Michael Elliott

It's too bad AZ and CA reservoirs can't pick up your excess.  Water is sorely needed for Colorado River fed lakes.  Amazing how different things are in different parts of the country.

Jerry Labuda

Thanks Doug for bringing this to our attention. Skip thanks for letting us know how bad it really is. We wish the best for you and Nancy and your families and any one else we might know in your areas and hope all will be better in a short time. And Mike is right, we in California could really use the water. Good luck.

Nancy Andersen (Madeira)

Thanks to all of you concerned about the bad weather in Kansas.  I have to confess that while my husband was in  Leawood, Kansas (KC area) dodging the tornados I was in Chicago having a wonderful time with the "girls" (if you can call us that being over 70!) Kathleen Daulton Dacey, Bobbie Bechtold Ryan and Barbara Larsen Cummings.  We had a variety of weather in Chicago.  It went from warm to cool (cold for the west coast girls - notice the new coats in the second photo) we had some rain, but no tornados.  We saw "Hamilton" - fabulous, Second City - very funny and took an architetural  boat tour while in Chicago.  We also tried Chicago hot dogs, deep dish pizza and a wonderful Greek dinner in Greek town.

In the second photo we are taking a photo of the "Bean" in Millenium Park.  What you see is a reflection of us on the "Bean".

Just an update on the Kansas Savanna Rebels.  Skip Johnson and his wife Joy Mae are now neighbors.  They just moved from Hutchinson, Kansas (about 3 1/2 hrs from us) to about five miles from us.  

I was so grateful to have a home and husband to come home to.  

Thanks again for your concern.

Linda Marks (Bird)

Charlie Groh

Nancy you guys look great (how am I not surprised?)...I was just in KC at a VHPA reunion and noticed, from asking locals and Uber drivers, that it's kinda like when a big quake happens out here; most of the damage is localized and the large majority of folks are not hit severely.  That said, on my way to the airport yesterday, my driver pointed out many things, like water where it shouldn't be, or just feet under bridges, or covering the trunks of trees in the low-lying areas.  Truly devastating and my heart goes out to those affected.  

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

You ladies all look like you are having a wonderful time,. Great photos. Glad to hear everyone back home is ok and yes, please do send us the rain.

Bob Clark

The New Chicago Gang! Great photos.  So good to see you!

Mitch Wise

First of all glad that our KS and OK alumni are safe.  Next what a great trip for you "girls".  Sound like a wonderful time.  Writing from Wurzburg GR.     Viking cruise Budapest to Amsterdam.  Will post photos when home in Bordeaux.  

Debby Lahr

Jerry Labuda

It's breakfast time again. We're meeting at the famous Keno's restaurant at 2661 La Palma St near Magnolia in Anaheim on Tuesday June 25th at 9:30 AM. Come on down and join the fun. See you there.

Jerry Labuda

Hello everyone, it's breakfast time again. We're meeting at Keno's restaurant at 2661 LaPalma in Anaheim, near Magnolia on Tuesday July 30th at 9:30 AM. Come on down and join the fun.

Greg Cook

Patience: What you have when there are too many witnesses.

Boomer selfie

Mitch Wise

Always glad to read your latest thoughts

Mitch Wise

Having dinner with Steve and Kayreen Braden this coming Saturday

Richard Maurer

Greg, the boomer selfie is great.  Next time I visit pay telephone booth (right), I will try it.

Richard Maurer

Mitch, the latest vacation photos you posted are great.  A lot of really nice images.  You have a good eye for composition and colors.  Thanks for posting.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

That is wonderful Mitch.Sending love to all!

Linda

Richard Maurer

The Portland International Rose Test Garden is a very large public garden which is administered by the city of Portland.  A lot of care for the roses is provided by volunteers.  More than 10,000 individual rose bushes bloom in the Garden from late May through October, representing over 610 different rose varieties. The majority of roses in the Garden are commercially available. About 10 to 20 varieties are replaced each year with some of the best new roses released onto the market.  There is no admission charge.  If you visit Portland during the summer, the Rose Test Garden is a great place a visit.

I took these pictures in the Rose Test Garden a little earlier this summer.  The pictures show only a fraction of the garden.

Mitch Wise

Very special Richard.   

Mitch Wise

 Enjoyed a nice day with The Bradens.  Been a long time.  Bordeaux was experiencing a heat wave, so had to stop for refreshments a few times.  Dinner at Bistro 1925, one of our favorites her in town.

Bobbie Bechtold (Ryan)

Richard, 

The gardens look lovely! Thank you for sharing your photos. Definitely a destination to add to my calendar when it starts heating up in Arizona next year. 

Linda Marks (Bird)

Jerry Labuda

Thanks for the photos Richard and Mitch, it's great to see the beautiful gardens and high school friends. It's breakfast time again everyone. We're meeting at the Keno's restaurant at 2661 LaPalma near Magnolia in Anaheim on Tuesday August 27th at 9:30 AM. Come on down and have some fun with the rest of us.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

Thank you for the pictures Richard and Mitch. Those roses are gorgeous! I have never visited those gardens but will put them on my list. I have a school meeting tomorrow Jerry but will make the one in October.

Happy Monday everyone!

Richard Maurer

Thanks for the positive feedback about the rose garden photos.  A visit to a peaceful garden can provide a bit of welcome serenity.  The fragrance of roses can certainly be mood altering.  I have read that rose plants were among the few precious belongings that some of the pioneers brought on the Oregon trail as they traveled from St. Louis to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.  Even back in the 1800s, the settlers coming to Oregon wanted to build beautiful gardens in their new homes.