Well, the streak continues, Karen and I are having a girl. That makes it 3 for 3 for McDonald grandchildren.
This is a side profile. The word "Hi" is to the left of her mouth.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Directions to Matt & Kristen's
Hi all!!
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!! Festivities start at 1pm.
Be prepared for a lot of food, a little cake....a little karoake...maybe some wiffle ball....but a whole lot of cheer as we celebrate Dellie's 70th!
Here's some quick directions for you....and for those of you using GPS....our address is:
50 Old Turnpike Road, 07960. Any problems call 973-998-4550.
From the South:
Take Parkway or Turnpike to 287 North
Follow 287 towards Morristown.
Take exit 35 for South Street.
At light take left (follow signs for Friendly's)
Stay in right lane and take quick right for short access Road to Madison Ave.
Take Right onto Madison Avenue.
Go to 5th Light and take left onto Convent Road (Madison Hotel and Rod's is on your left)
Directly after you pass the hotel....Take left onto Old Turnpike Road (looks like you are going through train parking lot...you are!)
Our house is the second driveway on the left after you pass Shephard's place.
From PA:
via 202/206 or 78 East. Follow until you hit 287.
Take 287 North and follow directions from above.
From NYC and East: (from Newark Airport you are about 20-25 minutes away)
Take NJ Turnpike to 78 West
to 24 West
Take exit 2A for Morristown
Merge onto Columbia Turnpike
Get in left lane immediately and take left at light onto Park Ave.
Follow Park to 2nd Light and take Right onto Punchbowl Road.
Go .9 miles under train tressel at Stop sign take Left onto Old Turnpike .... .2 miles and house in on the right. You can park in our drive or if you continue past our drive....you will see Shephard Place ...you can park here or just past Shephard is the train lot.
You can park in our drive ...there's NO PARKING on Old Turnpike except in the train lot (don't want anyone to get tickets). Park on Shephard Place....or the train lot which is just a minutes walk and they don't ticket on the weekend there.
Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!! Festivities start at 1pm.
Be prepared for a lot of food, a little cake....a little karoake...maybe some wiffle ball....but a whole lot of cheer as we celebrate Dellie's 70th!
Here's some quick directions for you....and for those of you using GPS....our address is:
50 Old Turnpike Road, 07960. Any problems call 973-998-4550.
From the South:
Take Parkway or Turnpike to 287 North
Follow 287 towards Morristown.
Take exit 35 for South Street.
At light take left (follow signs for Friendly's)
Stay in right lane and take quick right for short access Road to Madison Ave.
Take Right onto Madison Avenue.
Go to 5th Light and take left onto Convent Road (Madison Hotel and Rod's is on your left)
Directly after you pass the hotel....Take left onto Old Turnpike Road (looks like you are going through train parking lot...you are!)
Our house is the second driveway on the left after you pass Shephard's place.
From PA:
via 202/206 or 78 East. Follow until you hit 287.
Take 287 North and follow directions from above.
From NYC and East: (from Newark Airport you are about 20-25 minutes away)
Take NJ Turnpike to 78 West
to 24 West
Take exit 2A for Morristown
Merge onto Columbia Turnpike
Get in left lane immediately and take left at light onto Park Ave.
Follow Park to 2nd Light and take Right onto Punchbowl Road.
Go .9 miles under train tressel at Stop sign take Left onto Old Turnpike .... .2 miles and house in on the right. You can park in our drive or if you continue past our drive....you will see Shephard Place ...you can park here or just past Shephard is the train lot.
You can park in our drive ...there's NO PARKING on Old Turnpike except in the train lot (don't want anyone to get tickets). Park on Shephard Place....or the train lot which is just a minutes walk and they don't ticket on the weekend there.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Another Cousin on the Way!
Karen and I are expecting a little bundle of joy in late March 2009.
We are making the trip to Morristown on October 4 and look forward to seeing everyone.
Wally
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Little Evie McDonald
Here are some photos of Evelyn "Evie" Ruth McDonald. She was born on August 28 at 9:08 AM. For more photos check out bringingupbabymcdonald.blogspot.com.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Lake Tahoe at dusk
This is one of the beaches in DL Bliss State Park where Chloe and I camped this weekend. The water was cool but refreshing. This is one of a few areas where the beach and lake bottom are all sand. Most areas are rocky.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Deck (cont.)
