So Sleepy

This is the face of a newly turned two year old who needs a nap. He spent the afternoon with me and I didn't even bother trying to get him to take one, instead, we rode Uncle Al's old folks scooter, played trains which of course included a few train wrecks along the way and lots of grazing: dried cherries, cheerios, toasted cheese sandwich, and warm oatmeal cookies right out of the oven. To be honest, I was the one needing a nap :o)

Bubbling Brook

Previously I mentioned that I think Jacob will have fun playing in the creek when he gets older...well....I wasn't thinking a week older, but here he is...his first feel of the water as it trickles through his tiny fingers. The first thing that went through my mind when I saw this picture was of the family who lost their 2 1/2 year old child just 2 days ago in the rushing Greenwater River. They lost sight of him for just a short time and we all know what can happen when we have taken our eyes off our little ones when they were young. I don't even want to go into the story about one of my sons empty a gallon jug of purex in his bathwater while I answered the phone and was only going to be gone a minute...I will tell you that it burns like crazy !!!

Eeeeewww

Now whatta ya think...could Mr. Yuk, on the left, be guilty of preying on women ??

Enchanted

What a fun evening our orchestra had last night. We are hoping to compete in a music competition in Yakima next February and since our music conductor teaches orchestra at Stadium High School, he had us all come over to their wonderful new music building and do the necessary CD recording on their stage. I had never been on campus before and it does give one quite the feeling of being in another place in time. We are doing three numbers and they are all very different: Arietta by Leroy Anderson, Variations on "America" by Ives-Schuman, and my favorite by far, the 4th movement of Dvorak's 9th/New World Symphony. Whether we're chosen to compete, the fun is in playing together, music that most of us in our lifetime wouldn't have thought we would ever get the chance to play.

Arietta

New World Symphony 4th movement part I
New World Symphony 4th movement part 2

Variations on "America"

Cordova

Alright already...I know I need treatment for my viewcam addiction, but you have to agree, this view of Cordova, Alaska is incredible. I noticed in the grocery ads this week that Copper River Sockeye is now in the stores. I don't know if it really is the tastiest salmon of all, but I'm thinking it comes close. I also think it may have something to do with it being the first fresh salmon after a long drought and this is where it all comes from :o)

Restoration

I mentioned a couple days ago, this boat that was next to son's in Port Townsend. Just for fun, here's what it looks like right now. As you can see, there's lot of work left to do above the water line. I'm hoping that somehow there will be a way to get a picture of the "after" when all is said and done.

Birthday Number Two

We celebrated Jacob's 2nd birthday yesterday with lots of friends, food and fun. I enjoyed seeing the young people with their little ones and to see it all in the house where I grew up. It is a wonderful place, with the woods and creek nearby. I know once Jacob is old enough, he will have a grand time exploring it all.

All Spiffed Up

The Mystic Lady's bottom is scrubbed, painted, and her rudder freshly zinced, so it's back to the sea she goes. It is always a huge relief for the fishermen to have that job over each year. Many of the Gig Harbor fishermen take their boats to Port Townsend because they have good lifts and plenty of room to work. This year, even though we have had so much rain, the weather held for my guys and they were able to get the job done in no time.
An interesting note, sitting next to son's boat, there was an old, old, old, wood boat that looked like in a happier time of it's life, been a beautiful yacht, one with a fantail stern like the Thea Foss. The new owner, who happens to be the husband of one of the "Housewives of Miami", either brought it himself, or had it brought down from Canada to Port Townsend, had it lifted, the bottom cleaned and made as seaworthy as possible, then plans are to sail it to Seattle and load it onto a ship to be delivered to Florida. Son said it's going to take a boatload of money to restore it, but maybe the "housewives" will foot the bill.

Water Water Everywhere

I hope this house stays dry. I guess you could say it's under water, but not in a financial sense...just a wet and wild kind of way. Here is a site that shows other homes along the Mississippi River, surrounded by water, with people doing all they can to save their homes and way of life.

Seward

The Diamond Princess was just easing up to the dock in Seward, Alaska this morning when I checked my favorite haunts. I kinda think this may be one of the first ships of the year and the weather doesn't look all that great. I visited with a fellow flute player at orchestra last night and she is planning a cruise to Seward and from there to Denali and finally home from Fairbanks the end of June. Later this summer she is going to see Ireland and Scotland by ship. Last fall she did the mexican riviera and Sea of Cortez. She has serious eye problems and has already lost the vision in one of her eyes with the other barely hanging in there so I think she is trying to see all she can just in case her good eye goes south and she wont be able to travel any more.

