Bob Young

Family friend Bob Young passed away last week, from pancreatic cancer. He had been my brother Stan's best friend, and was an inspiration and counsel to nephew Matt as well. Bob traveled with my brother in Italy, and had been a friend of my father as well.

Here's the link to the obit from the Pasadena Star-News, but more importantly, here's a link to his art site, with some wonderful sketches and other pieces.

Whispers

No riding for over a week now, as the snow and ice present a formidable barrier. But, lots of walks with the Brown Dog, including the trek down the hill to the OLA. Recently, I was walking up the trail to Kite Hill in the snow, and noticed a man with a long beard and two dogs descending. All dogs were off leash. As is the custom, we both stopped to make sure that the impending canine convention would be friendly. When we met, we talked about the weather and the snow, remarking that such a snowfall was uncommon in Seattle. The other dog owner mentioned that he was from Corvallis, Oregon, and in town to go to Fred Hutch. Yes, another cancer patient. He said that this had ‘not been on the radar,’ and was truly grateful just to walk his dogs on a snowy day at Magnuson.

Matt wrote that Dana was starting her chemotherapy early.

C told me that one of the beloved Moms in our group had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I can't help but wonder who is next. Is this the plague that we endure for living in these times?

The list goes on and on. I’m glad that I’ve signed up for Livestrong, and am so thankful for the friends and family who’ve donated so far.

Now, for the melt sometime soon so getting back on the bike doesn’t mean dodging the ice and snow.

Back on the snowboard again

Finally made it up to Stevens Pass for the first snowboarding of the season! Tons of fresh Cascade Concrete snow, but no ice, small crowds, and tons of fun. The first runs are always a little spooky, do I remember how to do this, where is the balance point after all, and why, if I've been riding all year long, do me legs hurt so much?

Answer to the last one, because the legs are moving in a different direction with different torques and turns than on the bike!




The boys had a great time. Zach stayed with us, leading all down the runs (he just bombs on down) and Max overcame the tentativeness that comes with his new equipment. Looking forward to more fun in the snow the rest of the season!

But, I tweaked the back a fair amount, and am still sore after a couple of days. And, woke up the next morning with all the symptoms of the first cold of the winter, aches, pains, sore throat, stuffed sinuses, yuk.

Classes start tomorrow, but that will provide the opportunity and impetus to get back in the gym and with the regimen.

Going to be a tough few months. C and H are going to LA to visit Tony and Susan next weekend, to provide some comfort and take stock of his situation. Much of what we do will be determined by how all that plays out.