The McCarthy Clan

Bicycling to work in Beijing

2008-08-06T21:28:00.002-05:00

Every day I bicycle between my apartment on the east side of the University of Forestry to the nano center. Here are some pictures.

Beijing opening ceremony rehearsal

2008-08-04T21:57:00.002-05:00

Some of the shots are very blurry, but it was the best I could do under the circumstances.

Look at the slideshow here.

Kathleen Lang's Peru-Ecuador trip (11 May - 3 June 2008)

2008-07-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

From: Picasa Web Albums [mailto:picasawebalbums-noreply@google.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 10:32 AM
To: klang38@verizon.net
Subject: Invitation to view kathleen's Picasa Web Album - May-Jun 2008 OAT Peru Ecuador Selected files 16 Jul 2008

You are invited to view kathleen's photo album: May-Jun 2008 OAT Peru Ecuador Selected files 16 Jul 2008

May-Jun 2008 OAT Peru Ecuador Selected files 16 Jul 2008

May 10, 2008
by kathleen

11 May 2008 to 03 Jun 2008 OAT Peru Ecuador

View Album
Play slideshow

Mike & Jessica Wedding Pics

2008-07-21T13:54:00.000-05:00

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave McCarthy [mailto:mccarthy2020@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 2:51 PM
To: Kathleen Lang
Cc: Andrew D. McCarthy; Michael T. McCarthy; 'Katharine McCarthy'; 'Maureen Diamond'; 'Beth McCarthy & Jim Alt'; 'Michael McCarthy'
Subject: Photos from Mike & Jessie's wedding - June 20, 2008

Dear All -

Here's a link to a selection of about 70 photos of the ceremony held in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia at about 5 PM. The day was sunny & warm with a nice breeze to keep it pleasant. In all, there were 11 people in the wedding party: the 4 McCarthy's (Yachai, Mike, Andy & me) and 7 from the Kuhns family (Jessica, Her mother Reggie, her grandmother (Nana), brother Alex, Sister Abbie, Brother-in-law Scott & Reggie's husband, Ron).

They received many smiles, greetings and congratulations from others in the park. It was a simple (Quaker) ceremony with Jessie and Mike exchanging vows and all of us adding our thoughts, wishes and impressions - very sweet!

Please pass this on to everyone in the family and I'll post it in the McCarthy Clan blog as well.

Love,

David

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessiepk/sets/72157606138497894

We Are Grateful to Kitty

2008-07-17T01:44:00.000-05:00

I am grateful for the magical mix that is Kitty Mum - wit without harshness;
care and love without smothering; a solid ration of daily life irreverence,
yet prayerful for those of us who need it; political skepticism, though
hopeful for something better; a wry smile; exceptional smarts while exuding
humility; steel and gentleness; sweet and tart.

In other words, the ageless perfection that is KittyMum - a woman for all seasons.

Happy 90th birthday!!!

Teaching us to swim at Pine Waters.

How to run fast (to dodge the flicking dishcloth).

How to fearlessly slay garter snakes.

I think a healthy fear of alligators is one of the 90 reasons I love KittyMum, especially given my current geographical location.

Also she has been a great testament that one can age gracefully, and be graceful through many different ages.

Her sandwich creations. We would pull every imaginable sandwich filling/spread out of the fridge to see what she would put together.

How to paint my fingernails and to appreciate brightly colored nails.

To appreciate the smell of coffee and English muffins.

Instructions in the rules of etiquette.

To appreciate skinny dipping

For sharing the secret handshake and how to make owl and Eskimo and butterfly kisses.

To appreciate the tradition of reading.

For allowing me to share the 3rd floor bedroom with her.

For KittyMum's ability to create a level of anxiety with the waggle of a single, painted fingernail.

For driving without seat belts.

For being my first Catholic mentor.

For making each grandchild feel most important.

For making witches with peanuts in ice cream sundaes.

For conserving water—no long showers.

For warning us about the big, bad pipsissiwa (sp?) just outside the door.

For wearing bright lipstick.

For piano music wafting through the farmhouse.

For cackling like a witch.

For creating “drunken” raisins with Poppop.

For imbuing us with the rapture of good food ingredients.

For her gardening methods using mulch. Mother was a follower of Ruth Stout, known to garden in the nude. Ruth Stout lived into her 90s. One of her books was Gardening Without Work: For the Aging, the Busy, and the Indolent.

For her ideas on nutrition. While we ate our lunch of tomato or chicken noodle soup, with toasted cheese sandwiches, KittyMum consumed Gayelord Hauser’s 5 wonder foods: yogurt, brewer’s yeast, powdered skim milk, wheat germ, and especially blackstrap molasses. Mother added buttermilk. I remember her copy of Look Younger; Live Longer.

Thomas's Graduation

2008-06-01T18:36:00.003-05:00

Here are shots from the events of May 17, 2008. (http://picasaweb.google.com/MistyLaners/TPMGrad)
The day began early in Wayland with breakfast at 38 East Plain Street. Amy and tribe were visiting for Amy's XX reunion at Middlesex. Jon and Tiffany joined with their crew.
Later that morning, after the skies cleared and while the winds were blowing to dry things off, the ceremonies got underway. This was the 100th anniversary of the graduation of Robert Goddard, considered the father of American rocketry.
The invocation and benediction were, well, memorable. One of the honorary degrees was presented to Woody Flowers, an MIT professor of mechanical engineering who is renowned for his "Introduction to Design" course. He started with that course as a teaching assistant while a grad student. It required students to build a working machine and he intorduced a "friendly" competition among the machines. This evolved to the building of robots to perform specific tasks and was the beginning of robot contests now staged aroun d the world.
The speaker was Jeff Immelt, the chairman and CEO of GE. He was looking forward to the contributions the many newly-hired WPI grads would be making to GE as it continues to adjust and address emerging needs in the world.

