I still dig Dean.

Democratic goals for America:

According to Howard Dean: 30 Second Version:


"One: American jobs that will stay in America, using energy independence to generate those jobs. Two: a strong national defense based on telling the truth to our citizens, our soldiers and our allies. Three: Honesty and integrity to be restored to government. Four: A health care system that works for everybody just like they have in 36 other countries. Five: a strong public education system so we can optimism and opportunity back in America."

Possum

Possum
Originally uploaded by NickP.

Possum

Possum
Originally uploaded by NickP.

Bigger family!

Bigger family!
Originally uploaded by NickP.

The Peters are now joined with the Elkanich Family through our new godson Noah. He has shining eyes and has mastered the frog position already.

laid off.

As these things happen, so it goes.

Looking for work again. At least this time it is in an economy on the rise. I have heard about at least 3 great jobs already from friends.

looking forward to spending a few days with the dogs.

Old man of the sea.

Bob was a cruising buddy who I admired. He was full of laughter and was a genius.


Robert D. Isaak

Robert D. Isaak, 84, a lifetime man of the sea, passed away while swimming in Kauai, Hawaii on December 25, 2005. Born in Spokane, Washington January 1, 1921, son of William James and Ethel Deets Isaak. He received a B.S.in engineering at the University of Colorado in 1943 and his M.S.E.E.. in 1949. He married Margie Allen in 1944 in Akron, Colorado. He and Marge have been Ballard residents for the last 30 years. Bob served as a Lieutenant in the US Navy 1944 to 1946, and the Naval Reserve. An Instructor in Engineering at the University of Colorado from 1947-1952, he then moved to the US Naval Electronics Lab in San Diego in 1952 advancing to head of the sonic sonar and countermeasures division. In 1968 Bob was appointed the Director of Engineering at the Marine Systems Center at Honeywell, Inc. Seattle with assignments in Kiel, Germany and Bath, England. He retired in 1986 to ski, sail, swim, travel and tinker. Bob continued to ski through this fall, often with the "old bats on slats" group, and enjoyed boating with a group of Nordic Tug owners. He served as Scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America, was a Member of I.E.E.E.,Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Pi Sigma, Eta Kappu Nu, the Presbyterian Club, the San Diego Yacht Club (where he built his own 26-foot Thunderbird sailboat). Bob was an active participant in the Corinthian Yacht Club where he and Marge celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May 2004. Robert Isaak developed acoustical communication and sonar detection equipment, digital computers, and digital signal procession (resulting in more than 5O patents and professional articles.) Bob received the Alumni of the Century award from University of Colorado in 1977, accepting with a speech entitled: "Nothing Can Be Uninvented." Characteristic of his work was the development of an acoustic automatic station keeping systems for sensing the environment and controlling an unanchored drilling ship so that it will stay precisely over a hole which is being drilled at the bottom of the ocean. In 1994, he was awarded the University of Colorado's Centennial Medal. He also appeared in various editions of Who's Who (most recently Who's Who of American Men and Women in Science). He is survived by his wife and children including Robert Allen Isaak (his wife Gudrun, and children: Sonya and Andrew), Marilynn Lee Ludwig (her son Donovan, her husband, Richard, and his son Eric) and James DeWitt Isaak (his wife Leonora, their daughters Michelle and Elaine, as well as Elaine's daughter Laurel). Memorial service to celebrate the life of Robert D. Isaak will be held Jan. 3rd, 1-3:30 at the Northwest Christian Church, 7503 18th Ave. NW. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle Millionaires Club, or the Boy Scouts of America are suggested.

23 days of rain

Really, it doesn't rain that much here. This is a lie that we tell the folks from out of state when they come to visit. Ok... maybe not a lie. Today is the 23rd day of rain that we have had in a row. 10 days short of the record set in 1953. I don't know... the way things look it isn't going to be stopping anytime soon. Looks like Denis and I will have the snow cover we need for our Mt. Baker trip at the end of the month.

Denis' ma passed away on Sunday night after fighting cancer since we were in college. She was an amazing woman, a poet who translated Neruda, a teacher, a wild spirit, a fighter. Denis takes after her in so many ways. I am glad that she isn't hurting anymore and she can rest. The weather feels appropriate to all the loss we have had this season.


Teresa Gail Anderson

Teresa Gail Anderson died on January 9, 2006, at her home in Starrucca, PA after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. She died in comfort and peace surrounded by her husband, son, and sister.
Teresa (Terri to many) was born on April 14, 1944, in Hays, Kansas, the first daughter of Marguerite and Clair Anderson. Her childhood was spent in Indiana and Oklahoma. She was a gifted musician, mastering voice, piano, organ, clarinet, and bassoon. Her skills with language were apparent at an early age and she became fluent in Spanish and French. Teresa graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma, earning a Master's Degree in English.
She was an inspiring teacher who introduced many children to the beauty and power of language and the many cultures represented by them. She was a prolific poet finding inspiration in her ancestry, the natural world, and an intense desire for social justice. She served as the official English translator of the posthumous works of Pablo Neruda. Her beautiful poetry has been printed in various publications throughout the years and her work was recognized by many arts organizations around the country.
It is not possible to talk of Teresa without recognizing the dignity and grace with which she faced cancer for more than a decade. Her strength and unsinkable hope for the future was her gift to those who loved and cared for her, making her final journey easier for us all.
Teresa is survived by her husband, Michael Smith; son Denis McCarthy, his wife, Katherine, and two grandsons, Calvin and Desmond of Eugene, OR; sister Joyce Buckner and brother-in-law, Mel of Tulsa, OK; and nephew Jeff Long of Ft. Worth, TX. Her loyal cats, Mo, Goldie, and Coots will also miss her.
Visiting hours are 6 to 8 on Friday, Jan. 13 at Hennessy Funeral Home in Susquehanna. The funeral is Saturday, January 14, at 1:00 at Christ Episcopal Church in Susquehanna. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Teresa's special and varied interests, those who wish can donate to Christ Episcopal Church, Susquehanna or give to the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice (email info@rachelcorriefoundation.org).

Noah

Noah
Originally uploaded by NickP.

This is our new godson, Noah John Margolis Elkanich. He is beautiful. Linda and I are very sad to be missing his bris today.

I sense we will be driving to Portland more often now.

YAY!