Olympic Boxing

Olympic Boxing, Barcelona 1992

Olympic Basketball

Olympic Basketball, Barcelona 1992

Olympic Surfing!!!

Surfing FINALLY will become an Olympic Sport
for Tokyo 2020
(thank you sufertoday.com)

Olympic Baseball

Oympic Baseball, Barcelona 1992

Olympic Kayaking

Olympic Kayaking, Barcelona Olympics 1992

Olympic Archery

Olympic Archery, Barcelona Olympics 1992

Olympic Weightlifting

Olympic Weightlifting, Barcelona 1992

Olympic Tennis

Tennis, Olympics 1992, Barcelona 

Olympic Sailing

Sailing, 1992 Olympic Poster from Barcelona

Summertime was Summertime 2015

Summertime was summertime and living was a bit 'too' easy.  Laguna Susi Q, company came, Hawai'i trip with my daughter Marion of the University of Hawai'i, MidSummer break in SoCal and then August in Seattle for a fun family wedding and reunions with just a bit of work online.  Drove from Tacoma to Portland Oregon with my sister and her husband to hear our family history stories from an incredibly sharp 94 year old who grew up living next to our Wimberg grandparents.  Vivid memories and great story telling! Met her, Selma Voss, for the first time. Such a buzz.  Found her because of a comment I made on facebook. When my name appeared during May on a the computer screen of a man, Selma's son-in-law, in Oregon, he wrote and asked if I was from the Wimbergs of Southern NJ. Then told me about his mother-in-law who had great memories of a great family. Thanks to him we have great details of our family history.

Will be getting back in the flow of writing after a summer of jumping around the USA. In order to help jump back, I got out my old posters from 1992.  Aired them out and photographed them. This is one of many of my favorites from the The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Barcelona, Olympics 1992

Cool jump, aye?

Olympic Watches

Had a look at the Apple watches last week.  Very spiffy, functional and fun. Such CLEVER design. Would love to have one some day.  So had to take a second look at the Olympic watches from Swatch.

Swatch watches with such clever Olympic design!

Beijing 2008 Olympic Stamp, One World One Dream

Somehow the line at the postal station inside Beijing's
Olympic Park was not long at all...so here I am folks!
(Have to say, while waiting in Olympic lines I have
totally enjoyed chatting and meeting fabulous folks.)

Ahhh presentation! This is the cover design that was
protecting the above stamps. Clever aye?
 And so goes life where FORM should follow FUNCTION!

Sydney 2000 Paralympic Stamps

Just mention Paralympics to those who stay and cheer these super athletes on
and most will "talk story" with happy and heartfelt  tears in their eyes.
Bravo to them all and bravo to the designer of these stamps!

Sydney 2000, Olympic Stamp

This Olympic stamp captures the magic of 

movementof the Olympic Flame and the Olympic Flag.

Always manages to magically move...all of us Olympic regulars!

Olympic Torch Post Cards, 1984

The Olympic Torch, everyone's favorite!

Olympic Post Cards, First Day of Issue 1983, Los Angeles 1984

I read about upcoming First Day Issue post cards in a 

small article in the newspaper during July of 1983.

During the former three Olympic Games, Mexico 68, Munich 72 and

Montreal 76, I was single, the world was my home. My son was born

while we were living in Laguna Beach in 1979 so Korea was

impossible for me to attend. My daughter was born in1981.

Loved my babies but oh how I missed the exciting games.

Then  alleluia, the Olympics came...to me in 1984!

These post cards were issued and distributed at the Long Beach

Post Office in 1983. prior to the 1984 games. All three of us made had

an adventurous day driving to Long Beach to purchase some.

They remain my favorite. Great for trading.

Love sailing, love this design!

Olympic Stamp Collecting

Stamp Collecting is very much a part of the Olympic Games.

I will be posting some of my preferred stamps. 

I was attracted to design and aesthetics. Not a

serious collector yet, after many Olympic Games, 

my collection grew, quite seriously!