Trilliums at Tryon

2008-05-15T02:36:00.001-05:00

Here are some photos from Tryon Creek State Park, when the trilliums bloomed.

Backstage at Aida

2008-05-14T01:51:00.001-05:00

Here are some shots of me getting into my makeup and costume.

Pictures of Greg

2008-02-16T11:17:00.002-05:00

Here are some pictures of Greg, from infancy up to about age 7.

Halloween pictures from 1986

2007-10-28T15:28:00.000-05:00

Greg asked us for a copy of a picture of him dressed up as a pirate for Halloween. He was four, and Kate was not quite two. A charming pair. Here is the link.

"A smaller-scale East Coast answer to Oregon"

2007-09-29T07:09:00.000-05:00

Well, looks like I need to get myself back to Maine.

Labor Day in Oregon

2007-09-03T20:39:00.000-05:00

Maureen and I spent a lovely afternoon taking a hike through Tryon Creek State Park, followed by a leisurely brunch on the deck, then an afternoon of reading, sipping champagne, and listening to some lovely Beethoven. It was nearly perfect - distance from the rest of you was the only cloud in the sky.

News From Michael Timothy

2007-09-01T21:00:00.000-05:00

Dear All,

Here is Michael's note of today--just to keep "The McCarthy Clan" up-to-date:

Hi all, a brief update from Philadelphia:  Jessie and
I have returned home after a weekend "down the shore",
as the local phrase goes, in Cape May, NJ.  Just
before we left I proposed to her and she accepted, so
we're engaged!  I'll let you all know when we've
picked a date for the wedding.

-Mike

Congratulations to Jessie and Michael!! Love to all, Maureen

Photos

2007-08-26T20:06:00.000-05:00

I've gone through the photos I took earlier this month and posted my favorites over at Picasaweb. If you want to make prints of any, just email me with the file name (and perhaps a brief description of what's in the photo) and I'll send you a big copy suitable for printing. Click the picture below to see the rest.

McCarthys in PA

we must do this again sometime

2007-08-22T22:46:00.000-05:00

It was wonderful to see you all. There will be more pictures in this space regularly over the next few weeks. And please, email me if you'd like to post to this blog. The software really has improved in the last year or so, and if you can handle Hotmail, I think you can handle Blogger.

A day in Seattle with the Suzukis

2007-08-01T01:42:00.001-05:00

We just said goodbye to our wonderful guests from Japan, Etsuko and her daughter, Nozomi. They stayed with us - and Greg and Sam! It was a great pleasure to have them in our house and show them a bit of Portland.

We went up to Seattle on Sunday to see Ichiro, who got his 1500th career hit. The Mariners won 14-10.

We walked around downtown in the evening light.

Photos are here.

A walk in the Japanese Garden with Nancy

2007-08-01T01:38:00.000-05:00

After sating ourselves with roses, we wandered up to the Japanese Garden.

Here are the photos.

A walk in the Portland Rose Garden with Nancy

2007-08-01T01:35:00.000-05:00

Nancy joined us for a beautiful afternoon during her trip from Boston.

Here are the photos from the Rose Garden.

An Evening in Collins View

2007-08-01T01:31:00.000-05:00

Here are some photos from a lovely summer evening in our neighborhood. You can see the photos here.

"Unluckiest City for Sports"

2007-06-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

I thought this was important, given our family's strong ties to SE Pennsylvania.

RIP--Rossi

2007-06-06T00:26:00.001-05:00

Recognize this window? Recognize our friend, Rossi?
David asked me to post this photo, their favorite photo of the late, great Rossi McCarthy. Farewell to a great companion. May he rest in peace.

Jinsong and Shaik in Beijing

2007-05-30T17:31:00.001-05:00

Here is a photo of my colleague, Shaik, with my former student, Jinsong!

Opera! Opera! Opera!

2007-05-24T12:05:00.000-05:00

Now that the opera season is over, I have a life again. Here are pictures from Norma,

Backstage at Norma

The Flying Dutchman,

Backstage at the Flying Dutchman

and The Merry Widow.

Backstage at The Merry Widow

Portland Japanese Garden

2007-05-24T12:01:00.000-05:00

We visited the Japanese Garden with my Aunt Marguerite and her companion Michael Walsh. They now live in Vancouver, across the river. Marguerite's husband was my mom's baby brother, Joe.

May 2007 Japanese Garden

Pictures from this summer

2007-01-17T16:46:00.000-05:00

More photos from this summer.

Our family in 2006

Snow!

2007-01-17T13:02:00.000-05:00

Take a look at the web album (click on the picture).

January Snowstorm

LOOONNNNNGGGG overdue!

2007-01-09T00:34:00.000-05:00

I took this photo last May when Lynne and I visited Reading on our way to Boston for Kate's graduation. I've been meaning to share it ever since! I don't know what I'll do if I ever drive by 352 Penn Street and don't see these tiles.

housekeeping

2007-01-05T03:29:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have noticed the layout of this blog has changed slightly. This is because Blogger decided to move my account over to the new Blogger Beta. Since I am the "owner" of this blog, the blog moved over to the new system as well.

