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Some other links of recent interest to Pasty Cam watchers:
• In Search of our Ancestors    • New Arrivals
• Politics and Religion, Ketchup or Gravy
Decade of the Pasty Cam on this day ^{Printed on Recycled Internet}

Many outstanding sponsors have made the Pasty Cam possible through the years, including the #1 Real Estate agent in the U.P. for 2008. What is his name and agency in Houghton?

Mike Lahti from Keweenaw Properties

Mike is a long-time sponsor, but spent a litle too much time in Lansing in 2008 to be the #1 selling Realtor.

ReMax Douglas?

...another occasional sponsor, but an agent down the street made the #1 spot in 2008

oops! Too early (or late) for me and the poor tired brain!

Hint:

Josh Stein, State Wide Real Estate

Right! ...we're amazed that folks are up so early on a Saturday.

Some times insomnia pays off!
Congratulations to the MSU men's basketball team and also to Cedarville's high school team! Go MSU women also!

I was up at 2 am but went back to bed arond 5:45 for awhile. We are going downtown to take some pictures of Ford Field (outside) where they have it decked out with Final Four banners and stuff. I am really not into basketball, but it is still pretty cool.

Have a great day.

Darn, if I was awake earlier I could have got the answer to the early bird question without looking it up.

Congratulations on the early bird, Paul and congratulaions to Josh Stein.

I'll be glad when today is over, today is my dad's (Grampa Norm) memorial here in Michigan. Lot's of family and friends, but stress too. We miss you dad, Helsinki's Booming!

me, too, Uncle Chuck. Today's my retarded sister's birthday, and my bro and I are both sad that we can't be in Hancock to celebrate with her in Quincy House, her group home. But we are eternally grateful for the wonderful care she receives through Copper Country Mental Health.

In honor of Laurie, I hope all people reading this will be careful of tossing out "retarded" as a 'throw-away' putdown for anything not agreed with. I also hope parents will try to monitor their children and encourage them not to use that word--all too common in school, at least before I retired.

Thinking of you both with care and love, Maija and Uncle Chuck. Peace be with you.

More great pics! As 4 the 1 saying Winter returns, we're under a Winter storm watch her in Northern lower Michigan from tonight through Sunday afternoon (may get about 6 inches of wet snow).

Way to go Dad!!!! You've always been a Early Bird!!!

thank you Ms. Katie.

Maija: I bet it was a difficult day for you and your brother. I have
always objected to the incorrect usage of the word "retarded."
Children in my class know better than to use it jokingly in my
presence because I do not find it funny or cool. There but for the
grace of God.. I imagine that your whole family has learned a great
deal from your sister.

Uncle Chuck: I hope that you and your family were comforted by
the people who were at your father's memorial service.

Maija, when we moved to Royal Oak in the fifties there was a challenged young lady who lived by us. Now in those days I thought I was cool. She told me one time that she liked me cause I was just like her. Boy talk about being humbled. Her name was Margaret and had Downs Syndrome. She was one of my coolest friends. She felt the same way about my mom. She was in her twenties when she passed on. Sometimes I wonder what she would be like as an old lady. She always had time to smell the roses. Maybe more of us should be like Margaret.

Maija, Happy Birthday to your sister. I just finished reading a book called Embraced by the Light about a near death experience. This woman says that when she "died" and went to heaven, she learned a lot about the spiritual world. She says that before we were born, we actually chose who we were going to be. Our lives here on earth are all about learning and teaching others. I'm sure Laurie has taught a lot of people a lot of different things. That book really made me think. I don't know if it was true or not, but just imagine if it was. Your sister is a remarkable woman. But there will always be people who are ignorant. And to think they supposedly chose that kind of life to learn and help others. It's interesting to think of it that way. But there will always be your bad apples too.

Uncle Chuck, I'm thinking about you and your family. We have to go through that yet. I will never be ready for that.