Full Wave

THE WALTONS IN SAN DIEGO BAY

2010-05-02T14:12:00.002-05:00

Well, 2010 has begun!!
The Waltons (Eric, Sharon, John Paul, Dawn and Daniel) took a winter escape to San Diego Bay for some sailing in mid February. We hoped to relax and also see some whales off shore.

We chartered a great catamaran called a
Gemini 205Mc. Stable, fast, roomy. 3 micro-
staterooms, galley, head, hot/cold running water, refrigerator, etc. Super nice.

Took some studying to learn the systems, but
liked it from day one.

Dan; Eric; Sharon; John Paul

In our harbor.
Shelter Island Marina.

Close to the mouth of the bay.
So we could explore the bay, or
head out into the Pacific with ease.

Dan was Great "crew".

We needed to work together.

John Paul and Dawn on "watch"

We took a break to hike in

Torry Pines State Park

Beautiful scenery!!

GREAT FAMILY MEMORIES.

TELESCOPE PHOTOGRAPHY

2010-01-18T15:39:00.000-05:00

I received a telescope (Meade; 90 mm) for my birthday, and I received a camera adapter for Christmas. So, I can share a photo of the moon (full moon; not very long or deep shadows; bad choice of time but the best I could do)

I have seen the rings of Sature, and the moons of Venus. Also the Orion nebula.

Kind of neat to be able to do that in my own back yard.

WALTONS FOR 2009

2010-01-18T15:22:00.003-05:00

One of our goals for 2009 was to renew and deepen ties with family and friends. We started our year with a family trip to Puerto Rico. Dan, John-Paul, Dawn, Sharon and Eric shared a lovely condo and enjoyed some down time together.
In April, Sharon combined a music convention with a “Sisters’ Weekend” in the Highlands of North Carolina. Eric met the group again in Atlanta for some fun time with Sharon’s sister Silvia and family in Atlanta. Later, Eric headed to Virginia to help his brother David after his hip replacement surgery.

An Easter celebration at our home with John-Paul, Dawn and her parents and Aunt made that day special. Spring visitors to our home allowed us to reunite with family and friends. Sharon’s cousin Becky Hartley and husband Larry, Linda Prause and Bob, and the Ogawa family from Japan all honored us with some time in Columbus during various week-ends in the early spring and summer.

June found us heading to Minnesota where we spent time with Nancy Gwinn and her mother Sue Felts at their lovely summer cabin, visited with Eric’s grade school friend Dee and husband Norman Spilleth, and spent an evening with graduate school friends, Jean and John White.

During a relaxing two week stay at our favorite summer spot, Lakeside on Lake Erie, we were visited by Sharon’s sister Sue from Oregon who discovered that “time stops at Lakeside.” Daniel and friend Emma and John-Paul also spent a bit of time at Lakeside. Dawn and John-Paul treated the entire group to a lovely reunion brunch in their home.

A November trip to Salt Lake City for Eric’s AMTA convention gave us the opportunity to visit with old friends from all over the country who attend this conference. We ended our 2009 travels with a Thanksgiving trip to see David Walton in Virginia. We all enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast in Williamsburg followed by a short visit with Eric and David’s cousin Ann and her family.

We are now looking forward to the Christmas visit from our family and wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a wonderful 2010. Our dream is to see many more of you in 2010!

We started out the year with a family trip to western Puerto Rico. It was a wonderful time to connect with family in a warm and peaceful place.

Sharon performed with her trio "Synchronicity" in a fundraiser for the local food bank. Very successful and well received.

We traveled to Minnesota to visit old friends from long ago (as far back as grade school) of both Sharon and Eric.

Stayed at Nancy's wonderful cabin on a lake.

We visited Dawn and John-Paul with Daniel and his girlfriend Emma and Sharon's sister Sue.

Dawn and John-Paul have a beautiful home near Lake Erie in Lakewood, Ohio.

They can jog along the lake daily.

Crusing the Rhine

2008-10-14T21:17:00.003-05:00

We have just returned from a wonderful cruise on the Rhine (thanks Uniworld).

We stayed on a beautiful ship (the River Queen) and "lived on board" for 14 days.

