Be Happy - Be Lucky - Get your Good Fortune (maybe)

I was getting tired of being unlucky so I used one of my several web sites to create a way where you can get a good fortune. Whether or not it really helps is not the point. Just to have a good fortune staring at you in the face can make you feel better.

So I made this program that allows anybody to create fortunes good, bad or neutral fortunes. The database is stacked up with mainly good fortunes. I am curious to see how many bad futunes creep in. I'll delete nasty ones. So go try my www.valdevir.com.

Health Care City - Greenscape

I couldn't help but take this shot. It seemed so green this day. The sky was not so hazy and the temperature was a reasonable 95f.

Notice all of the people out for a walk. This is Dubai, you don't tan you melt. These trees and grass know how to survive in this heat. They have roots that go all the way to Oregon (we are almost exactly on the other side of the earth).

Even the bugs don't walk on the sidewalk!

On this day I was waling to get my Starbucks coffee just around the corner.

Red Haired Mall Momma

A red haired Mall Momma.

The Beach House

Hey yall, remember the beach house at Cannon Beach? Again I had to try to remember how it was (or should have been) Actually there was no siding, we didn't finish it.

I remember helping (we thought it was work) dad assemble this KIT home at the black house before he shipped it on a flat bed to Cannon Beach for assembly.

There was that famous chemical toilet (without chemical, as I recall the smell) that ensured we didn't stay long in the cottage.

Dad and mom stayed in the loft. I remember the barreling voice from dad above GO TO SLEEP!...I know what Abraham felt like!

I think there was a kitchen, although I don't think it ever did any kind of kitchen thing, no water and no drainage and no electricity. We sort of lived out of grocery bags and usually ate before we got too far from the store. I remember plastic everything, day old bread, devils food spread, bologna, bananas, apples, peanut butter. Several years later the orientals (which ones I don't know) gave us Rahman noodles, which required hot water. Not easy to get when you don't even have water.

I remember the toilet trips, very very cold water and usually no toilet paper. If you didn't eat too much bread there wasn't any problem going to the bathroom.

The sand was everywhere, in the shoes, in the bed, the car, clothes, hair in the nose and ears and also in the peanut butter sandwiches.

There was a small porch, probably filled with shells and rocks. It was a great design.

When I went down to Cannon Beach a few years ago I noted the beach house was gone. I guess whoever bought it couldn't finish it either.

No - I'm not gay!

Although it was a while ago (two years) I ran across this photo of my first and only skydiving jump. As you can see I wasn't exactly alone, but I was brave, because I didn't know the instructor personally and I think I offended him before the jump.

Vitaly convinced me to go. Well he just said let's go skydiving, and I, to show how brave I was said, OK! But not so deep inside I was hoping our plans would change and I would be free from the challenge to my bravado.

The location was Ras Al Khaima airport, if you can call a dirt strip and a tin shed an airport.

One of the skydivers had one of those white and black "Scary Mask"'s on, which was a little unsettling. It was going to cost me $200 dollars to maybe become one of those freaky skydiving accident statistics.

The first worry was the airplane. It looked more like it should have been in a museum or junk yard rather than being used for carrying so many good people, and it didn't help any knowing that it was one of those famous Russian models that lasts forever.

We all fit inside, sitting on our asses with those of us who were the paying customers being attached to the front of those paid customers. You never ever think about straps, buckles and snaps and how they work until you find yourself dangling at their mercy 10,000ft over the earth. It's funny how instead of asking "are these things going to work, or what is the chance of them failing", you just say, "hey these things look like they're new, must of set you back a bundle...", then you wait for the retort and hope it doesn't go like this"...oh, not really I've had them for years, they just look new, but with money I'm making on this last jump I can finally afford to buy good ones..".

On the way up (it didn't seem to take long enough) you start inspecting the other people with you and notice that their instructor's looks more professional and their equipment newer. You try to smile and put that look of, "I've done this sort of trivial extreme thing all my life, this is just one of those days".

After they see the blood leaving your face, the instructors try to make you feel better and have less fear so they strike up a screaming conversation. They try to explain to you something trivial but important, that you think, they should have done on the ground. But you can hear them, because your hearing ain't so good anyway and there is that open door with wind lapping at everbody's gear at 180mph and two 4 banger engines with no mufflers blaring just next to your head. I nod OK, hoping he wasn't asking me to pull the chute cord or something like that. Later I understood he said not to open you mouth too much because your face could blow off - look at my mouth and his mouth in the photo above". Fortunately Richardson's have a well exercised well attached mouth that is not so easily removed.

When we pushed out I had a flash vision of us smashing up against the tail wing, but it didn't happen. We were free falling for - not long enough - I was getting used to it and really liked the feeling, I even forgot his was attached to my back! That is how people die I found out later, they forget to pull the cord or pull it too late!

On the ground, I was wondering why they put rubber bands around my shoes, but was too proud to ask. I thought it was to prevent air from going up my issued diving suite pant legs which would have made it maybe hard to maneuver. They told us that the jolt of the chute opening would not be good for false teeth and it would be a good thing to keep you mouth shut!

At the moment of truth, there was this very paltry jolt and I remember thinking whooa, they've never taken a ride in my friends apartment elevator, then slam bam no thank you mam. Aparently the first jolt is the little chute that pulls out the big chute. It seemed like everything came to a screeching halt. The rubber bands were to keep your shoes from landing way before you did. I heard there is a field somewhere around the landing zone that has lots of half buried shoes in it.

At that point I really loved the guy who invented strong buckles, safety belts and snaps, and my instructor was definitely a professional nice guy worthy of my every praise - I asked him if he was a Russian - he was British.

It was a wonderful scene, the airport was wonderful and what was $200 dollars anyway - then you realize that you are still traveling faster than a rock and the ground is starting to come up to grab you. I was wondering how in the hell we were going to land, I was imagining my body being dragged under this guy with my head popping out just under his crotch. I wasn't going to let that happen. As we got closer to the ground I tried like hell to be taller than him.

The other people had already landed and many of them looked like it was not very comfortable as they were in little piles legs and arms everywhere with cutes and guy ropes cascading over them.

We were about 10 meters from the ground and then he pulled his arms down like a big eagle ready to land and I felt the chute resist landing and we floated like -a lighter rock. This was my moment of glory as I stretched out my legs, touched one twice and then felt his knees jam up my ass as he too was thinking about staying afoot. In spite of the initial ass kicking we both managed to landed in perfect tandem as the rest of the crew took the graceful landing in from their sprawled out positions on the turf.

The only thing that didn't happen was for the chute to fold itself up and pack itself in the bag. There were a few people who were looking for their shoes, I remember a lot of talk about the need for stronger rubber bands.

Thank Daphne - Now I Am Really Famous!

Well here I am, starring in my own dolphin show. Certain Dolphins will really like me because I am making a very expensive home for them, in comparison to where they are staying now.

I had the pleasure in Egypt to visit behind stage (pool area) the dolphin trainers, vets and administration folks. I was with Alexander Zanin, a renown expert with Black Sea Bottle nose Dolphins. He has really taught me a lot. Things most people will never get to know. More on that later.


Don't know why but I have always liked "Sweet Home Alabama - Credence Clear Water", I guess that shows my age?

Well, the point of this all is that I really like being a part of Sky Ranch...where is it and when are they expecting me?

Cute Promotion - My Own Street?

Just received a cute promotion that uses a popular street in Dubai and street signs where they put one street sign for my very own road. The only problem is that it is pointing in a direction where there is no road. So if I want to be very particular then they are pointing me in the wrong direction.

I just thought that this was a neat way to reach out to people.

What a Library Card Can Get You

1960 is the first time I can write my name all by myself. That is the ticket to getting my own library card.

My father is a teacher. My mother is a lover of literature. With them, the six of us kids spend our weekends at the library choosing adventures for each coming week.

We are lovers of books. We are lovers of words. We read. We play Scrabble. The library is our second home.

In college I work in the library to pay my tuition. I become a teacher. I read to my classes. I share my favorite books with my students. I love the library.

1981 is the third summer I teach summer school. My classroom looks across the courtyard toward the library windows. The librarian is a handsome man.

The librarian is a lover of books. He is a teacher. I move in with him at the end of the summer.

We become teaching partners. We read. We play Scrabble. We have been married twenty-six years.

He’s the most wonderful thing I have ever checked out of the library!

By Daphne Anne

A Dog Nammed Homer

Homer has come for a visit. He is a very well traveled dog. Born in Mexico, he is also bilingual.

His original owner is Anamaria, from Guadalajara. His secondary owner is our friend, John. Anamaria and John are currently on an Alaskan
cruise to (possibly) get married. That is a very long OTHER story.

Long ago, B.D. (before Daphne), Dennis raised and trained and judged dogs. These were hunting dogs. The dog training part is something I've
always admired about Dennis because it (and some people would be appalled by this, I'm sure) so closely aligns with training students.

The key here is CONSISTENCY, being proactive, and being able to
understand and communicate without too many words.

