Speaking of turning a negative into a positive: I need to lose 20 lbs. of fat, gain 20 lbs of hair, and I feel like I never swang through the air like an apeman the way I should have when I was younger. Any ideas?

Great thoughts (as usual) Richard. Always turn negatives into positives and why not electrically charge them too!! Glad all went well Karen. Yes, its hard being a kid in a grown up body but thats life. A few of my girl friends told me they couldn't figure me out as I change and I replied to just enjoy and stop trying to catagorize. We can still be kids but just make more sound decisions. As they also say the older the boy the more expensive the toy.

Thanks for all the condolences. We got back on Thu. at about 4pm. Everything went very smoothly and there were laughs interspersed with tears ....... his family is amazing like that. Rich spoke and Lisa sang ....... it was really touching. My kids were great, the two older boys helped with the driving and we managed to find a decent motel despite the fact that it is springbreak. Now it seems that it should be a Monday and it is the weekend. I don't like being a grown up, or more truthfully ... having to fake that I am one. Thank God for family.

Pat, It is good to see you back from your last blast of winter. Don't let cabin fever get the best of you. I like to use cabin fever as a way of heightening what I already have in spades. My craziest design ideas always come in March. This year is no exception.

Karen, so sorry to read about Rich's dad. It's a particularly difficult event when a parent dies. Changes everything. My condolences and prayers to all of you.

Karen, sorry to hear about Rich's dad. It is good that he is not suffering. My gram had that and was quite sick in the end. Condolences to Rich please.

On an upnote, everyone always likes most anything to do with food. When I was in FL uw used to take some w/e trips via boat and raft together up river where the waters run clean and have one big food fest. I don't do as much anymore but am preparing the patios for a few get togethers this summer. I'll do the progression thing but go from front to inside to back patio and everyone brings an item that they do best. Keeps the cost down and makes it ineresting and will everyone being so busy it means we all don't have to wait for someones elses favourite.

Hi Karen, I am sorry to hear that Rich's father died. I did not know him, but always thought he had a great look of being classically handsome and strong.

Sorry to hear about your father-in-law, Karen. I admire you for being able to drive that far on your own. Will the kids take turns with you--or is that worse?

Hi everyone. My father in law passed away last night. I am driving to FL tomorrow with 3 of my kids and we are picking up the fourth one in Lexington, KY on the way. Rich drove from GA to FL today. His dad had emphysema and has been on oxygen for the past two plus years. Things went down hill more rapidly in the last few weeks. I am comforted to know that he is not suffering but still it is tough ..... and new territory for us. I hope you all have a happy start to spring ....... hug the ones you love.

Patty, we have something starting to send shoots up.

It will work out on one of these visits, Patti!

Hi everyone. Man have we had a return to winter in NE. those few warm days were such a tease. It happens every year and I fall for every time.

Lori I wish it were a school vacation week so I could come over for a visit. Why don't you stay a few more weeks and I'll come over in April for that spring week off. One of days we will make the connection. It's great that you are seeing so many of your friends though. I guess now that we don't need to spend the summer in Baltimore we'll be able to come over to VT for the summer camp out reunion that John has been talking about. I wonder if the state park in Ludlow has camper hook ups. That sounds nasty some how. I guess I'm spending too much time with my students.

Hi Karen. Yes, I'm still here in Vermont. Avi flew back yesterday, but I extended my visit for another week
to finish some more things in the house and to just enjoy the house! Janice and Butch came up last Saturday, and
Brian came over Sunday evening. On Friday I'm meeting Richard and his wife for lunch in Burlington. And I've been seeing quite a lot of my brother and his family. It's nice to have family and friends in the area! Good luck selling your house.

I heard on the radio that the Springfield schools are closed today because of snow. I wish we were all still in high school so that we could have had the day off.

