First Piano Recital for Aubrey

Our almost seven-year-old granddaughter Aubrey performed in her first piano recital last night (above), and from all reports, she was a resounding success.

Aubrey, a first-grader, has been taking piano lessons this year and finally got a chance to show what she’s learned. Her music? “Recital Waltz.” The photo at right shows her introducing her performance piece.

Though we were not able to be at the Recital, we did have a chance earlier in the week to hear Aubrey perform at home. She’s definitely got some of her Grandma’s keyboard touch. Congratulations, Aubrey!

Grandma asked if she planned on continuing piano studies next year. “Probably not,” says Aubs. Maybe the accolades will change her mind.

Exclamation Point Added to Talli’s Outstanding Frosh Track Season

At a Track awards barbeque Tuesday evening, which we were fortunate to attend, our granddaughter, Talli, an Oregon high school freshman, received a VARSITY All-Conference Award in Track and Field – an elite accomplishment for a first year student-athlete.

She made second team All-Conference in the 3,000 meter run. What a wonderful culmination to her initial year in high school! In all, Talli was awarded THREE varsity sports letters for the year, one in Cross Country, one in Swimming, and one in Track and Field. Wow.

Congratulations, Talli, on an absolutely fabulous year, both as a top academic student and as an athlete! But even more as just a fine all-around person.

End of School Nearing for Granddaughters

Last night we enjoyed a High School Band Concert in Oregon. Granddaughter Talli played the trumpet in the freshman Band Year-End Presentation. A good part of the band is shown above; the performance was wonderful.

You can maybe pick out Talli in the top photo by looking at the photo at left (she’s on the far left); in the top photo she’s in the approximate center. In the photo above, two of Talli's childhood friends, Maressa (front) and Jared, are close by. Talli and Jared were born just a week apart, but all three have been friends for almost 15 years.

Following the band performance, (we left a while after the Freshmen had concluded) I was able to catch a softball doubleheader played by Gregg’s church team. They have what looks to be a good, competitive team; they won the first game by the 10-run rule, but unfortunately got a taste of their own medicine in the second game.

Gregg, at age 41, still looks like he can whack the ball, and he certainly did so a couple of times last night. As I look closely at his photo at left, I see some striking resemblances to his father’s batting stance some 35 years ago. But Gregg is a far better hitter and an astoundingly better fielder. Plus, he has one quality I never had: he can pick ‘em up and put ‘em down!

Baseball apparently is in the Koskela DNA. Music may not be. Talli apparently gets some of her musical gifts from her Grandma K. (a Keethler), and I’ve also heard that her Grandpa H. also plays a horn. Tonight we go to three more "year-end" events. More to come.

More Pics From Our Family Weekend

Just about all of these photos were taken this past weekend by our niece Kate Keethler who was kind enough to post them on SnapFish for us, from where I “stole” them. :-)

Some Koskelas at the Mariners - Giants game. Jamie, Nathan & Doug in front.

Hayley, Gregg, Aubrey, Elaine & Talli at Ballard Locks

Talli, Hayley & Aubrey near Ballard Locks. Are they gorgeous, or what?

Danielle, Kate & Rick Keethler at the M's game.

Kate and her friend Cameron (from Utah) at the M's game.

Aubrey gets the shot just right with Elaine's guidance. At the Ballard Locks.

Gregg and Nathan near the Ballard Locks

BFFs Kay Lynne and sister-in-law Danielle at lunch overlooking the Poulsbo harbor.

The Koskela-Keethler girls: Talli, Kate, & Hayley with Aubrey.

Nathan and Aubrey at Chinook's.

Talli and Nathan at Chinook's.

Hayley and Nathan near the Ballard Locks.

Kate at the original Starbuck's near Pike Place.

The Koskela brothers: Gregg & Doug at the Ballard Locks.

Shilshole Marina near Doug & Jamie's home with Bainbridge Island in the distance.

