Remembering Uncle Dave Menke, who died last night, and thinking of his family. They made a quick stop in New York after our family reunion in Mass. in 2009.

We saw him often when we were growing up and enjoyed the little toy planes he brought us, in addition to games with the frisbee, clambers through the woods and (to a lesser extent as impatient boys) watching birds.

He was a park ranger and wildlife photographer, who grew up in St. Louis and worked in Missouri (Watkins Mill), Nebraska and Iowa (DeSoto Bend), Alaska (Kodiak) and Oregon (Klamath). The local paper (The Herald and News) attributes the picture of great horned owls above to him in a story about the birds migrating through the Klamath basin this week.

Do a google search for Dave Menke and select photos; you'll see a wide selection of beautiful bird photos.

Other memories (many from childhood) include floats at the cabin in the Ozarks, at least one Colorado camping trip, meeting in Nebraska City, listening to Ian and Sylvia and other records at his house at De Soto Bend, getting onto the refuge after it had closed because Dave had the keys, seeing large herds of deer and the snow geese migration, getting into the visitor's center after hours and watching Dave disarm the alarm (and wondering whether he'd get it done in time). In recent years I enjoyed playing with his kids, especially Matthew, with whom I built a large lego model and bonded during family reunions.

Herald and News photo gallery of Dave's bird photos

Herald and News obituary

Herald and News story (short)

The cousins in Kansas City check out the fire engine at Union Station.

 Daniel gets some air in Paul and Liz's bedroom.

Napping with Mama.

Ladies Who Lunch

Many more photos from the big trip to KC are forthcoming, but here's one Liz emailed yesterday. Bernadette and I really enjoyed all the girl time and the family time!

Isaiah tries out the tire swing (while Dad experiments with camera positioning.

Not sure what the message is, but I'm pretty sure it's directed at me. Your interpretations welcome.

 Basket cases.

 April showers.

Fading flowers.

Walking on a rainy, spring evening.

Scenes From a Park

Lady pushing her one-year-old on the swing next to ours: How old is your baby?

Marian: Eight months.

Isaiah: It is called Bernadette.

Later, after making the acquaintance of a three-year-old boy...

Isaiah (to the boy, pointing): That's my brother Bernadette.

When a large delivery truck lumbered down the road past the park...

Isaiah: Well, I'll be ding-dong-danged! That's a nice big box truck!

Bonus detail: Whenever something goes wrong (he bumps his head, drops his truck, forgets something, etc.), Isaiah has been saying, "Bother" or "Oh, bother" or sometimes, "Oh, drat and bother!"

Rockin' lizard at the Green House in Hartford.

Notes

Bernadette really wants to move on her own. Latest efforts involve pitching forward from a sitting position (although sometimes one of the legs remains trapped; amazing contortionists, these babies). Still not quite going, but she is getting tummy clear of the floor.

 Isaiah has really gained balance and physical confidence since last fall. We visited Rockwell Park on Sunday. He climbed the fake rock (lots of convenient holds and steps built in) whose top is about chin level for me. He asked for help, but I guided his feet and hands, instead. He needed some help getting down, but I wasn't scared while he was on top, like I was a few months ago. He also went down the two-story twisty slide that I wouldn't let him use before.

 

What's Isaiah doing in the kitchen? Eggs-ellent question! He's counting his eggs before they hatch. Marian can fill in the details.

We [Heart] Weddings

We recently saw Rick and Eleanor, who had some pictures from their wedding last fall to share.

Daddy waits in the background, all ready to go to the car, while Isaiah boogies with the bride.
He was the first one on the dance floor and never even stopped for dessert.
This one is going in the slide show I plan to present at the rehearsal dinner for Isaiah's wedding.

 A couple of closeups of Bernadette.

Who's the Patron Saint of the NCAA?

Yesterday....

M: Please, St. Anthony, help Mama find her glasses.

I: Go defense!

Don't Tell Isaiah

A 6-year-old hears about an opening at a railway museum and applies for the job. 

26 July

Dear Mr. Tucker

Application for director

I am writing to apply to be the new Director of the National Railway Museum. I am only 6 but I think I can do this job.

I have an electrick train track. I am good on my train track. I can control 2 trains at once.

[PHOTO]

I have been on lots of trains including Eurostar and some trains in France. I have visited the museum before. I loved watching the trains go round on the turntable.

On the other side is a picture of me.

Hopefully I can come and meet you for an interview.

From

Sam Pointon

 Bernadette has been practicing with the wooden spoon and metal bowl so she'll pass all of Grandpa's tests in Kansas City.