Mike's Notes and Pics

Monday in Kirkland: Last Minute Photos

2012-01-31T08:12:00.000-05:00

Kirkland Photos: Monday

2012-01-29T06:31:00.000-05:00

Kirkland Photos: Thursday

2012-01-29T06:14:00.000-05:00

Kirkland Photos: Friday

2012-01-28T23:43:00.000-05:00

Kirkland Photos: Saturday

2012-01-28T23:31:00.001-05:00

Second Take

2012-01-28T09:23:00.000-05:00

Friday Kirkland Photo Collage

2012-01-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

Thursday Kirkland Photo Collage

2012-01-26T23:37:00.000-05:00

Kirkland Monday Photo Collage

2012-01-23T23:59:00.000-05:00

Kirkland Sunday Photo Collage

2012-01-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

Reading List 2011

2012-01-16T12:41:00.002-05:00

December 26 Photo Collage From Loogootee Bird House

2011-12-27T10:49:00.000-05:00

My Belize City Guardian Angel

2011-12-19T21:51:00.000-05:00

The lady with the blue shoulder bag made sure I stayed on the straight and narrow down in Belize City as I made my way back to the cruise ship. I had spent a couple of hours in Belize City and headed back in the direction I thought was correct. But I was not sure. So I stopped this young lady and asked her for directions. What made her my Belize City Guardian Angel is that she took the time to stop on two other occasions (guess she was kinda heading in the same direction) over the next fifteen to twenty minutes to clarify the directions and to ensure that, because of the high crime rate (40%, whatever that means), I did what she said: no going across the street; no going down a side street. So, a big thanks to the lady with the blue shoulder bag for helping me out.

Cruise Stuff: Photo Collage and Diane's Recap

2011-12-15T21:01:00.000-05:00

Diane's recap of our Carnival Liberty cruise:

We left here on Nov. 30th to drive to Miami to catch the Carnival Liberty cruise ship that left on Dec. 3rd. Got there in record time because much of the distance was on the "super-highways" where people go from 70 to 80 mph. That covers a lot of ground in a short time! Got good mileage with the Yaris and found gas prices were less as we moved south.

Miami traffic flow is impossible. Looks like their freeway system "grew like Topsy" and is difficult to maneuver in the best of times. We got very lost more than once. We liked Miami Beach, both the town and the beach, though it was cool and windy when we were there. We stayed at a motel that offered free parking and free shuttle service to the docks.

We were on the ship when it left the dock at 4:00 on the 3rd. Our stateroom was small and got smaller every day... but it was very clean and compact and convenient. We were among the inside rooms on the 8th deck (pretty much mid-ship all around). The motion of the ship and the sea was pretty much continuous but I found it relaxing and lulling. I LOVE the ocean and could sit quietly and watch the water for hours on end. I slept like a baby.

I wouldn't have cared if we hadn't stopped at any ports.

First stop was Cozumel, Mexico. We bought a tour that included a very beautiful video of Mexico, a museum of Mayan/Mestizo/Mexican art, and a walk through replicas of the many Mayan ruins around the area, complete with a running explanation and commentary from an excellent guide. Mike wanted to take photographs of the people living on the interior rather than along the boardwalk and tourist-y shops, so after the tour we made our way along the streets that led away from the dock. He got some great shots and we found the people to be very friendly and smiling and accepting of our presence. No one seemed resentful of our being on their street, nor of taking their picture, and no one ran alongside trying to sell us something.

Next stop was Belize. I stayed aboard and Mike went out for his photography session. He can tell you more about that, but his main impression was that the people of Belize were less well off than those in Cozumel, the streets, houses and shops more dilapidated and unkempt, and his security a bit more threatened.... not that any of that bothered him... several people helped him stay out of trouble :)

Mahogany Bay on Isla Roatan off the coast of Honduras is a Carnival Cruise Line creation, and is made up of shops and stores selling tax and duty-free stuff like cigarettes, cigars, alcohol, jewelry, perfumes, etc. (There were "adventure tours" for sale online and on the ship for all of these four stops we made, but we didn't buy any of them ahead of time. Turns out there are the same tours offered once you get off the ship, and they are cheaper.) At this stop we just took a short walk around the "mall" and then onto a path called a "nature trail". Ha. Beautiful place if that is what you want... America in Honduras.

