Alaska Cruise

We have been at sea on the Celebrity cruise ship Mercury. We left Seattle on Friday, Aug 25 and stopped at Juneau on Sunday – greeted by cold rain. Juneau is the State Capital of Alaska, yet there are no roads to Juneau - you have to arrive by plane or boat! Despite the inclement weather, we were able to get a good visit with the Mendenhall Glacier and the Visitor Center and a fascinating look at a Salmon Hatchery – this time of year, salmon are returning to spawn and the hatchery was full of fish swimming upstream.

A photo of Carole and the glacier:
























Our second port was Skagway, very pretty in an almost unbelievable setting. The mountains and the water and the appearance of the town were wonderful. The shops had lots of personality as many were owned by locals. The locals said the problem in the winter is not the cold, not the snow, but the absence of sunlight. They do not X-county ski until March since it is so dark. The town is so small you can walk the breadth of it, although shuttles are available. Here is one of my favorite photos.



















We entered the Hubbard Galcier at 6:30 am - cold but no wind and clear skies - spectacular. Thjis is the only glacier that is expanding and yoiu cna hear and see the ice falling into the bvay (calving). this was probably the eco-highlight of the trip.

A phot0:





















Thursday we visited Ketchikan and took a local tour. This city is livable although they can get up to 200 inches of rainfall per year. However, it did not rain today.

I could put up pix of totems, etc, but I thought a picture of the oldest bar in town would do. This is the SourDough Bar - the oldest ongoing bar in Ketchican - no tourists in the place - the wall are decorated with pictures of shipwrecks!

Here is the the picture:




We pounded a few drinks with the locals and marveled at the photos on the wall.

This rustic bar with locals is right on the dock - stop by and introduce yourself...









Finally, transit thru the mysterious inner passage where every vista is spectacular and the Orca whales are everywhere.

To see more slides: click here

Stay tuned.

A Big Week

Music
We saw the David Grisman Bluegrass Experience in Hanford, CA last week. The venue was a restored FOX theatre in a Central California farming town. David Grisman has aligned with three incredible bluegrass musicians with his son on bass, and has released an album of pure bluegrass music.

The show had two sets as David went thru the new CD and then some with lots of educational banter. It was really an elightening experience and nice to see instruments unplugged. We sat with Steve Hirasuna and his wife and hooked up with Allan FiField.

Ben Harper
Damien (Jr Gong) Marley

This was an unforgetable musical experience. My daughter Beth saw them at the LA Greek, my sons at the Santa Barbara Bowl and Carole and I caught two shows at the Greek Theatre at CAL - my favorite outdoor venue. Thje first night, Carlos Santana joined and the crowd went berserkeley i.e. very very excited - excitement that lasted thru the evening. The second night was more subdued but they played some of my favorite tunes (Like A King, Sexual Healing, Burn One Down). We ended up sitting with some show friends - Allison and Todd and their son - even the better. The Greek is the best place to see Ben - the libertarian attitute combines with his social justice agenda. At the end of the second show he came out and made a little thank you speech and said "the last couple of shows were out best ever" and said it was due to the fans.

Click to see a pan video of the venue.

Retirement
A few more parties for Carole: a Nursing Management party and a hospital wide party and she has turned in her badge and cell phone. She feels a bit lioberated.

Anniversary
We celebrated out 40th wedding anniversay at Erna's Elderberry House -the only 5 Star Resturant and Hotel in California.

Check out he menu - it was spectacular.




We celebrated in Berkeley, at Erna's and we are going on an Alaskan Cruise in 5 days to keep celebrating.

See ya when we get back.

Bill

Imeach The President

We are Getting In to Serious Trouble

Federal courts and the Supreme Copurt have ruled that Mr. Bush has commited unconstitional acts. The American Bar Association has taken a position that he has ignored congressional madates by his signature letters, jeopardizing the balance of power, and taking the law into his own hands

Accordingly I have written the following letter to our Senators:

I think it time to consider impeaching the President. Mr Bush took an oath to uphold the U S Constitution but has performed grave unconstitutional acts and has abused his power. The first is his unconstitutional handling of the POWs at Guantanamo Bay. The second is his warrentless searches of millions of American's e-mails.

