Gary Gionet

It's been a long time since I've posted a new entry. The main reason has been my health condition, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. My back is improving, and I had my MRI test done last Thursday. I see the doctor this coming Friday for the results. I am hopeful all that will be required are a few epidural shots to get me back to work. This is a quick shot taken in our backyard as Isabelle played with Geronimo. At first, Isabelle was a little apprehensive to go near the dog, but now they are best friends!

Some of you have asked, "so, what do you do all day now that you're pretty much immobile?" While I am inside the house earning my law degree, Isabelle spends most of the afternoon watering my lawn and rose garden. Law degree you ask? Well, I think after all of my hours of training, I am going to apply for an honorary small claims court judgeship. Here is my daily class schedule. 10:00 am - 11:00 am Divorce Court (taped) 10:00 am - 11:00 am Judge Joe Brown 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Judge Mathis 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Judge Alex (taped) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Judge Maria Lopez (taped) 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Cristina's Court 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Judge Hatchett (taped) 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm The People's Court 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Cops (bailiff training) 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Judge Judy 4:00pm - 5:00 pm Dr. Phil (for family counseling) Degree or not, I'm pretty sure I now know how to win a small claims case without looking like a total geek in front of millions of viewers. I miss "Rust...

It's a photography blog, so I thought you deserved at least one photo. Here is a photo of Geronimo looking like me most of the day. This was taken from the backdoor, when I was able to manage about 3 minutes of painless standing.

Sorry for the late and limited posts from Memorial Day weekend, but during that weekend I managed to ignore warnings from Kelly as I was picking up a large flower pot and ended up in the emergency room with a back injury. Actually, it was a flar-up of a 10-year old reoccurring back problem. This time was different, and the pain was more than I have ever experienced before. I've been out of work for two weeks and pretty much confined to bed. In fact, I am updating my web blog from a recyliner and a laptop. Besides the trip to the ER, Kelly has taken me to the doctors twice, and once came very close to calling the paramedics. She has been up at night with me, and she missed a few days of work too. I don't know what I would have done without her nursing me back to health 24-hours a day. Besides being a great wife, Kelly has always been there to help me through the long recoveries. Thank you Dear!!! Stephanie called to check on me each day, and she always offered to help if needed....

As she does each year, Stephanie participated in the Strawberry Festival's talent contest, "Strawberry Idol." Stephanie sang so beautifully, and the whole family was there to cheer her on. Not much unlike "American Idol" there were some pretty strange singers on stage. Fortunately, we had Stephanie who REALLY can sing to entertain us. Thank you Stephanie for such a wonderful time! Love, Dad

Isabelle participated in the Strawberry Festival Baby Beauty Contest. There are three winning categories, most beautiful eyes, most beautiful hair, and most beautiful smile. Isabelle won the most beautiful smile category. The whole family was there to cheer her on to victory! The very cute outfit she is wearing was handmade by her Aunt Donna. Click Here to see all of the photos in the album

After the Baby Beautiful contest it was time for some fun on the rides.

I had the opportunity this Memorial Day weekend, during the annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, to take some photographs of one of the many mounted police officers who helped patrol the festival grounds. Pictured is Brian of the Anaheim Police Department and his horse "Doc" as they report for duty at the Garden Grove Police Department. Orange County is very fortunate to have a great group of peace officers and sheriff deputies who comprise the joint agency mounted peace officer task force. Local law enforcement agencies benefit from this valuable resource helping to control large crowds during festivals, concerts, protests, etc.

Satuday was a very special day in the Hemphill family. Brandi, our niece, is now a graduate from Chapman University with a Master of Arts in Education! Of course, Brandi has been working full time as a school teacher while pursuing this goal, so she has been a very busy professional. We admire her commitment to her education. Brandi's sister, Tootie, is also on the path to higher education, as she is currently finishing her sophomore year at UCLA. Jerry & Donna have done a fantastic job raising two very bright and wonderful young ladies. After graduation, Brandi's family and friends gathered at Benihana's for a wonderful time and great food! Brandi, we wish you the very best in life, and we know that you will continue to go farther than even your own expectations! Love, Uncle Gary & Aunt Kelly Click Here to see all of the graduation photos

She really did it!

Graduate Brandi with her very proud Uncle Gary!

To celebrate Mother's Day, Kelly and I took her mother camping. This is something she has wanted to do for some time but, until now, has been unable due to health reasons. Early Friday afternoon, we packed up the trailer and made our way to Canyon RV Park (just 30 minutes from home). Stephanie and Isabelle hitched a ride with us, while Kelly's parents, Don and Marie, made the trip later in the day. Our niece, Alisyn came with Don & Maire. This was Alisyn's first time camping, and I think she had a great time. Stephanie was really looking forward to the trip, and Isabelle was so excited to "go camping" although she had no clue what camping is. We had great meals, ventured out on long walks, took Isabelle to the playground, went swimming, and Alisyn and I hiked into the burned out areas. Oh yeah, the ladies competed in miniature raft building. The building part was pretty easy, a little bamboo, some dental floss or yarn and they all thought themselves sh...

While Kelly and I maintained residency in our trailer, the rest of the gang called these small cabins home. Although small, these cabins were very comfy. Marie said the cabin reminded her of growing up in Ohio, except that she did not have to go outside to use the restroom!

It's not all about hiking and barbecues, because there is always time to blow bubbles!

This photo of a California Scrub-Jay was taken from my chair next to our trailer. A few bread crumbs, and we had many visitors to our camp! Humming birds, ducks, scrub-jays, and a really beautiful yellow bird (which I need to look up in my bird book).

The campground has two wonderful playgrounds for the kids. Here we have Isabelle enjoying her turn on the tire swing.

Just four days before leaving on our weekend getaway, Caltrans workers accidentally started a fire near our destination campground. The fire burned for two days and took over 100 firefighters to control. This view is but a short hike from our camp spot. Even with all the burn damage, much of the campground was spared, and therefore very enjoyable.

Even with the burned areas looking pretty desolate there were still signs of life. I suspect the lack of vegetation makes finding dinner a bit easier for this hawk. Click Here to see all of the photos from this trip.

It has been 18 years since my mother passed on, and almost 10 years for my dad, but they are still very much in my heart. I confess that time has numbed much of the pain of separation, but it is truly never gone. On holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Mother's Day, I reflect back on how much of a great influence these two wonderful people were (and still are) in my life. Did I always follow their advice, most definately not. However, looking back, if I had paid closer attention to the wisdom they offered as parents, there would be fewer rough roads in my life. I remember my mother, Gladys, as the "Leave It To Beaver" mom. She took so much pride in making a good home for the family. Spotlessly clean home, great homemade meals, and dressed as if everyday was a special occasion. These are just a few of the traits I remember vividly. Mom was such a great cook. The three of us kids still continue to make many of her special meals. Of course there were times I tr...

Please take my latest pole. These are just for fun!