MHS 1964 Classmate updates 2005 - 2007

Hi All.

I want to wish all my classmates a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Hope the season will be a joyful and peaceful time for all of you.  This year my whole family is coming to see us for the holidays.  My mom and step-dad are coming from New Mexico, brother John and his wife Cindy from Texas, Pete from Indiana, and Chuck from California, daughters Jenny from Hawaii and Mary from Massachusetts.  I can't imagine a nicer present than that.

Dave

I hope you all enjoyed Linda's poem about our "MHS beach buddies" vacation!

It was a fantastic week of fun and freedom for five "old" friends!! This was the second vacation of reunited high school friends. (Our first vacation was in Las Vegas with: Marilyn (Haley) Shea, Bonnie (Nelson) Aplington, Mary (Cossairt) Spilva and Pat (Gayman) Bates in 2005.)

In 2007 we reunited on the Oregon coast and Linda (Daily) Mix joined us! We are already planning next year's "MHS mountain mommas" vacation!

What is so amazing is that when we get together, it is as though no years have passed! We laugh and talk longer and with greater joy than we ever did in our high school years! (Enclosed is a picture and poem to illustrate the fun we had!!!)

If you have not contacted and "old" MHS buddy lately, I encourage you to do so now. It's so much fun to learn that the friendships we had at age 16 are even more wonderful at age 60!

I want to thank Bill Sever for his wonderful, wonderful work in bringing MHS classmates together through his encouragement and website.

• Party Time

Happy Birthday to Us

We may be much older...that we surely know
It's a fact of life that some gray hair and numerous wrinkles show

And it's true we've all had LOTS of birthdays..this point to reach
But our most wonderful birthday will be experienced here at the beach!!

As we five high school friends...whose bodies are indeed a bit old
Have gathered here to laugh and stories of our lives to be told

We are so blessed to have each other... after all these many years
After we've lived our separate lives of love and trials and tears

So to each of us we say...better friends no one knows
We are wonderful women.. who after 60 years still have that awesome "glow"

So a birthday toast to all of us...as we are truly "living life out loud"
A toast to all of us....of ourselves we should be so very proud!!

Happy Birthday to Us!!!
Pat 9/13/07

I'm sending you a poem by Linda to go with the Picture.

Take care.. Mary

DANCING WITH FRIENDS

by Linda (Dailey) Mix    

Renewing old friendships was what we wanted to do
Who knew the special memories we'd have before our week was through

Five ladies, with separate lives, decided to go west
Manzinita, on the ocean, was the place we thought was best

The beach house was special, a place to lose our cares
The first challenge it presented was getting up the stairs

We walked along the beach, and pictures we did take
Wrote MHS in the sand, such memories we would make

Roasting hot dogs in the fire, smores roasted just right
Surrounded by curious seaguls, hoping for a bite

Walking for a mocha, or shopping in a store
Buying cards, or eating out, and yet there still was more

Playing games for tickets, totaling the points we got
Using everything we won to buy some choc-co-late

Dominoes and cards were played, it provided many chuckles
The pain was not if you won or lost, but when you celebrated with KNUCKLES

It wasn't our careers, being mothers, grandmas, or wives
It was that we were together, sharing our special lives

Whether talking in a private way, or laughing in a crowd
You knew these five ladies, were living life out loud

Now our lives are different, keeping in touch when we have the chance
No matter what life brings, I hope you choose to dance

The Picture:

• On the Sand

Hi All.

Looks like Fall is upon us! I hope you all had a great Summer.

A few changes have taken place at this end. After the roller-coaster months while Mom was living with us, she is now living in Coeur d'Alene Homes. You can probably imagine the guilt that goes with making that kind of choice for a parent but.. thank God.. Mom's really enjoying her hew place. Daily activities, stuff to do.. lots of folks to talk with.. it's really turned out fine. The Alzheimer's continues it's relentless drain on her memories but she still remember us and as long as she is happy.. I am too.

