A Beautiful Drive To Work

Although the roads were somewhat slick, the drive from Maple Valley to I-405 was pretty. Luckily, the cameraman was not driving. 

White Stuff Covered The Streets Of Maple Valley

 

Scenes From A Very Snowy Week

Our backyard looks so peaceful, hard to believe all the craziness the night before. 

The Chanukah Song`

I loved this song when I first heard Adam Sandler sing it on SNL, probably before these two were even born. Tis the season for a good laugh.

We Are Covered With Snow!

I got this out of the Seattle Times. I hope to have some pictures that I took this morning up soon!

Near Blizzard Hits Seattle Area

We had plans to watch the Seahawks tonight at the Joker Pub in Issaquah, but scuttled it when snow and ice clogged the roads and cars starting swerving out of control. We had just turned on East Lake Sammamish after a smooth ride from Bellevue when the skies opened up and the hard snow fell. There was also thunder and lightning (not something you see often in the winter). By miracle, we made it home, just in time to see the final minutes of the 4th quarter, but who cares, we were all home safe and warm!

Alexander Turns It On--Fuels Seahawk Victory

If you turned into Monday Night's snowy Seahawk vs Packer matchup late, you may have thought that the game was played in Green Bay and indeed, the Packers seemed right at home in the first half as they ended the first half with a 14-12 lead. Seattle got back in the saddle as Saun Alexander (always excellent in prime time games) completed the second 200 plus rushing game in his career (201 yards). Matt Hasselbeck, playing for the first time in 2 weeks, regained his poise as well in the second half, throwing touchdown passes to Darrell Jackson, D.J. Hackett, and Jarremy Stevens. It was a sweet victory for ex Packers Matt Hasselbeck and Coach Holmgren. This season, the Seahawks are undefeated in games in which both Saun Alexander and Matt Hasselbeck have played.

Seahawks Game Today

The Seattle Seahawks will take on the Green Bay Packers for their second Monday Night Football apearance this season. The 'Hawks beat the Oakland Raiders on MFN, three weeks ago.

A Very Burl Thanksgiving

Burl's reminiscence of the old Thanksgivings from our childhood caught my eye. The Aunt And Uncle in Walla Walla that he talks about are my Grandparents.

Every year I miss even more the Thanksgiving get-togethers we used to have twenty years ago when my folks were in Palm Springs. My brother, sister, and all our kids would gather together either at my sister's place, or my mom's condo, and eat till we dropped -- then eat more of all those pies! The kids were sooo young -- and it was all just so enjoyable for me.
Mom is now 94, and most of the "kids" of her kids have families of thier own, or no longer all travel to the same place to eat the same food.
They miss the "old days" too. There is something about childhood memories that are the best. My childhood memories about Thanksgiving are of huge dinners at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Walla Walla. My most vivid "holiday" memories are of Passover in Spokane, Washington at my grandparents. After dinner, we would eventually wind up in the den where there would be "Chicago Rasslin" on my Grandpa's black and white TV. Man Mountain Dean and Gorgeous George are as much a part of my Passover memories as the Four Questions.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Reagan Hosts Local Radio Talkshow

Ron Reagan and the current President of the United States, share a couple things in common, they are both named after their Fathers and both of their fathers were Republican Presidents in the 80s. However that is where the similarity ends. Reagan, who shares his father's excellent communications skills, is a Progressive leaning talk show host in Seattle. You can hear his show Monday-Friday from 12-1 pm on 710 KIRO. He is also KIRO's chief political analyst. Reagan and his wife Doria have lived in the Seattle area for the last 12 years.

Uncle Arny And His Wheels

My Dad's brother Arny and I go back along way, when I was little, he would come into town frequently and tell me that there was a world beyond Walla Walla (where he also grew up). Uncle Arny had been to Europe many times, he moved to Seattle and became a successful attorney. That had to be exciting to my Grandmother Barer who was an unrepentant Perry Mason addict. He also ran for Washington State Legislature against Slade Gorton, who eventually became a United States Senator.
Many Dads give their sons cars for their birthdays, but last spring, Arny's kids turned the tables on him and gave him a brand new Lotus.

Golden Retriever with Music

Well, my Seahawks and Cougs both lost this weekend. But this video that I found puts it all in perspective.

Seahawks Stink Up The Bay Area

The San Francisco 49ers played like the Niners of the 80s and the Seattle Seahawks resembled the Behring era Birds in today's 20-14 loss. 49er running back Frank Gore (in photo above) ran for a franchise record 212 yards mostly in the first half. The Seahawks finally showed a few signs of life in the second half (presumably after a Holmgren halftime tirade), but it was too little too late. Senaca Wallace again proved he was unable to come up with the big clutch play, after throwing an interception right after the Seahawk defense forced an unlikely turnover.

More Apple Cup '05

The WSU band and a sea of Crimson 

It's Apple Cup Time

It's Dawg's vs Cats week as the Washington State Cougars will try to win a 3rd straight Apple Cup for the fist time ever. The match between WSU and UW is the state's best known rivalry. The above picture is from last year's contest in Huskie Stadium, which I attended with my buddy George. Tommorrow's game will be played at the WSU campus in Pullman. 