In order for all of you to post here again, you will have to migrate your Blogger accounts to the new system. I am sorry, this was unavoidable. I implore some of my tech-savvy cousins to aid their parents in this process.

If anyone is unable to move an existing account over to the new blogger system, email me (my address is diamond@subtend.net) and I'll send you a new invitation. Actually, that goes for anyone who wants to post here but doesn't currently have an account (Tom? Margaret? Anyone?).

Mom's (Mom-mom Tree) Recipe for Cheesecake

2006-12-12T22:22:00.000-05:00

Oley Valley Farms Pig Roast (Sept 30, 2006)

2006-10-04T14:11:00.000-05:00

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave McCarthy [mailto:mccarthy2020@comcast.net]
Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 1:32 PM
To: Mary McCarthy; Betsy; Maureen McCarthy
Cc: David J. McCarthy; Greg Diamond; Kate; Mike McCarthy; Katharine
McCarthy; Erica Alt; Amy and Socrates Zapata; Jon and Tiffany Lang; Greg
Diamond; kate diamond; Jim Diamond; Beth and Jim Alt; Kathleen Lang
Subject: OLEY VALLEY FARMS - PIG ROAST (9-30-2006)

Dear Family -

Here are some pictures from the Klines' annual pig roast. They invited around 250 (friends, neighbors, relatives & employees) and about 150 showed up, probably due to the cool, drizzly weather. Yachai, Michael, Patrice & I attended and had a wonderful time. Lots of food, drink, music, and later a bonfire and fireworks. We didn't stay for those, but Michael & Patrice did. The band was great - kind of BB King-style blues and was fronted by the talented platinum-haired singer you see in some of the pics.

Kathy - have a great trip; we look forward to your stories when you return

Love, David

Stretching Things for July 4

2006-07-06T07:31:00.000-05:00

OK. These are "summer pictures", not really July 4. And they are from summers past. But I hope they might be interesting.

This was a picnic, celebration 2 years ago to dedicate a Holocaust memorial near the Rose Garden in Portland. Jim was part of a small group of singers on the occasion.

This is a colonial house near Uncle Michael's which I took probably 2 years ago to send to you for an earlier request for photos of US homes. Perhaps I sent it earlier. It seems like a good July 4 photo, though...?

This is the porch at Yellow House, another good July 4 destination. This was 1 year ago and the occasion was PopPop's birthday, an extended celebration. There was also cake, etc, at Old Wyomissing Rd.
And this is you know who also about 1 year ago. We drove Dad to see the rapids on the Lehigh River (I hope I have that right). Something I never knew existed in Penna.

Happy 4th everybody

2006-07-04T02:01:00.000-05:00

For some reason it's not a holiday out here in the Tokyo suburbs. Go figure. But that doesn't mean the day doesn't make for a fun culture lesson for the kids. So everyone, if you're the picture-taking type tonight, would you be so kind as to send some copies my way? Post them here or email them to diamond@subtend.net. Thanks.

Family Lore--Swimming Pool Stories

2006-06-07T23:31:00.000-05:00

Too bad I don't have a digital photo of the pool to post with this note. But Greg's posting on "Greg And Sam's Adventures" yesterday brought 2 e-mail remembrances of famous tales--one note from Kitty Mum and one from Beth.

From the beginning: Greg's post on June 6

Only in Japan

Every school in this country has a concrete-lined outdoor pool. I don't know why, they just do. And since they don't cover them in the winter months, they're always foul when it comes time to use them in the summer. Ergo, I just spent all afternoon (Wednesday afternoon!) cleaning the pool with the PTA. It's now a sparkling blue. Can you picture this happening back home?

Kitty Mum's e-mail reply:

Yes. Greg. I did scrub and paint the pool; each year at the farm. No wonder I have an aching back. But I loved doing stuff like that. Now you really do know I'm strange. There was a drop box for the spring water to go through before it hit the pool; and that box had quite a collection of live stock in it after a winter of hibernation. I'd try to empty so all the drek wouldn't go into the pool. Using a siphon for that purpose. One year I inhaled too powerfully to ge the flow started and I got a good sixed, live frog in my mouth. UGH!

GOD BLESS AND LUV MUTTI

...and Beth's contribution:

Hello--mother you are doing a great job keeping up and communicating! I also remember a bleached frog from over-vigorous application of cleansing chemicals....hope that wasn't the one you later slurped!!

Greg--welcome to the club--does this mean you will soon be swimming in the pool?

love to all...Beth

And there we have it. Another great story for the family history. Love to All!!!!!!!

Peanut!

2006-05-15T03:17:00.000-05:00

I told my father this story and promised to write it up some weeks ago.

Last term, I was teaching the first grade the English terms for family members. Many Japanese households - especially in rural areas like this one - contain grandparents and the occasional aunt and/or uncle, in addition to the nuclear family common in America. So while in another country I may have let the seven year-olds off with only having to learn "father, mother, (younger/older) sister and (younger/older) brother" that day, I tacked grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins onto this particular lesson. Now, some of you may recall that I asked for many of your photographs a few months ago. That request was to help out with this very lesson. Thank you all again for your responses, your pictures were of great aid to a classroom full of visual learners.

So anyway, after we'd covered parents, siblings, and grandparents, here I was holding this picture...

