what a great week

We had good friends visit this week for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Despite the arctic blast that crippled this town Monday night and through the week, we had a really great time.  We made it to Pike's Place Market, the Pacific Science Center and even IKEA.  But most of all, we got to spend time with friends we don't get to see very often.  And for that, we were most grateful.  

I think Jake has found himself a new best buddy.  He loves Jack.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

Congratulations Felix !

The Seattle Mariner's Felix Hernandez captured the Cy Young Award today, receiving 21 first-place votes and 167 ballot points.  It's the bright light that the team needed, after a dismal season and the recent death of Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus.  Well deserved, in my opinion.  





"It is a very emotional day for me," said Hernandez in a statement released by the Mariners. "I'm very proud that I was able to accomplish this not only for myself, but for my family, my country and my team. I don't have the words to describe the way I feel."

Way to go, Felix !

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings . . .

We saw Sharon and her band perform in early October at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival.  She has a strong, amazing voice and had the crowd on their feet the whole time she was on stage.  I missed her on Conan O'Brien last night, but the video was up on the Team Coco site this morning.  You just have to suffer through the commercial first ...

35 years ago today . . .

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald freighter in Lake Superior.  

From shipwreckmuseum.com:  The legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald remains the most mysterious and controversial of all shipwreck tales heard around the Great Lakes. Her story is surpassed in books, film and media only by that of the Titanic. Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot inspired popular interest in this vessel with his 1976 ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."

The Edmund Fitzgerald was lost with her entire crew of 29 men on Lake Superior November 10, 1975, 17 miles north-northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan. Whitefish Point is the site of the Whitefish Point Light Station and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) has conducted three underwater expeditions to the wreck, 1989, 1994, and 1995.

At the request of family members surviving her crew, Fitzgerald's 200 lb. bronze bell was recovered by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society on July 4, 1995. This expedition was conducted jointly with the National Geographic Society, Canadian Navy, Sony Corporation, and Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. The bell is now on display in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum as a memorial to her lost crew.

Thanks to my friend Ted for bringing this anniversary to my attention.  I remember playing my mom's Gordon Lightfoot album over and over because of this song.  I would feel remiss if I didn't include it in this post.  

newest collection addition . . .

My mom sent another fantastic addition for my Polaroid camera collection.  

The Electric Eye 900 was Polaroid's first completely automatic exposure controlled shutter with speeds 1/12 sec - 1/600 sec.  In production from 1960 to 1963, its all metal body was covered with dark imitation leather.  It came in a beautiful tan leather case with a flash and a light meter.   What a great score, Mom.  Thanks so much !!