Good Morning All & Happy Tuesday!
My newest grandchild, little miss Tempa Joanne Newbold (Tempa Jo), has been breathing on her own since Sunday afternoon and her parents, Jake & Sarah, have been able to spend time with her in the NICU at Sacred Heart Medical Center, holding, cuddling and loving on her. This is something they weren’t able to do with their firstborn, Ezra, so we count it a bittersweet blessing. It still remains to be seen how long Tempa will be able to survive “on her own.” Given the nature of the genetic disorder with which she was born, the prognosis for her is dire. All of our family is committed to stand with Jake & Sarah on whatever path they follow, as there really is no right or wrong decisions when it comes to little miss Tempa’s care…it’s truly “uncharted waters.” It’s important for all of us to let them navigate through this tragedy in the best way they know how. That will give them peace of mind that they didn’t make a “wrong” decision and not have to live with life long regret/self-doubting. We’re sure thankful that Tempa’s big brother Izaak (Ike) is here to provide comfort and solace to Jake & Sarah. He’s there each morning when they leave to go to the NICU and he’s there each night when they return home from the NICU. A HUGE blessing…a lifeline, an anchor if you will.
Our family thanks all who have written or called with words of support and encouragement to all of us, as well as those who have provided different forms of assistance to Jake & Sarah. They are much appreciated, for sure, and will be long remembered!
Today is the birthday of a beloved friend, Hwa, who celebrates her 46th birthday! Hwa is a lovely woman in all respects and a true & treasured friend to our family, not to mention a loving wife and mother to a beautiful little girl. Here’s to you, Hwa on your special day of celebration! Today is also the birthday of friend and fellow business associate, Kathy, worksite wellness coordinator extraordinaire…Happy Birthday Kathy and here’s to you!
Also, Happy Birthday wishes go to actor Daniel Craig of “James Bond” movie fame, who is 53 today; to former University of Alabama football great Tua Tagovailoa, who turns 23 today; to singer/musician Chris Martin of “Coldplay” fame, who is 44 today; singer/musician Jon Bon Jovi, who turns 59 today; and to novelist John Irving, who is 79 today….Here’s to all of you!
I came across a great editorial the other day written by Mike Cloke of Clarkston WA. It appeared in The Spokesman-Review. It’s entitled “Use Common Sense.” With a title like that, I was immediately drawn to it and I was not disappointed with its content. I thought it was worthy of sharing it with you in its entirety, as we do need lots more common sense to prevail in all matters of life, but particularly when it comes to politics and public policy (common sense seems to be sorely lacking these days!)…
“Rarely is a politician accused of having common sense, and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson can rest assured no one will attach this label to him.
His recent dam-breaking proposal and those who support it are simply not paying attention to the future demands of power or the science of fish recovery.
States have experienced black-outs of power, as they do not have sufficient power.
One of the reasons is their growing dependence on solar and wind power, which are NOT available when there is no wind or at night.
Keep in mind power demands will continue to grow as automobile manufacturers are moving from petroleum-burning engines to electric power and these cars will add to the strain on power grids. This strain will NEVER be resolved with solar and wind power as there is no current technology for large-scale storing of the power for future need. Hydroelectric is clean and by storing water behind the dams, power is stored and ready for our use anytime.
As for dams, survival for salmon migrating through the Columbia and Snake rivers is about 50% today, about the same as in rivers of similar length without dams, such as the Fraser River. Recent study: nature.com/articles/s42003-021-01734-w.
Use common sense.”
—Editorial by Mike Cloke, “The Spokesman-Review,” February 26, 2021, page C3.
Here’s another excerpt from the transcript of the interview of my father, Don Newbold, as part of the Washington State World War II History Project:
Question: So here’s this 17 1/2, 18 year-old kid who’s signed up for the Marines now—
Answer: Hm-hmm.
Question: Where did you do boot?
Answer: San Diego.
Question: Well, tell me about leaving Raymond. What was that? ‘Cause now here your Mom and—was it Mom and step-dad, Mom and Dad?
Answer: Mother and step-father. Step-dad.
Question: Mother and step-father are sending you—what was that? Was it a big ceremony or—
Answer: No, no. We just—last dinner at home. It was just an evening meal and then the next day in the morning I had to get up early and as I remember—I guess my step-dad was probably working (he worked as a railroad engineer). My step—my mother, and I don’t know who, drove us up. It could have been—could have been my sister or someone else, or we lived near another relative, step-relative to me, but a relative, just across the street and down. But anyway, I—we went to Centralia. I boarded the train in Centralia. That was the first leg. And that was the first time I knew—did I make a mistake cause the train got held up in Oakland (California) and it took us from Centralia, Washington to San Diego, California to unload….two and a half, almost three days. Well, they started bringing sandwiches through. But you’re kind of dirty. In those days, you know—we did not have sleeping accommodations, it was a seat you sat in, you know. That was—by the time we got to San Diego, we were all pooped. Very tired…”
—Interview by Karl Schmidt of Bristol Productions of Don Newbold, Washington State World War II History Project
Here’s the trivia fact for the day:
Q: The voice of Chuck E. Cheese is also the lead singer of which band…”Goo Goo Dolls”?…”Bowling For Soup”?….or “Smashing Pumpkins”?
A: Jaret Reddick is the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and primary songwriter for the Grammy Award-nominated pop punk band “Bowling For Soup.” The band’s name derives from Bowling For Soup, a comedy routine by Steve Martin. They are best known for their singles “Girl All The Bad Guys Want,” “1985,” “Almost,” and “High School Never Ends.” In 2012, Chuck E. Cheese’s chose lead singer Jaret Reddick to be the voice of their mascot, Chuck E. Cheese, as part of a revamp for the character. Jaret is also known for performing the theme song to the Disney Channel TV show “Phineas and Ferb and Sonic Unleashed.” Now you know!
Here is the thought for the day:
“My heart is filled with thankfulness
To Him who bore my pain;
Who plumbed the depths of my disgrace
And game me life again;
Who crushed my curse of sinfulness
And clothed me in His light…”
—“My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness,” as sung by Keith & Kristyn Getty, from the album “Hymns For The Christian Life.”
Here’s to a great Tuesday and lots of love & good wishes always!
Press on,
Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, Mark, etc.)