After the games my parents were always excited when
mail arrived from far away places.  This one from the
Tunisia Prensa head, Mustapha Majoul 1968.

Arts and Crafts and Recycling at the Olympics

One of the reasons many of us head to the Olympic Games is to enjoy the culture and the art.  The craftiness of the locals, using whatever medium they enjoy and moreover, afford, is often delightful. The street vendors and street markets are my faves. Would love to see, during some future Olympics, some area  for artists of the country with no license fees! First come, first serve type of thing with NO RED TAPE FOR ARTISTS and even paying artists if they sell art using RECYCLED items to keep the Olympics GREEN. Here is one item I purchased at the Mexico Olympics in 1968.  The dove, yet again, the symbol of peace in the world!! Protocol; no olympic rings. The artist told me that she had very little money but had access to heaps of leftover yarn. Cool, aye?

Ellie Rogers...in our "National Geographic Photo"

In the center courtyard of Vidin Castle, Baba Vida...Opa!!

Vidin, Bulgaria

This medieval castle on the banks of the Danube was named "Baba Vida".  It endured centuries and avoided the sad destiny of the other medieval castles along the lower Danube because it was outside the scope of the Russian - Turkish Wars.

Up the Lower Danube River to Bulgaria

Both of us were in a bit of a daze, we made it to Bulgaria!

Along the Lower Danube...

Historic sites like this!

Up very early before dawn to enjoy tying up The River Concerto.

Another Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Elena placed a red and white ribbon on the tree in the main square.
 A custom that dates back to the 6th Century. (no doubt with...a little prayer.)

Made it to Bucharest and the Black Sea!!

Wonders never cease. Here I am on The Black Sea 

...almost two months AFTER the games!

After last minute decisions and a comedy of errors in airports with m’dear old friend Shirley Lind, we made it to Bucharest, Romania, the Paris of the East!  We had a royal look at tree lined boulevards, elegant mansions, lovely parks, dracula’s historic building, embassy row, the ‘arch d’triumph’, and orthodox churches with so many sacred icons and holy candles lighting the way for hopes and dreams of these lovely Romanian people who have suffered much in the past.

AND so many historic landmarks with heaps of ancient history along with an in-depth look at recent history as told to us by locals who lived through the 1989 revolution.

A bus ride from Bucharest to Constanta on the Black Sea where we boarded the awesome ship named Concerto with its upbeat crew and its UPBEAT PASSENGERS, (that would be us: ) AaiiiYA!  It is all too much for words.

Ah this  Eastern Orthodox holiness.

I could feel the goodness of the
local Romanians as I passed by.

Architecture grandeur

Ancient Roman...BABY BOTTLE!

Petrified wine, yup it really is!

Rolled m'trousers to feel The Black Sea

Happy Easter, m'luvs!

Shirley in our cabin on the Black Sea.

We're off. (The historic canal of the southern part of the Danube River)

The Black Sea and Eastern Europe

Although I enjoyed part of the Black Sea during my time in Turkey years ago, was thinking that an adventure to Sochi Olympics would have enabled me to broaden my understanding about the the eastern area of that sea.  Never made it to Sochi.

( Opted to be at a reunion with dear dear old college friends from Chestnut Hill College : )

Since the games, have heard from those returning, that Sochi was even more expensive than expected and not quite the usual upbeat crowd who knew about cueing up etc.  Am quite sure others enjoyed it of course, but it seemed that several that I spoke with were faced with more difficulties than usual.

As for me, because of Twitter and the IBC, although I did not attend the games in person, I definitely can say that I enjoyed Sochi.  Therefore feel a bit sad that some had some negative experiences.

A great part of attending ANY Olympics is meeting the people, which expands one's knowledge and appreciation about the culture and history of any part of our world.  Listening to their life stories, laughing with them, dancing with them.  Yah, I did miss THAT important part of the 2014 games.

