Saturday, February 27, 2010

Photos finally




I think, thanks to Rico having just called and giving me some help, to finally post a photo on here. It should help the Blackwell girls to feel cooler. So here they are - top: skiing with Uncle and cousin; bottom: on the top at Eldora.


Catching Up

Finally saw Boden's ski video - way to go. Hope I can follow him down the slope soon. Had a good day at Eldora yesterday - skiied the Sundance chair and took 5 runs so things are looking up. It was a beautiful day but schools were out in Boulder County and it was crowded especially inside. Mom came along and we had a great lunch at 3 p.m. at Katmandu!

Last week was really busy. Our Geopolitics discussion on Thursday was on finite Resources: Water and we had a guest from CU - retired from the Economic Dept - who had done a lot in the area and at the last minute I found a visiting professor from China who is at the China Institue of Water Resources and Hydropower Research. He was great with lots of comments on what the issues are in China. The President of China is a graduate of the Institute and has focused a lot of governemt attention on the issue of water. The Chinese are already pumping water from the Yangtze (south China) to the north using an old canal from the 1600s. They realize they have a major problem with the north being dry and the south wet but huge populations in the north. It was a good session.

With two basketball games and the Olympics we've been busy in the evenings. Enjoying most of the events and can repeat the ads by heart even with putting them on mute.

Expecting snow again on Sunday but the last 7 inch storm has almost all melted. We're getting it easy compared to the NE. I think Matt should plan to stay at W & L and not travel. He jinxes the weather! Hope you had a good 'at home' birthday, Matt.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

From the Jealous Blackwells!

Who needs to go on a "raptor drive" when you can see the real deal right outside your bedroom window?! Wish we could have been there to admire your hawk - I can just picture him looking very full and self-satisfied. And we all agree with Mom about Boden's Ski Day - there were some very longing looks on Rachael and Emily's faces! Weather here has been hot and sticky. A little snow would be wonderful about now! We'll have to cool off by watching Boden carving out those turns...

A happy birthday to Matt - been thinking of him all day on his 19th! Love from all, Elli

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Breakfast in the Wild

Hi, this is Mom---
This morning at 9, there was a Cooper's Hawk (16" head to tail and 31" wingspread) in the large pine tree outside our bathroom/bedroom window, only a few yards away. He had a freshly killed bird (bluejay, I think) under his claws as he sat in the pine tree. After a few minutes he started to tear and peck at the bird, and the feathers were flying all over the place---a snowstorm of feathers outside the window! He worked at the bird for over an hour, not even stopping when local magpies set off the alarm, bringing jays and chickadees to the scene with much circling overhead and choruses of outrage from all voices. It looked like every part of the bird, from legs to intestines, went down. Now, at 12:30, he is still here, looking twice as big after his meal, and having a long snooze to aid digestion! He still has the carcass in his talons---maybe when he wakes it will be lunch too! Better than a National Geographic video!
And speaking of videos, Rico yours of Boden skiing and making beautiful turns is perfect---excellent turns AND photography---thank you for posting it!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

I'm glad you had a happy birthday, Dad! I've got to say it's nice to be able to pop over with some grandkids to help you celebrate, and get them home in time for bed! We had a great weekend in the mountains thanks to the generosity of your friend, Julie Frieder letting us use her Frisco condo. Lots of wintry weather and fresh snow, but the inevitable I-70 traffic nightmares. That's why we love Eldora! Boden made some nice turns, but it was too cold to stay out for long. We had a nice day at Eldora the weekend before and I posted a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi_vE46s--Y

Here's a photo from Hawaii to help you get through the last week of February. This was the beach in front of our house- god how I miss it!

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Birthday 82

Hi all - thanks for all the birthday messages. It was a nice day. I went skiing in the morning and had a relaxed lunch at Eldora, A nice party with the young Kelloggs in the early evening and then some Olympics viewing (They have been enjoyable so far in spite of the endless ads between each figure skater! Was very impressed by the US men's champion in his responses to questions and an attempt to get him to be negative about the Russian silver medalist who had some mean comments about his rival. It was an interesting juxtaposition with Tiger Woods comments just an hour earlier.)

I found the birthday messages very reprewsentative of the age - not mine. I got a card by snail mail, one by email, one on facebook, one on the blog, and a phone call plus asome personally delivered hugs and kisses. I think every possible means of communication was used except possibly smoke signals! Fun.

