We Get By...

To say the least, it's been an overwhelming week. In the midst of heavy times, there are moments of lightness to let us know that life will indeed go on in all its splendor.



For the last 12 years she was his queen Elsie. A tip of tiara to you, Elsie.

Mountain Climber

Dad made it to Camp Muir (10,000 ft level of Mt. Ranier) twice. Once with my mother and others. The second time was with Bruce, I think. He was in his 60's the second time. This is what he would have seen. He was always an adventurer.

Edward Curtis "Ted" Wilson

Edward “Ted” Wilson, 83, died peacefully on Feb. 24 at Medical College of Georgia with his wife and children by his side. A memorial service will celebrate his life at 2:00 PM on Friday, Feb. 27 at South Aiken Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Christopher Crotwell officiating. Inurnment will take place at St. James Episcopal Church Columbarium, Kent, WA. Ted was born in Baudette, MN to the late Joseph Herbert and Dorothy Curtis Wilson. He was a WWII Navy Veteran, Graduated from University of North Dakota, and moved to Aiken eleven years ago after retiring from the Airline Business. He was a member of South Aiken Presbyterian Church, Mason, York Rite, and Eastern Star. Ted was also a dedicated community volunteer with the Hospital Auxiliary and Meals on Wheels. His life was defined by active endeavor and intellectual curiosity, and his interests included travel, reading and beekeeping. Ted was the loving husband of Elsie Lampey McCalley-Wilson and beloved father of Monna Maddy and her husband Brian, Mill Creek, WA, and Jim Wilson and his partner, Bill Grant, Canton, GA. Step children include Mary Herron and her husband Tim, North Royalton, OH and Kevin McCalley and his wife Crystal, WI. Other survivors include; grandchildren: Jill Randall, Brandon Maddy, Jennifer Herron, James Herron, Jennifer Jack, Gunthar McCalley; great grandchild, Tatum Randall; sister, Joyce Balcom, Bend, OR; and brother, David Wilson, Auburn, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to one of Ted’s favorite causes: Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund, 390 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801. University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801. Shellhouse Funeral Home, 924 Hayne Ave., Aiken, SC.

Funeral Home Guest Book

For Dad and his love of musicals.

Ted Wilson

I'm sad to report that Ted passed away today around 12:10 PM. Elsie, Jim and Monna were at his side, and he died peacefully. There will be a memorial service in Aiken, SC on Friday, and I will post the details as soon as we have them. As I was telling Elsie this afternoon, when I hear the phrase "a life well lived," I think of Ted...

Sad News

I hate to post this news, but Ted Wilson is gravely ill and is not expected to make it. Elsie called Jim early this morning on their way to the hospital. Ted had a massive blood clot, or similar, develop in his brain. He has been placed on a ventilator. Monna and Jill are in route from Seattle, and I will pick them up and drive them to the hospital in Augusta to say their good byes. According to Jim, they will disconnect Ted from the ventilator after that – per his wishes. Jim and Elsie are with Ted now. We will post more details as they develop, but please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.

Curling and Carding in Fargo

Even though we got very sad news about Calvin in Fargo, we managed to have a great time! Like they say, it's "Always Warm" in Fargo, and the hospitality lives up to the slogan. Thanks to Bob, Tonya and Theone for the food, fun and festivities. Here are a couple of videos of the "action." One is of Jim throwing a rock (or whatever they call it), and the second is of one of Theone's, Jim's and Tonya's bidding war in a game of Pinochle. Sorry we have to go back early, but we look forward to next year's Bonspiel doncha know!

Sadness

Calvin - 08/1994 to 02/21/09

Calvin died last night. Our vet, Dr. Gregg, called this morning to tell me that Calvin had passed away. We boarded Calvin and Leo at the vet this weekend as Calvin's health has been so erratic. He has been sick for a few weeks with several different problems. For those of you who have met him, I am sure you'll remember how much he talked. He was especially adept at getting people to give him treats. He and his brother Leo moved from Seattle to Atlanta with me in January 1996. Calvin is responsible for converting Bill into a cat person.

