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News at 11:00.

Seems that Gary Locke shares January 21 with former Governor Rosselini as their birth date. Rosselini will be 100 yrs old. According to the news Gary will be 50. Hunh?? How does that work? Brenda Riddock and I are looking at 60, coming at us like a runaway freight train, on the 17th. I'm moving myself into a zen state of mind over matter. If I don't mind, it don't matter.

01/18/10 02:03 AM

#258

Mark Weaver

John,

A belated happy Birthday to you and Brenda. Hope you enjoyed your day. I think we need to find out what Gary is taking so that we subtract 10 years from our lves too.

I am still on for Australia. Right now that weather sounds better than what we have been getting here lately. It has been an awful fall and winter so far. Every football practice it seems that it's cold, blustery and raining heavilly. I come home soaked to the gills and freezing. But I still love ooaching.

01/18/10 04:22 PM

#259

Hey gang,

Don't pike out on me because of the weather. At 5.00 am this morning it was 27 degrees Centrigrade, with an annoying wind from the east. It got up to nearly 43 degrees C up in Perth yesterday and wasn't that much cooler down here in Harvey. A cooler change is on the way, but February is the hottest month of the year.

I think I have mentioned that either Spring or Autumn is the best time for a visit!

Aside from that all is well.

Cheers.

02/22/10 06:32 PM

#260

Hello????

Anyone here? We must be getting the weather that belongs in Seattle. Our rain total is up to half of what we normally get in a year. Fortunately when it isn't raining, the sun is out so we usually are getting 5 or so days each week of sunshine. If any of you norhtwest types want your rain back, just let us know we will send it to you. The one good thing is that with all of the rain we should have a great display of desert wildflowers come March.

I hope all of you are doing well. I talked to Karen K the other day and we plan to get together in March. If any of the rest of you are down this way, let me know so that we can meet up. Phoenix isn't so bad especially this time of year.

03/01/10 10:26 AM

#261

Mark Weaver

Nancy,

Don't complain about Phoenix's weather. It could be far worse. Our team's football game was cancelled this last Saturday because we had heavy rain and 100MPH winds here in Portugal. It did a lot of damage to buildings and killed three people here. The storm then moved on into Spain and France where it killed 56 more people. It was a pretty scary storm.

I hope I can see those desert flowers you are talking about soon.

03/01/10 09:17 PM

#262

Please don't complain about rain! Here in Western Australia we've had over 100 days with no recorded rainfall. It's been the driest summer on record. And it's been one hot day after another with the no prospect of cooler weather in the foreseeable future. My place looks like a desert and when the Easterlies blow it's about the most unpleasant place I can think of being stuck in. One more summer like this and I'm off to New Zealand where the grass is green all year round! (That is if I can figure out a way of getting my horses over there, too, that doesn't cost the earth!)

03/08/10 02:56 AM	#263
Mark Weaver Sue, I saw on the news that Melbourne got some heavy rains and flooding a couple of days ago. Did you get any of the precipitation up your way? When I saw that I immediately thought about your last message here. Things are starting to slowly improve a little here in Portugal.

03/08/10 08:06 AM

#264

Okay, okay I will stop whining about the rain. It is just disconcerting though to see grass growing in the desert. Yesterday we drove back to Phoenix from San Diego over I-8 and I was dodging snowflakes over the mountain pass. That just doesn't happen down here in March so it was really strange. It must be "global warming" or the next ice age coming or something. I do remember way back in the early 60's that scientists were worried that we were headed into another ice age.

While I was out of touch for a week, two new classmates joined our website. One is James Turner and I have no record of him so if any of the rest of you remember him, please let me know. The other one is Jim Vancura, and he is currently working in Iraq as an agricultural advisor. There are some great pics on his profile.

Susan, I sure hope you are getting some much needed rain.