Also, I read in the newspaper today that many Irish think that there is a drinking problem in their country. I think that with insight and analysis like this, the help of brain surgeons will not be needed. I guess it is time for St Patrick to repent and to check into a half-way house. What an unexpected outcome for this vigilant charmer of snakes.

I hope you all catch a Leprechaun!

Believe me, I know all the tricks but it is still a crap shoot. We got a low offer and I suspect that most people think it is a buyer's market due to the low interest rates and the slow comeback in the job market in Grand Rapids. We are sitting tight as we have 3 1/2 months yet before we need to move. Oh well. Richard, I have always wanted to belong to one of those gourmet clubs. I think it sounds like fun. Some of my friends in KY used to rent the huge houseboats and have themed dinners, costumes and all. They had a blast! Pat, sorry to hear that you are not going to Baltimore but sounds like you are okay with it. Lori, are you still in VT? Heard you guys in VT are getting some snow today ......... welcome spring!

You're probably right about the apple pie. mmmmmmm!!!!!

Karen, .................it's apple pie. You want the scent of pies, just simmering a little cinnamon and cloves in a pan on the stove can do it. Toast? Of course every time we make toast it smells like something is burning. That isn't too appealing. Best of luck!!


So we're not going to Baltimore. Under the heading of "that's the Government for you" minds have changed and someone else is going. The good news is I get to play in my gardens all summer.

Good luck Karen. I have heard that you should make toast before showing your house. The smell creates a feeling of home that people like.

Last night was our "once every 6 weeks for the last 19 years" gourmet club. I cooked a Northern Italian recipe that was great! It was poached salmon in a sauce that had olive oil, capers, hot pepper, anchovie, garlic, onion, parsley and . . . it was super! At this point, there are few surprises accept for new recipes when we get together.

Okay, I need you all to send good vibes ....... I am getting an offer on my house tomorrow and it can't be a lowball offer or someone who needs us out before June. There was an interested party last week and they want to be notified of any action on the house so it could end up being a bidding war ....... but that is a long shot and I don't want to get greedy. If anyone wants me ....... I will be cleaning toilets!! Later..............

I'mm off to Sunday River for the weekend. don't ski what the heck. I always find things to do. Have a great weekend everyone!

Yes, live chat would be great. No one is ever in the chat set up on classmates anymore.

Pat, I think that people have had enough and thats why M got the book thrown at her. Yes, I've been in that corporate mess and grew up with my elders telling me it was alright and acceptable business practice. I NEVER thought is was and consequently am not the multimillionaire that my peers are but I can sleep at night. It takes people awhile to get really fed up and that Enron thing was totally political and the people hadn't spoken loud enough yet. This time the little people got to speak and they are trying to send a message. You know, its like grade school where you can't punish every little thing but try to send an example by pinning at least one donkey to the wall and hope that it will scare others. There is a higher power that will take care of those Enron and others and their day in court will come. We probably won't see it but trust me it will come. The only thing we little people can do is to do our best to live by the golden rule and we won't have to worry about a court date or judgement day.

No Lori Dad hasn't moved yet. They haven't sold their Florida home so no changes yet. March and April are the big time for sales of property, or so they've been told. So we'll see.

Have any of you been here in Blogger and had someone else come on so you could talk in real time? Wouldn't that be fun? Let's set something up!

Sorry Richard, point well taken. Here's my gripe though. While if the facts as presented are true than she deserves to be punished. However, speaking of little fish, why haven't the heads of major corporations such as Enron paid for their crimes? It's seems much is being made of M.S and not so much of others who did even more damage to many more people. Neither is right but all should pay up. Restitution to the investment funds would be a good place to start. But only a start. Now I'll come down from my high horse. Mea Culpa.

It's a beautiful day in Vermont with So. Cal. temps and sun. It must mean that Lori is here!

Hello from Vermont. We arrived last night. Patti, did your father move up here yet? We've got to get together on one of these visits. I think I was in Washington DC once when I was about 13, so I don't remember much and have no suggestions for you. But you're getting plenty of tips from Richard, Karen, and Roland!