The last stop was on Grand Cayman Island, and it was again very tourist-y with lots of small shops and stores. The Cayman Islands are still quite British, and some famous people visit there regularly or own homes there... and it is also known for its many banks that hold lots of money for rich folks who use it like the Swiss bank accounts we all hear about. Anyway, it was pretty European and American there. No "natives" visible. We found an internet cafe there and Mike emailed for the first time. It was very costly to buy internet time on the ship and the cell phones didn't work anywhere, so we were pretty much cut off from communication. I got seriously overheated in the sun and humidity of the island, so Mike walked me back to the ship and then continued his exploration of the island. Then we set off for Miami, disembarked and drove home. Yay!

I loved the ship, the staff, the vacationers... but most of all the water.... calming, soothing, boundless and beautiful. There was always something to do and plenty, plenty, plenty of food available around the clock. Buffets and formal dining rooms, and a burger bar, a deli, a pizza bar, and always juice and coffee and tea and ice water. There were two "elegant" nights when the women dressed to the nines. I just "dressed up" one night, not the second. We ate three big meals a day and had continuous access to all the ice cream I could ever want. Heaven! There were lots of activities and entertainment far into the night. A person could stay drunk and party for 7 straight days if they wanted. There were shops and pools and hot tubs and a spa and an exercise room (that we never found). There were people from all over the world, of all ages, both large and small families and groups, even some singles. One could be a non-stop people watcher. We met some amazing people with interesting stories, and we both enjoyed the babies, small kids and teens.

Escape to the stateroom was always an option, but we seldom took advantage of that. We had a good balance of time together and time apart and it was all good. Every morning we got up before or just at dawn and walked the jogging track. We also scorned the elevators and walked the stairs... lots of them, lots of times. I got aching leg muscles and Mike got out of breath. He gained 2 lbs.; I lost 3. Go figure.

Got back Sunday night the 11th around 8:00, safe and sound. Here at home I am still putting things away and opening mail, wrapping and mailing Christmas presents, catching up on email. Went shopping for groceries today to restock the frig. Bought a rotisserie chicken for dinner because I'm just not ready to cook yet. Chopped up some greens for a salad and had a late dinner, watching PBS news. Can't say I'm in any hurry to get back to the old routine, but it's inevitable.

So there you have it. Lots more to tell, but you'll have to ask specific questions or I'll be typing this all night!! I highly recommend cruising :)

Diane
12-12-11

Diane At Miami Beach - On The Beach

2011-12-03T09:17:00.000-05:00

On Miami Beach yesterday after leaving Deerfield Beach and heading to Miami. We're about to head on out of here - the shuttle to the ship (Carnival Liberty) leaves in 45 minutes. After experiencing Miami traffic yesterday, I need about a year at sea to recover - what madness...

Diane at Crescent Beach Just South of St. Augustine

2011-12-01T20:32:00.000-05:00

Today: Traveled from Macon down through St. Augustine and Crescent Beach (we see the Atlantic Ocean!) and then to Deerfield Beach just north of Miami.

Diane at Sunshine China III in Macon, Georgia

2011-12-01T05:42:00.000-05:00

On our way to Miami, Florida for a cruise. Stayed in Macon our first night. Today we get into Florida and drive down the east coast getting as close to Miami as possible.

