We continue enjoying our stays at the Marriott San Francisco Airport with a "straight-on" view of the main touch-down spot where planes land at the airport here in San Francisco. Phil and I are like a couple of children when it comes to trains and planes, and never tire of traveling! (It's a GOOD thing, since this is part and parcel of our lives as a result of Phil's employment as an IBM consultant!)

Many afternoons after Phil gets "home" from the Genentech office where he's been on an engagement since the middle of March (and will be through the end of 2007), we put on our walking shoes and head out to enjoy twenty minutes or so along the wonderful paved walkway that runs right along the water in front of the hotel.

As we're walking, all we have to do is turn to our side and look out over the water and watch planes take off and land; if we turn in the other direction, we're able to view all sorts of pretty plants and bushes like the one above and those pictured in the next blog entry. Its leaves have already turned color, signaling that Fall isn't far off. :-) Yay!



These birds (what are they called? I have no idea!) stand in the water along the shore until something triggers their flight (like Phil clapping his hands! ha), and off they go in unison. In the course of the day, I can see large numbers of them flying about over the water between the hotel and the landing strip. There are also large groups (flocks?) of pelicans that soar about in the same area, as though they're watching the planes themselves. (They're probably scanning the waters below for food.)




A shot taken in the opposite direction.



Yesterday, there was windshear activity most of the day, and it was fascinating to watch. It appeared as though a giant was blowing across the top of his cup of coffee, attempting to cool the hot drink. :-)

 

Four more photos of beauty along the walkway we use for our after-Phil-gets-"home"-from-work walks in the afternoons.

 

I forgot that, although the scenery on the other side of the window of our motel room at Sanibel looked dry and sunny, it was still very humid outside! Well, I opened the sliding glass doors and walked outside recently when we were there on vacation and took the picture above! It's not fog you're seeing...........it's a camera lens all clouded up due to having been taken from a very cool motel room to a hot, humid outdoor environment!

I decided to put the camera out on the porch so that it could "warm up," and later took the same shot. It's below.





My beloved doing what he loves at the beach.......snooping for shells!

I love you, PJW!

I just can't help it! I LOVE witnessing what God offers us daily in the awesome spectacle of sunrises and sunsets! And being right on the bay in San Francisco where we can see the sun rise over the water every morning offers us a fresh opportunity to praise Him for His handiwork....not only in the heavens, but also in our lives!

This morning I went to the hotel room window in time to see the soft glow of the sun as it announced its intentions, as you see in the picture above...........then I captured the process of it peeking over the cloud layer and then exposing itself while at the same time streaking the water with its lazer-like image. I only wish it was it was possible to capture with a camera what the human eye can behold.





The Psalms are full of references to the glory in the heavens. Psalm 113:3 says, "From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord's name is to be praised." Thank You, God, for teaching me the importance of an "attitude of gratitude." I have SO much for which to be grateful!

 

As you may recall, we recently spent a week at Sanibel Island, Florida. After flying into Orlando and spending the night there, we drove the next day southwesterly to Sanibel, which is located just south of Fort Myers, Florida.

One thing you can count on in the summertime in Florida: several changes in the weather in the course of a day.

As we drove from Orlando to Sanibel, we encountered sunshine, clouds, rain, and more sunshine. The picture above shows four different sky "views," with that gorgeous sky blue as the background; white puffy clouds on "top" of the blue; grey stormy-looking clouds on the left side of the picture; and heavy rain on the right side.......all in one shot!



I was so struck by the deep blue of the sky, and the brilliant white of the clouds, so I took the photo above.



Looks like layers, doesn't it? The bottom is the tops of trees along the highway; the middle is white "puffy" clouds (what other word can I use in place of that one??), and heavy gray ones that signal a storm.



And of course, a sunset...that particular night's pallette of color.

 

Presently, we're in Florida at our timeshare on vacation with one of our daughters, her family, and her inlaws. We're having a great time enjoying the leisure and beauty, as well as taking turns preparing meals. We've been following up the evening meal with dessert and a table game such as dominoes or Rook.

The above picture is of the building that houses our timeshare unit which we've had and enjoyed for over twenty years.


Looking down the beach.....


View from the beach......


And our view from our stairway. We love this place, as do our girls, for which we're thankful.

 

We never tire of traveling places and seeing the sights, especially the beautifully meaningful ones in Washington, DC, such as The White House.



Don't know how "beautifully meaningful" Buddy is (President Clinton's Chocolate Lab), but I took this picture of him as we were walking by the White House grounds. He was having fun with the Secret Service agents, chasing and retrieving a tennis ball they would throw for him. Rest in peace, Buddy.





This was taken from our hotel room window....sun shining on the brick....Washington Monument in the background....and, of course, an airplane in view. :-)



The exquisite Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, DC.

Back in the Fall of 1968, I began working for Ed and Fran Webb at their studio, Webb Recording Company, 812 N. Dearborn, in Chicago. I loved working for and with Fran, and she became a mother-figure to Phil and me, as well as "Gramma Fran" to each of our three daughters.




Fran was the personification of loving kindness, and demonstrated the love of God on a daily basis to everyone with whom she came in contact. She was gracious, sophisticated, and yet very humble and warm. Fran loved with unconditional love, and each life she touched was made better and more special.



I loved her red hat, and always took every opportunity to capture a picture of her when she wore it. This time, I guess Phil captured the picture, since I'm in it with this beloved lady who cared so deeply for me, my husband, and my children.



You were God's gift to us, Francoise..........and I'm not certain you ever knew the profound effect you had upon me in particular. The lovingkindness you bestowed upon me and mine made our lives beautiful. How can we ever thank you?

I love you, Francoise........Myrni (as you loved to call me)

 

Today, Phil and I attended a lovely Remembrance Service at Tabor Hills HealthCare Facility in Naperville, IL. The purpose of the service was to honor those residents of the facility who had died sometime during the past year. Our beloved Fran Webb died February 2, 2006, after having been at the Tabor Hills facility for a year. She had turned 97 years of age in November of 2005.

I took this picture prior to the service. You can see Phil seated in the upper left-hand side of the picture.



At the end of the service, family members or anyone who wanted to remember a departed loved one was invited to light a candle. I offered a prayer, thanking God for allowing Fran to be a part of our lives for almost forty years as I lit my candle.



The garden area where balloons were released to demonstrate the "letting go" of the loved one who has passed away.



A cluster of purple balloons, lifted heavenward by the strong breeze, and seemingly escorted by winged assistants.

We love you, Fran, and miss you terribly. Life just isn't the same anymore for the many of us who loved you.....and love you still.