BS: Settling in Guam

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 21 Jun 08 - 03:57 AM

I mean my family back in Maine, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 06:54 PM

Here is something I would like to talk about. I've been thinking about it lately.

For those of you who have known me for a long time you know I've been through some tough times. I have been down in the depths of depression and I've seen no hope of happiness in the future.

I just want you all to know I am extremely happy here. Wakana is very happy also. And so are the cats.

Every day I wake up groggy and stumble into the kitchen for my coffee but I never wake up angry or sad. I never wake up dreading the prospect of another day. Life has turned around for me and now I am on the rainbow highway. No potholes or detours.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 06:57 PM

That comes through very clearly, Brett. I suspcet you have no idea how many people in reading your missives share in your joy. Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 08:04 PM

Exactly what Ebbie said and it IS a joy that you have shared it with us. Makes m'heart glow with gratitude, darlin'.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 08:59 PM

Delighted to have read it from your own hand, Brett!!


A

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 09:24 PM

Brett-

Well, we were kind of reading that in between the lines but I'm glad that you realize that too.

Looking forward to your planned visit to Maine. When will you be in our area, and how may we best accommodate you? Boiled lobsters? Music?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 05:31 AM

you deserve the best, Brett

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 06:58 AM

Thanks, all.

Charley, I fly into Portland on July 4 at 3:32 PM and fly out on July 29 at 7:50 AM. Some time in between would be fine for a visit. Lobsters sound great but I will be traveling on minimum funding. Music sounds great too. Will Mary be having a music weekend while I'm there?

Also, I need to find a Mercedes dealer. I need to buy a few minor parts that I cannot get here.

Here is the plan, such as it is. I will spend a few days at my sister's house. At some point while I'm there I will meet the little squab my daughter brought into the world. Then I will go up to New Limerick to stay with my parents. I have a few chores to do for them and a building project to do for the squab. (Aren't grandfathers supposed to build toys for their grandkids?) I also need to repair my canoe so I can sell it. My brother will be arriving a few days before I am scheduled to leave so that time cannot be used for anything else.

Other than that I am free and available.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:57 PM

Brett-

Check your PM's but from what you're saying it looks as if somewhere in the last two weeks would be the best option for us seeing you, and entertaining you in the style you are accustomed to.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 01:18 PM

BRett:

Squab?? SQUAB??

Don't let on that's what you call her if you want to leave your daughter's presence under your own steam.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 08:39 PM

Squab is one of the many things we call babies in our family. We also use Grundoon. I used to use Monkey-Nose until the kids were old enough to protest. I then changed it to Primate-Proboscis.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 08:54 PM

& how long did that last?

Several decades ago 2 colleagues used to call their new baby Smelly-bum, I hope this child grew up into a fine citizen, & not a person who needed extensive therapy!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 08:58 PM

Well, I used to call the older daughter my Kelli-smelly-belly but that was dropped very early under her vigorous protests. Using it today results in a bruise to the upper arm and an energetic one sided conversation. I hope she doesn't see this post. I will still receive the bruise.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 10:32 PM

I had a similar transition, in which i learned not to say, "Know what I mean, Jellybean??" She really hated being called a jelybean.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: GUEST,Kelli
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 03:14 AM

You bet your darn tootin' you're gonna get a bruisin'.

But I call Sabra 'honeybutt' and then I carefully explain that is wishful thinking on my part and honey doesn't really come out of her butt....far from it in fact.

Oh and Dad, you might want to make sure you've got some Stan Rogers songs floating around your head. We sing them to her a lot, 'Giant' in particular can stop her in mid scream.

See you soon!

Kelli

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 07:01 AM

Uh-oh! My daughter did see this. Noooooo! I'm doomed.

I guess I better warm up my guitar and try to remember some of those songs.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 04:01 PM

Yesterday was yard work day. I mowed the lawn with the riding mower while Wakana trimmed the more difficult to reach areas. Believe me, I offered to let her run the rider but she refused. After the mowing she burned more fronds from the betelnut trees and some boxes. I set up a rack to store the kayaks on and covered them with a tarp.