Of course his inability to use Intelligence Information correctly, his waging war and destroying the infrastructure of a sovergein nation that presented no threat to the USA, in and of itself, should be impeachable.

This is not political - I am worried as is the American Bar Association, that Mr Bush has ignored the Constitution and taken powers that do not belong to him, jepordizing the nation.

Thank you.


W Kennedy MD
----------------------------------------
Also, the New Yorker magazine has published a well researched article that points out that Israel was going to attack Hezbollah regardless and they used the kidnappings as a ruse. Bush was in on it and encouraged the attack and did nothing for 30 days to allow the Israelies time to destroy the Hezbollah arms. It seems that the US is planning for a probable attack on IRAN in 2 years and the White House is worried that Hezbollah will launch a missle attack on Israel if we attack IRAN, hence the US wants to nullify the threat.

Click here to read this scary article.

Happy Trails to Carole

Saturday night, Lynn Bennick hosted a Retirement Party for Carole at her house. Approx 100 people attended; those not in attendence were working in the St Agnes ER. The food was great (Mexican), the refreshments were tasty (Margarita machines) and Carole was presented with a beautiful ring.

A slide show was presented, including a video clip of a TV shoot in 1992 recognizing
Carole as Nurse of the Year. To see it click below.

Carole Video


Last night I finally made it to a TOOL show. For those of you are not familiar with TOOL. it is hard to describe. It is sort of a fusion of Metallica, Sublime, STP, and Rage. It is intense, personal and not for the weak of heart. One TOOL show and you are hooked (if you are under 40).

Healthwise, I am fine - played golf in the morning and a TOOL show in the evening - both requiring a modest amount of energy.

To be noted is that all the Grandchildren came for Carole's Retirement Fiesta and we had a wonder time at our house.

Pictures to follow.

Peace

Hot Times

Well it is hot times in Fresno - 108 degrees as I write this.

Couple of weeks ago I got out of the heat and travelled to Berserkely to see WideSpread Panic at the CAL Greek Theatre. It was awesome - band, venue, crowd, karma. I plan to catch Ben Harper and Damien Marley there next month. This is a venue aboue venues.



We are finishing our travel plans for the rest of the year: an Alaskyn cruise at the end of August and a post-thanksgving trip to Maui.

My health has been good. During the last month I have been exercising and losing some weight and the best news is that my PSA has dropped 25 % - which means my prostate cancer is in neutral to reverse.

Carole is a 'short-timer' with less than twenty working days left. In two weeks her staff is having a retirement party (ER people like to party!)

Take care.

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High Sierra

For the past 13 years we have been going to the High Sierra Music Festival and recently we have been changing the time to include some R and R and some golf.

This time around we stayed in the town of Graeagle and I managed three days of golf. There are several excellent courses nearby and one (White Hawk) was voted one of the 10 best public courses in California.





The Festival was a bit more sedate than usual and there were no 'BIG' headliners; the music was wonderful and the venue well maintained.

We atayed in a lovely vacation house with a giat deck and big back yard. Marlee likes to tell stories. clcik the arrow to hear one (29 seconds)




Marlee and Grace were in the Children's Parade.

Here is a video of Beth and Grace before the parade. (click arrow to start)





Despite the fun, it is nice to have it over so we can catch up and rest.

I do not see the doctor for two weeks and my health seems about the same.

Stay in touch.

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Sports and Music

What a week!

The World Cup has begun and the first round is over. USA did not show up - sad consdering they were ranked 5th in the world - I guess they spent too much time reading their press clippings instead of reading the grass clippings on the pitch.

However, the bravo performace of the Miami Heat and the Carolina Hurricane made up for the wimpy US soccer.

Many Americans poo-poo soccer but for those of us who have developed a bit of a passion for the sport, the USA team performance is downright sad. Oh well, we have two more weeks to enjoy the other battles for the World Cup.

The big news is that we were able to see String Cheese Incident and Ratdog at the Pozo Saloon this weekend. These bands are beginning their summer tour together - each doing a 2 hour set - and I guess they went to Pozo to kick it off and get some of the kinks worked out before a live audience. The kinks were minor (Billy forgot the third verse of Tom Thumb Blues). The venue was dusty but the music was clean. The experience was reminescent of the day when the corporations were not in charge, music was played in a pasture (Max Yasgar's farm) and there was no need for police other than to give directions and help park the cars.

