Garden Adventures

Here's a tour of the Orinda backyard garden statues and lovely front walkway flowers.

Christopher Baseball Statue

Aimee Bookworm Statue

Sue admiring Ralph's hard work and beautiful flowers.

Ralph and Sue relaxing among the beautiful landscape.

Melissa Flower Girls Statue

Laura Reading Girl

Kellyn Flower Girl

Kellyn and Glen Engagement

Glen and Kellyn

The gorgeous engagement ring.

Glen Gagon formally proposed to Kellyn Severson on Saturday, October 8. All are very excited and wish them well for the planned May 12 wedding at Oakland Temple.

Louisiana in Utah Gathering

The Clark Siblings:  Kathy, Gay, Ruben, Sue and Elaine

Gonzales Stomp from Sue Severson on Vimeo.

We spent last week in Utah joining all my siblings, Ruben, Gay, Elaine and Kathy for the Louisiana in Utah dinner gathering. Bert Blalock also joined us helping greatly prepare the jambalaya. Kathy and Elaine made a big gumbo. Gay provided desserts banana pudding and pecan pies. Ruben planned the program including dedication to Aunt Jessie Mae Clark. Bert got everyone in the mood with Cajun joke; Kellyn sang Bert's request Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man, with finale of Ruben and Gay dancing the Gonzales Stomp. It was well attended with about 90 people. A few non-Louisiana friends join us, Thatcher family recently moved from Orinda to Alpine; Emerson and Autumn Powell.

Aimee, Ralph, Sue, Gay, Bert and Ruben

Saturday, Bert, Gay, Ruben, Aimee with your dad and I attended the BYU football game. The cougars have some new fans. We filled in the time shopping, Costco being a favorite destination for gelato ice cream. All in all a great time was had by all.

Melissa Family Celebrations

Jack, Brooklyn & Bradley Sutton

Just returned from Seattle, Redmond to be exact, helping Melissa with new baby and enjoying her family. I arrived Wednesday afternoon, after arriving home from Utah the prior Sunday. I only had two days to unpack and repack, take care of usual business plus two evening commitments. Paul Cox was visiting San Francisco to speak at conference, so graciously agreed to do presentation about his research on neuro-degenerative diseases like ALS and Alzheimer. I hosted in our home despite your dad still out of town in Idaho fishing with his dad. It was very informative and exciting possibilities as his lab enters into human II trials on one drug plus breakthroughs on two others. Marlene and John Jex were co-hosts with about thirty in attendance.

Cache gets on bus.

Jack home from Kindergarten

 Tuesday evening was the regular Orinda City Council meeting. Nothing of import on the agenda, but the "ban leaf blowers" advocates were back after being rejected last year. Apparently national news must be in lull as the Orinda leaf blower issue made the New Yorker magazine coverage last year, now a Sunday morning national talk show. Not much sympathy for the cause from this household, as my public encouragement for good neighbor considerations, tolerance and personal responsibility to avoid blowers, was met with publicly calling me "Marie Antoinette." So much for civility.

Baby Liam Levis Sutton arrived right on cue Thursday morning, September 22; his due date, avoiding big brother Bradley's 8th birthday the following day, and only hours after my arrival. Fortunately I had connected with Melissa on school bus times, lunches, ball games, etc. As I urged Bradley and Jack there were only ten minutes left before school bus arrival, Jack responded that was 600 seconds. I inquired how he knew that and he nonchalantly explained that five minutes was 300 seconds, so of course, ten minutes was 600 seconds. Duh...grandma.

Jack, Brooklyn, Jack, Melissa, JD welcomes Liam

Snoqualamie Falls

Brooklyn and I had great potty training moments, making good progress despite some set backs. The prize basket was a big hit, especially the "special twin baby dolls." We enjoyed the walks around the neighborhood and down to the river. Jack helped me pick blackberries one afternoon, then bake a blackberry cobbler for family home evening dessert. We managed to fit in various shopping trips. On our way home from the outlets, we stopped to view the Snoqualamie Falls; much larger than Burney Falls, much smaller than Niagara Falls. I somehow managed without any TV, but the new bed/mattress on floor more than made up for it. Looking forward to returning end of the month for Bradley baptism and Liam blessing.