Sons And Their Moms

2011-09-30T10:36:00.000-04:00

Diane Having Way Too Much Fun

2011-09-29T07:40:00.000-04:00

Farm Market Vendors: Laura and John

2011-09-29T06:46:00.000-04:00

At The Farmers' Market: Liz Laughing

2011-09-25T10:02:00.000-04:00

Diane, Eric and Colleen in the Wee Hours at the Donut Barn (Wednesday)

2011-09-22T20:53:00.000-04:00

Delightful Moments 2

2011-09-02T12:22:00.000-04:00

Delightful Moments

2011-09-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

#47 Watching 1st Quarter Action

2011-08-23T15:58:00.000-04:00

Lucas on the sidelines

2011-08-23T06:45:00.000-04:00

With unsuited buddies.

The Season For Football

2011-08-23T06:28:00.000-04:00

Lucas and Eric at the North Daviess - North Central JV football game last night in Odon.

Diane Selling Donuts at the Bloomington Farmer's Market

2011-08-07T13:57:00.000-04:00

And chatting with the neighbor...

Eric Taking Pics of Ian at the Loogootee-Shoals BaseballGame

2011-07-26T16:18:00.000-04:00

Ian After a Day on the Mower

2011-07-09T22:14:00.000-04:00

Miki and Kevin Couching

2011-07-02T14:38:00.000-04:00

Laura and Marty Porching

2011-07-02T14:33:00.000-04:00

Diane and Miki With Coffee Cups at the Bistro

2011-06-28T16:23:00.000-04:00

Bird Lane and Family Gathering Around The Dining Table

2011-06-28T16:13:00.001-04:00

The first afternoon of Miki and Kevin's visit - we went out to Lost River to see the old homestead. Expected high water since we had just had a deluge (3.5 inches) Saturday night. And high water is what we got - stopped us from going any further than Charlie Atkison's south pasture there in front of his barn. Felt just like old times. Choose not to hike the hills but rather wait till another visit to show Kevin where Miki spent some of her growing up years. Top photo: Bird Lane right there at the turn off of Rusk Road, now known as Butler Bridge Road. Did notice that the county put up a brand spanking new stop sign at the end of Bird Lane. Second photo: Kevin, Miki, Eric, Diane and Lucas at the dining table. Eric was the bearer of the goodies, bringing down a box full of donuts from Colleen. Don't know if Diane (btw, that's her starting off a new decade, her 70th birthday) is trying to get into the box or is holding down the lid.

Payton Waving To Kayla and Diane, and Kayla

2011-06-18T16:30:00.000-04:00

In beautiful downtown Loogootee earlier today.

More Ian

2011-06-14T07:54:00.000-04:00

Ian at the fueling station

2011-06-12T16:02:00.000-04:00

Wedding Photos 2

2011-06-01T22:36:00.000-04:00

Wedding Photos

2011-06-01T13:23:00.000-04:00

Diane in Lavender at the Corner Cafe

2011-05-06T11:32:00.000-04:00

Had breakfast with Marty and Jim Bateman there earlier today.

Lu and Chaime Collage

2011-04-30T07:21:00.000-04:00

Easter in Noblesville

2011-04-24T22:59:00.000-04:00

Rising From The Ashes

2011-04-18T22:46:00.000-04:00

A couple of (young) Eastern Bluebirds found themselves in our wood stove several days back with no idea how to fly up the chimney (the way then got there in the first place). Had to pull shades and close interior doors and open the French doors to the back yard and then wait for them to hear and respond to the calling of a parent. Took about ten minutes before they walked to the front of the stove and fly off to the safety of the great big outdoors.

Eric and his Birthday Cake - One of Them

2011-03-29T21:15:00.001-04:00

This was actually one of those super duper double delicious chocolate cakes Diane and I used to make by the dozen back in the late 70's (?) and 80's. Been a while since I made one though Colleen remembers me making one for her birthday - five years ago? ten? Eric did get a Colleen made birthday cake yesterday, his actual birthday, a yummy delicious ice cream cake.

At The Donut Barn In Odon

2011-03-14T20:56:00.000-04:00

Kevin and Miki at a Bloomington rest area 2

2011-03-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

Summer 2010.

Kevin and Miki at a Bloomington rest area

2011-03-09T15:12:00.000-05:00

Summer 2010.

