However, each days entries read from top to bottom? Yes?

Welcome to the December 2004 BLOG. Didn't see the end of last month?
Click here: November BLOG

Dec 31, 2004

Whoa! What a huge webpage this month's became. We've had several suggestions about how to remedy this! Smaller pictures and file sizes, go back to a monthly photo page, or perhaps a 'weekly' blog during busy months?

Hey! my good friend Jim and his wife Pam, way down there in FL have sent this picture, for New Years. Last year, we spent New Years at their home, you might recall?

Ann, contemplating what she has wrought. It's pretty crowded back there, these days!

The tub is loose and moving around the room. It won't fit out the door, you see.

What a surprise! The toilet wasn't bolted to a 'flange'. Or much else. It was sitting on this piece of aluminum pipe, and bolted to the floor. That's different. We hope to improve on this arrangement?!

Dec 30, 2004

Late entry: Dad sends along a Polaroid of his decorating success. Pictures are up in his new study, and also here, around the bedstead. Snail mail triumphs, again!

Dang. My Mozilla 'Firefox' browser, that has been so excellent for the last six months or so, is acting weird, tonight? But then, this computer has been acting weird, period. And, YES! I've run every thing that I can think of.
I think the 'Haloscan' website, that handles the 'comment' thing, is at fault, but who knows? Do you?
Adam sends along a great shot of their new 'family member', Newman. I'm sure (hoping) we'll be hearing more along these lines? This would be Adam's (my younger brother) wife (Anne of the East) and two children, Talia and Devin. And 'Newman', of course.

And YES, Mardi and Jim - (my sister and brother in law) Good looking couple, no?
I'm so happy to get this picture that I'm not going to rag her (or Adam, at this point) for no pictures from their visit with Sue and family? I'll bet Adam has a few?!

From Robert (where does he find these?) pictures of how a tidal wave can obliterate your island!
This is a before and after thing. . .

Dec 29, 2004

Ann found a bunch of tile in the shed. Boxes and boxes. They happen to be a color that would work in the back bath. Dang.

Yup. You guessed it. We're re-doing the back bath. New floor, paint and wall tile. Groan. This means, stripping the entire room, of course. Taking out the sink, toilet and tub. Take out the old linoleum flooring. Also the woodwork. So much for loafing away the rest of the holiday season.
Here is Ann doing wall prep. The new tile will come up to about her waist.

The old floor. Gone soon. Can you say; reseat the toilet on its flange? You know, raise the flange a quarter inch? It is presently leaded over a piece of oakum. Ever done this? I have, and I'm going to do it again. Chip out the old lead, on your hands and knees, a task taking several hours. I know, poor me. . .
So far, I can't complain. Ann is doing it all!

It seems only recently that I uninstalled the shower treatment. Then rehung it, a few months later? That's when we got the new faucet!

This picture, taken yesterday, exhibits the comment given locally on clear days - The mountain is out. It is an hour and a half ride to get to the foot of Mt. Baker.

I mostly put these pictures in the blog to aggravate the MI and east coast folks. Those same guys that send the pictures of a foot of snow?

In fact, here's another, from Ken. The view out his front window, looking at Lake Huron. This from his place in the 'thumb' area of MI, about half way up the state, on the east side.

Hah! Robert has made me a Motor Officer!

Dec 28, 2004

We know that was a ton of pictures! However, Christmas comes but once a year!
We are still editing the pix and adding comments.
Also, pictures are coming in, from here and there! We are anxious to add those! Are yours included?
Here are our grandsons, Max and Malcom! Thank you, Ambie!

Dec 27, 2004

Seems that everyone had a pretty fair holiday. Hope yours was, too!

We are still working on the pix. Maybe later today. . .

Yah! Here they are! We decided not to post these on their own page. Pages that are linked to the 'blog' tend to get lost in the shuffle, a few months hence. (Mostly because I forget to update the address links!)

We know that this is a terrible burden for you phone line modem folks. We are trying to find a way around that issue?

With that said;
Here are Anna, Gram, and Evelyn. This was Dec. 24, at Gram's.

This is Barb, Anna's (and Eric's and Heidi's) mom. My wife's sister, of course! We enjoyed Christmas evening at their house! (Tho this picture was taken at Dick's.)

Cassady entertained us with some outstanding guitar playing. Cass will one day let us hear the band that he plays with?

