Tag Archives: John

Silicon Valley Christmas

We had a pleasant Christmas at home with family this year. My parents adopted two young Siamese cats. My daughter Jessica came home from Carnegie Mellon University for three weeks. My two brothers and their families visited for almost a week. We drove north to San Francisco several times: to sing Christmas carols on the cable car and see the city lights, go to the Great Dickens Christmas Fair, gather for a family dinner at the Beach Chalet, and just visit.

We hosted three parties (Christmas, Jessica’s 20th birthday, and New Year’s). Unfortunately, our family photo server got sick and eventually died, so I am just now able to post this blog entry…

John and Jessica and I went to San Francisco Federal District Court on 19 December 2008 to hear attorney Victoria Hall present to Judge Jeffrey S. White on behalf of  Dr. Bob Jacobsen the latest on  JMRI and the KAM Open Source dispute.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church had a children’s Christmas pagent, and the craft fundraiser for SAMA (St.
Andrew’s Medical Assistance).  Sun Labs held its Holiday Cookie Exchange (to which John Plocher sent his famous peanut butter K Bars).

On our evening walks around our Willow Glen neighborhood, John and I admired the Christmas lights. One neighbor programmed a wonderful yard display that lit up different parts of their house as well as trees, bushes, and figures (candy canes, a seal, snowman, bear, and igloo) exactly timed to the movements of Christmas tunes. My favorite music was the Vince Guaraldi theme from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. John and I stood in the rain the hear it twice.

We finally finished glazing and firing all of the ceramics we brought home from camp in August, including three tea cups by Jessica. My best Christmas present was one of a set of three beautiful and
well crafted ceramic cups my son Paul made at school: one each for John, Jessica, and me.

Borte and Khan

Borte and Khan, Siamese kittens photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Laura and Borte

Laura and Borte the Siamese kitten photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

19 Dec JMRI Hearing, Federal Court

JMRI, 19 December Hearing, Federal District Court, Victoria Hall, Dr. Bob Jacobsen, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Katy Dickinson photo: copyright 2008 John Plocher

Sun Labs Cookie Exchange

Sun Labs Cookie Exchange photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

sheep practice

St. Andrew's Christmas pagent sheep practice photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

angel practice

St. Andrew's Christmas pagent angel practice photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

St. Andrew’s cross

St. Andrew's cross with 3 Christmas trees photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

St. Andrew’s pagent

St. Andrew's children's pagent photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

St. Andrew’s children’s pagent

St. Andrew's children's pagent photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

SAMA craft sale

SAMA craft sale photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

SAMA craft sale

SAMA craft sale - embroidered purse photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Cuthbert’s Tea Shoppe

Dickens Fair

Tea at the Dickens Fair, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Matthew Holmes, Eleanor Dickinson photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Pirates of Penzance

Dickens Fair

Pirates of Penzance, Dickens Fair photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Ladies’ Oratorical & Recreational

Society at Mad Sal’s, Dickens Fair

Ladies' Oratorical and Recreational Society, Mad Sal's, Dickens Fair photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

SF Cable Car Carols

San Francisco Cable Car Carols, Eleanor Dickinson photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Seeing the SF Hyatt’s decorations

Seeing the San Francisco Hyatt's decorations, Eleanor Dickinson, Jessica Dickinson Goodman, Matthew Holmes, Paul Dickinson Goodman, Wade Dickinson photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Jessica and Paul

Jessica and Paul, San Francisco Hyatt photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Hyatt lights, elevators

San Francisco Hyatt lights and elevators photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

decorating our tree

Jessica and Paul decorate our tree photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

giving tree advice

John Plocher giving tree advice photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Jessica, Paul, tree

Jessica, Paul with tree photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Willow Glen lights

Willow Glen Christmas lights photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Paul’s mugs

3 mugs by Paul Dickinson Goodman photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Jessica’s mugs

Jessica's mugs photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Jessica’s 20th

Jessica's 20th birthday party photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

Leave a comment

Filed under Home & Family

Sun Family Changes

My husband, John Plocher, was laid off yesterday from Sun. We will be packing up his office on the 3rd floor of Menlo Park 17 this morning if you want to come by and say goodbye to him. You can read John’s farewell blog and other information. Anyone looking to hire a very experienced senior software and systems architect and developer with solid experience in 6 Sigma program management and open source development process design, please contact John. He is smart, personable, and has a wicked sense of humor. This is an entirely objective analysis, of course!