This weekend we head to High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy - something we have been doing for the past 12 years or so, for more music. Beth, Bill, Marlee and Grace are staying with us in Graeagle so I hope to get some nice pix to post.

Healthwise, things are fine and the summer is progessing as planned.

Stay tuned.

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Medical Update

Today is a 'medical day'. I went to the Dentist and had a root canal completed and although not necessarily painful, keeping your mouth fully open for an hour is not an easy task. (If you want the name of a great Fresno/Madera dentist - email me).

I also saw my oncologist. My Prostate markers (PSA, PAP) went down from

March -> April

, and made a jump from

April -> May

. I find out my 'numbers' one month after they are drawn - so today we saw the May numbers. The oncologist thought it was time to go to UCSF for a consult and perhaps some advanced treatment not available in Fresno; but we decided to wait after I got this mornings numbers and they are plateaued and one is tending down. So, I am holding my own and not to worry for a while - time to go play, etc.

Stay tuned.

Wedding

This weekend (June 9-12) we flew to St Paul MN to attend the wedding of my second cousin Rob and Emily. Although the main purpose of the trip was to be there to witness the covenent, it was also a chance to celebrate with my wonderful family.

Good fortune had it that my sons and their family could made the trip and we had a great family time. It was really nice that baby Emily (Steve and Jen's miracle) could make the trip.

A slide show of some of the peole can be seen by clicking below.



A picture of the Ward Collection



St Paul is one of America's great cities and I would recommend it to anyone who has a chance, get there.

I see the Doctor and Dentist next week - oh well...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Madonna

Today was a sad day when I heard that Billy Preston died. I saw him not too long ago when he was touring with Eric Clapton. He had such a diverse musical career he is hard to type: from gospel to rock. He was, in my mind, a 5th Beatle.

Anyway we had tix to see Madonna's Confessions show at the Save Mart tonight. I have seen a lot of shows but this was clearly the pinnacle - she had two hundred tons of equipment, more than 20 semis to haul it and a road crew of 150.

For me, she is hot in every sense of the word. From the start she demanded no one sit and everyone dance, and at times, jump. The crowd was in a frenzy most of the time.

Her music was focused in some part on her new album - great disco but the show also covered a sampling of her career: she variouisly vamped, played a stripper, played a hard rocker, had a midddle eastern theme set, and several visual themes including her singing while pinned to a steel cross.

She also had a set to make a political statement - she displayed many unpleaseant images of war and images of bad guys - Sadaam, Hitler, Idi Amin, interspested with pictures of George Bush; the Democratic Party could not have done it better. Main difference between Geo Bush and the 'bad guys' is that the bad guys were try dictators and tyrants and Mr. Bush is mostly the spokesperson and photo op for the White House and the real policy makers lie in secret (Cheney, Rumsfield, Rove etc).

Two hours plus - non-stop dancing singing and carrying on. Maybe it IS the Red String!

In other matters, I am feeling fine and ready to fly to Minneapolis for a wedding this weekend - should be a wonderful time.

Carole's last day as Director of the Emergency Department was last Friday - she is now working to help the new boss transition and in 2 months it will be Saturday every day.

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Strawberry Music Festival

Well, after all these years we finally made it to Strawberry Music Festival (SMF).
It was a family affair with Peter, Steve and Beth and their families all going. Steve and his family and Carole and I stayed in the Evergreen Lodge - a mile from the Fest - luxury in the mountains. We were particularly glad we did it when it turned cold and snowed.



Despite the frigid weather, we had a grand and great time. The kids seems to enjoy each other and there was plenty of activity for all interests and all ages.

Steve dealt with the cold with a warm blanket.

Perhaps the nicest thing about SMF is that it is less than three hours from Fresno, below 5000 feet, 40 minutes to Yosemite Valley.

Healthwise, everything seems fine.

Next weekend is rest.... then off to Minnesota for a wedding and a chnace to hook up with many of my favorite relatives.

Cheers.

Oh yes, there was a child-big-love moment courtesy of Grace Ann and an unsuspecting Rod.





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Big Weekend

Another big weekend.

We drove to Southern California on Friday and stayed with Steve and Jen.