Fabulous Weekend With Extended Family

This past weekend could not have been better for Kay Lynne and me. The Keethlers were here from Chicago, Gregg, Elaine, Talli, Hayley and Aubrey were here from Oregon, and Doug, Jamie and Nathan completed the group on Saturday to watch the M’s lose to the Giants with one bad inning. Plus, it was Nathan’s first Major League baseball game, and he’s pictured above with mom and dad (pic “stolen” from Jamie’s blog). Below is most of the group at the game. All 13 of us were seated in one long row overlooking the left field line. You can see Aubrey, Nathan and Talli at the far left, and that's Jamie, Doug, Hayley and Kate K. continuing from left to right. Only wish the M’s could have won, as they did win the two games in the series that we did not see.

On Sunday we had brunch at Chinook’s at Seattle’s Fisherman’s Terminal where the SeaStar, one of the boats on the popular TV series “Deadliest Catch,” was holding walk-on tours. Gregg took the photo above, so he’s the only one not in it. It was a fabulous weekend!

Our Extended Family Is Getting Together This Weekend, And It Involves Major League Baseball – What Else?

We’re looking forward to a wonderful weekend with our extended family on my wife’s side.

Kay Lynne’s brother Rick and family (wife, Danielle & daughter, Kate) are flying out from Chicago tomorrow to enjoy the Pacific Northwest for a day or two before R & D leave Sunday for a cruise to Alaska. Kate will stay with us till Monday.

Gregg, Elaine, Talli, Hayley and Aubrey will arrive Saturday afternoon from Oregon just in time to join Doug, Jamie and Nathan, the three Keethlers and Kay Lynne and me at the Mariners-Giants game at Safeco Field. The gathering is all due to Kate K’s creative planning and generosity, for which we are all very grateful.

This will be 8-1/2 month-old Nathan’s first Major League Baseball game. That isn’t exactly a bat in his hand in the photo above, but he’s ready for baseball action, nevertheless. It’s never too soon for a kid’s first game. He’s already been to a Major League Soccer game to see the Sounders.

All 12 of us will just enjoy a rare opportunity to be together as an extended family. And the weather looks like it should be perfect all weekend, including for the game. We’re all looking forward to a time of great enjoyment. I’ll maybe have a report early next week.

Nine Seconds From Going To State As A Freshman

Our Frosh granddaughter Talli, in the District meet last Thursday, ran her best 3,000 meters ever, and she ended up just nine seconds short of making it to the State Track meet of Oregon.

As a Freshman.

Above photo shows how close she came to second place, which would have qualified her for the State Meet. Talli's third place time was 11:15, culminating a remarkable track season.

The next day she ran another PR in the 1,500 meters, finishing fifth with a time of 5:14.

Talli has had a fabulous track season and has shown steady, strong improvement throughout the year. Her 3,000 meter race on Thursday was full of drama, as she closed very strong by overtaking two Tualatin girls, one a sophomore and one a senior, who previously had faster times. She is a very determined competitor!

Congratulations, Talli, on an incredible season!

Talli Finishes Regular Varsity Track Season With a Win and a 2nd

Our high school Frosh granddaughter Talli (pictured above in a meet last month nearing the finish line for a win) completed her first varsity track season Tuesday with a win in the 3,000 meters after coming in second in the 1500 just an hour before.

It was a fitting finish for her fabulous season.

Talli ran a winning time of 11:50 in the 3,000, the only freshman in the meet to outright win a varsity distance running event. Her second place time in the 1500 meters was a very fine 5:27.60.

The only thing left now are District and State events, and I do not know yet if Talli will go to either. In any case, she’s had an incredibly great track season. Congrats, Talli, on a superb effort!

There’s An Empty Chair in Our Circle of Friends

Our beloved friend Sharon Petersen (pictured above with husband, Ted, a little over two years ago in Mt. Hermon, CA), left this earth on Wednesday, gaining freedom at last from the devastating effects of a terrible disease.

Our circle of friends has an empty chair, and we grieve her departure.