Connie is doing better too. No more defibrillator spikes.

I heard from Marilyn (Hayley) Shae the other day. She, Mary (Cossairt) Spilva, Pat (Gayman) Bates, Bonnie (Nelson) Aplington and Linda (Dailey) Mix got together on the Oregon coast a few weeks ago. I'm looking forward to some promised pictures that I'll share on these pages.

Meanwhile, I'd like to encourage all of you to take a few minutes and drop me a note about your summer.. what's happening with you and yours.. etc. Pictures are fine too.... if you'd like to update your pages. The little "Input Form" is still available on the site or you can always use Email.

REMEMBER... Our 45^th is just around the corner.

Keep in touch.

Bill

Hi Bill.

Sue and I were in Boise the first part of June for the National Smokejumper Association reunion.  I had a wonderful time seeing old jumper friends from Idaho City, Boise, McCall and other bases.  It was really special to take a bus tour to Idaho City and watch some practice jumps.  The demonstration was put on for the reunion.  There hasn't been a jumper base in Idaho City since 1969.

Our girls are fine and have been home to see us recently.  Mary (who lives in Woods Hole, MA now) was home the last week in June; Jenny was here the second week in July.  The last time the four of us were together was over Christmas in Honolulu.

I've lived in my apartment at an assisted living center for ten months now.  It's working fairly well.  My friends have been really supportive, and Sue and I spend a lot of time together.  Sue is getting tired of the drive from our house to where I now live, however.  So this summer she is selling the house and moving to Canby.

As always, I enjoy reading about classmates on the website.

Dave

Hello fellow classmates.

It was great to check our site and find notes from John and Bill.

We had a great winter in AZ. We had surprise visits from Cheryl (Pitkin) and Chuck Hatch as well as Linda and Jim Mix. It was great to relax, sip margaritas and remember old times. Who knew living next door to Jim would bring life long friendships from his admirers.............. well a few of them.................

We are enjoying the Oregon spring. I have a nice back yard that keeps me busy. I only wish my back enjoyed the weeding as much as I do. I had a wonderful spring vacation to Ireland. My daughter and her family are spending 8 months there thanks to HP. Of course Grandma had to go for a visit. I was very good at riding the rails and seeing the sights.

The kids will be back the end of Sept. so we will be in Oregon for the holidays. It will be great to be with all the kids. We only hope the Oregon rains are kind to us this fall.

Hope you all have a fun, healthy summer.

I wanted to share some good news about my son Craig 39, who works in Tuscan as a jet mechanic. He was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called an Epidermoid about four years ago.  It was the size of a small grapefruit located in the center of the brain.  They are rare non malignant tumors which comprise only 1% of all brain tumors.  They are essentially an anomaly from birth of a fold of skin growing inside-out inside the skull which fills with fluid and the sticky outside (inside) attaches itself to the cranial nerves and begin shutting things down. He was on a wait and watch for about three years till it began shutting down his right leg and arm and headaches.

Last May we found a top brain based surgeon thru an Epidermoid web group in Raliegh, NC and through Dr Fukushima's self advanced techniques which he teaches worldwide he was able to remove nearly all the tumor through a fifty cent piece sized hole in the back of the skull.  Craig recovered nicely and returned to work within about six weeks with recovery of his leg and arm motion.

Three weeks ago he began having headaches and dizziness again and within 24 hours was put into emergency due to brain fluid pressure build up and a shunt was installed permanently through two small holes and routed down into his stomach to drain.  He was out of the hospital in less than 24 hours and back at work two weeks ago.

I can't say enough for the increased technology over our day. The internet Epidermoid (Moids) group relieved us of much of the stress of trying to understand what it was and sharing their experiences both good and bad.  With all the bad things that go on, there are many more good things being created.

John

It's been a while since I've added news of what's been going on around our house but.. it's time to put finger to keyboard...

Last Thursday (the 14th) we brought my Mom to our home so we can give her the security and care she needs. She's 84 and her health seems to be failing.

