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Sadie and I brought Isa and Dez back to Eugen...
December 23, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Sadie and I brought Isa and Dez back to Eugene, Dez strumming on Sadie's old banjo and singing "Fee, Fie, Fiddly-i-o" all the way to Eugene; they both need a pretty consistent director, but were as good as gold. We sang all the songs from Sadie's radio show. After a maddening number of phone calls, since Doc Scott is out for the week,I found someone at Scott's office who didn't have to do an MRI before giving me anti-biotics. I took my first batch, and am already feeling as though I might live.
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Darn, I hate the dark season
December 20, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Darn, I hate the dark season. Thanks to the kids communicating directly or indirectly that I was acting pretty drifty, I've cut out my anti-depressants except for a mild one at bedtime. (The doc I saw for sleep problems told me to try Trazadone at night, and I think I got overmedicated.) I can't ever figure out whether, without mother's little helper, I'm seeing life though the gloomy glasses of depression, or whether real life is as bad as it appears. Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to spending time with Dez as we head to Portland bright and early tomorrow. I thought we'd stop in Salem for cocoa. I had so much fun last term taking Dez to his art class and then to swimming lessons.
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So
December 18, 2004 by Jamie in Wielesek
So. what would it cost me me to file as "emotionally and financially bankrupt for '04"? My immortal soul may not be out of the question ;-)
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I just posted a box of cookies to Anna
December 17, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I just posted a box of cookies to Anna. I fear they won't reach her before she leaves for home, and, given the noise they made sliding around in the box, she will return to find a box of stale crumbs waiting for her. I'm trying to finish up last minute things at the office. People need to be divorced by December 31 to be able to file their income taxes as individuals, rather than as married, filing separately. Much love to all, wherever you may be, and warmth and lights.
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Hi, I do exist
December 13, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Hi, I do exist. This last weekend was fun, going out to the farm on Saturday to get a tree and greens. My tenants, a friend of Sadie, and her boyfriend, seem very happy there;
life in the country is hard, cold and wet in the winter, and they have coped well.
On Saturday, I went to the aging Democrat party (where I fit right in), with a real date; well, sort of a real date - my friend Carol's ex-boyfriend, who asked me, via postcard. "Carol and I busted up and I need a date." He was, in spite of the non-romantic request, a great party date - filled my drink, and let me flirt with all the guys. It was fun!
On Sunday, Jenny, Darren and the boys came over to make wreaths and help set up the tree. They overlapped with Isa being here, and the kids had a great time playing together.
I talked to Sadie, who was visiting Anna. She says Anna has
lost about 20 pounds. I'm sending flowers today from the family, and an e-mail urging her to eat and sleep.
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I can't believe October is over, and who know...
December 01, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I can't believe October is over, and who knows what happened to November. I had such a good time of Thanksgiving
with everyone. The four older grandkids have pretty much worked out all the kinks in their relationships with each other, and have fun playing together. I give Emma about three months before she can hold her own in any group. I'm
making plans to visit Dad over the New Years weekend, and am also trying to make sure as many of the kids and grandkids as possible can visit with Dad over spring break.
It would be good for all us asthmatics to have a "sun snack"
as they call it in Europe. Many hugs!
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What a nice weekend! Seraph and I went shoppi...
November 09, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
What a nice weekend! Seraph and I went shopping at Goodwill;
her birthday present of cash stretched into two Jackie Kennedy coats and a number of shirts and sweaters. Also, we ran into Yayoe, that maven of second hand stuff, which was fun. Mr. Puente came for a few hours on Sunday morning and moved things out to the shed. He's back today working on one part of the garden. It was very fun to have everyone for brunch on Sunday, and I had a good long phone call with Sadie in the afternoon.
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Well, just piss and shit all over that
November 03, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Well, just piss and shit all over that. Betsy, you should have voted more. And I think your strategy is excellent; let's draft the twins. I talked with Floyd Prozanski this morning - he was out in his grubbies fixing that ratty old pick-up - we talked about working on a civil union statute.
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An election extra - Everyone I know is jitter...
November 03, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
An election extra - Everyone I know is jittery; Reta and I
parted this evening trying to decide whether the winner should buy the loser lunch tomorrow. I guess it's a good time to remember that the country has made it through 228
occasionally tumultuous years, and we will all still be Americans tomorrow, warts and all. God bless America, and make us wiser and more honorable as a country than we have often been. Love, the elder and getting elderier, mom
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John Cass came down for the Oregon-Washington...
November 02, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
John Cass came down for the Oregon-Washington game, which Oregon won handily. After the game we went to the Etta James concert - what a voice! Just want you to know there are other old broads besides me still functioning. We tried to get together with Lohring and Yayoe, but as you know, your Dad was a bit poorly. Jenny and the boys came over on Sunday afternoon. Jordan was a Tigger, Dez a Ninja Warrior.
