Painting Our Caboose Inside

Today, Avi Lenchner of
Avi Decorative Painting
(Menlo Park, CA) started
painting the inside of our backyard caboose, WP668. John and I have
spent many months getting ready for this. John put the final caulk on
the new bay window last night. The painting will go on for several days.
Here are photos of the work so far, starting with photos of WP668’s inside when
we first saw her in 2006:

WP668 inside

Jan 2006

WP668 caboose inside, Jan 2006
photo: copyright 2006 John Plocher
WP668 wall

Jan 2006

WP668 caboose wall, Jan 2006
photo: copyright 2006 John Plocher
WP668 empty bay

Jan 2006

WP668 caboose empty bay, Jan 2006
photo: copyright 2006 John Plocher
WP668 window

Jan 2006

WP668 caboose window, Jan 2006
photo: copyright 2006 John Plocher
WP668 wet wood

Jan 2006

WP668 caboose wet wood, Jan 2006
photo: copyright 2006 John Plocher
Caulk yesterday

WP668 caboose - final caulk yesterday on new bay window
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Papering windows today

WP668 caboose - Papering windows
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Tarp on steps

WP668 caboose - Tarp on steps
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Painting starts

WP668 caboose - Painting starts
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
More Painting

WP668 caboose - More Painting
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Checking 1st coat

WP668 caboose - Checking 1st coat
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2006-2008 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

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Filed under Caboose Project and Other Trains

All PreSEEDs Matched with Mentors

We matched the last PreSEED mentoring program participant with
his mentor today. We are now planning for a 2nd PreSEED pilot
term, to be announced very shortly. We have interviewed 4 of the
5 Directors whose staff are participating in the 1st pilot and
their feedback is positive. Here are the metrics so
far for PreSEED’s 1st term. These are very similar to the metrics
of a regular SEED worldwide term (except more PreSEEDs were matched
with mentors who were higher in priority on their Mentor Wish Lists).

This term had a 41 day matching cycle (19 Feb - 31 Mar 2008).
75% were matched in the first 13 days.
72% were matched with their 1st or 2nd priority mentor.
17% were matched with their 3rd or 4th priority mentor.
10% were matched with a mentor 5th or lower in priority.
31% of the mentoring pairs work in the same geographic location.
69% work at a distance from each other.
Countries in which participants and mentors in this term work are:
China, Czech Republic, France, India, Ireland, UK, and the USA.

PreSEED is a pilot of the SEED worldwide Engineering mentoring program.
More information on SEED is available at

http://research.sun.com/SEED/

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Filed under Mentoring & Other Business

Certify Your Habitat

My backyard is now a Wildlife Habitat certified by the National Wildlife Federation. I found out about this program from our new neighbor, Linda, who is also an enthusiastic gardener. Linda is delighted to have moved in so close to the Guadalupe River here in San Jose, California. According to  Wikipedia, the Guadalupe is the only known salmon spawning river running through a major U.S. downtown area (outside of Anchorage, Alaska). The Guadalupe is not only a river of water and fish but also of ducks, geese, song birds, humming birds, hawks, vultures, racoons, opossums, cats, squirrels (grey, black, and gold), snakes, lizards, Jerusalem crickets, and homeless people. John and I own to the middle of the river along our back property, so providing a wildlife habitat means not messing up what we already have.

To provide certification, the National Wildlife Federation asks that elements from each of the following areas be provided:

    • Food Sources. For example: Native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, nectar
    • Water Sources. For example: Birdbath, pond, water garden, stream
    • Places for Cover. For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse
    • Places to Raise Young. For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting box, pond
    • Sustainable Gardening. For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden, chemical-free fertilizer

Here is my new certificate:

Wildlife Habitat Certificate by National Wildlife Federation<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Some recent pictures of our backyard river:

Log jam

Log Jam - Guadalupe River<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Top of bank

Top of Bank - Guadalupe River<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Down the bank

Down the Bank - Guadalupe River<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson

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Associate Bunny Memoir

The Easter Bunny is an important and very busy personage at this time of year. Our family understands that, unlike Santa Claus, The Bunny cannot be everywhere, so each year there is an Associate Bunny who helps out. In recent years, my daughter Jessica was Associate Bunny but now that she is at college, I returned to that role. Of course, the Associate Bunny cannot participate in the great Egg Hunt, so my son Paul declined the nomination. He did help dye the eggs.

This year, we had over 20 guests for Easter. Early in the morning, The Bunny hid 240 eggs (real hardboiled and dyed eggs, also plastic eggs with candies inside). Before the hunt, the children old enough to hunt are briefed by the Associate Bunny. During the briefing, every child picks a stuffed animal to be their personal advisor (since parents are not allowed to help hunt), plus a basket for their eggs. Egg Hunt Rule #1 is always There are no eggs in the flower beds. After the briefing, children line up inside the house in order of age. The youngest (5 years old) goes out first and has one minute by the clock before the next child leaves the house. The last three (ages 12 to 15) went out together.

