anita-and-jim

We're happy in Hawaii

2011-12-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

First night at Napili Kai Beach Resort:

warm weather, sunset over the water,

dinner on the veranda. Happy together.

Kili in kimono

2011-02-07T14:08:00.001-08:00

Kili got a kimono from our friend Shoko in Fukuoka and she is modeling it for you.

Kili Deeds, new granddaughter, born Dec 17, 2010

2011-02-05T16:23:00.001-08:00

At six weeks, our new granddaughter - Kili - is just beginning to smile.

Christmas 2009 - family and Hap

2009-12-26T19:33:00.000-08:00

We visited Sandy and Nancy's families in Vancouver on 12/22. Nan's house was beautifully decorated. The kids opened our presents...though it was early. We went out to an Indian restaurant for dinner.
Back home we turned out our own decorations.

When Nile and Matt arrived 12/23, the presents under the tree really piled up: McGifferts to McGifferts and Deeds to Deeds presents. The Reetz' seem related to Scrooge.

Our friend Hap joined us for Chanko-nabe on 12/23. she's wearing a japanese "happi" coat which matches her name.

Jim prepared Christmas Eve dinner of prime rib w/ bordelaise sauce, slashed potatoes; Anita did snap peas and carrots (the easy part). Dessert- Profiteroles with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Olympic Peninsula

2009-12-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

In October, we spread our wings and flew west (actually it was a road trip)to the Olympic Peninsula. The Ho Rain Forest is green, green green and mossy.

This place is called Moss Hall. It looks haunted in the photo, but is marvelous with the moss draped on the tree branches.

We were set for rain but were lucky.

Crescent Lake was formed by a volcano. Like most volcanic lakes, it's wonderfully clear.

We drove on to the town of Forks - location of the TV series and movie-Twilight-about vampires

(nice ones). The B+B was stayed at is home to a vampire...who stayed out of view.

Elks roam around the back woods.

We made it to the Coast - a windly, cloudly day.
We found driftwood that looked like lovers.

This could be explained, but it would take too long!

Florida photos

2009-06-19T23:26:00.000-07:00

Visit to Florida

2009-06-19T23:20:00.000-07:00

We went to visit anita's mother in Florida and spent a weekend at a neat B&B in Key West...

grandkids visit Anacortes

2009-06-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

In May when Libby was with us, her four great-granddaughters from Vancouver came to visit.

They helped Anita plant assorted flowers in pots for the deck.

2009-04-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

Field of daffodils as far asthe eye can see.

Over 1000 different bulbs/blossom types.

Libby insisted we document with our snapshot.

2009-04-26T13:40:00.000-07:00

Tulips in Skagit Valley-day trip with Libby

2007-02-18T17:33:00.000-08:00

On an Everglades boat cruise through the mangroves, the black, red and grey mangroves,
photographing all the way.

2007-02-18T17:27:00.000-08:00

Wood Stork watching an egret search for insects.

Although this anhinga has its head above water, we saw this bird swim for several minutes entirely under water!

2007-02-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

The anhinga doesn't have oil on its featghers so it must stretch out its wings to dry in the sun.

What would the everglades be without crocodiles?

Lots of white ibis too!

2007-02-18T17:14:00.000-08:00

The everglades captured our imagination more than any other place. The wildlife and vegetation in
this vast "floating river" kept us avidly watching every movement in the water and the bushes.

We learned the names of tropical birds , like this anhinga which can swim underwater.

And this beautiful wood stork.

There were lots of great blue herons.

2007-02-18T17:07:00.000-08:00

Once back in Florida, we headed to the Keys. This is Hamilton Park in Key West.

We were anxious to catch the sunset the night we arrived and rushed to Old Town....................we were not alone.

The sunset was beautiful. And the wharf was filled with entertainers: magicians, one-man band, various musicians, and this well balanced unicyclist.

2007-02-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Those Italians know how to throw a party! This is "Toga Night", the finale party before landing.

And who are we to refuse the fun?!?

2007-02-18T16:45:00.000-08:00

We spent a day at an "all inclusive" resort Casa del Mar near La Romana in the Dominican Republic: day price included a chaise lounge near the infinity pool....or the beach, all the food and drink you could stomach, snorkeling or other aqua sports gear, including sailboats, canoes, kayaks.

The water was very clear and there was a coral reef just off the swimming area. We went snorkeling.

2007-02-18T16:41:00.000-08:00

We played games on the deck. This is a competition between the Beautiful Babes (men dressed in pink) and the Muscle Men (women in fake muscle chests).

Can you recognize me...disguised in dark glasses?

2007-02-18T16:35:00.000-08:00

Determined to get those photos at dusk before heading to downtown San Juan.

The Christmas decorations were still up in Old Town San Juan: elaborate, colorful stories in lights.

The parks are enjoyed almost 24/7 in San Juan.