Ian on a Sunday Afternoon

2011-02-21T21:40:00.000-05:00

Eric on a Monday

2011-02-07T21:53:00.000-05:00

Earlier today before we went down to the China Wok for lunch.

diane's left hand

2011-02-07T14:42:00.000-05:00

Dinner in the Making

2011-01-21T12:02:00.000-05:00

Early stages of a roasted veggies plate for a Thursday night dinner.

The Boys: Ian and Lucas

2011-01-06T17:34:00.000-05:00

During a Colt game this past week. Can tell that Ian, the sleeper, has a shakable devotion to the NFL.

Reading List 2010

2011-01-01T16:45:00.000-05:00

Here's what I read in 2010. Got any suggestions for my reading pleasure in 2011?

Reading List 2010

Colleen, Diane and Laura

2010-12-27T21:00:00.000-05:00

Brothers and Brothers

2010-12-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

Marty and Eric working at web design last night. And Lucas and Ian waiting for food at a DQ in Spencer earlier today.

Diane and One of the Colonial Ladies...

2010-12-22T07:16:00.000-05:00

...sharing a laugh. Kinda looks like it's at my expense. Note the younger female who apparently did not find the humor in the situation...

Diane Being Touristy

2010-12-22T07:02:00.000-05:00

At the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg yesterday afternoon.

Party Pics From Noblesville

2010-12-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits From St. Louis 8

2010-12-04T08:52:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits From St. Louis 7

2010-12-02T11:01:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits From St. Louis 6

2010-12-01T10:22:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits from St. Louis 5

2010-11-30T21:04:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits from St. Louis 4: Forest Park Playground

2010-11-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits from St. Louis 3

2010-11-29T17:31:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits from St. Louis 2

2010-11-29T17:20:00.000-05:00

Family Portraits from St. Louis Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T13:32:00.001-05:00

Lopi Endeavor Fired Up!

2010-11-09T11:53:00.000-05:00

We've had a few fires so far this season. The new wood stove is marvelous! Now we have to figure out a way to move some of the warmth from the White Room to the rest of the house.

More Photos from Shoals High School

2010-11-07T07:30:00.000-05:00

Athletic Honors Photos at Shoals High School

2010-11-07T07:25:00.000-05:00

Twenty-five Years Ago

2010-11-01T20:51:00.000-04:00

I know at least three people who have changed some over those 25 years. Look at those smiles - Miki knows how to throw a good graduation, doesn't she?

Look for the Lady in the Pink Sweater

2010-10-22T11:40:00.000-04:00

Wilma, Jim and Greg Bateman seen at the v-ball sectionals at North Daviess last night. They were sitting in the Washington Catholic cheering section (played the second game) though cheering for the Barr Reeve Vikings and Tya Harmon. Diane and I were over in the North Daviess cheering section for the first game and then the Shoals cheering section for the second game.

Ladies with Something to Smile About

2010-09-16T06:50:00.000-04:00

Don't know what it was that got Wilma and Diane smiling so. Jim and I had joined them for breakfast at Denny's in Jasper but don't expect that was it...

Ian Taking Down a Bloomfield Runner

2010-08-30T12:16:00.000-04:00

Action at yesterday's North Daviess-Bloomfield football game at North Daviess.

Eric, Oma And The Boys

2010-08-17T15:01:00.000-04:00

At Wendy's for a bite to eat after league last Saturday evening.

Breakfast with the Batemans

2010-08-10T14:18:00.000-04:00

At the Loogootee Family Restaurant earlier today.

Martin County Fair 2010 My Photos - Non Blue Ribbon Submissions

2010-07-08T16:37:00.002-04:00

Blue Heron at Boggs Lake (b&w - Nature) - White ribbon (3rd)

Loogootee Wall Art (color - structure) - participation ribbon

Chinese Girl with Make Do Make Up (color - Portrait) - Red ribbon (2nd)

Martin County Fair 2010 - My Photos in Open Class - Blue Ribbons

2010-07-08T16:32:00.001-04:00

Perched Blue Heron at Boggs Lake

Man Leaning On Wall

All Star Champs from Odon - Tyler and Ian

2010-06-27T16:21:00.001-04:00

They took a break between games and came and rested up at our place before going back to Shoals and winning the championship game against host Shoals Saturday evening.

