And the Winner is…

Posted on February 25, 2011June 25, 2011 by patrice

Mt Rainier

This is about the “Name that Schroeder” contest, but most importantly, the results that I know you have all been waiting for. But before I come right out and tell you what the name is, I must tell you about the journey to get to his name. After-all, it isn’t about the destination…It is all about the journey. At least that is what they say, and they say lots of things you know. Ok, having said all that now to walk you through the journey.

To begin with we had to do some research and get to his “roots” so to speak. We felt like he was some kind of Gnome so that is where we started our research, and this is what we found.

But upon researching these creatures of German folklore and looking at more and more photos of them, I must admit … I can honestly say that I see them with different eyes now.
Gnome pronounced “nome”:
1) a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man who lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure;
2) a mythical being of a legendary race endowed with exceptional vision and heightened human sensitivities; their task is to provide assistance to all living things; gnomes symbolize integrity, honesty and hard work.

Once we understood that we knew we had in fact found his “roots”. We deduced that our little friend is of course German, we know that by his last name, and we know he was born in 1966, so that makes him an old man. If 7 inches tall isn’t tiny then I don’t know what is. We also know he likes German Classical composers, we can tell that by his sweater. We are thinking he is a modern day Gnome. Yeah that’s it, the new breed of Gnome, that is what he is. The latest in a long line of Gnomes that has been around for centuries. Yeah that’s it!

Still need a name though – all we know is his name is Schroeder…Could this be the mythical “Schroeder”, that epitomizes all things Schroeder? After all we do know that Schroeder is the oldest family name in the world don’t we. And every time someone lied or committed a sin they had to change their name from Schroeder. So just think about how many family names there are now(that should tell you something alright). This of course means that the only true and righteous people left in the world are [insert drum roll here]…Schroeder’s. The only way to get a reprieve on having one of those myriad pf lesser names is to be fortunate to marry a Schroeder. I got to tell ya even being married to a Schroeder isn’t as easy as you think. There aren’t many that make it you know, and it isn’t because Schroeder’s are hard to live with either. Oh no, on the contrary, Schroeder’s are some of the kindest, loving, attentive people in the world. They do, after all, embody all things that are goodness, happiness, and of course sunshine. Women just have trouble living such a righteous life. It is just simply a matter of living that life of truth, wisdom, vision and the burden of exceptional knowledge that all Schroeder’s just naturally have that is, in most cases, just to much for someone of a lessor family name to be able to deal with. It has been my experience that once they have been married to a Schroeder and don’t make it… they are doomed to settle for a lessor existence in every way.

You are probably wondering what has all this got to do with naming him? Well I will get to that shortly, but first, let me tell you about the picture.

We just happened to catch him laying out enjoying the view of the mountain from our house. He heard me come in and he turned around the way you see him in the picture. So I took his picture and we talked for a bit. You see while he was laying there he was busily making plans to climb Mt. Rainier.

He had laid out the course up the mountain and was ready to go. I asked him how he was going to handle the deep snow and all for the climb. He had that figured. He had designed snowshoes using toothpicks and dental floss (such a brilliant idea). Not only that but the design was such that when he got to the top he could turn them into skis and ski back to our house. He is pretty sure he can set the record for climbing up and down Mt. Rainier. And you know what…I bet he can. We think he is not only a Schroeder but also part MacGyver too. How else could you explain using what is at hand to figure his way out of a problem? I know it’s scary isn’t it. A MacGyver Schroeder combination would be not only dangerous but very powerful too.

And that is the rest of the story on how “MacGyver (Mac) Schroeder” got his name. But don’t give me all the credit for his name. Oh no, it was my son Don that really zeroed in on the MacGyver aspect.

Meet Our New Little Friend

Posted on February 25, 2011June 25, 2011 by patrice

Yes we have a new friend, at least to travel with. He was made back in 1966 and that is the original sweater for him too. He doesn’t look to bad for being 45 years old either now does he. Just to glance at him you wouldn’t guess he was much over 10. He promises not cost us anything if we take him along too, what a bonus eh.

It isn’t really like we need more people to travel with or anything cuz we don’t get lonely traveling. In fact we usually have lots of fun and meet new people and all the usual stuff that happens when you travel. Having said that there is one thing people keep bring up, and that is there aren’t any pictures of us, just places. Well I am thinking this little guy is the answer to that.

travel guy - no name yet

Just think, we will publish a picture here and there he will be just a smiling away, and you will know we were there and took the picture too. See we are actually accomplishing 2 things at the same time. Always looking for ways to multi-task you know.

He is very athletic too. He can turn his head and his arms and legs move too. Then, when you add the angelic face and that more than perfect smile…What else could you ask for? Thats right not much.