Anway, Homer is a very quiet, polite, old man puppy. That means even
though he is about two years old in people time, he looks like a puppy
with an old man's face. He has a less than wonderful habit that Dennis,
on the sneak, is trying to 'amend' before we return Homer to his true
'parents'. Homer enjoys insanely barking at arrivals. His original
owner considered it a 'greeting', but I'm sure there are more polite
ways to say, "Glad you're here." I'm thinking . . . smiling quietly . .
. wagging one's stub of a tail . . . trotting pertly back to one's
'casa' (which is what Homer knows as any towel, rug, or his bed.)

Our house is becoming Homer-friendly. A fireplace screen is a nighttime
barricade. Japanese lanterns stay lit all night out on the deck so he
can sneak out to do nighttime activities if he is so inclined. A
sheepskin seat cover has been converted into a travel bed on the back
seat of the car. We went to the pet store and spent a billion dollars
on a special poop bag attachment for the leash, a marvelous coat and
mustache brush, herbal shampoo, and tasty training treats. We didn't
quite get the bath part right, though, so stopped in for a quick
professional bath yesterday when he about stunk us out of the car.
(Homer needed the bath, not us, or the car.)

All people should have dogs before they have children. It's a marvelous
way to discover that another being takes more than just a little
personal time. At least you can put a dog out on the deck at night.
Doing that with a new baby would most likely be frowned upon. Also, if
it looks like a dog is too much work, you can just give it away. Try
that with a baby and you're looking at serious charges. (Unless, of
course, you live in Italy. My sister-in-law's parents gave Graciella
away. Not because she was a naughty girl. I think it had to do with the
female problems of an auntie who wanted children.)

I, of course, wash my hands every time I touch Homer. I can't help it.
Love to pat him, give him doggy massage, 'good boys' and all that, but
then it's off to soap and paper towels for me. And hand sanitizer.
Chances are I won't catch a cold in the next two weeks, or however long
Homer is staying.

And that's another thing. We aren't exactly sure when his folks are
returning. Homer does have an extensive network of surrogate parents,
though, all members of the "Boys' Night Out" club that meets every
Wednesday, usually at John's house. Any one of them, at the drop of a
dog biscuit, would most likely take Homer off to new adventures. Since
he's been out to Burns a few times already, and thoroughly enjoys his
role as Head of Ranch Security (even though he's read NONE of the
books) it looks like we'll saddle him up and head out that way later in
the week with our trusty steed, Subaru.

Meanwhile, our lives ring with commands like: "A tu casa" "Sietete"
"Abajo" and "Wait" "Stay" "OK" "Sit" and only twice: "Homer, knock it
off! It's time for BED!"

Ah, it's a dog's life!

But, you know that already....

Daphne

Dont be Clever in Choosing your Route to Work

In the past I tried several different routes to get to work from Sharjah to Dubai. Without traffic it takes less than 15 minutes using the main highway.

It seems each time I try to be clever and explore a supposed better route, I end up getting to work rather VERY late. Today was one of those days.

In Dubai almost parallel to my site, but down the creek some, they were just finishing new roads after a new bridge that opened and this presented an opportunity to discover a new possibly faster route.

Wrong. It took me about an hour while being stuck in traffic with like minded explorers. This reminds me when dad got upset at me for experimenting when I was taking him somewhere. I told him I was tired of taking the same route and thought a little variation made life more pleasant.

Tomorrow I'll stick to the tried and true route that takes me 45 minutes instead of 2 hours.

Thought We Struck Oil

One of the Russian guys (barelee spiks inglesh) who is working (perpetually wandering around more like it) on the site calls me and is shouting...KREEES KREEES shotin allova, evriwaya .....KOOM EER KWIK.... So I make a bee line to the site to find this.... but what is it?

At first I thought we could hang up the dolphinarium and just make 70 bucks a barrel, but it was not black. I asked him what happened (through my other Russian person who spiks goot inglesh) and as it turns out a truck was trying to hoist a generator set and its axle weight fell through a small sink hole breaking a high pressure irrigation pipe that had leaked and made an underground void. The truck wheel sank in and broke the pipe. Needless to say the crane driver was shocked to see a funnel of water shooting into his open window.

This is just one of many weird things that have plagued this project. Afterwards the massive amounts of water formed a small lake, which generated millions of mosquito's that plagued us for weeks. The pipe was fixed... now were waiting for Murphy's next act.

The Richardson VW Bus Camper

Just the other day I was thinking about my many journeys during my adult life. Thanks to the US Navy I've seen countries in the Pacific, Atlantic, Mediterranean and North Africa. These trips were made on Aircraft Carriers and Heavy Cruisers.

After being associated with a Member of the Ruling Family of Qatar (Middle East) during my University years (after the Navy), I was invited to Qatar for a visit. I've been in The Middle East and Africa ever since.

Over the years I've traveled to Europe, Africa, CIS countries, The Middle East, China and of course back to the USA for my sometimes short annual leave. By myself on several occasions for business and with my brother for pleasure, I visited Russia and India.

Then I remembered where my first travel opportunities came from, and what were my real first experiences in traveling, at the time, what seemed like far away places. We were all very young and I believe the year was 1966 and 1967 or 67-68, somewhere around there - I'll be corrected. It was summer vacation for my father who being a teacher had the whole summer to do what he wanted so long as he could afford it, which for most people in those days would not have resulted in much with the limitations of a teachers salary (maybe even today I don't know). My father and mother had a knack in finding ways to do things on a grandiose scale that other people would not have thought of, it did mean however that you wouldn't do doing things the way other people did.

My father believes in education through experience, sort of like force feeding, and he and my mother thought that we should see and experience as much as he could expose us to - actually they had to bring us along because nobody else wanted to waste their summer on us. We had books all around us, art, saw documentaries and overheard all sorts of discussions (arguments) about so many scholarly topics - we spent countless hours in the public library. For us in our house, in the car and everywhere where there was potential storage space, we surrounded by educational props, equipment and various stages and forms of art and the supplies thereof.

We (maybe only the bigger boys) were ecstatic to learn that dad bought a camper, well not really what the average American would consider a camper but it had a sink (mostly no water in the tiny tank), a refrigerator (cooler mostly didn't work) and a portable toilet (mom had a really bad experience on a bumpy road). The seats in the rear folded down into a bed for 4 boys. I can't remember where Daphne slept, I think with dad and mom.

The only really cool thing was the huge upside down boat on the top that somebody bastardized into a tent holder. When I first saw the thing I though for sure we were getting a boat. When dad cranked it up and I saw it wobble jerking up little by little until a dark green/brown canvas was exposed hanging drably until it was obvious that it was not a boat, but a lean-too tent - needless to say the exuberation vanished. I was thinking for a second that we were on a course to start competing with our neighbors who had a Cadillac, pickup truck, boat and a trailer. At least we had a bus with a tent on top and they didn't.

Those were boy kid feelings of wanting to be like the Meyers (Jones). Now, I look back with real joy and pride at having been a pioneer in a great quest as my dad, mom, sister, me and my bothers trekked across America - not spending a dime on a hotel and hardly eating at any restaurants. I wish I can remember exactly where we went, maybe my dad/mom or sister can trace it out on a map and put it in a blog - I have conflicting memories.

To the best of my recollection on the first trip we traveled around the West Coast, Mexico then Mid-West and home, on the next summer trip we went via the Mid West, East Coast then East Canada. On the third trip, me and Laird didn't go, we went to summer camp, I think dad, mom and maybe Daphne got tired of us - maybe we were difficult? I think they went to Canada and Alaska? Camp was fun - other memories maybe to write about later!

Well the image above I made using Google Sketchup (I borrowed the VW bus and made the camper) Then I rendered the image with Kerkythea a free rendering engine.

I know somewhere we have thousands of slides of our trip, I know because we had to watch them so many times, dad loved his gadgets (an automatic[control on a wire that had a mind of its own!] slide projector). Maybe my sister will locate the slides and photos (dad didn't believe in real photos only slides - I think they cost less, were smaller and required the famous slide projector!) and we can digitize them and put them on Photobucket for all the family to see.

The most memorable moments (that are more vivid in detail at this time) on one of those trips was:

1. The Ferry Ride - Made me join the Navy
2. Visiting Kennedy Space Center - Made me not be an astronaut or rocket scientist
3. The Riverboat Play - I liked the boat
4. The Mosquito's in Canada - they sounded like they had small irritating horns
5. The emptiness of Carlsbad Lands - and the fact (later) that dad was lost
6. Mexico and Pepsi - the only time we got a branded soda (dad usually got Shasta - cheaper)
7. Portable Toilets are also in certain situations Collapsible Toilets - Mom will tell you all about it
8. Daphne can make a chocolate bar last too long!
9. I hate to wait ... did a lot of it in the bus when dad and mom didn't want to get embarrassed by us
10. Love to put my hand out of the bus window and fly it like a kite

I'll be interested in what my sister and brothers remember.