BYU Football down South

We headed down South for the BYU vs Ole Miss football game in Oxford, Mississippi, then stayed over for the week in Liberty, Mississippi; next flying to Austin for the BYU vs Texas game. Ralph picked up his new BMW 328si hard top convertible the day before we left. It's a beauty but only got to drive home from dealer then park in garage while we traveled.

Ryan, Erin, Shari, Bert, Gay, Jocelyn, Ruben, Lenora, Sue, Ralph

Gay, Bert, Ruben, Lenora and Jocelyn with Ralph and I all drove up to Oxford from Liberty 4 1/2 hours early Saturday morning over Labor Day weekend to get there in time for a BYU Booster Club tailgate party. It was the first time ever for Gay and Bert to attend a tailgate party. They had a great time and Blalock's Grocery somehow survived without Bert. Shari, Erin and Ryan met us there with a couple friends. Ryan just enrolled at Ole Miss so he was rooting for the Rebels. There were twelve of us in all. BYU was scoreless in the first half but came back the second half to win by one point.

Sunday we attended the Red Star Ward near Brookhaven for the blessing of Lucy Caroline Britt, Amber and Blaine new daughter. Shari and Aaron families also joined us for church, then nice family dinner afterwards.We kept busy during the week picking and shelling butter beans. The best part was eating them fresh from the garden. Yum, my favorite! Kathy joined us as we drove down to Baton Rouge to visit Aunt Mary Shuckrow and Aunt Sadie Nickens. They were so pleased to see us. Aunt Sadie is very frail at age 89 weighing less than her age. Bert planned a special anniversary surprise for your dad and I with a jambalaya dinner and gospel music band across the street at their lake camp.

Ralph & Sue at Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

175th Alamo anniversary

Thursday evening, we flew from New Orleans over to Austin for the Texas game. Taking advantage of some free time on Friday, we drove the 80 miles down to San Antonio to visit the Alamo. It was very interesting plus we saw the Imax Alamo history movie. My 4th great grandfather John Clark with two of his daughter's families were part of Stephen F. Austin's first 300 settlers in the new Texas territory, then part of Mexico in 1827.  The Battle of the Alamo happened a few years later in 1836 where Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett met their deaths with less than 200 Alamo defenders while fighting for Texas freedom and independence from the greater 1500 man forces of the Mexican soldiers under Santa Anna. The siege lasted 13 days resulting in 500-600 Mexicans killed or seriously wounded. It also allowed Texans to rally under Sam Houston to the cry "Remember the Alamo" eventually capturing the Santa Anna army leading to Texas (territory included Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, California, etc) freedom.

Ralph, BYU Cosmo Cougar & Sue

We attended a booster club BBQ Friday evening at the famous Old Salt Lick. Jimmer Fredette attended. Coincidentally, Amy & Seth, Redmond friends of Melissa and JD sat at our table. So sad BYU lost by one point.

We visited Matt and JoAnne's new home in Austin. They are very much enjoying the area and good schools; not liking the 100 degree heat, scorpions and fire ants. They joined us at the game plus we attended their ward today before catching our return flight.

Grand Canyon and Cozy Earth Las Vegas Trade Show

Ralph and Sue enjoy panoramic Grand Canyon vistas.

Laura, Melissa, Ralph & Sue, and Aimee families.

Gabriella, Aimee, Michael, Jack w/ Nathan, Ben, Grace, Brooke.

I realized a lifelong dream to visit the Grand Canyon. Aimee and family included the Grand Canyon in their five week Sabbatical trek across the western US from Yellowstone to San Diego. I was delighted to tag along meeting up with them at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Excitement grew with Ralph, Laura with two girls, Melissa and family of five all joined us for the adventure. We just viewed from the top only taking a short hike to the arch. It was an amazing vista all enjoyed. Only two days but worth it. Aimee's family departed for Las Vegas and southern California while we drove back to Phoenix to catch flight to Salt Lake City with Laura. Ralph and I attended family history conference for our calling as Area Family History Advisors.

Tyler, Sue and Ralph at Las Vegas Trade Show.

Tyler and Elaine working the crowd.