Danielle With New Baby Jane

2010-06-11T10:56:00.001-04:00

Loves.

Happy Birthday Michael Cake

2010-06-08T07:30:00.000-04:00

Made by Colleen, owner/manager of The Donut Barn in Odon, daughter-in-law, hard working artist and baker, on Sunday morning, my 70th birthday. Looks good; tastes good, too!

Playing for Change - Latest Stuff

2010-05-27T07:21:00.000-04:00

Go here to hear and see what they are doing now.

Grading Blade

2010-05-18T08:26:00.000-04:00

Borrowed a grading blade from Charlie Lyon and had Eric come on over and grade our much neglected driveway and road leading down to E350N. Both the blade and Eric did a fantastic job. Thanks, Charlie, and Eric. Now to find a blade of our own (7 footer, 100 hp rating).

Om Mani Padme Hum Bracelet

2010-05-09T08:48:00.000-04:00

Om Mani Padme Hum is a Buddhist mantra and is inscribed in Sanskrit on the bracelet in the above photo.

Tibetan Buddhists believe that saying the mantra (prayer), Om Mani Padme Hum,
out loud or silently to oneself, invokes the powerful benevolent attention and
blessings of Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion. Viewing the written form
of the mantra is said to have the same effect -- it is often carved into stones,
like the one pictured above, and placed where people can see them.

Picked the bracelet up this past week when I was in Bloomington having lunch with Miki. Much more about the mantra and Buddhism and Chenrezig, the embodiment of compassion (bears repeating), here, which is the sourse of the above quote.

Daughter Bearing Gift for Dad

2010-05-07T09:27:00.000-04:00

Miki returned to her office to get me the poster she is carring in her left hand, one created for a book she worked on at IU Press: Girls for Sale.

Carpeting and Tiling

2010-05-03T11:43:00.000-04:00

Progress on the new addition with the installation of carpeting in the White Room and tile laminate in the entry, bathroom and kitchen. And, yes, I have started moving in. Still to do: more electrical, plumbing and communication hook-ups. And then landscaping.

At The Donut Barn in Odon

2010-04-26T10:51:00.000-04:00

Eric helping a couple of customers Sunday afternoon - day is just about done for the donut makers.

Oma (Diane) chats with Ian. Ian was looking forward to closing up shop and heading home - Avatar was on the agenda and he was looking forward to seeing it again.

Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil, a good read

2010-04-23T22:08:00.000-04:00

Finished this little book, Yann Martel's Beatrice and Virgil, sent by Random House's Rochelle Clark a few weeks ago. It's unusual and unique - consider this - Beatrice is a donkey and Virgil is a howler monkey. And if some kind of hell comes to mind with those two names, well, this book takes you into a kind of hell - torture, pain, starvation, desolation, despair, destruction, death. Not nice the kind of things we suffer upon each other. Martel's book again reminds us of our humanity and the things that we are capable of. A goody. Go here for Beatrice and Virgil's own web site - you get to meet them.

More Photos from last week's sports extravaganza in Loogootee

2010-04-19T09:27:00.000-04:00

Hannah LaMar with the mien of an athlete dead set on the mission at hand - throttling the competition.

Lucas Bird (grandson) wondering (?!) if the guy in the orange shirt is ever going to drop that ball. Well, maybe just paying attention to words of wisdom from one of the ND coaches.

Hannah and playing partner, Ashton Matthews, who did go on to win their doubles match against the girls from Washington. Dave Wininger told me that Lindsey and her partner also won.

Boys of Spring

2010-04-18T23:01:00.000-04:00

North Daviess played Loogootee in a game in Loogootee the other night. Here one of the ND lads (Alex Wittmer?) is stepping in to the incoming pitch.

