It is a drizzly Saturday here in Steilacoom, and I can't understand why Cooper thinks he needs to keep going outside. As for me, inside is the best.

I regret to report that I have nothing to report, but I am committed to 'keep on bloggin'. Ken is off to get new tires on the Jetta. We have had it for one year, doubled the mileage, and have worn out the tires at 40,000 miles. I understand the tires 'role' with regard to safety, but I can't get on a 'roll' when it comes to spending the money. So much money for round, black, smelly objects!

I had a long chat with Sheila last night to get caught up on all the Idaho Kirkwood activities. Brian should return from Las Vegas next week and should be home for a while. Both boys have soccer games today which signals the end of the season. And Sheila remains breathless with her contributions to help out the squadron families whenever she can.

Warren's birthday is next week and he will turn 9; our youngest grandchild!! He informed his parents recently that he intends to be a film producer so would like a video camera for his birthday so he can get started. His first work is going to be about cats (he insists that he was a cat in a former life) and the challenge is to decide if it should be live or animated, which would be much easier than trying to get a live cat to cooperate. He is not very forthcoming with what goes on in his head, but I love it when he does decide to share.

Nolan, age 11, recently completed a school project creating his family tree. I understand it is very well done, and once finished, he made the observation that he has a very strong military background: his maternal great grandfather was a POW during WWII and his paternal great grandfather was aboard the Jacob Jones when it was sunk during WWI. Both survived. Grandpa Rich O'Lear is retired from the Air Force and Grandpa Ken Kirkwood is retired from the Navy. Nolan's Uncle Keith Kirkwood served in the Army after he completed college. Dad Brian is an Air Force aviator and Mom Sheila was an aviator when she was on active duty and is now in the reserves. And off the top of my head, I can think of at least 6 other relatives within those generations who have served or are serving in the military. That is quite a heritage.

My next blog will probably be from Spokane.

Ciao