IHS Alumnae Luncheon

As I sat at a table for eight with seven empty chairs I wondered," What am I  doing here."?
 Was the class of 25 students I remember just a dream?   Was I home schooled?

 Two women sat down at the table. I tried to start a conversation, one said nothing, while the other muttered a few words.
Soon they found a table with friends.  I was happy

After sitting solo for quite some time, demonstrating a ridiculous smile,  the chairs were no longer empty.  Several  women sat down and brought me into their conversation.

Will I attend again next year?  Good question. I'll answer it next year.

Photos....the woman in the center received my vote for the most stylish outfit.
              the women on each side( sat at my table) receive the "nicest" vote.

Photo #2  My vote for the" sweetest".   She sat next to her walker and smiled.

Photo # 3 was the table decor given to the oldest at each table...I was the youngest in my class but oldest at the table, so I 'm enjoying the tulips.

 Alumnae traveled from as far away as New Zealand.  Alaska, Florida, Arizona were also represented.
The closest still lived in the neighborhood.

Our class was represented by one person..... me

 The class of '38 had two alumnae in attendance.

Uncle Pete Rosa

Uncle Pete was born 12/04/1905.. in Black Diamond, WA...He died 09/26/1993

He was an accomplished violinist and studied in San Francisco. His teacher was Prof. Ernest F. Claudio.
In the photo of the recital, Pete is first person in the 4th. row.

I don't know how long he stayed in San Francisco but I know that his hopes of being a violinist died when he lost part of his finger in an accident.

The other photo was used in a World War II poster.  At this time he was in the sheet metal trade.
He married Katie Massucco  in 1935. 

My memories of Uncle Pete include his great sense of humor with  always a joke to tell. He had a maneuver  that made his finger seem to appear and disappear. It's difficult to explain...guess you had to be there. ( This was a trick you could only perform if part of your finger was missing...turning a lemon into lemonade?)
He was a terrific bowler, with  at least one 300 game.
I remember being thrilled when he taught me how to keep the ball out of the gutter.

Uncle Pete won a puppy at a picnic, and gave it to Gloria.  We named her Pal and she was the love of the family for many years.  On our way home from St. Anthony School in Renton, Pal would run down the road to meet us. I don't know if she knew our scent, or what ,but she never missed a day. Such a sweet dog.
Thanks Uncle Pete.

When I was a child I loved  their neat and tidy home. It was situated  in back of the original Rosa home. 

 They later moved to the original Rosa home. Ricky was born in 1943.  I remember Katie giving Ricky his bath on the porch.

Pete and Katie divorced in 1945 and Katie moved to Renton.  After a time, Pete rented her basement and was able to be near Ricky.

  Puget Power bought the property in the '50's and the little  house was moved  to a parcel of land behind the home of Uncle Eli ( Nonna lived with Uncle Eli.)

 When Joe and I got married we were looking for a place and rented the house for $25 a month.  It was an experience.
I'll save that information for another time.

THE MOON

I decided to check out the close-up of the moon.

 It was quite spectacular.  Cloudy, then clear.

How Times Have Changed

Most of these products have no ingredients listed, no expiration date ,and no warnings!

Some of my favorites.

Vaseline CARBOLATED  Petroleum  Jelly
Edgeworth Extra High Grade Plug Slice (Tobacco guarateed not to burn the tongue.)
PARTOLLA   The Doctor in Candy Form
BRONKLETS For Huskiness.. Hoarseness-Sore throat
 (this one actually gives ingredients and a warning)

DYANSHINE STOVE POLISH    Loved our coal and wood stove.

Y&S  LICORICE WAFERS  Ten Cents..   for coughs due to COLDS

DOANS PILLS   A stimulant Diuretic  to the Kidneys
DESENSITIZING PASTE...LILLY....Formula of J.P. Buckley,Ph. G., DDS

Propert's LEATHER and SADDLE SOAP   For SHOES. BAGS, SADDLES, HARNESS
LUGGAGE, LEATHER COATS, CAR UPOLSTERY  Etc. Etc   not suitable for suede.

(This one may still be for sale)  Made in England

The Pond

Joe spotted this bird in the pond across the street. He came home to get his camera and we both headed for the hole in the fence where we could spy without scaring it away. Actually there were two but one was hidden.

I looked in my bird book and we decided it was a Hooded Merganser

Angelic Distraction

Stacey brought Sophia to mass today. She parked the stroller right next to the choir.   Stacey is devoted to her little girl as is the nurse who helps with her care.
It is an inspiration to see them.  Joseph and Clint both  visited Sophia. It was very touching.
I pray that Sophia will continue to improve and Stacey's prayers will be answered.

Swept Out To Sea

The news of the quake in Japan is a  sad and  heartbreaking reality.
Joe & I listened to Obama, looked at all the photos on line, then decided we needed to take a break.
We drove to Kent, checked out a few antique shops, snooped in thrift shops and just walked.
In one of the thrift shops I heard a women say that Crescent Beach, Ca. had been hit with a tsunami. 
A man taking a photo had been swept out to sea.
Something so catastrophic makes all your problems seem so small and trivial.

You hear this phrase a lot but it says it all so I'll repeat it.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were affected by the quake.
Special prayers and thanks for those who are willing and able to help. Inspirational!

Sweet Smell of Success

Having finished my shopping at Costco, I opened an insulated bag to store perishables and was greeted by a stench that permeated the entire world (slight exaggeration).  The bottom of the bag was filled with a yellowish
liquid that smelled like rotted shrimp.  When I arrived home the cleansing rite began.   I filled the bag with soapy water, let it soak.  After drying it out, I placed a vanilla soaked paper towel in the bag. Voila!

I know this is an old remedy but I wasn't sure it would work.

Canis latrans

I doubt the following information will interest anyone.  ( except me)
Animal feces was discovered near our compost pile.  We have seen deer, raccoon, possum and coyote
on our property. 

I went on line to look for an identification chart. Success!  It belongs to a coyote, maybe the one I saw in the woods last week.  I will probably remove it as it may be marking it's territory and I'd just as soon  the  toilette be in the woods.


I don't believe I'll display of photo of my discovery.

Ain't it Fine

I found this while trying to de-junk our home.   Maybe if I share this, I'll be able to put it in the give-away sack.

Flowers for the chickadee & Psuedo Rain Forest

A sweet little chickadee got trapped in one of our bird feeders. Joe noticed it and told me about it.  I got the ladder so I could reach in and grab the poor bird.  I had to bury it. I didn't sing" In Paradisum"  but I did say a few kind words.   " You are so cute, even when you are dead. It must be the feathers."


We love the rain forest.  Our woods are as close as we'll get for now.