La Vie Quotidienne, "Oak Park", California

As you know, Dad has been taking photography classes. This weekend CRC sponsored a photography event entitled, "A Day in the Life of Oak Park". Oak Park is an area in Sacramento that has been considered an undesirable place to live for many years, but in the last few years there have been attempts to change the neighborhood environment. I believe this event was in part to help people see the change that has been taking place, along with practicing their photography skills. Students from the local junior colleges, high school, and elementary schools were asked to participate. Everyone was given a T-shirt to identify themselves. Here is Dad in his T-shirt, with camera, ready to go. Dad took lots of pictures. I asked him to pick out a few for the blog. Below, a church tower in Oak Park. The sky is beautiful. It was a great day for a photo shoot. This is an interesting gate. If Dad were writing the blog, he would talk about composition,etc. of which I know nothing about.
An empty parking lot, without its customers. This does make a statement about life in Oak Park.
This is my favorite of a stained glass window in a church. On Saturday evening, one or two photographs were selected from all of the participants in the event and presented in a slide show. This was one of the ones of Dad's that was selected. It has a painterly quality. It would look great on a canvas. (Do you think, Ross?)
Friday was the photo taking event and Saturday a seminar was held at CRC. He heard a lecture from the man who has been a photographer for many of the Presidents, since Gerald Ford (an old guy like us), who talked about his experiences and famous photographs.
All in all, Dad had a great time. He came home safely, with all of his equipment, however, you might want to ask him sometime to tell you the story about the two guys who invited him to step around the corner.

Le club francais, un pique-nique

Last week the MTHS French club had a traditional French picnic. Here are a few of my favorite students enjoying the event. This year's French club has gotten off to a good start. About 21 students in all came. (Of course they come when there is food.) What makes a traditional French "pique-nique"? Well, sparkling cider, croissants, and CHEESE of course. Most of the students tasted Camembert, Brie and Goat cheese from France. They all prefer American cheese however.
One of my students came into class the next day with a piece of cheese left-over from the picnic. He was not one of the students at the picnic, so I don't know how he got the cheese, but he wanted to know which kind it was before he ate it. Where has that cheese been?

Tour de "Elk Grove"

Twice a year Elk Grove draws huge crowds to its large park. In July, the Park is home to the "Strauss Festival", complete with orchestra, dancers, and fireworks. It is quite beautiful.
The other event is Elk Grove's Harvest Festival which takes place in October. The first year that we had the Harvest Festival it was quite small, but in the past few years it has become a well-known event. A prize is given every year for the largest pumpkin entered. I had hoped to take a picture of it, but the battery in my camera died before I got the chance. I believe the winning pumpkin came from Canada and weighed about 1500 pounds.
One other event which takes place during the Harvest Festival is the "Great Pumpkin Race". We missed the race last year, but this year we were able to make it over in time to watch. The contestants hollow out their giant pumpkins and turn them into boats. The first "pumpkin boat" to paddle across the pond and back wins 500 dollars. Don't think it is possible? Take a look.
There were six contestants. One immediately tipped over as the whistle blew, so five boats were in the race. Below is the man who won the race.
Some people like to draw attention to themselves like the clown in the boat below.
We also had a pirate show up. Argh! as Jack would say.
Dad and I wish we could have taken some grandchildren along. But alas, they all live too far away. I hope they at least enjoy the pictures.

La benediction d'Ella

The Blessing of Ella.

Last Sunday Dad and I got up at 4 am and caught a flight to Burbank, California in order to attend Ella's blessing. We arrived about an hour before their church began. Robert's parents had flown in on Friday night before and everyone was getting themselves ready for church. Here is Ella in the dressing gown Andrea made for her. She is taking in all of the action.Jack and Grandpa Bowns both wore red ties for the occasion. Here Jack is giving Ella some assistance.
Pretty good looking family. This was taken after the blessing. Robert gave a good blessing, and Ella squawked a bit during it, but the job was done. She is officially Ella Fewkes.
The traditional family shot after the blessing. Jack didn't want to face the camera so I told him to look at the camera and say "puzzle" (Puzzles are his favorite thing to do.), and he did. Everyone had a good chuckle which is why we all look so happy.
It was a quick trip, but rewarding. We had a great time seeing Andrea and family again and we always enjoy visiting with Robert's parents. What a good way to spend a week-end!

POUR LA DEUXIEME FOIS!!

For the second time! I received this T shirt this week from the Junior Varisity Football team. and it is an exact duplicate of the one I received last year. It is nice to be appreciated. Teaching high school is not easy. As one of my colleagues said, "This job is not for wimps."

Now that I have two of these shirts which I will only wear to school one time, I have been considering the options of what to do with them. Dad and I could wear them on walks or vacations, or better yet, I could give one to Dan and one to Ross and they could be "twins". At any rate, here is a picture of the front also. They are up for grabs. They are a size large, so that one size fits all teachers or other people. Any takers?

Ma petite-fille, Ella

ELLE EST BELLE!

Yes, she is beautiful, Ella Fewkes. Here I am holding her as she sleeps. Dad and I were able to spend almost six days with Ella and Jack (and Drea and Robert, too). We were happy to be able to help, although the parents seemed to have things pretty well under control. Jack tells his little sister "I love Ella" and tries to be gentle with her.
This is my tenth grandchild and the ninth time (Ben & Aubrey make one)I was asked to help out. I am happy that I have been invited and able to do this for all of my children. I can still remember the face of each grandchild as he or she was born and the circumstances of their births. Each visit has been a memory to treasure.

Termine

Termine (with an accent) in French means terminated, which is exactly what happened to Dad on July 31st of this year. He was terminated as in "laid off", "let go", "don't come back to work tomorrow". The interesting aspect to his termination was that he received a personal registered letter from the ultimate Terminator, Arnold Schwarznegger. So what does a man do when he is required to remain home all week? Well, he does things like vacuum, iron, mow the lawn, help his wife set up her classroom, and take lots of pictures. Even better, he is able to spend more time in the garage planning new woodturning ideas. Here he is in the shop. What do you think he is making? You know it is going to be something good. He is a prize winning wood turner as evidenced by a few more ribbons that he picked up this year at the State Fair, with prize money to boot. In fact, a gentleman walked up to Dad and said that he has been an admirer of his for years. So, he has a following. How about that!
Well, here it is. Dad's most recent project. It is a whirl-a-gig. We keep it indoors, but when placed outside the propeller turns and the wooden pieces move up and down. Again, he developed this from his own mind, without a pattern. Amazing! Take that Arnold.!!
When life hands you a lemon, make "lemonade", or in Dad's case, turn some wood. Hopefully, the budget issue will be resolved soon and Dad will return to his retired annuitant's job. If not, there will probably be some more amazing wood pieces coming from his shop soon. ( We may also change to a different political party. This is the second Republican governor to give him the axe. )