Tennis in Loogootee

2010-04-16T08:19:00.000-04:00

Word of the Day: Ikigai

2010-04-15T08:46:00.000-04:00

Ikigai

-from Wikipedia:

Ikigai (生き甲斐 - pronounced "ee-ki-guy") is the Japanese equivalent of the French, raison d'être. In English, these translate respectively as: 'something important one lives for', and 'a reason for being'.
Although the meanings are similar, cultural attitudes towards the concept they embody, differ.
Few possess a raison d’être, but those who go through life with an enduring passion for something, can be consumed by it to the detriment of social relationships and a "normal" lifestyle. Thus, there are seen to be both desirable and undesirable aspects to having a raison d’être.
Everyone, according to the Japanese, has a hidden ikigai. Finding it requires a deep and often lengthy search of self. Such a search is regarded as being very important, since it is believed that discovery of one's ikigai brings satisfaction and meaning to life.

Found at dkos' Abreviated Pundit Round-Up which was referring to a Boston Globe oped, A Life Worth Living. That oped is talking about Japanese seniors and their continuing pursuit of 'ikigai. I like it - the word and the meaning. Now to find a visual representation of it...

Author Paul Hendrickson's Biography/Memoir of Marion Post Wolcott

2010-04-11T09:53:00.001-04:00

Just finished Paul Hendrickson's Looking for the Light, the hidden life and art of Marion Post Wolcott, a fascinating look at another photographer, this one gaining her fame through her work with the Farm Security Administration in 'shooting' photos of Americans and America during the latter years of the Depression and the first years of WWII. After a relatively brief stint - three years, Marion Post Wolcott disappeared from the world of photography and was later (like forty years later) 'discovered' and given the acclaim that she deserved. In brief: she got herself married and had kids and pretty much had far much to do to think of picking up her camera. The author mixes biography with memoir (he became friends with Marion and her one and only husband, Lee) to tell a tale that is informative, revelatory and very touching as he tries to understand why the silence of the artist lady who traveled the South (and other places) in her convertible taking photos back around 1940. More on Marion Post Wolcott at wikipedia.com and here for some of her photos.

Tiled Corner

2010-04-08T12:41:00.000-04:00

My first tiling project - floor protection for a wood stove that will heat the addition. Painting all but done (95% by Diane) and the flooring needing to be installed - Diane had hoped that would have been completed before she returned from the Seattle area (visiting daughter Danielle and granddaughters Naomi and Leah in Kirkland). She returns this Saturday night and the floor is going to be looking about what it looks like in the above photo.

Cascarones, etc.

2010-04-05T09:08:00.000-04:00

Goings on at Easter dinner up in Noblesville. Marty and Laura hosted and cascarones were part of the fun (out in the back yard).

Swallows Return

2010-03-28T22:15:00.000-04:00

Saw them back in the area for the first time yesterday, swooping and bobbing and having a great old time out at the golf course.

Hoosier Hysteria

2010-03-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

The Barr Reeve Vikings did prevail in regional action last Saturday and advance to the semi-state against North Central this coming Saturday at 4pm over in Seymour.

Arena Portraits

2010-03-15T16:19:00.000-04:00

Photos taken at the boys' regional basketball games at Loogootee last Saturday.

Around the Arena: Boys Basketball Regional 4

2010-03-14T10:24:00.001-04:00

More Lanesville moms.

Locals.

Lollipops, muffins, a cell phone and a handbag that carries everything but the kitchen sink, maybe.

And somebody to lean on, completely.

Around the Arena: Boys Basketball Regional 3

2010-03-14T10:09:00.001-04:00

Lanesville mom checking how her camera was working.

Yound Eagle fans.

Little brother of #31?

Young fan with pom poms.

Around the Arena: Boys Basketball Regional 2

2010-03-14T09:47:00.000-04:00

Panda Bear at rest.

Cheerleaders, shades and a cell phone resting place.

Camera guys bookending three young cheering fans.

Tecumseh Brave fan in beaded, beribboned and colorful garb.