American Eagle

     A bald eagle perched in a tall tree next to the house yesterday. Here he is.

Zoo Lights

When my girls were young we made numerous trips to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium for their popular Zoo Lights exhibit. It is what it sounds like, the zoo is festooned with thousands of lights and people walk around and enjoy them. Some are sequential and give the effect of a bird flying from one tree to another, some are in shapes of animals, and many more just decorate trees and bushes.
     Tonight, Linda and I took my daughter Stephanie and granddaughter Sofia to see them, the baby for the first time. Usually the weather is freezing cold and the walkways icy, but we're having relatively mild weather right now and it was a perfect evening to go. Apparently most of Tacoma thought so, too, because the place was packed. Everything went smoothly until it was time to leave. The shuttle bus to the parking area was caught up in a massive traffic jam because one bonehead's car broke down. All in all, though, a good evening for us all.

Throwback Thursday

     My daughter Kristine and Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral, Tombstone, Arizona Territory, 2008.

Tiger Cubs

Tiger cub litter born at the Point Defiance Zoo. At 8 weeks old they made their public debut. 

I Remember John

     It's been 34 years since we lost John Lennon to an assassin's bullet. I still miss him and can only imagine what music he'd have made during those years.

A Day That Will Live In Infamy

     Lest we forget, this is the 73rd anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. We lost 2300 men that day, 1177 on the USS Arizona alone. Today, seven Arizona survivors held their final official reunion. Two other survivors are too ill to travel. The men who attended the memorial vowed to return again next year even if the government won't support them. I hope they do.

Happy Birthday, Kristine.

     I can't believe my baby girl is 24 already. She's the sweetest, nicest kid you could hope to have and I love her madly.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Georgie

Every year at this time I memorialize two birthdays. One is George Armstrong Custer's. While known for his death at the Little Big Horn, he also had a sterling Civil War career. His actions at Gettysburg saved the day and possibly the war for the Union.

Throwback Thursday

     Rather than post a picture of me or a family member, I thought I'd pay tribute to a show that gave me great pleasure when I was a lad, THE ADVENTURES OF SPIN AND MARTY. David Stollery (left) played Marty Markham, an orphan being raised by his wealthy grandmother who is sent to the Triple-R Ranch for the summer to learn how to be a regular boy. Tim Considine (right) played Spin Evans, a normal kid who, though disgusted with Marty's haughty ways at first, gives him the benefit of the doubt and eventually befriends him. Also in the cast were Roy Barcroft, Harry Carey, Jr., and J. Pat O'Malley. The idea of spending a summer at a horse ranch seemed like heaven to me and the show had humor, heart, and adventure to boot.
     Alas, the following year's episodes brought in that unbearable Disney staple Moochie and a plot about putting on a show with a girls' camp that suddenly appeared nearby.

Princess Sofia

     Princess Sofia in her castle, Nov 30, 2014. Six days after her official birthday she had a small party and she had to wear her princess costume. She's less enthusiastic about slippers.

Judy Crider, R.I.P.

     I'm saddened to report that Judy Crider has finally succumbed to the cancer she fought courageously for eight years. Here she is with husband Bill in 1980 at the Washington, D.C. Bouchercon. I'll always remember her for her serene presence and lovely smile.

photo: Arthur Charles Scott

Thanksbuddy

     I hope you all have a happy and gluttonous Thanksbuddy. Go Seahawks.

Sofia Is Four

     At El Toro for the baby's birthday dinner. Here, she wears the sombrero as the waiters sing "Happy Birthday."

Throwback Thursday

     Christmas, 1991. As you can see, I'm displaying my usual good cheer. That's Linda at the piano and the little head in the foreground belongs to her nephew, I think.

Throwback Thursday

     I'm only going back about four years today. Here's a very young Sofia, soon to be a birthday girl.

Veteran's Day

To all my fellow vets, stand as tall and proud today as you did when you took your oath.

Throwback Thursday

I am especially fond of this photo, taken about 22 years ago, of the girls enjoying a game on the couch. The exuberance and joy of childhood really shines through.

Throwback Thursday

1992. Taking Stephanie for a bike ride. Hard to believe she has a baby who will turn four next month.

Happy Birthday, Stephanie

     How can it be that my baby girl is 25 today?

Throwback Thursday

Photo Credit: Arthur Charles Scott, EOTU


Bouchercon, 1982, San Francisco, California. The man on the left is rock star Tough Jim Gaston. That's me on the right when I wore contact lenses.