Betelnut trees are very messy. Not only do they drop their nuts (MY mind is clean! Keep yours out of the gutter!) but they also drop their fronds. Consequently you are always having to clean up out there to keep it looking good.

Our mountain apple trees were bearing when we moved in. After a few weeks the branches were bare of fruit and I assumed there was some mysterious season and we were out of it. Yesterday I looked at the tree by the carport and realized it was once more covered in little apples.

The farmer stopped by yesterday to point out that the fruit on our soursap tree had almost reached ripeness. Imagine a fruit that looks like a green pine cone. You break it open to reveal a whitish gooey sweet tasting core full of huge black seeds. All the edible fruit is attached to the seeds so you take a mouthful of the fruit and then spit out the seeds just like a watermelon. Unlike a watermelon the seeds are huge while the fruit in skimpy.

Wakana brought in four guavas yesterday and we cut them open.They weren't ripe yet and tasted like raw vegetables.

Today more yard work is on the agenda. We need to replant a plumeria tree and the calamansi tree that I gave her as a wedding present.

Wakana got herself a little part-time job for the summer. She will be a tour guide for Underwater World. The public aquarium is starting up a series of behind-the-scene tours. She took the job at the request of a friend who works there. It should be fun but she won't make enough to pay for her gas. I hope she likes it. It certainly will keep her occupied while I'm gone.

I leave in two more days. Laundry today and packing tonight. Sigh. I really want to go meet my grandbaby but I really don't want to leave my wonderful little piece of heaven.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Jul 08 - 10:35 PM

Oh, my brother tried for years to grow a plumeria as a houseplant. He will be so jealous to hear of yours! Don't they make beads out of betelnuts? Or is it some kind of juice or natural makeup I've read about? Anyway, it sounds lovely, regardless, esp. after seeing all of the pix you sent...I can see why it feels like heaven!

That grandbaby is going to create her own little heaven for you, though, just wait 'til you hold her.:-)

Have fun and post when you can, okay?

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 06:35 AM

Betelnut is husked, quartered, and chewed. You know a real hardcore chewer when you see them set it up with lime (i.e., powdered limestone) and tobacco wrapped in a pepper leaf. It makes your mouth fill up with saliva and you have to keep spitting. The spit marks are red splatters on the ground. Apparently it gives the chewers a high similar to drinking too much caffeine. I don't get it. I tried it twice and got nothing out of it either time.

I know how I'll feel once I hold Sabra. If I'm lucky I will not cry. I'm just not looking forward to 30 hours in the airplanes. Grumble, grumble, gripe, gripe.

Kat now is the only one of you all to have the official Try-To-Keep-Wakana-In-The-USA photo album. For those of you in OZ you might try to get together with her if you really want to see the pictures. Charlie and Judy will get a look at it and the larger one I'm building for friends and family.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 10:10 AM

Brett-

We're looking forward to a viewing toward the end of your Maine revisit.

Don't expect your luggage to arrive with you in Portland, unless it's all stuffed into your tiny tiny carry-on.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 10:25 AM

The July shanty session will be on the 19th if you're in the neighborhood. It would be grand to see you again - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 11:32 AM

30 hours...oof! Be sure to move around a bit and keep your circulation going...that's a long time.:-)

I'd be happy to share by email if anyone wants to PM me, with your permission, Brett.

Bon Voyage!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 07:48 PM

That last post of mine was an error. I commented on Kat being able to share the pix with Catters in OZ. At that point I was thinking of Sandra from Sydney. Don't know why I made that error. Sorry Kat.

You're welcome to share the album with any of the Mudcats here. I can only email it in small increments. If you can send it in large pieces then feel free. I'd like to know who is getting a copy though.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Jul 08 - 09:48 PM

No problem, Brett. Not long to go now, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 03 Jul 08 - 09:12 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing a pic or 2! Maybe Kat could post some of them on the Mudcat MyOperea site?