Things like that are bound to cause a few changes and a bit of stress but... when coupled with the Cottonwood trees that are exploding up here... Connie chose to try a decongestant to help relieve her stuffy head and burning eyes.

We now know that any kind of remedy with a "Decongestant" included in it is a very bad thing for folks with heart issues, especially those with Pacemaker - Defibrillators. Decongestants act as heart stimulants and... with the faster heartbeat... BOOM.. Connie's defibrillator gave her a jump start. Once the Dr. figured out what caused the event, Connie received a pretty stern scolding from the cardiologist and got to spend the night in the hospital.

She's home and feeling fine, shopping, etc... She doesn't need to see the cardiologist for another 90 days (normal).... but... weeks like the last one need to be few and far between.

Don't tell anyone but.. I may be getting to old for this stuff!

I hope all are doing well and would sure like to hear from you all!

Bill

The date is May 6, 2007. I just wanted to update my life since the "facts" I presented some time ago. I am now a retired teacher and ready to continue enjoying life to the fullest! Bonnie Nelson Aplington, Mary Cossairt Spilva, Marilyn Haley Shea and I reunited at the reunion and have been close friends since! We tripped to Vegas together and had great times! We have also reunited with Linda Daily Mix, and now the five of us are planning a beach get-away in the fall. (By the way, did you all know Linda "stole" "my" favorite man back in high school? I was wild about shy, cute, Jim Mix, and Linda was going to "set us up". Well, to make a long story short, they fell in love and married!!!! The moral of the story: If you are looking for love, don't have Linda help you out!)  :)

I've also been e-mailing Bill and Wilma Moore since the reunion.  Now we hardly knew each other in high school, but we have become friends now. Thanks to Bill Sever and all he and Connie have done to bring Moscow Bears of '64 together as a class! Thank you so much Bill and Connie!!!

I hope all of you are enjoying every moment of this fantastic life we each have been given! Here are a couple pics..to show the years have changed the outside of us, but not the heart.

• Celebrating "The Big One"
• Special Blessings

You all keep smiling!

The fall after the reunion, on Veterans Day, the same day my Dad was killed, I got a call at work that Doug had been found by a neighbor regaining conciousness after flipping 25 feet off the back of our house while blowing leaves. He was taken to the trauma center at the hospital where I used to work and I finally got one of the docs on the phone. Tom went down (from the neonatal intensive care unit!) to see him and assured me he could wiggle his toes and knew who Tom was. That was the beginning of about 9 months of recovery, but by the grace of God and hard work he is completely healthy again.

Every now and then I see Coeur d'Alene in the news and think of you and some of the people who have migrated that way... it is still God's country! I have a picture I took of the lake the last time I was there that I put at the end of talks sometimes just for fun.

Hey all... I got to wondering how Dave was doing in his new living quarters (he's been there since last October) so I gave him a call today. I woke him from a nap but it was great to hear his voice.

Dave's still dealing with the day-to-day issues of Parkinson's but he had lots of questions about classmates and wanted to know who I'd heard from. I get the sense that it's a bit hard for Dave to sit and watch the day go buy with some limited contact and he let me know that he would appreciate hearing from the classmates.

If you get a few minutes... give Dave a shout and say HI! The number is on his page.

Just wanted to let you know that I have a new e-mail address.

I go on to the web site often to read the updates and about what is happening in the lives of our class buddies. It breaks my heart to read about all the suffering that people are experiencing.

I know what pain is as I have been suffering from Celiac Sprue Disease and Fibromyalgia for many years now. The Celiacs has caused me to have full blown osteoporosis, anemia, and many other chronic problems.

But... am here to tell you that God is good and He walks with me daily to help me through the pain and fatigue and that I have a wonderful husband who helps me and encourages me.

