Sisters

My mom died on December 28, 2002. I miss my mom, especially on Mother's Day. We used to talk on the phone every week and, of course, on Mother's Day.

I have two sisters. Mom used to dress us alike. Here we are dressed for a costume party on the ship, returning to the States on furlough.

Sometimes we just dressed up.
As sisters, we have similarities:

• We love all things Asian, especially food.
• We like to organize (from Dad) and make lists (from Mom).
• We like nature and hiking.
• We are mothers of two children.

Here we are, three mothers, at the Bruinooge reunion in 2006.

We no longer dress alike, but we still like to talk to each other on the phone. Think I'll call my sisters and wish them a Happy Mother's Day.

another relaxing weekend in Tucson

A year ago we went to Tucson with Joe and Ellen and stayed at the Westin La Paloma Resort. It was so nice that we decided to go again. Phil's feet have been bothering him, so hiking was out of the question. The resort is a great place to swim; an activity that's good for feet problems. Unfortunately it rained all day Saturday. We still managed to swim several times and work out in the fitness center. Just a great relaxing weekend.

Ah, life in Arizona!

Real and Unreal Garden

This morning we decided to take advantage of the lovely weather and visit the Desert Botanical Garden. Anthony and Sara are visiting for a few days on their Spring Break and the gardens are a great place to see the Sonoran desert plant life.

The wildflowers were out in bloom.
Interspersed throughout the garden was the glass artwork of Dale Chihuly. Sometimes the glass are looked like alien plants from a sci-fi movie. But it was really quite impressive how art can imitate life.

blossoms and vermin

One morning I walked outside and decided that Spring has arrived in Phoenix. I know, because our dwarf peach tree had blossomed.

Now to await patiently for the peaches to grow.

Then another morning I walked out the back door to be greeted by . . . a dead roof rat.
Although I'm not too fond of our cat, Noel, she is a great mouser. She just calmly leaves her catch for us, as if to say, "Look what I did!"

I'm just thankful it doesn't happen too often.

Paz Obama

It's a new day - a new era - a new president!

We happened upon this sign on a back road during our trip to New Mexico in November.

Ramble On

Sometimes you just need a special night out with friends. On Saturday, we met at Jamie's place, which is just off Central Avenue, to park our cars. Then we walked to Wild Thaiger and enjoyed a great Thai dinner. Afterwards, we caught Phoenix's new light rail, the Metro, and rode it downtown. What a great addition to our city. So easy, convenient, and you don't need to worry about finding parking. It was only a few blocks to the Dodge Theatre, where we thoroughly enjoyed a concert of the Phoenix Symphony playing the music of Led Zeppelin. The band that played with the symphony was great, especially the vocalist, Randy Jackson. It was the next best thing to a real Led Zeppelin concert.

This is a clip of a concert with another symphony, playing Ramble On.