Kasbah

Sharjah has a beautiful water side project called the kasbah. The project features two long arcade buildings situation on either side of a canal that connects the Arabian Gulf to the lagoon. On each side of the canal there is a very large walk way stretching the full length of the canal. There are shops, cafes and restaurants on the ground floor and government office buildings on the upper floors. In the middle of the canal there is a foot bridge that connects the two sides.

Near the end of the Kasbah there is a big wheel with air-conditioned cabins that seat four people. It costs $3.50 per person to ride the wheel about three turns. From the wheel you can see all of the Buhairah (lagoon) area.

There are approximately five or six very high quality cafes with two or three restaurants. The retail shops are not much but there is a book shop (mainly islamic books). The feeling that you get walking along the arcades is quite pleasing. The canal creates a nice effect and helps to cool the hot summer nights.
I think that this area will be very much in high demand once people realize just how nice it is. The big wheel is a great way to view the city at night an to cool off in the air-conditioned cabin.

Unkempt Paradise

Recently visited Ras Al Khaima, one of the northern most emirates. A beautiful place, potentially. I was terribly saddened that they too discovered beer, and like all of those who love beer tend to accidentally drop the empty beer bottles as they are grabbing full ones.

OK, if you have messy people and your economy is wanting to depend on tourism then PICK UP THE DAMN BOTTLES, and if you are a hotel for tourists next to the DAMN BOTTLES then FOR PETES SAKE send somebody out to pick up the bottles so your guests wont see them.

How to pick a fine Husband - Sister's advice

My sister (on the right) entered a contest - I think on how the person got married (to the guy on the left)! Her was here winning entry....

College boyfriend? Gay. He forgets to tell me this until after he starts working long hours on the play with ‘Maurice.’ First job boyfriend? Rebounder. Short timer. Previous girlfriend changes her mind after 6 months. Fiancé? Surprise! After moving 500 miles to his state, the pie judge at the county fair tells me my fiancé came out to her place “just last night with his new girlfriend.” So I’m 27, teaching elementary school by day, working in a bar featuring female impersonators by night. Here’s a heads up, in case you hadn’t guessed, neither location is full of dateable guys. Sensing summer won’t be filled with romantic adventures; I get a job teaching summer school across town. Long story short: the reading specialist asks me if I’d like her to set me up with one of the summer school teachers. What’s to lose? There are four male staff members. Two are married. Mrs. Matchmaker decides I need to go out with the Bruce Jenner look alike. Noticing he is overly full of himself, I opt for the librarian. First date: Pizza parlor, hot day, cold beer. Minor details exchanged. Two beers down and I get around to asking the big one, “So, you ever been married?” “Yep.” “She still live around here?” “One does.” “ONE?” I ask, trying not to act shocked, “You mean there’s MORE than one?” “Actually . . . three” That was, let’s see now, July 16. We got married New Year’s Eve. Twenty-six years ago!

- Daphne R. from Portland, OR

Can you see the WORLD's TALLEST BUILTING?

This my friends is the worlds tallest building (so far). The only problem is that you can hardly see it. This is one of the good days when the air is a little more clear than usual. The picture on the immediate right is the artists vision, the middle right is the real image on a normal day and the lower right is during one of those sandy days. Where is the worlds tallest building?

If you see a smudge just right of the stadium lights, that is the worlds tallest building. When I go across the business bay bridge every day, I get to see the worlds tallest building, but not always. Every few days or so the air is so full of dust that you can hardly see 1km. By the way the distance to the worlds tallest building (WTB) is about 8km.

Not all of this dust is coming from the wind, actually about 60-70 percent of it comes from cars and trucks stirring up dust. And not all of the dust is natural. 60-70 percent of it is generated from human activities, construction, cars, manufacturing and road works.

If you look at Dubai through the glossy brochures you will really be impressed. In reality you can hardly see a thing. The average unaltered landscape here is more dreary than the moon.

So many investors are coming here based on the adverts that they see. It is really the advertising westerner gurus who are doing all of the promoting. The local population doesn't know any better. They grew up around this and it is perfectly normal for them.

However, the westerners know they can't sell a the dreary reality so they make fantastic computer generated images. Or like everybody else take real pictures and doctor them up with photoshop to give real vibrant colors.

After a good rain and with no wind the skys can almost blue. The reality is that since most of the land is cream color and the dust is white, then the sky is more yellow than blue. It makes for great golden sunsets.

A FULL CIRCLE

Once upon a time I wrote a small poem, or shall we say a rhyming confession for my sister and published on one of my free web sites. I remembered her words and her reaction to this in her email that she sent to me.

It touched me so greatly. But I should add to this because now I see that what I felt and saw at that time of the writing became so much more real, when as a Monarch butterfly she really opened up and I could see the glory of her whole being in the essence of a real mother, yet she has no children of her own, she has dedicated herself to so many other children, whose parents most likely have no clue as to how lucky they are. I can say gladly that I had just a few teachers that I can say were my "Daphne's" and who really had an ever lasting impact on my life in such an impressive and motherly way. It is obvious that she picked this up from my mother and father who in their way nurtured us into the arts and free thinking ways.

Following is my sisters email that she sent to me in response to my small admission in the form of a free web page poem.

Dear Chris:

Well, I can honestly say that that is the first time in a long time you made me cry. Thank you. It goes without saying that no one has ever done that before. What a gift. Thank you.

Love,
Daphne

This is what I wrote at that time and as I read it, it is so much more real today than it was at the time.

MY SISTER DAPHNE

Now that my mother and father are in great need of guidance and nurturing... I see now that we have come full circle.

My sister has always been a guide and counselor since she was so young. Although we boys were quiet an annoyance we had her as our guide and god help us as a counselor in a few ways that were not so easy.

We didn't understand why she seemed to have things better than us, actually we had things better than her, that it seems is the penalty of being first born. Who would think that one day the little batton twirling girl would be coming full circle to give back the attention that her parents gave her when she was so young.

We were six and us boys made our mark with kids galore, but my sister like her father had so many more children, term after term, year after year. Now my sister really has her antithesis of bearing children... she is bearing my Mother and Father's as a birth of her own. She is nurturing, caring and making no friends as a real mother does for her brood. She is fighting, with tears and tragedy mixed with feelings of imminent change with the dread of tomorrow what it might or might not bring. She is the eldest, our sister who cares by instinct and is driven by sheer purpose of being the eldest and first of several offspring.

How to you remember a sister?

As NO. 2# it is not so difficult. WHO IS DAPHNE? I am her shadow, and I shall tell you my story.

Daphne is the first child of a dream couple Donald and Bonita Richardson. Both, almost, only children, they dreamed to have what they didn't have. Brothers and sisters. My father's sister was so much older, that he didn't really feel the same things that we (brothers) felt towards our sister (DAPHNE). In essence, my father was an ONLY child.

My mother was also an ONLY child. She had a very different childhood. This is great, beacuse, different is great. Different, made us! We don't know too much, as she isn't in the mood to share so much. But we imagine that she was just like us. Searching, Wondering, Thinking.....

Well, Daphne was more a product of mom and dad than any of us. WHY? Because she was the FIRST OF THE FIRST, When dreams are DREAMS and moms and dads are ready and roaring to make their mark on this planet. Actually, as I was second, I was also a benefactor of the NUVEUAX RICHE syndrome.

BUT, what do I remember of Daphne. This is almost the TRUTH and a poem.

Big Brother Daph

A sister par none, she was really the one.

Nobody had her like we did. She was the best in every class we passed and could never be..

Be you Daphne's brother, was this a blessing?

They would touch you with these new and wondering words. Who? This my sister before me, that her name and deeds made for me an approach?

But, whoa, unto me and my following brothers, that I or we should not do as well, which I shall admit was always the case, she being so much above us below as was our fate.

As like a marathon, she miles ahead, we miles behind, What to do? As it was to become, TWO families, one ahead and one behind we are the boys who would always behind reside!

What I remember, was her incredible abilities, which were a foreboding phantom.

She could twirl the baton and march to a beat with a cadence yet we could ever reach.

She could read like a wizard books to no end, one after the other pages and pages with great understanding, such that we could only pretend to know, just lying in other words so slow.

Her grades were so high that our ears couldn't hear the high notes of "A" but the gurgle of "C's" which we had in no shortage as it was there to be.

Our paths did they widen, hers afar and ours so abrupt, that we should never see so much as we slept.

Yet our sister remained an Icon of hope that we too someday would learn to feel that the order of things would be gained at great zeal.

Just as we had learned our lesson so true, that Daphne was for us what we wanted to feel and that to be so true.

What it is to be challenged, so charged with force and pushing ahead with so great of force, That she was!.

That is what we learned from our Daphne, she being the eldest, that no greater test may there be of one's own demeanor, that we should be of a good a force as hers was to be.

Study, learn, follow and lead, that is what she did with so great of steadfastness. A camp counselor, a teacher a friend and poet, she met the best and made them her friends as was their tenderness following.