BonnieB

Life is full of changes and I'm about to experience one.  On Saturday, October 28, I am moving to an assisted living apartment house.  It's a nice facility located in the same general area I've lived in for the past 21 years.  I'm blessed with a lot of supportive friends who live close to where I'll be living.  Sue and I plan to keep up with all our current activities.  But the additional help I'll be getting will be good for me and will give Sue a respite.

We got back Oct. 4 from a great trip to Texas.  My dad and my stepdad were both members of the last Army Air Corps flying class to graduate from training before Pearl Harbor.  Class 41-G had it's 65th anniversary reunion at the old Gunter Hotel in San Antonio.  The class originally had 1,000 men on eight different bases--my dad and stepdad were on different bases and never knew each other.  Now there are fewer than 250 men left.  It was also a reunion for my family. My mother, stepdad, three brothers and two stepsisters (along with assorted spouses) were there.  After the reunion, Sue and I spent a week exploring the Texas Hill Country and then visited friends and relatives in the Dallas/Forth Worth area before flying home.

Our daughters are doing well.  Jenny started teaching geology at the University of Hawaii this fall.  Mary continues to teach oceanography for Sea Education Assoc.  We'll all be together in Honolulu for the Christmas holidays.

Hope to see more updates from class members on the web site.

I retired from teaching and am ready to go in new directions (not that I didn't love to teach, but I am worn out!!). Marilyn is (finally!) going to retire in late October, so we have jaunts planned! (She retired in April, but the city needed her expertise in her area so badly they got her to come back for a few months to train others....rats!!)  So we will be off to our yearly Vegas vacation in October, then do "around the NW " stuff the rest of the year. No international ventures at this time!!! We just had lunch with Jim and Linda Mix in Moscow. They are the same; Jim saying a few things and Linda the world's greeter and talker.  It was great fun!  We plan a beach get-together next summer or fall with Bonnie, Mary, Linda, Mare and me.  Keeping Linda and Mary home is like nailing jello to a tree, so scheduling is tricky.

Now on a personal note.  I am a grandma, second time, as of August 3.  I now have a two and a half year old grandson (wonderful, perfect) and a three week old granddaughter (also wonderful, perfect). My older daughter, Christine, and family, live in Lewiston and my younger daughter, Charlene, is living in Pullman and getting her PhD in Crim J at WSU. My older brother, Don (class of 63), now lives with me, and is an excellent landscaper and all around good guy. Life is perfect!  

About the next reunion...

We talk often of the next reunion, so count us in for assistance.  My only suggestion is we do it at a cooler time of year, since most of us are retired and will have lots of options, not just the summer months.

    ...Pat

What a weekend,

This week-end (18^th - 20^th), Connie and I were prepaired to host a "Family Reunion" at our home here in CdA. Folks began to arive around dinner time on Friday... and we had a nice spagetti feed set in the back yard.

At about 9:00^pm.... Connie's defibrillator went off and we were off to the hospital...  she was released late Saturday afternoon... so much of the weekend was a blurrrrrrrr.......

Doctors tell us that the pacemaker - defibrulator has done it's job and that, as far as we know now, there's no additional damage to her heart.

We're going to have to be a lot more careful about our tendancy to "over-do".

Meanwhile.. family members pitched in.. and the family reunion was a good one.

Connie got to enjoy Saturday night and Sunday morning events... by relaxing with the family; greatful to have her home...    Bill

Good morning All.

First, I want to thank all of you for your fantastic support for a contribution in Brigitte's honor to the Susan G Komen Brest Cancer Foundation.

I've asked Vicki to go ahead with the contribution of $200 and she tells me she's "right on it".

Below is a representation of the card that will be sent to Udo in the next several days.

Once again, I'm proud to be a member of this class and I want to thank you again, for your assistance in this process.

My best wishes to you all.....      Bill

I've got some very sad information for you: Brigitte has died. The funeral is on Friday, the 14th of July here in Poggenhagen.

We all are very sad and Udo is in really bad condition. That's the reason why you get this email from me. My husband and Udo are cousins and we were very near friends to Brigitte.

