Blooming, Buzzing and Bouncing

Happy Father's Day, Happy Birthday(s)!

Janet sent these pictures of the "new" planter she's created -- isn't it glorious?

Her note asked if Sharon and Stuart recognized their "French bathtub" -- I'm guessing she means the old tin tub we used to bathe the dogs years ago. Does that mean Dad and Mom used it to bathe Sharon and Stuart in France, too? Wow, talk about history. Talk about getting good use out of something!

And just in time to wish Stuart a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! His birthday this year just happens to coincide with Father's Day. I'm guessing Dad could not ask for a better Father's Day gift than that!

So, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, Dad! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Stuart!

And, then (even though I don't think he was ever bathed in the old tin tub), HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Rick! Yours is close enough to Father's Day to be an extra cause for celebration.

love, Linda

6/20/09
Dad sent an addendum:

When we went to France in 1955 we took a wringer washing machine. Automatic washers were available but we anticipated living "on the economy" and from what we could find out, French houses were not set up plumbing wise to handle them. We were fortunate to get into an apartment complex reserved for people assigned to Allied Forces Central Europe. The bath tub was very deep and as small as your mother was, there was no way she could reach all the way to the bottom to rinse clothes or bathe babies. I scrounged some boards to make a platform across the top and then went to the local hardware store and purchased that tub. It served two purposes the three years we were there and other purposes when we came back to the states.

Love, Dad/Dub

Milestones -- or do they call them Knots?

Bet you can't tell how proud I am: Tim's been taking flying lessons -- and he soloed on June 2, 2009! His flight instructor, Reza, has been awesome, firm, encouraging, practical, and patient -- but not too patient. I suspect it would be easy to keep dodging the solo bullet since it must be a stomach-churning endeavor. But Tim did it with flying (pun intended) colors.

And every flying school has their own tradition once a pilot has soloed. Reza's tradition is to hack off the back of the shirt worn the day of the solo and make a certificate of accomplishment. Very cool. Now, how do I frame it?

Can't wait for the day when Tim and I can come buzzing home for the holidays in a little Cessna whatever.

love, Linda