Amtrak headed north

Six of us 70 somethings and a 7 year old had a BBQ near the bridge last evening. One moved around with his walker, one sat himself down in a nice comfy lawnchair with his oxygen tank by his side and the three of us who could move on our own at normal speed did the cooking, serving and cleaning up. The 7 year old did his part entertaining us all by doing what a 7 year old boy does best.

On the beach there were a few fellas fishing and one managed to hook a nice shiny humpy. When the 7 year old saw that, he headed into the woods to find a long stick, and with the dental floss I found in my purse, and the corn cob we tied to it, he was off to try his luck. Sad to say...on his first cast, which involved tossing the corn as far as he could into the water...it went into the water minus the string ...and...alas...he came home empty handed, but I guarantee he had more fun than all of us put together :o)

I have to say, what I enjoyed most was watching the trains appear suddenly from both directions. There were loooooong freight trains with giant engines tugging with all their might and the sound of so many steel wheels on the tracks carried easily across the water. Then there were the Amtrak trains that flew along the water's edge. Oh how I would have loved to hop on board and just ride wherever it took me :o)

Home again

The Lucia is back from Alaska and so is her snowman. I'm not sure why it's there, but maybe it's for good luck, as they did have a good salmon season :o)

Picture taking time

Yesterday's walk took me past these newlyweds having their picture taken at Skansie Park. I don't know where their wedding took place, but they were busy posing for pictures from every angle possible. She was lovely in her gorgeous wedding gown and he so very handome in his spiffy tuxedo.

My oh my, I wonder what Antone would say about all this activity in his yard. He and his brother were very private people, especially his brother, Vince.

Friends and Lunch

We did it....we "old" classmates finally got together again for lunch. This time it was at Sue and Jim's home in Graham. As you can see they have an incredible view of the mountain and everyone who visits ooh's and aah's continually. Sue used to take pictures, but after 22 years, has given up because one can only use just so many pictures of the same subject.

It just so happened that one of the gals had just arrived from the Netherlands, where she lives with her husband, so was able to come with us. And, one of the gals has been a republican state senator for years so we always enjoy hearing about "stuff". Next lunch we go to Dawn's on Bainbridge Island and again, the view is to die for, except hers is of water, islands and ships passing in the night.

Galway Farm

These two pictures are of the house sis is living in, in Ireland. She changed locations and is now living in a brand new home on a farm near the city of Galway. The owners just finished the house and barn, on a 30 acre parcel, and wanted someone living there while they and their children are in Bahrain working. She was happy to oblige and for $500.00 a month, which covers heat and lights, she and her dog, Flanagan, are all settled in for the coming year and who knows what kind of fun. The neighbors homes are visible in the distance, but her close neighbors are cows and sheep.

She isn't far from where our grandparents are from so lets hope she makes some fun discoveries.

Daddy's Home

I don't usually post twice in one day, but this post is very special......Daddy's Home......after a long summer away from his family, he's back from Alaska and ready for a good rest. It's been such fun each year watching the littles one's reactions to seeing daddy again. From shy to bubbling over with joy. This year it was a cup runneth over with bubbling.

Lookin Good

My neighbor's house remodel is comin right along. This is what is looked like before it all started and as of yesterday, you can see the dramatic change. No doubt they will be having Christmas of 2011 in brand spankin new surroundings.

Gimme Pie

The pie was delicious, but we first started dinner preparation with clam cleaning then clam cooking lessons for the kids. Once clean, we steamed the steamers and breaded and fried the fryers, then sampled our hard work. Remember they live in the Chicago area so don't get a chance to go to the source for all the those good things the way we do here.

They were great sports and actually ate the clams because let's face it. clams are not pretty after you've cut them open and exposed the inside of their stomach and other assorted slimey parts . In fact they're rather disgusting. But, knowing there was fresh banana cream pie waiting, they did what had to be done to earn their reward :o)

Peace Love Smile

Monday Len and I picked up his daughter and her family at the airport and things have been hummin since. Cate and her twin brother Quinn are 11 1/2, live in Schaumburg, a town not far from Chicago, and are really great kids. We hadn't seem them since March last year when we all met in California at Len's son and daughter in law's place in Studio City.
When we all get together it's usually a non stop kind of affair so the first day we all took off for Sluy's Bakery in Poulsbo because they had read about it in a magazine. I must say, no one was disappointed. Home again for lunch at Kelley's and for dessert we left Len home to recover from all the excitement and the rest of us went down to our beach in hopes of finding some clams. We were a little late for the low tide, but did find a few clams and most of all, the kids were enthralled with all the sea life, from the sea anemones to the tiny shrimp we'd find while digging. I knew the tide was too high for gooeyduck, but I had hoped to stumble across a few horse clams and have them experience a good squirt.
Yesterday they left us home...thank God...and took off for Mount Rainier. Today, will be Len to the Dr. and his daughter going along to ask questions that I'm sure Len doesn't ask. Dee Dee will be home building a banana cream pie, at the request of Cate.
And tomorrow....it will be kayaks and canoes and a row out to the Underwater Music Festival, just down the bay a bit from Len's,near Dead Man's Island. It goes on from noon to 7:00 and last year thanks to Facebook, thousands of folks flocked to the water surrounding the island in all sorts of watercraft. With the great weather we're having, it should be even crazier this year.
They do want to go up the Space Needle while here which leaves only Sunday. Then they leave Monday and I hope we are still among the living :o)