We only stood back and watched as we did.. But observed as we did her great deeds and efforts, this gave us a goal that we should follow with courage and determination, but at a distance with no loud yearnings.

Daphne, our sister she blazed a trail that we should see as we went our own way to see back and anchor our thoughts so as not to stray so far away from what is strong and solid that mom and dad taught to the first born, even though she be a she....a Daphne!

PARTICIPATED IN A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

Sidney Pike wrote:

Hi Christopher:

How did you find me?  Were you tuned in to Radiosandysprings.com?  Where are you located now?  I mention you in my book WE CHANGED THE WORLD--Memoirs of a CNN Satellite Pioneer, and the seminar in Nairobi.
I still live in Atlanta, but have a number of global projects.  Let me hear from you.


                Sidney Pike

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WE CHANGED THE WORLD

I was going over some of my things and ran across this photo of me in Nairobi Kenya 1989.

At that time I had participated in a seminar with CNN International's President Sidney Pike to promote CNN International news feeds to African TV stations. My role was to explain technically how this could be done through a satellite down link system which my company STT was promoting.

I was curious to see what had happened to Sidney so I did a google search. I found him and he wrote back to me. Below is our correspondence. I was amazed that he mentioned me in his book "WE CHANGED THE WORLD". I guess I have to get a copy and read it.

On my google search I found out he was working at a radio station where he had his own program. I sent a letter to the station manager with the above photo.

MY FIRST EMAIL:

Sydney Pike and Christopher Richardson (myself) conducted a seminar in Nairobi
Kenya for the television managers of several African States. My
company STT and CNN
were promoting CNN International. My role was technical as we sold,
installed and
maintained the ground based electronics.

I remember that Sydney was quite a poet and a statesman at that. He
may not remember
me. Recently I went back to Nairobi and visited some of the places
where we had been.
Everything changes, even us.

It would be nice if I could get in touch just to say hi...."


Sidney Pike wrote back to me:

Hi Christopher:

How did you find me? Were you tuned in to Radiosandysprings.com? Where are you located now? I mention you in my book WE CHANGED THE WORLD--Memoirs of a CNN Satellite Pioneer, and the seminar in Nairobi.
I still live in Atlanta, but have a number of global projects. Let me hear from you.


Sidney Pike

And I responded....

Dear Sidney,

How I found you....mmm? I was unpacking a box and found a folder with our picture (the one I sent you). I thought, it would be nice to hear from Sidney and to send him this photo, wondering how I would find you. Then I remembered your name being mentioned in a blog somewhere and about your book. What I did was to GOOGLE you: Sidney Pike CNN and bam...you were all over the place. But that was not enough...I had to find you so I started reading and found that as I suspected you are a very active person. Then again boom.... http://www.radiosandysprings.com/sidney.php...there you were just like you were so many years ago.... There was still no email or anything to get in contact with you so I sent an email to the station manager with the photo... and I guess he forwarded it to you.

A lot has happened from those far away days..... I did a number of satellite installations in Africa and the Middle East but also built two shopping malls, an amusement park, residential complex and now I am finishing the first phase of Dubai Marine World, a project that I created from scratch do a google "christopher richardson dubai". This project is a real wopper of an experience. Would you have ever guessed that a guy doing satellite systems would create sort of a Sea World in Dubai?

I lived in Qatar for 16 years, Bahrain for 1 year and Dubai for the past 3 years. I travel extensively throughout the Middle East, Africa and CIS countries and have dabbled in many kinds of projects. It has been boom and bust for me. As fate would have it I have been cheated, robbed and swindled, however it has been an exhilarating experience and I would do it all over again.

I have my personal web site (always work in progress) http://www.christopher-richardson.com.

What kind of projects do you have on the burners? I'm so curious....

You might check out some of my poems... http://www.christopher-richardson.com/poems.html If you have any of your poems I wouldn't mind reading them...do you have a web link?

Hope to hear from you soon.......

Thanks for writing back....

P.S. I'll get a copy of our book ....

I wonder where this will go? MMmmm who knows?

Kritter

FIRST DAY OF NO SCHOOL

This was one of the big days in my life: the first day of school I
haven't gone to since 1960. I had mixed emotions and am still sorting
them out.

Meanwhile:
Dennis and I filled our pickup bed with things from OUR basement and
then dropped by 403 SE 15th for a 'surprise' visit. ('Surprise' because
we weren't sure which day we are leaving for Burns.)

The house was still neat. Meals on Wheels had come and gone. Dad would
be taking Mom for a hair appointment later in the day. Apparently the
smoke alarm had gone off unexpectedly last night and scared the tar out
of both of them last night. We determined it was the battery going
dead.

Dennis attacked the cat spray area with a commercial product we bought.
We'll see how well it works while we are away. We didn't stay long. 

It's off to Burns tomorrow for a few days. Most likely we will return
on Sunday. Thanks to anyone of you who will call just to make sure
things are going okay.

Laird: thanks for the photos. Especially the Trick My Bike one.
Chris: thanks for setting up the blog page. Always wanted to be
pubished!


Love,
Daphne

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THE BLACK HOUSE

While I was filling up my web pages with content I was making a comment about our BLACK HOUSE that my father designed and built in Milwaukie Oregon. As I was thinking about it I was trying to remember just how it looked, so I made a drawing of the house as I remember it and here it is.

What I remember is a master bedroom on the ground floor, a laundry room, bathroom, kitchen, living room and connected dining room. There was a rather steep set of stairs that took you up to the attic bunk beds, through my sister's room.

I remember that the eves of the roof were not so far off of the ground. I also remember unfinished stairs and a few areas that were not finished.

What does Daphne and Laird remember?

Kritter

THE IMPOSSIBLE

We have all but completed our project (Dubai Dolphinarium), done according to what we originally agreed with the Building Department in Dubai Municipality. Now they (a few people), want a different look. Our choice is to argue, win the battle and most certainly to loose the war, or to capitulate and make the necessary changes to have a good chance at having a bright and healthy future - after all it is a 20 year BOT (Build Operate and Transfer) contract.

The image on the left is what we have now and what was agreed and the other image is what we are proposing and they accepted. As you can see this is an extreme face lift. However, the changes are all sort of stick on. We will fabricate on the ground, paint and hoist and bolt into place. Sounds easy but, now we have severe labor shortages and the rates for work are skyrocketing.

I have been told that the work should be completed in 30 or so days. We are still waiting for basic approvals of our material submissions, quotations from contractors and for our own people to decide on what they want to commit themselves to.

We require 2,800 sheets of cement board, 10 tons of steel framing and about 1,000 gallons of paint. It should take 40 workers about 30 days to complete this job. I have sourced the cement board from India and it just so happens that 3 containers are available in Dubai (a good price of USD10 per sheet) . The steel is also available but will cost about $4,000 per ton and extra for fixing. The paint is available and will cost around $15 per m2. The only problem is that there are only small contractors with 6-10 people each able to do the job now. If I want to split the job up then they say they are not interested. I have so much experience with delaying contractors that I don't ever believe any of them. People here take work even though they know they cannot finish on time. If you look for penalties then they can just leave the job. In the end you loose.

Today I talked with more contractors who are willing to look at the job, but I don't know if I can dream of finishing on time. So I just have to face the fact that I have the impossible to contend with.

Christopher Richardson

Bouquet of Flowers

Today was Labor Day and Dennis and I are retired.

Q: What did we do after running a couple of miles and then going to the
dump?

A: Cut a fresh bouquet of flowers and went to 403 SE 15th to see what
we could accomplish to lighten the 'stuff' load for Dad and Mom today.

We showed up a bit after 10 and a breakfast of toaster waffles was in
full swing, with oatmeal simmering on the stove. Dad, Mom, and Steffan
were in the kitchen. Mom had done her first round of exercises and was
dressed in  the best outfit we've seen yet.

A few things had migrated in from the 'to go' place; a phone stand for
the bedroom and maybe a few craft items. However, there was a new pile
of 'to go' items in the living room! Craft stuff for Dotty to donate to
Colton schools, a photo of Forrest and Darcelle to take to work, and a
pack of playing cards decorated with those dogs that play poker.

I washed one of the windows in the craft room. It may have never been
washed before. Thinking back to a time when there were several smokers
in the house, you can imagine the color of the cleaning cloth when
done. Dennis hung a curtain of sorts, he and Dad did some more
reorganizing back there. Dennis went to Home Depot to pick up a piece
of Masonite for the floor of Dad's work area. (Mom was sure she had
offended Dennis by speaking unkindly of a particular political party,
and thought she better go lay down for awhile. All is well, though, I'm
not sure he ever even heard her comment. He returned with the big board
and Mom decided she would go on living.) 

We had decided several days ago to eventually lay a piece of Masonite
over the carpet to make sweeping up the chip carving pieces easier. It
was a perfect fit for the work area, but the back of Masonite is
textured. For the tight fit that it was, textured Masonite on carpet is
a bit like giant Velcro. Imagine the fun Dad and Dennis had positioning
it!