Snow is mostly gone here. I went running this morning, oooooooph!

Poor Martha??? I can only imagine the canape that I would be made into if I ever crossed her. Where some see caviar, I see little fish like me whose retirement investments are destroyed by people like her. I don't share Robin William's view that now she can go to jail and be someone's bitch, but . . . .

I mentioned to Dave my interest in going to Arlington Cemetary Karen. He was surprised as in all his trips to DC he has never gone there. He prefers the Smithsonian and with the limited time he has to tour that's where he usually heads. though he go to the Holocaust Museum at my request on his last trip. We do an enormous unit on the Holocaust at school. I'm certainly going to go there.

The Inner Harbor Ferry accident was such a tragedy. Dave has taken that several times. Makes me think twice about where the obligatory life vest instead of just having it around.

Snow is melting like crazy up here, terrible for the industries of winter but great for me. I look forward to warm weather.

We had an awful melt and freeze on Sunday and the school parking lot was like a rink. One of our teachers fell right by her car and has broken her ankle. She has a tiny baby and home and now cannot carry him or take care of him properly. Such a horrible feeling. Thank God her husband is very much a hands on father and can step right in without missing a beat. I remember having proplems when our oldest was born and I had to have him brought to me. I hated it.

Poor Martha.

After purchasing a fairly expensive digital camera and the programs that go with it I found a 10.00 device that works great (@Best Buy). MUCH easier to use and downloads are lightening speed. I can then just use Outlook express and mail out. What fun. Maybe someday I'll master this thing just about when its upgrade time, ha ha. So..... got some 200 or so pics to fool around with and try mailing out. DC will be great fun Pat but quite a culture shock from where you have been. Enjoy!!

Pat, I guess the ferry in Baltimore's Inner Harbor will have new safety measures by the time you get there. In the words of Martha ......... "Its a good thing". Have taken the kids to DC a couple of times and as sheltered children the most amazing thing that they still remember was the homeless sleeping in doorways and on steam grates and using the public bathrooms. Rich and I got caught in the biggest snowstorm ever there in the late 70's, that was interesting. Had dinner at the Watergate, but never got to Arlington Cemetary which I really wanted to do.

There are so many great museums and wonderful things to see in DC. I love the Hirschorn, the National Gallery, the African and Islamic Art Museum, the Air and Space Museum, and all the others too!!!

In Baltimore, I remember eating Bertha's mussels- a seafood place there, and going to the Peabody Bookstore. The Peabody Bookstore was a speak-easy during prohibition and was frequented by Baltimore's most famous citizen, H. L. Mencken. Needless to say they don't sell books. The entrance to the speakeasy was through a bookcase in the back. I had a watercolor portrait done of me by Johnny somebody for 50 cents, when I went drinking there. I wish I still had it to be able to see if I've aged. I felt that it was worth at least 75 cents, at the time.

I can't believe that Park City was only $7.50 a day (It's $69/day now). We went through the ski museum in town when we were there and learned that mining cars and elevators were used as the early ski lifts. It reminded me of riding funiculars in the alps where you enter the side of a mountain packed like sardines into a car at a 45 degree angle with Germans that reek of cigarettes. You know they are nervous because they are jonesing for their next smoke and just when the sweat would break on their foreheads, you emerge onto the top of a snow covered wonderland. in this light, high speed quads and high speed six-packs seem like a major step for mankind.

I remember landing at Dulles Airport when I was 17 or 18, with a 3 hour lay over so I got in a cab and went into DC. Wandered all over the place and even did the White House tour. I was watching a special on the history channel last night that reminded me of it. I don't remember much of the tour except the red velvet ropes that kept us from seeing much and I had been hoping to see upstairs for some reason. Now of course when I could appreiciate the art work and such in the White House I won't be able to do it. I'm planning to arrange some time with our representative down there and maybe see something behind the scenes that way. Dave has done that before.