Saturday Beth and the kids came to SB and the 'men' went to Rancho San Marcos Golf Club to play golf;


it was a glorious day and lots of fun. That night we dined an an electic wonderful restuarant in Montecito called Cava; if you need a place to park in Santa Barbara where the food and drink is extraordinary - try Cava.

Sunday we drove to Ventura to attend the wedding of Kathy Pierce's lovely daughter, Rachel. It was a great reception with fantastic food, then the drive back to Fresno.


Next week is Strawberry Music Festival and we are all getting excited.

Stay tuned.


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Check-Up

Well, some good news. With my current therapy, my PSA has fallen 20% - nothing to get excited about but it is going in the right direction and I do not have another check up for a month!

Although I am not on traditional chemo, I still am tired all the time and have poor exercise tolerance - so that is my excuse to watch the NBA playoffs. There are residuals of the chemo --> aches and pains --> but not bad enough for medical chronic.

This weekend we are going to a Wedding in Ventura; the following weekend it is Strawberry Music Festival and then after a brief rest, to another wedding in Minneapolis (or is it St Paul) and a chance to shoppe at the Mall of America.

Carole is retiring no later than September, and then it is probably cruise time - perhaps Alaska or Mexico.

On Friday, we reflect on what happened nine (9) years ago - we were reduced to war refugees! For a nice Powerpoint Photo Show Click Here!

It was a struggle at first, but now we can relax and enjoy the fruit of our labours.

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Time to Remember

Last weekend was clearly a whirlwind time. Carole and me, as well as her sister Anice and the Hazelton’s (Beth, Bill, Marlee, and Grace) flew back to Sharon Penna to attend a memorial service for Carole’s mother at the First Presbyterian Church in Sharon.







It was a fitting tribute to a life well lived and hopefully will bring some closure to all that loved her.










While in Sharon we traveled to New Wilmington and Volant – the heartland of the Western Pennsylvania Amish. Initially one is struck with the simplicity of the buggies and dress and the bucolic vistas of the Amish farms. However, it is enchanting, and has a tranquility that transcends all the hoy paloy of current affairs in America.





We also had a chance to visit Jig Warren, one of my lifelong friends who has his hands full trying to develop franchises for his Quaker Steak and Lube restaurants. We had a chance to meet this wonderful children – Margot and Meredith. Jig had a big influence on me growing up, as well as his parents George and Mary. If you ever get near a QS & L, do drop n for the best Wings USA.

The grandkids are clearly travelers – they enjoyed every minute.






We were also happy to be able to spend time with my brother Steve and his wife Jean and my nephew Steve Jr. Nothing but fun. I really would like to spend more time there as I love where I was raised in Western Pennsylvania.

Health wise, nothing to report. My hair seems to be on a bit of a growth spurt and I actually had to save after a 3 month hiatus.

We have a chance to relax for the next few weeks before going out of town – next rip is to Rob Godsall-Meyers marriage in Minneapolis in June.

Stay in touch.
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Easter Week Fun

Marlee had the week after Easter off from kindergarden; so I took a train to LA on Tuesday and drove to Fresno with Beth and the children on Wednesday evening. What a great time! Both girls enjoyed see the Wiggles and Grace had a lot of fun. Grace loves eggs and is a great eater (thats is what the photo represents).

Click here to see more photos.

We drove to LA on Saturday morning (2 cars) and went to the House of Blues in West Hollywood Sat night to see Yonder Mountain String Band. The place was packed and the crowd was lit up in many way to the extent it suprised the band. Peter and Nichole, Paul and Helen, Rob, Rod and shannon, Steve R. also made it - what a great time.

Home on Sunday. Next weekend we are going to Sharon PA to celebrate the wonderful life of Carole's Mom at a memorial service.

Take care.

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Game Plan

The photo was taken in Yosemite a couple of weeks ago while we were watching the Final Four at the Mountain Bar.

My oncoloy status is unchanged; I am going to stay on the current treatment (a daily handful of pills and an occasional IV) to see what happens when my androgens are supersupressed. More than likely, I will look into further treatment (vaccine, new oncologic, Haitian Voodoo), but at present things are steady.

Beth and the kids will be up next week to the see the Wiggles and that should be fun.