Great food, well organized tours with learning and wonderful sights.

We started below sea level on a canal in The Netherlands.

Land claimed from the sea by pumping it dry into canals.

We traveled with good friends (the Cooks, Ron and Janice) from Columbus, but we met other great people along the way.

Many wonderful memories.

It was truly a delightful time.

Loved the charming villages that we were able to cruise to and visit.

Walton's Summer 08 Fun

2008-07-08T21:08:00.000-05:00

We just love summer in Ohio!

We spent a week in beautiful and laid-back Lakeside.

Here we are playing cut-throat shuffleboard with Dawn and JP.

This is serious stuff ;-) Every inch matters!

Lakeside has a large number of Sunfish and Laser sailboats.

We can sail off into lake Erie and go for miles (Canada here we come!)

JP and I loved our sailing.

We were at the Bruce's cottage and JP and Dawn visited for 2 days.

It is a beautiful little cottage - very quaint.

Bob as a architect, has re-done such a large number of Lakeside cottages.

He has single-handedly beautified the entire town!

We also visited JP and Dawn's house in Lakewood.

It is only 3 blocks from the lake and an easy and delightful walk.

Silvia and Jim from Atlanta visited for the 4th of July.

Yes ... we did do the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!

Yikes! is it July already??i

ERIC'S TRIP TO INDIA

2008-03-09T10:48:00.007-05:00

I attended the International Conference on Radio Science
ATMS meeting, Jodhpur, India

There was much ceremony at these meetings, and I was made to feel very welcome.

The streets of Jodhpur are filled with all types of cars, people and animals.
(even camels were not unusual)

The city is dominated by a HUGE fort from the 1200's
The Mehrangarh Fort (never captured)

Inside the fort is a wonderful palace all carved in red sandstone
(even the lattice-work screening)

After Jodhpur, we traveled to Bangalore

for the AMTA-INDIA meeting.

Our small scientific team representing the AMTA:
Myself, Don Bodner, Daniel van Rensburg and Janet O'Neil

Our host in Bangalore took us to a very interesting colonial era palace.

(Note the obvious British influence)

You can see ALL of my photos and some video clips at

http://picasaweb.google.com/7388FullWave

(just click)

Fall of 2007 for the Waltons

2007-11-12T21:50:00.000-05:00

Well, Summer 2007 comes to an end.

Winter is coming!

We pull our boat out of the water on
a beautiful fall day.

Wish summer would never end,
and wish fall would never end.

The trees are just wonderful.
Next we visited St. Louis for
a technical meeting (Eric's work).

So ... of course we want to see (and go up in) the
St. Louis Gateway Arch.
I must admit, it really is impressive and beautiful.

Imagine the vision of the person who had this idea as a symbol of the city of
St. Louis (Gateway to the west!).

So simple yet so compelling a symbol.
It was so nice that my son Daniel
came to share the (partial) week with us.

Since I was getting an award, he especially wanted to be there.

Good kid.

THE WALTONS AT NIAGARA FALLS

2007-11-12T21:37:00.000-05:00

We visited Niagara Falls this summer with my brother Dave.

It is hard to beleve that we have lived in Ohio for 30 years (gasp!)
and not seen Niagara Falls.

It really is exciting and fun.

We did all the tourist things.

Ride the Maid of the Mist.
No kidding, the Maid of the Mist
is really exciting.

The falls really are huge and noisy and

wet!!
It was a fun thing to do with my brother.

I think he liked getting wet.
We walked along the
raging (really!) river downstream of the falls.

It is a wonderful way to spend a weekend in
the summer.

Walton's summer of 2007

2007-08-26T13:57:00.000-05:00

These are some posts for our friends and family;

We love our new daughter-in-law and her family.

Here is the new family; Eric, Dawn, Sharon, John Paul, and Daniel.

Wish we could get together like this more often.

Daniel (our San Francisco son)
works hard but sometimes takes a break.

Nothing like a hammock.

We love him and wish we could visit more often.

Note the cool shirt; Product logo designed by his
brother John Paul.

We recently did some sailing on Sandusky Bay. We chartered a beautiful 2006 Catalina 309. Shared the experience with john Paul and Dawn and their friends Dan and Monique.

