Our Wonderful Family 2009

I designed a small website for Tony, and if you'd like to see it, click on the words "Tony Yantch".

You may have noticed I enclosed a picture of the waterwheel Tony had placed in his koi pond and powered by electricity he had harnessed from a stream running through his property. My friend, Dr. Parrish, waxed poetic about the waterwheel, and I am including the poem she had written about it. This has been on the website for years, I know, but both the waterwheel and the poem are very special to me; and I feel they both belong right where they are FOREVER!

My mother remains active and involved, helping us in every way possible. She continues to spend her winters alternating between our house and Tony's. Still spry, despite some arthritis in her knees and a bad back, she provides us with her "Polish housekeeper services". Whenever Tony and Melinda ski at their place in Canada or travel, Mom keeps Becky, their dog, company, feeds the koi, and waters the garden.Mom is so special!

Don't forget to check her website by clicking on her name, Frances.

Mom remains a wonderful subject!

Dowsed in a gurgling, frilly froth

my oars work double duck and churn.

They spark the lights at dusk's low burn

and I serenade the season's turn:

too-la-rue, too-la-rue

each cycle run

too-la-rue, too-la-rue

on and done

I juggle the surges of liquid snows

trilling through and over me.

I parcel their power most prudently

Ss backyard paths glow steadily.

too-la-rue, too-la-rue

each cycle run

too-la-rue, too-la-rue

on and done.

I never freeze when Jack Frost walks.

I reach deep and my paddles weep

breaking strains that soothe and sweep

the flagstones to their last long sleep.

too-la-rue, too-la-rue

each cycle run

too-la-rue, too-la-rue

on and done

Margaret Parrish, MD

Tony's Waterwheel

Return to top of page

In April we visited Mike in Dallas. We did some interesting things. In addition to hosting a barbecue on the lake, we went to the zoo, previewed a movie, and attended a basketball game as well. Mike has season tickets and has become a Mavericks' fan.

In July we flew to Auburn where we visited with my mom. She is a source of infinite variety. She insisted that we go with her to a new park which opened, dedicated to veterans who had live in or had relatives in Cayuga County. Lo and behold she had purchased pavers, one to recognize Tony and one for David. We also met Mr. John Barwinczok, a Korean War veteran, who spearheaded the development of the park, despite nay saying and footdragging on the part of local politicians.

In July we were invited to spend the night with Aliesa and Doug Bowman, David's relatives, on Lake Norman. They are avid sailors and we had never been sailing. what a superb treat! Kyle and Doug were like a well oiled team trimming and setting the sail and putting up the mainsail. Fantastic!! Feeling the wind in our hair was a wondereful feeling.

My 70th birthday was a grand surprise. Michael came home and I was astounded! David and he arranged Mike's visit in total secrecy. I didn't suspect a thing. We had an impromptu party to recognize the event.

To the right is a tribute to the koi pond my brother constructed in his back yard. He and Melinda are members of the Atlanta koi club and I believe the sentiments expressed in this poem are felt by every member of the club.

Check out my brother's personal website and that of the koi club.