Betty Keller's Big Week

Betty Keller, known to her family as Nana, enjoyed a really big week.  First, there was an 85th birthday party held in her honor.  A large contingent of family members gathered for a barbeque, cake, and gift opening.  One gift will take place later in the month when she sees Crosby, Stills, and Nash in concert.  Staci Keller also thrilled her with a handmade photo album of Griffin's accomplishments with the Long Beach Pony League World Series champs.  Second, Nana was honored by Community Hospital of Long Beach for her outstanding contributions over many years.  Her picture was unveiled on the "Legacy Wall" featuring those who have made their marks in that hospital's history.  Congratulations to Nana on her 85th birthday and her enshrinement on the Legacy Wall.

Angel Stadium with Wally Joyner

About twenty years ago, I attended an Angel game with my son, Ryan.  Wally Joyner hit a wicked, hooking foul ball that came right at us.  Ryan ended up with the ball as we narrowly missed getting hit by a major league line drive.   Flash forward, twenty years later, I attended an Angels-Oakland game with Eric, Ray, and his son, Griffin.  Our host was none other than Wally Joyner, who has become a friend and golfing buddy of Eric.  Wally took us out on the field for batting practice, introducing us to various players and coaches.  We then enjoyed the game although the Angels'  last inning rally fell short by a run.  That ball that Ryan has kept for twenty years?  Wally signed it for him.  It read, "Ryan, Really glad this missed you!  Wally Joyner."

A Day at the Bay

The tide was in so it was time to take Mason to give surf fishing a try.  We set up the rigs, planted our pole holders in the sand, attached the bait to the hooks, casted, and waited.  It was not long until Mason had hooked a nice fish I suspected was a Corbina.  He fought a good fight, only to have the fish break free as it neared the shore.  Camille studied an anchovy Gail caught in a sand bucket.  Exhausted from all the excitement, Grandad sat in his chair in the shade and nodded off.

Time With G.G. at Crystal Cove

In Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove rents out beachside cabins for overnight visits.  G.G. (short for great grandma) joined us for a two-day, one-night stay.  We set up chairs and umbrellas on the beach during the daytime and engaged in boogie board riding, sand castle building, picnic lunch eating, and sand crab gathering.  Time is one of the greatest gifts in life, and we make sure G.G. gets plenty of time with her great grand kids.

High Achieving Nephews

Brother Eric and sister-in-law Staci have a lot to be proud of when it comes to their sons.  Our nephews, Griffin and Campbell Keller, are high achievers in every sense.  Campbell excelled as a straight A "gold robe" student while at Millikan.  He was also a star swimmer prior to moving on to the University of Missouri.  Griffin was named top scholar/athlete this June as he was promoted from Newcomb School.  Following Campbell's lead, Griffin is bound for Millikan having been accepted into the prestigious Quest program.  Griffin did something really special this summer as a Pony League baseball player.  He was selected as an All Star, and started for the team as it proceeded up the ladder all the way to Pennsylvania beating Chinese Taipei for the world title!  In addition to being excellent students and athletes, both Griffin and Campbell possess all the fine qualities one would hope for in young men.

DK's Car Obsession

I admit to having a fascination with automobiles.  I've owned more than 20 since my first purchase while in college.  I started with a beautiful VW bug and currently own a luxurious Porsche Cayenne.  In between, I've owned assorted Fords, Jeeps, Volvos, Volkwagens, and Porsches.  In addition, there was a Fiat, a Datsun, a Mercedes, and a BMW.  I believe a root cause of my obsession was my dad's  valuable VW Microbus which has long since disappeared like my baseball cards.  Even now, I have my eye on a beautiful vintage Porsche 356 sitting in a showroom in Orange County.......if I could only own this, it would probably be my last!!!!!

Oregon Millikan Reunion

We traveled north for a weeklong vacation in Oregon centered around a reunion of former "Millikanites."  Twenty-three Rams, mostly relocated residents of Oregon, gathered for a social hour, dinner, and reminiscing at the Bowers' residence near Medford.  Prior to the reunion, Gail and I enjoyed three days in Portland, our first time in the Rose City.  We enjoyed a trolley tour, a day at the Columbia River Gorge, shopping, walking around the city, dining at some of the famous breweries, and a morning at the Saturday Street Fair. The fun continued when we arrived at the Bowers' residence for the reunion.  Following the reunion, we had a great day hiking and dining at Union Creek followed the next day by an exciting four-hour jet boat adventure on the Rogue River near Grants Pass.