It took almost 10 hours but the decking material is finished.
Next up is the railing and stairs.
Monday, July 14, 2008
This Old House
Finally, all those hours of watching This Old House has paid off.
Here is the deck that Marc, myself, and a few friends built this past weekend.
It's 18' x 30' and despite that last beam looking a little out of square, the entire deck is only 1" out of square.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Aboard the Summer Wind
Pat and I visited Wally and Karen at Karen's parents (Bonnie and Stan's) summer place in Md.
It was a little slow at first.
Then we found the wind.
Julianna arrived May 23, 2008 at11:15 PM
Julianna Elise McDonald arrived on May 23, 2008 at 11:15 PM at Coulumbia Presbyterian in Manhattan.
Casey and Dave invited me to attend the momentus event. Casey's mom and Casey's two best friends were there also.
Dave helped with the delivery and did a good job, no fainting or dizziness occurred.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Easter Egg Hunt
A 30-second head start may be a bit generous. However there is a need to have flexibility built into the hunt. One never knows. In addition some individuals are a bit aggressive in an attempt to be first out the door to get the prized eggs. In fact, a woman going to church asked me if anyone ever gets hurt in the hunt ? So, at this time, the supreme rule maker is considering a 10-15 second head start for qualified hunters.
senior pat
senior pat
Thursday, April 3, 2008
LA Dodgers
Hi Family,
Well, I have to say that I just experienced a night I will never forget, particularly for someone like myself who is such a big baseball fan. I had to write a short story for the LA Weekly about Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa, who was the shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies when they won the 1980 World Series and we lived in Pennsylvania at the same time. So I drove over to Dodger Stadium via Sunset Boulevard, received my press credentials, and then went along for the ride.
I was quickly ushered to the field, where Bowa was waiting for me. He had been kicked out of the game the night before for refusing to stay within the coaching box, and he's kind of sensitive about being labeled a hot head. So he wasn't very talkative at first. Then I mentioned I was a Phillies fan when they won the World Championship--or champ-een-ship, as Grandpa would say--and Bowa suddenly smiled a smile he probably hadn't smiled for some time. He just lit up. When I asked him about his former teammate Bake McBride, I really won him over. We ended up chatting very cordially for another ten minutes or so.
I then headed over to the dugout, where Joe Torre was holding his regular press conference. Joe was exactly as you expected him to be--very cool, very articulate, just right on the money. I hung out on the field for the rest of batting practice, got my picture taken on the field, and one of the media liaisons gave me a BP baseball, which was later signed by Andre Ethier and James Loney--two stars for the Dodgers.
After BP, I walked into the locker room, hung out with the players, and watched some of the Mets vs. Marlins game on the big TV. From there, I went up to the "Vin Scully Press Box" for dinner, where I sat at a table with a bunch of old-time baseball scouts straight out of central casting. They were talking old baseball stories and whatnot, I was eating lamb and mashed potatoes, and I suddenly looked up and saw the real Vin Scully looking at me. Vin, as you may or may not know, is a Fordham Ram, as well as a Hall of Fame announcer. Anyhow, I instantly smiled and said hello, and he greeted me back. Vin then told a funny baseball story, everyone laughed, and I left to meet my friend and pick up our tickets at will call.
As soon as I got the ticket, I realized it was going to be the best seat I ever had in my life. It read: Baseline Box Club, Row 4, VIP, Seat 1. In other words, I was four rows from the field, a few yards above third base. To top it off, we were given access to the the exclusive Dodger Club, where we were treated to a free, all-you-can-eat buffet. This is always a good thing in the mind of a McDonald, and I took full advantage: root beer float, Dodger Dogs, peanuts, a little more ice cream, a couple of Cokes, etc.
The Dodgers ultimately lost the game to their much hated rivals, the San Francisco Giants. If you remember, the rivalry was really started in New York, and the Giants was Grandpa's favorite team before they left for the West Coast. Interestingly enough, I've attended three, Dodgers vs. Giants games going back to 1975 or so, and the Dodgers have lost every single one of them. Weird.
But, it was a night that I will never forget. I kept saying thank you to the Big Blue Dodger in the Sky, as former manager Tommy Lasorda would put it. And with some personal stuff making me feel a little funky just hours before, the night couldn't have been more perfectly timed.
Best to everyone!
