Exit Ireland, Enter Poland

Some news from Mom and Dad's travels abroad:

We are still in Dingle and Mike is happy to report that there are 57 pubs in the town not 52. Today, we walked out to the lighthouse ad were rewarded with sights of Fungie, the dolphin who resides in the harbor. He was only about 10 meters from shore frolicking with some French girls swimming in the water. The walking is supurb. I love the long beaches with the packed sand, great on the feet.

Later that night we went to eat at a restaurant called "Out of the Blue" on the waterfront. It looked like a dive but was recommended by the locals. We had one of the best meals of our life. The seafood was fresh off the boats. The monkfish was accompanied by the flakiest puff pastry. Everything was divine. The restaurant only held 24 seating spaces. The couple behind us was from Bainbridge Island. The four on our left were from Gig Harbor. Two on the right were from Vashon Island. We started laughing from being in Ireland and everyone being from Washington state. We turned to the last table to ask where they were from...St Mary's County, Maryland where they not only knew and revered my Aunt Beth , the leading lady from St Mary's but worked with Muffin, My cousin. Ireland is a small town. Not only did we meet lots of locals but everyone recognized us where ever we went. My loving husband, Mike questioned this. "How do they remember me?" he asked. "Mike," I said, " Could it be that you are traveling through Europe with a woman sprouting the shortest hair do since Jane Pauley?" It's the "crucut syndrome."

We are now in Krakow, home to the late " John Paul the 2nd". Today we toured his digs and heard first hand how he helped to rid Poland of Communist Rule. He is a true saint to the Poles and Krakow is his beloved city where he trained and was bishop. 95% of this town is Catholic and because of their beloved Patron, 70% are practicing Catholics. They speak of him with awe. This city is quite lovely with a beautiful park replacing the walls once surrounding the city, beside athe Vistula River and with a square as large as St. Marco's in Venice.

Yesterday, we visited Aushwitz. I recommend this trip to everyone of age to remind them of the inhumanity that man is capable of. ...When I think of my health problems, I realize that I have always had hope and support. To think of those courageous Jewish mothers who knew what they were leading their children to ...is unthinkable. Those are the Saints of our century.

More later...especially Prague.

Sunday, Sunday

"The last few months have been pretty busy." That is what I tell most people when they ask me what is going on in the wonderful world of Jenn. What I should really say is that the last year has been crazy and the next 12 months are also going to be full of activity. It was only August of last year that I actually met Joe Wiese. Two months after meeting Joe this young Democrat was doing something that she never imagined: I took a day off of work to dress up like a Marine, to wear face paint, to shoot M-16's and grenade launchers, and to ride around in an amphibious assualt vehicle. The unfortunate evidence is below:

After dressing me up in his clothes and feeding me Meals Ready to Eat (MRE), Joe asked me to attend the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Richmond, VA. We helped celebrate the Marine Corps 230th birthday in style and moved into the holiday season. Thanksgiving was spent with Joe's family in Manhatten. Christmas was celebrated by us numerous times. First, I took him to the company Christmas party:

We had an early Christmas celebration with my parents, Joe graduated from The Basic School (TBS) and we were headed out to Steilacoom, WA to spend time with Joe's family. Joe and I headed back to "normal life" once the holiday season was finito. I continued to work in Maryland and he worked on surviving the Infantry Officer Course (IOC). Just when life seemed to be slowing down we hit warp speed. Joe was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and I was six weeks pregnant. Three months later I had quit my job, moved to southern California and was married. Here are some shots from our wedding day:

Joe and I continued to stay busy throughout the summer. He worked and I volunteered for the local Girl Scout Council. We found out that we were having a boy and played the name games. By the way . . . we finally settled on one but need to work on the creative spelling. Mike and Susie said that they would ask around at the pubs while they were in Ireland. It is a Gaelic name, so they should come up with great answers.

Our latest adventure was a trip up to Steilacoom to attend a brunch that Mike and Susie hosted in our honor. I wish that I had taken pictures of the house and at the actual event, but I suffer from pregnancy amnesia and I forgot to take them and I forgot to get a copy of the family shot taken after the event. I can still describe the beauty and the activities that took place on September 3rd.

The decor of the house was absolutely gorgeous. There were blue, purple, and white flowers in vases and baskets all over the first floor of the house. The garage had long tables for guests to sit and enjoy food and coffee. Music played for those who chose to eat and visit on the front porch (which overlooks the water). The food was catered by MiMi's and those gals had every surface in the kitchen covered with bountiful trays. The menu consisted of butter-nut squash ravioli, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, a spiral ham, spinach and raspberry salad, platters of cheese and crackers, a variety of quiche, banana bread, and an assortment of delicious tarts. The most sought after item was the crab salad that was made from crabs that Susie, Georg, Renee, and Father Dennis picked themselves! The food was delicious and the guests were all very kind and generous. Mike and Susie's house must have been the go to spot for the afternoon, because over 100 people stopped in to visit. The food, the decor, and the guests brought together a vibe or a spirit of communal friendship and it was such a warm and welcoming place to be. There is something to be said for good friends. And the Wiese family has an assortment of good friends. Many thanks to all who were able to make it to our brunch.

And a second thanks to all of those who have supported Susie throughout the course of her diagnosis and treatment.

Best wishes to all,

Jenn