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 03:32 PM

Careful what you wish for, Sandra. You might get it.

Kat, if you want to throw the pictures up on some Mudact site it would be fine with me. Or we could wait till I get home.

Meaning, of course, that I am now in Maine. I am jet lagged, and cold but I am here. I didn't remember the cold. I got off the plane in my sandals and shorts and stepped into 72 degree weather. And then my sister complained of the heat and ran the air conditioner all the way to her house!

It was 27 hours from bed to my arrival at her house. But I had a great breakthrough on the trip. I finally achieved the ability to sleep on a plane. It may have had something to do with getting only two hours sleep before leaving. Other than that the flight was long, boring, and uncomfortable.

But I got here and the air smells so good and the house is an old cape smelling of wood smoke and homey coziness. I miss Waakana though.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: curmudgeon
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 04:12 PM

Welcome back, BretReally hope we get to see you while you're "in the neighborhood" but have a great visit anyway - Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 04:24 PM

Brett-

Welcome back to Maine and be sure to enjoy this weekend's weather before we get next week's monsoon.

The ticks and mosquitos have been eagerly awaiting your return as well.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 04:28 PM

Give me a day or two and put some of them up, Brett, Sandra. We can always add more from your trip when you get back, Brett.:-) How's the granddaughter???!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 05 Jul 08 - 04:58 PM

Welcome, Brett! Be sure to drive over 80 on the Maine 'Pike just for auld lang syne!! :D



A

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 10:35 AM

I actually got a local call from Brett last evening. I'm convinced that he's actually resident in Maine. But maybe he's been here all the time, imagining his Pacific paradise for the benefit of himself and the rest of us, his "Port o' Dreams."

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 11:01 AM

yah! more pics to look at sometime soon

thanks for your work, Kat

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Jul 08 - 09:53 PM

Okay, folks, I've got seven pix up so far. Take a gander and look at Brett's bee-you-tee-full bride! Click Here.

Thanks for sharing, Brett & Wakana!!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 06:17 AM

ta, again

eagerly awaiting the the kimono wedding pics, so everyone can see the beautiful bride in her exquisite ancestral wedding kimono.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: SINSULL
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 08:43 AM

Brett's in Maine? How did I miss this? I would have been happy to meet you at the airport!
No Wakana? Damn! It's been too long.
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 12:26 PM

Well, you have to blame Homeland Security for Wakana's absence. Apparently Japanese are sneaking into our country and posing a threat to our way of life.

I have arranged to meet up with Charley and Judy and go down to the Press Room on the 19th. That will be my one chance to get to see my old friends and neighbors. I'll bring the photo album.

Thank you, Kat for putting those up. I've tried several times in the past and cannot ever get back into whichever site I was using.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 12:34 PM

Oops, hit the button way too fast. Yesterday I met Sabra. She is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen. She looks like one of those babies you might see in an old illustrated book with longish hair (for a six month old baby), bright blue eyes, and pale porcelin skin. And, of course, this is a completely unbiased opinion. I will send Kat a picture to add to that site.

It was great to see Kelli again. She looks great and seems very happy. We spent the day playing with Sabra and talking and enjoying the beautiful summer day in Maine. Sabra proved to be as stubborn as her mother when it comes to taking a nap. My sister insisted that babies need to have a decent nap so she took her upstairs and sat and rocked her and lay with her on the bed and finally got the kid to sleep. And she slept for over an hour!

It was hard to say goodbye when she had to leave though the house sure seemed peaceful without the baby in it. I had forgotten...

What a munchkin. Twenty pounds of love and kicking feet.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Amos
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 01:33 PM

:>D

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 01:43 PM

Ah, I just got home and saw the picture of Sabra and she is an absolute doll! I emailed for permission to put her picture up then read your note here, so I will go that right now. I'll get more of the other photos up in the next day or two, also, no problem.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 02:33 PM

She is SO cute! It's really too bad Wakana can't be there..."stoopid guvernment!"

Anyway, I had a little more time than I thought, so there are a few new pix including Sabra with Gramps HERE.