I'm sorry to tell you this by email. But Udo needs a quiet period to get healthy.

.

Here is one of the "Dinner Gang"....  We were pretending that we were in Mexico!!  That's when it was 102 degrees in Lewiston a couple of weeks ago.
    ...JoAnn

Back Row: Carl & Nancy Brood, Bruce Nygaard, Cheryl (Pitkin) & Chuck Hatch
Front Row: Ron and Betty (Dahl) Shows, Michele Nygaard, JoAnn (Moore) & Bob Shockley.

Thanks to JoAnn (Moore) Shockley... we have captured a special moment!  This one is of another of our classmates that has passed that "magical" milestone (Six-OH!!).

Greetings to all my MHS classmates. Just a note to wish you all an enjoyable summer. Also a VERY HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY to those lucky ones that have hit the big # and to those who have yet to get there............. Can it be??? I am trying to count my blessings BUT this one is a little hard.......... The only good thing is getting closer to 62 and a bigger allowance.

We had a great winter in Arizona, it only rained once and I missed it.  My daughter and her family were in Singapore for four months so I took the leap and went for a 2 week visit. The 23 hour flight was a little much BUT it was so worth it. It was a wonderful adventure.

I miss Moscow but am enjoying this beautiful Oregon and being close to family. We are off for a camping trip with Bonnie Nelson Aplington  at Lincoln City this week. Bonnie and I could easily become beach bums.

Hey all.

I got a note from Carol. Looks like she's keeping busy. Take a look at her "Best Seller Opera DVD"... La Voix Humane & The Telephone Operas by Francis Poulenc and Giancarlo Menotti.

Hi Bill,

Bill -

Carolyn said you had called.  Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

My email is bill.bailey99@gmail.com

Carolyn and I moved from New Zealand back to the States in August of 2005.  I am Head of the Department of Agriculture at Western Illinois University.

Thanks.

Bill Bailey

Dear Bill,

This was really a nice surprise to hear your voice!

To complete the statement about my health - I talked to my oncologist yesterday and he thinks that no chemo is necessary just now, as no other organs are involved just now. One never knows if something resurfaces somewhere but so far I have to be under tight control. The cell activities in my sternum might be the result of the radiation I had last summer. So there won't be any radiation necessary. So far it is really good news and I'm looking forward to planning a trip to Moscow. I'll let you know well ahead of time. A trip to Coeur d'Alene would be great as so many of you are living there.

I completely forgot to ask about Connie's health. Your last news was that she is doing much better. Heart trouble is just as frightening as living with cancer - especially also for the spouse. Udo is a real pet and a big help and I'm sure you're doing the same for Connie. Give her my love and all the best wishes for both of you!

Brigitte

Friday, February 24th turned out to be a sad day for me...

I got an urgent phone call from the folks at 11th Street Doc to let me know that "your boat appears to be taking on water". Well, they were right. By the time I got there.. the boat was nearly under water. Here's a little Slide Show of my day.. last Black Friday.....

Bill

Mick is doing great!  The outlook is very positive.  Mick is gaining strength, but is still about 40 pounds under his normal weight.  He is back working and probably putting too many hours.

This past summer was a busy one for us.  Mick finally got his feeding tube out the first part of August, and started working short days. Getting the feeding tube out was a bit scary for him.  Eating is not easy and he has to push himself to eat.  He has protein shakes with each meal which helps the food go down.  He doesn't have any saliva and the taste buds have taken on a new taste for him. 

We also moved so we have a new adress (99 Reids Corner )  The move was only a couple of miles up the road, but feel it was a great opportunity for us.  We are still on the St. Joe River, but we gained quite a bit of river frontage with our move and ended up with 2 houses instead of one. 

Please feel free to drop by any time.  Mick really has enjoyed hearing from all of you and has been a huge help with his healing spirit. (Mick cell: 208-582-0274)

Linda

Dear friends,

Just a note to inform you why I have neglected getting in touch with some of you.