I am still working at Sun – business as usual for all of my programs.

John Plocher 

John Plocher 2008<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

John teaching Arduino assembly 

John Plocher teaching Arduino assembly<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

John teaching Arduino assembly 

John Plocher teaching Arduino assembly<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

1 Comment

Filed under Home & Family, News & Reviews

National Cathedral and Washington DC

A week ago, we got home from a trip to Washington DC. This was my second trip in 6 months to our nation’s capital, after a visit gap of many decades. Even though the weather was very hot and muggy, it was particularly enjoyable to go with my family (my son Paul, daughter Jessica and her boyfriend Matt, husband John, and our friend Laura Biche). We were mostly there to hear Jessica sing opera but during the days, we did manage to visit a few wonderful places: the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans
Memorial
, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Smithsonian Natural History Museum, and the National Cathedral. We went by the Folger Shakespeare Library and were sorry to find it closed for the day. Congresswoman Eshoo’s office tried to get us White House tour tickets but they were unavailable.

The National Cathedral was very moving; I had never visited before. Since National Cathedral is Episcopal (and we are Episcopalian), we went to Sunday morning worship services. I have toured big impressive cathedrals and temples in many countries but they almost always belong to someone else’s religion: the Episcopal church mostly erects small buildings. I felt proud that this big beautiful place was created for the glory of God by my own church. The Space Window (including its moon rock fragment, a gift by the Apollo astronauts on the 5th anniversary of their moon landing) was particularly impressive. The memorial windows to Confederate Generals R.E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson and the tomb of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson were also notable.

Paul reading the
Gettysburg Address

Paul Reading the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln Memorial Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Resting in the shade
Lincoln Memorial

Resting in the shade at the Lincoln Memorial Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln Memorial

Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

.

.

American Flag<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Women Soldiers
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Women Veterans Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Paul, Jessica, Matt in front of the
Wright Brothers’ 1903 Flyer

Paul, Jessica, Matt in front of the Wright Brothers' 1903 Flyer Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Laura at
Morrison-Clark Hotel

Laura Biche dressed for church, 1864 Morrison-Clark Hotel, Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Fireplace at the
Morrison-Clark Hotel

Fireplace at, 1864 Morrison-Clark Hotel, Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

John and Laura
National Cathedral

John and Laura, National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Rev.M.L. King tribute
“I have a dream”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have a dream National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Space Window
National Cathedral

Space Window National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Glass Reflections on Wilson’s
Presidential Seal, National Cathedral

Glass Reflections on Wilson's Presidential Seal, National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Creation doorway
National Cathedral

John and Laura, National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Creation of the Moon
National Cathedral

Creation of the Moon National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Exterior
National Cathedral

Exterior National Cathedral Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Midsummer Night’s Dream
Folger Shakespeare Library

Midsummer Night's Dream Folger Shakespeare Library Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Macbeth
Folger Shakespeare Library

Macbeth Folger Shakespeare Library Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

King Lear
Folger Shakespeare Library

King Lear Folger Shakespeare Library Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Dino Cookies
Natural History Museum

Dino Cookies Natural History Museum Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Sandstone Concretion
Natural History Museum

Sandstone Concretion Natural History Museum Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Hope Diamond
Natural History Museum

Hope Diamond Natural History Museum Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

324 pounds of Natural Sheet Copper
Natural History Museum

324 pounds of Natural Sheet Copper Natural History Museum Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

John, Paul, Laura, Jessi, Matt
Natural History Museum

John, Paul, Laura, Jessi, Matt Natural History Museum Washington DC<br /> photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

Leave a comment

Filed under News & Reviews

Caboose Stained Glass, Bookcases

The Memorial Day long weekend was a very busy time for WP668, our backyard caboose. Now that the rough electrical inspection has been passed, on Saturday, we finally filled in the trench running through the ballast under WP668.  Vince Taylor delivered and installed our new stained glass bay window, and the three big red bookcases were delivered by Crate and Barrel. We were getting ready for Sunday when we served a brunch to the winners from the SAMA Auction. We did not get everything done but the caboose looks great and our guests said they had a wonderful time.

