Twenty-Fifteen

Phil-Justin-Meme after Justin's "swearing-in" by NM Supreme Court

Annual disclaimer: I know that you are used to partial truths and downright fabrications & lies, but the following were some of our experiences this year.

UNM Law grads

Justin completed law school classes at UNM one-term early last December. He utilized Spring semester time to study for, and pass, the NM Bar Exam.  It was with great pride that we witnessed him being sworn in before the NM Supreme Court (and noticed that of the few that had “sponsor” introductions made to the Court, his was the only one by UNM Law School faculty). Before graduation, or Bar results, he started work with a small law office in Albuquerque that specializes in Social Security disability. As promised for graduation, he is now the owner of the Porsche (2002 Boxster).

Meme continued her efforts with the Office of the State Engineer, managing Water Rights in northern NM. She plans to continue until about mid-year and then have more time for rocking-on (climbing adventures), with some yoga thrown in.

Phil shares periodic yoga poses, and had another year of college tennis umpiring (+ the State High School tourney: a lot of fun) and fire assignments. This year’s Safety Officer mobilizations included the Frog (Modoc NF) and River Complex (Shasta-Trinity and Six Rivers NF’s) with some incredible people. It was nice being back in the Humboldt area, and visiting the good folks of Willow Creek & Denny (where hot shootin’ water wars continue over irrigating your cash crop (and competing with “The Cartels”).  Plus, I continued to teach heritage resource protection: NAU, NM Dept. of Game & Fish, site stewards, etc. In February the kid-from-the-kennel received the State’s David Matthews Award for stewardship (after he’d nominated someone else), which was the first time it had been awarded in many years.   http://travelranger87508.blogspot.com

Mom & Bedlington

Margaret & Chuck

 In May we lost Phil’s mom: Margaret Ann (Newlin) Young Renihan had completed 90 trips-around-the-sun, and was halfway through another, when she journeyed-on. Thanks to sisters Laura & Chris and the hospice team, her last days were peaceful ones. The wonderful sister-wife-mother-grandmother-great grandmother and AKC breeder & dog show judge is well remembered by many; several testimonials, celebrations and memorials. She was extraordinary, and is now one with the ages, with Dad. A few months later Arlene Medici (Meme’s step-mom) left to be with Chuck (Meme’s Dad).

They’ll both be well remembered.

Malibu Beach Inn area

As you may have noted, no dive trips or sojourns to Pacific Beach this year; hope to “make bubbles’ again semi-soon. We did manage to make it to Phil’s high school reunion (BHS ’65; no, Peter Pan wasn’t there) and had a brief stay in October at the Malibu Beach Inn (next to the pier), and Lucy just keeps with her theme: “Girls just want to have fun…” Her favorite game? Basketball- she plays a tight one-on-one (dog-on-person) defense and doesn’t give up the ball easily…

Lucy

Thoughts-n-prayers to you-n-yours in 2016 (and of course ALL our friends in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: Inshallah!)   Meme & Phil

Mom & Dad early 1960's