Another Visit Home....Kannon's 9th Birthday

Let's see if I can catch up. Will and I joined some folks from here in the TriCities area for our first "SIFF"...Seattle International Film Festival. We left on May 19th and stayed until 22nd. Due to

very heavy traffic in Seattle AND Will's having to work later than expected; we missed the opening night gala which included the film: "The First Grader"a UK/Kenya film of 2010. We heard it was good but alas we found our lodging and had a wonderful dinner on the Union Lake at a restaurant called McCormick & Schmicks "Harborside on Lake Union." What a treat!

The next day we saw 5 films: "Happy, Happy" Norway 2010 (very good); "Ex" Hong Kong, 2010 (interesting and about a 3 out of 5); "Copacabana" France, 2020 a wonderful treat from Isabelle Huppert..a 5 by me! "The Pillow Book" France/UK/Netherlands 1996..most interesting part of this film was Ewan McGregor's penis....who knew! I'd give it (the film) a 2-3 rating; and lastly "Hermano" Venezuela 2010. Excellent, a 5. I won't keep listing films but just wanted you to know the international flavor of the event. Two other very interesting films were "Black Narcissus" UK 1947 Deborah Kerr (I had paperdolls of her as a child!) and "Black Venus" the story of Saartjie Baartman, a Khoikoi tribeswoman of southern Africa, France 2010. The last film only wets your appetite for more information on this amazing woman's life. There was an excellent discussion after the film with several anthropologists about this fascinating woman.

We had a grand time...we walked from one film neighborhood to another and thus got better aquainted with Seattle. There was also an awards ceremony for the 10 minute cell phone videos in 3 categories: children/youth/adult. Cute and amazing films as the "directors" were called on stage and given attention to their small films. We so enjoyed this event and the local film folks who met with us for discussions and food. We will return next year for a grand activity.

I left on May 24th for the very long drive, 13 1/2 hours, to Woodland & later to Pleasanton. The best role I've ever had is grandmother...or O'Bachan in Japanese. My 16 month old granddaughter has just learned "No!" and girl is she good at it! I got to spend a few days in her company which is delightful. I also got to attend the Davis Jazzercise group which kept me on my feet...after such a long drive. On Saturday, I drove to Pleasanton, where Kannon and his parents were exhausted after his birthday slumber party the night before. On Sunday all the extended family members...lots of grandparents...as well as Marly..celebrated the honor of having such a wonderful boy (Kannon) in our "village!" He is amazing, talented, smart....you know I could go on and on but of course, what grandmother doesn't! On Monday, I got to take them to see the new Kung Fue Panda movie. Kiara is especially social and a joy to hang out with.

So back to Richland...this time I drove 7 1/2 hours, rested in Bend, Oregon and drove the remained of the way home the next day. Will tells me he and Suki had a blast going fishing. Chris joined him several days and Will caught lots of "really big" trout...both lake trout and wild trout! But...where are the pictures?!

The pictures above are all from our back yard. I am enjoying the color and the fragrances but the weather remains....cool and rainy in this high desert area! We did drive over to Pendleton one weekend just to see the town. Let us hear from you and what you are doing and when are you coming to visit? (I left my camera at Tom David's so no pics of birthday celebration)

May in Palm Springs

Hello again. Things are picking up here in the Pacific NorthWest. We left on Friday, May 6th for Grand Terrace where we visited with Roland & Dan, and then on to Palm Springs for the weekend until Tuesday. Although there were over 100 golf courses, we didn't play any. We did frolic in the warmer weather and took a hike to an Oasis (see pictures above of Murray Canyon). It was a short trip but we both loved getting to warm places. It is still cold and rainy here.

Our Thursday night discussion group has offered us new friends and just this morning I met with Betsy, Bonnie and Annie for a birthday breakfast for Betsy. We are learning how much we have in common and looking forward to more gatherings. Will has met lots of guys at work that he wants to spend social time with...we are going out tonight to meet a few of them..including the guy who held his position before him. I'm still doing the 2 bookclubs:"Still Alice" written by a neuropsychiatrist and about a professional woman in her 40's being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. The other book is "The Help"...a book I discussed in the South with a group of gals which shocked me. I'm looking forward to the discussion here in the West to experience a different perspective. Taking walks along the river with Suki and planning to take a few classes at Washington State U. in the fall. Work is still unavailable...without a license here, it's slow going.

We are leaving for Seattle on Thursday where we are attending the opening days of the SFF..Seattle Film Festival. Met some friends here from the local film club (no Palm Theatre here...nor even an alternative film theatre) so should have fun running from one place to another down near Pike's Market in the city. Got "Examined Life" from Netflix which we are

enjoying...check it out.."contemporary philosophy to everyday life by speaking with leading philosophers ...." 2008 by Astra Taylor.

Will needs to hit the Ocean soon. He groans when we see a wave on TV! Hopefully we can get to SLO in the fall. He's really getting tired of working. I'm going to Kannon's birthday the 28th of May so it will be my first car trip alone on such a long drive. Suki will keep Will company.

Be well and blessed. We miss you all everyday and do hope you will send us an email to say how you are and "what's up."