Annual letter

December 2009

Dear Friends,

This was a quiet year for us. Larry’s retirement finally “took” and he spent his time doing photographic projects, activities in support of the Fistula Foundation, volunteering at Ray and Rose William’s classes, and only a couple of brief trips to Ethiopia.

This past summer Judy and Larry travelled to Arizona to share time with Michael and Arlene William and cousin Esther. Together we drove to the spectacular Grand Canyon (our first time!) and in- between indulged our genetically-driven food talk and food activities. Larry, egged on by his dare-devil cousin Esther, also took a helicopter tour of the canyon. Later this intrepid quintet visited the renowned Taliesen West and Sedona. Michael and Arlene returned with us to northern California for some more vacation--especially seeing our kids and grandkids-- before heading home to N.Y.

 Later in the summer, Larry and Lisa, Rodney, Leila, and Dahlia rented mules and horses for a pack trip into the Emigrant Wilderness in the Sierra Mountains of California. They camped in tents at an elevation of almost 9,000 feet and experienced the clear cold air and peace of the California wilderness. One day we hiked even higher and the girls were able to make snowballs to throw at their aged grandfather. (Click on the image to see a bigger view of it.)

Judy and Larry visited New York a few times to enjoy visits with family and friends, see Manhattan museums and go to the theater. Judy went to a Forest Hills High School reunion and both of us celebrated Cousin Laura’s 105th birthday party.

In December, Larry finished his Vietnam memoir and posted it, minus the photos, on this blog. Also, Larry and Judy, Paul, Suzie, Ray and Rose travelled to Club Med, Cancun in Mexico to swim, snorkel, play, sunbathe, and, for the grandchildren, take a flying trapeze course.

Judy continues to teach English as a Second Language but, starting in September, the California fiscal crisis led to her to alter her teaching schedule to only mornings on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Although she misses having more time with her students, it's leaving her with more time for reading, aerobic dancing, socializing with friends, being an art docent in Ray and Rose's school and, starting in the new year, a volunteer reading tutor for a junior high student yet to be assigned.  We also hope to take some extended-weekend jaunts.

 Larry's at their school every Monday, when he works in the library doing, among other things, reading a story to their fourth-grade classes.  He's come a long way from the first day when one brave student raised her hand and asked, like Oliver, "Please, sir, can you show us the pictures?"  He has also enjoyed doing science with them, and going on field trips.  We feel so blessed to have Ray and Rose nearby.

Leila and Dahlia are only 90 minutes away, so we aren't as closely involved in their lives, but when we do talk on the phone or get together--about once a month--it is a joy.  We recently went to see 11-year-old Leila in a horse show, and it was exciting to see how comfortable she is riding Andvari, "her" horse.  Dahlia, almost 8, is a wonderful combination of computer geek and social butterfly.

Below is a recent picture of Ray riding a boogie board in the surf of Cancun, Mexico. Below him is a snapshot of Rose as she sailed through the air on a trapeze at Club Med.