In Celebration of Claire

Today would have been Claire's 44th birthday. In this picture from childhood friend Jenny that she posted a while ago on Facebook, Claire is the one sitting on the basketball.

First thing this morning we got an email from Wendy. That really touched our hearts. Then we found that Wendy had posted on Facebook, and the responses from other friends were heart-warming and simply beautiful. We miss Claire and all of the love and gifts that she shared with all of us. We celebrate the fact that in a most meaningful way she lives on not only in our hearts and minds, but also in the lives of the girls who are named after her. It means so much to be in touch with all of these Claire's either directly or through their families.

This afternoon we saw the youngest Claire - our granddaughter - who came over with her family to swim and have dinner. Yes, she had on a princess dress. I hope that sometime she'll have a chance to wear one to Kindergarten this year. Princesses seem to bloom where ever they're planted.

Fun Family Celebration in Dallas

The celebration in Dallas was just that - a spectacular time for family and friends to gather to celebrate Shelly's and James's 1st Wedding Anniversary & to meet Owen, Ben, and Henry. We all loved being together - all of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cousins - plus friends from childhood and all through our lives. Mary and her family and friends planned wonderful opportunities for all of us to visit with each other. The smiles were nonstop as were the conversations. Yes, this is a super hot summer in Dallas, but the excitement of getting to see each other far overcame that. We laughed, we danced, we talked, we smiled, we took lots of pictures, and we celebrated all the love and caring shared among friends and family. Thanks to Mary & to everyone who came together to make this a once-in-a-lifetime, oh-so-memorable experience. Fantastic!

Father's Day 2011

Father's Day this year for the California Hendersons was centered around a first trip for all of us to Peterson's Auto Museum in LA. Since both Butch and Eric, Maria's husband, are "car nuts," it just seemed to be THE thing to do for Father's Day. After taking a quick look around, we had a delicious lunch at Johnny Rocket's which is located inside the Museum. What a perfect place for a burger! Then we went back for more. Butch and I found a 1959 Cadillac convertible like the one that we drove off in after our wedding reception. We also saw a 1939 Packard that looked so much like the one that Butch restored - color, details, etc. The kids loved seeing all of the cars and especially enjoyed the floor with activities just for kids. We got home in time for the kids to "swim" in the spa and then to all enjoy dinner on the patio. Butch, Eric, and Luke took a spin in the Model A. They headed home and we had a good visit with Mark who had celebrated with his family, Susan's parents, and Susan's sister and her family. What a special day for them to all be together. Father's Day was indeed super all the way around!

An Exemplary Principal Retires!

Today Ley Yeager bid farewell to students, families, & friends whose connections with him spanned some 20 years as Principal of Vista del Valle School in Claremont. What a man! The tributes, the entertainment, the gifts, the lunch, the celebration all added up to a great sendoff for a "one of a kind" gift to students, their families, and the school staff. In this picture that I "borrowed" from CVR (one of the most talented & creative amateur photographers I've ever known), Ley is looking at a drawing of the mural that the staff and friends have commissioned for him. As the staff - both past & present - stand on the stage, Ley sees it for the first time. There have been several very special principals with whom I've been associated through my life. How nice it was to celebrate with one of them today. Vaya con Dios, Ley. You are a spectacular person.

One Egg Has Hatched & Baby Has "Flown the Coop"!

One of the two eggs in the doves' nest hatched and the cutest little darker brown dove, about the size of a sparrow, would peek his/her head out next to Mom. Sometimes he was there by himself, but usually Mom was right beside him. I don't know about the other egg (Eric, son-in-law who teaches high school science, said it probably wasn't fertile), but I could only see this one baby. Mom was certainly faithful in her duties. It was fascinating that instinct kept her dedicated to the task at hand.

Yesterday afternoon when I took the 3 Tucker grandkids into our bedroom to see the baby, we evidently alarmed them both, and they flew off. We were shocked, but I was so pleased that the baby could fly and didn't just nosedive down to the patio. We went outside and checked all around the yard. Mom and Dad Dove were looking, too. We really checked everywhere. Finally, sadly, we all gave up.

Then this morning I looked out the window and spotted Mom & Dad on the fence in the side yard. I was pleased to see them together, and figured that the baby must be nearby. After telling Butch about seeing the pair, I checked back out the window and there was the baby with Mom & Dad. I was so excited and pleased that the baby had not been some cat's dinner/breakfast. I ran to get my camera and shot this photo through the window screen. Isn't "our" baby beautiful? Now I just hope that he/she grows up to be a big, beautiful dove.

Groupon

I think Groupon is a good deal! Once you join - and it's free to do so - you receive offers each day for something in your area, and you can take advantage of them or not. There is a time limit in which to buy, and that is stated clearly on the screen. Once you indicate that you want to buy, you pay by credit card and then print out your receipt. I LOVE the ones that I've gotten. This weekend we got some great plants & super potting soil at Armstrong's with a Groupon coupon. My coupon cost $25 for $50 worth of products. Can't beat that! With offerings from restaurants, bakeries, spas, family adventures, beauty treatments of all kinds, hamburgers, exercising, etc., there are so many fun things from which to choose. I'm saving a cupcake one for a special event with the family.

Amgen Has Come & Gone! What a day!

This is Tom Danielson of Team Garmin-Cervelo(USA) and he is currently in 4th place. Our son Mark asked if I would get his autograph if possible. So, I asked and he nicely agreed to sign one of the AMGEN posters for me. It was amazing to be so "up close and personal" as the riders gathered for the beginning of the race, along with all of the cars that carry their extra gear and replacement bikes & parts. The day was beautiful and the start of the race was exciting. Butch, Zac, Luke, & I had walked down to the village to watch the festivities around the beginning of the race. It's amazing how fast both the riders and the cars move in such close proximity to each other. I saw a tire changed in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Watching the race later on TV as they wound their way up Baldy Road and then through the hills around the area, ultimately finishing the race high on Mt. Baldy, was fascinating and the end to a delightful day.