Black Sea and Eastern Europe...to be continued...

Such a Social Sochi, Thanks Again Russia

Was able to imagine what is was like inside the Opening and Closing Ceremonies almost as if I was there, perhaps because I was fortunate enough to attend so many in the past.  The format quite similar to past Olympics, the content so diverse. Always SPECTACULAR.  (The ability to demonstrate a sense of humor made me think of Vancouver 2010.)

Here are a few “tweets” from watching, listening and computing:

Olympics go even more...mobile

Thousands of selfies

Whimsical uniforms

A visual fantasia, what a kick off

Shooting stars and classical visions 

Famous Russian authors’ flying pages

Terabites of pics per second

Segways

Halfpipe glory

Nail biter endings
Timing booths precision

Canada IS ice hockey

Super excited Russians, RUSHEEYA!
Team USA, stars were shining

A bit of blurry fog, mostly sunshiny days

Scott Hamilton’s got global appeal

I feel delight when smaller countries sparkle

Logog, sogog...rogog

Jellied meats and yah, McDonalds

Gotta love the geeky details
Athlete's tweets, everybody's tweets...so neat.

Was it an electric fan keeping those two flags looking pretty?

Heaps of sweeps

Holland so small, medals so many, evening celebration vibes could be felt everywhere

All athletes on all teams are winners

What a wonderful buzz it was. Thank you Russia, thank you world. 

More seeds for GLOBAL PEACE planted on our sacred earth.

Thank You Russia, Thank You Sochi!

Thank You Russia, Thank You Sochi, Job Well Done!!!

The highlight for many of us in the USA was ability to enjoy the games through the eyes of the athletes via Twitter. They shared with us what they saw from their perspective and they shared their thoughts, pulled us in closer to the Olympic Village. Such a buzz.  So many positives. We simply loved how the athletes from many countries tweeted and oh how we enjoyed their heartfelt posts and their positive comments.

The Opening, the excitement, the comments after the competitions were super. But most of all, the scenes of merriment outside of the venues and outside of the Olympic Park made us feel that we were there in Russia, as well.

People of the world celebrating in peace. Que Bravo!

And so so many of incredibly wonderful posts with photos that were posted via Twitter have been appreciated here in California and around the globe. 

Thank you Sochi, we were there in Spirit. Olympic Spirit.

Good Friends Looking for Olympic Housing in Adler

If per chance any of my Russian readers see this, please contact me if you know of a family in Adler who would love having three Olympic family friends from USA. Wendy, her mom and dad are delightful and will inevitably add to your Olympic enjoyment! Email me: ccadora@gmail.com

Will be happy to answer any questions!

Russian Memories at Past Olympics

Met so many Russians at past Olympics and the few that I knew quite well I lost contact.

Danced with one at the '68 Mexico Olympics.
Partied with a few pin traders at the '76 Olympics in Montreal.
My favorite street artist during the '92 Barcelona Games was Russian.
Lived down the street from their headquarters at the Vancouver Games so
often chatted at our favorite Russian Restaurant on the West End.
And my famous OLGA STORY, the beautiful Russian translator during Athens 2004!

Not going to Sochi but will be adding my Sochi thoughts to this blog.

After opening ceremony...everything good blankets the host city....

A New Greek in Tacoma!

Flew to Tacoma with my son Don, in honor of a new Greek in our family, a new Greek in Tacoma, Washington!

Thanks to Kelly and Chris Rosati we flew north for the christening at St Nicholas Greek Church of their son, my grand nephew, Leo Rosati!  It was a week of fantastic ceremonialism, many family parties, lots of cousin-bonding, and a Greek Festival that brought my thoughts back to Athens 2004.

Ah, and the dancing of Clara and Anna, and the dancing feet of our little Leo along with the super music straight from Greece gave everyone such good energy.

