We spent the holidays in Chicago at Dave's along with Dan, Tomoko and their mellow dog Jackson. Chicago means Party Time! That is, unless you are guarding the Art Institue. In the snow. Wearing a silly wreath around your neck. Then it isn't much fun.
North Lion, Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago is a great holiday destination. Not only is there crisp, winter weather with light snow, but the city's architectural treasures, such as the foyer of The Rookery, are in their seasonal splendor.
News & Notes
Early in the fall we started a 2-month process to create limoncello. Stop by and try it!
Following tradition, we spent the US Thanksgiving in Libby MT with Jim and Julie. And, following tradition we went to the forest to cut our Christmas tree.
The Douglas Fir Spruces Up
The transformation is almost as dramatic as a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. And following that analogy, the tree arrived at our house during its pupa stage.
Dan got a raise! Yea! We don't know if he gets more money, but he was promoted to an Associate Professor at Middle Georgia College, and was granted tenure! It's a big milestone in academic life, and a well deserved one for Dan. Congrats!!
Field Work: The Paleo Prof Shows His Mum the Fossils
We got to see Dave's new farm, or the parts that will become his farm later this spring.
Out Standing In His Field
In this photo the smaller parcel already has concrete access lanes, gravel substrate and piles of small stones that will finish the surface. They will plant the vegetables in raised beds. This photo shows the larger area where remediation has yet to start.Among the Holiday Lights were a 2-D tree of green created by Dave and girlfriend Megan Bauman, and an "LED grill" that Dave found in his stocking.
Holiday Lights
These two lovely young ladies are Ruth and Hannah, daughters of our friends Shirley Goldrei and Alan Fekete. Home for them is usually Sydney AU, but they have been in the States on sabbatical this winter. Their visit at New Years was a great chance for us to spend time together, and a welcome excuse for the seniors to explore the Seattle and Everett Children's Museums.
Also on sabbatical (at UBC) are friends Frank and Helen Tompa from Waterloo ON. We joined them in Vancouver for dinner with Seattle friends Martin Tompa and Anne McTiernan. Martin and Frank are brothers and both are computer scientists, leading us to wonder about their childhoods.