03/11/10 09:13 PM

#265

Mark

Last Saturday a storm front went through the Melbourne area just after a race was run at Flemington. It brought with it thunder, lightning and hailstones the size of golf balls and 40mm of precipitation fell within 10 minutes. Apparently the powers to be had been in touch with the Bureau of Meteorology who had advised that there was a 10 minute "window" in which the race could be run before the storm was due to hit, and the jockeys were unanimously in favour of running the race. It was unbelievable to watch on telly and needless to say the remaining races were cancelled for the day. I shudder to think what could have happened if the race had to be abandoned at the barriers and there were 16 horses stranded on the track! As it was, unfortunately several horses were injured when travelling back to the tie-up area from the mounting yard after the race and several got away from their handlers. The winner of the race, Wanted, who is a very valuable stallion prospect was one that got away, and the Clerk of the Course heroically recaputed him without incident! That storm front proceeded to move in a north-easterly direction over the following 24 hours, which meant none of it came out west, where rain is so badly needed.

The dams are drying up and I am really tired of the heat. When I went out to feed the horses this morning at 5.30am the temperature was 30 degrees C and there was no wind at all. It was eerie. From what I can gather there may be rain on the way, but I will believe that when I see it!

Guess this is the payback for a wet winter!

Susan

03/12/10 07:11 AM

#266

Hey, Hey Hey..........

Glad to catch up with everyone here. Our winter has been basically a none event. We had teemps in the single digits just before Christmas. Three weeks of solid rain just prior to Thanksgiving. Both of which resulted in insurance work. Recently we have had temps in the high 50's and even 60 degrees. For better or worse I am heading into my 5th week without a day off. Not sure whether I am bragging or complaining. For those who don't know or recall, I am a remodeling contractor.

So let's see.........Susan is frying her eggs and bacon out on the sidewalk. Nancy is starting to regrow the moss between her toes, Northwest style. Mark is looking for an umbrella to cover a football field.

Okay, Nancy. Let's hear about the San Diego house. Weekend getaway, rental, investment or all of the above?

James, Jim, Jimmy Turner. Whitworth grade school(?), Sharples Jr. High and originally class of 67'. He left school in late 66' or early 67'. Sailed with the Merchant Marine for about a year, taking ammunition to Viet Nam. Returned and got his degree with our class. Retired from the Seattle Fire Dept., as a Captain I believe. Dated one of our classes cheer leaders. He has attended at least one of our previous reunions.

My recall is way too scary sometimes. I am learning not to reveal names or ages, as some people are sensitive.

Gotta go........

03/12/10 10:20 AM

#267

John:

I am impressed with your recall. Our sophomore annual does include a picture of one Jim Turner in the class of '67. Wow, why don't I have that kind of mind. Thanks for helping out my poor brain.

San Diego is actually Carlsbad, CA, close to Legoland and next town over from where Kathy Cooper now resides. We plan to retire there in a few years when it seems to be the right time. Mild climate, close to the ocean, lots of interesting hills and valleys for great hiking and exploring.

If you work too hard John, you won't have any time to keep the rest of us in good humor. We wouldn't want that to happen.

03/14/10 08:02 AM

#268

Lyn McKinney (McGraw)

G-day to y'all. I am just getting off work and was told I need to dawn my sunglasses as I head home. Looking out the window it appears to be a beautiful morning. Think I'll go for a drive up to Mount Vernon. I love the glimpses of the Olympics on one side and Cascades on the other with the farmlands in between. This is the only side of western Washington that I have found buttes similar to those in Bend Oregon. You know the lil hills that profess to be great mountains like those in the background. I humor them and give them the same respectful nod of appreciation as I drive by. Living up around Camano Island we were entertained by the gale winds that blow up through the straights. Quite a Christopher Robin day if I do say. The nice after effects...it blew all the pollen away for a while so my runny nose and eyes were given a reprieve. Good to touch bases with you. John, I know your Scottish, but how about a couple of fun Scottish sayings to get us through St. Patricks Day (even if it is an Irish holiday). Whadayasay?

03/14/10 07:16 PM

#269

Lyn......... Here's a quick one for you. "Lang may your lum reek" It means long may your chimney smoke, which is a way of wishing someone long life and properity. Just got home from the job. My customer gave me three dozen oysters, which I just shucked. The wife unit is busy frying them as I type. Haven't eaten since early AM, so I'm ready.

