Monday, March 18, 2024

Cougs Are Dancing Again


 The Washington State University Cougars are in the NCAA Tournament (The Big Dance) for the first time since 2008.  The Cougs were perhaps the biggest surprise of the year, going 24-9 in a year where they were picked, at the beginning of the season, to finish no higher than 10th in the Conference.

The Cougs earned the number 7 seed in the East Region and will play the 10th seeded Drake this Thursday (March 21st, 2024) at 7pm PDT.

Remembering My Father


 Today (Monday March 18th, 2024) marks 8 years since my father's passing. 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Familiar Names In Tod Goldberg Novel


 I just finished Gangsters Don't Die, the third novel by my cousin, best selling author Tod Goldberg.  It was the third in a series about a fictional hitman who posed as a Las Vegas Rabbi. 

Tod, much like his brother, Lee, also a writer, often uses real names in his work for fictional characters.  This is something that I have come to expect.  However, in this book, I was shocked to see the names of both my grandmothers, Esther Barer and Marie Granek, as well as names from my childhood, Clara Jaffe, Leona Siegel, and Violet Epstein, all members of the Walla Walla synagogue in the 60s.  Their characters, mentioned in passing, were part of a widows' coffee klatch.  In reality, I think they were featured in an old Walla Walla newspaper as part of the B'Nai Brith Women.  The BBW put on an annual rummage sale. If you have the book, you can find the names on page 342.

Also in the book, there was a "Cousin Mike".  Was I the inspiration for that character?  I'll probably never know.   

Happy St Patrick's Day


 Wear your green!

Friday, March 15, 2024

More Skiing at Snoqualmie--2

This one is actually the first one that Rick took.  I'm still getting used to recently purchased skis.  
The conditions were sunny and warm.  A great day to be on the slopes.

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Thursday on the Summit

My buddy, Rick and I had a great time skiing at Snoqualmie Summit.  Rick was able to shoot me going down the hill.

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Eric Carmen--Rock And Pop Artist


 The death of Eric Carmen was shocking.  He was 74.  His band, the Raspberries did the hard rockin' "Go All The Way" before going solo with soft rock classics like "All By Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again". He totally reinvented himself.

I was surprised of the outpouring of grief on social media (the bulk of his work was in the 70s) and also that he was of Jewish origin.  May his memory be a blessing. 

Carmen's death was announced Monday (March11, 2024) by his wife.

Dog Time

Oliver and I share a moment.

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Russell Wilson Now A Steeler


 Russell Wilson, the only quarterback to lead the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory, will have a new address. 

After two unsuccessful seasons with the Denver Broncos, Wilson is slated to play quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

Wilson left Seattle in a 2022 deal that was thought by some to be a fleecing of the Seahawks.  As it turned out, Seattle seems to have gotten the best out of the deal. 

Monday, March 11, 2024

Oscars 2024: 'Oppenheimer' wins Best Picture at the 96th Academy Awards

Well, I did watch the Academy Awards last night (March 10th, 2024), actually, I usually watch bits and pieces.  The program ran twice, so I could watch most of the program.  
Congrats to Oppenheimer, seemingly a well deserved best picture winner.   For other winners, click here.