As you can see, they both enjoyed the experience.

As I like to say; " Its "Jackie O", and not "Old man and the sea."

Dan Merk expecially enjoyed the "training" experience.

Here, we are demonstrating "Heave to", an expression that has nothing to do with seasickness (look it up).

We also had some "shore time." We really enjoyed the Sandusky Merry Go Round museum.

(go there and try not to smile!) See the video of Sharon on the ride!!

All in all, a winderful summer.

Who are the Waltons ?

2007-01-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

I just looked over the blog and discovered that I have very few pictures of myself and Sharon.
So, for our many fans (all 4) here are some quick picks.

Yours truely.

Sharon with John Paul (dinner in Cleveland; JP's "graduation" party).
JP now has both a BS degree and an MS degree; officially awarded on his wedding day!

And here I am with Dawn, our new daughter-in-law.

We feel really blessed to have such a wonderful (slightly growing family).

Hilton Head Island & Christmas

2007-01-27T16:01:00.000-05:00

We spent a wonderful (Thanksgiving) week in Hilton Head Island with the Lukash family.
A beautiful rented house (Below as viewed from the beach).

Silvia and Jim were such great hosts!
Note view of bay in background; many dolphins!
Just a lovely area.

Next, we have a quiet Christmas at our home in Columbus.
(My brother David (R) visited from Virginia.)

The newlyweds; John Paul & Dawn visited.
Also Son Daniel (great guy).
(Google "Sonoma Wireworks, Rifftracker" to see what he is up to.)

Cook Wedding in Biloxi

2007-01-27T15:52:00.000-05:00

We attended the lovely Cook wedding in Biloxi. We saw much of the Katrina devistation. (Even 40 miles inland.) This church was on a hilltop and was not damaged very much.

A beautiful bride! Lovely setting.

Sharon's excellent friend Janice Cook. (Mother of David, the groom)

Proud parents of the groom; Janice and Ron Cook.

Here are some more pics from "The Wedding"

2006-09-06T19:54:00.000-05:00

Here are some more pics from John-Paul and Dawn's wedding.
Below: Younger son Daniel with Eliana.

And ... Jonathan with wife Emily and Anna.

Below: Sharon with Carol and Dave (wild thing).

Below: Sharon with Nancy Gwinn, long-time friend. We go "way back."

So, I hope that you have enjoyed seeing these photos.

We love all these people and were so honored that they all came!

John-Paul and Dawn Wedding

2006-09-06T19:42:00.000-05:00

John-Paul Walton and Dawn Zidonis Wedding

Dawn is our favorite girl! We love her. (So does John-Paul)

A wedding brings friends together!
Below; Dulcy and Buff with Sharon; wonderful people.

Their first dance as husband and wife! (Oh my gosh!)

The family gathers. We love weddings!!

So, John-Paul and Dawn were married on August 19th, 2006. We will never forget how wonderful the day was for all of us!

May they live happily every after in love and fulfilment!!

MORE STUFF AN ELECTROMAGNETICS SCIENTIST DOES

2006-06-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

I work with a group of very motivated and smart students. We are kind of like inventors. We come up with "crazy" ideas and find equally crazy groups to fund exploration projects to see if we can make the ideas work.

For example, can we make an antenna out of plasma gas?
Here is a pic of a glass cube holding glowing plasma as we test it.
I also am doing a bioengineering project where I am looking for glaucoma. I need to find volunteers that I can expose their eyes to a test involving a laser and light puffs of air. I continue to hope it will be successful. Below is a set of data from one of the tests.

A new project is to develop a satellite antenna for a robot submarine. We have shown feasibility, and now we need to actually do it. Hope my students can swim.

Antenna scientists work with all kinds of antennas. Below is a photo from my recent informal visit to the largest antenna in the world. Arecibo in Puerto Rico.

Now that I am retired, I am only doing the fun research. It is a thrill to continue to work with young students who are highly motivated and excited about the projects we undertake.

You like risk? I can only be successful a small percentage (~25%) of the time. So I also appreciate the brave souls that fund this research. For more information, Google my name or the ElectroScience Lab. at the Ohio State University.

