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

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.

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

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....

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

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

Merry Christmas

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

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

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!

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

Happy Birthday, Kate!!!

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

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!

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

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

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!)

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!!!!

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

... is here

Carmina Beerana

Look at this Aussie beer commercial.

Football

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

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