Thanks again for all the good wishes. Love, DAD

Wednesday, February 17, 2010





Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear Dad,
Happy Birthday to you!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

From the land of amazing skiiers...! I don't even know what happened, except someone who spends about 4 months a year here has won something big at the Olympics!! I haven't had time to watch, although I really want to. It's not on TV until about 10pm, and by then I have to go to bed!! This RIDICULOUSLY hot and humid weather stuffs me around (not that I'm complaining...)! Getting back to the skiier - the news for the last 24 hours here is unfortunately all about a schoolyard stabbing at the school where the children of my friends Yvonne and Karen go - a private Catholic boys school just up the road in Sandgate. A 12-year-old boy was killed by a classmate - it's taken up all the media's attention. Needless to say I gave the girls extra big goodbye kisses this morning. It's shocking to think that they could go off to school and you'd never see them again... Give all your babies kisses from us, too.

Belated Valentines's love from us, maybe better known in the future as the day that Dick Francis died?! Loved your poem, Rico - I'm not a teacher, but I couldn't agree more. XOXO Elli
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone, too!
How about that "Australian" skiier!?!
Is anyone else watching the Olympics?

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentines Day

No cards but the love is there. Have thought of you all during the day which has been busy but interesting - Mom had a massage and I spent time at the Conference on World Affairs planning committee meeting. We are off to dinner with friends and then to the Boulder Symphony for a program of classical music with a love theme. The director is very imaginative in his programming. Love and hugs to all Dad
WOW!! Congratulations on the fundraiser.
Is this your school or Reid's? What ever happened with the reluctant principal?
Nice to see that somebody was willing to embrace the desire to help. Perhaps somebody, somewhere is "eating crow"?
Adorable picture of Alden.
Matt got back to school on Monday morning (2/7). He got out before the snow hit and had to stay home an extra day because he got snowed out. They (W&L) played rugby against William and Mary yesterday (2/13) in the snow and lost but "It was an epic game." He will be home next week for Washington's birthday break.
Sarah will spend this week at the Y doing a lifesaving course. I plan to take down the Christmas tree (!) and start to paint the living room.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Hi-

Rico here- I'm taking advantage of a gray long weekend to catch up. Glad to hear Drew's 50th was such a great success! Sounds like a blast! Did Matt get back to school before the blizzards, and how much snow did everyone get? We're bracing for another little blast of winter- it's inspired me to write a little love poem:


February is gray,

and this much is true;

I hate Valentine's Day,

but I love you.


I think spending any time in an elementary school will soon turn you into a Valentine's grinch.

Anyway, I survived the VD parties and sad kids who didn't get enough valentines and had too much sugar, and now I'm babysittting a tank full of lizards for the long weekend- big hit with our kids!


Alden's birthday was sweet with big cupcakes and a red retro kitchen where she can bake cookies.
The Haiti fundraisers at Mesa wound up with the proceeds from "The Pony Express" kindergarten valentines delivery service. All told, we hit $10,000 just about exactly- absolutely incredible for a school with 360 kids! I'm going to experiment with trying to post a video of the the fundraisers- we'll see if it works!
OK- it didn't work, so check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yYQvyjk5qY
Let's hope that works...
Take care!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Couldn't figure out how to get the writing onto the photos,....all went well. It was quite a surprise. The weekend didn't go as planned. It went better!
Matt came in early (Thursday) because of anticipated snow in VA. We had pizza and watched Slumdog - a great throwback to family "party nights".
On Friday, we went to see the Cagle show that Sarah was not in and when we arrived at the house, Jack Evans was there from Texas. Matt made nachos and we visited into the wee hours.
Saturday; Drew did homework and worked out while Jack and I did errands. Brett Stanwyck arrived from Chicago at noon. (His flight the night before had been cancelled due to anticipated snow.) We got to visit with him for a while. Then, Brian Bonanni showed up from NYC. With all the college roommates present, we had dinner by the fire.
At 8, people started to arrive for cake and toasts. It was a wonderful evening - highlights all around although my personal favorite was Matt's toast to Drew.
By 3 am, we were all gathered around the dining room table by the fire.
Sunday was a day of good-byes except for Matt who got "snowed out" of VA this time. He stayed here, watched the Super Bowl, and was back to school the next morning.