I then went shopping, one of my least favorite tasks.
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I spent a delightful half hour or so at Adam ...
October 27, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I spent a delightful half hour or so at Adam and Jamie's after work, being generally entertained by Sam and Emma. Emma, like all my grandkids, has a wonderful sense of humor - or maybe humoring me, as we spent quite some time looking for pigs, cows, cats and dogs (complete with appropriate noises) in my purse. Had long phone visits with Jenny, who went up to Portland for a concert over the weekend with Jeanny and ran into Fred Swank, now back from working for the Sheriff's department in Florence and working in the Sheriff's office in Eugene. And to think we knew that boy when he smuggled fireworks in from Washington! Also talked with Sadie, who sounds fine!
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Hi guys, I have two baby gates
October 18, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Hi guys, I have two baby gates. Does anyone need one? I also have great worker guys. They put in a brick "patio" around the big oak tree at the office. The office is looking really nice. I'm buying a Dell laptop; Adam, someone named Travis will be e-mailing you a quote. Love to all.
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Isn't the skirt Jamie Sim is wearing too dres...
October 14, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Isn't the skirt Jamie Sim is wearing too dressy to clean the toilet in, shorter than Jamie would wear, and why the heck is it the woman's job to clean the toilet anyhow?
Talked with Sadie last night...she was sounding as though her job is interesting. Her analysis of the last debate was insightful - she said Bush's closing was good. Love, the old and getting older, Mom
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A weekend brightened by a sleepover with Isa
October 13, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
A weekend brightened by a sleepover with Isa. Isa, Hanni and I met for lunch on Sunday, and then went out to Lone Pine Farms and the pumpkin patch. We rode the hay wagon with lots of other kids, parents and grandparents, picked out pumpkins, fed the goats, and played in the playground.
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and for a fleeting second I felt that wonderful feeling of contentment and peace which was such a part of my life when Dick was alive. I know it's out there and will reappear eventually. Isa was really good!
Saturday afternoon I went to mass as part of a Sweet Sixteen
(everybody mixes cultures here!)celebration for the daughter of a Latina friend, and on Saturday evening Jamie and I went to the reception. Lots of pretty girls and handsome young men, families, cute little kids, and a general fiesta state of mind.
It's 7:00 and time for me to go home. Many hugs to all, and
don't forget to vote. So far in the debates, Bush reminds me of a second rate attorney who knows he's second rate.
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Ah, you know my theory that we have four seas...
October 06, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Ah, you know my theory that we have four seasons here, Rain, Spring, No Rain, and The Season Before It Starts to Rain, when we all scurry about madly trying to get done everything which can't be done when it's raining. The Polk Street house exterior has been repainted, a brick patio laid under the solar eve, and a new lawn put in. Everything is done at the office except some bulbs planted on the other side of Centennial. I'm trying to encourage general beautification on Centennial; it would be fun if everyone planted daffodils, like Junction City.
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Wait, how could I have failed to note Seraph'...
September 29, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Wait, how could I have failed to note Seraph's brilliant performanc as a student! Just add it to all your other brilliant performances,Seraph, and a rousing "We're proud of you, we're proud of you" from the fam.
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I took Thursday and Friday off work to run a ...
September 28, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I took Thursday and Friday off work to run a work crew at home and, over the weekend, at the Polk Street house; they sanded and painted woodwork while I wait patiently for the guy who said he'd refinish the floor in the bedroom to show up. The worker guys put in a patio along the front at Polk Street. Because the house has the big overhang for the solar heat, the area under it doesn't get any rain and nothing grows. I talked to Sadie yesterday evening. She sounded good. Love to all, om
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I'm missing a sleeping bag, green Coleman coo...
September 20, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I'm missing a sleeping bag, green Coleman cooler, the inflatable raft, two pad sanders, and a short step ladder. On the other hand, I have in my tools a red caulking gun I've never seen before. Also, I piled stuff in the back drive way (not the junk next to the wood rack)for anyone I can foist it off on - a couple of big blue tarps, some strips of finishing wood, that little electric McCullough chain saw, boxes of screws, and enough washers in assorted sizes to fix every leaky faucet in Eugene.
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I want another pickup! This darn little Honda...
September 17, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I want another pickup! This darn little Honda is made so that it slopes away from the passenger compartment and I can't see the edges of the car. Wednesday morning I stopped at the Glenwood for breakfast, and drove over the edge of a concrete berm, wrecking my tire. Thank heavens Adam had his white horse handy, and after dinner hopped right on it and changed the tire.
Eugene Celebration this weekend. I'm marching with the League of Women Voters. Let me urge everyone to register, if you haven't.
