Having a hard time lately....

Things are getting harder and harder, I must say.
It's really nice to be able to come on here and share memories with you guys though...makes it a little easier.

I keep getting flashbacks of my childhood and all the neat things Dad taught us. Adem, you're right spot on with him being a harvester and such a kind soul.
I can't tell you how many baby bunnies and birds he helped me raise as a kid. :D
Every spring, the first mowing of the season would scatter a rabbit hole full of babies. He'd gather the survivors up and bring them in...

We'd make a comfy & warm place for them to sleep...and take turns feeding them around the clock (warm whole milk sweetened w/ karo syrup). Once they were big enough, we'd start experimenting with fruits & veggies for them to eat. On warm afternoons, we'd take the bottom off their cage & put them in the backyard (fenced in) to let them nibble on grass.
Finally, when Dad thought they were big enough (and I could part with the fuzzy butts), we'd let them go hopping up towards the barn.

I remember HoneyBear (our golden retriever) did a 'drive by' one year and snagged a freshly released baby bunny as it started hopping away.
I think that was one of my first lessons about the circle of life. LOL

And then the baby birds/robins! Ugh.
I can't tell you how many afternoons I spent digging up earthworms to feed those little guys.
Reachel, I know you have a baby bird story too...wanna share? :D

Welcome to the blog John we missed you

Dad ,this may sound odd me being the head harvester in this group,instilled in me a healthy respect for nature not so much in what he said it was more his actions and love of the out doors. Waste not want not ,respect the life you take to inhance your own.This said, dad was a bit of law breaker the whole raising wild animals with out a permit is a big no no.Lucky for us he was willing

to take a chance with ping and pong the ducklings ,and the racoon what was its name scatorbox and where did it go pooo?

maybe the only harvester. am I in the right blog?

Whos Wheeza ?

Ray's mouse trap

Back when I was in college I was living in this house with like five friends of mine. It was kind of a party house, always a crowd, and quite messy. I swore up and down that the house was haunted and several of my room mates agreed but that's another story. We first noticed the mice a few months after we had moved in. They liked to hang out in my room for some reason, even though it was the cleanest room in the house. I could never get a real good look at the mice because they were so fast. We had a dilemma in that we wanted to get rid of the mice without killing them. I had looked into humane mouse traps but none of them looked like they would work. They were also expensive and I was a poor college kid at the time. One day when I was visiting my mom and Ray I had told them about the situation and my need for a humane mousetrap. Ray immediately took an interest. It was as if I saw a light turn on above his head as he started gathering components from around the house, one of which was a conventional snap type mousetrap. You know, one of the ones made of wood that spring into action when the mouse steps on the trigger. Ray sat in the kitchen tinkering with the ingredients of what would become a very clever device. It consisted of the snap trap, an empty soup can, some fine wire mesh, and the lid of the empty soup can. I have to admit that I was skeptical but I left Ray to work his magic. After several minutes I came back into the kitchen to find Ray putting the finishing touches on this device. It was a marvelous invention, the soup can was attached to the snap trap to act as a cage, it sort of sat fixed on one side of the wood plank. The mesh formed a tunnel that was attached to the plank as well, this mesh tunnel fed into the can which allowed for the trigger to be set. The lid of the can was attached to the snap part of the trap to act as a door. This was the challenging part of the design but a little bit of cardboard and duct tape made for a perfect door to the cage. Some shredded newspaper made for a comfy little cage for the mouse. It was truly amazing, Ray had taken this device that was designed to kill a mouse and turned it into a humane trap with just a few household parts, it was brilliant! The trap worked like a charm, I knew the mice liked to run along the baseboards in my room, so I put it directly in their path. A little peanut butter and cracker was enough to lure the critters in. I'm pretty sure I caught 9 mice in that trap. Ray had such an inventive spirit and I was inspired by the creation of this humane mouse trap. I’m not sure where that trap is today. I had left it at the house when I moved out in case there were more mice to catch. I think I could make one if the opportunity ever arose. Thanks to Ray for being so creative and compassionate.

thats a nice boulder I like that boulder

Is anyone out there ? I mean besides us kids , I'de like a little something from my aunts and uncles. You all do know how this works dont ya ?

