John Farrell
Our Great Alaskan Adventure
We are visiting Alaska August 31 through September 8. The first area we will visit will be Denali National Park. If the weather cooperates, we will see the above in person the middle of the week. The Weather Channel forecast yesterday for this area is for sunshine one day and rain the next. It will be what it will be. We’re ready for either. We’re hoping for a clear view of the mountain – called Mt. McKinley in the lower U.S. but known as Mt. Denali in Alaska. Denali is the native word for the Great One. The National Park Service has good information and some great pictures, as above, provided on Twitter @DenaliNPS.
The second area we will spend time is the south-central region to take day boat trips to see glaciers and wildlife. We’ll have lots of pictures and stories after this trip, for sure.
Look out Alaska, here we come!
John Farrell
The Monarch has come and gone
It’s been a couple seasons since we had a Monarch butterfly in our gardens. Last year we saw one on one day and then it was gone. This year, this male Monarch has been hanging out for a least four days now. It’s been very difficult to get a quality picture. This one isn’t very good but the best I’ve gotten so far. Hope you enjoy this rare (around here anyway) beauty.
After a couple weeks, the Monarch was gone. A good article on their migration can be found in the Birds & Blooms magazine. Enjoy!
Daniel Farrell
An anniversary to forget
Today marks 8 years of marriage for Alicia and I. Normally anniversaries have been exciting and a bit stressful(trying to make them special and normally failing) but expectedly it’s a completely different experience when you are separated. I have felt a lot of stress this past week as today approached and even took the day off of work because I thought I wouldn’t function properly today.
But today has been anti-climactic. I didn’t really sleep in and I have not had any breakdowns. I got up and ate a smoothie for breakfast and did some pilates(my normal morning routine these days) and I’ve done chores. I have been sad but that was/is expected. I don’t really have plans for the rest of the day other than some more chores and seeing if I can pamper my knee into letting me play in our soccer game tonight. Overall, an anniversary to forget.
John Farrell
Our grandchild is a girl!
The big news this week is that our grandchild is healthy and is a girl. Her due date is now December 20. She will be named Eden November. The middle name November is from a song written and sung by the babies Uncle Jake. We’re all excited and happy beyond our ability to express ourselves.
The parents found out about the babies health and sex on Monday, and revealed it all to the family that night at a party with a cake that was either blue or pink – very cute!
Alicia Farrell
27 Ways Fawntane Inspires Me to Be a Better Person
Today marks 27 years of being “Fawntane’s Big Sister”. To celebrate I went out to a diner and had a piece of pie while jotting down a few of the ways my sister inspires me to be a better person. Many of these qualities about Fawn are areas that I struggle with or fall short in living out.
1. Not afraid to express her anger.
I’m surprised that the door to the bedroom I shared with Fawn is still hanging after being slammed shut so many times over the years.
2. Independent.
Even when we were young kids, Fawn was fine to be on her own or was ok if she had different opinions than those around her.
3. Stubborn.
I only know two women more stubborn that Fawn, I’ll let you guys guess who I’m talking about. What I love about Fawn’s stubborn ways is the energy she puts behind what she believes.
4. Dedicated.
Is this just another way of saying stubborn? Fawn is insanely committed and dedicated to the people she loves and the things she holds valuable.
5. Follows her heart.
Even when everyone around her tells her that the road she is taking will be difficult, she doesn’t veer away from what her heart desires.
6. She loves whole-heartedly and unconditionally.
Every bit of the stubborn energy that is within her is also put forth in loving others.
7. Brave.
Most people think that the eldest child is the bravest one. I think in this family we just kept getting more courageous. Even just thinking of some of the things Fawn has done over the years makes me feel a little anxious.
8. Heart of justice.
If you ever ask Fawn how work is going, you’ll soon realize that she is more concerned about those around her being treated fairly than what her own experience is like.
9. Resilient.
It baffles me that one tiny girl has so much strength with in her.
10. Knows how to enjoy life.
Few things get in the way of Fawntane doing what she wants.
11. Knows what is important to her.
Fawn has always had a great understanding of what matters to her – from the people she loves to what she wants in life.
12. Strong sense of self.
I feel like each day I struggle with defining who I am, but I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Fawn struggle with that. She just knows.
13. Loves a good story.
Fawn loves to hear and to tell a good story – especially the details.
14. Generous.
Regardless of what she has in life, she finds ways to give to others.
15. Adventurous.
She has been one of the best “tour guides” of life that I’ve known.
16. Incredibly patient and forgiving.
Fawn had the misfortune of being born into a family full of people with faults – but she still hangs around us.
17. Celebrates life.
Did you know that the twins had their ears pierced when they were 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days old? That’s because Fawn’s favorite number is 3 and she needed a way to celebrate that special day.
18. Embraces the details.
This past Halloween Fawn threw a dinner for the family. Even Martha Stewart would have been impressed with the details of the food and decorations Fawn made.
19. She’s a cheerleader.
She has been a believer and supporter of “most” of my hair-brained ideas over the years.
20. Likes herself.
I don’t know if she’s ever realized that most people struggle with liking themselves. She has lived as if that is not even an option.
21. Perfectionist.
She can move cautiously and patiently when creating something to ensure that it is just how she wants it.