I wish I didn't see America falling into one of those periods of fearfulness; we have done such terrible things
during those times - the McCarthy Era, the Interning of Japanese....
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I talked to both Sadie and Betsy yesterday; B...
September 09, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I talked to both Sadie and Betsy yesterday; Betsy called me from the middle of a traffic jam because it was so late in Ohio only the west coast branch of the family were still up.
Jamie and I did talk about business - sort of. We talked about the house I'd like to build in front of my house, and
how I'd like to have a house easy to clean, with moveable walls. As I think about it, I realize I have in mind something about the size of the log house my grandmother
lived in when she was a kid. Now that's retro.
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And a good time was had by all
September 07, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
 And a good time was had by all. The kids were cute and funny, and the adults in good humor. The fish were biting, and we were reminded that there is nothing quite as tasty as fresh caught trout with breakfast. Hugs to all, Sue/old mom
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Labor Day is coming up, so girls, no more wea...
September 01, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Labor Day is coming up, so girls, no more wearing white shoes. (Or was the rule "No white shoes after Memorial Day).
Standards are slipping so these days.
It is actually raining outside; you can always tell Oregon is a farming state because any complaint about summer rain here is always followed by a guilty comment about how much the farmers need the rain.
I got the Polk Street house rented after some concentrated clean up. The good side is that I got to visit with Angie and Matt; they have done amazing things to the back yard of the 4th Street house.
I watched The Girl With The Pearl Earring - a visual video feast.
I have to take my jammies and do a follow up sleep test at the sleep lab in a couple of weeks. But the doc didn't seem concerned, so I think it's mostly they want to make sure any sleep problems don't exacerbate my heart problems.
Many hugs.
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Ooooh, I hate to be working at the office on ...
August 28, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Ooooh, I hate to be working at the office on Friday night when I should be drinking beer and recounting the day to someone!
Actually, I need to begin to search for a husband, or a wife, or maybe both. The first criterion is that he or she understand electricity and plumbing. You'll always be able to figure out whether I'm the one who put the Personal Ad in Willamette Week; it'll be the one starting with, "Race, creed, color, age, and whether or not your "height and weight are proportionate" immaterial. Must be able to change a washer or a fuse."
What I'm really worried about is that I'll get married to someone perfectly nice, but he'll still get on my nerves.
I suppose it doesn't sound like a very glowing epitaph for Dick, but he didn't get on my nerves very often.
Adam, I forgot to ask, did you get interviewed by some magazine more recently than when you were elected the all time Neverwinter Nights Cool Person a couple of years ago?
It does seem like a lot of people come to this site. I suppose only your old mom would think this, but maybe you are a good role model for young smart kids who want someday to be good husbands to their smart, pretty wives, good Dads to their sweet kids, and nice to their aged Mums. Just speculating...
Adam: Yes, mom. I had a blurb in PC Gamer this month. There was also a link put in my work's online newsletter, which had a little blurb about who I am and what I do.
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Another phone call from Sadie, still battling...
August 09, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Another phone call from Sadie, still battling the squirrels. I could hear the faint edge of hysteria in her voice as I passed on Betsy's suggestion of moth balls and pans of ammonia.
I went to a birthday party over the weekend - very fun. I appreciate these young whippersnappers who include me in their celebrations. (Bad sign when I think of someone who's
47 as a young whippersnapper!) Talked to Jim Edmanson, who, with his wife, was a delegate to the Democratic Convention.
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I need to retire
August 05, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I need to retire. And just when, after 26 years, I'm kinda getting the hang of it. Last week I was involved in a case where a little boy, son of young,separated parents, was killed in a car accident. I found myself at a meeting of attorneys and social workers holding and rocking the other client while he sobbed uncontrollably. So very sad. I once realized that I would give anything if God would guarantee that my kids would grow up healthy.
On a cheerier note, I had a nice long call from Sadie. The squirrels are running rampant, and I told her to look for another place.
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Wow, I haven't posted for a month
July 27, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Wow, I haven't posted for a month. I think I've been in mourning for mi roja trucka, may it rest in peace. How I'm going to replace all my travel bumper stickers I don't know. I pretty much think I'll wait until the 2K4 model prices are low at the end of December and get a new truck; the insurance company is supposed to give me about $6,000,which I suppose is not bad for a 10 year old truck.
I had a very fun weekend; I do love to get fussed over.
Thank you, everyone. Yayoe and Hanni, though I always try to remember that we're a family and not a support group, I thought our discussion about our disparate experiences during the war was interesting. Maybe we all try to be tolerant because we saw at first hand what happens when people aren't.