After repositioning the gate leg table in the dining room so that we
have more eating spots, I moved the palm tree and furniture from the
corner of the living room, vacuumed, attacked more cobwebs, Febrezed
the stinky 'cat corner' (it's smelling better, by the way) and moved
some houses off the mantle to the kitchen with other small houses on
top of the cupboards. Finally there are ONLY lighthouses on the mantle!
Dad and I rearranged a few things in the curio cabinet and put the
Santa away that was on his carving table. This was all in preparation
to moving the carving table to his workspace in the craft room. It was
a perfect space and we gained more space in 
the living room!

Sometime today I got Mom to make a phone call to her friend in Forest
Grove. She left a message for the woman to come get some teaching
supplies for an art project. Next, I had her call out to Colton and she
had a few fun moments on the phone talking to Rene, then Dotty. We
found out Forrest was on his way to help out some more today.

Steffan provided Popsicles for a treat during the hot afternoon; a
welcome delight, let me tell you! Dennis spent some time visiting with
Forrest, Steffan, and Mom while I got some laundry and dishes done.

Dad brought in a HUGE KFC chicken dinner with all the fixings. We had
another sit down meal in the dining room! Dad, Mom, Dennis, Steffan, me
- and Dad even convinced Forrest to join us for a few bites. The cutest
part of the day was when Mom, on her own, was able to get up from the
table after dinner. She was really fighting with her pants, to keep
them up. Well, wouldn't you know it, the gave up the ghost and let go.
She grabbed them in time, but they almost did the entire drop. We all,
Mom included, got a pretty good laugh about that. Apparently Dad had
had the same problem once at Fred Meyers and his pants about fell off,
too. We laughed ourselves silly.

Dennis cleaned up a glass cabinet and rearranged the plants for better
access, installed a few outlet covers that Dad picked up at the store
today, and Forrest worked on installing wood trim on the outside and
making the porch railing sturdier. Forrest loaded up his van with MORE
stuff to take out to Colton, bless him!

Mom did her afternoon exercises and did three 'laps' around the house
now that we have a clear 'track' inside the house for her.

The best part of the day was getting to eat in the dining room and
visit in the living room. This house is becoming a home. We made it
home by 6 p.m. today.

Well, I'm going to cut this short. "Trick My Truck" is going to make
over an ice cream truck; just the kind of mind candy I enjoy.

Thank you Dennis, thank you Forrest, and thank you Steffan for making
this a great day. 

Love,
Daphne

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BLOG R403

Date: Sept 3 2007 - 14:26 Dubai

I've been receiving regular email updates from my sister Daphne regarding my Mom and Dad who are both going though a tough time (but not as tough as what Daphne is going through). Although the subject is about my mother and father who have managed to accumulate two full houses (I mean FULL) of STUFF, it makes for a very interesting and riveting read.

My Mom and Dad (The order is not arbitrary) are very unique, so unique that you can say they are one of a kind. Both are very creative, especially if you qualify creativity by the amount of output.

Over the years I have visited mom and dad every year or so and have witnessed the slowly but surely filling up of duplex apartment 403 (405 is full too!).

Now my sister, who has recently retired, has taken charge in order to rescue my mom and dad from outside intervention that would require them to be relocated in a safer environment.

From her emails you can feel the amount of energy it takes to undo 40 or more years of collecting.

We Richardson have to be so very thankful that our sister was a grade school teacher and not an office worker, otherwise I don't think she could ever have mustered up the strength and courage to do what she is doing.

We love you Daph....keep up....be brave....we are behind you....(on the other side of the planet).

Love Kritter,

DONNY's LONG TAIL

Date: 03/09/2007 04:42

Yesterday was a long one, emotionally draining, to say the least. I
just have to remember that it's dementia+medication that gets Mom in
these weird moods. First of all, when we showed up Saturday, Mom had no
recollection of us being there (for hours) on Friday. Mom was in also
pretty bad mood, telling us she was not going to do her exercises and
she didn't have to if she didn't want to.


Mom was overly fixated on a gray box of cards that she was sure Dad had
thrown away. She made him unpack several boxes at least twice to prove
the gray box was not inside. (The frustrating part was that those big
boxes were packed up long before she had been organizing the gray box
of cards on Friday.) Until you have listened to someone fixate on the
same subject for hours on end, you have no idea how tired you can get
hearing the same set of words: 'gray box of cards'.

Mom finally decided I am the bad guy who doesn't want her to have
anything and was giving away all of her stuff. (Rather than owning a
class sets of 30 sumi painting supply sets, one set will do, but that's
apparently not the point.) There was quite a pout going on. Since quite
a bit of the stuff we had packed up and bagged up the day before had
been dragged back into the 'craft room,' Dennis and I both felt like we
had taken 10 steps back. It is so frustrating to work for hours,
sorting, being told 'yes, that goes to ....' and then finding so much
of it undone the next day. (Both Dennis and I were about ready to 'bag
it' at that moment, but then knew, that like dieting, the weight of
'stuff' would probably come back into that house with a vengeance. I DO
NOT want to go through this process ever again!)

When I walked into the craft room first thing in the morning and saw
all that stuff hauled back in, Mom got angry and said she wanted to
keep her beads. (The plan for the past week had been that she told us
she wanted to give all the beading supplies to Taffy.) I asked her what
she planned to do with them if she kept them. (She is too shaky and
weak to even write, let alone do crafts.) She shrugged and I told her
that this was the time to give them to someone who truly enjoyed
beading as much as she did.

We 'free stored' the two old Apple computers we had given them long
ago, with a scanner and printer. By moving things around and
reconnecting cords I got the monitor on the 'working computer' going.

I went with Dennis to the dump just to get away for awhile. By the time
we returned, Taffy was there. (Thank you, Taffy, for taking the things
in the living room out to Shayla and Chelsea.) When we arrived, Mom was
happily giving her beading supplies to Taffy. Taffy brought brownies,
so we all had time to enjoy a treat in the living room (Mom had a sugar
free Popsicle) before working more in the afternoon.

We loaded up the entire pickup with more donation site stuff, then went
home to make dinner to bring back. Well, Dennis made it, and I helped .
. . .

By the time we got back to 403 SE 15th, Forrest, Dotty, and the girls
were there. They had loaded up the van with craft kits for the girls
and stuff for Colton Schools (THANK YOU!) and were working on the
outside. Forrest had Steffan helping him, Rebecca was sweeping porches
and the walk, Rachael was busy, and Rene announced to Dotty and I that
"this house needs to be cleaned," or something like that. Dotty and I
looked at each other and laughed....

Another sit down meal! Baked tomato/hamburger/cheese pasta, garlic/dill
bread, and green bean casserole. We almost had enough seating...more on
that later.

Dennis and I headed home while there were still lots of 'guests' and
Mom was in her element, sitting up, alert, and conversing.

When we showed up today (Sunday), we heard that there was a full house
until after 11:00, so sounds like everyone had a good time.

Today we added some of our stuff to the ARC donations, dropped them
off, then showed up before 10 again. Mom and Dad were up. Mom had
forgotten I am the bad guy, Dad had a nutritious breakfast on the
table, as usual. I brought them a set of silverware that Mom had given
me in a picnic basket that I never use. At least it has REAL spoons! I
put fresh roses on the table, then gave Donny a call.

Today's progress was marked: We cleaned the craft room enough that
Dennis, Donny, and Dad were able to move the giant limited edition
print cabinet from the dining room. Now the next time we have family
meal, Dotty and Rene won't have to eat in the kitchen! We can use the
drop leaf table that is in the dining room and actually open it up!

We pared down more stuff. Donny got the computer to connect to the
internet. (I had forgotten how annoying and loud dial-up is!) Dennis
packed the entire pickup bed with more stuff for the dump. We vacuumed.
Dennis and Donny worked on reorganizing and moving the giant cubicle of
art supplies (yes, there are still more...) on top of the print
cabinet. We moved books to fill the bookcase structures that support
the cabinet.

We took advantage of Donny's 'long tall' and had him move a Wysocki
from the bedroom (the print was no longer visible to any degree) to the
craft room. Dennis reframed at least one of Mom's 'poetic licenses' as
it was falling out of the frame.

Donny took Mom on a walk next door to Baba Wagea's house to get their
phone number. This was another of those 'tough love' moments. Mom
wanted Rona (Baba's wife) to come over. I told Mom to give her a call.
She didn't have the phone number, so wanted Dad to go get it. I told
Mom this would be the perfect opportunity to go for a walk next door.
Donny was her escort; such a gracious fellow! Anyway, Mom got the
number, so now she'll be able to make the call herself.

One of the dangers of leaving stuff sitting in the house waiting to
'go' to the recipients, is that Mom forgets that she has already made
decisions to give things away. Then she starts directing Dad (or anyone
in earshot) about taking things out of the box and putting it in the
back room.