Favorite quote: "If it was easy, they would do it at Michagan!"

STUFF AN ELECTROMAGNETICS SCIENTIST DOES

2006-06-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

Some people have asked me what an "Electromagnetics Scientist" does. So here is a small collection of photos from the last few years.

Here is a radar system used to track vehicles in foliage. We did testing a while ago with the help of some large vehicles.

Here is the test.

and here is a graduate student with our test vehicle.

Besides radar, I also do automotive antenna research. This requires mathematical models of automobiles and small metal scale models of vehicles as well as full scale vehicles for final testing.

In one case, we even used an infrared camera to image the wire grid pattern on the rear window of a vehicle.

Later, I can show examples of large antennas, small antennas, internal radar images of buildings, antennas that glow in the dark (they are made of plasma) and other kind of fun projects.

FINAL KITCHEN PHOTOS

2006-06-23T09:22:00.000-05:00

GREETINGS
Some people have asked me to show the final kitchen photos. So here we are.

First; here is a shot of the cabinets and the window treatment (I built the window frame using some extra cabinet trim pieces; matches nicely I hope.) We added the shade at the end. Instead of dangling cords, we chose a pull loop design, we recommend it for kitechen shades; it works very well.

The backsplash/tile treatment is simple but has an accent line at the top of the first tile. Sharon loves the look. Note the integrated sink; it has no lip to catch food particles.

So; we hope our friends like the final result. We love it.

SHARON'S PIANO TRIO

2006-04-24T12:33:00.000-05:00

Greetings friends;
As you know, Sharon plays in a Trio called Synchronicity (piano, violin, cello).

They gave a benefit concert Sunday (4-23-06) in Columbus. For relatives far away, here is a snippet of the concert. Click on the image below.
Performing were Sharon, with Richard Reuning, Dave Posey and Denise Spires (guest artist).

We nearly filled the hall, and made a good donation for "Faith Mission" in Columbus.

Easter Gathering at the Walton's

2006-04-21T20:34:00.000-05:00

A special thank you to friends and family who visited on Easter.

Sharon and I very much enjoyed having you all here and we loved visiting with you over dinner. It was a treat to have you come with us to our church to remember that "Christ has risen."

Here we see Ming Lee and his new wife Shihyen. John Paul and fiancee, Dawn, Carol and Dave Anderson and "the Waltons."

Spring in Ohio

2006-04-21T20:26:00.000-05:00

Spring is a beautiful time in Ohio. In case my wandering son in San Francisco (you know who you are) has forgotten, I show our little piece of Ohio.

Below are some flowers blooming on the deck. Nice to just sit and relax.

A view from the back yard. Flowering trees and new leaves everywhere.

Another view across the yard.

And even another view across our yard. This was a very nice spring without any late killer frost.

So, hope that you enjoy this little reminder.

Cheers :-)

Eric and Sharon vacation in Pureto Rico

2006-03-12T19:45:00.000-05:00

We just came back from 6 days in Puerto Rico. It was cold in Columbus and it was our 32nd wedding anniversary.

We went to the far western coast (Rincon Beach Resort - google it). It was beautiful. Warm sun and sand, deserted beaches (as shown below). Easy and comfortable trip (from the eastern time zone).

We also visited some small villages. We love the architecture. (note the cat watching us)

Of course, as a radar/antenna engineer, I visited Arecibo Observatory, the largest antenna in the world (google it). Explore the universe! Special thanks to Ganesan Rajagopalan for the special tour.
That "feed system" in the photo is 45 stories above the main reflector!

We were sorry to go, and PR was sad to see us leave as evidenced by the colorful sunset on our last day.

We just loved it. You will too.

2006-01-17T20:28:00.000-05:00

Well; I am back again. Lets see what I can do as an update.

The kitchen is progressing; We now have the walls painted, the appliances installed and the countertops installed.

A picture ...

Bad news! After 2 weeks, we discovered a hairline crack in the Corean countertop. (At the "armpit" bend (turn) area; a major stress point.) Lets see what Corean does to repair the problem. So far, they have not contacted us. (We notified Home Depot, our "prime contractor" and they contacted Corean then said Corean would get to us. But ... in spite of phone calls, no dice.)

