This is not my fault!

It is becoming more and more difficult to toss out the old memories.
Recently, my old  pen pal sent back all the letters I had written to him. I can't believe he saved them for 60 years. I had already tossed most of his.
I saved a couple that were written after Joe & I (we were engaged) met he and his fiance.  He was very complimentary and at my age I need a few of those vitamins.
Reading the letters is like re-living my late teen age years. 

I have always maintained that I had only friendly feelings toward Richard. This is true.
However, after reading some of my letters, I can see where he may have misunderstood
the situation. It's not what I said but the way that I said it. ( Sounds like a song title)
I talk about music classes at Seattle University, the trio I started with my sister Barbara and cousin Betty,
the fantastic talent of both sisters, Barbara and Gloria, what performances we attended, including plays, musicals and the Aqua Theatre.
Some of the sweeter moments are comments about my little brother Joe.
I do talk about meeting Joe and plans to marry him so I did have my  serious moments.
Prior to the time I met Joe, most of the letters were silly.
At the time I wanted to be either a stand-up comedian or a private detective!

I have to decide whether  our children would enjoy reading them when I have departed....
When I read them, I have to laugh at some of my comments and maybe the family would enjoy reading them.

I think I'll save them. Then they will have the option to read or toss and I will be none the wiser.

Case closed.

Save or Toss

The following thank you note is one of the reasons I save rather than toss.

Nov. 2004

Dear Nonna  and Grandpa,

Thank you for the $50 certificate to Target! I bought a cool Spy Gadget Pack
with a thing you can listen from far away, a voice scrambler, a motion alarm and binoculars
that work in the dark. All the spy toys work perfectly, surprisingly. I can use the voice scrambler
to make my voice sound weird, so I could do prank phone calls and they wouldn't know
who I was. Also, with the ear I can listen in on secret conversations. I can use the motion detector to prevent
anyone from going into my room. With the binoculars, I can sneak around in the dark and people
wouldn't expect me to be using binoculars, anyway.
I'm excited to see you at Thanksgiving. Congratulations on your 50th. Anniversary! I think that's
gnarly!

Love, Ian

P.S. I also liked your great singing Happy Birthday message on the machine. I think you have
beautiful singing voices together.
Love, Ian


Pretty good writing for a 9 year old. We love you too, Ian.

Music ...the way to go...

Joe and I attended a concert at Chief Sealth High School last night. It is always a joy to see kids staying out of trouble for at least a couple of hours.
The music program at Denny Middle School and Chief Sealth are under the direction of devoted musicians.
To have the patience to direct the beginners and continue as they advance is very impressive.
It is a bit taxing to listen to the beginners, but they have to start somewhere.
The best performances of the night ....sound the trumpets....  Denny Middle School Jazz Band and  Symphonic Band from Chief Sealth High School.
Chief Sealth also has a Jazz band who will play later in the year


 Feb. 14 Sealth Band will play @5thAvenue Theater's Opening of the Music Man.

Fog can be beautiful!

Fun at the Breast Clinic

Each year I look forward to a day of fun at the Breast Clinic.
What could be more fun than baring your boobs, displaying expanding
waistline, and all that good stuff.
The woman who put me through the paces gave very clear directions and
never seemed to stop giving them. I finally told her that I felt like I was doing the "Hokey Pokey".

 She said that I reminded her of a story
." When the man who wrote the song died,
 they had a very difficult time with  the burial." then she recited a portion of the song.
"You put your left foot in...you put your left foot out.... etc.

P.S. I decided not to post this until I heard from Valley Medical...no problem.
Yea!

Happy Everything to Everybody

This was written by Steve MacKenzie and sent to family on Nov. 17, 2011

I don't think Steve is aware of my blog so I'm safe posting it.


It's that time of year again.

Happy Anniversary to Svetlana, and the same to Mom and Dad
Happy Birthday to Liz
Happy Thanksgiving everyone
Happy Birthday Svetlana
Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Winter Solstice to everyone
Happy New Year Everyone

While I'm at it, I might as well be done with it and well, throw in:
Happy Birthday Serge
Happy Easter/Happy Spring Equinox to everyone
Happy Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day/Ex-Jerry Lewis day

And God Bless Tiny Tim. Or maybe I should say and " May the spiritual force of your choice shine
upon Vertically challenged Timothy".

Whew!! Sure glad to get that overwith, another holiday season come and gone! I hope everyone
enjoyed their presents and gifts, had fun at the get togethers, went to church, gave to the poor, gave
blood, and neutered their pet or husband and thanked a teacher and a vet.

Can't wait to do it all over again next year!

Garden Art

I received this from Deb for Christmas. When I first saw it I wasn't sure if I liked it or not.

Now, when I see it out the kitchen window it reminds me of a street in Italy. So, of course, I love it.

Just in case...

In case you missed this artwork by James Mackenzie.

Let it snow!

We had a little snow this morning which is always a pleasant experience. Just enough to be beautiful.

One of my memories of snow was at the Pike Place Market. My dad had a stall (third from Pike street)
where I worked after classes at Immaculate High School.
The snow piled up on the eggs which caused my Dad to do the unthinkable, close shop. In those days all that protected the stalls from the elements was a canvas curtain. Not enough in this storm.
Dad still had to make deliveries so we(my sister Judy also attended Immaculate) were dropped off at my Grandmother's in Georgetown. We were freezing from the cold and were hoping for a bowl of soup.Even Nonna's soup which consisted of a carrot floating around in broth.
Nonna was not a great cook but she always had soda pop. This was usually a treat, since it was not allowed in our house.
 She brought out pop from her porch. It was frozen on top, so she set it on the coal and wood stove  (shelf above) to thaw. Oh the yum of it all!

Photos coming soon to theatre near you

I have been having a problem posting photos both technical and personal.
My time has been spent on other things.I have some pretty good photos I want to share.
I'll make an effort to post soon.

Update: Still having problems with photos.  I finally got photos of "Harvey" and Joe's birthday and
they are on twice! It is confusing as they do not show up on my computer and Joe's is crazy since it

                                             Tricia and Joe

crashed. We'll figure it out later. Right now I'm trying to put away my ridiculous amount of Christmas decorations.
Below..............................Tricia...Joe and Gerald Joseph