Waist Deep Almost

Saturday soccer again and it looks like the little sisters are gonna have one heck of a good time. I do hope they brought toy boats to sail in those gigantic puddles.

Beethoven plus Schickele

Our concert mistress ...the gal holding the bow and violin....will be stuck with the job of directing the orchestra once our conductor...the fellow leaning on the cello case..... gets "pulled from the game". We rehearsed her part over and over last night and I think she's "got it" . We are playing the 1st and 4th movement of Beethoven's 5th Symphony and the 1st will be done Peter Schickele style. If you don't know who he is, take a look at this youtube video. He writes under the name PDQ Bach and loves taking classical music and making it fun for all to hear.

He joined Itzhak Perlman and the Boston Pops a few years ago and I know you'll love this.

Oh...and don't forget...December 18th, 7:00 pm, Peninsula High School.

October Surprise

Wow....what a difference a day makes !!!!

Global Cooling

Hard to believe it's only October 26th and the plows are busy clearing the parking lot at Paradise. According to the weather forcasters, we are spose to have a wet, wild winter thanks to La Nina. There is nothing more comforting than knowing there is a good supply of wood waiting just outside the door.

This one's for Boompah

Ingy agreed to pose in her great grandpa's visor hat only when I said I'd send the picture to Boompah. I'm not sure if that's how you spell the name she calls her grandpa, but I do know she is totally crazy about him :o)

It was interesting reading about the insignia on dad's hat at this site, although it says US Maritime Service officers wore this cap device. We always knew he was in the Merchant Marine, but for a time he must have been in the USMS. I know, because of WWII, there was great need for trained personel to man the ships needed to supply war materials and that dad was made captain at a very young age and, thankfully, survived his trips across the Atlantic in convoys during the war. Because he died so young, I will never know the answers to so many questions I'd have loved to ask.

How they've grown

Found this picture of my mother with 7 of her grandchildren. When all was said and done, she ended up with 13.

These 7 gave the world 17 more children, and the grandchildren yet to be born, as of now, have 4. Amazing !!!

Among them there are fishermen, teachers, artist, clothing designer, computer guru, shop keeper, musician and Dr. The one on the left, in front, with the impish grin, is our family foot Dr. who practices right here in the harbor. Amazing !!! Mom would be very pleased.

Gettin there

The new home on the old Skansie property is really taking shape. When I get a chance, I will take a picture of the front of the house and post it here and, if I'm lucky, I'll take a few of the inside.

Best Friends

What do little sisters do while their big sisters are playing a game of soccer? Why they hang out with their best friends. Sadie and Ingy were enjoying the company of a bunch of little sisters until granny stopped them and asked them all to pose. The only two willing to stop long enough for the shot were Sadie and Ingy, otherwise known as best friends.

Yesterday was a busy day around the harbor thanks to all the youth soccer, the annual Chum Festival and the Lutheran Church's Lutefisk dinner under incredible sunshine that shown down on it all. Today is the Fall Harvest dinner at St. Nick's from noon to five and we are supposed to have more of the same. What more could anyone wish for.

Paul Ancich

Paul George Ancich Age 49, beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend, died after a courageous battle with cancer on October 6, 2010 at Hospice House surrounded by his family. He lived fully and left us all better for it. A life-long resident of Gig Harbor and third generation commercial fisherman, Paul began fishing with his father at age 13. He graduated from Peninsula High School in 1979 and proudly served in the US Air Force for two years before returning to fish Puget Sound and Alaska waters aboard his boat, the Memories. Aside from his life on the water, Paul's commitment to preserving healthy salmon runs included work for the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and a position on the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group Advisory Board. He was a member of the Gig Harbor Commercial Fishermen's Civic Club, the Washington Dept of Fish & Wildlife Lands Mgmt Advisory Council, and the Governor's Forum on Monitoring Salmon Recovery & Watershed Health. He initiated the Donkey Creek Chum Festival, now in its fourth year. Paul loved tennis, golf, auctions, and anything he could build or create. He will be greatly missed by his wife of two years, Lisa Hanson-Ancich, sons Paul Jr. and Jacob (and their mother Christina Ancich), and step-children Brennan and Lacey Hanson. Paul was preceded in death by his mother Ethel Lee. He is survived by his parents, George and Barbara Ancich, siblings Lenita (Nick) Markovich, Maria (Chuck O'Herin) Ancich, Lita Dawn Stanton, Laura Quinn, Chuck (Cindy) Horjes, Cindy Lumsden, John Horjes and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. A reception to celebrate and remember Paul will follow a Funeral Mass at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 3510 Rosedale Street, on Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 11am. In his memory, donations may be made to Franciscan Hospice, 2901 Bridgeport Way West, University Place.

Beauty and the Beast

If I voted on just looks...it's easy to see who I'd vote for...but having read about their latest debate...it's easy to see who anyone would vote for who wasn't a dyed in the wool democrat.
Oh....and here's why I can't watch Rachel Maddow.

Pumpkins among the flowers

It's almost Halloween and if we're lucky, things will look like this when the little ones come for treats. I love the easy weather during the month of October, other than the 1962 Columbus Day storm, but come November, we are usually in for some kind of weird, wild stuff.

Road Trip

What a fun day we had yesterday on our spur of the moment day trip to Port Townsend/Point Wilson, aboard one of our friend's RV. We parked not far from the light house, and had a terrific BBQ in the wonderfully warm October sun, all the while watching the giant container ships pass among the many sailboats that scooted across the water under a perfect breeze. For desert, we piled into the SUV that we had towed behind and drove downtown for ice cream. We stopped at sis' house to show them a true Victorian home, again to a beautiful spot along the beach where one could look north to the San Juan Islands and beyond, then home again where we found a spot big enough for our huge land yacht, across the street from the liquor store of all places, hauled out the chicken, tossed green salad and fresh strawberries dipped in whipped cream, and ate our dinner, with folks scratching their heads as they passed by. Once our stomachs were full, Len and I got in the front, and we smooshed another couple into the back seat of my car next to my grandchildrens carseat, and returned them, along with his walker that hung out of my trunk, back to their retirement home. It was a fun day and we're ready to do it again soon !!!!!!

Pruners at rest

There's no need to hire a gardener because mama and her little ones are taking care of any pruning that needs doing at the home of one of my sons.
Interesting column.

TJ's New Home

He's back !!!! The kid, who is now 50 years old, has moved back into the woods above my house. He grew up near me, is paranoid schizophrenic and refuses to live between 4 walls. He's been in and out of Western State Hospital many times, and in and out of my home many times, each time uninvited. He walks through the harbor at all hours of the day and night, talking to himself or to the voices that talk to him. Part of me says oh just let him be, and the other part says call the cops. He has been living in another part of town because I had him removed from my woods once before, but because his mother lives near me, it is easier for him to be closer to her. What to do, what to do.

And of course my favorite columnist.