Captain Ken

I mentioned my son's neighbor in my last post,who I had run into while taking my walk. He was in the process of tying up his beautiful sailboat within viewing distance of the Tuesday night concert and looked so happy in his own little world. I insisted that he pose for a pix and being the good sport that he is, he obliged my request as I knew he would. He is a retired eye Dr. and spent quite a few years going back and forth between the San Juan Islands and the main land to treat his many patients. Now it's just play play play :o)

Empty Chairs

What a great day for a concert. Folks place their chairs early in the day so they can get a front row seat and I got a kick out of the row of bright colors. The concerts have been great this year, music wise and weather wise and tonight could possibly be one of the best evenings of all. As I was walking back on Jerisich Dock yesterday, I ran into a neighbor of my sons who was tying his sailboat up and planned to leave it there until after tonights concert,this way he can watch the concert from the boat, then take it back to his own slip at one of the local marinas. You're allowed to tie up for 24 hours and because the tides were perfect, he knew he wouldn't have to worry about hitting bottom.

Life is good in Gig Harbor :o)

i CAN'T BREATH !!!

Oh for cryin out loud....yesterday Ingy wanted to play dress up so I tried to think of something fun for her to put on. Finally, after looking everywhere, we found my wedding dress on the top shelf in a basement bedroom. It weighed a ton and it was all she could do to drag it up the stairs. When finally she did, she pulled it out of the pillowcase it was in and put on the pillowcase. There was no way I could convince her to try on the dress, so I thought what the heck, I will see if I can get into it. As you can see there was enough dress to cover my front, but what you can't see is the ten inch gap in back with absolutely no chance of ever getting the two sides to meet. Ingy pulled and tugged, but a four year old is no match for a too small dress and a stubborn zipper so she soon called it quits, we stuffed it back into the pillowcase and never again will I put myself through this kind of humiliation :o)

Old Friends

Yesterday was one of those days you wish for, but are sad it's come and gone because it can never happen again.

56 years ago I said goodbye to my "first love" . We were living in Alaska and my folks decided we should move back to Gig Harbor. Course I was broken hearted because everyone who has had a first love knows how intense it can be and to think of never seeing each other again is devastating.

Well, thanks to the the world wide web, we were able to connect after so many years and he and his wife and granddaughter went out of their way to stop by yesterday for a quick visit. Both of us had held onto pictures taken so long ago and we shared them and filled in, as best we could, about where life has taken us over these many years. His wife is a gem, as she patiently listened to us jabber. I kinda think she and their granddaughter got a kick out of it all. Thanks again Doug and Janice for going out of your way to make it all possible. Oh...and I shared your candy with my friend and he loved it :o)

Stop it B

You have to watch the Felonious Munk's

video. He is not happy with the way things are going with our president. Enjoy :o)

Kayak Heaven

Today was granny day so we walked down to Skansie Park in the wonderful sunshine and watched a bunch of kids taking kayak lessons. Oh how we wished we were out on the water too.
We checked out the vendors and their wares in the park, then walked home, stopping at a little shop that sells really cute clothing and tons of costume jewelry. Each of the girls found a gift for their mama's birthday which will be in just four more days, and then it was up the hill to pick enough wild blackberries for a pie.
Tomorrow will be a totally different adventure, and maybe I will blog about it, and maybe not :o)

Windows Galore

The house remodel near my home is coming along. Because they have a great view of the bay, especially from the top floor, they have put windows across the entire front. The original home looked like this.
Because they live on a busy street, the new windows and better insulation will make a huge difference in noise reduction.
One thing that is quite obvious is the quality material they used in old homes compared to now. Example... look at the long pieces of solid wood on the old part of the house compared to the pressed, fiber sheets on the upper story. It is what it is :o)

Concert at the Park

Turn off the sound below and have a listen to one of the songs from last nights concert at the park. There is a different group each Tuesday evening and last night's group was the Swing Reunion Orchestra, swingreunion.com . They put on quite a show for a sellout crowd and toward the end of the video, there was one gal who couldn't keep her feet still and danced and danced, until she danced out of sight.

Next weeks concert will be the Fun Addicts Band, a group that plays dance music. I sure hope the dancer finds her way back.

Gretchen visits

Sis stopped by for a visit before she heads back to Ireland tomorrow. We had lunch at the Tides and came back for desert in my backyard. It was nice to visit and catch up on things and the next time we see her will be at Christmas. She will be moving to a different location when she gets home.

It will be about 10 miles from Galway and the rent will be less as she will be house sitting for an irish family who works in Dubai. The house is large and sits on acreage which will, in time, have horses etc. Let's hope winter is a little kinder for her this year :o)

Little minx

Jacob is getting to be such a silly. He's two and as smart as most are at this age...so smart, but a real handful. It's all I can do to keep up with him when he comes over and we go for a walk. Thank goodness I live near a church with a super duper slide, a bunch of climbing stuff and a picnic table for granny to sit on while he does his thing. Too soon this adorable age will pass and too soon he will be off doing other things that wont involve granny, so I feel very blessed to be a part of his life right now :o)