Ashley

My Idol-watching buddy Ashely Caleidoscope . . .

Gicle'e vs. the Yellow Fluff

I'll enjoy this playful kitten stage as long as it lasts. What fun!

My bathroom buddy

OK, OK, I know. I'm a very permissive Mom. Good thing I never had to raise humans! :)

Hummingbird Feeder

We have our hummingbird feeder attached to our kitchen window, which makes for nice close-up viewing. The birds actually perch for awhile when there isn't a video camera in their faces.

Blooming Orchids brighten up the winter

I love orchids. I especially love them when they've been dormant for months, and just when you're about to give up on them, they surprise you by blooming.

They're part of what holds us over as we anxiously await springtime.

Time for more cat videos don't you think?! :)

Some of you may have seen this when I put it on YouTube. The most liked cat toys are always the cheapest. And hey, when you're a kitty, all the world's a kitty toy!

Here's a quick one, but I actually got Ashley to speak on command! I know, I know, for you dog owners, this is no big deal, but for a cat? That's something!

Ice Skating at Union Square in San Francisco after Christmas

Del's "kids", Peter and Kirsten came to spend Christmas in California. My other step"kid", Mary, is still living in Berlin, Germany, and her Mom spent Christmas with her there. Kirsten and Peter and I had a great time skating at Union Square after Christmas. Del opted to be our photographer and got some fun shots. For more, click on the slide show at right.

A Bethlehem Star shines over Dublin/Pleasanton/San Ramon

This is the abbreviated story of Del's Bethlehem Star. See slideshow at right for full story.

It all began with Del's dream and a lot of PVC pipe. My brother Ron is captured here "aiding and abetting" the plan.

Del's vision is taking shape.

Del and Ron painted it black to make it less reflective.

If you noticed your electricity hiccup Thanksgiving weekend, this could have been why. The star has 205 10-watt C-9's. Thank goodness it'll be on a timer.

The crew: Art Amon and sons (& daughter's boyfriend), neighbor Gus, and Chris & Laura Flanders. My brother Ron photographed the event.

A modern day barn-raising, I mean star-raising!

Hoisting it up. So far so good . . .

Oops! PVC is way more flexible than we thought. This was the darkest moment of the day where we began to doubt and to pray really hard!

Well, it's up, but with one broken piece and quite the curve and a floppy top.

Chris Flanders to the rescue.

Finally looking stable from top to bottom.

It was all worth it in the end.

Now Dublin, San Ramon, and Pleasanton CA have a Bethlehem

Star shining in the West to help celebrate Christmas.

Merry Christmas!