Next, we flew to Las Vegas to assist Tyler Howells and Elaine Layosa with the Cozy Earth Trade Show. It was very interesting with many international vendors stopping by expressing interest from far away places like Dubai and Tokyo. It was the first retail show as previous ones were geared more to personal sales. Many positive comments and much interest expressed. In general we're avoiding the national chains but Bed, Bath & Beyond did stop by to check us out. There were a few sales, but most will require follow up after the show. Our new shipment from China of bamboo sheets, silk and bamboo comforters finally arrived this week after delay from back order on fabric. These are great products with many benefits like thermal regulating and hypoallergenic plus cozy soft. Check out the website www.cozyearth.com.

Down South

We visited Mississippi/Louisiana for several days this past week. I took the direct route flying through New Orleans. Your dad took the long way driving 2300 miles cross country from Orinda to Liberty, Mississippi. He encountered heavy rain storms and lightning across New Mexico and Texas. Fortunately the dust storms in Phoenix did not reach him in Flagstaff. Bert Blalock was thrilled to become the new owner of his dream car, BMW 3M convertible.This should provide more comfort and class transportation than his truck, to/from stake meetings in Denham Springs, Louisiana sixty miles each way. A little mishap occurred when Bert's big truck backed into my tiny Yaris rental car bumper.

Jocelyn, Carolyn, Gay & Lenora

Gay and I "found our thrill on blueberry hill" as Fats Domino would say. Three mornings, Gay woke me up at 6 am (note 4 am CA time), to help her pick blueberries from commercial grower in Liberty she met on her mail route. They have about fifteen acres, so we did not even make a dent with our about forty gallons. Everyone's freezer is now filled to capacity for years supply of yummy smoothies, pies, etc. I opted to bring home the butter beans from garden instead. We spent mornings picking berries, afternoon shelling beans and evenings picking more beans. Bert's large garden suffering from lack of rain. Unfortunately, the red bugs (chiggers) enjoyed dining on me! Both legs were covered with too-many-to-count itchy bites. I resorted to buying some Listerine mouthwash from airport store to swab on legs to calm the itch while flying home. Not much selection in the airport medicine department. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention.


Nice to visit with Aunt Dorothy, Uncle Carl, Ruben, Kathy and other family members for Sunday dinner. Nice to overflow into Gay's new enclosed patio family room off kitchen.

Sue, Carl, Dorothy, Gay, Ruben, Kathy

Kellyn and I are teaming up for summer shape up challenge by working out with trainer at local fitness place. Must begin with losing several extra pounds gained on trip to South. I have a long way to go from the measured (calipers) 29% body fat. Ugh! For the first time since college, I donated blood for the Red Cross Interfaith Blood Drive. I barely passed the requirement of 12.5 hematocrit by one tenth at 12.6.  The LDS Church is partnering with Catholic Diocese of Oakland plus other denominations for largest blood drive with goal of 1500 units. My rare AB+ will hopefully be blessing to someone.

4th of July Celebration 2011

We arrived home late Friday night from Washington, DC in time to host annual A's baseball game tailgate party with pyro-spectacular after game. About thirty Severson family members joined us for fun.

Monday morning was the annual Orinda 4th of July Parade and festivities. All city council members were in town riding in the classic 1924 Packard convertible provided by community member. Candy helpers were Josh, Abby, Meg and friend Samatha Bowen.

Orinda 4th July Parade, City Council members

Wednesday was another day of celebration as we witnessed Pam being sworn in as a US citizen! Chris with Blake, Abby and Megan joined your dad and I at the historic Paramount theater in Oakland for the very nice ceremony, including message from President Obama and Lee Greenwood's Proud to be an American.

Washington, DC Whirlwind Visit

Gay, Brian Gregory & Bert Blalock

Brian Gregory, Sue, Tammy, Shari & Lenora

Our quick trip to Washington, DC began early Wednesday morning out of SFO arriving in time for dinner with John and Margaret Dalton at the Army-Navy Club. All day Thursday was filled with the promotion ceremony and celebration of Brian Gregory Blalock swearing in as lieutenant colonel in Air Force. We stayed in boutique hotel in Alexandria, VA near Brian's apartment. Everyone gathered there late morning to meet limousine to chauffeur us around all day. In attendance were his parents Bert and Gay Blalock plus sisters Shari, Tammy and Lenora. Noel came for part of the festivities. Opening ceremonies was visit to Vietnam Memorial to honor cousin John Hilton Blalock killed in Vietnam War. We next did brief visit to Capitol building before joining Montana Senator Testor who did official swearing in. That evening was party with family, friends and co-workers. Bert made his wonderful jambalaya, Gay some salads and Tammy pecan tassies. Friday was more relaxing with all agreeing to take double decker bus tour of Washington, DC. 

