Palm Springs 2025 2--Cactus In The Yard

The yard of the house we stayed in Palm Springs had cacti of many shapes.

Burl Barer From Decades Ago.

Cousin Burl Barer appeared in this ad, from his days at Seattle rock station KOL.  Probably from the late 1960s or early 70s. Burl is on the right side. Thank you to Randy from Facebook. 
 

Palm Springs Golf

We just returned from a few days of R and R in Palm Springs, CA. A nearly annual excursion. 

My buddy Rick and I played golf at the beautiful Cimnaron Golf Club on Monday.

Esteemed Actor Gene Hackman Found Dead

 Gene Hackman, two-time Academy Award winner was found dead yesterday, along with his wife, Betsy Arakawa.  The actor, known for his everyman persona, was 95, his wife was 63.  

Reports say there was no immediate indication of foul play.

Oliver Meets Friends

Oliver plays with dogs on the pipeline trail.

Roberta Flack

Sadly, I've read about the passing of Roberta Flack who sang the soft rock classic, Killing Me Softly.

Beyond The Beach--Seaside, Oregon

A few random shots, compiled by Google Photo, of our favorite vacation spot, Seaside. 

 

Lucia Flores-Wiseman's Sneak Preview

I couldn't believe this would already be up.  If you don't like spoilers, you may not want to watch this until after the show.  

Still, a look at Maple Valley's Lucia Flores-Wiseman's performance on The Voice. 

Paul McCartney: Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End (Live) – SNL50

In a performance that will go down in TV history, Paul McCartney performed on the 50th anniversary of SNL.  

Adam Sandler's Song: 50 Years – SNL50

In just a few seconds, Jack Nicholson, in my opinion,, did the impossible.  He upstaged Adam Sandler. 

Mayor Harrell jokes about return of Supersonics

Mayor Bruce Harrell seemed to be the first mayor in a couple decades to make it through his first term without a raging controversy, until this moment raised eyebrows. 

Sports fans on social media are definitely speaking out, saying that this joke hit to close to home. 

Seattle 2024

 Here are some shots taken in the city over last year. 

Happy President's Day

 

America Concert 2023

Some great shots from the America Concert in June of 2023.

 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Mentink To Become Mariner Commentator

 

Angie Mentink will make history as a Mariner commentator, according to an article in the Seattle Times. 

She is the first woman in the club's history assume that role.  The team needed to replace departing announcers Dave Sims, who left to become lead announcer for the Yankees and Mike Blowers.

Aaron Goldsmith will become lead TV play by play announcer , with a rotating group of color analysts, including Mentink, Dave Valle, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and the return of Jay Buhner. 

Rick Rizzs will continue to do play by play on the radio, joined in the booth by

Brad Adam and Jen Mueller will continue their roles on the TV broadcasts. 

Hanging With My Buddy

Oliver on his second birthday.

Eagles Fly In Super Bowl LIV

40-22 may seem like a blowout, but truly, the game was even more lopsided as the Philadelphia Eagles resoundingly defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.  Kansas City, attempting to become the first team ever to win three Super Bowls in a row, could not get even get a score in the first half.  

While many people watched hoping that the Chiefs could make history with a third consecutive Super Bowl victory, the tenacity and hard play of the Eagles was inspiring, at least, to me. 

Jalen Hurts, above, the Eagles victorious quarterback, holds the Lombardi trophy in the picture above. 
 

Beatle Seen At Seen At Super Bowl

Beatle Paul McCartney, enjoying the Super Bowl.

Happy Super Sunday!

 

Lucia Appears In Maple Valley

Contestant on The Voice, Lucia Flores-Wiseman performed here in Maple Valley at home furnishing store, House & Hazel. The kitchen served light dinners, as well as wine and beer.

The event was a packed house, and everyone enjoyed the local singer 

The Pine Box Before The Play

 

Before attending Hamilton, he stopped for dinner at The Pine Box, a funky Capitol Hill eatery, converted from an old funeral home 

Bruce Lee, the great martial arts icon with Seattle ties had his funeral there in the early 70s and is honored with the cardboard cutout above.

Coincidentally or not, it is on Pine Street 

A Night Of Hamilton

The set of Hamilton. Obviously, pictures won't be allowed during the show.

Lucia's Turn On The Voice Yet To Come

 Lucia Flores-Wiseman, did not appear on the season premiere of The Voice, February 3rd.  According to a video on Facebook, Lucia could be on either this coming Monday or the next.   For more, click here

More Backyard Snow

 This was also taken in our backyard yesterday (Monday, February 3rd, 2023).  It is mainly a repeat of the first video that I took that day. 

Happy Birthday, Oliver

Oliver turned 2 today (February 3, 2025).

Marni

Last week, I got sad news about my former co-worker, Marni Hickey.  Marni and I worked at ICON, a Seattle based long distance company, with a wonderful reputation.  It was a wonderful, professional fun, working environment.  

Marni was married to my boss, Tom.  She worked in the MIS department which handled billing, computer services (from my memory) and what not. 

She set up my computer and literally taught me how to use one. She was pretty, funloving, and friendly. 

Sadly, well after we all left the company, Marnie and her husband split-up.  She left Seattle to further her career.  

Marni, I found out last week from a mutual friend, passed away at the end of last year.  I did not find out the cause of death. 

A snowy day in February

Here's a fun video that I made in our backyard.

Snowy Maple Valley

 Here's a video of the snow falling, commonplace for winter almost anyplace else, but an even when it happens in the Seattle area. 

Winter Hits Maple Valley

While yesterday's fall was a light dusting. This morning, the ground is covered with white stuff.

Year's First Snowfall

Not much, but big flakes came down which did not stick.  Coincidentally, the first day of February.