... before this group of kids...

... and loudly repeating the word "uncle!"

Now at the time I had heard once or twice before, but could not recall, that the Japanese word for "pile of turds" is unko, pronounced oohn-koh. The Japanese have a difficult time distinguishing betweem vowels like the "u" in "uncle" and their う, which sounds more like "ooh". Additionally, they don't have the consonant "l", and every syllable ends in a vowel (or occasionally "n"), so by the time the kids were done mangling the world "uncle", it did unfortunately sound a bit like unko, which they thought was hilarious. So there I was, fairly red in the face, as 9 first-graders essentially screamed "turd! turd!" at a picture of Fran.

I'm sorry, Peanut.

Saturday, May 13---Erica's Day

2006-05-13T18:28:00.000-05:00

A bit of a challenge to keep all the graduations straight. Today is Saturday, May 13, and this is Erica's day to bask in the glow of success. Congratulations, Erica!!

I guess we should be grateful to Mary and Susan for graduating from the same school on the same date. One less variable in this busy time for the McCarthy Clan.

Again, our deepest love to Erica and congratulations on the completion of a lot of hard work!

Maureen, Jim, Kate, Greg and Samantha

3 Cheers For Greg!!

2006-05-05T20:03:00.000-05:00

Just in time for this year's graduation season---Greg's diploma arrived in today's mail. Congratulations, Greg!!!

Kate's Graduation

2006-04-17T08:55:00.000-05:00

I just paid for my flight (in cash - silly Japanese companies don't take credit cards) today. Here's my flight info:

5月19日（金）17:15発東京（成田） (Depart Narita)
5月19日（金）16:40着トロント (Land in Toronto)
5月19日（金）18:55発トロント (Leave Toronto)
5月19日（金）20:25着ボストン (Land in Boston)

5月22日（月）09:25発ボストン (Depart Boston)
5月22日（月）11:05着トロント (Toronto, Part 1)
5月22日（月）13:30発トロント (Toronto, Part1)
5月23日（火）15:55着東京（成田） (Land in Narita)

Happy 88, Kitty Mum!!

2006-04-11T07:24:00.000-05:00

I know this photo was posted not too long ago---I guess I need more Kitty Mum photos when I'm in Reading next month! This was birthday 86, 2 years ago, at Mary Anne's lovely table.

Happy Birthday from all of us, I'm sure, to Kitty Mum. The most beloved matriarch I know.

Maureen

Cleo (July 1992 to April 2006)---May She Rest In Peace!

2006-04-08T01:33:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, we had to put Cleo to sleep on Tuesday, April 4. It was clear she was glad to see us as we returned from our wonderful visit with Greg and Samantha; but it was also clear she was in a lot of pain and had declined significantly in the 2 weeks we were gone.

The first photo below is from Fall 2003, I think, in our back yard in McMinnville after Jim and I had finished some landscaping prior to putting it on the market. In the second photo, Cleo is modeling Uncle Fran's glasses during the week surrounding Greg and Sam's wedding.

She brought us SO many smiles, so many stories. The vet's office sent us a nice card, saying "The kindest decisions are often the most difficult to make." How true!

In Japan, Safe and Sound

2006-03-24T07:28:00.000-05:00

They're here.

Snow in MA

2006-02-22T09:29:00.000-05:00

From Kathleen, via my mother. Even more inundated than our place was a few weeks ago. Except here it was apparently an 8-year event.

Wayland. Wow, that's snowy.

The McCarthy Clan

2006-02-20T14:58:00.000-05:00

The McCarthy Clan

20 Feb 2006, Presidents' Day.

I hope I do not step on anyone--as they say in avionics speak. I am tired of reading directions on how to blog. Here goes:

Three days to get caught up a bit...nothing too challenging. Putting those 3 closets back in order, giving away some things, tossing others, and organizing what is going back into the closets. Also organizing the material which will be used in preparing our 2005 tax returns.

More later. I will try to post photos also. I am going to master this to become more efficient and inclusive in my communications.

Rosebud

A few photos from Oregon and other parts....

2006-01-17T23:06:00.000-05:00

Here ... I sure hope things stay the way I formatted them, but if they don't you will all have fun matching descriptions with photos. Love, Maureen

I decided to start with this photo. Joe and Jim, age 6, I am told. Which is which?

Family photo circa Fall 2003?? Greg had returned from Germany and we were showing off the great wall of Diamond in our back yard in McMinnville.

this, of course, is Reidar, his Mom, Kirsten, and Greg in the Jensen's home, December 2003. Greg's last holiday trip East for a while! 5 months later, Reidar was Greg's best man. Sorry if it is too dark.

Chronologically, this should be earlier. Here, in June 2001, we have some Frewens---Pat Frewen Brown and Peter Frewen, and Peter's daughter, Lydia. This was the memorial for Margaret at Hebron Academy.

I believe this was Dad's 80th birthday in his dining room on Old Wyomissing Road. Happily, Jim and I were there. I think Kate may have been housesitting and working in Oregon.

Here is a reminder that Jim did play a Colonel in Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience in Portland, June 2004.

Above, my notes tell me, is Kitty Mum's birthday. Seated at Michael's dining room table. Lipstick looks good, nails are nicely done. I guess she'll pass.

I included this one because I think we get a better look at the Old Girl's face. No nail polish this time. Oh well.

2006-01-17T08:32:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody, I've got two quick things.