Glad to see so much talk again. The ground hog must have got everyone out, We had a cabin in the Islands for years. It was featured for sale in Yankee. It was just too much to keep up with my parents divorce et el and dad being in Prescott Valley, AZ and mom in CT. I lived in So Hero for a few years while attending UVM. I loved it. One of the "kids" that graduated a years ahead of us all is the Park Ranger for GrandIsle I believe. Our Cabin was adjacent to the Satee property. Very cold winters though and the wind always blew. I remember eating flapjacks when I was a kid at the old stone INN in the center of town (SH) but it fell into ruins and became just a bar. Have fun in DC Pat. They limit things since 911 but there is still alot to do and see. Glad I was able to do and see before that as it was much less restricted.

Hi Karen thanks for the encouragement. Dave and I have been looking over maps and web sites. Planning to go camping in the Shenandoah Mountains and of course "do DC". It will be a good time but the first time we've been away so long from the boys. Never longer than 2 weeks. Time to get used to to I guess as I hear they're supposed to grow up and move away. Doesn't sound like a very good idea to me, at least the moving part!

Though I tried hard some retired fellow from CA won the house in GA. Boy, that would have been amazing.

Rain and snow and fog here. The biathalon was incredible! Over 6,000 in attendance. So exciting and we happened to find a great spot where we could see the majority of the race. The marksmanship is extraordinary. To shoot so well when they have been skiing for so long, so fast! In 2 years the Jr. World Championship battalion will here in PI. Dave and I are volunteers for that and will be in the thick of things for quit a while. It's a stunning event.

Pat, I hope you enjoy your time in Baltimore. It sounds like a good opportunity to break out of the mold and have some new experiences. I have only been to Baltimore once but enjoyed the aquarium and the harbor area. I can see why you would hate to leave ME for the best months of the year, but hopefully it will prove to be worthwhile. Go for it!

Our house went on the market last Friday. I feel like if I never own a house again that would be fine with me. I am very sick of cleaning and I haven't even had a showing yet! I will go to GA to shop for a house in April, but the market is not strong here. We will have to be out of here by the end of July to start my youngest son in high school in Aug. We'd like to leave at the end of June.

All our snow is melted now but we have been getting flurries today and it is supposed to be like this for much of the next week. We had some temps in the 40's and 50's but now we are back to the 30's. I am looking forward to getting back to morning walks to jiggle off some of the 50 flab.

So good to have my internet access back. I had tried a version of Zone Alarm Pro (a firewall my husband likes) on my computer; when it worked too well and kept me off the internet I uninstalled it. But it left pieces of itself behind and continued to block my access. Finally, my son was able to delete something from the registry that got rid of it completely and now I'm back!

So I've read everyone's postings. Things were very quiet while you were away Richard. You've become our zen master.

Dave has accepted a detail in Baltimore that begins April 5 and ends August 5. Huge change for us. I'll join him there when school is out and try to stay for the summer but honestly I have a hard time imaging I'll enjoy it. I love the history of the area and the places I'll be able to go and see, but I'll be doing all alone. Those two months that I will be gone are my favorite 2 months here. But it's a neat opportunity and I told him we should go for it. I know if I even hesitated he wouldn't do it. But you career minded family types all know that promotions that move you around and work details that take you away from home can only be turned down so many times before the offers stop coming. The boys are on their on and not missing school really makes this the right time to do this. Most of the other details have been smack dab in the middle of the school year. I wouldn't have been able to go or join him for part so it's not been something we wanted to do. 6 months away from each other is not good for the marriage. So far we've been lucky and the offers have continued but we really thought this would be the one to say yes too.

I was really looking forward to coming to VT for the big camping reunion but as I told John I don't see how that will work out now. Unless it's held the second weekend in June and that won't be warm enough to enjoy I'm sure. But he hopes to do something like this every year so I'll shoot for the next one.