Ann and I.

Here are Cass and Fae on Christmas morning. This is at our house.

Ann took a couple pictures, trying to get one of my 'star' while it was lit!

The story is this: The (east) family came to visit in '96. That would be the east coast Smock's came out west. I was one of them. I was contemplating my third marriage. Isn't it funny how one can know it's a bad idea, and do it anyway?
While I was here, I bought two of these great 'flashing' stars! One, I gave to my sister, Sara. The other I gave to one of my best friend's wife. That would be Ken's wife, Nancy!

When my sister passed away, I got hers back!

And that's the one I try to wear to all family occasions, thinking that in some way, Sara will be included?

Dick and Laura

Bad job of red eye removal! Working on that. . .

Evelyn and her older sister, Fae

Evelyn, Fae, (sisters) Heidi (cousin) and Anna (Heidi's younger sister)


Kenny and Fae

Our living room tree


The girls let me play along!

Ann, dick and Laura

Barbara's kitchen

Dick gets his CD the girls made for him!

Eric and Debra, with Dan in the background

Dec 24, 2004

Time and computer constraints did not allow us to post yesterday. This machine picked up three 'trojan' virus' and numerous registry problems. In that condition, we couldn't run some of the internet software. Tinkering along today got things right again. Dang.

Evelyn and Anna finished the Gingerbread house!

Jerry sends along this winter view. Single digit temps. More snow expected.

Dec 23, 2004

In answer to the request for information about local conditions, our daughter Ambie sends along this camera photo of her front yard. She lives in the northern part of Kentucky, and this is unusual weather for them, to say the least! However, she added that it did make things seem a lot like Christmas!

Anna and Evelyn, in the midst of constructing the Gingerbread House!

Chico is seen here trying to displace the cats from his favorite chair. They seem to be ignoring him, successfully.

Weather today in Anacortes - never hit fifty. Sun poked out a few times. I still can't find a way to make the camera 'see' the top of Mt. Baker, when the eye can see it?

Dec 22, 2004

Here is a great thing about the holidays: Ann is home! Home, and picking up the brunt of the cooking chores! We're talking, cookies, galore! As well as the usual somewhat more nutritious lunches and dinners. Pancakes for breakfast! I even saw a gingerbread house taking shape in there. . .
Evelyn and Anna, doing some 'Goldwave' editing. They let me play on one of their songs!

Roma took her usual position in Anna's violin case, and stayed there all afternoon.

Laura and Ann, conferring. Those are gingerbread walls, etc, in the background.

Two tugs we see a lot around here, the Protector, and the Hunter. Yes, it was nice enough to ride the scooter.

These guys are always open and friendly, glad to answer any questions. 'Fixing a loose wire on the radar.' Was the answer to my question; Whatcha' doin' up there? Did you spot him in the other picture?

Our friend Robert, has a funny notion of what it means; 'chilly'? Say? What is the temperature at your house? (Use the comment block, at the top of the page?)

From Adam! Thank you! Adam, Talia, Devin, Anne of the East. For the record - Adam is my younger brother, living in MI. This would be the darling of Sue Marx Smock! Well, along with John - and of course your's truly! Ok, maybe Mardi, too. . .

A railroad Christmas card from Mr. Currie.

Robert Currie's site Thank you! Great photo!

Mardi reminds me to include this picture of her driveway. They live on a small knoll, and it takes four wheel drive, and a lot of snow removal, plus help from the county to get them up and down that hill! I tried it (driving up that hill) one year in my (front wheel drive) mini van. No go, no way. This is looking downhill, from the start of the steep part?

Dec 21, 2004

It's starting to feel a lot like Christmas. . .
We get word that it's COLD in MI. Perhaps, you will take a moment and add (comment?) what the local temperature might be in whatever neck of the woods you might find yourself this evening?

Late news from Anna! Pictures of her new horse - (number three - remember Julius? then Ellie) - and now: Harley! Thanks, Anna!

Dec 20, 2004

Another sunny springlike day! I'm telling you, if you grew up in MI, this is like spring! Mild, and pleasant.
We had the top down again, and also got on the two wheeled machine. To be fair, it has been pretty gloomy in these parts, for better than a month. Not cold, or even rains - but just cloudy everyday. Mild, even - but no sun. I'm beginning to realize that this is what folks were warning me about - Northwest winters - you might not see the sun for weeks!
The first few years that I was in the area, were apparently not average. They (the winters) were so mild and sunny.
This year seems to be a more typical NW winter! Very gloomy. No sun.
Except for the last couple days! Whoa! What fun!