Once there, she forgets about 'it' (whatever 'it' is) and has no plans
to use 'it' ever again. Ah well . . . .

Dad, Mom, and Donny had leftovers for lunch. (Donny, thanks for ALL of
your help today!) By the time we left in the late afternoon, Dad had
organized all of Mom's pills for the week and Mom was napping. Donny
loaded up some things in his car, too, so 403 once again, is sitting a
little lighter on the planet!

That's it for today. I guess we'll go over tomorrow, but I think we
need to head out to Burns on Tuesday for a few days. This was Day 25 .
. . there are many more to go.

Love,
Daphne

PS: Laird - thanks for calling them on Friday!

IN A NUTSHELL

Date: 31/08/2007 05:28

Forrest, Dotty, and Rachael (I think) worked on the house (plants,
bathroom, and outdoor scraping) on the weekend. They also brought
dinner. Thank you so much.

Monday Mom was REALLY bad off, very weak, it was sad. I spent most of
the day on the phone straightening out the fraud/hold on their checks.
Dennis helped Dad with some stuff.

Tuesday we worked on the 'craft room' and loaded up garbage bags, boxes
of stuff for Dotty to take to Colton, and art supplies for Dotty and
the girls. Steffan got a GREAT haircut at Anita's (who does Mom's hair)
and looks fine. Mom was able to sort out some more jewelry for Dotty,
Taffy, Shayla, Chelsea, and the four grand/greatgrandgirls, as well as
Forrest!

Wednesday we continued working on the craft room. Dad has been working
on it too. He continues to get boxes for us to fill. We filled garbage
bags and craft boxes. We have a large box of costume items for Shayla.
We have only made a small dent in there. We hauled out several shelving
units to the 'free store.' Dennis loaded up the pickup with things to
take to the dump tomorrow. We'll be back tomorrow to work on the house.

I'm sure there's more to tell, but we're pooped.

Love,
Daphne

EXERCISES ALONE

Date: 20/08/2007 02:39

The weather was too rainy to go to the family reunion in Halsey, so we
headed back over to Mom and Dad's house this morning. I think it makes
the 15th straight day. . . .

Dennis installed a doorknob on the front hall closet (a vintage one
from our house; it needs a face plate), a light fixture to cover the
dining room light bulbs (from our basement; we are cleaning it out),
and the house numbers (we stopped in at Ace for a dozen brass screws)
while I started in scraping the paint off the windows (they were
probably painted more than 10 years ago.)

Dad woke up and was surprised to see us there. He was a bit bleary-eyed
as he had been up past midnight. The great news is that Forrest,
Brandon, and Shayla had been there the night before. The alley way was
cleared out and Shayla helped Mom clear out more stuff. The rain and
the night marauders had made a mess of the stuff on the curb, but
Dennis and I picked it up and reorganized things again. The alley way
looks GREAT! Thanks so much!

Dennis rescued a hose caddy, found the hose, got it hooked up and
working, and relocated it to a usable area.

Dad (and I'm not sure who helped) moved the giant headboard out of the
bedroom and pushed the bed to the opposite end of the room for better
access. He got the headboard to the living room and Dennis and I took
it out to the 'free store' on the curb this morning.

We stayed several hours and Dennis helped me scrape more stickers and
paint off of the windows. Dennis took the kitchen door (both sides), I
worked on the laundry room and dining room. He went to the hardware
store (again) and bought some light fixture screws, then installed the
light cover on the kitchen overhead light.

Meanwhile, Mom got up, too, and did some of her exercises by herself
(with my prompting) and some with Dad's direction. He made breakfast
(it's always healthy hot cereal, fresh fruit, milk, and coffee.) Mom
forgets that Dad needs time to eat and was having him run and fetch
things until I said, "Mom, let Dad sit down and eat. Dad, come enjoy
your breakfast at the dining room table." That worked.

There was a bit of 'discussion' as Mom wanted to sort through some
books that she had already looked at once, then Dad had reorganized in
boxes, then she went over them again, then Dad found a poem to read
aloud and . . . .so it goes. (No wonder Dennis went to the hardware
store again!)

Anyway, sorting is being done, discarding is being planned, and so far
no 'things' are making their way into the house.

Steffan came upstairs for coffee, Sean came downstairs with some fresh
juice he had made in the juicer for Mom and Dad. It's starting to feel
like a real 'home' rather than a storage unit!

I showed Dad how to put an X on the calendar box when Mom does her
morning exercises and another X when she does her evening routine. It's
a good way for them to keep track, so I think that will work.

While we were there Dotty called and is bringing a cat to give to the
neighbors two doors down. Steffan has given away all of his cat
apparatus and understands that he just doesn't have the facilities for
a pet.

We came home to get a bit of rest before taking off to Burns tomorrow.
We have an appt. in Redmond to pick up some siding stain, so we must be
there. I told Mom and Dad that this time we were really going for good.
It was so encouraging to see that they are working on the place (well,
Dad is, Mom is directing, I think) and keeping things neat and tidy.

Thanks, Forrest, Brandon, and Shayla for yesterday's help. Thanks,
Dotty, for going in today. Thanks, Chris and Laird for the messages of
encouragement. Thanks, Dennis, for hanging in there with me and putting
up with tears and cobwebs and an aching back!

Love,
Daphne

OFF TO BURNS

Date: 19/08/2007 16:57

Before we headed over on Saturday, we went on a donation run to ARC. We
added several boxes of stuff from our basement (baskets, vases,
doo-dads) and beat our new friend (the guy who unloads the donations
into the building) there. By the time we were unloaded, he came rushing
up, and was apologetic about being late. His bus was late, but he came
in time to give us a receipt. I'll just add it to Dad's pile as we
don't itemize our taxes.

I'd gotten an early morning email from Chris, he had called Dad (Mom
was asleep); that family contact is so important! Thank you!

By the time we showed up at 10, Mom was up and dressed and making an
effort to take her own temperature. I suggested that since the weather
was so nice and that it was the weekend, that Dad take her for an
outing. They loaded up the walker (she can walk much faster with that
than the cane) and took off for IHOP. It was time for them to see some
new faces and get out of the house for awhile. They were gone several
hours, with the reminder not to buy stuff, and came home in a good
mood. I reminded Mom to ask for a menu item that was diabetic
appropriate, so hopefully she did.

While they were gone, Dennis loaded up the truck for another dump run.
We moved out two more small cabinets from the living room, and
rearranged some furniture so that the wheelchair can get through. While
Dennis was at the dump, and then home cooking dinner to bring back, I
got a bit of cleaning done:

Washed windows in the dining room
Dusted cobwebs out of the ceiling and off of pictures in the dining
room, living room, and hallway
Folded the drying (Dad had done a load of laundry and put it in the
dryer)
Used Dennis super industrial ShopVac to clean out the cold air return
duct

When Mom and Dad got home, Mom took a nap. Dad swept and mopped the
kitchen floor while I ShopVac'ed the hall, dining room, and living
room.  Woodchips under the couch went right up, but the tough part was
taking embedded straight pins and small nails out of the carpet in the
dining and living rooms. There were at least 20.

I moved the stack of gifts from the dining room to the front hallway.
It would be so nice if we could get those to their recipients. There
are rubber stamps and jewelry for Taffy, Shayla, Chelsea, Dotty,
Rebecca, Rachael, and Rene.

I had a conversation with Steffan during the day, he was concerned we
were going to sell the house. His major concern was that he would need
to get his stuff moved and find a place to live. He has been getting
rid of stuff and furniture, and cleaning his living area. I assured him
we are not selling the house, and that he shouldn't worry about that.
He loves the clutter-less atmosphere of the house, and seems much more
calm now.

The good news was when the mailman came there was no mail today. Maybe
some of the 'do not mail' messages are getting through. We went through
the bank statements and bills from yesterday. I wrote out the checks,
Dad signed them, and we'll get them in the mail. When I return, we'll
save them some money by paying insurance in lump, rather than stretched
out on a payment plan. Dennis and I use the same insurance company and
save quite a bit by paying in that manner.

Dennis arrived with dinner: macaroni and cheese and Greek green beans
from our garden. Dad and I found a clean tablecloth, I rewashed dishes
and flatware to put on the table, and we ate a real dinner at the
dining room table with Dad, Mom, and Steffan. I can't remember the last
time I had a sit down dinner at their house, but it's probably been
more than 25 years. Steffan provided ice cream bars for dessert. It was
great.

After dinner I wrote up a list of 'to do' items for Dad to work on
during the coming week. He already has a schedule of things to do every
day with Mom, but these are activities to keep him busy working on the
place. Mom and Dad have finally decided to donate the stuff from the
back bedroom to a service in the neighborhood called 'Scraps'. This is
an organization that offers art materials to local teachers and artists
for free. Mom has used the service for years, so this is really a good
match. Once that room is cleaned out, Dad will do his carving there,
and that will be much closer to Mom. If we get him a super duty
ShopVac, he will be able to keep on top of the chip mess.

