Hiatus

For personal and professional reasons I'll be taking leave of blogging for a while.

A Walk in the Greenbelt

Leo Strolls Bellevue

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 ~ It's awesome having the Bellevue Greenbelt nearby, with trails reaching out into neighborhoods all around. The peripatetic pup and I can log 5 miles walking down to the Robinswood dog park and back. And he adds a few more miles with the pack at the park.

I'm Back

More Surprises

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 ~ That was a long hiatus.

Since I last posted we've entered the Year of the Snake. Some years are named after animals whose qualities are easier to admire, like the Dog, the Dragon, the Horse, and so on. It's more of a challenge for others, like the Rat and the Snake. I suppose I should give the Snake his due, but it's harder when his year starts with the most disreputable and snaky behavior on the part of our landlady. (The term landlady is far too respectable, so hereafter I will use a more suitable term.)

Here's the whole story:

Flooded Out

Posting Hiatus

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 ~ Dishwasher surprise!

First a trickle into the subfloor we couldn't see, then a gush, heaving up the floor. The hardwood is continuous throughout the entire level, in every room and every closet except the powder room, and now it needs to be completely refinished in order to have it all match. (Don't get me started on the waste that entails.)

So, we have to move out, all of a sudden, for as much as 2 weeks. Like either my wife or I have time for that with our jammed schedules of work, clients and kids. It would be wonderful to go to the tropics for the whole time, but alas, too many commitments for such an escapist fantasy.

While I hope to post at least occasionally over that time, it's a good bet that posting will be intermittent for the next little while.

Things I Learned from my Mum—V

Celebrate the Day

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 ~ I've lived in Washington for 30 years. My Mum lived in Toronto, with summers in PEI. Although she only traveled out west a few times, she kept in close touch the whole time. She called and she wrote. A lot. She sent cards to her grandkids for Easter, for Halloween, for no reason at all. She wrote letters at least every couple of months, and always on birthdays, and for Christmas. (I've saved every one.)

She never forgot a birthday, although she was eager to let hers pass without fanfare. Nonetheless, we celebrated her birthdays whether near or far, and despite her protests about being "too old for birthdays" she always enjoyed herself.

My Mum with 2 of her kids and their partners on her 60th birthday

So what did I learn? Stay in touch, and hoist a glass together whenever you can.

Thank you Mum.

Mary Ellen Leyerle
1/8/29 - 6/8/09
RIP

Ice Follies—II

The Joy of Skating

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 ~ Last week, when my daughter and I went ice-skating, I meant to include in the post a picture of this piece of her art:

It is a self-portrait of course.

This picture, along with several others, have been made into greeting/Christmas cards. As the text ("About the artist") on the back reads in part:

[She] is a young adult with autism whose

drawings have been described as primitive, imaginative, and whimsical

with an amazing eye to proportion and detail.

The cards are available at finer stores. However, we have altogether too many big box monstrosities and not nearly enough finer stores, so contact me if you want to get some.

Ice Follies

Skating

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 ~ Enjoyed ice skating with my daughter today.

The seasonal ice skating in Bellevue's Downtown Park continues every day through January 13. Skate as long as you want with rental blades for $10. As you can see from the video, the rink is covered from the rain.

Thankful

Counting Blessings

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 ~ Even though the last several years have been very hard on very many people, and tough for my family and me as well, I remain grateful for a great many things. I'm thankful first and foremost for my wife, who has put up with me for more than 15 years now. I'm thankful for my kids, both sired and acquired, who have certainly taught me plenty all the while I was thinking I was the teacher. I'm thankful for my colleagues, my readers and my friends, some of whom have joined us in celebration today. I'm thankful for my friends in Rotary and the powerfully positive good we do in the community together. I'm thankful for my venture consulting clients of Fingo for sharing their passion and excitement for their businesses and letting me be a small part of their vision and their success. I'm thankful for my co-founders at Phytelligence and especially their brilliance and enthusiasm for how we are changing the fruit tree industry. I'm thankful for our investors and partners without whom we would not be able to make the progress we have.

I'm thankful that I can still take joy in life with inspiring people and do work that lifts me up and maybe, some day, will have the lasting impact that lifts up others as well.

Thanks for reading; contact me any time I can help you move your vision forward to a more blessed, prosperous, and meaningful place.

Chris Leyerle

Things I Learned From My Dad—VI

Grow Things

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 ~ My Dad loved everything about a garden.

He loved to create (or as he preferred to say, "install") them. He loved to eat the food he grew. He loved to give it to others. He loved the hard physical labor of digging, of planting, of erecting cold frames, trellises, fences and walls. He loved the pleasure of accomplishment that benefited himself and others. He loved to sit in late afternoon with a cold beer and gaze at the product of his vision and labor and reflect on what he would do next to improve it.

I learned from my Dad the deep satisfaction that comes from envisioning, creating and growing a garden. The garden of course was but one undertaking among many that provides the same teaching. More broadly I learned the power and joy of creating things of lasting value primarily by one's own hard work, and bringing benefit to many beyond myself.

Whether a garden, a curriculum, a family or a business, the principles are very similar.

Thank you Dad.