First, just a reminder that anybody who doesn't already have an account to post to the blog, and wants one, should email me or my dad and we'll get blogger to send an invitation email your way.

Second, my first-graders (1年生) are doing a unit on families in english class, starting next week, and I'd like as many pictures of all of you as possible. It's a classroom of seven year-olds, they don't react well to me just writing things on the board, but they'll pay attention to anything that's illustrated. If you can help me out here, just post your pictures here, or again, email me.

More News From Kitty Mum

2006-01-16T14:51:00.000-05:00

What the heck! I know many of us have read this already, but for those who aren't on Kitty Mum's distribution list, here's her latest summary...

A hell of a lot of wind, falling temperatures and snowy weather in this area. No snow here, but David's area got hit with some as well as winds that wrecked houses when bihg trees fell opn them. Mike and mary Anne had some siding ripped off their house, Fortunately, Ronald Houck came to their rescue. He took along some samples of the siding and I guess it'll be put to rights very soon. He and his father kept the farm from falling apart. Wonderful people!

By this time Kathy and David should have their house restored after the traumatic experience of repairing bedroom closets thaty never were adequate. What a trumph when things are functional again.

The Alts new lumber mill building is now complete. witha great stove to kleep it comfortable.

The Zapatas are forging ahead. Isabela's day center is back in business. And she is busy practicing her dancing at home. She seems to be interested inthe acrobatic aspect of performing, rather then following rote instruction.

Susan is safe back at ND. Socrates was very helpful in explaing the way her mediation works. Sort of a delayed reaction of a few weeks until the patient benefits' GOD BLESS AND LUV MUTTI

Good-bye 2005. Hello 2006....

2006-01-02T23:33:00.000-05:00

Kathleen sent some lovely photos that she wants to share. We have to keep up with those camera-happy folks in Japan. I'll try to do justice to Kathleen and David's pictures!

This is the gathering that occurred when Mary Katharine was in Boston for her presentation. Kathleen took Kate, Mary Katharine (with long hair---did it get trimmed between this photo and the next??), Betsy, Tom, and a beautiful Bradford cousin. Betsy arranged this lunch at an Indian restaurant. Kathleen was the photographer.

And you know these folks. The Misty Laners, as Kitty Mum would say, with Aunt Kathleen in that dining room we all know so well. The site of many gatherings over the years. More happy gatherings to come, we all pray. Well, has Mary Katharine had her hair trimmed? I think so; it looks nice.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!
Love, Maureen

Happy New Year From Kitty Mum

2006-01-01T13:16:00.000-05:00

I think Kitty Mum's most recent e-mail should go here to remind us all of comings and goings, as she says....

"Butzi and Jim called last evening. Safe home from Istanbul. No new snow in NH, and everything seemed to be working. They were very tired!Tomorrow Mike and Mary Anne and the rest will be back on Misty Lane. One last reunion with the Langs this morning. For Mass at St. Zephhyrin's; and brunch at Kathy's house. She and David weathered the holidays well. Betsy took her crew to visit her office as well as where she hangs her hat at the moment.mPretty soon Mary and Susan will be in the work force. I hope they may be able to work in the Boston area, and fulfill a wish for all the sisters to live together ij Boston. Keep praying..

In about a week the Zapatas will be home in Jefferson Heights. Amy will resume work and Hilda will be with them for a hit to ease along the transition in that household.

Reenie and Jim will still have Kate at home for a little longer. Their house has nnot been hit by the flooded conditions, and they're glad that this house is more elevated than the McMinnville property.

David and Yachai are well. In a few weeks it'll be moving day for Michael. Andy will finish this year at home, prepping for LSATs./ I'm exhausted just thinking about all the toing and froing. GOD BLESS AND LUV MUTTI"

Yes, Indeed. God Bless and Luv to all. Maureen, Jim and Kate

Our new leaders

2005-12-26T12:57:00.000-05:00

It was wonderful to have lunch with the Diamond (Kate)/McCarthy (Mary, Betsy, Tom) /Bradford group the other Saturday in Brattle Square. I loved hearing ideas percolate. Merry Christmas to all.

Merry Christmas

2005-12-24T23:53:00.000-05:00

It's already 2pm Christmas day out here, and quite sunny. I imagine East Coast people are sleeping soundly. Anyway, have a merry Christmas, everyone.

Memories

2005-12-07T00:53:00.000-05:00

I was skimming a touching article about a woman celebrating the 30th anniversary of her father donating a kidney to her (the kidney is still working, and her father, now 79, is quite well). I came across a phrase that I am sure Kathleen, Beth, and I all heard from Daddy's lips
"Fathers are the luckiest people in the world because they have daughters."

Maybe you will enjoy the article. I was flooded with remembrances of Daddy!
http://www.kidney.org/transplantation/transAction/pdf/tc_wi06.pdf

Love to all! Maureen

Happy Turkey Day

2005-11-24T09:42:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I'm sure any of you who have lived outside the United States know that it's one of the hardest holidays to be away for. Most of the other big ones are pretty universal. Anyway, we're thinking of all of you lucky ones together in PA. Have a good one.
-Greg

Bonne anniversaire!

2005-11-11T00:57:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday, Kate. I hope the Port was yummy.
Love,
Daddy

Happy Birthday, Kate!!!

2005-11-10T22:01:00.000-05:00

Happy 21st Birthday, Kate!! I am very glad to know Jenn has arrived safely and without too much travail.

