Good bye and Good Riddance to 2005

  (our end of year greeting letter)

As we finish un-decking our halls and our tree

I reflect on the thing this last year meant to me.

It would not be a lie to emphatically say

That I’m glad to see 2005 on its way.

We finished our house and we packed and we moved

We applauded ourselves and our friends all approved

We lived happily there for a week and a half

Till the toilet stopped up; then we cried and we laughed.

For the crazy first owner used chain and some plastic

So liquids flowed through but the waste wouldn’t pass it.

It was a big fix and we called for the plumber

But it backed up again! It was really a bummer.

A second and third call, and finally it’s fixed.

Patience and Bob’s help at last did the trick.

We didn’t even have to replace the whole line.

We can flush all we want now it still works just fine.

The year was a long one that just wouldn’t end

Filled with all of the tragedy nature could send.

The hurricanes, earthquakes and waves made us sad,

But not quite as much as the loss of Jane’s dad.

The news found us in New York; the loss of a hero.

We were visiting Bob’s Aunt and observing ground zero.

We said too-quick goodbyes and we caught the next plane

To Sun City went Robert, Jim, Terri, and Jane.

In August he passed quietly, home, in his sleep.

His passing was blessed, but the after shock deep.

We loved him; we miss him; but what can we do?

It seems they need engineers heaven-wide, too.

And speaking of losses, we add to the list

That the tip of Bob’s finger will sorely be missed.

In a spin of the blade and a blink of the eye,

Bob became for all time a much more polite guy.

The holiday season was rounded out too

With a hospital trip and two bouts of the flu.

Mom went back to Boswell with bruises and breaks

While Bob sat around with a fever and shakes

Jane fared the best of the three when all’s told

She escaped Christmas break with only a cold.

Of course cold and sinus has lingered a while

So the New Year was welcomed in grand “achoo” style. 

But 2005 wasn’t everything bad.

I can think of some magical moments we had.

Like Jane’s trip to St. Louis in April to see

All her great friends from high school and to

Stay with Jaylene.

And we had some great diving to the north and the south.

So that scallops and Abalone filled plates and our mouths.

And moving Celeste to the Gulf was such fun.

Four gals, and a cat enjoyed Florida sun.

Adventures in Trona and camping with boats

Were such fun that repeats are now part of our hopes.

And beautiful parties were almost the norm.

Jane loves Bob in a Tux or dress blue uniform.

Then we heard some great news. It was really the best!

The return to the mountains of John and Celeste.

They liked Florida fine but their family is here.

So they thought they would come back for a few more good years.

In September we had an incredible lark

A Roar-and-Snore weekend at the Wild Animal Park

With Thea, and Jenny and Ronald, and Nate

We hiked and we laughed, but we never slept late.

This last summer LA got a middle east visit

From the long dead King Tut and his gilted tomb widjits

We had fun playing “guess what” but we had to admit

That the gift store displays were the absolute pits!

So for trinkets, to ebay we turned right away,

And picked up a necklace and ushabti of clay

Three thousand years old, these items were had

For a pittance of cost and they don’t look half bad.

Another cool museum stop was a must

Where muscles and bones were preserved from the dust

The Body Worlds show was an absolute riot

If it comes to your town you should certainly try it.

Another fine evening of Orance County Ballet

Where the Bolshoi performers did dazzle away

The night was a fine one the dinner exquisite

It’s definitely down for another nights visit

Along with some evenings of music delights

With lots of good friends we saw Hollywood sites

The Bowl was its usual musical pleasure

And year after year its an outing we treasure.

So be it diving, or camping or, hiking or sport, 

Or my  Minuteman Bob, holding down the “old fort”

We look forward to 06, to sweep us away.

And bring us Adventures,  the good kind we pray.

Happy New Year / Happy Spring

Jane and Bob

P.S.

We have more sad news for the cause of delay

was that Mom grew quite ill and at last passed away.

Her heart and her lungs they just couldn’t keep pace,

So there is a new star above now, with style and with grace.

We think Dad must be happy, he was not long alone

After less than six months, he asked Doris to come home.

So our news from 05 is a little bit late, but

we still hope your new year is going on great.

John Edward Rogan, Jr.   Aug 11, 1924 Aug 18, 2005

Doris W. Rogan(Sweeney) Mar 4, 1923 Feb 15, 2006

Some other images from 2005

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