Next on the kitchen list is the tile backsplash, but we can't do that till the crack problem is fixed. Keep fingers crossed.

Christmas was fun.

Both son's visited (oldest with his fiancee!).

Dan played the piano with his mom:

We made a snow man playing a piano:

Sadly ... he melted soon after. Life is like that.

So ... here's to you, Christmas 2005.

Kitchen Remodeling Project

2005-11-16T09:57:00.000-05:00

Well, we are back from vacation in San Juans. So, with too much time/money on our hands, we decide to remodel the kitchen. (gulp!). Sharon has the "eye" and spends huge amounts of time picking style, color, layout, details, countertops etc. We decide on Home Depot. ... Eric trys to help (or stay out of the way).

So, first the "rip-out":

"Please don't hurt the floor!"

All we can save is the dishwasher & microwave.

forced to keep the soffits, "pipes inside"

Then a team of people (Home Depot) install the cabinets.

We also buy a stove:
"dual fuel"
... gas cooktop and electric convection oven

And a refrigerator (with icemaker)

by Nov. 15, we have countertops (Correan). Simultaneous Countertop guys, plumber, and (who knew?) housepainter to powerwash the outside of the house (in a light rain). Guess what? the fawcett does not quite fit; need an adaptor. (Call company (Moen) and they FedEx one ($15 extra). It arrives at 9:00 the next morning. Good job Moen!)

So we are almost done. (Yea right).

All we need now is walls painted, tile backsplash, and light fixtures. (Light fixtures will require more style decisions.--- ug!)

Walton's trip to San Juan Islands/ Puget Sound

2005-09-25T14:08:00.000-05:00

DEAR FRIENDS

We just returned from a wonderful trip to the San Juans Islands (N. of Seattle in Puget Sound) We did sight seeing, stayed in log cabins, rode ferries, and spent 4 days on a 37 ft. sailboat.

Sue and Jim were wonderful hosts at the cabins at "Lonesome cove!" With them we dug clams, got oysters and ate their (Jim's mostly) gormet cooking.

Our son Daniel stayed with us at Lonesome Cove and went on some of the sight seeing trips. (Sorry Dan; ... Lonesome Cove is not an internet hot spot.")

Here are photos from lonesome cove:

Sue with food (lots of food!)

Heading for our gazebo.

We are not (!) roughing it.

Thanks again Sue!

Note the cool clam digging outfits.

We got more than 60 clams!

Yours truely.

Note the Tilley Hat.

What a cool guy!

Lonesome cove at sunset.

"Red sky at night, sailor's delight"

What a wonderful spot picked by Sue and Jim.

(thanks again - wow!)

We also did some boating on a 37 ft. Beneteau ("ABC Yatching") with old wonderful friends Susan and Bob. (We drug them away from their otherwise boring life to come with us.) Bob is an expert sailor. Susan is expert crew.

One night in Anacortes (mainland harbor), one night at Rosario Resort (beautiful/amazing) and one night in a deserted cove (Spencer Spit) (calm and quite; full moon!).

Susan and Sharon (note smiles)

Bob and Eric (note grins)

Neighbors at Spencer Spit (part of a state park area, no houses); beautiful night!

Again, we are NOT roughing it. Think "Jacki O" not "old man and the sea."

Note the calm water. Very nice.

Good friends, old friends, ... family ... much love. Life cannot offer more to us.

More later;

Eric

Photos from Lakeside Ohio

2005-08-09T19:41:00.000-05:00

I love Lakeside; Lets take a look at some photos:

Charming cottages, Fun Sunfish Sailboats at "The Dock" -- all right by the edge of Lake Erie.

Our son John Paul and g-friend Dawn visited:

And later, our friend Carol visited. We even went sailing in Lake Erie on a 30 footer with "Capt. Ron."

My visit to Lakeside, Ohio

2005-07-29T08:08:00.000-05:00

My wife and I have just checked in to Lakeside, Ohio. A beautiful village / chautauqua on the shore of Lake Erie.

BREAKFAST AT MAXWELL'S