End of the Year Pictures

At the close of 2009, once again Ilene, Lane and I headed down to South Florida. We have been making the Christmas vacation trip since we were first married (Back in the 1700s).
For many years we would stay with Shirley in her Ocean-view condo in Boca. It's a beautiful unit facing the inter- Costal on one side and the Ocean clearly visable from the oposit bank of windows. The pool was a little heavy on rules, but the beach was just accross A1A.

When Judy and Jerry bought their town house at Glen Eagles in Del Ray, we moved or base of opporations there. Since it is tricky for both Jerry and I to be gone from Urban Insurance at the same time; we arrainge to be in Florida while they are back holding down the fort in Chicago.
This works out well because it gives on the place all to our selves for much of the time.

Going to Florida is less of a vacation, and more of a home away from home. Having the luxury to keep clothes in Florida reduces the amount of luggage we need; but it does involve another type of baggage. Could you picture paul gauguin heading off to Martanique to "get a way from it all."
Im trying to imagine how he might have reacted if upon arriving he found himself surrounded by parents, In-Laws, extended family and friends, negociating dinner reservations for twenty. Or having to get up early to "Save Chairs" around the main pool; an action that often placed Ilene, the Chicagoan up against anyone of an army of New Yorkers, in a struggle that resembled a Charles Knight mural of Triceratops in a Life-or-Death battle against Tyrannosaurus.


(by the way--Ilene won)


Jori and Eleo had us over for a Christmas day brunch, where we exchange Hanukkah gifts.

The next day we were off to Flamingo World.
It is one those "Old-Style" Florida attractions, the kind of place that you would expect to find advertised on a 40 year-old bilboard. That a big part of it's charm. It makes me miss the old Parrot Jungle World,
The trick to getting an acceptable picture of me, is to get the person to stand very far back, and then take the picture with a camera with crappy resolution. Lane the Golf pro


The morning after a very fun "Sleep-over" Lane had with James Garlin, His brother Duke, and Jack. Morgan joined them for the big carnival at Glen Eagles.

Lane found this little girl in the airport, not only did he entertain her, he tried to teach her to play. Well at least he found a way to Kill time during our very long trip home.
Happy New Years

One Brave Kirsch

Kirsh Family hanging out in Mexico

Lane's Trip to Washington with Judy and Jerry

Summer 09 has begun

Jerry and Lane working on "Logic Puzzles"
over dinner. I must say Lane has a great deal of patience for these things.
Jerry is really good at them, I think it comes from "Cleaning-up" the messes I make at work.

Family on the 5th celebrating the 4th

Lane at the opening reception for Joe Ray's show

Joe and Chris were two old friends from my Art Major days back at ASU. Thanks to the "Magic" of Facebook, we have been back in touch; so when they told me of the opening of a collection of his work in Madison Wisc. - I tossed the family in the car. I must say it was well worth the trip.




After a very long and cold winter; I must admit have been a bit disappointed by the delay of summer.

Lane and his friend Taylor enjoying one of the few truly warm, sunny days.

While I happen to be a big fan of going to East Bank Club, Lane, and his friends prefer the beach.

I can absolutely see why, for me the major appeal of going to the club (Aside from knowing I'm spending $350/ month to belong) is that I just have to show up. I don't have to bring towels, or chairs or all of the other baggage that comes with a trip to the beach. I also like the idea of nice clean bathrooms and showers with granite walls. That said, I must say that the beach is fun, particularly when you are there with a group.

This Kid jumped in front of my iphone as I was taking a picture, I showed it to him and he asked me if I could email it to him.

Max And Lane two weeks earlier also at Oak Street Beach.

Lane and Sam sitting in a tree in Wrightwood Park.