COVID 19 MASK CONFLICT

THE GREAT MASK DISPUTE AND HAIR

THE ORIGINAL SOCIAL DISTANCER

The Governor shut down barbers for over a month. My hair still grows like mad.

I attempted to recreate my college graduation portrait. Not quite as full and wavy.

COVID 19 PANDEMIC

Stay at home order and gardening

Garden path.

Lush plants in the greenhouse

SPRING FLOODS

Unlucky driver at washout

South Prairie Creek flooding

BEN AND LISA ENGAGEMENT AND WEDDING

Ben and Lisa got engaged in the fall and married December 2019

Engagement photoshoot at Bellevue Botanical Gardens

Marriage ceremony at Seattle City Hall

Reception at a local hotel.

CARIBBEAN CRUISE

The last week of February, we took a Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the Allure of the Seas, the third largest cruise ship in the world. It has shopping malls on three different Floors. We had a fantastic time sailing to Bermuda, Cozumel and the Yucatan.

You can measure the size of our ship with a regular cruise ship.

Circus area for kids                                Park Place                                Royal Promenade

The Highlight of the cruise - visiting Mayan Ruins

KAUAI WRITERS CONFERENCE AT THE MARRIOTT

I attended the writers conference with the intention of pitching a manuscript Ben and I are co-authoring. It's a self-help medical book on bipolar disorder. Hopefully, the book will be published through a brick and morter publishing company. Keep posted for future news.

MARRIOTT COURTYARD

COURTYARD AT NIGHT

HULA SHOW

AUTHORS LUNCHEON

BUSINESS TRIP TO KAUAI (Photobombed by a Chicken)

KAUAI BEACH RESORT

GORGEOUS BEACHES

VIEW FROM 4000'

AWESOME SUNRISES AND SUNSETS

SUNSET DINNER CRUISE BY NAPALI

COOL LIGHTHOUSE

International Speech Contests

March is International Speech Contest month. I needed to complete a High Performance Leadership Project. I chose organizing speech contests. Since I'm participating this year, I can't be a functionary. I was successful in choosing Contest Chairs, Chief Judges and Toastmasters. I gave 5 speeches on judging. For the HPL I also gave two speeches. Including speaking at contests, I've given 10 speeches

I placed 1st at NW Comedy Club, 2nd at Sumner Lifelong Learners and 2nd at Puyallup Valley Voices. Now it's on to Area, Division and District contests. 

Christmas 2018 was a wonderful family time. Lots of food, games and conversation. I'm proud of my children and significant others.

CHRISTMAS STORYTELLING EVENT

I formed a team and we put on a Christmas storytelling event. The stories were very touching. What a great group of tellers.

Elfis helped me sing Silent Night.

RAINFOREST WALK

Today I got away from all the hubbub and took a walk in the rainforest. It's only a 30 min drive from our house with no stoplights or traffic. 

(Click on images to enlarge)

UGLY SWEATERS

Parteee Time. Lots of Christmas parties in December. Getting good use of our ugly sweaters.

POETRY READING

Black Gold Coffee in Black Diamond hosted a poetry reading. I sang a Sasquatch song. 

Published Books

The primary purpose for the blog is about my writing. I've published 18 books so far and am working on more. In addition to writing, I've expanded into storytelling and public speaking. My artistic and photographic skills have also increased with self-publishing

Yuletide Music

Now that Thanksgiving and Black Friday are over, we can turn on the Christmas music and play along. BTW, the elf has come out of hiding.

Thankful on Thanksgiving

Great Thanksgiving table spread. I'm very thankful for opportunities in the United States. 

Chinook Pass

I drove to Chinook Pass for a change of scenery and wasn't disappointed. There's about 4 inches of snow at the summit. It won't be long until they close it for the winter. A couple ravens begged for a handout. Awesome birds.

(Click on images for full screen)