22. Gentle.
With the people she loves and with strangers, she can exude a level of gentleness that causes me to pause.
23. Manages stress by engaging in life.
When I’m stressed I want to hide in bed, but Fawn dives in deeper. If you have ever seen her when all 3 kids are crying, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
24. Playful.
She has always been one of my favorite playmates and co-author of haikus.
25. Doesn’t take life too seriously.
I’ve never asked her, but just by watching how she lives I think her motto for life is, “Do what makes you happy. Screw the rest of it.”
26. Loves people, not what they do.
She loves people aside from their behaviors and how they treat her.
27. Shows me there is a wealth of love in the world.
In times when I find it difficult to show love to other people, Fawn seems to have a bottomless source of love and care.
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John Farrell
Pappy?s in the pool!
Our swimming pool has been wonderful during the recent high temperatures. Yesterday afternoon it was 102 in the shade under the deck beside the pool. To our complete surprise and joy, Donna’s Dad, a.k.a. Pappy Spangler, came out of the air conditioned house in his swim suit to join the crew in the pool.
He went into the pool in his clothes a couple months ago so Donna bought him a swim suit, which he used for the first time yesterday. His usual practice is to start the day in a tee shirt and shorts to walk his dog and check out his flowers in the gardens. He must have had fun yesterday because this morning he came down wearing his swim suit so he would be ready when it was time. At 89, he still has a sense of adventure and a great sense of humor.
John Farrell
The lemonade is remarkably good
Six weeks ago today, I underwent surgery on my right knee – the 4th operation in the last 5 years. I was frustrated and angry that this operation had to happen but the results have been quite remarkable. The doctor cleaned out debris from pieces of cement that had broken loose, and he exchanged the plastic pad for a thicker one – 2 mm thicker. Consider that 2mm is 5/64 inch, slightly more than 1/16 inch. It’s not much but it made a world of difference. The doctor told me that he is finding the joints loosening after replacement. In my case, tightening the joint this small amount has made a remarkable difference to reduce the pain and increase the physical functions of the joint.
Now, the joint is not completely healed so there is still pain and swelling but the rate of improvement is encouraging and my expectations for recovery are greater than they have been for more than 5 years. I can comfortably walk 3 miles and perform exercises not done in a long time. For all this, I am very thankful…
John Farrell
The prodigal cat story
We have two house cats – Ava and Niki. Ava is affectionate but low energy. Niki has more than enough energy and curiosity for them both. Last Friday evening, we realized Niki was missing. She couldn’t be found in the house in any of her usual hiding places but we waited until Saturday to be sure. We searched inside and outside the house to no avail. We didn’t see her in the woods near the house nor across the street in the barn with the other neighborhood cats. With the wildlife in this area (raccoons, foxes, hawks, buzzards and outside cats), we were concerned because she has lived her life within the protection of the house and is unlearned in the ways of the wild.
By Sunday evening, our hopes were taking some hits when continued searches and food left outside were not attracting her. We were having dinner at the picnic table in the back yard when we saw her come out of a bush at the back of the house. She panicked when we came toward her and ran back into the bush. Mike successfully extracted her from the bush and brought her back into the house – scared and hungry after more than 48 hours in the wild.
Perhaps her curiosity about life outside the house is satisfied? The backyard is a favorite meeting place for raccoons during the night, and we’ve seen foxes passing through the yard on numerous occasions. At least she found a good hiding place in the bush, which is dense and close to the house.
Finally, the reception she got from her sister, Ava, was unexpected – not friendly at all. Perhaps Ava is jealous that she missed out on the great adventure or the attention Niki got when she returned? They are getting along better as time passes by.
This story has lots of the elements of the Biblical story – interesting…
John Farrell
Making lemonade status
I had knee surgery on Friday, June 11. The surgeon cleaned out the debris and replaced the plastic pad with a slightly thicker one. My first PT session was June 16. I’ve been 3 times and have been doing exercises at home. I have a PT session on Wednesday, and see the surgeon on Thursday, June 24, to remove the staples 14 days post surgery. That is a milestone event because after that I can shower, and probably swim.
The knee is responding good. I am regaining strength and range of motion faster than I expected. The incision looks good, and ready for the staples to be removed. I’m tempted to do it myself – I have the experience and tool for the job but doing that would upset some people so I’ll wait… 
The best signs are the knee is bending smoothly and the old areas of pain are greatly reduced or gone – time will tell for sure. I am encouraged and optimistic but cautious because I’ve been here before. The old adage says the third time is the charm. We’ll see.
Thus far, things are looking good!
John Farrell
Farrell Family history ? 1940
This picture shows, left to right, Ralph Smith, Ernest Smith, Robert Farrell, and Roy Farrell in 1940. These 4 are first cousins – their mothers were sisters. Robert is my father. Roy was my namesake.
Ernest was the oldest and had been inducted into the Army before WW II started. Robert Farrell was 15 at this time. His younger brother, Roy, was only 13 in this picture. After WWII started, Robert enlisted in the Navy when he was 18. Roy enlisted when only 17 by lying about his age. He was a medic in the Navy Marine Corp. Not long thereafter, he was killed in the invasion of Guam helping the wounded. Ralph, Ernest and Robert all survived the war. Robert is the only one still living at the age of 85.
