Uncle Charlie

My dad's only brother (only sibling of any kind) passed away today after a long battle with Alzheimers disease. The funeral is Friday, and as much as I'd like to, I won't be able to get to Utah to attend it.

I liked Uncle Charlie. A lot. Most of us in this family have joked about his laugh or his funny ideas or his love for the Esperanto language. But then we joked even more about the funny and odd things our own father said and did, so there's nothing to be offended by there. We all liked Uncle Charlie.

At first glance, he was nothing like my Dad. Charlie was tall and slender, mostly bald, highly intelligent (not that Dad was dumb by any means), and he seemed to like to take risks - or at least he was not bothered by things that would keep more conservative thinkers at bay.

But in fact there were many, more important, ways in which they were alike. Both had great love and devotion for their parents and children. Both had strong, secure testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Both went out of their way to serve their fellow men according to their abilities. Both left a legacy among their offspring and acquaintances that will long out either.

I liked Uncle Charlie (especially that he was always "Charlie" and not "Charles" to me). In many ways he gave me the courage to think outside the box, and try for some things that maybe I didn't think were within my grasp. I'm a better person for having him be part of my life. I'm sure his reunion with Dad, Grandpa Vern and both of his mothers was a sweet one. I know it will be for me when I see him again. We'll miss you Uncle Charlie. Huhh, huhh, huhh. : )

Men's Brains - Women's Brains

This video is hilarious. Partly because the guy is funny -but mostly because it's true. It's a long one, but worth the time. Even Melody laughed when she watched it.

Band Saw

This is something I would own. . .

San Francisco revisited

Several years ago (before Pam & Rob were married) we took them to San Francisco for a fun time. Rob was there again this past week for a conference, and Pam joined him on Friday. Melody and I drove down Saturday and played with them. We toured Alcatraz, ate at Boudin's Bread Factory, and walked down Lombard Street. Below, and over the next few days, you can see some photos of the trip.

At the top of Lombard, with Coit Tower in the background

The excercise yard at Alcatraz;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;A cell at Alcatraz
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The cell of one of the "successful" escapees

In the last photo you can see the hole the inmate made in the wall and the fake head he made to fool the guards. He and his buddies are the ones they made the movie "Escape from Alcatraz" about. They were never found.