My Springfield Condo is for Sale

World Affairs Council Trip - D.C. Feb '09

We had a great time, thanks to Greg and Reg's hospitality. The World Affairs Council Nat'l Conv was great, it was nice to see cousin Alan, and we got to do some sight seeing - Library of Congress, American History Museum, Natural History Museum, and an evening at the recentlyt reopened Ford Theater.
At the conference, we heard from the brightest minds, national and international, from all fields - industry, politics, economics, foreign affairs, etc. The conference was focused on the state of the economy world wide. From what i gleaned, here is my suggestion: Pull out all your money, put it in a duffle bag, grab your flak jacket and head for the hills until 2060, when the US should be entering a golden age.

Passage of Time

Here is a pic of my oldest granddaughter, Jessica (now Jess). I'm sure it was taken only a year or two ago. The above pic is of her last week when i took her, Jordan, Dad and Naomi out to celebrate Jess's new driver's license. Wha' hoppened??

Jason Touring Ur, Iraq

Here are a couple picture of Jason playing tourist in Ur. The following is the bit of history he sent with his pictures:

My friends and I visited the Ziggurat of Ur and Abraham’s home this past Sunday. The Ziggurat of Ur was a temple to the moon God, Nannar, and built more than 4000 years ago. It is solid inside and originally much taller. The only open room was the top level, which was for worship. The many holes you see in the side of the structure (in the sunset picture) served as expansion joints and weep holes for the rainwater to escape. Scuppers and a “downspout” system was also incorporated in the design.

The area known as Ur was inhabited from 3000BC – 500BC but was abandoned because the Euphrates river changed course. Around the area are many tombs and temples including the tomb of King Shulgi and all the workers. In fact, when a king died all his servants were taken into the tomb, given poison, and sealed in the tomb to die. There is also a temple to Nebuchadnezzar nearby. In addition is the suspected home of the Prophet Abraham. As the picture shows, the walls of his home were rebuilt in the late 90’s in anticipation of a visit by the Pope, which never happened.

The picture of the cuneiform writing is inside the temple of King Shulgi just above where his tomb is. There are quotes by him all over the walls, much like the quotes around the Lincoln Memorial. Cuneiform, from what our guide, Deiph, told us is the second form of writing, after pictographs and before hieroglyphics. Other than writing, he also told us that the wheel was invented in this area.

Inauguration Day 2008

What a day for the history books! We feel hopeful for the future of the United States now. But we all have to pitch in. In Ghandi's words, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."Here is the link to the Boston Globe's collection of the best pictures from around the world on Inauguration Day.http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/01/the_inauguration_of_president.htmlThe pictures here are of my brother and Reggie at one of the Inaugural Balls.

Jamaica, Mon!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Carrie, Chloe & Camille Here after Christmas

Carrie, Chloe and Camille arrived the Saturday after Christmas. They were due on Friday, but there were delays and cancellations both in NYC and Chicago, so we finally got them here via Amtrak from Chicago after they spent the night at a Westin there.
Once they were here, we had a great time visiting, opening presents, shopping, playing games, etc. Roland and I had to leave on Sunday, but they will be in Springfield with Papa until Tuesday.
We had a wonderful visit!