November 2008 Elections go Left
Locally it seemed like the people were happy to raise property taxes as nearly every ballot measure went against my fiscally conservative wishes. Washington State also approved doctor assisted suicide ― a measure Dr. Susan Rutherford fought hard to defeat.
In such bleak times, I am sorry to see our nation led by a
socialist. That he offers so much more than he can provide, and in
such a narcissistic manner, makes me fear for our future. But then
I recall Isaiah 40:15, "Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though
they were fine dust." |
  Hard
Times Hit the Puget Sound I understand the falling economy has hit other parts of the country (and world) harder. But when it hits your family it begins to look like a depression not a recession. This month Randy had to lay off 85 employees from his department in Snohomish County. New construction has fallen to a slow crawl. More surprisingly, Don will be let go in January along with 430 others from the PACCAR Kenworth truck plant in Renton. At age 66 this may mark his retirement, but he is hopeful of moving on, perhaps to a position with the Port of Seattle. This may mean he has more time to help care for mom.
Thanksgiving at the Rutherfords Next year in Bellevue! At the end of November, Nancy was on the final row of oak flooring in the living room. I have every expectation that we'll finally have a completed living room (after 16 years) before THIS Christmas.
Thanksgiving included the usual suspects plus Georgia from UPC and Amberlee, one of Annie's roommates. Ninety-nine year old Aunt Ellie was there (but no longer her talkative self), and Grandma Jean, at 88, remarked the following day what a fine "party" it had been. Today, she does not recall where we had Thanksgiving (or that we had Thanksgiving.)
It takes much prompting to get her to recall that we took her to Seward Park yesterday (November 30th) where she sat in the van and watched the runners in the Seattle Marathon run, jog, or walk past. Once again this year all five of us helped out at "Water Station #7" (about 11 miles into the race) with Coach Sloan and others from the BCS Cross Country "family."
On December 1st, Nathanael starts practice for the winter indoor Track and Field season. He is scheduled to run the 1600m and 800m on December 6th at the University of Washington.
At the end-of-season SPU XC banquet at the Outback Steakhouse on Westlake, I provided another of my PowerPoint shows which was well received. I had to drive back to SPU to get speakers for the video that the assistant Track coach had prepared, and Nancy had already retrieved the projector from my office, and it was also needed. At that banquet, Nathanael received his SPU varsity letter and was also chosen for the "Golden Shoe" award, recognizing his extra effort and great attitude. He's pictured here with five time world Cross Country champion Doris (Brown) Heritage. The SPU ladies took 4th at Nationals and Jessica Pixler for SPU again was the national women's Division II champ.
She received another varsity letter at the BCS XC awards night and once again Nancy and I were well thanked for our video and PowerPoint shows that night.
My "second season" began on the 29th at the new Eastside Catholic high school gym in Issaquah. Only four BCS wrestlers competed since it was so early in their season and many were away for the holiday weekend. But it gave me a chance to test different lenses for wrestling. (And it tested my desire to continue doing this when I didn't have a son on the team.)
Normally I would use my 18-70mm kit lens from my D70, but it is broken. So I first tried my small 18-55mm lens which gave adequate results. I then used my big 80-200mm that I use for outdoor sports. As expected, it will not work when there are more spectators since I must stand farther away. And there was an issue with red eye I'd noted before with flash using that lens. My 55-200mm VR or 70-300m lenses are also not suitable for indoor shots where I can get close to the action. I also tried my 50mm/f1.8 portrait lens but that was not a good choice at all. So for Christmas I'm getting the 18-105mm VR lens (which is the regular kit lens for the good D90 camera.) This one lens should handle all my needs as long as I use my SB-600 flash.
|
|
  Mom
Holds Her Own Mom reads and sits and hangs out with my family. She is much troubled by the big toe on her right foot and by her ski knee when she is vertical. She moves even more slowly. Nancy and I disagree on the extent of her memory loss. Nancy does not quiz her. In November, Nancy took her to get her hair done for the holidays. And in December she will get a new doctor as Dr. Dennis Hom is retiring. One of the best things about Jean is her sense of gratitude. She went to the FPCB Thanksgiving church service with us. She likes being pushed in her chair but can (sometimes) find the powder room and use it on her own. She will say she has brushed her teeth at bedtime (when she has not) and is sad when I return her there to perform that duty. I got up three times last night to take her to the bathroom (and once to put the cat out). so I'm tired, but I'm taking Monday, December 1st off while Nancy goes to her PEO Christmas party (and to write this Journal.) |
|
Bits and Pieces
My Quote from October
Taken by Nathanael in October at the GNAC Championships.
Taken by Nancy. I'm tired.
My current wallpaper I made (1280x1024) |
The
Bellevue Reporter sponsored me at the WIAA State Cross Country meet in
Pasco, so for the first time there I shot
BCS
Wrestling began with a Jamboree at Eastside Catholic
I've been watching the NBC show Heroes each week
via the Internet while I exercise on the elliptical machine.