Kids ride their bikes at amazing speeds around the parks...but want to stop to have their picture taken.

Now, I understand more about the Christmas decorations I've seen in Latin sections of L.A.

The three wise men.

2007-02-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

We "sailed" on an Italian ship, the Costa Magica. It was enormous, as aqre most cruise ships: about 2500+ passengers and 1000 crew who work their butts off.

The ship offered recreation decks, populated and less so. Tons of food

And time to relax.

Here we are at the first stop- San Juan Puerto Rico. The happy couple are at Castillo de Morro.

2007-02-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

In January, we visited my mother, Louise, in Lake Worth Florida. Cousins from Germany, Heinz and Inge had celebrated Christmas with her. Jim and I joined Mother on a Caribbean cruise and Inge and Heinz stayed in Florida.

2007-02-18T16:12:00.001-08:00

Lyn and Mel were in Orlando, so we met more-or-less halfway in Vero Beach.

It was chilly, not the greatest beach day, but when you've come from the Northeast or the Northwest, any day on the beach is a good day.

2007-02-18T16:09:00.000-08:00

These are just a fraction of the super-duper decorated Christmas cookies we made. Matt is an ace at pastry decoration: Nile and Matt brought the cookie dough and we put these materpieces together in Anacortes.

2007-02-18T16:03:00.000-08:00

Nancy is going to supervise "the girls" - Zoe, Sydney, Maddie and Sasha --as they light the Hanukkah candles.

Jim is opening some of his Christmas presents under the watchful eyes of three granddaughters. They made cards for us and picked out our present themselves. Giving and receiving was fun!

2007-02-18T15:57:00.000-08:00

Before Christmas, we went to Vancouver to see "the girls". Nancy and John were so kind to put us up. We had a pre-Christmas celebration...including a Chinese dinner which Zoe, Sasha and Maddie are waiting for.

2007-02-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

We found a terrific place to buy Christmas trees- the Pepper Farm . The trees are fresh, full and Mr. Pepper delivers them! Jim suggested a taller one, but I thought this one had a good shape. When we got home, I realized a taller one would have been better.

Nile and Matt made Christmas stockings when they were living in Toronto and brought them to Anacortes. I made some for Jim and me...didn't want us to be left out!

2007-02-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

Jim is pretty happy in his favorite chair watching us open our stockings.

2007-02-18T15:36:00.000-08:00

Grandma and her neighbor and my friend Rita Kellar visited me in Nov 06. This photo was taken at High Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C., Canada.

We all went to lunch on Whidbey Island at the EdgeCliff.

Gram, Nile and I (photographer) are going to enjoy a lunch of Thai food in Seattle. Nile was on her lunch hour from the Conservatory.

Thanksgiving snowstorm in Anacortes

2006-11-30T18:44:00.000-08:00

Burrows Bay through the trees.

We're huddled inside.

2006-11-27T15:47:00.000-08:00

Looking down the hill at the snow covered
marina - Nov 27.

View from the kitchen

2006-11-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

2006-11-27T15:45:00.000-08:00

View from the livingroom window.

Summer 2006

2006-09-30T10:00:00.000-07:00

It was our first full summer in Anacortes and we kept our hotel going full speed. Libby arrived from Baltimore in early August. The weather was beautiful and we had a busy three weeks, including a lot of sightseeing.

Our Vancouverites (most of them) came down for an afternoon and evening after surviving an ultra-long border delay. Bam with Sandy & Nancy...

And with Sasha, Maddy, Zoe, & Sydney.

Anita got kites for the kids and gave them a flying lesson. Zoe developed her own "fly and lie" technique.

2006-09-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

The final try-on of the outfits Anita made from ikat material we brought back from Bali.

We visited the spectacular Butchart Gardens in Victoria...

featuring the world-famous "Double Mercury."

And in downtown Victoria, Libby & Anita took first place in their event in the Parliament Lawn Races.

2006-09-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ruth and Eric Stadnik tore themselves away from their farm and vineyards in Sonoma to come up for a few days. This is at the lighthouse at Lime Kiln Point on San Juan Island, considered the best place to watch orcas from land. They come as close as a hundred yards from shore. Unfortunately, this day they were nowhere to be seen.

2006-09-30T09:30:00.000-07:00

Pola and Herman Rosen came out from New York for a few days. Our explorations took us to the sculpture garden on San Juan Island....

2006-09-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

Late September brought a brief visit from Uncle Bob. This is at Cap Sante Point in Anacortes overlooking Fidalgo Bay with Mount Baker in the background.

In Seattle, we went to the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, then met Nile and Matt for dinner. Bob claimed he enjoyed the Thai food.

Orca off San Juan Island

2006-07-04T19:15:00.000-07:00

On a whale-watching excursion on the 4th of July, this guy suddenly took aim at our boat, flipped on his back.....

and dived.
He went directly under our stern, waved goodbye and took off.