Here is a great picture of how Mardi and Jim handle Michigan winters - besides hanging out in their hot tub!
This is the winter sky, from the hot tub.

Inside!

Here are our two grandsons, Ambie's handsome young men! Max and Malcom -

Dec 19, 2004

While out scootering today, We came across this unmarked tug?

While I was snapping away, the Captain came down out of the bridge, and wanted to know: "What are these pictures about?"
I assured him that it was just for a local website. He didn't seem too happy.
I added that I wasn't in anyone's employ?
He still didn't seem too happy about the whole idea? And I couldn't get close enough to further the conversation.
These crew members, including the 'Captain', at this point, were trying to make some sort of adjustment to the larger craft's anchor chain. The larger ship looked like a fish factory type boat?
This crew was attached to this boat

Home and enjoying one of those great NW days where the top is down on the Saab, and we get to ride the scooter.

Dec 18, 2004

Can you say: Last minute shopping?

We hear from Rich! This is good. Rich was (and in my mind still is) part of the family. Here he is, early in our relationship. Very early, about 1968? Hey! He's got his foot on the bumper of my 1960 Jaguar XK - 150 S type!

And here, after almost making a 115 yard hole in one! This was at the
GREAT Golf Course in MI

Here is Richard with a good friend, in Florida, I think? I believe the next line is:
Unhand that woman, you scoundrel!

Is it my imagination, or are Police Officers getting younger all the time? Thanks to Robert!

Dec 17, 2004

Another picture from Thailand, thanks to Ni's Amanda -

And this would be herself, Amanda

Evelyn by the tree, still in ballet make-up. And turning a hand operated egg beater, for some reason?

Fellow motor enthusiast and retired Officer, Robert

Dec 16, 2004

Lots going on. Busy times. Camera? Yah. It's in my pocket.

Where's yours? Where are the pix you promised?

Dec 13, 2004

Firstly, a picture from brother Adam, that got lost in the cracks - Devin, doing the 'fountain' thing. Perfect shot!

Ann and I in the audience for Evie's ballet!

Ivey, and Evelyn

Temps went to 50+, which translates to RIDE! This was by the water, my favorite place to ride in the city, and a source of good boat pix. I took a few, and will post them on the boat page, soon, if not today.

This is the full face shot of Evie's braces.

Barb's husband, Paul, is the focus of this picture - he's the kid second from the left. Now, we must find a more recent picture for comparison purposes. Why is this interesting? Because it was fifty years ago!

Here he is in a recent incarnation!

Dec 12, 2004

A lot of these next few pictures are ballet oriented. The second performance is tonight!
In between ballet prep, etc, we also managed to move the black dresser back to the rear (porch/cat area) room. Put the oval desk in the study where the black dresser was. Move two TV's, and the TV cabinet. Move the living room rug, and the furniture. Add a small table to the dining room. Decorate the tree.
Most of this remodeling was to accommodate the Christmas tree, you see. Well, it does look better.

Evelyn and Ivey, in costume.

Evie doing her stuff!

Here is the cast. . .

Ann and Evelyn on the way to the performance.

Ann, Niomi (Ivey was also in the ballet, of course) and self.

Jasper thinks she's a gift.

Anna and Evelyn, working on a secret Christmas Project!

Dec 10, 2004

In front of the as yet undecorated Christmas tree. At least, it's in the house. Someone forgot to hold their tummy in. . . that would be me. Hey! that's my new Christmas apron!

This would be, Talyn, Ivey and Evelyn, all made up for dress rehearsal. Their performance is tomorrow, and again Sunday. They look so grown up! Must be the make up. . .


Ivey and Evie

the promised 'better' picture of the outside lights

How good to hear from another friend from yesteryear, as it were. Keith, a high school best friend, has emailed! Happily married for nearly forty years, and still living in MI, where we went to school. What do I remember most about Keith? An easy smile and generous nature. We dated twin sisters, there, for awhile. Actually, we might have been too young to 'date'. But we hung out with them, and their Mom and Grandmom. We rode bikes. Pedal type. Played in the band. Keith and his Dad had the first heavily amplified, large speaker sound system I ever heard. Whoa! Kingston Trio with attitude!