Greek music was, without a doubt, one of the highlights of Athens 2004. Greek music, deep music, powerful music that makes everyone want to dance. Add...a full moon above our heads...the Acropolis shining brightly high up on the hill, and dancing on that ancient ground (with laughter at our mistakes)...dancing with the world.

Laguna Beach's Oldest Lifeguard Vet, Johnny Garau

During my workouts at the YMCA a few years back, I heard this "Legend of Laguna", Johnny Garau, talking story about the Olympics in Barcelona.  The topic of the Olympics is automatically a cue for me to join in the conversation. Many stories followed before Johnny 'caught the last boat', August 23, 2013. He was ready.  He was ready.

ALOHA JOHNNY, now we'll keep our eyes open for your sailboat, O'Johnny, in the Dana Point Harbor.

Such a character! Such a surfer! Such a history!

Johnny was named after his dad, Aurelio, when he was born in 1925.  He was brought up and lived most of his life in Laguna Beach.  He also lived on his boat in the Dana Point Harbor for 35 years.  Up until last week he was Laguna Beach's oldest living lifeguard vet. Many locals smile when they recall meeting him and how, at one time, he swam or surfed to work! Yup, he kept his boat out in the ocean, not far from Thalia Street Beach in the old days. He would dive off his boat in the morning and surf to the beach.

When he was a kid out on the family ranch, he liked his tree house and liked to swing from the trees just like his idol, Tarzan, Johnny Weismuller.  Johnny Weismuller, recipient of five gold medals in swimming during Olympic Games in the 1920's.  Johnny Garau had lots of names. Aurelio, Frenchy, Uncle and Junior were a few. He liked the name "Johnny" best because of Weismuller and it stuck.  His parents asked him what he would like for his First Communion present when he was seven years old. He told them he wanted to see the Tarzan movie.  After they took him for pie at Knott's Berry Farm, they all went to see the movie Tarzan the Ape.

His dad, who became a father late in life, was his first teacher along with his very proper mom and the German Dominican nuns at St Catherine's Military Academy. There were many rules for him while growing up and this is what gave him a strong foundation which enabled him, I believe, to fly so high in life. Again, such a character!

His dad had an exciting life. He went hunting in North Aftica while in the military 'as a kid', worked in a mine and later worked in the restaurant and catering business. He catered for dignitaries and eventually Queen Victoria's Funeral. He moved to the east coast of the USA, worked at world fairs and went hunting with Teddy Roosevelt. Later moved to California and among many things, owned the Cotton Club in Los Angeles and Victor Hugo's, now Las Brisas, in Laguna Beach.  His dad was friends with several of the first Hollywood movie stars including Mary Pickford, as well as the opera singer, Caruso and the musician Cab Calloway. His mom spoke four languages. She came from the Blanchard Family who ran wagon trains, some of them from Canada, during the pioneering days. One of the wagon train stops was Las Vegas, New Mexico where Johnny's mother was raised. She was born in Texas. There is great history from both sides of his grandparents as well.

He often spoke of the afterlife...
was more than ready...
for those Olympic sized...
waves in the sky.

Aloha Johnny.

We are all one
in one Great Spirit.

(to be continued)

Great Olympic Fan, Eleanor Weems, World War II Pilot Flying Higher

This incredibly awesome woman, my 'California Mum', is one of the reasons I am writing this blog. It has been Eleanor's great enthusiasm for the entire Olympic movement that first got me interested in the games during the summer my sister and I lived with her family many years ago.

Her daughter, Frances, phoned me Friday to tell me her mom, (96 years old), was not responding.

Could do nothing else but head to be with her in Newport Beach, California.

After being by her side through the night last night, breathing with her, Fran and I went a few blocks away to 8:00 A.M. Sunday Mass at the little chapel on Balboa Island.

At 8:35 A.M. this morning, exactly when we were receiving Holy Communion, Eleanor left her earthly body. In her time...in His time.

Our World War II pilot passed beyond the clouds she once flew in.

She's now flying higher...stronger.