John Frank Leyerle
11/18/26 - 8/2/06
RIP

Anniversary

Wow. 15 Years!

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 ~ The adventure of a lifetime. Or two.

Gone Camping

Offline

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 ~ I'll be sleeping on the ground in Chelan for a few days and completely unplugged. Glad for the break from political mendacity and blather. Back posting on Tuesday. Stay safe everyone!

Saying Hello

Welcome Leo

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 ~ Look who got a puppy for her birthday!

Even though we still keenly miss the Hounderrific Fellow, puppies do perk up everything and everyone.

He's a pound puppy of course, and we are told a Saint Bernard mix, which seems a bit unlikely based on what he looks like, as well as a trifle overwhelming, since the "average" size of a purebred can be over 200 pounds. However, the mix may matter more, so... mixed with what? Any dog aficionadi want to weigh in?

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Update: The vet today opines: a Saint Bernard and Boxer mix. That would explain his pugnacious yet plucky character!

Things I Learned From My Dad—V

Create Things

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 ~ My Dad created many things. Academic endeavors, like articles, courses, books, colloquia and degree programs. Houses, gardens and beautiful spaces. Memorable parties with wine that could not be too big or cuts of meat too thick. Puns.

And things for his kids, and later his grandkids, like an elaborate playhouse.

He taught me to take ideas and create something real and memorable. Thank you Dad.

John Frank Leyerle
11/18/26 - 8/2/06
RIP

Saying Goodbye

A Dog's Life

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 ~ Chaps, our dear dog, died yesterday.

So keen is our grief that it is hard to describe, and almost unbearably sad to write. A good friend and fellow entrepreneur, in speaking of the passing of a loved one, has always prayed: "May his memory be eternal." Those are wise and heartfelt words, and there is no doubt his memory will be such in the recall of my family and all who knew him. And also in my mind, and in my heart.

Chaps had great character. Unfailingly friendly, he barked little, but would always respond to the question: "Do you love me?" with a woofy yes. He was the Big Dog, the Hound "El Grande", and engendered his own superlatives: he was houndelicious and hounderrific (a hound terrific). When he was happy, he showed it not just by smiling and wagging his tail, but also by sneezing. And sneezing. he's the only dog I've ever known who sneezed when he was happy.

Things I Learned from my Mum—IV

Love of the Outdoors

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 ~ My Mum was a staunch environmentalist, and loved the outdoors. She enjoyed contemplative walks on the beach near her beloved cottage in PEI, and took several walking tours of England and Wales. Active in the environmental movement for much of her life, my Mum believed in the importance of caring for our natural world, a belief she instilled in all of her children.

Thank you Mum.

Mary Ellen Leyerle
1/8/29 - 6/8/09
RIP

World Autism Awareness Day

An Epidemic

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 ~ Because I have a daughter with autism, I am aware of this every day. Over the years, too, I have also met many others, their families and the many professionals working to solve the puzzle which is autism.

Autism is widespread:

One in 88 U.S. children has an autism spectrum disorder, a developmental disability that more children will be diagnosed with this year than with childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes or pediatric AIDS combined, according to the United Nations.

What is nonetheless amazing to me, however, is how many other people I have learned about who also have autism, well beyond those that have shared with my daughter classrooms, therapists, sports teams or other groups. The sister of a high school classmate. The daughter of a tennis partner of my wife's. The uncle of a financial planner. That autism has touched the lives of others I know is frequently something learned only by accident, in passing.

How many others in my day-to-day circles have family members or close friends with autism? Doubtless many more than I know.

The same is probably true of you too.

Autism has become all-too-common, despite being only poorly understood by too many people. It is time we all became more aware, and did more about it.

Learn more.

Boulder, Braver

Stillness

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 ~ To succeed, entrepreneurs need balance between observing, thinking and acting. It isn't easy.

The father of my wife's youngest son died unexpectedly, and too young, so we've been in Boulder, Colorado the last couple of days making arrangements. Today was tough, especially going through his apartment, his things, his papers.

Later, I went outside our hotel and watched the full moon rise huge and orange. I was joined, abruptly, by this rabbit:

More Baby Pictures

Granddaughter Isabella

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 ~ I bow to the demands of my readers. Additional pictures of my newest granddaughter are much more in demand than my rants on political philosophy.

Well, she is much more attractive; that's for sure:

Isabella and her overjoyed Mom

Newborn

Children and Startups

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Isabella with her parents

 ~ Starting companies is like having kids. Especially when it comes to learning by doing.

Before my first child was born quite a few people told me how becoming a parent was going to change my life utterly. True of course, as any parent well knows. But the intensity of gestation, birth and raising is so far beyond what any can fully convey to the nascent parent,and is so far beyond their initial comprehension as well. Until you live it. You can only live it.

Nothing prepares one for the first startup either. No degrees, certificates or courses of study anticipates everything about parenting. Nothing does so for the founding of companies either.

It is with pride we watch our children grow and learn, even as we learn our role along the way. Building a company is a similar path of learning, even as we pour our knowledge and passion into growing it to independence.

Continuous creation. Joy in the journey.

New Granddaughter

Isabella Lynn Higgins

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 ~ Born tonight at 8:45, 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 21 inches long!