2006-03-30T01:40:00.000-08:00

Prayer house opposite Med School administration building.

The new teacher arrives for the first day of school.

Teaching the teachers -- one of two classes of med school faculty.

The public hospital, where we teach interns.

And these are medical students.

Dr. Fatah, Nita's former student and our friend who's taken us on several exploratory trips around the area. Here in his office at the provincial public health service.

With Fatah's boss, Dr. Marwan, describing the course we'll give public health officers.

xxx

2006-03-30T01:25:00.000-08:00

Entering Syiah Kuala University. The first indication they've got a lot of work to do.

The Medical School.

Lampulo

2006-03-25T21:30:00.000-08:00

Lampulo, section of Banda Aceh particularly hard hit in the tsunami - 15 months after the disaster.

2006-03-19T21:20:00.000-08:00

Coffee (well, actually, bottle water) on the porch by daylight.

The bungalow colony by daylight.

And the price is right (about $30/night).

Of course, getting here is a little steep.

2006-03-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Our room (and home office). Project Central. Note the Rube Goldberg electrical set-up with extensions, adapters, converters, and cube taps. There's been no electrocution. Yet.

2006-03-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

Closet in our room. We have two, plus a "wardrobe" in the middle.

2006-03-14T20:36:00.000-08:00

The back porch. A nice polace to read when it's not too not. Unfortunately, that's usually after dark.

2006-03-14T19:54:00.000-08:00

This is my first time at this and I think I failed to get a couple of pictures posted with their description. So here's the house from the front:

2006-03-14T19:52:00.000-08:00

In the main living room: the tapestry above the couch shows the grand mosque in Mecca, the goal of the Hadj.

2006-03-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

Looking from the front living room through to the door to the back porch. This is our normal in-and-out. The living room that is used is to the left beyond the display case.

2006-03-14T19:48:00.000-08:00

The front living room. The only time we know of it's being used was when friends came to the front door to pick us up.

2006-03-14T19:45:00.000-08:00

The front veranda. You can't see them, but geckos like to congregate hereat night, upside-down on the ceiling around the porch light

2006-03-14T19:42:00.000-08:00

Home away from home: the house at Jalan Jendiral Sudirman

2006-02-26T03:45:00.000-08:00

At the end of our tsunam we tour we ate! On the right is Muhaimin, Farah's brother, and Jim on the left is drinking chilled coconut juice from the young coconut...a picture his family will find amusing...as coconut is the one thing he has always disliked.

Acha (a medical student friend of Muhaimin's...we can't say they are a number) is enjoying fresh fish grilled outside. We ate with our fingers and you can see Anita's hand and arm reaching toward the fish dish.

2006-02-26T03:34:00.000-08:00

Local men are hired to work construction - often to re-build their own neighborhoods. Many NGS are involved in house building (Habitat for Humanity, Islamic and Christian groups, the UN, etc.)

Men weighing materials. The local construction materials are cement and bricks. Little evidence of reinforcement - the steel rods we usually place through cement blocks.

The newly constructed of the office of the Governor of Aceh: good example of Acehnese public building style - a portion of the roof is massive, the facade is decorated and bears an official seal, a gate fronts the building.

Another newly constructed building - of the Sharia - the religious overseers who have the backing of the local
police in enforcing the religious code. Women should wear a veil; there is no dancing in Aceh; no bathing suits at the beach (so how to you swim?); and countless other restrictions we have yet to hear of.

2006-02-26T03:25:00.000-08:00

Typical boats along the river. Houses on the water.

More evidence of wrecked houses. New vegetation surrounds what remains of a 4 story house.

Next to one skeleton of a house (yellow place on the left) is examples of new temporary housing - the small blue houses (on the right).

Closer pictures of the new emergency housing - placed very close together.

2006-02-26T03:21:00.000-08:00

Ground Zero of the tsunami. In front of a mosque.
Mosques were the first to be rebuilt.
The beautiful countryside of Banda Acheh. Very green
mountains surround the city.
Evidence of tsunami wreckage-similar scenes through the city.
A beached ship. Some ships and a power plant were jossed up to 5 kiloments from their original place.

2006-02-23T20:31:00.000-08:00

Ground zero of tsunami. Beached ship. Ships along the river. Another beached ship.

2006-02-23T20:26:00.000-08:00

From Banda Aceh Tsunami tour 2/22/06
This tiny picture shows the countryside of Banda Aceh.

2006-02-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

A Thanksgiving Day rainbow in Anacortes

Grandma, Nile, Matt and me when Louise visited us

Winter in Anacortes and Vancouver

2006-02-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

Nita and Jim days before departure for Indonesia. Taken on our front porch.

Christmas at Sandy and Glen's in Vancouver. Little girl in white sweater is
Sydney. On the right is Sasha. The girls are 2 of Jim's 4 granddaughters.