Let's start with Matthew and Tina's news. Another addition to the family.  We're so happy for the expecting parents, for Oliver and for the grandparents.  Congratulations.  Full stop.  In so many ways.

And then there was Margaret and Andrew's engagement party last weekend.  Happy days.  We went down to DC to join them for this celebration, and it was just that.  Nice to see all your friends, from your different eras, including going all the way back to Durban and then 2nd grade!  We saw Jeff and Melodie as well, and had a chance to talk about plans for camping at Assateague MD this summer.  (Hard to imagine summer now, but nice to dream about it.)  And we met Joe's girlfriend Leslie.  A surprise bonus.

Not in the same category at all, but hard to avoid mentioning was a 60th birthday that is turning out to be more of a birth-week, or birth-month, than a birth-day.  You all went all out, and it's humbling.  Several times this week, I have teared up, at your generosity and effusiveness.  What a family.  Did I say thank you?  Can I say it again?  And again?

It actually started with dinner (and cake) last week with Margaret and Andrew in DC, but it even started hours earlier when we saw Annie and Greg in New York on our way down to DC.  Annie couldn't come to DC with us, as she had a weekend class, on conflict resolution.  We need more of that.  Then on the actual day, John and Marilyn came over for dinner (meat loaf and cheesecake!)  Joe called, from a plane in Houston, as he was en route to Nicaragua for a wedding.  He wrote a few times from there, as we were getting socked up and down the east coast, and the midwest, that he was at a pool, or on the beach, sipping a cold one.  He was only trying to make us jealous, and he succeeded.

We were able to chat with Dundee and Fairport as well and catch up on news a couple of times.  Claire was accepted as an RA for school next year which is a nice honor.  Daniel is tearing up the basketball court, and as you can see, Bill and Jen came over, and we can enjoy a nice photo of Lur and Auden.  David and Paula are happy expecting grandparents, even with snow and shoveling and did I say snow?

Peter and Janet were able to take advantage of a brief break in the weather to make the drive up here on Friday for the weekend.  I was confused, surprised and awed at the delivery of a kayak. I have since heard it was a feat involving many people and matched only perhaps by the building of the pyramids.  Unbelievable. Makes me want to work harder to finish my school work and to anticipate the arrival of a relaxing spring and summer.  Can I say thank you again?  We went out to dinner and then did a main street tour of a very nice exhibit of Berkshire collectors, a few shops, and then lunch.  We are supporting the revitalization of Pittsfield.  Peter made a spectacular dinner and we covered many subjects, including Gov. Christie, the Oscars, baseball, the Olympics and snow.

Mary is off school this week, and she is ready for a break.  Too much birthday.  She is in the kitchen now, humming the Olympic theme song, as we have just watched the replay of the U.S.-Russia hockey game.  Easier this time since we knew the outcome.  I said to Peter as we were watching it live, that I knew why Pop couldn't watch sports.  Too much tension, for the a 60-year old.

Speaking of tension and competitive events, Colleen and Pauline won again at the Westminster Kennel Dog Show in New York, for her Borzoi breed! Congrats.

And one more time, thank you all again.  Love and hugs and kisses.

What's New with Johanna

Call this a long overdue update from Johanna. First off a huge thank you to everyone who wrote me, called me and my parents, and wished me well during my hospitalization and surgery this past summer. I so appreciate having such a wonderful, loving, and supportive family. The well wishes were a big help in my recovery. And of course, a HUGE thanks to Annie for taking such great care of Molly while I was in the hospital. She was in good hands!

 

I've been at my new job since November and I really, truly love it. After my bosses at the architecture firm decided not to renew my contract and move me to part-time I found myself looking for a new job again. I ended up finding my current job almost immediately. I am working as a Digital Publicist at MediaConnect, a Finn Partners company. I cover a wide range of books from murder mysteries to business books. All my work is online, hence the digital title. Right now I am working on five campaigns--a self-help book, a murder mystery (Zero Degree Murder which both my mom and I loved and I highly recommend), an education book on corporal punishment (scarily still legal in 18 states and not regulated at all), a major campaign for Israeli businesswoman and philanthropist Shari Arison, and an upcoming book on leadership and sustainability in business. It keeps me busy but as I said I really love it. My co-workers have become my friends!