One 'field trip' for Mom and Dad is to go to Fred Myers to choose an
expensive set of flatware. Sean can help them with his discount. I told
them to NOT go to Goodwill, but to spend the $20 to $30 it will cost to
get a nice set of silverware. No silverplate, nothing fancy, just nice,
serviceable flatware. Then, when they return, they are to GET RID of
the nasty stuff they have in that drawer. Mom sort of rolled her eyes
when I mentioned they need to agree on a pattern, but at least it will
be a 'field trip.'

On Mom's list I included 'doing exercises twice a day without
complaining' and calling three friends. One friend every two days would
be a good goal. The house is clean enough that she can invite company
over, and mental stimulation will be a good thing. I really am NOT
happy with Mom's 'friends' who seem to have abandoned her once she
became ill. Since she has a book to give to Jyl Myers, and since we saw
Jyl at the family celebration at La Caretta this spring, I thought that
would be a good person to start with. I also listed Joanne, since Mom
has some stuff for her. Finally, I suggested she invite her next door
neighbor, Rona. Rona is Baba Wagi's wife. I'm thinking now that their
home is more welcoming, that having visitors will be an easier event.
It will also give Dad a little 'me' time in another room so that Mom
has someone else to talk to.

I reminded them about no Goodwill/Thrift Store shopping while we were
gone. It will be hard, it's an addiction, and I'll call every day to
make sure things are going well.

We got Mom's hair appt. changed so that it doesn't conflict with Meals
on Wheels delivery. She has some things to give Anita when she goes to
the salon. She is to take her walker, so she doesn't have another
'incident' like the last time when she slumped down and Anita hurt her
back trying to support Mom. (I just learned this yesterday.)

Steffan cleared the table, Dennis did the dishes, I visited with Mom
and Dad for awhile. They were looking forward to Forrest coming over. I
called him before dinner and he was at Shayla's, but would be on his
way. I know that Dad got the painting materials all ready for him to
work on the outside of the house.

Unbelievably, it rained last night. Hopefully things will dry out so
that Forrest can get the primer on the house and the exposed wood won't
begin to rot.

Well, we are off for the Rice family reunion, then a week in Burns. I
don't have the internet down there anymore, so will just be in contact
with Dad via our Tracfone. Talk to you all next week.

Love,
Daphne

AMAZING PROGRESS

Date: 18/08/2007 17:12

Dennis finished installation on the screen door yesterday, then
rearranged (and straightened) the artwork on the walls. We packed
another load for ARC donations into the truck and will drop that off
this morning.

Kim, the visiting home nurse, came yesterday. She was amazed at how
much progress we had made since her last visit. She took Mom's vital
signs and things are looking okay. I worked with Mom on her morning
exercises and Dad worked with her in the evening. I helped them a bit,
but it looks like it will work out okay while we are gone next week.

Mom must be feeling a bit better, because she has started complaining
to me about Dad. When she was feeling her worst, she didn't even speak
much. Anyway, she is sure that Dad wants to be the boss of the house
and he is telling her to do her exercises wrong. I assured her that he
is doing everything he can to keep her safe and well. (And kept to
myself the thought that he IS the boss of the house, but that's beside
the point.)

I got pretty angry with the credit union when I called to ask them why
some guy's name was at the top of some of Dad's statements. The
operator wouldn't tell me if that was a teller, or what. This prompted
Dennis and me to go over the will again and establish that Mom and Dad
have given me permission to help them with their financial affairs. So,
today I'm going to have another little visit with the CU folks.

Meanwhile, I have sent (as Chris and Laird can attest to the ccs) all
sorts of 'Cease and Desist' emails, and a few follow-up phone calls, to
various charities that have Mom on their list. I was so angry with the
Indian School; none of the email contacts work and all send back Mailer
Daemon (sp) messages. I called and left a message on a machine. If I
ever find the time, several of these 'charities' will be on my list to
complain to the BBB!

I told both Mom and Dad about the non-responsiveness of some of the
charities. It was another of those 'tough love' conversations, but they
both need to know that there are people out there willing to bilk
elderly people from their money.

Later in the day, after Mom's pain pill had kicked in, she was having a
hard time articulating who she wanted to send something to. After a
long, drawn out argument with Dad, frustration, and almost tears, I got
it out of her that she wanted to write a thank you note to the
Providence nurses who cared for her in the hospital, and she had me
make a crayon rubbing of an Indian basket she had told them about.
Apparently, when they asked her what religion she is, in the hospital,
she told them she wanted an Indian Shaman. She thought it was time for
last rites. Anyway, she has this Indian connection (although the house
was filled with Madonnas and crosses) and wanted to let the nurses know
why. At first, she started to write the letter, but stopped because on
the first word she couldn't remember how to spell. I told her that was
okay, I would spell it for her. When I gave her letters to spell, she
began writing the wrong letters. That was a shock to me. She realized
it, too, and was very upset. I told her not to worry, she could just
tell me what to write. So, we got the note written. She was convinced
that Dad had thrown away the address and that it had been on the
kitchen table. The only thing that she brought home from the hospital
was a photo of a clown with 'Dr. Runamuck' on it, that I had thrown
away, and a blue slip of paper that said, 'If your boomerang does not
come back, it's just a stick.' She seemed to think those had an
address, I pulled them out of the trash, and no - no address. I'll just
get it from the Internet.


I talked to Taffy on the phone yesterday, she was on her way, but had a
physical problem. She went back home. I tried to call later, but got no
answer. So, I tried to reach the Dotty/Forrest family, but also didn't
connect. I called Donny and he may be able to drop in today to see
Grandma and Grandpa.

Enough for now, it's time to get up and get this day started.

Love,
Daphne

DAY WITH NO TEARS

Date: 17/08/2007 04:00

Yesterday (Wednesday) Dennis and I were at Mom and Dad's from 10 am
until 6 pm. Dotty called; the kids all had their dental appts. for
school (remember those? AARGH!) so maybe she can come later in the
week. [I would rather clean than go to the dentist, if you know what I
mean!]

We finally opened up the access through the laundry room. Dennis got
the back screen door put on and bought a new screen door for the front;
it will have to be firred in, but he was a door installer years ago, so
that's doable.

We hauled off another load to the dump and another load to ARC. (Dennis
is doing so much box hauling that it's got him in the hot tub twice a
day!)

The physical therapist made a home visit. She had Mom show her how she
walks with her cane and with her walker. The walker is still a squeeze
in some of the locations, so this makes it easier for us to convince
Dad that more furniture must go. She left the directions for Dad to
help Mom do her exercises twice a day. He's already working on that
with her.

For all of the progress that we have made, I was so embarrassed for Mom
and Dad at the horribly dirty, smelly state the house was in when the
therapist was there. It is deplorable. But, clutter out first, then
deep cleaning later.


The good thing was that Dad had cleared a few things the night before.
This is not easy as he is Mom's 24 hour caregiver, and he is attached
to a lot of stuff. So, we hauled out another card table, at least two
more bookcases, and a few small stands for the 'free store' out front
of the house. We put things out to be 'gone' but some of them
mysteriously migrate back inside the house. We put them out again, and
it's to the point now where Dennis has to put the tarp over the truck
so that the 'stuff' will stay outside.

If I haven't told you already, I believe that we have receipts totaling
4,880 pounds for the dump, and just as many pickup loads to the
donation centers.

We finally cleared the dining room table of the Christmas gifts of
rubber stamps and jewelry Mom has sorted out for her 'girls'. We got
rid of a ripped old room divider.

Dennis and I spent several hours cleaning out envelopes of photos;
trying to find the 'people' shots, and dumping scads of photos Audrey
sent of her family and trips she's been on. (That's the ticket; clean
your house by sending all the junk to the Richardsons!) Anyway, we now
have a drawer dedicated to family pictures. You can be sure that there
are many quite flattering photos of all of us; but that's for you all
to check out later....

The good news is that Dad had his 'shingles' appt. and the pain is
abating. He is very resistant to taking Vicodin (I can understand that;
it's nasty stuff I used for dental pain), so thank goodness his stress
level is going down. Yes, it's stressful to sort and get rid of stuff,
but I believe he is almost relishing the 'resort' atmosphere of room to
move.

Today we did an ARC run first, then got to Dad and Mom's before 10. We
could only stay until noon as I had PT today (while Dennis did the dump
run) and we are both just about exhausted. Not sure, but this may have
been Day 10 in a row.

While we were there, I got the desk cleaned out and Dennis got the
sideboard organized. He helped Dad sort through some old papers and we
brought home a large box to shred in our crosscut shredder. Dad had Mom
sort through books. She's almost to the point where she just wants to
get rid of things, but then gets distracted.

Dennis has dinner planned for Saturday, with Sunday leftovers: macaroni
and cheese and Greek Green beans. Dad loves mac and cheese and Mom will
enjoy the 'gourmet' cheese like smoked Gouda, etc. I think I'll try to
whip up an angel food cake dessert. Diabetics can eat that kind of
cake. We are getting our recipes off the diabetic websites.