In fact, I was just in the middle of a return email to Keith, on about the second 'page', so to speak - when my computer simply decided to reboot itself? I lost that email, and a few other things I had open. This is NEW weirdness. Any ideas?

Further oddities: A gust of wind (STRONG gust) caught my car door as I was exiting the vehicle to attend last minute shopping chores. It swung wide open and hard. Cracked a weld. Already got the estimate: 200 - 300 to make it like new. Merry xmas to me. Fortunately, this is not a major problem, as the door still works just fine. But after the first -

Dec 09, 2004

This entry went nowhere! Whoa, I gotta' slow down. . .

Well into the fifties today - BUT - where's the sun? Can you say, drizzle?

I think (hope) my shopping might be done? A few last minute xmas cards, still to go.

Dec 08, 2004

OH! I almost forgot - the sun was out at least half the time today! So, I placed a small electric heater in the back seat of the Saab to dry the floor, behind the driver's seat, which has been smelly for a few days. Left the driver's side window open a crack, for exhaust ventilation. It then proceeded to pour like the dickens while I wasn't paying attention. Had to start all over - very wet floor. I'm still not sure how the floor in the back seat got wet in the first place? Unless, I had left the window open? Certainly possible, we surmise, after today's performance. I got smart (we might hope?) and mopped up the excess with an old towel, before re plugging the heater. The only problem is that the same extension cord also powers the wee bit of seasonal outside lights that are on display.

Whoa! That's a terrible shot! We'll try that again, tomorrow. But the idea is that only a tiny tree in the front yard is actually 'decorated'. This was a 'live Christmas Tree' purchase from a Christmas, past - that actually lived. The next one, did not.
By the by, we were informed this evening that 'more lights must go up, on the porch.' So, there you have it. We still haven't purchased the 'TREE'.
However, as long as the 'outside lites' are lit, that ties up the only extension cord. Which means that backseat drying projects must occur during daylight hours. Geez. Life is never simple, but always great fun!
Evelyn got red and green braces wires bands for the holidays during her orthodontist 'tune up' today. However, she's WAY too busy to let me take another 'braces' picture. Hah! She relented! This is actually a braces 'scan', not a photo.
So - now she has to make this same face into the scanner, before the computer will let her log on! Cool, huh?
OK, maybe the fingerprint thingy would be simpler - but they're still pricey -
just kidding, anyway -

Spent a certain amount of time this day making sure that various RRDave stories  currently posted all have relevant links, to other stories. Links, is what the internet is all about. When someone visits one of your pages, one wants to make it easy to find the others, n'cest pas? (That's high school french for 'is it not so?')
Cass just stopped by. He's Ann's oldest, by the by. Ann just told me that 'by the way', would be much better. I don't know where I got by the by? At any rate - Cass just got a swell new Nextel phone. Geez, these things are getting so tiny! AND, it's a radio. I.E. walkie talkie - capice? (that's grade school Italian for 'Get it?')

Aren't you so glad that we didn't post another dang CAT picture!?

Dec 07, 2004

As one might gather from the pictures taken yesterday, that it was briefly sunny? It's still pleasant today, temperature wise - but no sun. The drearys, are back.
Within the next couple days we hope to get out in the world and purchase that Christmas tree. Merging three (well, ok - two) hectic schedules can be a daunting task.
Wow! There's a comment, in the 'COMMENT' block! Who'd a thunk it?
Dad informs that he now has two of his CD changers back in service. This is Thanks to Adam! These are basically CD juke boxes. They are a showcase for Dad's 'Big Band' collection. His three changers hold 600 CD's. This had been a small problem the last few years - three remotes. Today we discussed the possibility of just trying to utilize the three hundred CD machine. (There is also a two hundred CD, and one hundred CD, machine).
There was a period where Dad could have any song on any player going in twelve seconds! Can you imagine? He hands you a folder that tells what the six hundred songs are, a brief description of each, who wrote it, when it was popular, etc. You pick a song out of the folder, and 12 seconds later it's playing! This was a grand time.
To just get the three hundred CD changer reloaded and working - WHOA! That'd really be something!
Note: I put in an official bid today for the one hundred CD machine. Want the two hundred? Speak up!

Here are Evelyn and Talyn making an after school snack.