Enjoy your birthday and the holiday tomorrow!!!

Interesting Story About MD Working With Amish

2005-11-09T01:01:00.000-05:00

I'm sure all of us who read the NYTimes Sunday magazine enjoyed this article with great interest. It was Kathleen's idea to post it on the blog so others could see it as well. It's about an MD who left the more presitigious setting of academic medical centers to practice among the Amish in Lancaster County, trying to understand and treat some of the inborn medical problems seen in their families. I admire his work, after reading this; and I continue to admire the Amish, though I am more aware of the heartaches and problems of their life choices than I was as a younger woman. Love, Maureen

MAGAZINE | November 6, 2005
A Doctor for the Future
By LISA BELKIN
How a pediatrician working with the Amish is changing what it means to diagnose and treat disease.

Happy Birthday, Samantha!

2005-11-04T09:06:00.000-05:00

I know it's November 5 in Tomosito, but just barely. I hope November 4 was a very nice birthday for you, Samantha! At least the Halloween festivities are behind you. Now, on to Thanksgiving. Ah the joys of being a purveyor of US culture......really!

Happy Anniversary, Beth and Jim

2005-10-31T08:55:00.000-05:00

October 31, 1970. A beautiful fall day in Cambridge. And I hope it is a beautiful fall day in Tamworth this year! Thank you, Beth and Jim, for the haven you have always provided for my small family when needed. I hope we find our way to your haven again soon.

Happy Anniversary! Much love, Maureen

Transit Strike in Philly

2005-10-31T08:33:00.000-05:00

Sounds like a good day to work from home! Hope you and Andy, Michael and Yachai can get where you need to without too much pain, David!

Tomorrow I start to "enjoy" public transit in Portland more than ever. November 1 is my first day of full-time at OHSU. I walk about 3/4 mile to a bus stop and then ride the bus for about 15 min up to work. The one sad part is that Jim and I will no longer share the ride to McMinnville every Monday. Wish us luck! Love, Maureen

Kitty (right) And Betty (left!)

2005-10-24T07:38:00.000-05:00

Here you have it, my first attempt to post a photo...

I guess I can do this. These 2 girls were college friends, and they have lots of stories to tell. Last weekend, David and Yachai (and Rossie?) drove Betty up to Kitty Mum's for a visit. Betty has always lived in the Philly area.

Much love to all. Maureen

What A Weekend!!!!

2005-10-23T23:09:00.000-05:00

Whew! So much has happened, just in the last hour, that I am dizzy.

Jim and I returned home from a Master Class to hear a message from Greg saying that Travelocity has tickets to Japan for about $400 round trip. So Jim and I both have bought tickets from Portland to Tokyo during Jim's spring break. So exciting. We hadn't seen anything under $1000 per person, so this is most wonderful. We will visit Greg and Samantha from March 23, I think , through April 4. The first trip to Asia for Jim and me.

Kate's spring break is 3 weeks earlier. So she will take advantage of these prices, too (though it's more like $800 round trip since she'll be leaving from Boston). March will be a busy month for Greg and Sam.

The other exciting thing this weekend is just watching the activity outside our kitchen and dining area windows. Dozens of chickadees and red-breasted nuthatches are very, very active from about 9 till 11 am. We have a plastic "house" filled with sunflower sees, mounted with suction cups on our dining room window, and this is a great attraction for the birdies. The competition is very stiff. Nuthatches, with narrow white bands at their eyes, chase away cute little Chicadees, who are very round with round patches of white at their eyes. SO CUTE! I think the 2 species are related. But they are fiercely opposed when it comes to getting the most sunflower seeds. It is amazing how much I enjoy watching this.

I hope everyone can feel the excitement!! Love to everyone. Maureen

Jim's blog

2005-10-20T18:33:00.000-05:00

... is here

Carmina Beerana

2005-10-20T00:22:00.000-05:00

Look at this Aussie beer commercial.

Football

2005-10-18T03:52:00.000-05:00

Condolances to the Norte Dame fans (and students, alumni, etc). I have to (somewhat guiltily) admit to smiling at the outcome of last weekend's game. Not that I particularly like the University of Second Choice, but USC is the only school that's beat UO so far this season. It takes the sting out a little to know they beat the Irish too.

Pearls Of Wisdom From Badger

2005-10-16T12:54:00.000-05:00

I always love Kitty Mum's word choices...and today's note on e-mail has several good ones. So here you have it, unedited. Much love to all! Maureen

Next Chapter

Awaiting the arrival of folks from Broomall. I believe trhe plan is for David and Yachai to pick up Betty McManus at her home; and the two chaps will come separately. Our weather was gorgeous yesterday. No rain today but glowering skies.

Kathy is afe home. David went to the airport and ppicked her up there. A crowd greeted her plane: turns out that about ten Chinese little ones were being picked up by adoptiove parents. Loys of emotion, Kathy said.

I talked to the Zapatas last evenong, and they're preparing to settle ijnto the rest of their lives. In a few days David will go down and help with a few things around the house. Possibly repair the house door that their neighbor had to force open to release Oliver before they returned to their house.

Butzi is planning on coming the first weekend in November for a visit. Kathy hopes to go to Ireland for a few days the next time David goes over. But she won't stay as long as he will. Very verhoodling to try to keep track of everyone. The smells of a pork loin dish are wafting through the rooms. Hope everyone will be able to partake. No dietary verbotniks!