After I got back from our reunion I was diagnosed with cancer in my bones. After radiation I was fine again. This summer they found out that the tumor has spread to the liver. So the past few months I had a real bad chemotherapy accomponied by every problem you can get. It still didn`t help as the tumor grew, so now I`m waiting for surgery which will take place in the beginning of January.

If everything goes fine, I`m planning on visiting the Thompsons some time next year. Maybe I`ll be able to visit with some of you again. Let`s hope for the best.

The reunion was so much fun, I do hope to make to our next one!!!

Best wishes for the year 2006 to all of you

Brigitte

I talked a bit with Linda (Mick's wife) today. Micks back and working a bit... doing better but still having some problems with swallowing. Sheila Byers tells me she saw Mick and Linda in CdA a short time back and that Mick's looking "great, trim and tan".

Linda tells me they've purchased some property on the river (just down the road from the old place) and that they're moving. Lots of work to do so.. Mick will be busy.

Sue and I just got home about an hour ago. We'd been in Albuquerque to help celebrate my mother's 85th birthday. Two of my three brothers were there also.

Glad to hear that 1965's reunion went well. We've been following their website. Of course I remember a lot of the members of their class. Sue was also acquainted with some of the class members who went to the U. of I.

You asked for an update on how I'm doing. I'm pretty much recovered from the surgery I had on July 6th. So I'm back to the everyday challenge of living with Parkinson's. My doctors at OHSU are really good about working with me to optimize my medications. It's not easy to get the benefits of the drugs and not endure a lot of negative side effects.

We'll be checking the website to hear the latest about Connie and Mick. We think of them often and wish them the best.

Dave

It's time for another Connie Update

Connie and I attended the MHS Class of '65 - 40th Reunion last weekend. It was a good one too!

Connie's doing pretty well. She's able to get around but still tires easily.

As you may know, we received a notice that her pacemaker/defibrillator had been "recalled". As it turns out, the situation is not serious enough to require replacement at this time.

The Dr. explained a bit about Connie's pacemaker/defibrillator recall to us the other day.

It has something to do with a "magnetic switch" that is used to disable the defibrillator when a doctor elects to perform procedures that involve electrical activity. Normally, when those procedures are done, the doctor places a small magnet over the site of the defibrillator that disables the device so that it won't discharge during the procedure. When the procedure is completed, they remove the magnet and the device goes back to it's normal operation.

The problem was that, in several instances, the magnetic switch didn't disengage and there was a possibility that the procedure would cause the defibrillator to send out a SERIOUS shock.. to the doctor performing a procedure. In addition, in some cases, when the magnet was removed, the magnetic switch would not re-engage and the defibrillator would cease to function. Neither is a good situation.

For the time being, they have electronically disabled the magnetic switch in Connie's unit. That means that, should she need one of those "procedures" they need to have someone available to electronically disable the device during the test and then re-enable it afterward.

Now the exciting news..... Connie's back "on the road". After 90 days in the passenger seat, she has the OK to drive again. That should make the local retail merchants giddy with excitement!

Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!   ..... Bill

I talked with Mick last night. He tells me he's up to a quarter of a Cheeseberger now.. and things like watermellon, etc. He's still having a bit of trouble swallowing. For the time being, he's still using the feeding tube.

He's also "back to work", though he tires easily, needs to take it slow and get a lot of rest.

Mick sounded great to me!

Note from Sue:

Dave's surgery went very well and he is recuperating at home after one night in the hospital. Daughter Mary came home to be with us this week. It's been wonderful to have her company and help.

We like the Classmates Notes page. Hope others will send their updates.

• Off to the airport...
• Hanging with the stars...

We have just returned from our trip, none the richer in $$$$ but so much more in mind, body and spirit. We had a fun time catching up on what we have been doing the past 41 years. We also found time to attend 2 great shows, as well as a visit to Paris and Italy. Time was not wasted in the pool and floating river. We could float with the best of them.