Sharon was one of the sweetest ladies you could ever meet, and she fought hard in her more than a decade-long battle with breast cancer. In spite of its ravages, she pretty much lived above it until just the last few months.

Kay Lynne and I have been friends with Ted and Sharon for probably more years than we’d like to admit, but they’ve been wonderful years sharing mutual interests, consistently focused on our respective families and rooted in a common faith. We look forward to continuing that bond with Ted.

Sharon’s memorial service will be Tuesday at their church, Twin Cities, in Grass Valley, California.

“See… I can eat this avocado all by myself!”

Spending a day or two each week with our rapidly growing baby grandson, Nathan, gives us the chance to enjoy occasions like the one shown above. He is very proud of his eating accomplishments!

Above, I think he’s saying, “I’m not going to swallow until you tell me how good I’m doing!”

You can click on either photo for a larger image.

Sure is a wonderful feeling of thanksgiving to see him progressing so well after his imperiled start in the neo-natal intensive care unit as a six-week “preemie”. He’s now approaching eight-months-old (May 8) and is quite the normal little guy in virtually every way.

Two things are especially good. He loves just about any kind of baby food, and he can throw a happy grin clear across the room. Plus, he takes perfect care of grandma and grandpa whenever we go to see him.

What could be better than grandkids (just check out recent posts)? Nada. At least from this old guy’s point of view.

Granddaughter Talli Runs Another PR in 3,000 Meters

Our Frosh granddaughter Talli ran the 3,000 meters in a personal record time of 11:28 this afternoon in Gresham, Oregon at the Centennial High School Invitational Track Meet. Above, fourth from left, she is hitting the stretch and passing people.

My initial understanding is that she ran a very disciplined race and came in 7th. This is VARSITY, folks, and she was running against sophomores, juniors and seniors from all over northern Oregon.

She’s learning fast how to pace herself and position herself for optimum results. She held to her splits really well, and while others initially got a bit ahead of her, she was rapidly gaining ground and passing people on the last lap.

Wow. VERY NICE run, Kiddo! You have a bright future in high school track.

Easter Weekend in Oregon

Just got these pics from Gregg via email. They reflect our fun weekend in Oregon with Gregg and Elaine and granddaughters Talli, Hayley and Aubrey. Gregg gave a great sermon on Sunday (will try to post on it later) and we had a wonderful meal together in the afternoon.

Above is Hayley showing her Easter-appropriate “resurrection” bun; next to her is her friend, Casey. Do you know why the rolls are so named? Because when you bite into one, there is an “empty tomb” inside. Yikes, what you can learn on this blog! Below is Aubrey getting ready to color Easter eggs, and below that is the beautiful finished product.

It was a damp, chilly day and we had to put the dogs outside on the porch for a while during the egg coloring. They begged to come in by looking pitiful at the door. Above is the neighbor’s Pom-Poo, Shadow, at left, Gregg and Elaine’s Jack Russell Terrier, Jack, in the middle, and our Cav, Buddy, The dogs were just like kids – they wanted to be part of the action, too. Their ploy worked.

Major League Baseball Is Finally Underway

Today was opening day for the baseball season—well, yesterday actually was, but there was only one game—and of the teams I follow, the Mariners won, the Cubs won, and the Giants open tomorrow.

Newly re-acquired Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey, Jr. hit his 612th career home run today in Minnesota tieing him with Frank Robinson at the MLB record eight opening day home runs. That’s more than Mays, Mantle, Bonds or Aaron ever hit in all their openers. Photo above shows him being welcomed back into the M's dugout following his shot.

Looks like a great baseball year is in the works. Don’t know how many early-season Mariners games we’ll get to, but two are on the horizon – a late May game against the Giants and a late June game against the Padres, both during interleague play.

There is nothing like the Springtime aromatic mixture of freshly graded dirt, sprouting green grass and a newly-oiled leather mitt. If you’ve played the game, you know what I mean.

“Unusual” Weather

We have a chance for snow tonight, even at sea level, for the 15th time during the past year, says the TV news. What you see above is pretty much how it looks outside today.