The following week we will be travelling to Sharon in Western Pennsylvania to have an interment service for Carole's mother.

Hope Easter was special for everyone.

BTW, Click here to visit an interesting blog site of a man I admire.

Cheers.

Guests

Great weekend for guests. Beth, Bill, Marlee and Grace Ann came to visit; it was especially fun since the Cawdreys came down from Montanta to visit.

Steve and Nancy Cawdrey founded and ran a school in Montana based upon a log cabin - wilderness experience model, believing that kids need to be in a envirnment that focuses on internal issues (emotional literacy). Most students came from the paralyzing influence of wealth to an Abe Lincoln experience. The individuality and toughness that you see in my chidren was forged at their School - Spring Creek.

Steve is retired and Nancy artistic magic has bloomed as a Western Artist whose material draws on her wordwilde experiences. Her website is worth a look!

Carole is doing very well grieving her Mom's death and has things in hand to celebrate her life at a church service in Sharon Pa in late April.

Since I have not seen a doctor for 3 weeks and have had not lab or x-ray, there is no bad news. However, I have an appointment at the end of the week.

For the past 20 years, I have tried to listen Bach's St Matthew Passion each Good Friday. Even if you do not uderstand German, it will reach your spirit/soul - try it.

Finally, I put up some pics of the weekend. Click and check it out

.

We are closing with a picture of the Cawdreys

The Beauty of It

One of the reasons I live in Fresno is to be close to the Sierras - especially Yosemite. When I first came to the Left Coast in 1968 I was unprepared for the grandness of Yosemite. As I visited the park more and more I fell in love with it. This weekend, Carole and I spent a lovely 3 days in the park. The day after we arrived, it snowed and it was breath taking. We were able to have dinner and brunch at the Awahnee Hotel - surely one of the seven wonders of the USA. To see some pictures, click here.

Otherwise we seem fine, except a lot of things are up in the air - my disabilty status, Carole's retirement plan, High Sierra. However, all things are headed in the right direction!

I would especially like to thank Ken V. - my friend - and long time Yosemite employee, for setting up our dinner and brunch at the 'Queens' table.

Lots of guests this upcoming weekend and we are excited. Stay tuned.

Peace and Health,

Bill

A Sad Time

It is a sad and reflective time at our house.

Carole's Mom, Gunelda Hall, passed away in her sleep at the age of 92 yesterday afternoon at her residence at Sunrise. There are probably not a nicer and more honest couple on this planet than Gunelda Hall and Sherman Hall. The qualities we all admire in Carole came from somewhere, or as they say, the acorn does not fall far from the tree. Gunelda has a burial plot next to her husband in Sharon PA, and after the spring thaw were will have a grave-side interment service for her. When Mrs. Hall first come to Fresno she lived quite independently at a Retirement Community but as her age advanced, she moved to Sunrise Center where had very caring staff and friends. She had a full and rewarding life and left three wonderful children. It was my lucky day to have Gunelda as my mother-in-law.

Next weekend we will be travelling to Yosemite for a meeting - 3 days - it is especially beautiful this time of year with the big water and snow. Good time for pictures.

Healthwise, Carole and I are fine - being off chemo for awhile is kind of nice since I have been it continuously for 1 1/2 year and forgot what 'normal' is like.

My resolution of my disability insurance is in good hands and hopefully it will be resolved soon so I do not have to depend on Carole for an 'allowance'.

Anyway, remember Gunelda Hall is your thoughts and prayers.

Peace and Health.

Up and Down

Within the last couple of weeks, my PSA has decided to leave the plateau; my oncologist has concluded that it is time again to change the game plan. The good news is I will be off the heavy chemo so my hair will come back and perhaps some energy. Instead we are going to do "secondary hormone manipulation" which means more pills and less shots. The good news is I feel fine and the blood test is just that. I do not have a followup for a month, so we will wait and see.

We spent a great weekend in Southern California and got to see some good basketball, all the grandkids and a fine Ruth's Chris dinner.

Partial retirement suits me well - can get enough rest and enjoy the slower pace.

In two weeks we go to Yosemite for a few days to attend a medical meeting. Hopefully the roads will be clear.

Carole has tentatively set early September for her retirement as Emergency Department Director - may a cruise afterward.

Stay tuned.