Good news bad news; I stepped on a rusty nail but I had a
tetanus shot when we went to Africa, so I don't have to get another. (I got it a little confused with rabies, and I wasn't sure whether or not I was supposed to shoot the nail and freeze it - or is that a dog frothing at the mouth..)Also, I took one of those sleep apnea tests and have to go see some specialist - the good news is that you kids can't keep giving me grief about snoring)
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Well, Sadie and I hit a new low in hotels
June 27, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Well, Sadie and I hit a new low in hotels. We got into a very soggy Cambridge train station yesterday afternoon, and set out to find a bread and breakfast. Sadie, being of a more artistic sensibility, can fill you in, but let's just say it wasn't pretty. We had fun though, going to Harry Potter last evening. It was a bit disconcerting after the screen credits to hear the british accents continue. When you eventually watch this on video, watch the footsteps in the final credits, particularly Emma Thompson. If she doesn't get an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, it's rigged. Cambridge is a pretty town, with lots of row housing built in the 1800's, now all slightly shabby B and B's. There is not much support for George Bush here, and the support for Tony Blair is getting spotty. Much love to all, and Jenny, your posting was hilarous. Do whatever you think best about the white car. Seraph, we will look for a paper.
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Seraph, it's noon Thursday in London
June 24, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Seraph, it's noon Thursday in London. I'll call at 7:30 or 8 am your time. I will check my e-mail as well. Love, Mom
Sadie got in fine, we will be at the Ridgemont Hotel, near the University of London, tonight. 020-7636-1141
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You fill up my senses, like a night in the f...
June 22, 2004 by Jamie in Wielesek
You fill up my senses, like a night in the forest. Like the mountains in springtime, Like a walk in the rain, Like a storm on the desert, Like a sleepy blue ocean, you fill up my senses, come fill me again...
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Mom - check your work e-mail
June 21, 2004 by Adam in Wielesek
Mom - check your work e-mail. Rita e-mailed you a question.
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What's the end of John Denver's song that goe...
June 21, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
What's the end of John Denver's song that goes,"You fill up my senses like..." The problem is that any five syllables fit so nicely (try it -"Like a pig with a head cold") that I can't remember what it's supposed to be. Anyhow, yesterday was a Fill Up the Senses day. The tour group was scheduled for yet another forced march, and I told the guide I wanted to go to church instead. The beginning of the day wasn't auspicious; I told the taxi dispatch lady I wanted to go to church, and the driver took me to yet another church turned into a museum. So I got another taxi, with a driver who spoke enough English (help, they're coming for me...no, no, not more museums... more later)
Later: at any rate, the taxi driver understood enough English to take me to a church (turned out to be the oldest in St. Petersburg)which was having real services. It was a lovely old church with wonderful paintings and, no pun attended, a heavenly choir. It would be interesting to find out when the church service, in its present form, became generally adopted. I had my Liturgy book, with the service in Russian and English, but I can't follow the Russian alphabet well enough to follow along. After the service, I walked a couple of miles along the Nevsky Prospect (Alexander Nevsky is a Russian national hero; Prospect is a word used here for a boulevard)which is the main shopping street; this is a city of about four and a half million people, and Nevsky Prospect runs about four miles through the heart of the city. It was a wonderful way to see the people who live here out with their families. Paul McCartney was scheduled to give a concert in the middle of town last night in one of the down town squares, and the place gradually became more and more crammed. I got caught on the wrong side of a police barricade, but eventually the policeman (a kid all of 18)got distracted by someone else and I just ducked under the tape and headed back to the hotel. In the evening Mary and I went to see Swan Lake in a performance hall built in the early 1700s - gilt and mirrors, wonderful costumes, wonderful dancing - and of course, when we came out of the theater at 11:00 p.m.
it was still day time. The longest day of the year; a good time for all of us who still run on farmer time to take stock. Good grief, that was terrible- I assure you, no pun intended. Love to all from far away. OM
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St
June 19, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
St. Petersburg-remember that song I used to bellow as we drove around town, Oh, what a beautiful city!"This really is a beautiful city, built from scratch by Peter the Great
so Russia would have a port city. It was under seige for nearly three years during WW II, with over half a million people dying from the cold and starvation. Because it's so far north, the nights are short to non-existent at summer solstice. Paul McCartney is giving a concert here tomorrow.
More soon, love from Mom
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Sweet Sadie, we leave Heathrow at about 1:30 ...
June 17, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Sweet Sadie, we leave Heathrow at about 1:30 on July 1st, and we will go to the Isle of Wight after I pick you up on the morning of the 24th and come back in on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning (but this depends on your schedule). I thought we'd use Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to see schools, though we can wait and go to Bembridge on Friday if you need to schedule something on Thursday or Friday. You might schedule the London schools before the out of town schools, so I can rent a car if necessary. Incidentally, what job at Williams? We didn't know you had applied for one. I would like to try to take Ashleigh Steane
and Sandie Lenton to lunch while we are here in London, but
we will just call at the last minute.I'll be carrying a ladder and a jar of pickles in the event you have been away that you don't remember what your dear old mum looks like.