Most “unusual,” to say the least.

We’ve only lived in the Puget Sound area for five years, but we’ve not experienced a “normal” weather year yet.

Our son, Doug, and his wife, Jamie, will be at the Sounders game tonight at Qwest Field. If the white stuff does come, I wonder how you follow the soccer ball in it?

We Were There As Seattle Began Major League Soccer With A Win

I was fortunate enough to be a part of a major sports event last night, thanks to my son, Doug. He invited me to attend the inaugural game of the Seattle Sounders, who shut out last year’s runner-up MLS Champs, the New York Red Bulls, 3-0.

The pic above is a composite super wide-angle shot of Qwest field, taken by a friend of Doug’s, just as the second half was about to begin. It was an incredible game, and our seats were very near where this shot was taken. Doug and his wife, Jamie, have season tickets, but Jamie was unable to attend last night.

I’m no expert in soccer, but by any standard, it was an outstanding game. Seattle’s rapidly-rising, 21-year-old star striker, Colombian Fredy Montero, scored early and scored late, with a third goal sandwiched in between, as the Emerald City team showed no fear nor intimidation.

The Sounders came out aggressively and controlled the ball for most of the first half. Possession was more even in the second half, but the Red Bulls could not muster a score against the popular veteran Seattle goalie, Kasey Keller, a native of the Puget Sound area.

The Sounders are the most successful franchise ever to enter the MLS with (a capped at) 22,000 season tickets sold. Last night’s attendance was 32,523, filling to capacity the entire lower bowl of Qwest Field. Soccer (football) is said to be the "world game," and it looks like Seattle has become a key part of it here in our country.

Thanks, Doug, for a great experience and a plain old good time!

Great Start For Talli’s Track Season

Our high school Frosh granddaughter, Talli, opened her track season yesterday on the varsity team by winning the 3,000 meter event and placing third in the 1,500. All against sophomores, juniors, seniors and a few other freshman.

Way to go, Talli!

Pic above shows her nearing the finish line in winning the 3,000 fairly easily. “I probably could have done better,” she said, “but I was just trying to get a feel for the pace in a longer race.” She had never run a 3,000 meter race before on a track, though she had run 5,000 meters in cross-country last Fall.

The meet was a dual 6A school meet against Reynolds, a large school in the eastern burbs of Portland. Sure looks like it’s going to be a great spring running season for her.

Today, she’s on her way to Mexico for a Spring break missions trip where almost 90 kids and adults will build three homes in a needy border town. We’ll keep her especially in our prayers for the next 10 days.

Happy 12th Birthday, Hayley!

We had fun over this past weekend visiting Gregg, Elaine and our three granddaughters in Oregon and celebrating the 12th birthday of granddaughter, Hayley (above). Click on the photo for the full benefit. Her actual birthday was a week before, but she was at a Bible Quiz event in Idaho at that time.

Hayley is an amazing young lady. She is sweet, smart, very athletic, and as tech-savvy as they come. Her outer beauty is simply a reflection of what is inside, and we are all very proud of her.

To celebrate her birthday, she had three of her close friends at her house for a sleepover in the RV on Friday night, followed by a big pancake breakfast served up by Dad on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, we got there a bit too late to enjoy Gregg’s tempting flapjacks, but we did have a nice time seeing Hayley and her buds having fun before her guests went home early Saturday afternoon.

Then in the evening, Dad and mom treated us all to a birthday dinner at a nearby baseball-themed restaurant called Li’l Cooperstown. The eatery is filled with baseball photos and memorabilia sort of like the real Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It was great fun.

We capped the weekend by attending church yesterday, and Gregg delivered another very incisive sermon. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do a post on it sometime in the next few days. Here’s an advance peek at the headline: “Go… and be the Church.”

ADDENDUM - 3/17/09 ---

Pic below of beautiful baby Hayley was taken on the day of her birth in 1997. This is really frightful a) to see how much Kay Lynne and I have aged in 12 years (me, mostly), and b) to note that neither of us wore glasses then (now we both wear tri-focals) and both of our hair colors have changed since then (naturally, of course). That's cute little Natalie (Talli now), almost three then, in the lower right.