Love,
Patrick
Well, I have to say that I just experienced a night I will never forget, particularly for someone like myself who is such a big baseball fan. I had to write a short story for the LA Weekly about Dodgers third base coach Larry Bowa, who was the shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies when they won the 1980 World Series and we lived in Pennsylvania at the same time. So I drove over to Dodger Stadium via Sunset Boulevard, received my press credentials, and then went along for the ride.
I was quickly ushered to the field, where Bowa was waiting for me. He had been kicked out of the game the night before for refusing to stay within the coaching box, and he's kind of sensitive about being labeled a hot head. So he wasn't very talkative at first. Then I mentioned I was a Phillies fan when they won the World Championship--or champ-een-ship, as Grandpa would say--and Bowa suddenly smiled a smile he probably hadn't smiled for some time. He just lit up. When I asked him about his former teammate Bake McBride, I really won him over. We ended up chatting very cordially for another ten minutes or so.
I then headed over to the dugout, where Joe Torre was holding his regular press conference. Joe was exactly as you expected him to be--very cool, very articulate, just right on the money. I hung out on the field for the rest of batting practice, got my picture taken on the field, and one of the media liaisons gave me a BP baseball, which was later signed by Andre Ethier and James Loney--two stars for the Dodgers.
After BP, I walked into the locker room, hung out with the players, and watched some of the Mets vs. Marlins game on the big TV. From there, I went up to the "Vin Scully Press Box" for dinner, where I sat at a table with a bunch of old-time baseball scouts straight out of central casting. They were talking old baseball stories and whatnot, I was eating lamb and mashed potatoes, and I suddenly looked up and saw the real Vin Scully looking at me. Vin, as you may or may not know, is a Fordham Ram, as well as a Hall of Fame announcer. Anyhow, I instantly smiled and said hello, and he greeted me back. Vin then told a funny baseball story, everyone laughed, and I left to meet my friend and pick up our tickets at will call.
As soon as I got the ticket, I realized it was going to be the best seat I ever had in my life. It read: Baseline Box Club, Row 4, VIP, Seat 1. In other words, I was four rows from the field, a few yards above third base. To top it off, we were given access to the the exclusive Dodger Club, where we were treated to a free, all-you-can-eat buffet. This is always a good thing in the mind of a McDonald, and I took full advantage: root beer float, Dodger Dogs, peanuts, a little more ice cream, a couple of Cokes, etc.
The Dodgers ultimately lost the game to their much hated rivals, the San Francisco Giants. If you remember, the rivalry was really started in New York, and the Giants was Grandpa's favorite team before they left for the West Coast. Interestingly enough, I've attended three, Dodgers vs. Giants games going back to 1975 or so, and the Dodgers have lost every single one of them. Weird.
But, it was a night that I will never forget. I kept saying thank you to the Big Blue Dodger in the Sky, as former manager Tommy Lasorda would put it. And with some personal stuff making me feel a little funky just hours before, the night couldn't have been more perfectly timed.
Best to everyone!
Love,
Patrick
Saturday, March 22, 2008
McDonald Easter Egg Hunt '08
The 40th annual McDonald Easter Egg was another intense and physical event. This year, we found 95% of the eggs -- a little bit higher percentage than usual. We look forward to finding a half-eaten egg in the upcoming months somewhere near our back bushes.
Katrina won her fourth Easter Egg Hunt in six tries. She can't wait to defend her title in 2009.
Casey was second in her debut competition -- quite an impressive feat!
Marc was 3rd and found the Golden Egg (though the women had a 30-second head start and found all the easy eggs -- if not for the 30-second lead, he would have increased his total record championship wins to 15).
Katrina won her fourth Easter Egg Hunt in six tries. She can't wait to defend her title in 2009.
Casey was second in her debut competition -- quite an impressive feat!
Marc was 3rd and found the Golden Egg (though the women had a 30-second head start and found all the easy eggs -- if not for the 30-second lead, he would have increased his total record championship wins to 15).
Tootsie and Strummer helped Dave finish last for the 30th consecutive year.
Congratulations to all participants and we may consider opening enrollment next year for two new entrants. No matter your age, height or running/walking/crawling ability, no more head starts! Let's keep the Easter Egg Hunt real.
My two cents....
First of all, thanks Wally for setting this up. This will be a great way to keep in touch. Patrick, I hope you are well out there in CA.
More importantly, in response to the MWB stadium post - how brave was Matt to "go there" - seems like we all have a story to disprove his status....