I'm now going to go have a gin and tonic at a bar called The Pride of Paddington (clever, these Brits) and watch while the British soccer team tries to save face. Incidentally, I've figured out why it doesn't work very well
to ask people in London for directions. No one actually lives in London. They are all visitors, but they all believe in the myth that the town is peopled by helpful civilized people, so they all try desperately to give directions, even if they are clueless, just so no one will think Londoners rude.
Some young fellow asked me for change, then told me I was the first American
he'd heard for quite awhile. I told him all us tourists were keeping our mouths shut till we were out of Iraq.
Finally, the hotel I booked through hotel.com is the worst place I've ever stayed, and my standards are pretty low. I'm
headed off to a Comfort Inn near the airport tonight, and Russia tomorrow. Hugs to all! Love, om
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Did anyone see a movie called the Three Kings
June 16, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Did anyone see a movie called the Three Kings. It was a horrific movie about the Gulf War, but one of the running "jokes" was that no matter which character we saw, or what side they were on, they all had conversations about the new Lexus, with the same question - about its engine, or something, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that no matter what our differences, we all have in common consumerism. Now, everyone in the world looks alike - or at least the teenagers do; styles are completely international.
I'm sitting in a cyber cafe a block away from Paddington Station, with Hotel stories. While I was in New York, I stayed at a Motel 8, a chain which I always like because they are locally franchised and much more personal. I checked out at the check out time, but asked if I could come back and pick up my luggage. I came back around two, and sat in the lobby awhile, eating some sweet potato chips. A cute Latino couple came in while I was there. The woman was very affectionate, which is sort of unusual for
Latinas. While the man was filling out the check in card, he asked her, "Como se llama?" (What is your name?) I didn't appreciate the humor of his dutiful adherence to motel rules until later. It dawned on me, rather slowly, that since they were the only hotel I saw around that there was a business opportunity which those hotel owners had jumped on (no pun intended, I swear) Sure enough, in the next few minutes, a whole troop of working women and their beaus came along, with room rent at $45 for three hours, all in cash.
I had a good flight. Air India serves great food, and my seat mates were a mother and daughter on their way to check out grad schools in London. Sadie, can you post which schools you want to look at here? I fly out of here early Thursday morning; try to do it before I leave. Unless we arrange otherwise, I'll meet you at "The Meeting Point" at
Arrivals on the 24th. (Follow the signs, there is actually a place called The Meeting Point.) Many hugs to all my sweet grandkids.
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Well, it's taken me one day of New York to be...
June 15, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Well, it's taken me one day of New York to be ready to come home. No matter how interesting it is to walk through these
bi-lingual (everyone speaks at least Sort of English and their native language), bi-eating ("Chinese and Mexican Food", advertises one restaurant)neighborhoods, it's way too hot and humid to be comfortable. Nonetheless, I was able to fall asleep by eleven last night, and wake at 6:30, so I've achieved my "get-over jet lag" rehab plan. I leave at 8:10 this evening for London, where I spend tomorrow night. Seraph, I sent a box with my computer to you. Just too heavy to carry. Many hugs from the Hot Apple. Love from the elderly traveller
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I'm sitting in a tiny shop in "Long Island Ci...
June 14, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
I'm sitting in a tiny shop in "Long Island City" sending you all lots of hugs. After a really fun trip to Portland with Jenny, Dez, Jordan and Darren on Saturday, we had a great afternoon at the Portland Zoo. There has been a philosophical change in the make-up of zoos. When I was a kid, there was millions of animals, but the only way that there was room was to have millions of tiny cages. Now, although there aren't so many species displayed, their surroundings are much larger and more natural. The orangutangs (okay, no spelling check!) were most interesting because they had such individual personalities.
We got a couple of wonderful pictures of the matriarch of the clan hunkered down at the window by the kids, all of whom, by the way, had a wonderful time.
Seraph tucked me on a plane around noon on Sunday, after we all had a chance to coffee at AJ's, their neighborhood cybercafe.The trip to Atlanta was fine, but local storms meant a delay, and I finally got to my good old reliable Super 8 at 3:00 am.
I'm planning to make a radical change and mail home my computer. It's too heavy, and I was exhausted by the time I got in. I leave for London tomorrow night, and I may try to go into Manhatten tomorrow. But for today, I'm going to be glad I put this day and half buffer in. Many hugs to all, your peripatetic mom.
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It's 9:30 and I am finally ready to leave the...