When It's Nice Here, It's Simply Spectacular

The Pacific Northwest has a singular, incredible quality.

When it's nice, it's also spectacular.

I took the above photo around noon today from a front window. It's pretty much self-explanatory. Click on the photo for a larger, full-effect image, if you'd like. But how long it'll last is always the big question.

Nevertheless, it's a wonderful place to live, if only for the days that look like this.

MLB Spring Training Is In Full Swing, and Nathan’s Ready To Go!

Our grandson Nathan will be six months old a week from Sunday, but he’s already set for baseball season. He’s looking very happy, dapper and “into it” in his Mariners outfit and socks.

The pic was taken earlier today by either Doug or Jamie. Mom and Dad sure know what the little guy likes to wear. Think Nathan’s gonna be a sports nut like everyone else in his family? You bet!

Looks to me like Nathan is totally ready to watch the very first M’s exhibition game on TV, which is coming up soon.

There’s a good chance Grandpa could be right there with him.

The Local Orcas Are Dying Off – And This Is Thought To Be Why

Last summer, when friends were here from California, we had what we thought was a fabulous day out on the Straits of Juan de Fuca, watching local pods of Orca (killer) whales frolic in their domain. I snapped the above photo from the boat we were on.

Apparently, according to an opine in Sunday’s Seattle Times, we did a bad.

Mark Anderson, chairman of an organization called Orca Relief, says that when Orcas are already faced with a dwindling food supply (salmon migration numbers in the Sound are down), they suffer significant additional metabolic stresses when boats like the one above (and the one we were on) venture in and out of their immediate habitat.

The result is that normal stresses in these beautiful creatures are exacerbated to the point where the pods are losing key family members at an alarming rate, including breeding females. Anderson would like to see excursions like the one we took totally banned on the Sound, but that may be a bit too strong. A better way might be to increase awareness.

The emerging dilemma, he points out, is that new science has shown that the stresses specifically caused by whale sight-seeing boats is accelerating Orca starvation. The whales have to swim faster, dive deeper, and travel longer routes to get food, all while trying to avoid the daily boat harassments. These excursion boats, even now, operate on “the edge” of current federal law.

The solution, he says, should be obvious.

Of course the elimination of these trips would likely cause some economic hardships in the short term, due to the potential loss of tourist dollars. But the greater danger, he worries, could be a tourist catastrophe when the Orca whales are no longer here.

You Don’t Train Them; They Train You

We’re the humans and he’s the animal, right? So, who is in charge?

If you have a pet – especially a dog or cat – and you think you’re the one who controls things, you may want to give that some additional thought. Here’s what I mean…

This morning Kay Lynne was at a ladies’ function at church. I was reading (dozing, actually) in my recliner when Buddy, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, nudged my leg. He’s a great dog in that he doesn’t bark or tug at your pants when he wants to tell you something. He just nudges your knee.

I looked at the clock, and, sure enough, it was exactly the time we usually start to prepare lunch. But grandma wasn’t home, and I wasn’t paying attention to him. I explained to him that we’d eat in a short time as soon as she got home, and he finally accepted it and laid down.

I then remembered some similar behavior this past week. Our daily routine following lunch, if we’re home, is that I go down to my office to continue whatever I was doing, and Kay Lynne retreats to her work area in our bedroom. One day this week I happened to change the routine.

Buddy immediately came over and nudged me and whined a bit. At first I didn’t put together what was going on. But a little later when I finally went to the office, he plopped himself down beside me with a sigh. I suddenly got it.

Now that I think about it some more, he often even likes to anticipate what we’re going to do and beat us to it. After lunch, he’ll pick either where Kay Lynne will be or where I’ll be, and he’ll go sit by the appropriate door and wait. He's an "equal opportunity" dog, alternating his time with his “persons.”

