We celebrated Mom's 89th birthday today. We looked at her cards and some clothes I bought her in the morning. After lunch, I went to Kroger and bought a chocolate-fudge cake and Edy's Triple Chocolate ice cream, which we enjoyed after the evening meal. There were just two candles on the cake, an 8 and a 9. Everyone sang to her and seemed to enjoy the "party". Before I left her this evening I asked her if she had a nice birthday. She smiled. Last year when I asked that question, she said, "Uh huh."

Had a short visit with Pat and Steve today. They were headed for the Old Bag of Nails Pub in Grandview to listen to Ryan's best man play his guitar and sing. Apparently he is an accomplished performer. They came here about 4:00 and left about 5:45 to have their dinner and get a table for the 7:00 show. Mom was here when they arrived. We went across the hall at 5:00 and they watched Mom and me eat in her room. We had dinner there because the living/dining area is considerably smaller than it was in 600, and another resident also had visitors. They had some extended family news that Tim and Shirley Hollingsworth will be in Mansfield, I think for a reunion of some of her family. I don't remember when they said it will be.

Mom moved today. She lives in 213 now. Her move was less of a problem than I anticipated, but the total move was hectic with men still working in some rooms and on the two doors to make them secure. It's much nicer with her closer. I brought her over here this afternoon. She watched me check the computer for e-mail and write a condolance note to Rick, Jon and Brad Sowash. We sat outside on the covered entranceway for a while before dinner.

Polly Sowash died on the 14th. Many of you readers won't know who she was, but some will. She used to bring Bradley with her to play bridge with Mom (and other women I don't remember), and Brad and Megan would play together. The note I sent to the funeral home website:
Rick, Jon, Brad,
When I read that your mother had died, I remembered how close she and your father were and that she lived many years without him. That made me recall some words of a song by Woody Wright:
“So don’t weep for me when I cross over death’s sea.
My pain will all be gone, and I will have a brand new song to sing.
. . . .
If you get there first, I’ll join you on the second verse.
And for eternity, you and I will have a brand new song to sing.”
Those, or any other words, won’t take away your sorrow, but the thought of a brand new song may help a little.

Ryan & Robin's wedding

Ryan and Robin were married on Sunday, September 5 in the backyard of their home. It was a beautiful sunny day and Robin looked lovely! Around 115 people came to celebrate their marriage and fun was had by all. Ryan and Robin prepared their own vows and nary a clear eye was to be seen. Then Robin's sister and then Jason, the best man, shared anectotes and again sniffles were heard along with a the gentle breeze.

Jack was hugging Molly (cute) and then Anya showed them how to dip water out of the fountain and water the flowers.

Pat and I are proud of Ryan and we welcome Robin with open arms to our wonderful family!

Robin and Ryan are now enjoying their honeymoon in Barcelona, Spain and then a cruise to Rome, Florence, and the French Riveria.

Move

It's almost 9:30 and time for me to get ready for bed after two long, tiring days. I moved the computer yesterday, and today two men moved everything else here to 332. I still have to put some stuff away, but that can wait until tomorrow. S0 my mailing address has changed, and my phone number is now 614-257-4498.

Aulick

In an interesting conversation and subsequent correspondence between him and an instructor he uses in an ASTM course, Scott discovered the following link:

http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/569.htm

There you will find some interesting information, including photographs taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard on December 26, 1945 of damage done by the suicide attack in November. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. I have written some descriptive words about this, but these chilling photos, especially the one of the rear of Gun 2 and the handling room under it, give viewers a better understanding of the catastrophic event that killed so many men in a small area. Another, of the 40 mm directors, lo0ks much less severe with some holes in the round shields around them. But all three of the ship's officers, who died as a result of the attack, were all in this immediate area. Two must have been hit by the fragments (or others like them) that caused those holes. There are also photos taken in February after repairs had been completed, more while the ship was in the Greek Navy (two of which show it in rough seas) and the last one in the process of being scrapped. Of course, I had no idea such information was available and really appreciate seeing it now.