Carol of the Bells

Just in case you missed Erin's "Carol of the Bells" video I placed on Facebook, please click the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpnYmzisgU8&feature=youtube_gdata

Elf luck!

If it weren't for the red and green colors you may have think that I joined the Masons.  My reasoning for wearing the elf hat was threefold:

1)  Our church pulled together an orchestra to play at the x-mas party, and I wore it to divert attention from all the bad notes I was producing.

2)  I decided having a little fun was not all that bad.

3)  Jewish men ware skull caps for more noble reasons, but I found out that the elf hat really kept the birds nest on my head warm.  (I can't wait to read your comments)

What the heck.  It only cost a dollar as did the Santa hanging from the music stand.  The little orchestra was composed of a dozen or so brave soles, aged all the way from beginning kids to advanced musicians (old duffers) like myself.  

John and Debbie were our guitar players and they represent the younger adults, along with the flutist sitting behind me.   

The only other violin player was Lisa, sitting to my left.  I'm glad Grandma Zucc didn't take her picture, as she is much more beautiful than moi.  I promised her that if we were to ever play again (fat chance,) that she could sit in 'first chair.'

Ann Gold was our conductor, and did a mighty fine job.

Now I will attempt to turn your attention to the little helpers that assisted Grandma and me in decorating our tree.  Notice the elf hat Erin is Wearing?  Yes, it is the same one that I wore.  I gave it to her with a promise that if she wore it the rest of the day she would have elf luck.  She agreed, but when I went over to their house later in the day, she answered the door without the hat.  So ........................   

Jenna's first assignment was to cut the wrapping from the candy canes, then to hang them on the tree.  When kids come to our house they can pick one from the tree, and this is always a delight.  

Erin really was excited when the tree was finished.  Only the angel needed to be put on the top.  Gads, you would have thought she had seen one the way her arms are outstretched in a "hallelujah wave."  

Even Mike got into the act.  He is trying to explain something, for sure.

Happy and proud helpers. 

Rachel poses at Erin's choral concert.

Titan & Jenna smile for the camera.  They are cousins so why not?



 

Juggling

Juggling

Click on Juggling above if you want to see Brendan in action.

A real cool thing to be.

Back in the day, a soda jerk at a corner drug store was a real cool thing to be.  She would first add flavoring to a tall glass, add carbonated water by jerking a lever, then add a couple scoops of ice cream.     

The "jerking" action occurred when the server would swing the soda fountain handle back and forth when adding the soda water.  With the advent of fast-food places and big box stores, the job of jerking kind of disappeared from our society.

Well, in an attempt to bring back the old fashioned ice cream bar, Grandpa’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor was established.  

The address is 208 4th Ave West

Olympia, WA 98501 

   Belana has made the job of jerking very attractive again.

The place is only about a block from the waterfront, and I understand that people from all walks of life frequent the shop.  As we entered, we were amazed at how old-fashioned the shop appeared.  It definitely fit into the quaint setting of old downtown Olympia.  

A couple of older people were sitting at the bar, and I understand that the shop is frequented by retired persons, looking for a scoop of really good ice cream.  Belana told me that both families and teens come also.   

Of particular interest to me was the jute-box close to the ceiling.  If this place were a church, one could almost view this piece of furniture as being a religious symbol.   

The music is produced by an iPod-MP3 centered above the U.  It is controlled by a hand remote from below.  Pretty cool, huh?

Before we left the shop, I was lucky enough to get a pic the Anderson family, minus Julie, who is serving her church in Virginia.  Dayle is supporting his first beard for "no-shave November" -  this is a Washington thing only, I believe.  Belana definitely knows where the camera is.   

If you get to Olympia, be sure to visit Grandpa’s, take a walk on the waterfront, and browse around Old Downtown.  You won't be disappointed.