Vacations are the best, especially when shared with terrific lifelong friends.

Well, last year was a "no moss" year for us. Phil's dad and mom both passed away. Dad was 92 and mom missed her 92 birthday on July 3rd by a few months. We were both surprised that dad went first, as he was always the strong one, but we were more surprised that mom held out another 10 months before she followed. We'll miss them both.

Kathy's mom, Kathryn, just turned 90 in March and is doing great. She still lives by her self in the old homestead out on Mix Road. She drives, swims, goes to club and is in good health. We are so happy to have her with us.

On the new life side of the ledger, our youngest daughter, Rebecca, presented us with a beautiful little grandson, Lucas, on April 3rd. Brand new and loving it! He was suppose to be a birthday present for Phil and be born on the 1st, but he wouldn't cooperate. (We wonder if that is a sign??)

We had three of our grands for 9 days at "Grandparents Camp". Everyone wondered if we were going to be able to handle it, but we fooled them and had a great time. Little guys keep you young as well as busy, besides, we could send them home after camp was over!!!. Their parents all tell us that they are looking forward to next year. (We think they meant them, not the kids, but???)

• Ready to go
• Monkeying around
• Whose tired now?

Phil has changed jobs again. He is back working for Home Depot which opened a new store last fall in Burlington, just 10 minutes from home. The Depot is where Phil started in retail after he retired from good o'l GTE. One of the first people he ran into at work was a guy he had worked with at GTE in Everett and Coeur d Alene for years. Lots of old story telling and re-hashing.

We trust that you are all doing well and want to let those of you with physical challenges right now know that we are praying for you.

Thanks Bill, for this great new idea you came up with. Looking forward to hearing from lots of folks.

On July 6, I will finally have the surgery to remove the distribution system (catheters, tubing & pumps) that was installed for the medical study that was discontinued last September. Guess the accountants for OHSU and the drug company had to wrangle about who pays for what. It will be nice to get it over with. I been walking around for ten months with this now useless equipment in me.

Sue and I spent 16 days in Hawaii in May. Our daughter, Jenny, received her PhD in geology/geophysics from the University of Hawaii on May 15. My mom and step-dad and my youngest brother Chuck (born the summer before our 9th grade) flew over for the graduation. So it was kind of a partial family reunion, too. In 1981, when Jenny was 5, she attended the ceremonies at the University of Illinois where my mom received her PhD in bi-lingual/bi-cultural education. The next spring she had attended her Uncle Chuck's graduation from Illinois in electrical engineering. So they were returning the favor. Jenny and her husband Doug Holdt are back living and working in Honolulu now. Guess they aren't fond of the wet Oregon weather.

Our daughter Mary wasn't able to be at the graduation because she was at work on a 134-foot sailing ship. She is an oceanography teacher for the Sea Education Association--an offshoot of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute--which sponsors the Semester at Sea program.

Hope all of you have a great 4th of July celebration. I'm doing okay and feel that I have much to be thankful for. Family and friends make all the difference.

I talked with Linda the other day... she tells me Mick is still using the feeding tube.

His throat has healed from the radiation therapy but there is a problem with the glands that make saliva and there's not enough "lubracant" to help him swallow.

There's a bit more info on Mick's page (link above)

It's time for another Connie Update

Just when you think you're about to picked up the last bread-crumb on the trip back to normalcy, the trail becomes a bit confusing. Connie's been "Bionic" since the 20th of April when she received a Gardian Pacemaker/Defibrillator at Sacred Heart in Spokane.

Yesterday, we received a letter letting us know that Connie's device is among those determined to have possible defects. The unit hasn't been "recalled" but, it appears that, some of it's functions will need to be disabled in order for the critical Defibrillator capability to be assured. With that, they suggest that the operational life of the instrument may be effected.

We'll need to wait until next week to find out if anything more than the function re-programming is needed... but... it has added a bit of stress to us both.