Papa Bear Chair

Gene's lower back has been giving him problems, so we decided a more comfortable chair was in order. By adding a heating pad, a few exercises from the physical therapist and RX's from his family doctor, he is on the mend.



The old recliner now sits on the back patio and is looking for a new home. Any takers?

Lake Cahuilla Campout

On Christmas Day, we drove to Desert Hot Springs in California and arrived shortly after 1 pm. We put a prime rib in the electric roasting pan and waited for the kids to arrive. Sue's son Glen, as well as Terri, Nanaette, Courtney and Justin, Angela and Becky arrived just as the roast was done. After dinner, some of us got on our bathing suits and jumped in the natural hot spring fed pools at the RV resort. A grand way to spend Christmas!

A few days later, we joined Sam's Radio Hams RV group at Lake Cahuilla for a campout. We hiked, sat by the campfire, and listened to some of the members play their guitars and other instruments, while some sang.


Marcia Bruno, Roger and Carol Kepner, Alma DeSmith and Larry Holt entertain us on a sunny afternoon.


It's a dog's life . . . music and sunshine!


We took a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park where rock climbing is popular.


There was a little snow on the ground!


The beautiful rocks reflected in the lake at Barker Dam, built as a reservoir to water cattle.


Shadow dancing: . . . the shadow of a Joshua tree in late afternoon on one of the huge boulders.

Christmas Eve in Arizona

Christmas Eve is one family gathering we all try not to miss. In my 65 years on this earth, I can't remember missing one! This year we all met at Kathy's house, had wonderful baked ham, salads and cookies, our traditional "First Christmas" puppet show, then all donned antlers and gloves and went carolling door-to-door. When we returned to Kathy's house, Santa arrived and passed out gifts for the little ones.


Gene tries on the reindeer antlers.


Max Munzinger visits with Santa Clause (who looks alot like Uncle Phil).


Alana and Ariel (Sue's great grandaughters) sit on Santa's lap.


Max Munzinger (with dad Kurt) behind the scenes at the puppet show.


This year we started a new tradition . . . carolling!

Farewell, Dear Sister!

The family of Louise Quick gathers for a photo at the celebration of her life.

Louise would have had a smile on her face . . . seeing all her favorite family members gathered together . . . enjoying hugs . . . getting updates on new babies, family travels, plans for the future . . . eating good food . . . watching a slide show made just for her.

On December 12, 2010, the Crabbs and the Quicks remembered Louise and celebrated her life. Louise's sister, Linda, did the planning and inviting. We gathered at the mobile home park where Louise's mother once enjoyed get togethers with family and friends and swimming in the park pool.

The day before, on Saturday, Gene and Linda, along with two of Louise's sons and a daughter, scattered her ashes on calm waters off Dana Point, California. Flower leis danced beside the container Mike gently placed on the water. Rose petals marked her final path. Linda read the 23rd Psalm for Louise and for John who was connected to us by phone in Hawaii. Ave Maria played softly in the background. Louise would have had a smile on her face, but we had tears in our eyes.

Tour de Coops

To protect the chickens from germs, you have to wear booties and use hand sanitizer. Signs posted said "Chickens Have Cooties, Wear Booties."


This way to the chicken coop.


Some of the good looking cluckers.


Paula and her husband, David, in front of a backyard coop.


Many of the chicken owners also have gardens and are into composting and grey water recycling.


A coop decked out for the holidays.

It was billed as the Tour de Coops, "The valleywide self-guided tour of your neighborhood chicken coops." My daughter's birthday, the 8th of December, is five days after mine. We decided to spend Saturday morning doing the tour. Paula is getting ready to build a new chicken coop on the property they are moving to in Casa Grande. They already raise a few chicken in Tempe.

Neighborhood chicken coops? You've got to be kidding. Not that many people keep chickens in the city, do they? I was in for a surprise. The brochure we picked up at the Duck & Decanter deli where we purchased our tickets listed 20 locations on the tour. All of the chicken owners we visted resided in the central part of Phoenix. Ordinary neighborhoods. Urban chicken officionados!

Our first stop featured a chicken coop decked out for the holidays, complete with a wreath and ornaments adorning the coop. The chickens didn't seem to notice. They were busy pecking and scratching in the dirt.

The second stop was an education. The owner had a huge backyard. In addition to a coop that had a swamp cooler and paned windows, the couple had an enormous vegetable garden and a complete composting system. "We are part of our community," explained the gentleman chicken raiser. "My wife makes hand-made cards, which I take to the local coffee shop. I am paid in paper credits which I use to buy my morning coffee when I meet with my architect friends. I also get all the free coffee grounds I want, and I use those for composting. I take eggs to the local baker in exchange for bread and baked goods I pick up each morning. We share our crops with others as well." Part of a "community". I thought that was pretty cool.

Welcome to Medicare!

It was inevitable. I'm in denial. But it finally happened.

I got the letter a few months ago. "Welcome to Medicare." It came with a red, white and blue ID card. I had it laminated. I plan to use it for a long, long time.


Phil and Joe in the background, with Sue, Carol, Kathy and Joan.

To celebrate this milestone, Gene and I got together with my siblings. We all had tickets for "An Irish Christmas in America" at the Musical Instrument Museum and met before the performance for a dinner of Irish stew at Joan's. She made a delicious dessert called death by chocolate . . . layers of cake laced with Kahlua, whipped cream, and Heath bar pieces. Yum!

The Hawaiian Connection

My cousin, Jim Shefte who lives in Hawaii, visits the mainland a few times a year to visit family. His dad and two sisters live in Oregon and he has two sons over here, too. Gene and I, along with my sister Carol and brother Phil, decided to meet them in Las Vegas this past weekend. It turned out to be a memorable trip!

Jim's wife Linda is from a huge Hawaiian family. She has eleven siblings, plus another eight or nine half brothers and sisters. . . all raised on Molokai. Several of them made the trip to Vegas, and one sister-in-law, Kowie, hit the jackpot on a dollar slot machine and won $4,000! You could hear her screams throughout the casino.


On Sunday, we were invited to Linda's brother's home in North Las Vegas for a luau. The Hawaiians brought out their ukuleles, sang traditional songs, and even danced the hula. The above photo is Linda, who is very devoted to keeping her culture alive.


Linda's brother and brother-in-law strum a duet on their ukes.


Linda's neice performs a graceful hula dance.




The food was delicious, too! We had venison that came all the way from Molokai, shrimp, fish, poi, and salads. My favorite dish was a rice noodle salad with fresh green beans. I want that recipe! The family welcomed us with open arms and insists that we come see them all on Molokai someday. Maybe we will!