Steve’s 2007 Christmas letter

My beloved sister EJ, Eleanore Jean Tennyson (Close), passed away September 2, 2007.

I always looked up to EJ.  She was athletic. She could do back bends, cartwheels, climb trees, play baseball, run and swim. Not that I necessarily followed, but she also set an example of diligent study; completing College with honors.

Throughout my childhood, my big Sister made me feel valued by including me in many of her activities. She’d invite me on walks through our neighborhood.  Or include me on St. Paul’s church retreats at Forest Home.  She would ask me to go on field trips with her college class.  After she began dating Todd, I was often included on outings in Todd’s maroon 1948 Plymouth coupe. 

When Todd brought EJ home on their first few dates, I would quietly listen to their back porch banter from my bed and mischievously await the right moment to wisecrack and break their romantic spell.  They would always accommodate my antics with good natured laughter. 

When I was c 12, EJ took me and good friend Bob Oates to a movie in L.A.  As we were about to take our balcony seats I was mortified when, overcome with enthusiasm, Bob blurted “let’s raise hell!” To my relief my proper big sister appeared to take no notice. 

My best friend Jim Otto and I, aged c 14, once took train to newlyweds ET and TT’s house in Fullerton.  EJ made a salad containing kidney beans.  Curious, we asked EJ what they were.  EJ, to our profound dismay said they were little bunny hearts.  Much relieved we were when, laughing, she told us the truth. 

At one of our last family soft ball games, I was amazed at how quick and agile EJ was at running bases at age 50+.  More recently (2005?) on our last bike ride, EJ made it straight up the big hill from the Bottoms to keep pace with me. 

EJ never complained or showed fear.  She was accepting of what was to be. Shortly before passing, a caregiver was playing music to cheer EJ.  Another caregiver was massaging her feet.  When the music caught EJ’s attention, she began moving her head to the music.  Then amazingly, she began to move her feet in time as well.  It was noted and admired that EJ literally danced to her next destination. That I may match EJ’s grace and acceptance when it’s my turn to depart.

In her latter days, no one could have asked for more love and support than was given by her ever loyal  husband Todd and their 3 lovely daughter’s, Beth, Amy and Jo.  I shall be forever grateful. 




There were other family challenges in 2007.  In March my other Sister, Ginny, was diagnosed with breast cancer.  In April Ginny’s Husband, Harvey, was diagnosed with Lymphoma.  Fortunately, after operations and follow up radiation and/or chemo therapy, both Ginny and Harvey appear to be cancer free and on the mend. 

Cousin John Hale was diagnosed with a heart valve problem that curtailed  activity.  The good news is that he is otherwise in good health and a planned operation may restore his health.  John’s memory is phenomenal. From a partial quote he identified James Russell as author and  remembered my pet chameleon’s names 50 years later:  Scarface, Fang and One Eye. 

Other items:  Two new road bikes,  prevailing @ e mail debates with Neo-Marxists Tony C and Gene R, weekly telephone conversations with Todd T, molding Corey W in my image, enjoying coffee & bagels with Gene and Aaron after bike rides, touching base with Arnold Ouslander (Army buddy), Marty Goodman (since 1954), Charles Heidbrink (since 1948), Richard Kaley (since c 1952), Hank Levin (Health Department days),  Margy and Shannon Sterling (since 1970’s). Everyone in fair to good shape, myself included.  Of course walking Tango 2X a day, rain or shine. 

Life continues to be enjoyable and fascinating; more so through the perspective of age and experience.  Prime interests (apart from cycling): history, science, politics, vintage movies 30’s-60’s, old time radio. Sources:

The Internet (book snobs: you are old bow-tie)

Discovery Channels (all) TV; various topics
http://dsc.discovery.com/

100 Most Important Discoveries;  TV-DVD:
http://science.discovery.com/convergence/100discoveries/big100/big100.html

Planet Earth; TV-DVD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Earth_(TV_series)

Dr. Michio Kaku  TV-DVD-Books; Theoretical Physicist, City University New York
http://www.myspace.com/mkaku

