Meema and Oompa 2014

These are good pictures of us! 

The Present Colgate 13 -- Concert in Western Springs, Illinois January 13th

Bill MacIntosh, Bud Hedinger, Ed Hines

The present Colgate 13 -- Bill MacIntosh in center

13 was to concertize in Chicago as part of their January tour around the country. Ed wanted Bill MacIntosh, the oldest living Colgate 13 member whom we've visited through the years, to attend.  The venue would have been horrid -- many steps making it impossible for Bill and his wife Caroline to negotiate.  So my precious husband found a new venue!  Bill and Caroline's church, a building on the historic register!  A perfect place.  The concert was a huge success with a Colgate 13 alum from California, a professional documentary producer, flying in to film the concert.  This person has been creating a Colgate 13 documentary for the past few years.

Poor Deer

So cold and so hungry.

Foolproof Prime Rib

I haven't made a standing rib for years.  A friend told me about this recipe and it worked.   But ---- I took the rib roast out of the refrig and let it get to room temperature for 4 hours.  And -- where it says to reheat at 375 degrees, we did so for 1 hour.  Maggie Merkow, Carla, Neal, Gabi along with Meema and Oompa did some fine eatin'.  None of us suffered heartburn!!!! 

Christmas Out Here With Everyone

Here is a link to a Picasa Web Album.  Pictures speak louder than words.  Click on a picture to blow it up 'cause then you can see the entire caption as well as scrolling through the entire album with more clarity. 

 "Wasn't this a time?" Last verse from Peter Paul and Mary about the history of democracy called Wasn't That a Time and Meema used to play it on Gumbert, her beloved Martin guitar. I think I still know the tune AND the words.

Rain!

Seems like when the girls visit, we get inundated with rain.  Happily, the huge new sump is doing its job.

Three Generations

December 27, 2015

Children Living in the Garbage Dump in Guatemala

Years ago when I worked at Bloomington Junior High, I remember a book about the children living in a garbage dump in Guatemala.  At John Nicholson's funeral, I reconnected with Deb Walters, Megan's mother-in-law and she related what she has been doing for the past several years.  Dr. Deborah Waters kayaks from Main to Guatemala solo to raise money for these same children, the children who live in the garbage dump! The pictures in this book were taken by the children.  It is available through Amazon.

Dr. Deb Waters in her kayak  

 A Grandmother's Solo Paddling Expedition from Maine to Guatemala

On the above website you are able to follow Deb on her route.   

Vicki Threw a Never-Ending Party

Friday evening when people arrived, Vicki had mountains of food on her dining room table.  This was a time for everyone to gather before the memorial service the following day.  Cheeses, all kinds of cold cuts, veggies, sushi, and the list goes on.  After the memorial service at Christ Church, everyone was invited to lunch at a restaurant within walking distance of the Church.  Victoire Belgian Beer Bar & Bistro was perfect!  

What a spread of foods to include steamed mussels. 

Megan Nicholson asked people to send her pictures of John from bygone years because in the room where the buffet was located, was a large screen.  So there were never-ending photos of John and Vicki, Megan and Brian and their kids.  Brian and Allison (I officiated at their marriage in Salt Lake City years back in a botanical garden) have Liam and Morgan.  Megan and Thomas are parents to Henry and E.V.  (Eleanor Vivian) All four cousins are close in age -- about  6  to 8 years old.

Susie (Susan) Nicholson and her husband, John Siegel from Carmel, CA were there!  We haven't seen them since Megan and Thomas's wedding!  And other dear friends of the Nicholson's, Pat January, Don and Carol Hart from South Carolina, Miriam and her UU beau, and others.  

John Nicholson's Passing

We realize now, the trip out here and the trip to Michigan  was the calm before the storm for John.  He was doctoring the entire year with lung cancer, although they thought they had this under control because of a new kind of high tech radiation.   He used oxygen from time to time out here and also on the trip back home.  And John has this nifty scooter which was wonderful at the Lincoln Museum.  But it is heavy because of a large battery, and must be taken out of Odyssey and assembled before use.

John was hospitalized with Vicki calling daily to give us updates.  No good.  His passing was a blessing because he was so very ill.  He was ready.  He died on November 4th right before his birthday and Vicki and John's 50th anniversary.

The only way to describe the memorial service:  It was elegant in Christ Church, an old Episcopal congregation, with not one but two organs. The one up front is called the Choir Organ.  The one in the back is almost as large as the famous Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia.

The Craighead Saunders Organ in Christ Church