Son Will's New Motorcycle

Son Will drove down from San Jose on his new bike and we "did" lunch. I of course had to get a picture and got one with a nice bouquet.

Prayer Request for Shawn Wilson Deploying to Iraq Tonight

My nephew, Sgt Shawn Wilson of the 10th Mountain Division, deploys to Iraq this evening. The family is of course greatly concerned for him and hopes that all who know him and us keep him in their prayers.

For My Nephew Shawn Who Deploys to Iraq Next Month - We Are Proud of You

Well, we are getting close now, and the Wilson family is acutely aware of the troops this Christmas.

Hug your soldier, pray for him and his comrades.

A Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.


The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.


The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.


Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.


"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..


To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.


No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.


I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.


I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."


" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."


Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Welcome to the World Logan Michael Wilson

Mike and Nikita's bouncing bundle of joy.

We had a lovely evening in Sacramento last night and it was a joy to make my grandson's acquaintance.

CPS (California Photo Services) Roll Out

Yesterday was the roll out of California Photo Services and it was celebrated with grand affair at the home of the proprietor of the business, my son, Will Wilson. Will and I frequently work together on such things as special events and weddings. He also has an amazing gift for studio work in addition to his fine art work.

God luck and God bless you and your endeavor Will.

Takk fur Alt

My "second mom" passed away peacefully last Wednesday evening in her own bed in her own home of some 30 years. We are all going to miss her. I made a little slide show celebrating christines life which can be found here.

Happy Fathers' Day "Gampa!"

Fathers'Day could not have been any better. I was at son Will's home for Fathers' Day, and granddaughter Ava grciously offered to pose for us. (She is a total ham.)Will shot quite a few pictures and then asked if I would like to do so. Heck yes! Will tossed a few flowers for Ava to catch, and well ... this is what happened.

Sad Day Here

We are awaiting the passing of Christine Mason, daughter of Norway who is in her 92nd year. She was my "other mom" all those years ago back in Connecticut. We all were reuntied here in California a few years ago. It is sad to watch her sinking.

Anita, Christine's daughter, promised she would not leave her mother to pass in a nursing home. Christine is resting peacefully in her own bed as the end approaches. Anita kept her promise.

Farewell, Christine, good and faithful servant of God.

Things are about to get very busy, so I'll put out my Chrisrmas wishes now.

Anita, Christine and I will be doing Christmas Eve here at the old homestead. A traditional Norwegian fish feast (perhaps with some local Dungeness crab?), opening gifts and then off to the Lutheran Church for midnight services. All very nice stuff.

Then we will be off Christmas Day to San Jose and Will's family for more gift giving and feasting... especially with granddaughter Ava. This will be the first Christmas that really means anything to her, so it should be fun for all, especially her.

So, here is hoping all have a joyous Christmas, and remember, be grateful for what you have!

This picture is of a lodge near the Sierra summit at Donner Pass. A beautiful spot, especially on a sunny day after a snowfall.

Donner Pass in The High Sierra - Let's Go for a Ride

Last year at Christmas time son Will and I went up into The High Sierra near Donner Pass. It was one of those "memory making" days that you carry with you the rest of your life, nothing big, just a very good time. It was a combination of great company and a great place. We need to do that again.

Road Trip!

As we are all emerging from the dreaded turkey coma, it's time to get out and about for a bit. Today we are heading up the Salinas Valley and over the hills to the remote Mission San Antonio, then on to Paso Robles, on to the coast at the very southern end of Big Sur near San Simeon and then back up Route 1. The whole thing ought to be just over 200 miles of scenic glory.

This enterprise reminded me of one of those movies that marked my generation, "Animal House." I'm smiling just thinking about it. "Knowledge is Good." :)

We all know that Christine, 92 year old Alzheimers gal, will moan and groan the whole way. But hey, life goes on.

Gotta Love that Boy!

Will was doing some serious work in Photoshop... I have no idea how he does this stuff, and sent this to me. As Crocodile Dundee might have said, "THIS is a logo."

Fall Afternoon with Will at Big Sur

Saturday Will and I headed out for the cliffs of Big Sur overlooking the Pacific. It was a glorious late afternoon with a sharp onshore breeze driving a large surf. It was cool, windy and great fun.

