Germany

Yes, I am in a hotel in Stuttgart, Germany celebrating ML KING Day. I had thought of trying to stay with Yvonne, our friend in Frankfurt, but did not have her particulars when I needed it. But has been nice to get over my jet lag over and get my thinking straight on the week..Aachen, Duisburg and Utricht. I am trying to reconnect with old donors and some new ones in relationship to Africa HIV/AIDS.

The weather here is great, like in the 40s..when I left Chicago it was single digits with a terrible wind. When I arrived in Stuttgart they had just finished doing their Mardi Grau parade with people in these wild costumes.. one group walked by dressed like trees covered with leaves. And today the City gardners were out preparing the soil, digging up the soil, pulling out the old plants, etc... spring is just around the corner. That reminds me that baseball is also just around the corner. The Chicago Cubs came close to winning their division! GO CUBS.
Dick

Ron and Shorty visit Amber and Jason!!!

Movie Reviews and cinnamon buns

Hi all....First things first...I DID manage to find a local Borders that had my dream bread book, Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day...and it is incredible. Anyway, using the model that this is all built on, no knead, refridgerated dough.... tried my first sticky rolls...and they were great....honestly I think this is fool proof. Awesome, and thanks Ron and Shorty for the part you played (the gift receipt! yea!!!!).

And to help reduce some local stress, as I was showing up yesterday from working until 3:30 (it was a Saturday), we ran off to a 4:20 movie, and stayed for another....then zipped to an 11:05 movie today. Here's our thoughts on them

The Bucket - (Morgan Freeman, Jack Nicholson) - Lynne loved every minute - because she loves both of these guys. I got lots of chuckles out of it, and was moved during the last 10 minutes -but basically it was miserably done, they were barely moving their little finger s re: 'acting', and it even seemed poorly edited!

National Treasure, etc. - totally a waste of time, actually boring. So how many times can you watch a rock wall close on a group,, then water pour in? Nicholas Cage is a lost cause. And what's with America? all those dumbies flocking to see it? The dumbing down of America.

The Savages - terrific. Philip Seymour Hoffman is becoming my favorite actor. See it.

OK all... what is everybody up to? Wish we could see some of these movies together... How about having a vacation together that's kinda a film festival? might be fun@!!!!

Linda/Mom

Best Escondido Christmas shots!

Hi all...I've randemly (actually blindly...couldn't see what was being chosen) put up some photos here...and will try to email you the whole slide show. What a great time was had by all...thanks Mom for a really super Christmas! You will notice that we ended Christmas dinner not with a whimper but a bang. If you don't know about that story...ask! Anyway, Grama promises to get a new Mixer out of the deal!

Jenny checks in

Howdy all!

Talk about an active family - you have more irons in the fire than anyone else! Very cool to hear what everyone is up to. I'm posting a photo of Andrew and I, since none of you have met him. Also, pics of Lindsey posing next to her "new" used car and of the Jack and Sally pumpkins I painted for Halloween. Will see Lins and my folks on Sunday, before I take them to the airport Monday for their flight to San Diego. Take the golf cart out for a spin for me! Wishing everyone a fun time together and a peaceful New Year!

SO here is a pic of joe and tova who just left after staying with me for about a week to return to minneapolis till January and my roommate steve who also just left tonight for michigan (his home). good times. Also, wanted everyone to know that I had my first committee meeting on sunday with two other woman to start the first ever all green charter school. We are frustrated with the school system and want an opportunity for young people to have a say in an supportive, educational experience. This is a school that will probably not open for another couple years but we are committed to meet every week until it does! hurray! sadly, my program is really hard to run right now because I can't help but feel like i am putting a bandaid on a broken back. Not good. really not good. But I will last the rest of the year- I hope. jk. Am excited for saturday because I go down to SD- HURRAY!

December in Chicago

Katherine, you promised me you would blog your school work and what is going on with your youth. Get your voice out there in the family space that just loves to hear you speak. I am off tomorrow to New York after a big weekend of hosting an International Potluck at our Church. We hosted a couple from Kenya who originally came from the Congo. I talked a friend from Benin and one from the Cameroons ( West Africa) to cook us pounded yams and goat meat plus a couple from Kenya and Sudan to join about 60 from the Church. We had two presentations on HIV/AIDS- Sally did one on Zimbabwe that was a real tear jerker....also produced a check for $150.. may put Sally on the road raising money. Come back this Thursday night and then Friday is my birthday and Sally is taking me to a Chicago Bulls basketball game for my gift.... home for another week and then we go to Atlanta for Xmas with Sally's daughter and a drive to New Orleans on the 26th coming back on the 29th. Will be a lot of sports..best thing about Sally's family..and Tony.
Dick