03/15/10 06:10 AM	#270
John MacLeod Good News, Bad News...... Good news is that Fabio is still with us and is turning 49 today. Bad news is that he is thinking about changing his name to Flabio and dancing for the Chunkindales. Rim shot, groans and give that guy the hook.

03/15/10 06:32 AM

#271

Lyn,

Here is another Scottish saying. Keep in mind that Gaelic is one of those languages where phlem seems to be involved. Practice with awk and awk pitui to get the right tonal inflection. If you speak Yiddish you are already there.

Slainte mhor a h-uile la chi's nach fhaic. Which means great health to you every day I see you and everyday that I don't see you. Just stick with Slainte which means health or Slainte mhor which means great health.

What is Irish and stays out all night?? Paddy O'Furniture. How did the Scots teach the Irish to walk upright? We put a wheelbarrow in their hands.

Apologies to my Irish friends..............

03/15/10 07:59 AM

#272

Lyn McKinney (McGraw)

John -

Oh my goodness....giggle giggle...those were awesome. I had to get out a sqweegie for my computer screen trying to say those...putooey. Keep 'em coming. We still have a few days to celebrate.

Hope you enjoyed the oysters and didn't get a tummy ache from too many.

03/17/10 05:54 PM

#273

Lyn,

The oysters were great and I probably could have eaten more. I have been blessed with a cast iron stomach and a barb wire gut. I get heartburn about once a year, same with headaches. As the saying goes "No brain, no pain".

I wore some green today. Unfortunately it was spinach stuck in my teeth. Now with all the green beer drinking happening today. Is that because people are trying to forget the rat invasion or are they hoping to drink enough to conjure up a vision of them?? I am sure that the 911 call center will be busy tonight. Back in the thrilling days of yesteryear and my drinking days, we called this amateur night.

Slainte mhor

03/17/10 06:14 PM

#274

Nancy,

You're right. Those are some great photos of Jim Vancura in Iraq. Bob Barber has a good one posted of him and the three generations of his family.

I had an e-mail from Dave Hamilton the other day. He is doing well in Olympia. He is a big soccer fan and has just purchased his season's tickets to the Sounders FC. He has recently moved and has a new address.

I recently got Jeff Yosinaka's e-mail address. I will send him a message to see if he wants his name on the list. I understand that not everyone wants to be contacted about the good or bad old days. I know that my Dad wasn't too interested in his days at Franklin during the depression. Footnote..My dad and Dave Hamilton's dad were classmates.

Holy strawberry Batman, we're in a jam now......Robin

Roger, wilco, over and out

03/22/10 08:05 PM

#275

From the grandparent front........

Esther Fisse's first is just over one year old and Sandi Smith/Chuck Hanson's first is just over 7 months old. I hear from Sandi that even though they live 3 1/2 hours away they are managing to spoil the holy bejabbers out of her.

The way I understand it, both grandchildren are beautiful and way above average. That will last until they get old enough to realize that grandma and grandpa were born old, senile and just don't understand anything. Savor the moment.

Now I know this is old news to many of you long time grandparents and in some cases great-grandparents.

Man oh man oh Manischewitz where have the years gone. For those who may not recall, the man oh man oh Mano Whas It is a slogan from the 60's for the Manischewitz Winery. Many of you may be more familiar with one of their finer vintages MD 20/20, also referred to as Mad Dog.

Once again I have managed to derail my message and steer handily into the ditch. As my good friend Walt Rice used to say "In like a fool, out like a pro" after one such Friday night ditch riding event.

Blathering onward and upward..........

03/22/10 11:36 PM

#276

For those who may be interested, here's a weather update on what was experienced in the southwest of WA yesterday -

**********************************************************
"PERTH was plunged into chaos last night as wild thunderstorms ripped through the city with a ferocity not seen in decades.

Motorists have been warned to take care with more than 80 traffic lights still out of action after last night's wild storms and more bad weather on the way.

