Marilyn’s corner of the blog
Dear Elizabeth, I have read part of Judith Heumann’s book—up to the point where she wins her case against the New York Board of Education, so that she can become a teacher. Thank you for suggesting the book. In some ways her story parallels mine. She is dealing with a much more severe paralysis than […]
A LETTER TO MY SISTER, THE LIBRARIAN Read More »
Tom Donovan, the man of many talents: biologist, builder, and friend.
The Legendary Tom Donovan Read More »
A wild ride through the streets of Paris When Marilyn and I arrived in Paris two weeks before our 25th wedding anniversary in July 1997, we took a wild taxi ride from the Gare du Nord to the Left Bank and checked in to the Comfort Inn. (It was part of an American chain, so
Let me introduce someone we met in Paris — La Dame du Brésil Read More »
Marilyn had graduated with a B.A. from the University of San Diego, College for Women in 1968. We decided to attend her 50th reunion, just to see San Diego again, and all the old haunts that we used to explore when we were first married, during my Navy days. Of course Marilyn had grown up
Marilyn’s 50th College Reunion in San Diego Read More »
Helena, almost 7 years old, has learned a poem by heart as a school assignment. She is proudly reciting it for her grandparents in Texas, giving them some good advice in German.
Helena Reciting a Poem Read More »
Helena and Grandpa bought swimming tickets for the pool in the Congress Hotel Am Stadtpark, which was near the Freiermuth apartment in Hannover. They went over every day for a practice session, and by the time the tickets ran out, Helena could go all the way around the pool. She stayed close to the edge,
Helena Learning to Swim Read More »
A little fairy welcomes us to the beautiful castle Marienburg. A happy memory of our visit on August 2, 2016, by Marilyn and Gary Pickens This castle in Marienburg, near the city of Hannover in northern Germany, was built between 1858 – 1867 as a birthday present from King George V of Hannover (reigned 1851–1866)
Marienburg Castle in Lower Saxony, Germany Read More »
At Commons Fork Park
Bird watching with Elizabeth and Tom Read More »
My husband grew up deep in the cowboy country of eastern Colorado, on a wheat-and-cattle farm/ranch on the high plains near the Kansas border, 15 miles from the nearest small town. His parents were warm, friendly, loving people. When I first joined their family, they were still raising their younger sons (who were in high
Tradition, Guns and Country Folks Read More »
This is Larissa’s story about her first childbirth experience. It is presented here, in a slightly edited form, by Marilyn. Sept 21, 2010 Around noon, I was putting away the dishes in the dishwasher, debating whether to have fish sticks or a Kaho-smuggled box of Annie’s Mac and Cheese or (more likely) both of them,
Helena’s Birth Story Read More »
This was a visit to newly discovered family we had never met, combined with a trip to see our daughter and her husband. Meeting the Margutti cousins in Essex, England for the very first time! 2. Hanging out with Larissa and Hans Georg in Stuttgart and vicinity. 3. Speyer Cathedral, consecrated in 1061, has been
2009 Trip To Europe Read More »
JUNE 4, 2009 Controversy about women’s clothing sizes–and women’s body sizes–is well known to any woman, whether cute young fashionista or mall-shopping grandmother. Part of the shopping experience is the absolute necessity of trying on jeans and trousers before purchase. The occasional knit top might be bought on the fly, but a garment that has
et tu, Levi? (Vanity sizing from an old friend) Read More »
A visit from my sister (the dedicated birdwatcher) and her partner (the even more dedicated birdwatcher) has given us two days of trying to find birds in the dead of winter, and has taught us the following facts: 1. Of approximately 700 bird species in the United States, there are approximately 600 to be found
Birdwatching in Texas Read More »
Disaster today–of a small kind. An open tap, a clogged sink, some inattention, and a flood that covered the bathroom and progressed down the hallway. We’ve been saying for years that we need to replace the old carpeting. It was installed about 30 years ago, and has been looking increasingly shabby, but the thought of
MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2008 Our beloved cat Billy Bob was put to sleep this afternoon. He had been slowly failing for several months (we see in retrospect), and reached the critical point on Saturday (two days ago). We took him into the Burnet Road Animal Hospital (where he has many fans), but the treatment he
Farewell to Billy Bob Read More »
After a simple civil marriage ceremony in Switzerland in the autumn of 2007, Hans Georg and Larissa moved to southern Germany. It is the custom in Europe to have both a civil ceremony and a church ceremony. The civil ceremony is always first, because the church ceremony has no legal standing. The church ceremony is
JULY 5, 2008 Two little sisters and a little red wagon, in a California garden in 1948 . . . This baby grew up to be beautiful, intelligent, fun-loving and strong. Her big sister is just as proud of her now as she was then, sixty years ago. Today I wish that she may always
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOUNTAIN LADY ! Read More »
This week we have been enjoying a lovely visit from a designer friend of Larissa’s, who has turned our family room into an atelier, complete with busy sewing machine, lowly assistants (Larissa and her mom) and yards of silk organza. Today the bridal gown is taking its final shape. This is a big thank-you to
A special visit–and a special dress Read More »
Hello World, Billy Bob here. I want to report a most insulting situation foisted on my by my humans. I love and respect them and all, but they certainly have no notion of what they have done to me this time. This afternoon, a sore from a bite wound that I received a few days
Billy Bob’s Miserable Experience Read More »
In my earliest memories, when Highway 10 between our house in Pasadena and our grandparents’ house in Redlands passed mostly through farmland, smog was not yet a daily occurence. Our grandparents’ house was surrounded by orange groves, and sheets hung out to dry in the “winter blossom season” (as our grandfather called it) came in
Spring, the Sweet Spring… Read More »
Billy Bob lived up to his reputation as one of mellowest dude-cats in town yesterday. Seth, the new neighbor across the street, and his little daughter Leila (aged 22 months) came over to our yard for a chat, on one of our first sunny days in ages. When Leila saw Billy, she was very enthusiastic.
Billy Bob Makes a Friend Read More »
Since my sister Elizabeth and her friend Tom got us interested in birding, I’m collecting links for beginning birders.
Originally posted on RANDOM THOUGHTS FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2008 I was cleaning out drawers today in preparation for getting furniture ready to move for the new carpeting job. (Carpet will be “Native Colors” a soft brown in Karastan’s “Divisadero” line, with little flecks of red and blue-gray in the brown, to help hide stains.) I
A Child’s Visit to Boston and other memories Read More »
Today Elizabeth, Marilyn, Tom and I traveled to three locations looking for birds. The sites were Mount Bonnell, Emma Long Park, and the Wild Basin Preserve. All three areas are part of the Balcones Canyonlands. The birds that we saw were as follows: Kite (Emma Long Park) Sandpiper (Emma Long Park) Turkey Vultures (Emma Long
Todays bird watching adventures Read More »
A visit to the Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory with Elizabeth, Tom and Marilyn. A chilly day, but sunny. We saw a number of ducks and some grebes: Eared Grebes, Northern Pintails, Northern Shovelers, Green-winged Teal, Cinnamon Teal, Buffleheads, Ruddy Ducks, Coots. We also saw some turkey vultures and several sparrows we couldn’t identify.
Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory Read More »
Last night the wind was blowing, the temperature was dropping, and I was thinking, “Thank goodness I don’t have to go out tomorrow!” Today the sun is shining, taking off that 27-degree chill quite rapidly, and it might actually become a nice day. But I still don’t have to go out if I don’t want
Marilyn and I traveled to the very small settlement of Mountain Spring, Nevada.
Nevada Trip for A Margutti Family Reunion Read More »
Edinburgh Castle Cramond Kirk tour with Willa Stewart Edinburgh was a special treat because we visited it with a native! Marilyn’s college friend, Moira Lees, often called Willa Stewart her “oldest friend” because Willa, at age 12, had braved the wartime blackout (without telling her parents) and had ridden her bicycle across town to see
Edinburgh, Scotland in June, 2000 Read More »
To celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, we visited Paris together. A collection of wonderful memories…
Gary’s Romantic Afternoon with his Sweetheart along the Seine Read More »
Larissa’s Study Abroad: University of Bristol Marilyn’s Version: In 1995, Larissa chose to attend the University of Bristol for her year of study abroad from Scripps College. Bristol was an English-speaking university, and she could easily transfer the credits to Scripps. Another student, whose name I don’t recall, was also going to Bristol. Larissa’s friend
Marilyn Visits Larissa: Bristol, 1995 Read More »
Marilyn remembers best about the photo with Uncle Bruce is that it was taken one afternoon when Larissa was extremely fussy (probably from those teeth coming in) and she absolutely, positively did not want to take a nap.
Larissa meets her Mischievous Uncle Bruce Read More »
I still remember a gray day in February 1971. Anti-war sentiment in San Francisco, California was running high, and the U.S.O. at 1017 Market Street, where I worked as a secretary, felt almost like a besieged fortress. Then one day, a whisper went through the office (which was upstairs from the main U.S.O.) — “Aretha
A Memory: When Aretha Franklin Visited The U.S.O. Read More »
