No snowboards here Richard...... dips into the low 40's at night and will bounce back to mid 70's daily probably till after Turkey Day. We had to put down one of our prize show goats last night. It was sad but life on the farm. The Llama looks in on me eveynight through the window just to make sure I'n there. His name is Ghost (as he's all white and was born a year ago on Halloween). Hope all is well. Spending this Turkey Day here in GA at my friends sisters house.

Best Wishes to you Kathy and safe journey. Sounds like a wonderful Christmas present for a grandma. We will be driving to VT on Tu, picking up one of my boys in Winston-Salem, NC on the way. We will have Thanksgiving on Friday at my brother's in Southampton, MA and start the drive back on Sat. evening. I am a little worried about going to cold weather but glad to hear you have had 50's. My mom and dad said they have a momma bear and two cubs raiding their bird feeders ... yikes!

It was in the low 50s today in Springfield, so no snowboarding here. Neil and I will be celebrating our 32nd anniversary on Thursday. I always chuckle because all my male relatives had to miss deer hunting for a day to come to the wedding...they always reminded me of that even years later. Anyways, I hope everyone is well and getting ready for the holiday season to begin. Anyone have big traveling plans? I am going to Raleigh to my daughters on Dec. 19. She is having a baby on Dec. 20...a planned c-section. So I will get to be with Caleb my 2 year old grandson and a new baby for Christmas...

Hi, Can we go snowboarding yet? Real life sure has really hard experiences to get through. I like snowboarding because it gets me out of my head and into a world that doesn't freak me out. Maybe I'll get better at reality with a little more practice. I was in San Francisco for halloween. It was a blast. I also walked in a redwood forest for the first time. Wow. 2300 year old trees, 325 feet tall. Be good, have fun.

Wow, thanks Brian. I'd forgotten about someof those people. Springfield still lives!! Dick always made people happy and you're right, there's lots to live on the fun side and take all you can now because you can't take it with you.

Brian, thanks for giving us the details of the funeral--and for your reminder about not living "timid, uninteresting lives."

Got a note from Krishna yesterday asking for MaryAnne's address. I don't have it unfortunately but she did follow this a.m. with a copy of Nickki's letter to her following attending the service and gatherings for Dick. As Brian said an amazing tribute. Nicki didn't find the address either though.

My suggestion is that the Davis Memorial Chapel must have the family addresses on file and will forward messages to them.

We got snow starting lst Friday and it's cold enough that the ground is still white and there's a lot of black ice. I'm really having a little trouble with the idea that my son is on a bicycle in the dark of night wearing no helmet. I've got to convince him to start walking. For a smart kid he's not very bright. Parenting never ends..........

Did anyone get MaryAnn's address?
We just had the first ten minute snowstorm of the season. Tonight is suppose to be the coldest night of the fall. Makes you want to dig out your longjohns for recess duty tomorrow. We had a kindergarten come in late today minus a coat. "I forgot it". Imagine a parent bringing a 5 year old to school not knowing he doesn't have a jacket on. Anyone have big plans for Thanksgiving?

How great that the turnout was so large. I figured it would be. Wish I could have gone.

Wow! What an amazing time at Dick Tracy's Funeral Party!

There was an incredible gathering of the cream of the partying crews at the Elks Club. It was packed with so many people I haven't seen in so-o long. All the Vogels, the Goodrums, including Mrs. Goodie, Vegetable!, Carl and Paul Albanese, the Fielders, and of course all the Tracy siblings, and so many more.

The party at the Country Club the next day was even bigger. Dale Whitney, Jeff Lawrence, Bill Drake, Bob Hildreth, Leslie Bibbens, Linda LaBonte, Casey Spindler, Pam and Pete Wearing, oh the list is endless. The funeral itself was impressive. The Catholic Church was absolutely packed; standing room only.

Okay, I didn't take a lot of pictures.

The Tracy brothers Mark, John and Will gave eulogies that had everybody in tears (laughing, that is). it ended in thunderous applause, which blew a few Catholic minds. Hendrik family members were there, as well as the mother of Liz Morrison, Dick's co-pilot. The food was great (I'm still stuffed), and I came away with my head reeling with stories and catch-up tales from dozens of old friends.

Dick pushed the buttons that make living really fun, and it was a wake-up call for many of us to stop living timid, uninteresting lives. Don't avoid memorial gatherings, and say YES every time you can.

-=Wise Sage Party Animal Brian

Sorry to hear. My condoleances to the Tracey's and friends. Have sold my place in Lilburn so they can build a mini strip mall and temporary moved to a bunk house on the farm. The hurricanes damaged the houses too bad in Barnesville so we sold to a developer and are looking for something a bit further out and maybe even more land.

Thanks for the updates. I've sent sometihing along to the Davis Funeral Chapel. They'll see that it gets to the family. I didn't realize both the Tracey parents were gone already. Time really is going by quickly.

Here's some more Dick Tracy details. I'll be there, at least on Saturday, but Friday night will probably be the best tribute, after the viewing hours are over.
-=Brian

Visiting hours will be held Friday, November 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Davis Memorial Chapel, 99 Summer Street, Springfield, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Springfield, VT on November 6th, at 11 am. Burial will follow at the St. Mary's Cemetery. A reception celebrating Dick's life will then be held at the Crown Point Country Club following his burial. Davis Memorial Chapel, Springfield, VT is serving the Tracy Family. (802-885-3322) Published in the Charlotte Observer on 10/29/2004.

That list was with John I thought. Not sure though and it's somewhat incomplete. this is a tough one. Id like Maryann to know we're thinking of her.

Yes, I saw the obit. on line. I guess the Elm Hill house is rented out so that is not a good place to send any condolences. Who is it that has the alumni mailing list, is that John?

On a lighter note,

I'm helping a friend out (much younger friend) whose little girl is involved in a sticker club. It's a sort of chain letter with stickers. So if anyone has any little "friends", grandkids, neighbor kids or whatever, who you think would like to receive 72 packets of stickers from all over the place (one packet at a time) through the mail, just let me know and I'll send them the letter.

-Pat

Thanks Kathi, Just a street(home)address in Spfld. then I guess. Would you mind checking the phone book? thanks - Pat

The obituary was in the Springfield paper yesterday and listed her as living in Wilmington, MA. The funeral being next weekend here in Springfield. Friday night calling hours and St Mary's Church at 11am and reception at The Country Club after the service and burial.

Don't forget to turn your clocks back tonight! It will now be the official start of hibernation in Vermont.
Happy Thoughts for your weekend!

Karen, I'm glad you asked for that address, I'm hoping it will be posted here. I too would like to send a card. - Pat

If one of you has an address for MaryAnn Tracy Murphy could you send it to me? I would like to send a sympathy card. What a tragedy. When we think of Dick a story comes to mind that makes us smile. Rich was sitting in an airport several years ago waiting for a flight. He looked up as the flight crew approached the gate. Rich yelled "Scumbag?" and Dick saw Rich and yelled "Stovepipe!" They shook hands and caught up for a minute or two and then Dick said the crew needed to board. Rich sat back down and only then realized that people were looking at him strangely and one person finally said, "Did you just call our pilot SCUMBAG?" I think they made some comment like, can this guy fly a plane? and Rich had to laugh and thinking back on life in high school, that thought may have crossed his mind too!! He was a good guy and my sympathy to his friends and family. God bless.

Lori I'm so glad the leaves arrived. I'm surprised that any were intact. I had the feeling they would all end up crumbs over the journey. Tim, my mail-man things I'm nuts!

I'm sorry to hear about Dick (but glad to see Brian surface) and really sorry about your brother, Kathi. I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but I know there's nothing I can say.

On a lighter note, I got your leaves in the mail yesterday, Patti, and was really excited! I think they lost some of their vibrancy on the way, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that it's really exciting to get a whole envelope full of leaves in the mail from a friend in Maine--and that you went to the trouble to pick so many beautiful leaves for me and to actually bother to put them in an envelope and send them to me. I'm touched. I consider you a really good friend to do that for me. Thank you!

I remember Dick very well. He was a good friend of my brothers and spent a lot of time at our house. So sad. Thanks for letting us know Brian. I wouldn't have heard otherwise. thanks for the links also. - Pat

Loosing your parents is sad but loosing a sibling is devastating.