The Misty Laners are out at South Bend. I believe that ND was vaquished in Saturday's game. Likewise Joe Paterno's group. Stocks will fall. GOD BLESS AND LUV MUTTI

The McCarthy Clan

2005-10-14T05:16:00.000-05:00

14 october
....a significant day, since it is the birth date of John D McCarthy. A toast to you PopPop!

2005-10-11T04:22:00.000-05:00

Amy, Isabella, and the clan's newest member.

The McCarthy Clan

2005-10-10T21:03:00.000-05:00

Now we're hopping...!

I don't know how to make my heading a different color or size font, so Beth, you've already done something I haven't figured out yet.

By now everyone knows Emilio is among us. 1:12 pm, 8 lb and 7 oz. Apparently needs his nails trimmed already, due to the extra time he waited around before making this entry into our world. Long fingers of a master pianist according to his modest grandmother. Now I must also learn how to put a photo in one of these postings, because Kathleen sent several of them.

One more day of Fall Break for Jim and Kate--probably others in the family too. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I'm sure we'll stay in touch many ways. This is nice. Love to all.

2005-10-10T09:38:00.000-05:00

Okay I'm finally here. Lots of homework to do though, so that's all you get for now.

reporting for duty

2005-10-10T07:29:00.000-05:00

...well here I am, not too hard once I followed the prompts and modified my name a bit...unfortunately nothing to say!

thank you for the photo of the wedding; I still recall the flowers in the beautiful courtyard, so huge and healthy, wonder if they added steroids with the plant food?

this Friday--Oct 14, will be PopPop's birthdate--saw the light of day in Titusville, PA in 1911. We don't know much more about this event; no webcam, photo, or even a diary notation, but being the epitome of modesty, this is how he would like it. Still, we hope he won't be offended if we toast him as we quaff our tea, wine, beer, or antibiotic of choice. Here's looking at you, Dad!

today..being the day to mark something to do with "Columbus"...I am off, and solving the puzzle of what to do with odds and ends in the fridge, specifically some mascarpone cheese [no tiramisu!, must also use veggies]. perhaps there will be other challenges...

have you heard, the germans have despite all the brouhaha formed a "grand coalition", with angela merkel [aka "maggie"] as chancellor. now compare and contrast with the us election 2004...

last, but not least, we may today hear of a new leaf on the tree--welcome emiliano!~ i suppose he merits the upside down exclamation point before that wish, but i am not clever enough to do this with my keyboard.

best to all--beth

The Clan, May 2004

2005-09-28T09:56:00.000-05:00

Sam and I have been married for over a year now, but we just received our wedding pictures last month. And I just bought my scanner two weeks ago. Anyway, it's the family. Most of it, at any rate.

Greg and Sam's Adventures in Japan

2005-09-24T00:55:00.000-05:00

Modest---Not Me!

Well, this is really a reply to Samantha's comment that Greg was too modest in his posting about his long-awaited assurance of a diploma from U of O. But I cannot hide a comment such as this in a thread of replies. This may raise a ruckus......but......

Modesty is a quality of the McCarthys---except for maybe Kitty Mum. She is wonderful and confident and self assured, not necessarily modest. However, as a group, the McCarthys are modest. So maybe Greg's writing style as he wrote about his graduation status shows strong McCarthy traits. That's good, for sure.

Modesty is NOT a quality of the Diamonds, especially Dad, his mother, and -- forgive me--- Jim and Joe. So Greg's writing style cannot be that of a Diamond, if indeed he was modest as Sam believes.

OK. Enough. I've had a glass of wine, and a nice evening of capresi salad, good cheeses, luscious raspberries....so maybe I'm not responsible for my careless words. But, when Greg is modest, he is a McCarthy.

I send my love to all.

Type like a pirate

2005-09-19T10:38:00.000-05:00

For "Talk like a pirate" day.

The McCarthy Clan

2005-09-18T22:59:00.000-05:00

Saturday, Sept 17---hear ye, hear ye!

Saturday was Jim Alt's 60th birthday. Beth and Erica helped him celebrate with an open house for neighbors. Lots of goodies for all, I bet. Wish I could have been there!

Also, on Saturday, Kitty Mum was VERY happy to report that Amy, Socrates, Isabela and Oliver returned to their home. Stinky, yes. But home it is. Apparently Isabela's day care center is gone with the flooding. So Amy will be busy hustling up another arrangement for her so she will not fall too far behind on her illustrious social skills. We should all worry about that.

Elections in Germany. Thinking of Jesse--I'm sure we'll get a report at some point.

Kate seems happy back at Simmons. 2 Red Sox games under her belt---one win and one loss.

Hope to talk to Greg and Samantha later. I send my love to all. Maureen

More Pastafarianism

2005-09-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

Brian Gilbert and I wrote a letter to the News-Resister

Thermodynamics law invalid on Earth system

To the Editor:

We have read with great interest the ongoing discussion of Intelligent Design (ID) and evolution in Readers' Forum over the past several weeks. Last week's forum contained two letters to which we felt compelled to respond.

In the first letter, Daniel Kouns argued that the second law of thermodynamics is inconsistent with evolution, on the basis that "nature always prefers chaos and will always move from order to disorder." While it is impressive that the writer is aware of the laws of thermodynamics, it should be noted that this is a common misconception typically found in introductory science textbooks, and is not what the second law states.