Our little Bud knows exactly what should happen and when it should happen.. And if it doesn’t, he kindly lets us know.

So, who runs the show? I think we all know.

It’s Over! (Till Next Time)

Well, the snow is over. But only, I suppose, until it decides to return.

The photo above is basically the same view from my office window as the one in the previous post. Of course the difference is obvious. Today we are enjoying beautiful sunshine and the temp could get up to just about 50 degrees. Woohoo!

Sorry, you California friends (who are in the midst of a monster storm off the Pacific). Turnabout is fair play.

Plus, it’s a holiday. However, not everyone is off work. Enjoy it if you are. Hmmm… wonder if it’s time to check the fishing reports.

It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

This is what it looks like right now from my office window. Click on the pic for full effect.

Just goes to show, “it ain’t over till it’s over”.

Today Was Nathan’s Baby Dedication

Our grandson Nathan was dedicated in the Christian faith today. As it happened, he turned five months old on this day also. As the minister, with a light touch, traced the mark of the cross on Nathan’s forehead, the little guy took it all in with his typically gracious demeanor.

I was not able to get any photos of the actual ceremony because, first, it was a worship service, and secondly, both sets of grandparents were standing up with Nathan and his parents in front of the congregation. This photo we took several days ago at his home where he gave us his “I’ve been really good; can I have a cookie?” look.

He sure is a charmer.

Church bodies observe the dedication rite in a variety of ways. The basic intent is that the child is welcomed into a nurturing community of love within his or her local parish. In this way, parents, grandparents, family and members of the congregation together agree and commit to participate in helping to raise the child in faith.

Today was Nathan’s day to be presented to God. Luke chapter 2 tells of baby Jesus himself at a very young age being taken to the Temple for the same purpose. Our prayer for Nathan, as has been our prayer for our own sons and for all of our grandchildren, is that he, and they, will grow up in the knowledge and wisdom of God, acknowledge the provision of salvation for them, and live their lives in the faith, as God would guide them.

Thanks be to God.

Wonderful “Duty”

Kay Lynne and I are in the big city for much of today. Our “duty”? Taking care of our almost-five-month-old grandson Nathan while mom Jamie and dad Doug have concurrent work demands. Grandma and grandpa just hate it when that happens. :-)

Plus, I needed a good excuse to get this picture of the little guy on the blog. It was taken a couple of weeks ago just before mom took him out for a walk. Is he a cute little guy, or what?

Looks like Nathan is going to be a morning person, joining his cousin Aubrey and his mom as the only ones of 10 in our immediate family who enjoy watching the sun come up. Except on fishing days, of course.

After mom and dad had gone, Nathan very animatedly told us story after funny story, and then laughed at his own humor. He’s an absolute kick, and we’re very much enjoying our “assignment.” Right now he’s sound asleep on grandma’s lap. He’s growing like a weed and is a happy, engaging baby.

Our dog Buddy, on the other hand, is relaxing at home, but he’s a little miffed that he didn’t get to come along this time. He’ll be fine.

Where Did the Week Go?

I can’t believe it’s been a full week since I last posted. There must be something out of whack when you’re retired and time seems to fly faster than when you were working full time. Or do we just “slow down” when we age, and the passing of time is simply relative?

When we lived in California and asked the question “Where’d the time go?” the popular answer was “Aromas” (pictured is a farm there, and, btw, score ten points – other than Californians – if you know where it is). In Oregon, the response was, “Heppner” (anyone know where that is?). Here in Washington I’ve heard both “Humptulips” and “Forks” as west of the Cascades replies; on the east side “Edwall” comes to mind (watch for a comment soon to appear below).

All are real places where, supposedly, due to their remoteness and lack of connection with urban activity, time is not perceived as being a factor in daily life. I suppose we could spend much too much of that precious commodity trying to figure out if it’s us who are slowing down or time which is speeding up.

My father used to often observe that “time waits for no person” (he actually said, “time waits for no man” but I’ve “gender-neutralized” it to be hip and bring it up to date). No matter, though; time is still getting away from me.