Wine tasting at J&M

My friends Sue and Adam came to visit - we saw the sights in Seattle and had a chance to go to JM Cellars. The owner was there that day and gave us a tour - he stuck a wine thief in various barrels and gave us a sampling. It was a neat, small winery - only 4500 cases a year vs the 6.5 million at Chateau Ste Michelle. I highly recommend a visit!!!

We also visited the other Seattle sites, of course, like Pike Place Market and the original Starbucks!

An 18 year-old dream actualized...

OK, I'm not sure if it began when I was 14 or so, but I have been crazy about old trucks ever since I can remember. I learned to drive on a 1972 Chevy 1/2 ton shortbox with a 250 ci inline six and a three on the tree. No power steering. I loved it. It was a rustbucket, so it had to go. So, when I moved out to Washington, I always said that I would look for something. They don't salt the roads out here, so there is more available. But what did I want? I knew that I liked GM (Chevy/GMC) more than Dodge or Ford - easier to get parts. But I do like the 1967-72 design, the 1960-66, and the 1947-1954. My goal was to find a low rust vehicle. I also wanted to find something that ran. Another criteria would be that it was not too tweaked out - I didn't want a big V8, auto, air etc. Ideal would be low rust, sweet design, complete, inline 6, manual transmission, and something intact, but not so nice that you'd be afraid to drive it. Well, as the economy has been down, people have been selling their extras. I sold my 1998 Accord in June 2007 - I have not had my own car since then - I share a care with Marc. I have been looking, looking, looking. I drove a 1968 Chevy which was cool, but with exhaust leak and rust and poor linkage. I also stumbled upon a 1954 GMC - sweet look - but was it for me? I thought about it for two weeks and researched the heck out of it - I was then able to negotiate a price - then it was mine. I love it! It is what I've always wanted (way better than a BMW). Rough, noisy, stinky (like gasoline), and totally me. I love this truck and am so glad that I stumbled upon it. It's totally intact with low rust (almost none), and it's something that nice, but not so nice that I'm afraid to drive it. It will be a love/hate relationship as I have the days when it doesn't start etc., but I'm glad it's mine!!! I'm such a country bumpkin. And this is Part 1 in my story. More to be continued! Mike

Christmas in Nebraska

OK, I know that it's March, and I should have posted those Christmas pics sooner, but that's just life I guess! We went to Nebraska on Christmas Day to celebrate with Marc's family. Christmas Day we were in Lincoln, with dinner at his parent's place. On the 26th, we went to Bow Valley, NE. We had the family Christmas in the basement of the church - potluck, laidback, and about 50 people. Then Dennis and Ruth Ann renewed their wedding vows upstairs with Deacon Sylvan. They were celebrating their 40th anniversary. We also stopped by Marc's grandparents homestead to hang out for a bit. Pics above from top to bottom:
1) Marc, Mike, Loretta, Claudius, and Joel (Marc's grandparents and brother)
2) Ruth Ann and Loretta - mother and daughter-in-law (Marc's mom and grandmom)
3) Mike and Marc in front of the confessional at church
4) Dennis and Ruth Ann with their three kids and Dennis' parents
5) Dennis and Ruth Ann renewing their vows with Sylvan

It was a great time, and I was so relaxed!

In Boston...

Well, my call schedule has been busy, and Marc has been in school, so I have gotten behind in the posting. I will try to do a better job. This last weekend I attend the College of American Pathologists Resident Forum - it was held immediately prior to the United States and Canadian Association of Pathologists (USCAP) meeting. The meeting was held in Boston, and fortunately, the weather was decent. I had a chance to reunite with my friend Eleanor -- we were at Minnesota together for 8 years - 1998-2006. She is now a pathology resident in Boston, I in Seattle. It was great to catch up after 2.5 years and compare notes!