Hillary begins her new job in New York this month. A snafu with housing complicated the move but she quickly got on the internet and the phone and is schlepping around looking for acceptable digs.

I drove Hill to the city and couldn’t leave without a look at Christo’s gates which looked to me like a giant construction site. Hillary was much more charitable and said they looked like large Buddhist prayer flags. The more we walked, the more I liked it.

Whatever your view, the project was a huge undertaking and a boost for the concept of public art. Central park was full of people even on a cold, slushy February evening and that speaks volumes.

For a laugh, here’s a link to another set of gates.

A drumming group this Friday and an Oscars party on Sunday night will help us christen our new music/computer room. We have many helpful friends and tolerant neighbors to thank for the completion of this hands-on project which turned out just as we pictured it. In case you missed the progress reports, you can see them here.

People wonder at how just eight feet of addional space (thanks to a variance granted by the city) could make a house feel so much more spacious. We have to thank Luke Kautz for his helpful architectural hints. After the spring thaw we intend to deal with the damage the construction did to the landscaping.

The window seat in the new room holds lots of extraneous instruments while providing great seating for groups of drummers.

Elsbeth’s children threw a lovely, thoroughly German bash for her 70th birthday for family and friends. At the same time Elsbeth completed the first part of her Suzuki piano training by performing her recital. We’re all hoping to look so good at her age.

Elsbeth with her children, Michelle and Owen.	Elsbeth and her piano teacher, Allan.

Bruce attended Aunt Mary’s 99th birthday at the Park of the Palms in Florida.

One representative from the families of each of Aunt Mary’s siblings was present.  Bruce from Andrew’s, Jeannie from Aunt Daisy’s, Marilyn and Grant from Aunt Florence’s, and Rosemary from Uncle Jim’s.  While we did not plan it that way, that’s the way it worked out. 

Aunt Mary insists that we all join her next year. Rosemary has graciously offered to put us all up at her place . . . well, maybe not, as she has only two bedrooms, one of which is used as her office, though it does have a fine futon.  But across the street from her is an excellent lodge, where Marilyn, Grant and Bruce stayed.  

Aunt Mary would like to obtain larger quarters, as she is currently in an efficiency.  She will entertain us all with a new piano, which Rosemary is helping her find.

Rosemary is confident that Lake Brooklyn (seriously, that is the name) will refill shortly, that is, within this millennium. The lake currently is confined to a small part of the large area it once occupied. Add February 6, 2006 to your schedule for Aunt Mary’s centennial celebration.

Here are some pictures from Andrew’s memorial exhibit at Ohio University. Not only was the artwork powerful but the tribute from his young friends was moving as well.

Carol Hershey feted Breakfast Club members to a Rotary Club dinner dance at the mall. We cleaned up pretty well and didn’t embarass ourselves. The Biermans even won a prize. Thanks, Carol.