Sean and Steffan are setting out more 'stuff', as well. That will make
later stages of clean up easier.

We HAVE to figure out what to do with the carvings. I haven't
confronted Dad about that yet. I don't think he knows that I discovered
the basement is full of them. It's a firetrap. It's scary. We'll need
to do another intervention when Chris or Laird are here. BUT; first
things first. The living space is most important.

Made it through two whole days with no tears, so things are looking up.
We'll be back tomorrow. Maybe I can get Donny to take Dad to Powells to
do some book selling this weekend.

Love for now,
Daphne

VISITING NURSE

Date: 15/08/2007 17:07

I skipped two days for information. We were too beat each night to
write.

Okay: Sunday:

We worked hard trying to reclaim the living room. More bookcases out,
more video tapes out, more cleaning under the furniture. More books
out. Several loads to the dump. Several loads to the donation centers.
Dennis working his butt off, Sean working alongside him. We found the
living room. We put all of Dad's tools in the corner. I laundered the
drapes and Dennis rehung them. I pulled out dead plants from the window
corner and wished I had a baler to capture and consolidate all of the
dead leaves and palm fronds from the past decade.

Dad helped empty a bookcase, but every book was special. I vowed to
keep  him busy doing something else during the next clean out because
he can't let go of anything. Up until yesterday I was sure the majority
of stuff was Mom's. I may be wrong. The entire living room was 'Dad
stuff.' There was not even a trail or path to get through the living
room anymore. We 'free store' got rid of at least two turntables,
several audio cassette decks, at least 4 giant speakers and 3 large
(over 6 feet) bookshelves. I could not even count the audio cassettes
we removed. I took out at least two large tables that plants (dead) had
been sitting on. One corner of the rug was so terrible I Febrezed it to
death. I pulled two rotten crocheted afghans, a holey sleeping bag, and
other icky stuff out from the sectional. I put at least a dozen
decorative, stinky, pillows into large garbage bags. Near the end, Dad
consolidated some of his woodworking tools and gave up at least one (to
his knowledge) tool carousel.

We worked from 10 am until almost 6 pm. By then, Dotty and Forrest were
on their way, so we left to go home and crash. Dotty brought dinner,
two  of the girls, and employed Forrest to help 'sneak out' more stuff.
They did more vacuuming and 'downloaded' (into their van) a bunch of
stuff from the front porch and more than half the stuff from the back
porch. Forrest got rid of some more dry rot from the front porch, too.
He's planning to stay this weekend and work on the outside stuff. For
the most part, we have 'recovered' the living room. Out went at least
two more bookcases, lots of 'stuff', and lots of trash.

Today (Monday) we arrived around 10, after taking another load to the
dump. (It's up to over $200 in fees now, Dad's covered $100. I didn't
have the heart to tell him about the rest.) The living room was clear
and open enough that Mom could have her morning coffee there. She
pointed out some more stuff we can take off the walls (Goodwill art) to
get rid of. Now that we are getting rid of the junk, you can actually
see their nice stuff. I showed Mom the area that smelled of cat pee and
told her we will have to eventually get rid of the carpet. She relayed
that info to Dad later in the day. Dennis told me tonight that under
the carpet are some hardwood floors that actually could be reclaimed.

Today was a mass of phone calls. The visiting home nurse finally came
at 1:30 and stayed until 3:00. She took Mom's vitals and things are
looking good. She had us sign some papers about health care and medical
info release. The only 'family member' that Mom and Dad do not want
info released to under any circumstance is Deana. For that matter,
Dennis and I have been talking to Sean and it looks like divorce will
finally happen later this fall, based on his youngest kid's age.

Kim, the visiting nurse, was great with Mom and Dad. She checked the
meds, the bathroom, the 'walk space' (so far) and watched Mom walk
(shuffle) with her cane. She has me as the 'next' contact. When Dad and
Mom go to the doctor on the 22nd, they will get a 'Post Notice' that
informs the EMTs what their medical wishes are according to their
Wills. Kim will be back this Friday and the Physical Therapist will be
there on Wednesday.

Mom and Dad were quite nervous during Kim's visit, because they truly
want to stay in their home, and they knew that Kim's note taking would
help determine if things were getting safer there for them. I talked
with her extensively after the visit and let her know of the progress
and our plans for continued progress.

Meanwhile, the home health nurse from Mom's doctor called to see how
things were going. I gave her a progress update, and got info on the
Multnomah County Ride Connection (similar program to the one Dennis
drives for in Clackamas County) to set up future doctor appts. for
them.

During the day, we had several phone calls getting Dad's meds squared
away for his shingles. We were in momentary 'panic' when it looked like
Dad was late for his appt. with Dr. Bauer, because Kim stayed until 3.
However, Dad had written the wrong day on the calendar, so he doesn't
go back until the 15th. With at least 3 phone calls we got that squared
away and a prescription sent to Hollywood Fred Meyers. He is on 1/2 tab
of Vicodin for pain until Wednesday, and is not allowed to drive while
taking it.

During all of this, Dennis and Sean cleared more stuff from the living
room (under furniture, out of filing cabinets [3], and the hall
closet.) Dennis brought over the ShopVac and did some more vaccuuming.
I got more stuff off the mantle, including sparkly paper, and cheap
knickknacks. We cleared two ugly lamps out of the living room, and got
rid of two more bookcases. Sean would tend the 'free store' out front,
went with Dennis to the dump and to the donation center, and kept busy.
Steffan cleared out more audio cassettes from his place downstairs. He
was polite (and flattering) to the visiting nurse as well.

Because Dad's prescription took a little longer, we stayed to make sure
Mom was okay. By the time we headed out, Dotty and Forrest were on
their way. The living room was recognizable as a living room!



On Tuesday, after going to the dump, we worked on the dining room
again. We pulled out two bookcases, and started on boxes of craft
supplies that towered toward the ceiling. I found Mom's 3 piece photo
frame under the table: her father, her mother, and the xerox photo of
Daphne/Chris/Laird/Steffan on the ladder at the Helena house.

Laird called from China and talked to both Mom and Dad. They were
thrilled, it was a highlight of the day. Thanks, Laird; 2 am is a rough
time of the morning to make phone calls!

I didn't get as much done in the house today as I wanted. One 'time
waster' was going to the bank, then the credit union, then the bank
with Mom and Dad. I'm sure Dennis must have felt abandoned, as the trip
was supposed to only be to the bank. As it turned out we got little to
nothing accomplished as the only type of electronic bill pay is
internet based. They don't have the internet, and Dad doesn't trust the
method. The biggest hitch in the finances is that they both have to
have 'their own' accounts, except that (thank goodness) they recently
got both of the their names on both of the accounts. It's a chess game
how they pay the bills: Dad takes money (physically, from the ATM at
the credit union) and puts it into the bank account. Then, Mom used to
write the checks from the bank account. Well, she cannot write anymore
(it is physically painful) and Dad has been learning how to write
checks. Unfortunately, even though he writes the check amounts in the
register, the checkbook is not balanced. They have had late fees for
various bills and the water company has sent shut off notices in the
past year. Arrgh. I'm still working on the financial end of things; but
this will be on hold until their new VISA number arrives.

So, back to the house. Mom really wanted to 'help' so we sat her at the
dining room table and had her choose recipients for her vast rubber
stamp collection. I set up boxes for Dotty, Taffy, Shayla, Chelsea,
Rebecca, Rachael, and Rene. (Rene's will obviously need to be put away
until she grows up a bit.) Victoria is getting the big dollhouse and
furniture. I talked to Taffy in the evening last night and she'll
deliver the collections to our Colton connection.

I tried to keep Mom hydrated, but the trip to the banks and the heat
(90 degrees) was too sapping. It took Dad, Dennis, and me to get her
into the bedroom. She was exhausted. Dad turned on the A/C (thank
goodness we took that out of our Burns place) and got the bedroom
cooled down. I loosened her clothes, put a cool cloth on her forehead,
and gave her some lime balm to sniff. Then I laid down on the bed, too,
and wrecked my sinuses again. Mom wasn't aware of that, thank goodness.

By the time I got back to the living room, because we had removed a
bookcase, a card table, and several boxes, Dennis and Dad had opened up
the hall through the laundry room. SAFETY is within reach. The phone is
more easily accessible. Dad wanted to leave a shelf there and I finally
convinced him that we needed access in case the wheelchair blocked the
hall, or someone fell, etc. It was a little easier to convince him of
that than earlier in the day when I found him hauling a small cabinet
back into the bedroom for a phone stand. That took a tactful argument
on my part to show him that the phone is now easy to reach and if he
puts furniture back in then access becomes limited again.

So, all in all, we got a lot done, despite the trip to town. Sean is
now back to work. Dotty may be in today, Taffy is coming Friday.
Forrest will be here on the weekend. I have to get up out of bed and
get started on our day....

Love,
Daphne