Brian's Place - Onward and Upward

New Faces (Click on Thumbnail for larger picture)
	"August 20th, 2002 --- Kai and me at home. What can I say about this wonderful girl? She's a Doberman puppy, intense, active, and loveable. This isn't to say that she's an angel. No! She destroys everything that gets within her jaws. What an armful.
	"Such a girl!
	A good picture of Dana, taken before our house move. She was born in the summertime, and loves the summertime. She's a songbird --- perfect pitch with a voice that's one in 500 million. I predict that someday she'll make her mark in opera.
	January 2001 -- Ian and Alison Rogers' pride and joy, Peter. I told Ig that once a baby comes on the scene, your life is never the same. In fact it's radically different! I'm sure this boy will have every advantage growing up in such a loving household. My rolé is that of mysterious, foreign uncle, or something like that. :)
	-One of Peter's early outings,... to the Mallard Pub, I think. This pub was owned by Ig's brother-in-law but has since been sold.
	A good and recent picture taken of Ian, Alison, and Peter Rogers. The event was the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
	Ig and Peter on holiday in Wales.
	Joe the cat. Poor guy, he didn't take the move to the new house well. He ran away the minute that he got out of the cat carrier. Same with Amber. This made our move to Whidbey Island bittersweet. I like to think that both of them found nice homes with little old widow ladies who pamper them.
	Scott Rommel with Milton Friedman (or is it Friedmann??). Scott graduated from the Chicago School of Business, a place that was touted as the Everest of business schools, back when I took Econ101 at the U of W. Unfortunately, at least for us, he's going to make his fortune in the mid-West, and we won't be seeing a lot of him around these parts, unless it's at the Dentist's office, gracing the cover of Business Week, the magazine that's the least dog-eared.
	Well here it is, the screenplay of Action at Aquila. It took about six months to perfect and package. The novel was written by Hervey Allen in 1938, and his family has graciously encouraged me in this effort, and given me copyright permission. Currently, it's in the hands of an agent from whom I hope to hear word (good word, that is) very soon.
	The tractor that helps me keep the grounds nice and trim. I call it "The Wasp". I just finished washing it down and toweling it off. The mistake here is taking this picture with the Sun to my back.
	This title of this study could well be, "Dissipation". This is Errol Flynn at 30. The larger picture shows Errol at 50. In fact, it's the last picture ever to be taken of him. This should be shown to any young person contemplating a life of alcohol and drugs, if there even are people who actively contemplate such a life.

New Places
	Our last autumn in Lake Forest Park. This picture depicts the state of the backyard while we were trying to sell the house. Pretty as it may look, I think it may have detracted a bit. After all, who wants to spend their weekends raking up this mess? I wound up raking, and the house sold it's first day on the market.
	Map of Whidbey Island, the largest Island in the continental forty-eight. I've placed a red mark at Langley, where our house is. We're about 3 blocks from the shore. Langley is a haven for Northwest artists and craftsmen. There are festivals all year long in Langley, celebrating the arts. It's a quaint seaside town, which I call the Cape Cod of the West.
	The Farm --- Whidbey Island, Washington. The front of the place has gone through some clearing, and looks better than this shot shows.
	This is the garden that's plop in the middle of our circular driveway. It was very overgrown until I bit the bullet and torn into it one sunday. Beyond and under the arbor is the back gate.
	Back gardens, The Farm, 2002. We love the setting and the tranquility of country life. Everyone's grass gets horribly brown in the summer, and since no one wastes waters on it, it's no shame to have it looking so shoddy. It all comes back in the Fall, anyway.
	Rose Garden.
	View of Saratoga Passage from our house. The temperature is always nice and cool, even in the Summer, because of the breeze off the water.
	Our living room. The wide Venitian-style blinds were a nice addition, and provides a nice calming effect to the room.
	Took a day trip up the Island highway. This shot is typical of the pastureland on the Island.
	This is what movie folks would call a "reverse angle shot". I just took the above "pasture picture", then turned around and took a snap of our car. Hey! I just washed it! Paula's hands are gripping the wheel. :)
	On the hill overlooking Greenbank Farm. The fog was nicely settled on the hillside, but it didn't last long. Down in the valley is a winery and a small cafe.
	Here is Greenbank Farm, built in 1907. It's a real tourist stop along the highway, and for good reason. We stopped in to buy a couple of bottles of wine and a fresh baked pie.
	I call him "the littleman". He's a nice old guy who pours wine samples. He allowed me to take his picture because I promised that it's end up on my web site.
	Kai is a good car traveler. She can spend hours in the cargo hold without complaining. Of course, we let her out from time to time for a bathroom break.