Brian Gregory, Ralph & Bert

US Congresswoman Barbara Lee of Oakland has come to Oakland Family History Library several times to explore her family history. She is fortunate to have her mother, plus two aunts, one age 100, who has provided valuable information. Doing Black family research is always a challenge. Barbara has been pleased with the progress including identifying her great grandfather who is decorated Civil War colonel plus Jewish great grandfather of Spanish origin. Your dad has focused on her maternal line and engaged me to follow up on paternal line. We met Barbara in Washington, DC just as she returned from Bay Area and we were departing.

Thanks to Kellyn who was co-hostess of the bridal shower for Heather McDonald in my absence. Barbara McDonald had fortunately recovered enough from her stroke to attend. It was good to see Tammy and Jason Hafener at church. We helped them with family history in our Sunday School class.

Salt Lake City Tourist and other Utah Fun

Ali, Bodie, Elaine, Tommy, Caymin & Gay

Not exactly the adventure that comes to mind...but you can always have fun wherever you are with family and friends. I met Gay in Utah for Caymin's BYU soccer camp. Caymin had fabulous time, met new friends and her team, the Corn Nuts, took first place in the tournament. Before and after the camp, we fit in some fun off the field. Jeff Logan rewarded us with personal tour of his Granny B cookie factory in Orem as thanks for me helping him with family history. Yum! We even gave opinions on new flavors being considered. Friday night was new experience for some as we joined Kellyn and Glen's family for rodeo in Pleasant Grove. His brother's team took first place in Wild Cow Milking Contest. This was a new competition to me despite all my many rodeo days. The object is for your team to capture a wild cow, pin her down, and milk her hoping to get some in the bucket to show judges. Needless to say this was a challenge and provided some laughs for the audience. Gay and I also finished up on the Blalock Reunion booklet project printed by BYU bookstore.
      Highlights of our tours were downtown Salt Lake City Temple Square, Conference Center, Brigham Young house, lunch at Lion House, Church History Museum (see video at end of post), Bridal Veil Falls, Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point, etc. Elaine with grandkids Tommy, Ali and Bodie joined us for most of outings.

Tommy, Ali, Bodie, Elaine, Sue, Gay & Caymin

      Kellyn is home for summer as Deloitte intern. So nice to have her back as my exercise task master, cooking enthusiast, and mindless TV series companion. Sad to report Star passed away this past week after short battle with cancer. Fortunately, Kellyn was home and able to visit with her last few days. Star always recognized Kellyn, acknowledging her as "mother."
      Mitt Romney with wife Ann was in town fundraising for his US Presidential campaign. Your dad and I joined him for breakfast with about 50 people at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Nice to hear from him in person in intimate setting giving update, shake his hand and hear him answering direct questions. We are already max donors. He's trying to get more donations before June 30 reporting, so if you're considering supporting his campaign now is good time to donate. I was very pleased he signed my copy of his book No Apology just purchased on sale the week before at Deseret Book. No worries, I removed the deep discount sales sticker before hand. We even saw several people we know from church and Goldman, Sachs.

      Your dad, Kellyn and I had the pleasure of attending the open house for Brett Candland and new wife Victoria at the Candland home on Saturday. Again ran into many people we know around the Bay Area.
      Not all adventures involve travel. Our most recent is helping US Congresswoman Barbara Lee from Oakland with her family history. Your dad has focused on her mother's side and turned over the research for father's side to me. We've made good progress including the "Irish Connection" in her black family, at least we are pretty confidant with findings indicating Lt. Colonel Pointer, decorated Civil War veteran, fathered two daughters by his family's maid in late 1800s. One of the girls is Barbara's grandmother. Interesting to find his photo in full military uniform plus photos of both parents. This line goes back to early founding of Virginia in contrast to the non-white lines that tend to stop with 1870 census after Civil War.