June 12, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
It's 9:30 and I am finally ready to leave the office, with almost everything done except cleaning the kitchen and finishing packing. Alison Honn, across the street, will take care of Ducky, my mail, and the newspaper. Cesar will have some tasks over the time I'm gone here at the office and at the house. He's a gem if anyone needs help. He and a buddy cut down the tree looming over Jenny's swimming pool, cut it up and hauled it away for $60. I had to pay $400 to have one taken out about ten years ago. His phone is 684-0758, but only he and one other room mate speak English.
I leave Portland Sunday and will spend a couple of days in NY and a couple of days in London before leaving for St. Petersburg. I'm trying not to have jet lag. I'll keep in touch. Many hugs. Think loving thoughts for Lucas' and Skyes' families.
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It's Tuesday afternoon, and Seraph and I have...
May 25, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
It's Tuesday afternoon, and Seraph and I have just arrived home after an overnight trip to Portland with tons o' stuff.
They have a small but very newly remodeled apartment in a great old neighborhood a block from a public rose garden which is a city block long and another block wide(and of course, all in bloom), and with a huge park with a community center two blocks in one direction and a branch library two blocks in another direction. What is even more important is a good coffee shop and also a good pizza place within walking distance.
I slept in the top bunk of Isa's new bunk bed - very comfy.
Although in the morning, Isa told me I snored.
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My computer at work is not presently hitched ...
May 18, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
My computer at work is not presently hitched up to e-mail, but in the category of "The Lord Giveth and The Lord Taketh Away," I finally figured out how to go on-line at home with my lap top. (Yeah, okay, sounds easy to you!)
I had an interesting weekend at the League of Women Voters State Convention at Salishan. I fear that organization will disappear as there are fewer and fewer smart women (or men)who don't work outside the home and have time and energy to contribute. They do an amazing job of putting out the Voters Guide, a non-partisan listing of candidates and ballot measures, register people to vote, and organize candidates' forums (okay, "fora" for you Latin purists).
I'm waiting for Seraph, Robbie and Isa; they are staying with me tonight.
I'm wishing I were a more sophisticated world traveler, as I have to get a visa to go to Russia in June, and I'm all atwitter over how to do it. Love to all, om
A quick ps - I loved the pix of the four older cousins on Mothers Day. It did occur to me that all we needed to throw in a convict or two and it would look like one of those United Colors of Benneton ad campaigns from a few years back.
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Ooooh, back to work after four days of The Sa...
May 07, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Ooooh, back to work after four days of The Same Thing Everyone Else Had. I'm still looking forward to Sunday, as I'm feeling much better. Hugs to all, om
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Yo, fam, how about a Mother's Day Bar-B-Que o...
April 30, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Yo, fam, how about a Mother's Day Bar-B-Que on my deck Sunday next (the 9th)? It would be a good time to have a little birthday soiree for Yayoe, too. I had talked with Seraph about trying to do something this Sunday. However, my tenant from the farm came in yesterday and said her business deal (starting up the Friendly Deli again) had fallen through and she was going back to Vancouver. So I'm planning a great weekend dealing with potential renters. Yucko-bunnies. Many hugs.
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Sadie, does your friend need a substitute mom...
April 23, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Sadie, does your friend need a substitute mom at graduation? (unless it's May 15th, 16th, when I need to be at a League of Women Voters thing)? It would give me an excuse to come and visit you!
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Lots of news about Seraph's high school buds ...
April 22, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Lots of news about Seraph's high school buds - dear Kai and her husband are coming back to Portland for a year while they prepare for missionary work in China, and Mollie and her partner Terry were married during the time slot Multnomah County was issuing same sex marriage liscenses. Seraph, I thought I'd send Mollie the usual friend of the family $100 check and a card. Let me know if that seems politically incorrect or way too dorky. Love to all, the old
politically incorrect mom.
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Sadie, what did I ever do to make you love me...
April 21, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Sadie, what did I ever do to make you love me enough to make me such a wonderful CD - sort of a "Songs to Say Good-bye" - China, Let It Be, Iowa, Enya...Was this in trade for "The Bridge of San Luis Rey"?
This has been a weeping time; I think because the weather has been like last spring, with the sky that luminescent gray which makes the newly-green trees shine. It's funny the commoness of things I miss about Dick - holding hands as I drifted into sleep, the softness of his earlobes, or that he remembered everything and always had a pen in his shirt pocket. Hope that someday, in some life, he and I do get back from China at the same time.
I forgot to mention that Sadie and I went Goodwill shopping with Yayoe a couple of weeks ago. I am definitely a convert at the feet of the Goodwill Hunting-meister!
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Thanks, Bets, on their way through the air co...
April 12, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Thanks, Bets, on their way through the air come e-mails in Russian. Who knows, they may be from a couple of working girls, and your cleaning crew will be mortified.
