Family Time

I am in San Jose spending time with my son Derek, his lovely wife Adriann and my two wonderful granddaughters, Emma and Rachel.

Rachel going crazy on the swing

Emma slipping an sliding

What a loving and wonderful family

Sean Visit

I visited with my younger son Sean in San Diego. If you have to live in Southern California, San Diego is as good as it gets. He teaches graphics at San Diego City College. They have a really nice campus right in down town San Diego.

Sean is very excited about the new graphic arts building they will be moving into next month. Previously, graphic arts was housed in one of the oldest, nondescript, buildings on campus

l -r My sister Wendy, Sean and his girl friend Leanna. 

Campus quad.

Sean designed these banners seen around campus

The back side of the new Graphic Arts building

The new Science building. 

The new construction at SDCC is very interesting and exciting.

Sean gave us a tour of the nearby, new, state-of-the-art city library.

I love these front windows

I really needed my wide angle lens to do the stunning lobby justice.

Eighth floor reading room

Reading room ceiling

A cozy spot to read

What a great resource for the people of San Diego. 

New Ears

Picked up my new Rexton aids made by Siemens. They are blue tooth capable and will pair with my phone and a transmitter that can be connected to the TV. When I used them for a phone call the person sounded tinny and high pitched, they said I sounded the same way. Theresa did a good job of explaining how everything worked, but ye old mind is like a sieve and I will need to spend some quality time with the directions. I got them at Costco because I can take them into any Costco for service while I am traveling.

How small can aids go?

Wishing my Fisher friends a wonderful summer. You have earned it.

365 days ago

730 days ago

Better Eyes

Heading for the hospital, O dark thirty

Check in at 5:30 am

Dr. Falk ready to go

His very talented fingers inserting a new lens. Right eye today, left eye in October. 

All done. Tomorrow the patch comes off and can enjoy my new better vision.

Better Ears

Today I went to Costco for new hearing aids. Theresa has been fitting aids for 13 years. She put me through my paces to find out how profound my hearing loss is. My family and friends could have told her very profound.

She did a great job and here are the results.

Normal hearing

My hearing 

My new aids will be here next week. They have blue tooth technology so I can use them to stream the TV directly to them, as well as any other  blue tooth device. Hearing aids - $$$$$$$  Not having to say what all the time - PRICELESS.

New ears today, New right eye tomorrow.

A New Look

Serenity was looking a little dated, so I gave her a new look. Originally the couch fabric matched the print material on the window valences. I think the solid tan looks much better. Starting last Febuary Linda and I began redoing the window treatments. Today I finished.

Serenity is looking good.

He's Alive, He's Alive

Next Thursday I am going under the knife to fix my cataracts. The right eye first and then if all goes well the left the following week. This will be a good. Right now by the time I can read the freeway signs it is almost too late to change lanes.

Getting pre-op EKG along with other tests. I am certified,  good to go.

Diner at our favorite Mexican spot, Osuna's.  (34.11565, -117.87336)

Gay had the chicken Mole special. It was sooooo good. She shared with me.  :-)

I had the Hollenbeck, slow cooked Pork in an excellent Tomatillo Sauce. Yes, I also shared. 

Sixty West

Heading west on highway 60.

Definitely in the west again

Love these wide open spaces

The Salt River Canyon is magnificent. 

Nice boondocking spot north of Globe, AZ.

 (33.64176, -110.57323)  

Very Large Array

The Very Large Array is one of the most powerful radio telescopes in the world. This site in western New Mexico (34.078358, -107.618803) was chosen because it is high, flat and far from any city. The mountains ringing the plains provide protection from man-made electrical interference. Additionally, the height above sea level, 6,900 feet, minimizes the blurring effect of the atmosphere on radian images.

There are twenty seven 230 ton, 25 meter wide dish antennas place along three legs of a Y shaped antenna grid that is 22 miles across. They act together as one very large telescope.   Radio waves are generated by nearly every object in space, but they are a billionth of a billion times less powerful than a call on you cell phone. In fact, cell phones must be turned off as they can blind the telescope's sensitive radio eyes. 

The resolution of the VLA can be varied by changing the distance of the dishes from the center. They are move four times a year. 

Manatee Nebula - this gas cloud harbors the compacted remains of an exploded star.

M 51  Whirlpool Galaxy

The LVA is its' self a star. It was featured in Carl Sagan's Comos: A Personal Voyage, and the films 2010, The Arrival and Independence Day to name a few. 

Spent the night at Datil Well Campground. (34.15368, -107.85742)   $2.50 with my old guy pass. Nina & Paul's excellent review. 

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