We're heading up to Fort Kent for the last day of the World Cup Biathalon in a few minutes. Yesterday there were more people in attendance that at any previous World Cup Event held in the US. Imagine that? It's been amazing stuff and very good for the local economy. See you all later.

Hi Richard, Robin, everyone else. (Where are you all, by the way?) I guess I drove by your office without knowing it, Robin.

Richard,
I remember the dress code and hair cut/no facial hair rules, but I don't recall celibacy being anything other than a fact of life at the Y, particularly if you were not a member of "The Church". I do recall some guy getting kicked out for being caught in the girls dorm. Thus, I worked off most of my ahh....energy...by skiing 3 or 4 days a week. Park City cost $7.50 per day.
Hi Lori, Yes..my office is in South Hero...we provide services for the five towns in "the Islands".

Robin, the main difference in Park City is that the roads in town are no longer dirt. That changed in about 1980. The rest of Utah is the same. I drove past Provo, but did not stop. Did you sign the contract to stay celibate when you were going to school there and if you did, were you ever guilty of lust in your heart?

Lori, give me a call when you get here and have a chance.

South Hero? That's where my parents rented a cottage last time they were in Vermont.

Richard, you've got it right--"working, playing, bonding with family." We still have things to finish on the house, but I don't think we'll be as busy as last time.

Snowbird, Brighton, Park City, Mormons, lots of Mormons, great desert parks, more Mormons (been to Provo?). Sometimes a rolled up newspaper worked...sometimes not. Wonder how it's changed since I lived there in 72-73? Saw Mr. Cerauskis of Riverside JHS fame. He and his wife are 85. He used to ski jump. Now he lives in a little house on the side of a rock in the middle of a frozen lake. Its nice to be able to give them a hand with some stuff. They apparently lived on a boat while they built their house in South Hero twenty years ago. Go figure.
Take care all....

Lori, sounds good. Will you be mostly working, playing, bonding with family??

One more thing. I think I already mentioned this--we'll be arriving in Vermont next Wed. night, March 10.

Sounds like you had a good trip, Richard. My son's dying to go snowboarding in Utah. He said the snow there is different--lighter. And I'd really like to see Zion Park. I've heard from a lot of people that it's beautiful there, but somehow we've never gotten there. And it's not that far from us. We haven't even been to Grand Canyon. Oh well...

Snowboarding was fun. Thursday it snowed all day- 2 feet of powder and the temperature was 25. It was the kind of day you live for. We were at a resort called Brighton that day. It's a little less glitz w/ tickets at $45/day instead of $69 at Snowbird etc. No one was there and everything was open. It's at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon at about 10,000 feet elevation. That was magic!

We were barely able to drive out of the canyon that night. There was so much snow that the next day Little Cottonwood Canyon where Snowbird and Alta are located was closed while they blasted snow to prevent avalanches. 12 more inches of snow fell that day.

We finished our vacation by visiting Zion National Park. The beauty there is beyond words. Being in a place that has endured the stresses of time with such majestic elegance and strength as the result is really inspirational. One last stop at a truck stop diner (the El Bambi in Beaver, Utah) and we were on our way back east.

Pat, you have a point about the virtues of too many wives. I think the wisdom of "Why have only one?" applies to beer but not wives.

From one to the other. Today it was 75 and sunny!! Yes Richard, when it snows here is IS NOT fun but thank goodness its only biannually. Supposed to be the same the rest of the week. Hope your snowboarding is going well.

Patty, please email myself @ punchman@joimail.com and see if that works. It shoudl be the correct one. Thanx.

The snow in Atlanta does not sound fun. Utah was great! Lots of snow and really good ski conditions. Time to sleep now.