Seraph is at my house this morning scraping wallpaper. The idea is to make the attic bedroom into a suitable play room when all five grandkids are at my house.
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Does anybody out there in Radioland read and ...
April 09, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Does anybody out there in Radioland read and write Russian?
I've gotten two e-mails in Russian, and I can't tell if they are from the tour company Mary and I are going with to St. Petersburg or that the tour company sells our names and
Wielesek sounds like I should be able to read e-mails in Russian. My linguistic skills in Russian are pretty much limited to statements appropriate to the consumption of vodka.
Good weekend to all, Sue
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A wonderful spring weekend in Southern Oregon
April 06, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
A wonderful spring weekend in Southern Oregon. We saw Durrenmatt's "The Visit" in Ashland. I'm sure that was written at the beginning of the century, and certainly foreshadowed Hitler chillingly.
I had a phone call from Sadie last night, being quite under the weather.
Happy Passover; eat a lot and give my regards to Elijah.
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Woe is me, Sadie is gone; Sadie and I drove t...
March 31, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Woe is me, Sadie is gone; Sadie and I drove to Portland yesterday afternoon. We found The Art Institute of Portland, where Seraph will be next year. Very snazzy place. We went to the Veritable Quandry, her favorite restaurant in Portland. It was a hole in the wall dump in the riverside commercial slums when I was a law student, and now is a spendy trendy restaurant in a gentrified rehab area.
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Ooooo, Sadie's home
March 24, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Ooooo, Sadie's home. I picked her up in Portland about 11 last night. I listened to the Oregon basketball game all the way up; they won and will play Notre Dame tomorrow night. She looked so sophisticated and beautiful I actually had to stare for a minute to make sure it was her. She is playing with Sam and Emma while I spend an hour at the office. I always feel so much better when I can actually see
all my kids and their families. I belong to the Radical Solipcism (???) school of parenting. Love, om
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What a gorgeous weekend! I spent the weekend ...
March 22, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
What a gorgeous weekend! I spent the weekend with a 28 year old worker guy, and pretty darn hard working company he was, too. We worked Saturday at mi oficina and Sunday a mi casa, doing yard work until I was feeling muy viejo. Sunday morning Adam, Jamie and the kids showed up, bearing orange juice, champagne, and muffins, for a sunny mimosa morning. Seraph and Robbie fed me Sunday night, a kindness for which I was most grateful. I just got back from lunch with Jamie and the kids; Sam got an operational digital watch as part of Wendy's lunch. Remember when watches were so expensive we
got them for graduation presents?
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It's another damn (whoops, the FCC beckons) d...
March 20, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
It's another damn (whoops, the FCC beckons) darn Friday night. I am hoping and hoping that I can get my desk clean by Tuesday when Sadie arrives.
A year ago we were in Belize when the war started. Trust you all remember the line from the Steinbeck novel, The Moon is Down, about the Nazi invasion of Denmark, when one of the occupation soldiers said, bitterly, The flies have conquered the flypaper."
Went with friend Carol last night to see The Fog of War, primarily an interview with McNamara, Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War. Deja vu. I wonder what would happen if everyone who had access to the Internet agreed with everyone to refuse to fight wars anywhere but computer games.
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Hi, in honor of Mel Gibson, could we move Eas...
March 18, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Hi, in honor of Mel Gibson, could we move Easter this year?
It falls on American Easter this year anyhow, and I doubt Jesus would care much. How about the Sunday, the 28th, that Sadie is here? I talked with Ilona and Steve at the St. Paddy's Day party last night and they thought it would be fine. How come all holidays in our family inevitably turn into pagan rituals? Probably it's our fondness for food.
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Working late on Friday night
March 13, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Working late on Friday night. This was a week that I thought I would get all the loose ends tied up on Monday and have the rest of the week to garden. It's now 8:00 p.m. and I still have to finish one thing before I leave. It feels like trying to run through jello.
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It is a lovely sunny day, falling in one of t...
March 10, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
It is a lovely sunny day, falling in one of the first weeks when I have not had gobs of clients and/or gobs of trials.
I even had time to pop in and see Jamie and Sam on my way to work this morning! I suspect that I will enjoy retirement!
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Sadie, rethink your position
February 27, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Sadie, rethink your position. It's time for your mother to draw a line in the sand. I'll be darned if I want you to grow up and marry a penguin. Also, I don't want to try to buy baby clothes for a rock.
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What a truly boring weekend, carrying furni...
February 23, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
What a truly boring weekend, carrying furniture and Sadie's stuff down to her room in the basement. A bright spot was going to see the original (1980) PBS version of The Lathe of Heaven at McDonald Theater on Saturday. (This book has been Eugene's Reading in the Rain choice this year.)They didn't leave out the aliens, like the recent version. There's a costume party next weekend - anyone want to go?