Drew is 50





Monday, February 8, 2010

What you can expect in the future

This came from friends in Australia - we laughed. Mom and Dad

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS (this was actually reported by a teacher) After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how theyspent their holiday away from school. One child wrote the following: We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Batemans Bay where everyone lives in nice little houses, and so they don't have to mow the grass anymore! They ride around on their bicycles and scooters and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wreck center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now. They do exercises there, but they don't do them very well. There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with hats on. At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out, and go cruising in their golf carts! Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And, they eat the same thing every night --- early birds. Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck. My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too. When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out, so they can visit their grandchildren. PRICELESS!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

NEWS FROM THE 2010 HILLBROOK BAND CAMP
Emily Blackwell has just returned from a 3-day music camp on Mt. Tamborine, Qld which turned into a 4-day camp full of wild weather and high drama! An incredible storm on Saturday night dropped 362mm (15") of rain on the camp in just 9 hours, causing widespread damage on the Gold Coast, numerous landslides and road closures, and 3 deaths (luckily none at camp!). Without power and water for 12 hours, the students gathered in the chapel to play music and write songs, which were later shared with the entire camp to everyone's delight. Returning to school 23 hours after the scheduled arrival, the students were tired, hungry and in great spirits. The best news is that Emily has been selected to play clarinet (2nd chair) in the Hillbrook Wind Symphony, no audition required! Her family (and clarinet teacher) are very proud of her ~ congratulations, Emily!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Hi - Don't know how I ended up posting two copies of the reviews. Thought some might be interested in what I've read recently that have a geoploitical bent. Both interesting books and rather nice to be able to writre about them for publication among a few fellow UN followers.

I'm taking a course on Music Appreciation and it is fascinating - a whole new approach. Rather than listen to and analyze a piece of music we concentrate on the various aspects that make music, music. We are on melody at the moment and listening to Gregorian Chants plus in today's class, Native American pow-pow music and religious chants such as the snake dance and SE Asian/Indian music. Today he introduced the Raga and is it complicated but with many of the same elements as Gregorian chants. It is sure a new approach and I like it - hearing things I've never heard before.

Dad

Book Reviews for UN Newsletter

Dead Aid, Dambisa Moyo, Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, N.Y. c. 2009

Dead Aid, published last year, had a major impact on the aid community and several African nations. Its subtitle, “Why aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa.” reveals why. While it has been generally accepted for a number of years that a large percentage of foreign aid has not achieved its goal, there has been very little done to change the culture of government aid on a nation-to-nation basis. Ms. Moyo offers a radical approach to change the culture. It was widely discussed among economists until the economic crisis took the front burner and reforming foreign aid slipped from the headlines. This is regrettable, as Ms. Moyo makes very clear changes are needed. The earthquake disaster in Haiti has focused some attention on the aid issue again. Recent articles in the New York Times state traditional aid to Haiti has not worked and call for new approaches. But what should the new approach be and how does one overcome the inertia of the massive international aid bureaucracy?

Ms Moyo’s position on the failure of aid is not a unique perspective today. However, she states the situation boldly and succinctly in saying, “Millions in Africa are poorer today because of aid: misery and poverty have not ended but have increased. Aid has been, and continues to be, an unmitigated political, economic and humanitarian disaster for most parts of the developing world.” She clearly and briefly brings together many examples of this failure often driven by the misplaced altruism of leaders of pop culture. The failure of such aid is illustrated in her story of the mosquito net manufacturer who had a small private business going employing ten people. Foreign activists, some from Boulder County, desired to stop malaria and swamped the country with free nets. This drove him out of business, and his 150 employees’ dependents into poverty, achieving just the opposite of the desired goal of foreign aid, which is to help a nation grow an economic base. She presents other illustrations and this is the best part of the book.