For the adults, The Bunny hides the Gold and Silver eggs in very difficult places. The only clues are offered in two poems:

Gold Egg Poem
My hiding place is off the ground
My holder here is partly round
I can see you through the bars
Colored like the planet Mars
If the gold egg you would find
Seek the string which does me bind
Silver Egg Poem
A dark dry home looked good this year
And becoming cold wasn’t a fear
You will find me warm and snug
Trying to avoid both bug and slug
Would you find me hidden here
Lift me up and give a cheer

This year’s Gold egg was hanging from a thread behind some red wooden steps (found by my brother). The Silver egg was under some boards in the wood box (found by Jenny even though she was carrying Baby Emma while hunting). Here are some images from our Easter:

Hardboiling 5 dozen eggs

Hardboiling 5 dozen eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Freshly dyed eggs

Freshly dyed eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Green-Blue-Purple-Red-Orange-Yellow

Green-Blue-Purple-Red-Orange-Yellow dye - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Half finished

Half finished dying eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Wax drawings on eggs

Wax drawings on eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Almost done

Almost done dying eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Holy Saturday Service
St. Andrew’s, Saratoga

Holy Saturday Service St. Andrew's - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Selling SAMA Auction Tickets
St. Andrew’s, Saratoga

Selling Auction Tickets, St. Andrew's - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Daniel, Paul, Pete, John
Easter Morning

Daniel, Paul, Pete, John, Easter Morning
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Eggs Waiting for the Hunt

Eggs Waiting for the Hunt - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Eggs on the Caboose

Eggs on the Caboose - WP668 - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Egg on an Aloe

Egg on an Aloe - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Xian Warrior Eggs

Xian Warrior Eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Almond Tree Eggs

Almond Tree Eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Hose Eggs

Hose Eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Egg on a Column

Egg on a Column - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Hunters Briefing

Hunters Briefing - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Youngest About To Go

Youngest About To Go - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Hunting Eggs

Hunting Eggs - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Hug Time

Hug Time - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Lynda looking in the Woodbox

Looking in the Woodbox - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Emma’s 1st Easter

Emma's First Easter - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

John’s Salmon

John's Salmon - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Easter Lilies

Easter Lilies - Easter 2008
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

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Middle Eastern Feast and Auction, 13 April

Save Sunday, 13 April for the SAMA Dinner and Auction!

St. Andrew’s Medical Assistance (SAMA) exists to provide hope
and healing to a hurting world. The fundraising event will be held at
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, starting with a silent auction
at 5:30 pm, followed by a Middle Eastern Feast and live auction.
Tickets are $30/adult or $15/child

Auction item listing:
http://st-andrews-sama.org/

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

13601 Saratoga Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070

(408) 867-3493

Medical Programs SAMA supports in the Holy Land include:

Ahli Arab Hospital
(the only Christian hospital in Gaza),
and the
Four Homes of Mercy
(a home for the severely disabled based in Jerusalem).

2008 Photos

New Facilities Supported by SAMA at the Four Homes of Mercy

SAMA -  Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA -  Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford
SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford
SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford
SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford
SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford SAMA - Four Homes of Mercy
photo: copyright 2008 SAMA, Liz Mulford

Images copyright 2008, Liz Mulford

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6 More Days to Submit to Grace Hopper Conference 2008

Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (aka GHC and Hopper 2008) will
be held 1-4 October 2008 in Keystone, Colorado.

  • March 26, 2008:
    Proposals due

  • Conference website:
    http://gracehopper.org/2008/

  • About Hopper: The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is a series of conferences designed to bring the research and career interests of women in computing to the forefront. Presenters are leaders in their respective fields, representing industrial, academic and government communities. Leading researchers present their current work, while special sessions focus on the role of women in today’s technology fields, including computer science, information technology, research and engineering. International participation is encouraged.
  • Why go to Hopper?
    1. Professional education, celebration, and excitement
    2. Networking and Visibility
    3. Recruiting (University and Professional)
  • What do I do?
    Consider attending the conference. Make a proposal to speak, join a
    panel, present a poster, manage a BOF, be a conference volunteer or blogger.
    Over twenty Sun women are proposing or participating in
    proposed Hopper panels, BOFs, and activities.
    We will find out in May 2008
    which proposals are accepted.

The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is presented by the
Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology (ABI)
and the Association for Computing Machinery.
Sun is an ABI
Strategic Partner.

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Filed under Hopper - Anita Borg Institute

Spring Flowers in Silicon Valley (Photos)

Spring is well advanced here in the Silicon Valley. The daffodils are
all bloomed out, the cherry trees are replacing blooms with leaves,
and the magnificent row of ornamental pear trees at Sun’s Menlo Park
campus are in full bloom. Here are some of my photos from both Sun’s
Menlo Park campus and my garden in San Jose since all of this
extravagant flowering began…

My daffodils in bud

My daffodils in bud, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
My daffodils opening

My daffodils opening, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
My daffodils open

My daffodils open, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Agave and narcissus

Agave and narcissus, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
My almond buds

My almond tree buds off my balcony, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Almond tree flowers

Almond tree flowers, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Sun Menlo Park leaves

1st leaves - Sun Menlo Park California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Buds – Sun Menlo Park

Buds - Sun Menlo Park California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Blooms – Sun Menlo Park

Blooms - Sun Menlo Park California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Pacific Coast Iris

Pacific Coast Iris, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Prostrate rosemary blooms on wall

Prostrate rosemary blooms on wall, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Western redbud tree

Western redbud tree, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Jasmine vine

Jasmine vine, San Jose California
photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson

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