Frank Capra’s Prelude To War; TV and internet download:
http://www.archive.org/details/PreludeToWar

Similar Carpra works:
http://www.archive.org/details/cinemocracy

My web sites:
http://skc123.spaces.live.com/
http://skcyclist.spaces.live.com/
Personal Weather Station:
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KCACARPI2
Live Web Cam:
http://68.6.88.220:8080/index.html


2007 timeline:

January 6  Los Olivos ride
Feb 4 Mothballs Criterium
Feb 10 Tony Corona visits me and Corey at Zookers in Carpinteria
Feb 18 Pine Flat Road Race; visit Susan Cardoza/Guelda in Fresno
March:
Ralph Munoz successful heart surgery
EJ’s brain tumor, virtually dormant since 1999 abruptly re emerges
Ginny Ruffin diagnosed with breast cancer
March 10 Solvang Century
March 25 Redlands criterium (DNS); reunion with Ralph, Jack and April
March 26 lunch with Hank Levin in LA
April Harvey Ruffin diagnosed with Lymphoma
April 11-16  Visit Mike Largent, Bill Lockyer, D. Luftig, Kornbergs and Tennysons
April 12 Sea Otter Road Race 9th 60+
April 13 Sea Otter Circuit Race 4th 60+/47:00
April 26-28 Jim and Susan Guelda-Cardoza visit here in Carpinteria
May 2 bumped off motorcycle lane splitting on 101.  Landed AOK 
May 5 cancelled San Luis Rey road race due to cold
May 19 Lake Los Angeles Time Trial 13th  60+/58:57
June 15-18 visit Tennysons
July 4 Party at Kate’s. Celebrate local women’s cycling race across America
July 14 Visit Guelda/Cardoza Mt. Diablo Hill Climb 2nd 55+/30.23.3
July 15&16 Visit Tennysons
July 21 Gary Gray’s Chili Cook off at Circle Bar B
August 4 Sisquoc RR championships 8th 60+
September 1st visit Ruffins/Mt Charleston Road Race/1st place 55+/1:41:37
September 2 EJ passed away
September 9 Mt. Shasta road race 1st place 55+/1:16:56
September 9-18 visit Tennysons  
September 15 Mt. Tamalpais road race 9th 55+/49:00
September 16 EJ’s Memorial service
October 2 Dave Williams Dx’d w/aggressive brain tumor 
October 23-26 Visit John and Betty Hale
November 21-23 Thanksgiving at Ruffins w/Harners; Ride Red Rock Canyon
November 26, Visit Dave Williams with Corey and Dave Schrader 
December  8  Witnessed local fire//Ms. Noel perished due to faulty Xmas lights
December 14 Aaron Long becomes proud Father of baby Alexandra

From Val Close’s Diary:
July 1955:

EJ spending the summer at Campfire Girls camp, Va. Working part time, slumber parties, beach picnics, etc. Steve spends time with Jimmy Otto.

August 1955 EJ is on a High Sierra hiking trip and VA at Forest Home conference.

October 1955: Probably the most memorable October of our lives. Eleanore and Todd are engaged.  We are delighted. 

Jan 1956 New Year’s Eve was dull, but New Year’s Day we had a lovely game of Hearts with the Devitt’s and then Monday, the Legal Holiday, we c watched the game at Bev and John’s. John gave Steve a game and he popped in often to play with it. 

January 1956  Eleanore and Todd have set a tentative date of August 24th for the wedding. 

July 1956 Settling down to working 5 days a week.  Steve is attending summer school and taking Junior life saving.  Everything centering around EJ’s wedding. Or was until Virginia calmly announced she and Don McGilvary were engaged.  They will marry in December.  Such an exciting ??

August 1956 Much excitement preparing for EJ’s wedding.  So many gifts we were unable to move.  The fun of Todd’s coming and goings, and a happy hour when the four gathered in the girl’s room and opened gifts.  The four of them each beautiful in spirit and body in different ways. 