Hi Everyone,

My brother Pete called today to ask if I had heard that Springfield's Dick Tracy had died in an air crash Sunday. http://newsobserver.com/news/nc/ncwire_news/story/1765687p-8049789c.html
Darn. I hadn't seen Dick in quite a while, and was just wondering what had become of him. Actually, it was awesome to hear he had become a pilot, but this is sad. I hope to make it to Springfield for a service, if they have one there. He was living in North Carolina.

And Kathi, I am so sorry to hear of your brother. I never made a connection when I read about his death in the news, because he was from Milton, Vt. and so much younger than us. I visited the memorial site at http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/sheehankevinf.html and I am deeply affected and saddened for your loss.

I love you all, enjoy every breath you take!
-=Brian

Kathi, do me a favor please and send me a quick e-mail message so I'll have your address again. I lost it when my hard drive crashed a while back and I'm in the process of re-building the list from an original copy I had . Some of these addresses will be invalid because folks change their addresses and don't notify me to update the list but you'll have quite a few that are correct.
Getting this list finished up again is my weekend project. When the a message come back as undeliverable, I'll remove the addresses from the list and re-send it to the names that are left as the most correct listing we have available. In the meantime, if anyone reading this has a "new" address send it along to me and I'll correct the list as much as possible before I send it out Sat.

Thanks - Pat

Kathi, I did know about your brother and I am so sorry. I can't imagine what you all have gone through. Your kids sound happy and successful ... you dun good girl! Enjoy your time off. We have 62 this morning but it has been rainy, so not sure we will see the sun today.

Patti: No, you did not send me the email list but it would be great if you did. Raw and chilly here today. It was 42 degrees at 8:30. No school for the rest of the week. Vermont Teacher Convention, so today was like a Friday. No big plans, probably the yard, garden cleanup for fall. Our leaves are just falling so we will probably still be raking in November. I don't think the leaves were that vivid this year, maybe from the wet summer. Thank you for the welcome. You all will have to tell me what you do, etc. It is nice to connect with you.

Hi, Kathi. Welcome to the blog from me, too! It was good to get caught up on your life. I have musician kids too--my daughter and my middle son. They're both in bands and have gigs around here. It takes a lot of persistence, maybe even more in L.A. where they're not so good about paying musicians. I've heard that they're better about that in other places. Maybe there's just too much competition here.

Patti, I'm looking forward to getting those leaves! I actually wrote a poem a few years ago called "Craving" cuz I had such a craving to see those beautiful New England leaves.

Hey Kathi, of course no one minds, WELCOME. The purpose of the site is to share and keep in touch and support each other. Not as many since the class reunion. I joined just after and its nice to hear about different lives etc. Its till warm here in GA. Mike Grahams bro lives only a town or two ovger from me and has for quite some time. A kid a went to kindergarden with in Ct lives just the other side of town. The net brings much together and the great thing is you can just listen in or participate.

Good morning all! Especilly hi to you Kathi, It's great to hear fromyou again. I can attest to how now her cards are because I was the lucky recipient of one some time back.
Hard to think of any of us having grandkids. I'm ready I think to be a grand parent but I know my sons are sure not ready to be parents. So I'm patient. None of us needs that added to our already complicated mix.
Did I ever send you a listing of the class e-mail addresses Kathi? I don't remember after I lost all the addresses if I ever re-built it?

How bout those Red Sox!!

Sending your leaves tomorrow Lori!!!! I picked some beauties yesterday and they are drying now.