Teeter Totter into Spring

A couple days ago, we had a true spring day and the girls spent a good part of it on the spit at the entrance to the harbor. Today, I woke to clear skies and frost on the houses across the street.

This "climate change" is fine with me, as long as it doesn't mess with the tiny beet shoots poking out of my vegetable garden, or the red geranium, sitting out in the open on my deck. Let's hope today brings the end of winter and a true grand entrance into spring.

Father and Son

I know, I know, I should have waited until Father's Day to post this pix, but it's so darn cute, I couldn't wait. And, if you're curious as to what they are watching...why cartoons, of course. Daddy had spent a grueling day getting his boat lifted in Port Townsend, and was totally exhausted so there was no fight left in him as to what they were going to watch, and of course a happy baby is really what it's all about.

Dutch

My neighbor is nearing the end of his six month committment in Dutch Harbor. This was his second stint working in the hotel kitchen. If I were to work there in the long winter months, that is where I would want to be.
He took this picture out of his bedroom window as the birds waited for their dinner.

Queen Elizabeth

I love this recent picture of 85 year old Queen Elizabeth, riding with her grandchildren. I remember watching her coronation when young and was so dazzled by it all, though I can't imagine not being able to do things without the media constantly watching my every move. There has to be something said for anonymity.

Frisco Webcam

Yippee....I found another cool webcam.
It refreshes every minute all day and this morning I watched the Crystal Symphony cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, sail slowly past the Jeremiah O'Brien and Fisherman's wharf until she was finally tied up at Pier 93, via dual cams. Yes...I know....I really do need to get a life :o)

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day :o) I love this pix of my mother's wedding day. She and dad were blessed with three daughters

and we three are still going strong :o) I think because of the example she showed us. Any woman who can drive the Alcan Highway in 1952 with three kids and a dog, showed that you can do anything if you set your mind to it.

Kerplop

Now that the new garage is finished, the people remodeling the old home near me, tore the old garage down today. In next few months the old house will begin to look much like the new garage, with a whole different roofline, no more stucco siding and the inside gutted and brand new. The upstairs of the new garage would make a wonderful bonus room or if you're at all artistic, a great place to do your work.

Irish Reunion

Well, Ireland will never be the same again !! Sis is picking up our two cousins today who flew into Shannon and they are going to visit the old home of our grandmother, plus visit one of our Flanagan cousins. Of course they will be taste testing a bit of Guinness along the way.

We met our dad's sister's girls a few years ago at a family reunion in Bangor, Maine and have kept in touch since. As you can see, they take after their mother who was very attractive. Gail, the one in blue, lived for a short time when very young in a tiny home on the lagoon just below Peninsula High School with her mom and dad. He was in the military and stationed in the northwest for a period of time.

I would have loved to be exploring Ireland with them, but I hate to leave home this time of year because this is the best time of the year to live where we do.

Veggy Garden

After an afternoon of digging and shaking weeds, I have my vegetable garden ready for planting. Every year I plant beets and every year I get no beets. I will try one more time and if I'm not successful, the heck with it.
I want to put in an Early Girl tomato and maybe a Beefy Boy. I also might plant some pole beens since I have the poles already. There are two blueberry plants that produce about 5 blueberries each year because the plants are in the worst spot possible. Oh well..as long as Len's berry patch keeps on keepin on, we'll be okay :o)

First visit

Yesterday Len and I were talking about not seeing any deer yet this season and whatta ya know...this morning I noticed two yearlings in my yard dining on the tender new leaves. One is female and the other male as I could see his downy antlers starting to pop up. I get so upset with them when I try to grow a garden, but darn..they are such fun to watch...and ever so unafraid !!!

More Hats

Okay...I just had to post more hat pictures. How anyone can go out in public looking this silly is beyond me. Maybe there's a prize for the goofiest hat and having the courage to appear in public with it on your head. I wonder if they get the hats free if they make sure the milliner's name is mentioned.
I doubt american hat makers are in much demand other than those who make hats for the Kentucky Derby, but it looks like the british are very much into their hats.
Another thing I noticed were the gloves. When we were little we used to wear white gloves. Why, I don' t know, but probably to guard against germs .

May Day

What a wonderful May Day morning. It seems most of the mornings for the past 6 months have been rainy, but today's is really beautiful. Now, to find some flowers, make a door knob basket and do the traditional May Day surprise.