Kinda wish I had a way to turn back time lately.

stuck in a rut

Know the way out just content to stay put

spring is coming

pancakes? how bout the chicken Folks ;{>

Robert must of missed the yogurt with oatmeal pan cakes. Dad seemed to want to try and use all and any leftovers as part of his bisquik mixs at times. What was the deal with dad and jam or jelly did he have some thing against fruit spread ? I only mention this because he was the inventer of Fluffanuter (one part marshmellow spread one part peanut butter ) or my favorite goop , Goop (a little maple syrup a bit of butter bring to a boil and peanut butter mix and spread on bread ) I cant remember having jam at dads . The funny thing is it was good I still like a little Goop now and then but I cant get my kids to touch the stuff. When it comes to cookin I think dads best was on the grill, chicken and ribs. The secret was in the prep. He always used whole chickens and I remember how he showed me how to cut them up. Then he would boil the chicken in a molassus,vinager and spice water mix ,then after the chicken cooled he'd grill. But before he grilled he would have to invent some coffee can charcol excellarater to save on the lighter fluid.
good times dad
Does any one know if dad did any disco on the east coast? that would be a sight and you know he would of at least tried it remember the roller skating?

Pancakes Anyone?

I'm here to tell you - and no offense or injury intended really, but If you have never had my dad fix you a breakfast, well your life just ain't going to be complete. So there I've gone and said it. Sorry.. but most of the folks reading this have had a Ray breakfast. He was a generous soul and an early riser so if you were ever around you were served a lot of tasty goodies in the morning I'm sure.
Most folks have had his biscuits and gravy... but fewer... unless you hung around him as a child have seen him work wonders on the griddle with a bit of pancake batter. Dad pleased us endlessly with pouring pancakes into the shapes of all manner of characters and beasts. Oh sure just to warm up he might do some standards like Micky Mouse pancakes, but then he could get more interesting, maybe a Goofy. But then we'd start making requests and off the grill golden and ready to light a smile up on your face came... horses, a moose, an octopus even.
I'm guessing he came up with this art form on his own. I can't begin to imagine Grandma Marie or Grandpa Clarence doing this so I'm going to say it was all Ray. Now my kids enjoy my special cakes Grandpa style and we always have had biscuits and gravy Christmas morning... now it will just be that much more special.
Miss you Dad
R

Avocado Shooters…?

Ray had a zest for life and one of the ways he expressed that was to use his wonderful mind to innovate and make the good in life – better! Last summer I had the blessing of spending a month living with Dad and Becky in their home in Arkansas. One afternoon, standing about the kitchen having a bit to eat, I introduced Dad to a treat I knew he would like. I sliced a nice ripe Avocado in half and removing the seed made a few slices crisscrossing the tender fruit but leaving the skin intact. Then I sprinkled it with fresh lemon juice and a bit of salt. I handed it to him with a spoon and said “Enjoy”. And he did… its mighty tasty. However, by the time he got through the first half of the avocado and a few exclamations of Hmm hmmm mmm!, he turned and gave me a sly smile and then reached into the cabinet and produced a fine bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila and asked me to make another one. I did and he proceeded to sprinkle about a half shot of tequila into the hole where the avocado seed and been – then he took a big scoop up the new and improved treat and gave it a taste. Hmm mmm good! We did two or three “Avocado Shooters” as he dubbed them and all enjoyed the new taste sensation. My sister Reachel told me he was talking about them in Huston. Had I known I would have whipped one up for him at his bed side. Next time the ingredients are handy – whip one up and have one for Ray!

My Dad and the Mountain

Right before Dad went to NY for surgery, he was able to come and spend a few days with me in Sacramento; secondary to giving his deposition in San Francisco.