Karen, I have been working for 18 years as a Para in Kindergarten. Now I am working with Angela Asermelly at Union Street School. I like working with the younger kids...they usually still like you at the end of the day! My oldest daughter, Suzanne, is 28 . She has been living in NYC since college. She is trying to get into the music business and has a band, or is in a band. She is very artsy and musical. My middle daughter, Amanda, graduated from BU, moved to Raleigh, NC, got married , has the cutest little redheaded 2 year old son and is expecting a baby in December. We don't get to see Caleb that often which is hard. And Andrew, having been to college in Maine, moved home this summer for a while to regroup. He is working at Best Buy in West Leb. for the moment. Its actually quite nice to have him home. Our schedules are so different that I really don't see him that often. It has been extremely difficult dealing with my brother's death in Iraq in May. I have been trying very hard to stay busy! I do a lot of creating. I like to make cards and have come up with some that I have been selling. The teachers like to buy them and there is always a birthday or some holiday to make new ones for. So between family, work, house, yard stuff (though I have a new mower back in the house!!! My Son.) I try to keep busy. Its a big production to go shopping from here as you know! Please tell your Mom hi for me. Thanks for listening and making me feel welcome. Happy thoughts, Kathi

HI KATHI! So nice to see you here! I drove by your house this summer when I was with my mom. Hope you are having a nice fall. How old are your kids now and where are they? Do you work? What do you like to do in your spare time? I would love to hear about YOU! Are you still funny and bubbly like high school days?

Hi. It is fun to get an insite into all your "exciting" lives. Traveling, redecorating, sharing ideas and thoughts, reaching out to your friends. It is nice that you still all share that friendship after 30 years. Hope you don't mind that I join you sometimes. Happy thoughts are sent to all.

Okay, Patti, now I'll be waiting for them!

Of course I'm serious Lori! I'll pick the biggest and prettyiest leaves I can find and send them to you. Right now, they're wet from the wicked rain storm we've just had but I'm gonna get you some as soon as they're dry. Count on it!

Of course I'm serious Lori!1 I'll pick the biggest and prettyiest leaves I can find and send them to you. Right now, they're wet from the wicked rain storm we've just had but I'm gonna get you some as soon as they're dry. Count on it!

don't know why it published twoice but lets take it as a sign of my sincerity.

Patti, are you serious? In case you are, it's 13913 Chandler Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91401. You may be kidding, but even now I can't seem to shake the habit of believing everything I'm told.

Not sure why that posted 3 times but lets take it as a sign of my sincerity.

Don't know why that published 3 times bnut I'll take it as a sign of my sincerity.

Richard dear, you read my mind.

Send me your address and I'll gladly send you some beauties!

Have a great weekend!! Maybe some (don't ever) Bloggers will return to leave some posts??? Please understand. I love the little notes from us and have many more that I will be posting.

I also recognize that I had a little shake out period when I started posting, but the blog helped me to find planet earth again. Being back on earth has been pretty special. I love you guys.

(Pat is saying, "It sure doesn't sound like he's on planet earth to me, but he seems harmless.")

I think you're right, Roland. It HAS helped me to share with people what's going on in my life. I think that Landmark Forum course I did helped me open up cuz I used to be much more closed about my personal life. Now I'm finding it helps me to share. The support I get from people gives me a lot of strength.

I'm getting jealous hearing you all talk about the colored leaves. There's some of that here, but nothing that compares to the beauty in Vermont. Or Maine, I guess. Send me some leaves!

Hey Lori, I have always believed that it is good to talk. Some of my friends say that they think I'm too open but as long as one dosen't share the gorey details I feel its ok to let people know and the ones who care will wish you well. Life is about sharing and helping or just sometimes listening and we all need to vent. Sooooo glad you are doing better......see it probably helped to hare it with us.

Hey Richard, last night I saw your pupeteering buddies on 20/20! That's quite a coincident since you just mentioned seeing the puppets. Or I should say I just read yesterday about your having seen the puppets.
It's pretty up here but cold in the mornings. Low 30's.BRRR. Should get up to 60 later though and it's mid 70's in the computer lab where I work so the air conditioner is always on to keep those old machines running. I guess I'm living in lots of seasons at once. The fall colors are wonderful this year, very bright.
Time to get my act in gear.
Take care all. - Pat

I am having lunch with Pete and Larry today at their timberframe shop. I only work about 20 minutes away and I love being in the mountains. Their shop has a perfect view of Madonna (the mountain, not the . . .) They are 5 minutes from the chairlift. I expect that the leaves will be peak colors for most of the ride. I will be on Pleasant Valley Road for most of my drive and it is always very pleasant!

Holidays? I'm not sure what I think. I guess it's time to form some opinions, again.