Western Australian Police will be focusing on controlling traffic at major intersections where traffic lights are not working, including parts of Albany Hwy, Reid Hwy, Orrong Rd, Wanneroo Rd, Roe Hwy, Scarborough Beach Rd and Leach Hwy.

A landslide has closed the eastbound lane of Mounts Bay Rd between Winthrop Ave and Mitchell Freeway and people trying to access the Mount Hospital are advised to travel there via Thomas Rd and Kings Park Rd.

The storm that swept Perth yesterday afternoon has caused millions of dollars worth of damage, and more than 90,000 homes are still without power.

Power companies were scrambling to restore power, but said it could be days before some homes had electricity after extensive damage to their networks.

More storms are forecast today, but they are not expected to match the ferocity of the one that lashed the city yesterday.

One of the city's longest dry spells ended dramatically as torrential rain and large hailstones caused flash flooding, structural damage to houses, schools and hospitals, and cut power to tens of thousands of homes.

Parts of the city were brought to a standstill, rail services were halted and at one stage all out-bound flights from Perth Airport were stopped when part of the ceiling collapsed under the weight of the deluge.

At least seven schools were also closed including Ocean Reef High School, Shenton College, Mindarie Senior College, Duncraig Senior High School, Tuart College, Heathridge Primary School and Perth Modern junior school.

The wild storm hit the city after 4pm local time with hailstones the size of golf balls caving-in roofs and damaging hundreds of cars.

The state's power utility, Western Power, said it could not guarantee electricity would be restored within 24-36 hours.

There were hundreds of reports across the city of power lines down, structural damage to houses and schools, and of roofs being ripped from newly built homes.

Landslip

Late last night three major Perth hospitals cancelled elective surgery for 24 hours because of roof damage. At Joondalup Hospital about 20 people were evacuated from the emergency room after part of the ceiling collapsed.

At least three high schools reported they would be closed today because of storm damage. Across the city power lines and trees were brought down, windows smashed and roads flooded.

Police said a landslip at the edge of King's Park near Perth's city centre crushed two parked cars and filled one apartment with mud, but there were no reports of people hurt.

Last night as Perth residents assessed the damage warnings were issued of further storms.

Murky conditions made driving dangerous and 150 sets of traffic lights were knocked out."
**********************************************************

The storm, thankfully not as intensive, hit the Harvey area around 7.00 pm accompanied by a spectacular show of lightening. I guess we can say that the dry spell of many months has ended! I am happy to report that all is well in Warawarrup.

03/23/10 06:43 AM

#277

For those who are interested about the news and weather from Susan's neck of the world you can go to thewest.com.au It is The Western Australian's web site, located in Perth. If I remember correctly Perth is about 80-90 miles (128-144 Km)from Susan's home in Warawarup. For those of you with a more scientific leaning that converts to 0.00000000001360888320 light years.

Firing up the Flux Capacitor and heading off to work.

03/28/10 04:53 PM

#278

Just a few questions for the sports minded alumns...

Have any of you gone to the Mariners spring training games in Peoria, AZ?

Now I know that the UW and Gonzaga's mens and womens teams have beed eliminated, but does anyone have tickets to the Final Four?? Now for those of you who are as interested in sports as I am. I will clarify that the Final Four is for the NCAA (college) basketball championship and not a new Super Heroes group.

Congratulations to Dave Hamilton and his Sounders Football Club (soccer) and their first win of the season. Dave is an avid Sounders fan and has seasons tickets. I am not sure whether he dies his hair and paints his face for the games or just goes as normal person. Whatever is considered normal these days. I may or may not fit into the normal category. Depends on whether they are grading on a curve.

Susan.......No drought here. In fact we have had a couple of gully washing, trash moving downpours here today.

03/28/10 05:23 PM

#279

Bob Barber.....For some unknown reason you came to mind the other day as I was mowing my lawn for the third time this year. I guess it was because I was mowing the lawn while you were possibly shoveling snow for the umpteenth time this winter. Maybe we can get you to drop a line about Saco, Maine. Things such as, is it on the coast, are the skeeters the size of 747's, have you picked up a downeast accent??

Thanks..........John

03/29/10 11:53 AM

#280