Karen And Linda On The View--Reprise

Karen And Linda On The View!

It has been almost a month but for family members and fans who have not seen it and fans who have seen it and want to see it again, I give you Karen and Linda with the "View Crew". After you see watch it, go to amazon.com and buy the book.

Surprise! It's Sir Paul

Paul McCartney, who in 40 some years with and without the Beatles, has rarely made TV appearances, was a surprise player in an SNL skit. The skit centered around host Alec Baldwin, who hosted for the 13th time and Steve Martin, a frequent host from the past. Martin, himself was unannounced in the show as was Martin Short. The show also made a weak attempt to lampoon Nancy Pelosi and also plugged Baldwin's new show.

What Can Brown Do For You?

For the second time this season, the Seahawks-Rams matchup was decided in the final minutes with a Josh Brown field goal. The battle between the NFC West frontrunners was as exciting as expected, but defenses ruled this contest as the Ram's offense was kept out of the end zone until the final quarter. With the Rams leading most of the 2nd half, Nate Burleson ran a punt return 90 yards in the 4th quarter to give the 'Hawks a short lived lead. The Rams had a quick answer with a 93 yard march and a Steven Jackson touchdown. A mental mistake on the touchdown play meant that the Rams had to kick off from their 15 yard line. The Seahawks took advantage of their excellent field position to march within easy field goal range. Josh Brown came in after the Seahawk ran 50 seconds off the clock and put the game away 22-2o.

So Long Ed Bradley

'60 Minutes' Crew Remembers Ed Bradley

Our generation will remember Ed Bradley as one of the Pioneer black TV journalists. 60 Minutes, reporters Leslie Stahl and Steve Kroft present this moving tribute.

Rusty Relaxing

 

How Washington's Elections Shaped Up

Ivan, who I have crossed pathes with on many blogs, has this report on our state's electoral fortunes.

Lan, This Ones For You

Former Seattle Disc Jockey Lan Roberts was an avid political commentator. I discovered his site from a web page of a local band. Lan was living in Texas and disgusted by then governor George Bush. While Bush was at that time not as well known, other than as a potential presidential candidate, Roberts wrote some eloquant editorials about the Bush agenda. Late last year, we lost Lan to lung cancer. Lan would have been real happy with yesterday's election results.

Darcy Burner Hits 3 Million Mark

In a rain soaked rally in Bellevue yesterday, Darcy Burner announced that her campaign had raised 3 million dollars. This is in spite of not getting the endorsement of the aging Seattle Times, and comming from out of nowhere. The rally also featured apearances of Washington Congressman Jay Inslee, Senator Patty Murray, and Maria Cantwell who pulled up in grand style in a custom bio-diesel bus.

Seahawks Whitewash Raiders

For the second year in a row, the Seattle Seahawks shut out their opponent on Monday Night this time the hated Oakland Raiders by a score of 16-0 in rain slogged Qwest Field. Last year the 'Hawks shut out defending NFC champion Philadelphia. Seattle has on more Monday night game this year against Green Bay.
Craig Terrill had three of nine sacks for the 'Hawks, who scored a touchdown on their opening drive but were happy to settle for 3 Josh Brown field goals to pad their lead. The game turned real ugly toward the end when Raider Tyler Brayton kneed Jeremy Stevens earning an ejection, thus the legend of the Raiders in Seattle continues.

CNN Coverage of WA-08

I'll have something on the rally later. Here is some national coverage of our congressional district.

Big Darcy Burner Rally In Bellevue Today!

Voters of Washington's 8th Congressional district and beyond can send a message that the Republican 12 year stranglehold on Congress is about to end by attending a rally for Democratic candidate Darcy Burner today at 1:30. Burner is scheduled to apear at the rally which will take place at her Bellevue headquarters, located at the corner of 124th and Bel-Red Rd. in the Banner Bank building. Since the Seahawk game is not until tommorrow, this is an excellent opportunity to meet Darcy and send a message that the "Contract with America" runs out this week. 

Walter Cronkite Is 90

Walter Cronkite - last 2 mins of final newscast

Well Happy Birthday, Walter Cronkite! Cronkite is an icon to the baby boomer generation. Bringing the news of the world into America's living room his "thats the way it is" sign off, gave us a ray of hope, in a rapidly changing explosive time. Although he had some critics on the extreme right, Cronkite richly earned his title as "the most trusted man in America"!

Dixie Chicks Are Cool

I admire the Dixie Chicks for risking their scorching career to speak out on what they believe. They are also very talented! 

A Barer And Son On Front Page Of Seattle Times

My cousin Aaron (left in green and white jacket) was on the front page of today's Seattle Times shaking hands with new Seattle Super Sonics owner Clay Bennett and new CEO Danny Barth. With Aaron is his son
little Aaron. The Sonics were beaten by the Portland Trail Blazers 110-106 at Key Arena.