Hi Richard and Lori! Thanks for the offer of help Lori. And Richard, yes Nolan would really have loved to see the marionettes. You know the most interesting people. I only know store clerks and household handymen at this point. We are heading to VT for Thanksgiving. We will be at my sister's NH home for the feast. Its my parent's 60th wedding anniversary on Dec 7th so it will be a double celebration. At Christmas, we are having Rich's family here. Can you believe these holidays are just around the corner? I get tired thinking about it .........

Karen, it's nice that your son is in L.A., but it would be even nicer if YOU were out here. Then we could meet! If he needs anything, he can call me--but he'd probably be embarrassed to call someone he doesn't know.

Karen, It is great to hear from you. There is a lot going on in LA. I had a good time there. I hope that it stays fun for your son. Maybe Lori could start a mom away from home service for us easterners when we visit. Walks on the beach and eating at good restaurants is about all I remember at this point. The time I spent behind the Orange Curtain (in Orange County) has been wiped from my memory. Your son would have loved one of my visits with a friend who made all of the marionettes that were used for "Team America". I saw all 400 of them. "Team America" is a feature length film that is about to be released in the next couple of weeks. It's by the guys that do "South Park". It is pretty funny and equally offensive to everybody- they're putting the "F" back in "Freedom". My next trip is to San Francisco for halloween (some business, some fun). Anyone have any great ideas for costumes?

Hi Everyone! Not much going on here but just thought I would check in. I am enjoying fall in Atlanta. The temps have been in the low to mid 70's. I went to the GA mountains (Ellijay, GA) last weekend to our friends' cabin and while there we went to an apple festival. If you didn't listen to the southern accents it felt like VT. This weekend we are going to a wedding in the SC mountains near Greenville, it should be beautiful. My oldest son is having a great time in LA and at Warner Bros. I was worried that he would want to go back there after graduation but he says he is a northeasterner and his girlfriend longs to see New England. Guess it shouldn't matter since I am in GA. I have moved so many times that of the four children, two are drawn to the south, one to New England and the youngest is still longing to go back to MI. I am working on my house, painted and faux striped the dining room last week. Now I am moving on to papering the foyer bathroom. I got on a roll this week with cleaning things out and throwing away and you know, when a VT packrat feels that urge ... you had better go with it! Don't forget to vote and stay happy and healthy!

Yes, my brother and his wife tried that bike path and really liked it. I'll have to check it out sometime. I wish I could see those leaves!

Hi All, It is another beautiful day in paradise here. Big color day with gorgeous leaves, but it is starting to cool down. Lori, Gerda and I rode our bikes past your house by the lake on Sunday. There is a new bike bridge across the Winooski river so we are closer now than we have ever been!

Thanks, Roland. I'm doing much much better. We WILL be okay. Maybe I should have restrained myself and not written anything on the blog, but I guess that's what I needcd to do at the moment. And it helps to know that all of you care. So thanks again to everyone!!!!

Lori, sorry to hear about your mood. You have had and I assume still have alot going for yourself. Son't beat yourself up too hard. Life is constant change and sometimes we don't understand and worse yet want to understand but there is always light at the end of the tunnel if you look long enough. Hang in there and like Richard said be your own best freind and so what you must but just be careful and through with your thoughts as I know you will. We must go with the flow even when the water is just a trickle but we do have the power to alter the course if the present path is leading too close to disaster. You'll be fine!! Glad to see you back and writing!!

Thanks you guys. I appreciate your caring. I'm doing much better now. Check your e-mails.

Lori, You know how much luck and love I wish for you. There are no rules, only the ones that matter to you. What you believe in is precious. That's always a good place to start. Thanks for being a great friend! Please be your own best friend, you really need someone awesome like you.

Lori I'm sorry you have been unhappy. Check your e-mail, I'm writing there.

Yup Pat just peeking as I've been mucho busy cleaning up from the multiple storms and their aftermath of the tornadles, lightening etc. Temps still up there in the pm but nice and coold in the early evening and mornings. They say this "cycle" is what it was back in the 40's or so. Got a great new cook book and fixin to start in on some new recipies.