This statement is only true for a closed system, which the earth, with continual energy input from the sun, is not. The second law is only concerned with the dispersal of energy, and is not valid outside of the arena of thermodynamics. If Mr. Kouns would like to learn more about thermodynamics, we would be happy to have him attend our physical chemistry or general chemistry courses at Linfield College.

In another letter, Richard Reed states that "In the learning process, shouldn't the scientist consider all possible answers so as not to overlook the possible correct answer? It is the narrow-minded person who rules out anything that challenges his or her belief system."

We agree with Mr. Reed. The New York Times recently reported in "But Is There Intelligent Spaghetti Out There?" that many scientists agree that ID by a Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM, see www.venganza.org for details) is just as scientifically valid as any other form of ID. These scientists include 100 percent of the physical chemistry department at Linfield College. In fact, we believe that, in an open society, it is necessary that all forms of ID, including FSM-ID should be discussed according to their merits.

Brian Gilbert

Jim Diamond

==============================================
Here is Daniel Koons' letter
-------------------------------------

Design theory explains Earth's disorder and order
To the Editor:
Why not Intelligent Design?

I am a 15-year-old Mac High student and as long as I can remember, I have been taught about the origins of life on Earth through evolution. I personally do not believe that any life on Earth is accidental, and I know many other students who have the same belief.

Since there is no alternative class for one's personal belief, students who don't believe what they are taught will simply tuck away what they've learned as a simple right answer for the next test or final.

Unfortunately, to many of us students, this doesn't teach learning. It teaches memorization of ideas that will be forgotten and dismissed as unimportant and needless when the summer comes.

If both Intelligent Design and evolution were taught in school as possibilities as to how our world came about, it would be a fairer way of educating youth. If Intelligent Design is not considered factual enough to be taught in schools (Readers' Forum, Charles Strong, Aug. 27), one should take into consideration the second law of thermodynamics that, in short, blasts the theory of evolution out of the water.

The second law basically states that nature prefers chaos and will always move from order to disorder. It is scientifically impossible for order to overcome disorder without Intelligent Design, which has allowed humans to establish the current way of life in our world. It is scientifically impossible for life to come from nothing, as it is for intelligence (order) to come from instinct (disorder).

My point is not to prove anybody wrong but to prove Intelligent Design has just as much, if not more, grounding in fact than the theory of evolution. Therefore, students should have the option of what type of science they are to be taught.

Daniel Kouns

Here is Richard Reed's letter

Intelligent Design should join evolution in school

To the Editor:

Ah, science, that wonderful learning process to understand all things unknown.

In the learning process, shouldn't the scientist consider all possible answers so as not to overlook the possible correct answer? It is the narrow-minded person who rules out anything that challenges his or her belief system.

If you want to believe in evolution as a means of explaining who you are, I see a problem. If there is not some form of Intelligent Design, why didn't your mother have a puppy instead of you?

Please don't take my "puppy" statement as a dig at your personage; it's not my intention. If a highly developed, one-celled "critter" got all this started, where did its built-in clock come from to allow NASA to time events to the smallest part of a second to arrive at a faraway destination on time? How do apple trees give only apples? Some may consider me an "oops," but I have characteristics that come directly from my parents and my grandparents. My children and my grandchildren didn't fall too far from the tree, either.

If something was not setting things in order, how do you explain the consistency of nature? I'm not afraid to listen to theories of creation that I do not agree with. I do not need to keep theories I do not agree with out of the schools. I am convinced that reasonable people, confronted with logic rather than theory, will come to an intelligent conclusion.

That may be why some deep thinkers try so hard to limit the field of thought.

Richard H. Reed

Those darn college kids...

2005-09-16T14:44:00.000-05:00

This was posted on Linfield student news:

"Tonight, here at our beautiful college, someone pooped in the microwave in Anderson and then microwaved it. Was he the greatest man alive? I submit that he must have been. Thank you, that is all."

Oh that crazy bush family...

2005-09-13T21:39:00.000-05:00

Where is everyone from back East?

2005-09-13T07:20:00.000-05:00

If anybody needs help setting up an account, feel free to email me. Or, give me a call at (011)81-90-3962-3266 anytime between 5pm-11pm, Japan Standard Time (it's 14 hours ahead of the East Coast).

The McCarthy Clan

2005-09-11T14:39:00.000-05:00

The McCarthy Clan

Oliver is with his family in Baton Rouge! Thank you, Traubi and Subaru, for your prayers. Don't stop now, though. The Zapatas still need to welcome the new baby, and they need to get back to their wonderful home!

Pastafarianism on the rise

2005-09-11T12:32:00.000-05:00

The Telegraph reports that belief in the "Flying Spaghetti Monster" is the world's fastest growing religion:

In the beginning there was the Flying Spaghetti Monster
(Filed: 11/09/2005)

In recent weeks, a satirical attack on the teaching of Creationism in American schools has become the world's fastest growing 'religion'. The Noodly Saviour looked at the furore He had created and pronounced it good, writes James Langton...

2005-09-11T04:48:00.000-05:00

A group of us in Wayland, from June '02. Back when Sam was blonde and I still had long hair.

Hello everyone.

2005-09-11T03:37:00.000-05:00

This was an idea from my mom and Beth. Seeing as we're flung far and wide on three continents and who knows how many states, having a message board to keep in touch seems like a good idea. I'll try to get it set up so that everybody in the family can post and edit.