You are probably wondering why he would want to travel with us…Well I am glad you asked that. I wasn’t going to say anything, but since you brought it up I will answer that for you…

You see he has had a life of being in one place and it was dark most of the time there. No one to talk to; no one to play with; no real social life at all. He has always wanted to travel and during those dark years he suffered through, the only thing that kept him going was thinking about all the places he wanted to go to and see. Well now he has that chance to see places with us. After all don’t you feel kinda sorry for the little fella with having such a deprived life up until now? And he still is smiling after all he has been through too. Watta guy, talk about “manning up”! This little guy is the poster child for what that means.

One detail we could use some help on though, and that is, what shall we name him? You know he has never had a real name either. Let me know what you think he should be named. After-all, no one should go through life with no name should they.

Sunrise and Dad’s status

Posted on January 25, 2011July 28, 2017 by patrice

: Mt Rainier

To begin with, this was sunrise this morning. Sure is nice to have that first cup of coffee and watch the sun rise and see how the mountain changes. But I have been remiss about making a post regarding my Dad. For those that know what happened.

The court date was 1/24 and Dad and many friends showed up at court along with the Attorney for the other side. But not the two German guys that did the beating. The Judge was not happy that they didn’t show up and scolded their Attorney. So things are not settled at all. New court date is 6/30 now.

Will keep you posted.

Antigua – Guatemala

Posted on January 25, 2011July 28, 2017 by patrice

Antiqua

Just had to include a picture of the famous Arch in Antigua. What self respecting tourist wouldn’t? I can tell you first hand, I do a lot of self respecting too. Now to use some platitudes that usually accompany tourist pictures…

The pictures just don’t capture the natural charm of the city. Nor do they show that there are 45 churches and 43 convents in this little city that was so central to the foundation of settling Central America. The city dates back to the mid 1500’s I believe, March 10, 1543 if you want to be exact, (and you thought I don’t remember birthdays). Now back to the normal dry narration.

If you get a chance it is worth spending some time enjoying the city. There are MANY people trying to sell you things every time you turn around though. So the trick is DLAT (Don’t Look At Them). If you make eye contact with them or pause to look at what they have you are doomed to have them nagging you the rest of the day. So there you go.

Panama Canal

Posted on January 25, 2011July 28, 2017 by patrice

Panama Canal

What an amazing trip it is to go through the Canal. You go up 85 feet from the Pacific Ocean side, go through a very long lake, and down 85 feet into the Caribbean. Watching ships along side, in front and in back makes it seem like ships are rising and sinking around you.

I am sure I could talk for an hour about the Canal but you just have to experience it for yourself. You can see the progress they are making on the new locks for the really big ships too. That is due for completion in 2014.

All in all it makes for a very entertaining day.

China – Bejiing – I need a Hero, and he’s got to be fresh from the fight!

Posted on December 25, 2010July 28, 2017 by patrice

Yes those are some of the immortal words of Bonnie Taylor but was she really speaking about “The Great Wall of China”? Chairman Mao proclaimed that any person who wanted to be a real hero must climb the Great Wall. I can tell you that after climbing “The Great Wall”, I sure can relate to what Chairman Mao said, but back to the original point.

Now think of the words that Bonnie Taylor has in her song. Now let’s quote some of her immortal words and take a closer look at them. Let us look at these words,” I need a Hero, I’m holding out for a hero, ’til the end of the night. He’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast. And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight”.
It is obvious that she needs a hero and he has to be strong and fast and also fresh from the fight. Hmmmm, now she is going to wait til the end of the night also. Now what could be the meaning of these words I ask you…Of course I ask rhetorically of course because I am going to tell you what they mean. I just wanted you to think about it it for a second. Ding times up.

The key is the context to think about these words. Now if you had heard what Chairman Mao said above and had in fact, like yours truly, [insert a smug look on my face here], had climbed The Great Wall, well everything would just fall into place. Let me save you some time now and succinctly state the meaning as clearly as I can, because it is only one that has been enlightened by the climb that can see it so clearly.

Bonnie was talking about waiting at “The Great Wall” for her guy to come back a hero from climbing the wall. He has to be strong and fast to be able to endure the challenge of climbing The Great Wall. Enduring that climb is what she is referring to as the fight. And, now this will toast your noodle, she is only going to wait until morning for him to do it.

She, Bonnie, must go for wussy guys or something because it didn’t take me all night to climb it and return – oh no not me. To give her and him, whoever he is, the benefit of a doubt, perhaps he didn’t start the climb until the late afternoon and underestimated what it actually takes and she was growing impatient waiting in the dark for him. We may never know exactly what her situation was that inspired her now immortal words.

But now you know the true story – believe it…or not.

Great Wall Bejiing, China