John H. Semb By Crystal Sincoff

I didn't know him well. My grandpa.
My childhood memories will have to keep me because there isn't much of a relationship after I was 20. I lived on the other side of the states and seldom made it back to Washington.
Grandpa loved a good puzzle. He loved those games with the golf tees and the holes that told you if you were a genius or not by how many tees were left in the holes...and those wire shapes all looped together that seemed impossible to untangle, but he knew how. He would challenge us with a twinkle in his eyes, daring us to figure it out or do better than him. He was the carver of the turkey. The driver of the Motel T. He seemed to have one pair of jeans...lol...but I think he must have 5 of the same pair. I remember sleeping over at their place on the pull-out couch and waking to breakfast cooking and grandpa sitting at the table his his robe, reading the paper. He had a dry sense of humor. He loved to travel and I loved looking at pics of the places they had been on their Winnebago. As a child that was the preferred mode of transportation...lol...and I often thought it would be cool to have one of my own when I grew up.
I remember being at the lake. Some of my best memories were at the lake. Grandpa taught me to fish... And I have all sorts of memories on boats...a houseboat floating along...row boats on Lake Newman...speed boats on Lake Couerdalane... We took that speed boat across the lake, wind whipping through our hair...and I was perfectly happy...
My grandparents were always together. I don't think I ever had a conversation over the phone with Grandpa where he didn't say..."Here's your grandmother..." and hand me off to her. Honestly, I can't remember a time when they weren't. Sixty years they were married....and now she is alone. Family is there not wanting her to be left alone. I told her to go easy on them. There is nothing they can do to make it better. They know that. This is all they have, comforting her...I understand that empty hollow feeling. That feeling that a part of you is missing. A part of you will always be missing...but I told her to embrace the memories, good and bad, hold onto them because it rare indeed that someone gets to spend 60 years with the person they love.
This is one of my favorite set of pics...love...:-)
[John H. Semb died 5pm 3/23/10...Jan]
Wedding photos Aug. 20, 1949. John and Vernal Semb...[Vernal  A.George]

Best Friends

.....The orangutan was in a rescue sanctuary but not doing well. This old hound wandered in absolutely emaciated and the orangutan snapped to attention, like his best buddy had arrived. He stayed with the hound night and day until he was well and in the whole scenario, found a reason to live. They are now inseparable. Best friends Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the Blue Tick hound.

NO photo credits found...Jan

'BARTLETT Thunder Cream' Recipe

Well, this morning my Steve and got up early and created a wonderful recipe...COOL. After having our coffee [SUMATRA]...we got going on making our St. Patty's Day or Week Treat......I've been reading IRISH CREAM Recipes this past week...that got me thinking about making some of our own 'cream'...AND so 'Bartlett's Thunder Cream' was born this a.m.
Here's our secret recipe...OK?...take 1 can sweatened condensed milk...place in container with 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 cup whiskey. We put ours in a bottle with a srew lid...so it's easy to shake or mix. I then added 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavoring, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, about 1 teaspoon powered chocolate and about 1/4th teaspoon coffee crystals [cause..that's all we had..we were almost out]. Then shake the bottle, with the lid on. STAND BACK. Carefully unscrew the lid. Pour a little sip into cup and taste. Steve said it was DELICIOUS. COOL. I loved it too..but, had taken a big gulp...not recommened. Jan
Photo by Rob!

Overnight Veggies

From The Foodie Mom at blogspot.com...go to http://thefoodiemom.blogspot.com/?spref=fb

Overnight marinated vegetable medley
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup cauliflower florets
1 cup eggplant, grilled and chopped
1 cup sliced carrots
½ thinly sliced red pepper
½ sliced red onion
2 smashed garlic cloves
1 bottle zesty Italian dressing
Dash cayenne pepper
Toss the eggplant with salt and set aside for 10 minutes. Grill on the stove top until just tender. When slightly cooled, chop into bite size pieces and place in a bowl. Steam the broccoli, cauliflower, red pepper, and carrots until just tender. Immediately place in the bowl, and add the red onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, and Italian dressing. Toss until everything is well covered. Let cool. Spoon into jars, or sealed containers, pouring any remaining dressing over the top before sealing. Refrigerate overnight.

Amazing Deaf Musician Video...EVELYN GLENNIE