Dec 06, 2004

Evelyn caught the cats napping in the laundry basket.

We scootered down to the docks, since the sun was out.

On the docks, again. The fish factory boat was in, along with this TUG, and the Guemes ferry.

At least once a year, sometimes twice - Ann tries to get together with her chums from school. (last August was on Devil's Lake, OR) 
This month, Ann, Caroline, Barb and Holly were able gather and visit, in Portland.

Barb's husband, Kevin - a man of many talents - did this flower arrangement.

Ann found this beautiful stained glass window on Sunday, before driving back to Anacortes.

The railroad is rubbing off on Ann, who snapped this unit train of military vehicles.

Dec 05, 2004

Ann Smock is back home! YAY!
Niomi's sister Sari's daughter, Amanda sent some photos - Niomi says:
That is my sister Sari's older daughter Amanda and her boyfriend Peter Z. who live in Taiwan teaching English to pre-schoolers...
Amanda, done up for Halloween - we hope?

These shots are so good, and there are more. They should really have their own page.

Evelyn is back from Mt. Baker, where she and Talyn went sledding. Ann is back from visiting in Portland. Dick and Laura are back from DC. Barbara and Anna and Paul get their new 'trade in' horse (Levi) tomorrow.
And finally - here is an important reminder - Christmas is coming.

Dec 04, 2004

In WA, this is Saturday.
Still raining. Dang. I'd said that the rain doesn't really happen in Anacortes. I lied. It's been happening, big time. We're going on weeks, here.
How about combining the RRDave website with this one?
A single currant page that covers anything new?
Follow links from this blog to whatever?
I found the chords to 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman', which Anna and Evelyn are adding to their violin duet CD. They have graciously allowed me to play along on this song, if I can get it down as well as they have?
Which is pretty good. They sound great!
This forces me to learn some new banjo chords, since the song is in E minor. 'Bout time.
Still looking for a local teacher. Or, to start a local 'band'. Easier said than done.
Also, still trying to decide the best way to add songs to this blog. I guess it will be a link?
An informal survey suggests that pictures are as important, if not MORE important, than words, on this BLOG? Any thoughts? Geez, nobody wants to speak up?
With this in mind, here are two pix -
This is my good friend Jack, a fellow Amtrak Conductor, and the guy that got me online in the first place. Jack is getting into the swing of Christmas!

Yours truly, getting into the swing my own self.

Dec 03, 2004

Here is the thing:
This has grown to be such an unwieldy website, mostly because I never take anything down?
So, if you ended up here, on this page, you have been very brave. I think there are over fifty pages posted as we speak. Nobody is going to look at a fraction of them at one time, if ever.
Still and all, they are accessible from the links at the top of this page, by the by. . .
So. What does this mean?
It means, just as my dear wife has suggested, it's time to revamp the website!
I'm considering this.
I know that the blog page is currently the most viewed, on a regular basis, finally overtaking RRDave, tho the RR buffs keep RRDave going. Thanks to each and every one of them, too!
So, what to do with the other fifty pages? Which to keep?
I am open to suggestion, here. . .

Welcome to winter.
Welcome to December, in the world.

Ann is in meetings until the weekend. Evie and I are trying to manage. Well, I am. Ev seems to be doing just fine.

Happy Birthday to PAUL!

We here in WA haven't seen the sun in many days. The eternal grey out, that everyone calls WA winter. My floor in the backseat of the Saab got wet, and I had to buy a heater to get it dried out again.

Here is a (used w/permission) photo from John Stoecker that will end up on the RRDave webpage.
Lots of folks own their own 'private' railroad car. At least once a year, they all gather in Chicago, and then 'GO' somewhere. The private cars are carried on the rear of various Amtrak (or sometimes freight) trains. It was always a fun time, when all these cars came to the Chicago yards. Literally, dozens.
This view is north (that's the Sears Tower) from about track ten or twelve. Amtrak Superliners on the left. A 'dome' private car behind the Hollywood Beach.

From Jack comes pictures (also going to the Railroad site) of another derailment. Broken rail, is the suspected cause of this coal train catastrophe.

A future CEO multitasking at her Mom's computer. I think Evelyn needs broadband on her very own computer, which is already located in her room? I mean, we've come this far?

Adam was kind enough to resend his photos, so that I could include one of Talia!
His earlier photos may be found
HERE