Manipulation Goes Both Ways

This is an example of how to get Abe to do what you want...

Each afternoon I like to sit in my recliner next to the fireplace and read awhile. Abe thinks that's a great time to sit on my lap, and it is... for awhile. Until he gets bored and wiggley. So when I'm ready for him to do something else, I'll say, “I’m so glad you’re here on my lap! I want you to stay here a long time and never go (then I’ll insert something like).. play with your aircraft carrier…” And he’ll get this impish grin on his face, “Noooooo – I HAVE to go play with my aircraft carrier!” I’ll say, “But I NEED you to sit on my lap for a LONG time!” “NOOOO! Pleeeeeeeease! I NEED to go play with my aircraft carrier!” Then I’ll relent and reluctantly let him go, but tell him he needs to hurry back to sit on my lap again. Then off he goes, obviously relieved to have escaped my lap – which of course was my intention in the first place.

Grandma Melanie?

Yup! After getting married over a year ago, some may declare, "It's about time!" But remembering that 'Uncle Abe' is only six years old, we weren't in a hurry.

Hmmmm. Should I quit coloring my grey hair?

A Park Family Christmas

Christmas is hangin' with Big Brother Ben

Christmas is frosting cookies with Grandpa & the family to take to friends and neighbors.

Christmas is the Park family tradition of going on a treasure hunt prepared by Grandma Park, then listening to her new original Christmas story reminding us of the reason for the season.

Christmas is peeking around the corner to see if Santa left any gifts.

Christmas is seeing your family open presents made or purchased just for them!

Abe the Civil Engineer

Abe is thrilled to have his big brother Ben here with Catherine for Christmas. Especially when it's warm enough to play basketball!
However it's a bummer when the ball ends up on the swimming pool cover. With the recent snow & rain, the cover has water on it so walking on it would create low spots for the water to accumulate and soak your shoes.
Not to worry. Abe has a plan. "Ben, stand on this end of the chair, while I sit on the other end and pull the ball in with this pool game target."

Almost there!

Got it!!!
Thanks, Ben.
Now, as soon as the ball dries and my hands get warm, we can shoot some hoops.

Let it snow!

Great fun - if only for one afternoon.

Danube River Cruise

This was our trustworthy river cruise ship that took us south and east from Germany through Austria and into Hungary. The cabins were rather small, but the windows were large (not that we spent any time in the room). The chef was truly amazing and we enjoyed getting to know many of the other guests (most of them anyway). Richard didn't care for the 'Larry King' look-a-like, though I enjoyed listening to his stories from 30 years in the newspaper business. Richard also didn't care for the lady we nicknamed the 'Southern Belle' a tall willowy blond from New Orleans that must have been trained in the art of conversation from an early age then perfected it for the next 50 years. Imagine her leaning into the table, her face full of earnest curiosity and exclaiming with her southern drawl, "Oh, really? And then what happened?" Richard said he was in the seventh level of hell at that evening's dinner. Which ironically was our most favorite dish out of the many favorite dishes served. I loved the fillet of sole in a sinfully buttery cream sauce. And Richard had a vegetable omlette - yes, you read correctly - a vegetable omlet which he said was amazing. Too bad it couldn't lift him up a level or two. The cream soups on that ship are something I still dream about.

Regensburg, our first port, was a delightful German city and a good introduction to all things German. Notice Santa climbing up this apartment building. I loved strolling these pedestrian streets (too narrow for traffic) and hearing the bells chime the hours and snatching snippets of orchestra or choir music drifting out of churches and plazas.

Click the older posts for more cruise highlights.