I took him up to South Lake Tahoe...and we went hiking. He was glowing the whole time and I remember telling him, "Dad, if this is the last visit we get together...it was a really good one."

He just smiled at me and agreed.

sun is shining revolution experience I Tunes

The sun is shining, the weather is sweet ,make you want to move your dancing feet ,when the morning gather the rainbow ,want you to know Im a rainbow too, to the rescue here I am

I had dad lisen to a bob marley remix last winter Sun Is Shining I guess I wanted him to know we would do our best to make him proud

after the storm

Was it just me or was dad super about letting us make are own choices? I just always felt he supported what ever life choice, or pipe dream I came up with . Rarely did I get unwanted advice from dad he seemed to trust us to make our own way.

This song

Here Daddy, is the song I chose for our Father Daughter dance. It reminds me so perfectly of how you made me feel as I grew. You made me feel radiant and without flaw. You asked that we dance to "Sunrise, Sunset" (Is this the little girl I carried?) but I do so wish you had heard this song.

Love you to pieces and miss you to the moon and back,

Reachel

LYRICS

If you leap awake

In the mirror of a bad dream

And for a fraction of a second

You can't remember where you are

Just open your window

And follow your memory upstream

To the meadow in the mountain

Where we counted every falling star

I believe the light that shines on you

Will shine on you forever

And though I can't guarantee

There's nothing scary hiding under your bed

I’m gonna stand guard

Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever

And never leave till I leave you

With a sweet dream in your head

I'm gonna watch you shine

Gonna watch you grow

Gonna paint a sign

So you'll always know

As long as one and one is two

There could never be a father

Who loved his daughter more than I love you

Trust your intuition

It's just like going fishing

You cast your line

And hope you'll get a bite

But you don't need to waste your time

Worrying about the market place

Try to help the human race

Struggling to survive its harshest night

Gonna paint a sign

So you'll always know

As long as one and one is two

There could never be a father

Who loved his daughter more than I love you

I'm gonna watch you shine

Gonna watch you grow

Gonna paint a sign

So you'll always know

As long as one and one is two

There could never be a father

Who loved his daughter more than I love you

A Son in Law

Ray was one of those people who made you feel at ease, easy to talk with and a pleasure to be around. He had a strength about him that was more than physical, although clearly very stout with a can do attitude and infectious energy his views prompted me to think about what's next. As Reachel's husband I see what a profound influence he had on his kids and how that translated into good grounded people. I will miss Raymond Boeckmann but I also know that the lives he touched are better for it and his memory will last.


if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live a life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.- Henry David Thoreau

Hawaii 1970 -Adel

I was living in Hawaii in 1970 as one of the last hippies to live on the beach. I became friends with Raymond through Colleen, Robert , Adam and Reachel who would come to frolic on the beach. As time went on I became a friend to the whole family. Raymond was in the Navy at the time and I ocassionally would help prepare dinners for his fellow officers and service members. I lived in a tent on Makaha and I would love it when I was asked up the hill to have dinner with the family. At that time I had a fairly serious medical condition and we just happen to have a typhoon on the way. Raymond pulled up in his big old station wagon and wisked me off to the hospital. I truly think I could have died if Raymond had not taken that risk of his own life to drive in that storm, to save me. I think Raymond was always the kind of man to put others first. It was an honor and a privledge to have known him. Adel Pierre

Bering Straits 05

Dad seemed to allways imbrace life looking to make the best of ever day.Is it fair his life was cut short? Or is it not fair I waisted another day he would of made something of ? Get it done life short even if you make a 100 try make every day count ,"keep your family close even if there half way around the world ,travel even if it just next door, get out there and make adiffernce."

Im sure dad felt he was delt a fair hand. The above was some of his advice he shared with me in New York before his surgery

The Other Blog...