The wedding in church patio was beautiful and unlike any other.  There were between 4 & 5 hundred people.  Both Aunts were here, Elspeth and Dagny. T and EJ went camping in the High Sierra, then back to load up to go to Kentucky.  The Sunday they were back we took Elspeth and Mother to Bartholow’s for dinner and then all to Tennysons to help sort wedding gifts. Then Mr. and Mrs. Todd Tennyson went to Olive Hill, Ky to teach in a Methodist Missionary school.

Started headlong into PTA after a vacation in the High Sierras at the Alpers. We had a good time there but enjoyed the ride home by Lake Isabella and then into the mountains on a very narrow road.  The mountains and forest were beautiful. 

Enjoying Don and Ginny’s romance after first shock. Kink appreciates his prospective son in law. 

November 1956 Pam and I have had much fun talking about our children. We had one happy afternoon addressing wedding invitations.  And somewhere along that time I went with Ginny and her bridesmaids for their fittings.  Carolyn Whistler, Barbara Black and Betty Ludwig? Were all excited and we had a memorable time. 

December 1956  Besides Nursery school and PTA we were caught up in the excitement of wedding preparations and Bestamore: trip to the hospital.  First she had a fall. Then on Ginny’s wedding day she had a heart attack and we rushed from the hospital to the wedding. 

Ginny and Don were married December 15 in the afternoon.  The wedding was simple and lovely.  They had their apartment already.  And they received so many needed things for thanksgiving.

We joined the Ross Loos clinic. 

Eleanore is pregnant. They spent Christmas ant the Hales and it was fun to get new of how she looked and was from them.  The baby is due in May. 

In January (1957) we had quite a production for Dad’s (Wilmer Christensen) birthday.  People kept surprising him all day long. He was much pleased. 

I believe it was in February Don and Ginny sprung the news that Don was giving up school and they were moving to Tulare.  He is being transferred by the Auto Club.  We’ll miss them, but they seem happy about it. 

April 1957  Ann Small’s wedding was Saturday the 13th.  I missed Eleanore terribly.  Went to reception alone. 




May 1957 And still more trouble  and tragedy.  Eleanore and Todd’s little boy was born dead May 2nd, the day after E.J’s Birthday.  We called her when she came home.  Our lovely daughter took it in her stride. They’ll be home soon.

June 1957 Celebrated Mom and Dad’s Wedding anniversary with Helen and Grey, Hans and Dolores, and Eleanor Nopar. 
Don and Ginny came down for Bill Lopers and Carol F’s wedding.  Eleanore and Todd were back and living in a house his parents found for them.  So I proudly went to the wedding with my 2 daughters. They both looked beautiful in totally different ways.  Don seem fine and how I love that Todd. 

It was good to have EJ and Todd stopping in.  We only got to their house once.  Their stupid parakeet died after they had been here a week and EJ had an air of tragedy about her for awhile, but when they left she had her bubbling, happy nature back. 

Curio their cat is as much of a personality as Cleo, Ginny and Don’s dog and equally spoiled. 

July 1957 We spent a really happy Fourth in Tulare. Todd and Eleanore came up too.  We had a nice motel with swimming pool and everyone got to use it.  Had a picnic where we 3 women got stuck with all the food, equipment and 1 dog.  EJ kept Va and me from blowing up.  But it really was good having our family all together as well. 

Bestamore is adjusting. Elspeth came out and spent some time in May.  In May I received a flag for service to the Republican Women.  The presidents were here and we celebrated with Screwdrivers. 

August 1957 Todd went to Catalina for 2 weeks. EJ came down and spent a weekend with us.  They left the last of August. We told them good-bye several times. First by phone then they came by on their way and their car broke down so they stayed all night.  Finally the next morning we said good bye and they did get off.  We all hate for them to go back.  Life there is pretty dreadful, however they are wonderful people. 

On Labor Day weekend 1957 Larsens came up for the holiday and Chal casually dropped in.  What a hectic time having company and preparing for our trip.  But we had a fun.  Dorothy and I would keep sneaking off with Johnny. 

We went to Alpers again.  Our side trip Mammoth ski lift was a big event.  On the way back we stopped with Don and Ginny and had our usual good time.