I will really really miss Calvin.

Bonspiel Update

Well, the bonspiel has gotten off to a "rocky" start. We won't talk in specifics or give and 8 end (I mean 6 end) play-by-play. Things didn't go so well for team Omdahl, however, this morning at 10 we have our second game and we'll be ready for them. We had a bunch of snow yesterday but looks like it might be clear and a bit cold today.

Neglect

I have been a little neglectful of the blog lately. I think it's the February doldrums along with a stressful business climate. We got some good news today. At least someone wants to spend some money. Anyway, look for posts from this weekend's bonspiel in Fargo. I can hardly wait to throw the rocks again. Bill is coming with me this year. I am sure Theone will appreciate having a partying buddy. Tonya says it is not going to be cold. This is Tonya's idea of warm

Sorry, Tonya, that is not warm!!!

Spring Tease

Quince Blossom - 1 Britt - Feb 15, 2009

Happy Heart Saturday

Tonya's Thursday Night Optimism

Delivered by a diva, nonetheless...

Communicating Hope

Michelle and I are so pleased to be here to renew and rededicate this hallowed space. We know that Ford's Theatre will remain a place where Lincoln's legacy thrives, where his love of the humanities and belief in the power of education have a home, and where his generosity of spirit are reflected in all the work that takes place.

It has been a fitting tribute to Abraham Lincoln that we've seen and heard from some of our most celebrated icons of stage and screen. Because Lincoln himself was a great admirer of the arts. It is said he could even quote portions of Hamlet and Macbeth by heart. And so, I somehow think this event captured an essential part of the man whose life we celebrate tonight.

As commemorations take place across this country on the bicentennial of our 16th President's birth, there will be reflections on all he was and all he did for this nation that he saved. But while there are any number of moments that reveal the exceptional nature of this singular figure, there is one in particular I'd like to share with you.

Not far from here stands our nation's capitol, a landmark familiar to us all but one that looked very different in Lincoln's time. For it remained unfinished until the end of the war. The laborers who built the dome came to work wondering whether each day would be their last; whether the metal they were using for its frame would be requisitioned for the war and melted down into bullets. But each day went by without any orders to halt construction - so they kept on working and kept on building.

When President Lincoln was finally told of all the metal being used there, his response was short and clear: that is as it should be. The American people needed to be reminded, he believed, that even in a time of war, the work would go on; that even when the nation itself was in doubt, its future was being secured; and that on that distant day, when the guns fell silent, a national capitol would stand, with a statue of freedom at its peak, as a symbol of unity in a land still mending its divisions.

It is this sense of unity that is so much a part of Lincoln's legacy. For despite all that divided us - north and south, black and white - he had an unyielding belief that we were, at heart, one nation, and one people. And because of Abraham Lincoln, and all who've carried on his work in the generations since, that is what we remain today. Thank you, and good night.

Our President at the rededication of Ford's Theater

Mid-Week Optimism for Tonya

Here's more Tonya!

Monday Night Optimism

for Tonya

oh-oh

Job Losses

Blue - 1990 recession
Red - 2001 recession
Green - today - ouch

Saturday Evening Rock

Kinda like it

Saturday Morning Cover

Enjoy

Old Cat Blogging II

Calvin is home and feeling fine. He ate wet and dry food, greenies and his pill pocket with his thyroid medicine in it. Cats are very resilient.

Old Cat Blogging

I posted awhile ago about Calvin and his hyperactive thyroid. We got that under control. However, he was still losing weight and was having trouble eating. So, three trips to the Vet later, we think we have that problem under control. He had dental surgery today. They took out a tooth that had a broken root - ouch. He also has a growth on his jaw bone but it does not appear to be cancerous or problematic. He is spending tonight at the vets so they can monitor him. I guess this all goes along with getting old.

Here's a little Madonna for you

And, we can all use a little light right now