Gailabration & Dino Too

The week has really seen a variety of things going on . . . stuff and more stuff. The weather too has been a little of this and a little of that including a lot of wind . . . some rain and it seems a hesitation to really say that "it is now summer" though it officially is. June, always a nice month and this one is no exception, for it is the
month of Gail's birth. The "Gailabration" does take up the better part of the month and it is nice that today is the official day (Dino too celebrates with his ninth month)

These most beautiful of roses arrived in time to commemorate the occasion -- I wish that I could claim to be the sender but I can't -- so thank you Aura for brightening up both of our days . . .

Dino's Week and Experience

This training exercise was really a lot of fun -- but it had to be a lot of work to plan and "pull off" by our leaders of the club. Yesterday, Saturday, we boarded a ferry boat some 60 miles from here to cruise over to San Francisco. Usually when we go, we just drive . . . but the day was designed to give Dino and the other 11 pups that went a new experience. It was however a new experience for both Gail and me as well.

It turns out that the weather was perfect for the event -- neither too hot nor too cold. All 12 pups did very well on the ride -- most used the hum and vibration of the engines as a sign to nod off -- as did a few of the other passengers as well. Since neither Gail nor I had ridden the ferry here (we have in Seattle) it was interesting to view some of the sights from a different perspective. Cruising by two penal institutions gave one pause to think if our boat was being watched by inmates all wishing that they could be on board. San Quentin looked foreboding and old and very much an institution not unlike a factory looking set of buildings. We had just recently read about some of the inhabitants living out their sentences there . . .

The other penal institution -- Alcatraz -- of course does not have current residents. The whole trip from Larkspur to the Ferry Terminal in San Francisco takes less than an hour. The view of the GG Bridge and other recognizable landmarks was great. Immediately upon docking and getting off the boat we were in the midst of crowds -- for it was also a nice weather day in San Francisco AND it was Pride weekend . . .

We walked over to an area for the pups to feel free to relieve themselves -- not all of them did that, including Dino. Then we made our way over to the Embarcadero Center and walked the pups through a structure with many waterfalls and walkways and stairs. Most of the pups enjoyed the exercise and one (the youngest one) actually jumped in the water at one point.

We strolled around the Embarcadero and took many photos and then went into the Hyatt Regency -- a truly breathtaking lobby. We all took the pups up the elevators and around the site. All the pups did well and behaved well. Back outside we wandered through the maze of booths selling crafts and other items, took more pictures and eventually made our way back to the Ferry Terminal and went through the huge Farmer's Market there. It was wall to wall people again with many many people wanting to pet Dino or to ask about him and the other pups.

We stayed two hours in San Francisco and then headed back for a return trip on the ferry to Larkspur. We pretty much were tired as was Dino and the other pups. After a pleasant return cruise we went back on the freeway only to find bumper to bumper traffic and stop and go for many miles -- we got home at 3 pm and finally ate lunch and all three of us collapsed until 6 pm . . .

It was Saturday night and we were almost too tired to eat "burgers & fries", but we managed . . .

Other Project Progress


The week started with our favorite construction crew returning with "stuff" to work on. The pool house had been sitting quietly for several days while waiting for "stuff" to arrive. Finally it did and work went on all week getting "stuff" installed and ready for future enjoyment and use . . .

As you can see, "stuff" was happening and it was amazing how things can come together -- but they haven't totally yet . . . and as always with any project unforeseen things happen -- like the doorway -- it was a hair too small to allow the "stuff" in . . . so, the solution is -- a new door . . . that has been ordered and in the meantime plywood works.

Dino and Gail enjoyed the shade as work progressed and soon we will have our backyard to ourselves again. After the workers go home each day, we have re-introduced Quiddler into our daily activities -- if the wind isn't kicking up . . .

The Big Day


Today, Sunday is the "big-day" -- we started the day with a special treat for us -- breakfast out. We wandered over to "Omelette Express" in nearby Windsor and really enjoyed the huge omelettes. Dino was very good while we ate -- he stretched out under the table (on Gail's side) and was still the object of attention by many  of the other diners, some of whom stopped by to chat -- we have met more folks because of Dino.

After breakfast we wandered through the Windsor Farmer's Market which was very busy, very crowded and we even purchased some good-looking berries. Dino again got a lot of attention and questions and "pats" . . .

Back home, we celebrated with a few gifts -- Dino loves packages -- and had tea and coffee. Above you can see the "back then pics" of course in those days no color . . . and then some pics from today. In both sets of photos there is a family pet, gifts and flowers -- cake and candles may come later . . .

It is too hard to see but the framed item that Gail is holding is actually a four generation family tree of her maternal and paternal branches engraved in brass . . . she is also holding a couple of other special gifts as well . . . plus Dino.

Part of My Genealogical Week


I was involved with indexing again this week and I also attended two webinars from Legacy.com. The ability to attend these free webinars is really nice. I learn a lot and get enthused about different areas to pursue the search  . . .

As you can see the topics were interesting and the speakers were great as well. Legacy (and other sites) offer a variety of webinars and if you have the time it is time well spent. I have signed up for several more in the coming weeks.

If you would like to check Legacy out here is a link:   Legacy.com Webinars  They have some very interesting and knowledgeable folks lined up in the coming weeks.

The Other Part of My Genealogical Week

I have to say that it is not very often that this happens -- but I received a box of "goodies" containing old letters, old photos and an old bible pertaining to a branch of our family tree. It was from my brother who is thinning out some of his inventory and I was a very excited recipient of the "stuff"".

I have gone through most of the letters -- the bad thing is that they are all (except for one) in Swedish -- my Swedish is a bit rusty and in fact was never up-to-par, so I will look for ways to translate some of the letters.
And then too, the photo album contains a large number of photos of probable relatives -- none of whom are identified . . .

So I have my challenges -- but happily so. It has sparked my renewed focus on the branch of my maternal side that I suppose most of this material relates to:

In the above collage are a few examples of the letters that were there. Then some photos actually from my paternal branch that might or might not have anything to do with the cache. Never-the-less, I though I'd share the photos of Olaf Johnson and his parents -- who actually lived a few doors down form a paternal  great grandfather -- Samuel Martin.

So I have a renewed interest in checking out several of the branches of our tree because of receiving this box of goodies -- so thanks to Marv for supplying me with this. I hope to report back on some new information soon. I actually found in one of the letters, a piece of an old negative from the period of the late 1800s that I scanned and could see an image of a woman -- I just have to try to figure out who it might be . . . I do like the detective work though.

And so that was our week -- it isn't quite over yet, but you get a pretty good sense of it . . .


Have a good week, see you all in a few!