A Busy Day...And Meanwhile On the Other Side of the World.....

Yesterday was a very busy day at work....Helping students prepare their research for their final spring papers, students in the library all day getting ready for History Day competition...boxing up materials for transfer to other schools...the usual desk work...well, it all became a blur about 1:00 pm. My dear friend came by my office to share her lunch and have a chat...God is good! I needed that half hour to sit, enjoy some delicious food and talk with a good friend.

All day in the back of my mind was the horrific events that are occurring right now on the other side of the world in Japan. Seeing the pictures and videos of the earthquake/tsunami on television before I came to work left me both in awe and in absolute horror. Especially striking was the video of the tsunami moving like a freight train over the well manicured farms and villages, taking with it untold numbers of farm animals, houses, cars and undoubtedly people.
Very little sound...its not needed..... Certainly something that I have never seen the likes of in my lifetime. Even worse than the Indonesian tsunami (if that's possible!).

This morning we gave a donation to the American Red Cross for disaster relief for Japan. I urge EVERYONE to make a donation to this cause through whatever charity or method you support.

It may not be much but it might help someone in dire distress or sooth a frightened child, or provide a meal for an old person or provide a bed for someone who has lost everything.

We live our secure lives here not thinking that such a thing can happen to us. But one look at the damage on the California coast from an event over 3000 miles away should give us pause.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan. God bless them and give them comfort.

American Red Cross: http://american.redcross.org

Great Dinner - Great Friends

Last night Dan and I had dinner at Vince's (our local spaghetti house) with about 28 people, all members and/or spouses of Pomona High's class of 1965. I was really surprised that that many folks turned out for the get-together. We all had a great time with lots of talking and catching up. Its great to see these people visit with one another like it is still high school. Most of them grew up together and went through all the grades together, so they are life-long friends. The top picture is a shot of the length of the table from my vantage point.

I also saw a dear friend there celebrating a family birthday with her family. Many, many years ago I was involved with Pomona's Valley Community Theater and met and worked with some wonderful people there. Well, two of those great people were Ronnie and Jack Fisher. I did lots of shows there over the years and enjoyed working with Jack on several productions. Sadly, Jack passed away a few years ago. But Ronnie is doing great and now all her children are grown with grandchildren and even a few great-grandchildren. She was there last night and I got to give her a hug and take some pictures with her...Fun--fun---fun. That's a picture of Ronnie and her beautiful daughters above.

I was reminded by my sister-in-law Jane, whom I also saw yesterday that retirement should be nothing but fun! The word she used was "freedom." We all had lunch together - they live in Maryland and we don't get to see them very often, but we always enjoy it when they are here. I concur with Jane's words, and am looking forward to it immensely. I have 119 days left as of today!