Thanks, again for sharing, Brett!

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 09:02 PM

ta, once again

lovely pic of baby (& granpa looks good, too)

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 09:51 PM

Well, gee, gee, well...

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 10 Jul 08 - 06:27 PM

Well, it has been a busy few days. Jet lag is kicking my butt. I am tired all the time and cannot sleep at night. It's really upsetting my plans for building the gift for Sabra, Kelli, and Luke.

I heard from Wakana today. She has an appointment to meet with the immigration service on July 21. We might be close to a resolution on her green card.

I also heard from the school. They want me to teach five American Literature classes and one U. S. History class next year. Two classes to develop lesson plans for! Ugh! But I will be working with the same batch of kids as last year. That gives me a leg up, I guess.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Jul 08 - 07:12 PM

Brett-

Six classes with two preparations is certainly a full plate for any teacher. I did that in the Peace Corps. Funny, though, I never wake up with nightmares about that experience, unlike my recurring nightmares about taking college exams.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 08:58 PM

It's funny but I think I see a change in the local area from my last visit. I get the feeling that people are living on the edge and worried about it. Summer camps are mostly empty. There are fewer cars and trucks on the road.

And I think that change is caused by the high fuel prices. People here are hit by gasoline prices and then by the cost of heating oil. The guy my father gets his firewood from has none left. He will still deliver but it will be green and won't burn well. Fortunately Dad has some left over in the woodshed. That stuff is well seasoned.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Jul 08 - 10:07 PM

Brett-

That may be why the ECONOMY IS ISSUE NUMBER 1 in our Presidential Election. Don't forget to vote , if you can in Guam.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 03:09 PM

Kelli, Luke, and Sabra arrived yesterday. My mother has ceased to have any function other than baby talk. She is very funny. Of course we now have four generations represented in this house. Greatgrandparents, grandfather, mother, and baby. How cool is that?

Work is progressing on the boat shaped baby cradle. Dad and I have been making the pieces. Now we are ready to put it together. It's been a fun project and it's been great to work with Dad on it.

I really miss Wakana. I was looking through the photo album a few minutes ago and felt quite homesick. Strange to feel that while sitting in my ancestral home.

Back when I was a kid my grandmother had a set of Scientific American from 1871. I used to enjoy looking through them when we visited her. I thought they'd been lost when she had to leave her old house but it turns out my father has them. The articles are fun to read. One states with great authority that the breechloading rifle will never be as accurate as the muzzleloader.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: ClaireBear
Date: 14 Jul 08 - 03:53 PM

What a beautiful project! and what a swell granddad you are to do it.

The boat-shaped cradle in the film The Secret of Roan Inish was a lovely thing. If yours is anything like that one, I am very jealous of your granddaughter!

When I was tiny, I slept in a cradle my paternal grandfather (who had died long before I was born) had made for my eldest sister. He was a German house carpenter, not a fine woodworker, so my cradle was a plain slope-sided plywood box, stained with redwood stain and decorated only with rounded, raised ends. When my own son was born, I brought it out of retirement and painted it with scenes of the Avebury stone circle (where I had prayed successfully for his conception). Although it's plain, I know that he will use it for his own children someday -- and as beautiful as I imagine yours is going to be, I'm sure your granddaughter and her children will, too.

One question: Will it have outriggers?

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Naemanson
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 02:02 PM

LOL! No outriggers. The boat cradle is a copy of a dory. Right now we are letting the glue dry on the port side. Then we havee to glue up the starboard side. We broke two side pieces trying to get the right curve on it.

Still not sure how I will get to Portsmouth this weekend. My daughter is leaving here on Saturday so I might ride down with them and take a bus back.

Subject: RE: BS: Settling in Guam
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Jul 08 - 02:34 PM

Brett-

You could always catch a ride back to Richmond with us from Portsmouth. And then catch a bus from Bath on Sunday or when ever to Houlton or where ever.

So we shouldn't be expecting you on Friday?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble