Road Trip September 2017

Time to start bogging again.  It's only been over 2 years, what the heck!

So this summer Everett and I will take a road trip up to Oregon to visit my cousin Kent and his family.  Kent and Jackie live in O'Brien, OR, which is just north of the border and an hour or so away from the coastal sequoias.  On the way up we plan to visit and stay with Debby Kielich, a high school girlfriend of Everett's, who lives in Elk Grove, just south of Sacramento.  She is already planning activities to share with us, such as visiting a local micro-brewery!

After spending some time with Kent in Oregon, we will visit Crater Lake, which I have never seen, and then wend our way down to Lassen, stopping for the sights along the way.  One town which I really want to visit is Burney, California, named after a settler who was killed by the local Indians, and who was some sort of related cousin of my dad.  Dad's mom's maiden name was Burney, and there are lots and lots of Burneys in Dad's genealogy.  So that will be fun. Here's the Instagram link to Burney, CA

So, stay tuned as I do some more planning, and I will post notes and photos from along the way.

My Dad's Funeral/Memorial

Today we had the memorial service for my dad at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church.  It was a combination of remembrance, prayer, and humor.  Pastor Jonathan Chute gave a marvelous eulogy  that was a narrative of many parts of my dad's life; he even mentioned things that I didn't know!  He explained to me later that he took notes when he visited with Mom and Dad over the years, and had the notes and eulogy he gave for my Mom when she died 12 years ago.  Jonathan is a truly exceptional man and a wonderful friend and man of God.

Judy Metoyer, my dad's daughter-in-law, my brother Don's first wife, gave a lovely reading, which I'll post when I get a copy from her.  The central theme is that a person is remembered by what he or she has given, not what he or she has acquired.  Judy and I have become especially close in the past several months, and we love each other very much. Her daughter Angela is a special delight, and our son Mike and Angie are pretty close too.

I offered a few memories, and then I sang a funny song that I remember from many family vacations driving in our car, hauling a travel trailer.  We sang songs like Oh Susanna and Red River Valley, and then Dad would sing this song.  I found out this week that it is a parody of a 1905 song.  You can find it on YouTube by searching Ramblin Jack Elliott Old Apple Tree.   Everybody in the congregation laughed and clapped when I had finished.  I know that Dad was happy that I finally found the words!  Later on Jonathan said to me, I don't think anyone has done that at a funeral :-)

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IN THE SHADE OF THE OLD APPLE TREE

It was yesterday that I thought I'd take a bath in some water
Fer a bath I hadn't had in a month or so
Fer the bath I didn't want to spend a quarter
So I went down to the creek where the water was low

I laid my clothes beside an apple tree, there
And then I got into an awful fix
For an old maid came and sat right down beside me
And there she sat from one o'clock till six

In the shade of that old apple tree
I was in water right up to my knees
I had to lay down, while she was around
Till only my nose you could see

The mosquitoes were bitin' my nose
And the turtles were niblin' my toes
I lay there all day, till she went away
From the shade of that old apple tree

It was only yesterday that Jane and I got married

You can bet your life I was a happy groom

There was only one thing that filled my heart with sadness

Was parts of her were scattered all over the room

Her glass eye and false teeth were on the mantle

And on the bed she hung her lock of hair

And the one thing that truly filled my heart with sadness

Was she pitched her wooden leg upon the chair

It was a limb from the old apple tree

I was in water right up to my knees
I had to lay down, while she was around
Till only my nose you could see

The mosquitoes were bitin' my nose
And the turtles were niblin' my toes
I lay there all day, till she went away
From the shade of that old apple tree

Yes I carved out my name and there it was plain

On her limb from the old apple tree!

After this several people gave comments or told stories.  My high-school friend Madeline told a story about when she came with us to our cabin in the mountains.  Dad was working on the reconstruction, and the framing was up but not a lot more.  She watched as he added insulation in the walls and the ceiling, and then he ended up with a small triangular space which he filled with a shape that was just right.  She told him that he was a fantastic estimator, and he said back that he was a lousy estimator, and that he had not intended to insulate that part of the house!  My father the manufacturing engineer.  :-)

Terence Cody mentioned that Dad had helped out the International Cody Family Association for many years by being the genealogist and corresponding with many people and adding their information to the database.  Yep, Dad loved the Cody family and enjoyed going to Cody family reunions all around the country.  Jim Cody was also at the service; Jim has been a family friend for many years.

Ruth Brooker talked about the many trips that she and my dad went on, including the trip to Ireland when they tried to find out information about Ruth's ancestors.  I know that Ruth will miss my dad very, very much.  They talked on the phone every night after Jeapardy, and met at least once a week for some event or other, or lunch and a movie.  

The person with the award for the farthest travel is Steve Black.  Steve and his wife Neva live in Kenai, Alaska.  They've visited Mom and Dad a few times over the years, and Mom and Dad stayed with them after an Alaska cruise one time. I like Steve; he's a pretty neat guy, and I hope I get to visit him and Neva in Alaska.

Bob Chamberlin mentioned Dad's activity in the Family Ministry at church.  After Mom died, Dad kept active to keep her memory alive.  Yep, that was my Dad.  My Mom got him started, and he kept going after she died 12 years ago. Tami and Larry Kittiver old me that they would also miss him in Sunday School and at church.

Some of the dearest people I have grown close to especially during the past year are Marie Sena, Pat Van Putten and Karen Lamoreaux.  I've known them for several years, but they were with me during Dad's last days, and I will love them forever! I hope I can stay in touch!

There were a lot of people at the service today.   A bunch of my cousins, friends from the church, family friends, my personal friends, and a group of my colleagues from the UCLA Library Cataloging & Metadata Center.  My friend Becky came; I met her in Italian class a few years ago, and we've become good friends over the years. 

Also Bernie and Marsha, neighbors from across the street when Dad lived on Montemalaga.  Bernie was Neighborhood Watch captain, and he helped us out in some crisis times when Dad was being heavily scammed and pressured.

So many people in Dad's life have become important to me for a myriad of reasons.  He'll never know all of the relationships that have come about from his life.  I know I haven't mentioned everyone, and I apologize.  But honestly, the care and love expressed for my Dad has been totally overwhelming.  I am grateful, and I praise God for all of you.

Obituary for my Dad

 

Leland Burney Norwood

June 5, 1920 – February 7, 2015

Lee Norwood peacefully passed away of natural causes in Lomita, California, on February 7, 2015 at 94 years of age, surrounded by family and close friends.

Lee was born in Albany, California, on June 5, 1920.  At age 3, he and his family moved to Hawthorne, California, where he graduated in June 1937 from Leuzinger High School. He went to work for North American Aviation on October 1, 1937, where he worked on the P-51, B-25, and X-15, among many others. He and Marky (b. Margaret Clara Gremli) were married on June 12, 1943, and then Lee joined the Navy in 1944.

After his discharge in 1946, Lee worked on the F-86, B-45, and B-70 before transferring to the Space Division in Downey. There he worked on the Apollo, Saturn, and Space Shuttle Orbiter Programs. Altogether he worked for North American Rockwell almost 47 years when he retired in April 1994. After retirement, Lee and Marky spent time with the Rockwell Camping Club, spending many weekends throughout the West with their close friends.  Lee was a member of the Bald Eagles and attended dinners with other retirees.

Lee and Marky first met at the wedding of Marky’s best high school friend and Lee’s best friend; Marky was a bridesmaid and Lee was an usher. Marky caught the bride’s bouquet and that was the beginning of their romance. When Marky passed away in 2002, they had been married for almost 59 years!

In 1964, Lee and Marky moved into a brand new home in Rancho Palos Verdes.  After they retired, they made many trips around the country, to England and throughout Europe, especially enjoying their research into family history.  Lee was an avid photographer all his life, and he always had his camera hanging around his neck!  In 1987, they took up ballroom dancing and danced in several competitions.  Lee looked so handsome in his tuxedo! 

Lee and Marky were docents for many years at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center; Lee attended their “Whale of a Day” event every April through 2014. They were active members of the Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, and Lee was very close to many church members, attending church services up until a week before he passed away.  His long life was so blessed.

A 9^th-generation Cody (William “Buffalo Bill” Cody), Lee became active in the Cody Family Association, serving as their genealogist for 10 years.  He and Marky traveled to many Cody Family reunions, and Lee discovered cousins from all over the country with whom he corresponded frequently.

After Marky’s death, Lee sought companionship with some of his lady friends, including Ruth Brooker.  The two of them traveled in the U.S. and to Ireland where Ruth looked for her family history too!  They attended concerts, plays, Friday Morning Club and the El Camino travel series for many years, along with other friends.  Such an amazing, active life!

Lee moved into the Canterbury, an Episcopal Home, in Rancho Palos Verdes in 2009. At the Canterbury, he made many new friends and became the “life of the party” every Friday during happy hour when he danced with the ladies.  He was unhappy that more men did not join him!   

Lee is survived by his daughter, Louise Ratliff, grandchildren Michael Ratliff, Angela Norwood, Paul Norwood, and Burney Lovelace, and 6 great grandchildren; his son Donald Alan predeceased him.

Funeral services will be held on February 17, 2015 at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church at 11 am, with viewing at 10 am and a reception to follow at the church. Internment will be at Inglewood Park Cemetery later that day.

Donations in Lee’s memory may be made to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes.

Goodbye, Father Dear

Leland B. Norwood, 1920-2015

This week I said goodbye to my dear Dad, Lee Norwood.  He was 94 and his body just said I have to stop now.  Dad was admitted to Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Lomita, CA, on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015.  He hadn't been feeling well for the past week or so, and his doctor sent him to the ER that day.  I had just come home from a conference in Chicago at midnight the night before, but when I got a phone call I hurried down to the hospital in Lomita.  Thus began a week of commuting from Sylmar to Lomita every day.  In ICU the doctors and nurses did everything they could, and it was a lot!  But by Saturday morning we knew the truth.

I rallied the troops and all Dad's closest family and friends were at his side to the end. I know this was God's plan for my Dad, and it was the best it could be.  On Saturday we visited with Dad and talked to him a lot. I could tell he understood us because he looked at each one of us.  His spirit went home to be with the Lord about 7 pm that evening.

Dad and Ruth on her 90th birthday

Christmas Day 2014 at the Ratliffs' in Sylmar 

Right, Lee and Angela Norwood
Bottom left, me and Dad
Bottom right, Ruth, me, Dad, Angela and Mike

My birthday party 2012

Everett, Mike, Megan and Lee

Lee's birthday party 2012

Lee and daughter-in-law Judy Metoyer

Lee and dear friend, Ruth

Kyoto - Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010

Saturday we took an all-day trip from Yokosuka to Kyoto and back. Not recommended as a one-day tour, but it was all that we had.  We began by boarding the local JR train at 6:30 am to Shin-Yokohama (that's with two transfers), and then aboard the Shinkansen at 7:52 am.  You cannot believe what a challenge this was to accomplish unless you have tried to figure out the Japan Rail system with very little experience!!! But we made it.  The Shinkansen is a marvelous type of train, of which there are several varieties across Japan.  The train ride feels like an airplane-- smooth and fast -- with much more leg room!  We want through many tunnels, and at one point we were high up in the mountains where it was actually still snowing, but then we descended again and there was no more snow, thank goodness. The countryside that is not on the plains is quite rugged, which I found kind of interesting.  In the higher areas there are more evergreen types of trees, which is quite different from the lower plains where most of the trees are leafless at this time of the year.

One of the sights along the way was Mount Fuji, covered with snow.

This is the front of the very modern Kyoto Station.

Kyoto is so different from the other cities we have been in.  There are lots of older buildings, and dozens (probably hundreds) of temples and shrines.  We didn't have a lot of time, but we managed to visit Nojoji Castle and some other places that I will write about when I have more time and my notes.  I've posted some photos here, just a sample.

This is us in front of Nojoji Castle in Kyoto.

This is the palace main gate, inside the castle wall and moat.

                                                        

One more picture for now; I've got to go to bed because we are leaving tomorrow.

One of many very large temples:

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Earlier in the week we traveled to Kamakura and saw the Great Buddha.

Today we hung out in Yokosuka, and I went shopping with Mike and his buddy Munch. I'll post more pictures tomorrow, and put them all on Flickr when we get home.

This has been a most amazing adventure of a lifetime. Some disappointments, some great moments. A super visit with Mike. Thanks to God for our blessings and good fortune! 

Yokosuka and Yokohama, Jan.4 and Jan.5

I am writing this at 8 am on Tuesday, January 5, 2010:

Yesterday Mike took us aboard the Shiloh where we spent a couple of hours seeing his work spaces, learning a little about what he does as a sonar tech. We saw a piece of equipment that is a huge winch that lets out some kind of a sensor from the stern of the ship. He showed us an expendable bathymetric cartridge which they launch directly into the water to get the sea temperature. Temperature is one of the components that goes into calculating all of the sonar activities, etc.

We went past the galley and mess decks (if he sees the galley ever again it will be too soon!) and we went forward and saw the bridge. Very cool, although the ship was commissioned in the 70s (we think) she is still very capable! While on the bridge the on-duty topside rover, named Bell, came in and spent some time with us explaining in a basic way some of the radar capabilities of the ship. He is a Second Class and is moving up quickly. He's very smart in his specialization and says he is always learning more about it. He'll make Chief I'm sure. He just got back from a 3-week leave when he got married and spent their honeymoon in Tokyo, sweet!

While on the ship we encountered the CMC, the Command Master Chief, a short cheerful black woman who greeted us warmly. Mike says she really cares about the sailors. We didn't see Captain Laughlin, who is relatively laid back and has an open-door policy so that sailors can come and talk to him. Since he assumed command the moral has risen considerably, according to Bell. Last, as we left the ship we encountered a man and his wife who were coming aboard. She introduced herself as the new XO! So Mike first met her while he was on leave and in civies. Quite a day!

Sorry, no pics on base-- not allowed-- so you'll have to Google the Shiloh (CG-67) to find pictures of her.
After that Everett's body was toast, so after visiting the main gate to turn in our application for houseguest passes, we returned to the Navy Lodge. Chili's is right next door, so we walked there for dinner and that was our day.

Apparently we are allowed to tour the USS George Washington if someone is available, so we may do that later on. We'll see. It rained last night so today is clear, yay! The Shiloh is changing berths today, and at least the sea and anchor duty will be in the dry, for which all will be thankful!

9 pm January 5, 2010

Today, Tuesday, Mike escorted us to the Main Gate and Everett and I took our own tour. From Yokosuka we took the train to Yokohama and spent the afternoon looking around there a little. 

 

Basically we just walked to the Landmark Plaza and through it to the Queen's Square, which are two really big connected malls. The Landmark Plaza is pretty high end, like Tiffany's, and the Queen's Square is mostly clothing, home furnishings, and food.

At the far end is the Pan Pacific Hotel, across the street from the amusement park, which has one of the largest ferris wheels in Japan-- it takes 15 minutes for one circle!

We walked a lot and looked at the stores, but most were two pricey for us, but had the most beautiful jewelry and clothes!  One place we did go into was the Hard Rock Store! I bought a pin and two tee shirts (on sale for basically half price) and Ev got a shot glass. The girl who waited on us was happy to find out we were from Los Angeles; at least that's a city that people have heard of :-)  They had a cute Hello Kitty shirt -->

but at 50 yen it was too expensive for me!

Here's a picture of the ferris wheel, which I rode, taking pictures, pictures, pictures-- the view was magnificent.

After Ev's knees both had fits, we caught the train back to Yokosuka.  We never got lost, and only got really confused once, which I think is pretty darned good!  Back in Yokosuka, Blue Street at night actually looks quite pretty.

Yokosuka photos

  Yokosuka, Japan. CoCo Curry House.

Yokosuka photos

This is the Mikasa mall in Yokosuka. Not very big, but adequate. Lots of cell phone stores, though!

Yokosuka, Sunday Jan. 3, 2010

(NOTE: Good Monday Morning!  I am posting this at 10:30 am JST on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.  The time settings on this blog don't seem to match mine, so I thought I'd let you know, LOL!)

Yesterday, Sunday Jan. 3, Mike came to our room at the Navy Lodge around 10 am, looking bleary-eyed and not awake. He had gone to his favorite darts bar and didn't get back to base until the not-so-wee hours, and was running on 4 hours of sleep. After some caffein drinks and an hour of Ghostbusters (the original movie), he was actually starting to become awake.

We walked into Yokosuka over to what Mike calls Blue Street where there is a little shopping mall, Mikasa. For various reasons Mike had to get a new cell phone and contract, so we spent some time at the AU store. While waiting for him, Ev and I explored the mall, and I bought myself a lightweight knit cap to wear during the cooler parts of the day. It was on special for 550 yen (that's about $6), so that's why I bought it. Next, there's a nice cosmetics and drug store there, and I had fun looking at all the products and trying to guess what they all were :-) Some had English or French or obvious brand names on them, but many did not.  I didn't need anything anyway, but I enjoyed the looking around. The 100 yen store down the way did indeed have cheap stuff, but nothing I found interesting. Didn't need zip-lock bags, cheap mittens, or toilet paper, so that was a rather quick tour.

But then, ah ha, we found a stationers shop, the Kawashima shop!  What fun!  It had party favors, paper goods, calendars, greeting cards, wedding invitations and all sorts of interesting and fun things.  I had in mind finding gifts for friends and I found a few small things to bring home.  I also found New Year good luck envelopes, some of which are for children with cute cartoon pictures of tigers on them (it's the year of the tiger), so I chose a package of three: one for Mikayla, one for Jorga, and one for (soon to be born) Jesse Cain, and put 3 100 yen pieces inside each one.  Dean Cain is Mike's superior, his Lead Petty Officer, and Miki (Dean's wife) and I have become FB friends since last July.  They invited us to their apartment for dinner, and I wanted something for the kids. (I also gave them the two little teddy bears that Everett got out of a claw machine in a game store in Tokyo-- those were great hits!) I have to give credit to Mike and Everett for their great patience while I shopped; I always take too long!  But I do enjoy it so much!

After that it was past time for food!  It was about 1 pm and neither of the guys had eaten (I had instant oatmeal that morning), and Mike wanted to take us to Coco Curry House, not too far down the street from the base.  He found it, yea!, because it had been quite some time since he was there last, but his instincts were right.  Inside it's a small shop with 3 or 4 booths and several stools at the counter.  Nothing to look at but the curry was fantastic!  Super tastey, and you can choose your level of spiciness.  I chose level 1, which is one step above plain, and enjoyed the wonderful flavor with a hint of spice. I could go to level 2 easily enough, but more than that tends to overpower the flavor of the sauce. Mike chose a 3, which he says is about right for flavor.

Then back to pick up his newly reprogrammed cell phone, and then back to the base.  We hung out in our room until time to go to the Cains' for dinner.  After a short visit to the NEX for gifts and other liquid sustinance, we arrived.  It was so fun to finally meet Miki and her family! I totally enjoyed the whole evening.  Dean cooked spaghetti sauce from scratch, and made garlic toast to accompany the spaghetti.  Ummmm good! (Miki says Dean does the cooking when he is home.)  With a fresh green salad it just hit the spot!  Miki is such a hoot -- she's very up front and no-nonsense, a more outspoken version of Ev's sister.  I'd hang with Miki anywhere; she knows how to make things happen and doesn't put up with any bull***t.  I admire that quality because it's one I don't have, for sure, LOL. Mikayla is a very poised and good looking young lady and is sharp as a tack, while Jorga is cute and full of vinegar, just like any 2-year-old.  But Miki is a good mom and keeps them on a short leash as much as she can, and they are very polite (when prompted!)  Mikayla says her favorite subject is animals, especially dolphins; I could see her growing up and doing something with animals like being a veterinarian or something.  It will be interesting to see where she goes.  The evening was fun and mildly exhausting, and a wonderful way to end the day.