I need a bumper sticker which says, "This is no place for a Hobbit" and one which says, "To go is to return", my favorite line from TLOH...Adam, what is the name of the author of that book I just gave you?
Adam: His name's Ray Vukcevich
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The sun is shining and my daffodils are start...
February 20, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
The sun is shining and my daffodils are starting to bloom.
I'm going to Russia in June. How exciting!
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Happy birthday, Dick
February 18, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Happy birthday, Dick. Having Valentines Day and Dick's birthday close together has been sad, but all the kids checked in over the weekend and fed and cared for me. It was fun to see Emma; she is all pink and white, like a little pink spun sugar confection. I had Isa over night on Sunday evening. I've been trying to clean out the attic, and I dug out all Sadie's Barbies and Barbie clothes, as well as the old Cabbage Patch Kids. Isa had a grand time, and named the Cabbie Sadie and asked if she could borrow her.
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Sadie, first explore the depth of her committ...
February 13, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Sadie, first explore the depth of her committment to Bush. I've tried never to interfere with you kids' friendships, but in this case....need I say more?
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The picture posted on the right is one of my ...
February 10, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
The picture posted on the right is one of my favorites. Go to Album, Three Generations, for a larger version. This has been a hard time for missing Dick; it was about a year ago that he started to be visibly ill. But I'm still walking and talking, and sometimes that's about all we need to do.
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The custody trial settled, so I had an hour o...
February 03, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
The custody trial settled, so I had an hour or so to spend with Jamie, Sam, and Emma. I had to cut Sam's arm off after his wound began giving off poisonous fumes. I told him we could put him out the spaceship portal or run the risk of poisoning me and the rest of the crew. He came up with the idea of arm amputation. So we just jettisoned the silly putty. Love to all, mom
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Only nine more trials
January 30, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Only nine more trials. I have a custody trial tomorrow, two days of me providing free legal services. I hope they let me into heaven on the basis of my billing records. The spring peepers are peepering already, and my snowdrops and crocus are blooming.
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The newspaper said it was 5 degrees in Hartfo...
January 27, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
The newspaper said it was 5 degrees in Hartford yesterday. What is Sadie doing there?
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Betsy, Hi, I can't find your e-mail address;I...
January 27, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Betsy, Hi, I can't find your e-mail address;Ihave it somewhere. This is a really tacky, but very public, thank you for the basket o' gifts for the kids. Isa and I had a great time with them this weekend. The only problem was those little Star War Lego starfighter things, one of which I put together and the other ones of which I took to Sam to assemble. Have you noticed how smart you have to be just to survive these days? I have great pix from Florida, which I will send on.
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Now is the winter of our discontent
January 26, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Now is the winter of our discontent...Actually, I had a delightful weekend, having got to have Isa over night on Saturday while Seraph went to the beach with Jamie and Emma and Robbie sat quietly in a house without other people. She and I met Jenny, Sam and Adam for breakfast on Sunday morning at IHOP, along with at least half of the square dance aficionadas at the Fairgrounds this weekend.
Only 11 more trials on my calendar, but who's counting.
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Dear Fam, I'm finally finding my way through ...
January 23, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
Dear Fam, I'm finally finding my way through the piles of work on my desk. I need to start with sad news, that Aunt June died last Sunday. She had not been well for the last couple of months, and it was probably a culmination of a lot of things. She and Dad were the last two of the Jones kids and their spouses - a bunch of funny, bright people.
Dad and I had a good trip back to Florida, in spite of the fact that the airport had been closed up until the day before we flew out. Andy was down working on the boat, and
we all got to go sailing at the end of the week. Betsy, Will and Michael arrived late on Friday evening. We went sailing on Saturday and out for a birthday dinner for Dad at the fabled Captain Eddie's, complete with cake and presents. On Sunday Betsy, Patrick and I went into Sarasota to pick up Cousin Judy Jones, and then on to the Salvador Dali museum in Tampa for the afternoon. I had not realized that he had such a range of abilities.
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As you can imagine, Dad is looking forward to...
January 09, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
As you can imagine, Dad is looking forward to warm weather, but I think he will miss all the family in Oregon. Baby Emma
charmed him into a state of doting which is unusual for him with babies. We are driving to Portland on Saturday afternoon and flying out early on Sunday.
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You folks back east would think of this as a ...
January 06, 2004 by Sue in Wielesek
You folks back east would think of this as a skiff of snow, but we are totally unprepared for snow here. I had to clean off the windshield of the car with the top of a cake carrier. (Jenny's ex-husband made a cake and sent it along for Christmas dinner; I'm finally getting around to returning it.)
Had a wonderful time with Sadie, and I was so sad to send her back.
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