New Orleans

Here are a few more pictures from my trip. The previous ones are me in Jackson square, the crypts at the cemetery, the famous Oak Alley plantation and some pictures from our river cruise. Here are some pictures from the parade we watched and some more from the river cruise!

Erin

Catching up

I haven't posted in quite a while, mainly because I forgot my password. I finally got up the motivation to reset it so I could get back up to speed!

Aunt Jenny, I also read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks a few months ago. I mostly read non- fiction science books, so this was right up my alley. A friend bought it for me this Christmas because it was the top rated science book of the year. I thought it was a really great read.

Tuesday, I was flying back from a trip to New Orleans and realized I forgot to bring a book so I went into the book stand and picked out the only book that wasn't a political book; it was called The Girl Who Fell From The Sky. I finished it on our second leg of the flight. The story is about a girl who is half Danish and half African American and came to live with her Grandmother in Portland after her family died. Their family fell off the roof of their apartment building in Chicago (hence the title) and it isn't until the end that you find out how. The book chronicles her struggles to fit in as a person of mixed race in a new town. I enjoyed it.

I also thought I would post some pictures from my most recent vacation. I went to New Orleans for five days with a group of friends. New Orleans was an amazing city! The food, the atmosphere and the history were all so great. I had a lot of fun but I am glad to be back because walking all day and having fun all night was exhausting.

Erin

cribbage ending

Hello. Cribbage tournament completed last Friday. It was good. Larry asked me to come over and play some cribbage. Bill was suppose to show up and play also. We were waiting on Bill C. to show up so we decided to play a game. Larry started out by getting a 20+ lead on me. He held the lead until the last corner. I caught up briefly. Played a couple of hands until the ending went as follows. It was my deal , Larry was in the stink hole and I was 8 holes behind or 9 pegs to win. I started to concede the game and decided to deal, all the while Larry is telling me " you might cut a jack you never know". Larry cuts and I turn over a ...jack. Only 7 pegs to win. Larry leads a 3 and I play a 3 for two points...only 5 pegs to win...Larry plays a 6 for a count of 12 and I play a 6 for a count of 18 and two more points...only 3 pegs to win...Now the count is now is 18. Larry plays a deuce for 20 and I play a deuce for 22 and two more points. We are now both in the stink hole. The count is now 22. I have a 5 and Larry is leading. So if he a 5 or higher in his hand ..he will get the go..for 1 and win. He doesn't...he plays an ace for 23 count..I play the 5 for 28 ...last card....a GO and the win. Yeeha! I had to share..this doesn't happen very often. Thanks craig. Go Greenbay!

Birthday and Cribbage

Hi again. It's been awhile. A lot had happened since I last blogged. A new surgery, still with ongoing challenges. I continue to read about the revolutionary war. I have finished "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow, "Sacred Fire" about George Washington.., "George Washington a Life, by Ron Chernow, "Lafayette",by Unger. Three of these book are over 800 pages and take a while to finish. The Chernow books seem to be the best to me. I broke down and purchased James Madison in hardback, because I cant get it on my kindle. Will tackle Madison, Monroe , Adams and Jefferson in the future. I so admire George Washington after reading about him. Incredible guy. Truly, his destiny tied to the inception of this great country. Although, I wonder what he would say if could see what is going on today in government. Yikes. Got to see Melanie, missing Steve who has commitments while he is working on his doctorate. We met in Seattle after my Dr's. appt. Four days in Seattle and 3 days in the Tricities. Moving on. My notoriously nasty divorce in ongoing. I have alot to say about that...yet ..Moving on. My birthday cribbage party was a success , again. Much more participation this year. Seventeen players showed with all striving for Tebay bragging rites. Lori,Sam L., Sam S, Tyler, Lynda Hart, Sean, Rick, Cal, Bill C., Dennis H., Jeff, Kerri, Jennifer, Erin H.T.,Dottie, Larry and Craig. We were missing Anthony our 18th. We were also missing the Hockadays who were committed to a ski trip that weekend. Also Megan , who just started a new job. We began with a whole counter full of food to eat. We chose to eat early because Calin was stuck at the Federal building in Richland..which means he had to get thru the Hanford traffic. It fit well with the nights events. Team play began with a drawing of partners. Larry and Sam did not draw as partners this year..thank goodness. After five rounds of play Kerri and I, the birthday dude, prevailed as the doubles champions. Of course Larry was in the opposing team. Kerri, had a excepitonal night with the cards . She was the Larry neutralizer. Had him talking to himself by the end. It was fun. The singles event was a single elimination also. The concentration in the room was evident. The games slowed abit because each player was trying to make the correct moves for the moment. It was fun to watch, yes I watched after being eliminated by Dennis Hart..he was on fire..kicking butt..until he ran into brother Sam. finis.. The championship game came down to Sam S. Tebay and Calin, with Calin prevailing. Sam dropped significantly behind at the beginning and caught up with Cal as they turned the last corner. Cal had a terrific hand and crib to distance himself and finished...first. I don't half to tell you, it didn't take long for him to claim bragging rites..oh about two seconds..and I'm number one was displayed. Good for him. In all, there was alot of positive feedback. Hope to improve next year. I'm attaching some pictures of the crib party champions, and other pics. Craig. p.s. bloggers post your 5 best pictures of 2010 and tell us why they are special. I will later. Thanks.