Alls white here in ATL today. I stayed home as the crash derby is usually awesome whenwe have our biannual snowstorm followed usually by freezing rain and its started already so I am just catching up on correspondence and some inside projects I've been putting off. It IS nice to see this stuff when you don't have to do out and can stay in with the critters and have some friends over for a nice warm meal with accompaning fresh hot bread and apple pie with yes, Ben & Jerrys and a piece of sharp Cabot cheese! We didn't get it as bad as just north of here. About 70-80k electric customers out for about a day. The 40mph winds are what really did it. I went out early and "broomed" off all my bushes and trees overlapping my lane leading down to the house. Worked to hard to make them look like woods to have them just break off.

Thanks Karen and Roland. Karen I got your note Friday nite, thanks. If I win the HGTV house can we be neighbors?

Pat, I sent you a note from my current email address, so you should have it now. Thanks for updating it for everyone.

Dear Pat, I now have changed addresses too, I went with JOI internet and my address is punchman@joi.com I think its .com and not .net. I'll try and send you an email from thereif I can still access my addressbook if not I'll have Nancy give it to you.

I've been attempting to update the e-mail list. It's pretty bad right now. Many letters came back undeliverable. I have some on the list incorrectly myself. I wrote the new address when I got it into my address book but forgot to change the master list. Has attbi gone out of business? The addresses for those folks have almost all been changed.

Karen I've somehow lost your address, if you wouldn't mind correcting me. It's not ameritech now right??

I'm still hearing from folks based on my last mailing a few days ago, folks who say their address has changed. Guess they're still getting it at the former address too. So I'll give a few more days to see if there are still changes I can make. If you know of someone who did not hear from me recently or who has changed their e-mail address in the last few months. Please let me know. Even Brian King's came back undeliverable. So if you yourself see this here in blogger and need me to edit the list on your behalf or someone else's please get in touch.

I'm really looking forward to details on this summer's camp out. Should be a blast!

You know Richard, there are times when the idea of other wives for Dave is not so unappealing. So watch yourself out there.

I agree with Gerda. More than shorts and sandals, "why are we going there????"

Have a good time.

We are packed like an expedition headed for Everest. Gerda would rather be packed like an expedition heading for the beach and asks, "If you need more than shorts and a pair of sandals, is it really a vacation?" For me, the possibility of adding many new wives to my life is an obvious draw to go to Utah.

Richard have a good time on your trip! Hi Lori and everyone! We hit 44 degrees today, it seemed so nice. Roland, Rich told me it was about 68 down your way today, not bad!

Have fun in Utah, Richard!

Hello to the rest of you--whoever's out there....

Richard, we didn't receive the snow luckily but some areas icey up by am and the usual crash derby followed. Luckily I didn't have to go out much before 10. We do however have ONE ski resort in the NE corner. Sort of like what Bolton Valley used to be. I never got into the boards but it seems like fun.

Hi Roland, Snow in Atlanta. Time to get waxed and go big!

Hi Lori, My mid-west trip was first to Chicago, then Detroit and Flint Michigan. I was talking with companies that make communication stuff for new cars. I was definitely feeling the tentative heartbeat of industry as I drove past monstrous factories- some busy and many closed. There seemed to be some synergy between pawn shops and beer trucks, trading diamonds for drinks.

I leave for Utah this Friday, I can't wait! It would be fun to see you and Avi in March.

Glad to see everyones active and enjoying life! There is so much to do even when you think you've tried it all. My moms still going strong and pushing her late 80's. I attribute it to keeping active. She swims laps now 3 times a week in addition to travels! Talking about snow, they say it might come close to ATL tonight. Hope not, got a route to do tomorrow. My old company inquired about subbing back my admin abilities for new product rollouts and I might do it. A little here, a little there, it all adds up.

Is that the snowboarding trip you just got back from? How was it?

I haven't been going to art openings, music events, or walks along the beach, but I have been doing a lot of hiking on a trail in the Hollywood hills lately with my friend Levana. This is the first time I feel like I'm getting addicted to exercise--I mean I actually feel like going!

By the way, Avi and I will be in Vermont again March 10-16--probably another busy vacation (finishing some things up on the house) but hopefully there will be some time to get together.