It was a delight to see the lovely windows Vince created. You can see his initial drawings and art glass samples on my

11 Feb 2008
blog entry. Here are some photos from Saturday:

John finishing exterior wiringJohn finishing exterior wiring WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson Open pipe trenchOpen electrical trench WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson Filled in pipe trenchFilled in electrical trench WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Vince and John prepare bay windowVince and John prepare bay window WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson 1st stained glass panel going infirst stained glass panel going in bay WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson Train silhouetteTrain silhouette detail stained glass WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson Lizard silhouetteLizard silhouette detail stained glass WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Vince in windowVince Taylor in window WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 John Plocher Vince and JohnVince Taylor and John installing window WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson Vince starting on 2nd windowVince Taylor starting on 2nd stained glass window WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 John Plocher
Two windows doneTwo windows done WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson 3rd window ready to go3rd window ready to go WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 John Plocher Three windows doneThree windows done WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson
Vince in windowVince Taylor in window WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 John Plocher Delivery truckDelivery truck WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson 1st bookcase arriving1st bookcase arriving WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson 3rd bookcase going in3rd bookcase going in WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Glass and bookcases in place

Glass and bookcases in place WP668 caboose photo: copyright 2008 Katy Dickinson

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

Leave a comment

Filed under Caboose Project and Other Trains, Home & Family

Caboose Work Update

Last weekend, John was wearing his OpenSolaris Governing Board hat at the 2nd OpenSolaris Developer Summit on the University of California at Santa Cruz campus. Today, he is at the CommunityOne event at The Moscone Center in San Francisco and JavaOne starts tomorrow, also at Moscone.

So, I have been gardening but we haven’t gotten much done on WP668, our backyard caboose. However, four caboose projects which depend on other people’s work are creeping toward completion:

  • The metal roof should be installed on within a week – I am waiting for the
    exact date to be set.
  • I ordered the Western Pacific Feather River Route replacement decal today
    (from the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola, they had extras). The metal
    plate on which the decal will go is is 23-1/2″ tall by 25-1/2″ wide.
  • The new subfloor and linoleum go in on 19-20 May.
  • Vince Taylor may have the stained glass panels done this month. He came by on Saturday to show me the scale drawings and more glass samples. He would have been done sooner but had a big show at Filoli which changed his schedule.

Leave a comment

Filed under Caboose Project and Other Trains

Flying to See Whales in Laguna San Ignacio, Baja

Last weekend, John and I flew south to see the grey whales at Laguna San Ignacio in Baja, California. Our pilot was Charlie Jackson, Sun Labs’ Webmaster. Our Cessna 182 Skylane II was one of four private planes of the Shoreline Flying Club based in Palo Alto, California. We went out on two boats hosted by Antonio’s Ecotours (based in Laguna San Ignacio). These pictures were taken with disposable water sports cameras. I will write more about our amazing trip but first, here are some whale and dolphin photos. Yes! That is my very own hand petting a baby grey whale.

El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve Sign
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.1

Pelican
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.3

Laguna San Ignacio
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.2

Shell Mound
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.4

Whale Bones on Beach
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.5

Tour Boat
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.6

Charlie and the Whale
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.7

Grey Whale Nose
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.9

Grey Whale Under Water
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.8

My Hand and a Baby Grey Whale!
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.10

Dolphins
2008.LagunaSanIgnacio.Baja.12

Images Copyright 2008 by Katy Dickinson and John Plocher

Leave a comment

Filed under News & Reviews

Caboose Kiss on Front Page

2007 WIllow Glen Resident 28 December WP668 story

Back on May 25, 2007, I wrote about our WP668 caboose move being the front cover story of the Willow Glen Resident, our local newspaper. We were surprised to find that at the end of last year, my husband John and I made the Year in Review 2007 front page story again with this picture:

2007 WIllow Glen Resident 25 May WP668 story

We did not see the 28 Dec 2007 paper, so we only found out about the photo being republished when people sent email about it. (Surprise!) The Willow Glen Resident folks were very helpful and gave us extra copies of the paper plus permission to scan and publish it in my blog. Here is the May 25, 2007 story plus the new December 28, 2007 “Year in Review” story:

2007 WIllow Glen Resident 25 May WP668 story2007 WIllow Glen Resident 25 May WP668 story2007 WIllow Glen Resident 25 May WP668 story

Two videos of the big WP668 move are on YouTube:

If you want to receive Katysblog posts by email, please sign up using the Sign Me Up! button (upper right on Katysblog home).

Images Used with Permission, Copyright 2007 Silicon Valley Community Newspapers

Page updated 17 June 2016 and 3 April 2020

Leave a comment

Filed under Caboose Project and Other Trains, News & Reviews