as chairman of the planning board for many years.  He also served as a professor in the education department at the college.  He was known as a man of great intellect and integrity.  Everyone trusted him and respected him.  He was the rare professor who bridged that college-community divide.  But, I didn't know him in any of his official capacities.  I only knew him as our friend and father of folks we love.

Whenever I was working in the front yard, John would stop by to visit for a few minutes.  "Looks great!" he'd say.  "Do you hire out?"  If I was carrying my camera while we were out walking, he'd want to know what I was photographing.  He loved stories about the heron in Canadaway Creek.   If I didn't have it, he'd say, "Hey, where's your camera?"  I wish I had taken more photos of John and Claire when we were talking together.

John and Claire

At the harvest dinner in Brocton in 2012

John was the first in the neighborhood to notice and alert everyone about the cottony mildew on the maple trees.  Whenever something interesting happened in the neighborhood, we'd stand out on the street and talk.  One of our funniest encounters was when a few of the other neighbors were having disputes over their swimming pools and out buildings.  He was always good natured and kind in his comments.

Thank you, John, for your friendship and service, for being a role model for your children and grandchildren and the entire community. We will miss you very much.

Day 1066: Evan's tree

Evan's tree

750 lights, golden maple leaves and shiny icicles

Home again, totally exhausted.