Many fine folks have left some fine memories and tributes to Ray's fine character and example at
http://www.nlrfh.com/
Click on Obituaries and scroll down to December 27th 2007... then click on "send/view condolences". Made me cry to be reminded of what a fine man we must now live without. However my cousin Theresa reminds us that we have an opportunity to give Ray life when she said: "I will honor him by doing those things in my life that he can no longer do."
Indeed.
Robert

Dad was a force on the water, he ran the deck when he crewed, very few are as at ease on the water he was a natural .This was taken in 03 I think, we were top boat for the week .

The Manta Ray

I tried to add this as a comment on Rob's Dad and the Ocean entry but somehow I can't find the correct password. Anyway, very beautiful memory Rob. I don't have any ocean memories of dad but LOTS of pool and lake memories. In particular wrapping my arms around the back of his neck that always smelled so pleasently salty sweet and holding my breath as he powered undered the water like riding on the back of a giant manta ray. And yes hoping he would bring me back up before I ran out of air. ok come to think of it I have Atlantic ocean memories of dad but the water wasn't deep enough there for them shenangins. Thanks for adding the picture of dad in hat holding grinning me. It is one of my favorites. hey I just realized that Manta "Ray" is a kind of pun! holy cow ... did our dad love a pun. Am I doing you proud dad? and a really bad pun at that. ok somebody take my metaphoric pen away.

Lots of love,
from one of his three D. Ds

Speaking of Santa Ray:

I remember getting this email from Dad in February of 2005....
It cracked me up then, and still makes me giggle even now. Of course I had to save it!
I love you, Dad :)





"Cute story. A three or four year old girl was in line with us. Her name, Daniel, was written across her helmet. I said "hi Daniel". She looked up at me, her eyes got real big and she said, "How did you know my name? Are you Santa Clause? Of course I played the part.
Love Dad"

King Island 2005

Beannacht ("Blessing")

On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, May the clay dance to balance you.

And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window

And the ghost of loss gets into you,

May a flock of colours, indigo, read, green, and azure blue

Come to awaken in you a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays in the currach of your thought

And a stain of ocean blackens beneath you,

May there come across the waters

A path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of Earth be yours,

May the clarity of the light be yours,

May the fluency of the ocean be yours,

May the protection of the ancestors be yours.

And so may a slow wind work these words of love around you,

An invisible cloak to mind your life.

- John O'Donoghue

Santa Ray's sleigh ride

Dad,Becky,and Sherry went on a dog sled ride last winter with family freind Niels Hann ,you know pop wanted to trade spots with Niels ;)

Introduction

Hi Folks
If you've come here it is because your life has been touched by Ray Boeckmann. His children decided to set this blog up so folks could log on and post stories of how Ray has touched their lives and inspired them or simply enriched it in some other way. We encourage posts to this blog that range from the sacred to the profane and from the profound to the mundane. My first post will be an old and fond memory of my father and for me it is at once sacred profound and mundane.
Robert Boeckmann -
Ray Boeckmann's friend and first son.
PS: If you'd like to contribute something just shoot me an email so I can add you as an author. robert.boeckmann@acsalaska.net

The Ocean Dad and Me

When I was about 5 or 6 Dad was stationed in Hawaii and we spent a lot of time at the beach.
I can still remember how the warm moist air cradled your skin and blurred the boundaries between you and the world. And I remember my father more than a man - a figure of power and wisdom that a child could place limitless trust in.
He would set me up on his shoulders for a piggy back ride... no unusual feat. But then we would start a slow and deliberate walk out into the glassy smooth ocean and eventually the water would get deeper and deeper and his body would slowly submerge and disappear until eventually we would be far out to sea and his head would go under water then the water would rise up my small body until it came up to my nose - all the while I was marveling at how Dad could hold his breath for so long and how I was so far out in the deep water - yet I had only just enough fear to make it exhilarating.
Then according to a silent accord I would gently tap his shoulder and he would slowly turn and stride out the water - slowly emerging from the depths and letting out a blast of compressed air like a mighty whale when his lips reached the surface.
I remember this play and communion and always will.
thanks daddy
robbie john