Here is Will with his rig sitting in the ice plants on the cliff above me. I think it has plasma hyperdrive and photon torpedos. My gosh, what a lovely machine it is. (The kid ain't bad either.)

A Day with Granddaughter Ava

A day with Ava is a day filled with sunshine.

Son Will and I took Ava to the park on Thursday. "Swiiiiiing" Ava shrieked with delight. Her joy was unbounded.

Feather on the Beach, Will and Other Stuff at Pomponio Beach

Will and I went over to Pomponio Beach on Saturday afternoon. I came up from Monterey and Will came over the hill from San Jose. I had to endure the trip through Santa Cruz, never a favorite thing of mine. Will had to cut his way through The Great Pumpkin Festival at Half Moon Bay. I think I got the better part of the bargain.

We arrived there in late afternoon. Will was working on a project for his photography class and was shooting full manual film. Oh my. I, on the other hand, was footloose and fancy free to take in the late afternoon light and do whatever I wanted.

So I did.

Just call me "Gampa"

Ava called me "Grandpa" for the first time today though it came out "Gampa." Now that is what I call a birthday present. What a doll.

Will, Sue, Kayla, Ava and I went to the Celtic Festival here today with another couple and their two children. Lots of bagpipes, kilts, dancing and all the stuff the makes for lovely day. A good time was had by all.

We returned home and I played chef at the barbecue. Then birthday cake and ice cream. I am SO full.

Will shot the pic of me. God I look like hell. Haircut first thing Tuesday. I also look really OLD. Maybe do some things to take better care of myself?

Hey, I'd like to be around for the little lady in my lap.

Then a little time at the computer to get the pix out of RAW and reviewed. I got some pretty good shots at the festival which I'll post over the next several days.

Gampa sends his love to Ava and her family.

And last but far from least, thanks to Anita for making all this possible.

G'night all.

That Lens in the Previous Post is Son Will's NOT Mine...sigh... However!

However, bless the boys heart, he is going to lend me his old telephoto to replace the one I broke. The loaner is a good lens, a Canon 70-300 IS USM f4-5.6. The image stabilization is a very desirable feature, particularly over 200mm. I'm grateful to the boy and promise NOT to drop it.

Between Will and Anita, who provided the fabulous new macro, I will be venturing out into the world fairly well armed.

Will One Ups Me...

From Will's blog:

"My father's day just got a lot cooler. I was given the a-ok to order the lens I
have dreweled over as my dream lens for the past half a year. Did not even get
the usual comment, "you're pictures are just fine the way they are." Love ya
babe. We feel that we did a great job getting the house in order to sell and I
will allow Sue a Nordstom shopping spree or something. This is no toy, and I
can't wait to see what I am able to produce with its help.



Introducing the Canon Zoom Telephoto EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS
Image Stabilizer USM Autofocus Lens. No, there is no graviton power converter. "

Well done boy, you got her trained pretty well.. just kidding Sue!

Now, about that graviton power converter...

Urah! Canon 100mm f2.8 Macro - Somebody Loves Me!

For larger image click on picture.

I had a just terrible week and was feeling exceptionally low, looking up at whale droppings, and Anita comes in and says, "How about a new lens for Father's Day." OMG! I knew just what I wanted, and we ordered it tonight. This puppy is expensive.

All Anita said was, "Don't drop it." (See my previous post here on the sad story of the death of my 100-300mm.)

Thank you Anita!

Great Day with The Kid - WJW

Will, my son and proprietor of WJW Photography, spent the day together today, shooting pictures of course. I don't know about him, but I had a great time. He is just a great kid and a source of joy and pride.

We met up at San Juan Bautista Mission in San Juan, toured the m9ission along with three or four thousand school children :), had a nice lunch in that small rustic town, traveled over the San Juan grade to the Salinas Valley and then on to the Monterey Airport where some glorious old war birds from WWII had just flown into. Then we came home, and I grilled one of my world famous sirloins, tossed up a Ceasar salad, and Will, Christine, Anita and I sat down to a great dinner.

A good day, and I needed a good day.