Her multi-faceted solution is less satisfactory and reflects her background – a PhD in economics from Oxford and eight years at Goldman Sachs. One very important facet is freer trade, especially agricultural, and the end to agricultural subsidies given to farmers in developed countries. (Did you know that each cow in the EU gets the equivalent of $2.50 a day in subsidies? Compare that to the incomes of many Africans.) Another facet of her solution is support for micro-finance that encourages the development of basic economic knowledge among individuals at the local level. Both of these ideas appear very reasonable. Her main solution, however, is less so. It entails reliance on the free market and loans obtained from the developed world’s financial markets. Her theory is that the market will demand honesty, openness, and efficiency in order to achieve a return on the investment. Under present aid arrangements corruption and inefficiency are rampant. Often reliable transport infrastructure is lacking, as is an educated workforce. Ms. Moyo believes the free market will correct this and lead to economic growth and prosperity. It is an optimistic and, I suspect, unrealistic position. Foreign aid was conceived as a way to achieve growth, and has failed as Ms. Moyo clearly illustrates. A culture of paternalism and dependency has not worked. The need is for a restructuring of society, but how? To wait until a country achieves a new structure before providing access to funding appears even less attractive as a solution than foreign aid.

In spite of this negative analysis, I do recommend the book for a quick reading (it is only 154 rather small pages with 34 pages of references that can be helpful.)
Ms. Moyo’s analysis of how aid went wrong and of the negatives of agricultural subsidies are worth hearing and some may find her major solution to “dead aid” compelling.

Bill Kellogg



True Compass: a Memoir, Edward M. Kennedy, Twelve, N.Y. c. 2009

This memoir covers the 1930s to the election of President Obama and whether you lived throughout those years as I have, or whether you are just becoming aware of public affairs, I recommend it as an entertaining and reflective record of the “American Century.” Of course, as with any memoir, it is biased and seen through the eyes of one individual. However, unlike some political memoirs, this individual from his earliest childhood was a member of a family that was at the heart of political power and decision-making. As the threat of war grew in Europe in the late 1930s, young Ted Kennedy was living in England. His father was the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain and a friend of President Roosevelt. At the end of his life, Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama for president is considered an important development in his election. Throughout his life Ted Kennedy was involved in many of the major political developments of the century and he his description of these events is brief, revealing, and, depending on your age, a great summary or reminder of those events.

Kennedy’s perspectives on President Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban Missile crisis and relations with the Soviet Union may be the more interesting sections to members of the United Nations Association. To me, the discussions of Vietnam, in which Afghanistan could be substituted for Vietnam in almost every sentence, was fascinating. Does history repeat itself? On the domestic front the same type of relationship can be found between the Clinton attempts at health reform, in which Kennedy was deeply involved, and the current attempts.

Aside from the perspective on the major political developments of the past eighty years, the memoir provides intimate and very personal insights into the Senator’s life and relationship with his siblings and family. While many may not care for the Kennedy clan, the closeness and rivalry of its members are complex, and illustrate the importance of human relationships in the making of major political decisions – both here and abroad.
Bill Kellogg

Book Reviews for UN Newsletter

Dead Aid, Dambisa Moyo, Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, N.Y. c. 2009

Dead Aid, published last year, had a major impact on the aid community and several African nations. Its subtitle, “Why aid is not working and how there is a better way for Africa.” reveals why. While it has been generally accepted for a number of years that a large percentage of foreign aid has not achieved its goal, there has been very little done to change the culture of government aid on a nation-to-nation basis. Ms. Moyo offers a radical approach to change the culture. It was widely discussed among economists until the economic crisis took the front burner and reforming foreign aid slipped from the headlines. This is regrettable, as Ms. Moyo makes very clear changes are needed. The earthquake disaster in Haiti has focused some attention on the aid issue again. Recent articles in the New York Times state traditional aid to Haiti has not worked and call for new approaches. But what should the new approach be and how does one overcome the inertia of the massive international aid bureaucracy?

Ms Moyo’s position on the failure of aid is not a unique perspective today. However, she states the situation boldly and succinctly in saying, “Millions in Africa are poorer today because of aid: misery and poverty have not ended but have increased. Aid has been, and continues to be, an unmitigated political, economic and humanitarian disaster for most parts of the developing world.” She clearly and briefly brings together many examples of this failure often driven by the misplaced altruism of leaders of pop culture. The failure of such aid is illustrated in her story of the mosquito net manufacturer who had a small private business going employing ten people. Foreign activists, some from Boulder County, desired to stop malaria and swamped the country with free nets. This drove him out of business, and his 150 employees’ dependents into poverty, achieving just the opposite of the desired goal of foreign aid, which is to help a nation grow an economic base. She presents other illustrations and this is the best part of the book.

Her multi-faceted solution is less satisfactory and reflects her background – a PhD in economics from Oxford and eight years at Goldman Sachs. One very important facet is freer trade, especially agricultural, and the end to agricultural subsidies given to farmers in developed countries. (Did you know that each cow in the EU gets the equivalent of $2.50 a day in subsidies? Compare that to the incomes of many Africans.) Another facet of her solution is support for micro-finance that encourages the development of basic economic knowledge among individuals at the local level. Both of these ideas appear very reasonable. Her main solution, however, is less so. It entails reliance on the free market and loans obtained from the developed world’s financial markets. Her theory is that the market will demand honesty, openness, and efficiency in order to achieve a return on the investment. Under present aid arrangements corruption and inefficiency are rampant. Often reliable transport infrastructure is lacking, as is an educated workforce. Ms. Moyo believes the free market will correct this and lead to economic growth and prosperity. It is an optimistic and, I suspect, unrealistic position. Foreign aid was conceived as a way to achieve growth, and has failed as Ms. Moyo clearly illustrates. A culture of paternalism and dependency has not worked. The need is for a restructuring of society, but how? To wait until a country achieves a new structure before providing access to funding appears even less attractive as a solution than foreign aid.

In spite of this negative analysis, I do recommend the book for a quick reading (it is only 154 rather small pages with 34 pages of references that can be helpful.)
Ms. Moyo’s analysis of how aid went wrong and of the negatives of agricultural subsidies are worth hearing and some may find her major solution to “dead aid” compelling.

Bill Kellogg



True Compass: a Memoir, Edward M. Kennedy, Twelve, N.Y. c. 2009

This memoir covers the 1930s to the election of President Obama and whether you lived throughout those years as I have, or whether you are just becoming aware of public affairs, I recommend it as an entertaining and reflective record of the “American Century.” Of course, as with any memoir, it is biased and seen through the eyes of one individual. However, unlike some political memoirs, this individual from his earliest childhood was a member of a family that was at the heart of political power and decision-making. As the threat of war grew in Europe in the late 1930s, young Ted Kennedy was living in England. His father was the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain and a friend of President Roosevelt. At the end of his life, Ted Kennedy’s endorsement of Barack Obama for president is considered an important development in his election. Throughout his life Ted Kennedy was involved in many of the major political developments of the century and he his description of these events is brief, revealing, and, depending on your age, a great summary or reminder of those events.

Kennedy’s perspectives on President Kennedy’s handling of the Cuban Missile crisis and relations with the Soviet Union may be the more interesting sections to members of the United Nations Association. To me, the discussions of Vietnam, in which Afghanistan could be substituted for Vietnam in almost every sentence, was fascinating. Does history repeat itself? On the domestic front the same type of relationship can be found between the Clinton attempts at health reform, in which Kennedy was deeply involved, and the current attempts.

Aside from the perspective on the major political developments of the past eighty years, the memoir provides intimate and very personal insights into the Senator’s life and relationship with his siblings and family. While many may not care for the Kennedy clan, the closeness and rivalry of its members are complex, and illustrate the importance of human relationships in the making of major political decisions – both here and abroad.
Bill Kellogg

Monday, February 1, 2010

It's Mom---

I want to get my two cents worth on this page---am sitting in Dad's study at 6pm, and I must say that its new look is very warming and cheerfull on a cold winter evening! Good work, Ken!

We were treated to two inspirational programs yesterday---the first a piano presentation of Chopin by a retired CU professor, Larry Graham. So varied, nuanced, wistful---an overflowing audience at the Library---all spellbound. Then an energetic woman speaking to the UN crowd on sustainable energy---how Colorado stacks up (very well, as we have a ton of wind power ready to use when coal is phased out, and she's working toward getting that done). She's heading to Arkansas and Missouri with her message, and I wouldn't want to be standing in her way! I asked her about what might happen here when our governor, Bill Ritter, retires, as he has announced he will do, but she said it's all the people of the state who want it so strongly, and a change of party, even, will probably not make a difference. Hope she is right.

Glad to hear that Sarah is back on her feet, and that the Aussie girls are doing their school thing. And Julie, your eyes have never looked so blue!