Hears my story. Matt forced me into playing him in a back yard game of wiffle ball a few years back. I guess he was sick of beating his 3 year old, Tommy, so he figured an eight month pregnant woman was more of a level playing field. I didn't feel like playing for obvious reasons, but proceeded to dismantle his game by slamming homers like no one's business. End result, big win. Mattie B has been begging for a rematch but I've been holding out, maybe for this blog...?
my two cents is... the new house is beautiful, but if you couldn't clear the roof before, what are you gonna do now?
peace everyone, Maureen
More importantly, in response to the MWB stadium post - how brave was Matt to "go there" - seems like we all have a story to disprove his status....
Hears my story. Matt forced me into playing him in a back yard game of wiffle ball a few years back. I guess he was sick of beating his 3 year old, Tommy, so he figured an eight month pregnant woman was more of a level playing field. I didn't feel like playing for obvious reasons, but proceeded to dismantle his game by slamming homers like no one's business. End result, big win. Mattie B has been begging for a rematch but I've been holding out, maybe for this blog...?
my two cents is... the new house is beautiful, but if you couldn't clear the roof before, what are you gonna do now?
peace everyone, Maureen
Friday, March 21, 2008
Cover story at the LA Weekly
Hi everyone, here's my cover story for the LA Weekly that's out this week: http://www.laweekly.com/news/news/donald-t-sterlings-skid-row-mirage/18537/
It's about LA Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, who seems to have pulled a not-so-nice publicity stunt on the backs of LA's homeless. It's been getting a good reaction from a lot of people, although Sterling probably isn't too happy.
I also have a feature running in the Advocate this week, too--that's the nation's leading gay and lesbian newsmagazine. So it's been a good week. Hope everyone is starting to feel better compared to last week.
Take care,
Patrick
It's about LA Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, who seems to have pulled a not-so-nice publicity stunt on the backs of LA's homeless. It's been getting a good reaction from a lot of people, although Sterling probably isn't too happy.
I also have a feature running in the Advocate this week, too--that's the nation's leading gay and lesbian newsmagazine. So it's been a good week. Hope everyone is starting to feel better compared to last week.
Take care,
Patrick
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Matthew Walter Byrne Stadium Grand Opening...May 3rd.
Matthew Walter Byrne Stadium (under construction)....scheduled re-opening May 3rd.....Opening ceremony 9am....Hall of fame game opener 1pm.
Hall of Fame inductee:
Matthew Walter Byrne
Matthew Walter Byrne, perhaps one of the greatest back yard players in the history of sports. Career record 345-11 ..(this includes football, wiffle ball, hockey, knock-hockey,chase, and dunk hoop basketball...8ft hoop max). Undefeated against arch rival and hated Mcdonald clan with a record of 134-0, 12-0 in Thanksgiving Day Championship games, undefeated in single man wiffle ball.
Feared and revered by rivals..prompting one McDonald to say..."He was the greatest that ever played". Unfortunately, his accomplisments overwhelmed the committee in such a great degree, he will be the only player inducted in the Hall of Fame.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
So what's going on with your family?
We'd love to hear what's going on with your family.
Did Grace make a nice play in lacrosse? Did Kathleen get a new dress? Did tommy Boy ever get an answer as to why the older people's neck look so droopy? Did Patrick publish a new story? Does Beanie have a story?
These are the things that we'd all like to hear about.
Wally
Did Grace make a nice play in lacrosse? Did Kathleen get a new dress? Did tommy Boy ever get an answer as to why the older people's neck look so droopy? Did Patrick publish a new story? Does Beanie have a story?
These are the things that we'd all like to hear about.
Wally
Friday, March 14, 2008
Welcome Byrne-Danish-McDonald Cousins!
Hey everyone,
Matt and I thought it would be a good idea if we created this blog so that we could stay in touch better.
In the coming weeks, I'll be sending out instructions on how to post pictures and videos, as well as the date for the 2008 Summer Cousin Reunion.
Please feel free to reply to this post and let me know what else that you would like to see.
Wally
Matt and I thought it would be a good idea if we created this blog so that we could stay in touch better.
In the coming weeks, I'll be sending out instructions on how to post pictures and videos, as well as the date for the 2008 Summer Cousin Reunion.
Please feel free to reply to this post and let me know what else that you would like to see.
Wally
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