 

I spoke to Aunt Jane recently and she sounds like she's doing really well. She'll be returning from a trip to France this week and we're hoping to meet up in the city for lunch soon!

 

Other than all that, not much else to report. It's been great catching up with Annie now that she's been in the city. My current roommate joked that Annie could have lived with us forever she liked having her around so much! As many of you know Molly had a health crisis after our family reunion in Pittsfield three years ago. She relapsed again this year and while we have no real diagnosis it's likely an auto-immune disorder that will keep her on a low dose of prednisone for life. Thankfully the stuff is dirt cheap! I've attached a photo of us at my office from before Christmas. My office loves dogs and she's been in few times. It's nice having such an accomodating office!

 

I hope all is well with everyone else!

 

Much love, Johanna

Place your bets

A mere hour and a half before another momentous Super Bowl.  This entry for Pops Weekly Letter will not have a long shelf life.  Denver 35-Seattle 13.  

Anyway, it certainly is an excuse to eat terribly.  It's the one day of the year we buy Fritos, and indulge in that.  The challenge will be to not buy Fritos tomorrow.  Actually, last year at this time, we were doing our cleanse so we celebrated with kale chips. They are a poor excuse for Fritos.  John and Marilyn are coming over for a probably subdued affair at our house.  We may not make it past half time.

Here's a photo from a couple of weeks ago stolen from Facebook.  Annie had gone out to lunch in the big apple with Janet and Johanna, and reported that all is well with both of them.  School had just started, and Annie had returned from a trip to Denver, just barely making it back before airports were shut down before the big storm.  

We have had a busy January, with two weekend trips.  The first was to Rhode Island where we stopped in to see Dan, Maura and Steve, and of course Elsie. I faintly remember how much fun and energy is required with three year olds.  Maura is working, going to school and busy with Elsie.  Overall, a nice visit. We then went over to Marge and Lew's to take in the Patriots football game, that was supposed to be their send-off to the Super Bowl.  Hmmm.  Lew has a big theater and big screen in their basement so it was fun to watch and eat too much with them.  A friend of theirs came over, whose last name is Crane and went to Darrow with his two brothers - remember anyone named Crane, David?

      

While in Rhode Island, we Skyped with Joe who was in London, and was contemplating his next job move.  He made his decision a few days later and will be coming home later this spring.  Yeah.  

Then last weekend, we headed back east but this time to Boston to attend a "Burns night" celebrating all things Scottish, including Robert Burns birthday.  Our friend whom I walked the Great Glen Way hosted the party, and he managed to randomly meet a piper the night before and convince him to come play the bagpipes for everyone.  I like bagpipes, but from a distance and maybe for a song or two.  Kind of like mariachis.  Anyway, he played three songs, showed how hard it is to play the instrument and then let us get back to trying all the different kinds of Scotch on hand.

We spoke with David, who let me know of a Shaker box workshop coming up in March. Looks interesting but I postponed until next year when I didn't have this danged thesis over my head.  I think David could probably give his own Shaker box workshop!

We spoke with Andrew a few times, during their winter freeze-outs, and planned a weekend with Peter and Janet up here in a few weeks.  This coming weekend we're heading south to DC for Margaret's unofficial engagement party.  She sounds very busy with her work and school work.

What else?  We saw a good movie last night - Dallas Buyers Club, and have rearranged our Oscar nominations.  Matthew McConaughey for best actor. We watched and read a lot of the life stories about Pete Seeger.  And, Mary has taken on a new student at the local volunteer literacy program.  

So, lots to look forward to in the coming weeks.  Hope all is well with all of you.  Place your bets. Time is running out.

Love from up here.