#104 NOW June 10, 2006, 6:50UTC +12 hours (New Zealand Standard Time) Aboard Done Dreamin' docked at Port Nelson Greetings, The following has absolutely nothing to do with boating, but much ado about my children and grandson. I herby confess to being guilty of prodigious amounts of bragging, and ask your indulgence with a proud old dad, and grandpa. My flight from Nelson to Los Angeles via Auckland on Air New Zealand was long, but delightful. What had taken me almost two years to complete by boat, I now erased in a few hours. I soon found myself visiting my sister in Sacramento, and my son and very pregnant daughter-in-law in the Napa Valley. It was obvious that very exciting things were about to happen. However, my youngest daughter Stephanie was graduating from college, so off I went along with my older daughter Wendy to celebrate the event in Lincoln, Nebraska. Stephanie spent her freshman year in England, and the past three years at Union College, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was one of two students in her graduating class to graduate with two Baccalaureate degreesone in Business with emphasis in marketing, and a second in International Studies. This feat was accomplished with honors. In addition, she was awarded Business Graduate of the Year, which included a nice check. I tried to convince her that maybe the old man (who paid her school bill) should share in the monetary awardshe wasnt very receptive about that idea. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, exciting events were taking place. Text messages were flying back and forth during the graduation exercises, and later in the afternoon, Alexander Douglas Rick was born, all 6 pounds 11 ounces of him. He was born on Mothers Day, just as his father had many years before. Unfortunately, I would have to wait a few days before I could see him. I had committed to moving Stephanie from Nebraska to Orlando, Florida where she had landed a great job. Her new position is "Marketing Manager of Publishing & Creative Productions" for Florida Hospital, not bad for a new college graduate. The move involved loading (women collect many things) and driving a U-Haul truck with a car-trailer attached behind. The trip took three days, and was uneventful, except for the $75 every couple of hundred miles for gas. Once I got her settled in Orlando, I flew back to the West Coast to spend some time with my grandson. Now, I dont want to get all sentimental about this, and I know all babies are cute, but this one is special. It was a real joy to hold him for many hours; it was also a joy to give him back to his mother when diapers needed changing. Ah the life a grandpa. Mother and baby are doing fine, and I think father will recover soon. Not to be outdone, Wendy who teaches music for the Danville Public School district invited me to a concert put on by her 6-8 grade students. These kids were amazing. The little jazz band was really cool. Of course, they had a great teacher and conductor. Thanks Wendy for a great evening. All too quickly, my vacation had passed and it was time to get back to the business of cruising. Happiness is being a Grandpa, Larry -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm