Fishermen

This old picture was put on facebook by one of my relatives. The fellow on the top left is Spiro Babich and  the one second from the right on top  is his brother, Nick Babich, my father in law, whom I never met because he died the same month and year I was born. Spiro was the first to come to this country from the island of Brac in  what is now Croatia, and his brothers came after. How long after I don't know, but in all, 7 siblings left their home and came to the United States, leaving one brother behind in the family home  where his  children and grandchildren still live.
Spiro was a very successful fisherman as was his brother Nick, but Nick died at age 45 leaving a young widow with two young children to raise and the fishing vessel, Sonia. Because Maria had the boat to lease out to other fishermen, she was able to make enough money to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Spiro was very successful and probably the wealthiest person in town and I would imagine he helped out too.

Quartet to trio

Our flute quartet is down to three so I guess that makes us a trio. Our fearless leader moved with his family to Arizona and hopefully he'll find a group to play in. He will be 90 in  November and I'm thinking a warmer climate might be nice for him instead of having to put up with another winter here. I'm not so sure about the summer though as this is God's country that time of year.

Destination Kamchatka

Glad I wasn't on board the Hanseatic yesterday as she headed toward Kamchatka, Russia.

Sail away

Just a week ago we had beautiful weather and now it's feeling like fall. I love the color of this sailboat and I happened to walk past one day as her owners were taking her out for a sail. From what I hear, they live on board. In the summer I'd like that, but come winter, give me terra firma and a furnace.

Donkey Creek project

This afternoon I walked to the other side of the harbor and managed to take all the shortcuts....even across the new  bridge. One worker said go...so we did....and halfway across, the worker on the other side said to stop....we told him the other worker gave up permission to cross....he himmed and hawed and said..."just don't fall or I am dead. "  I doubt we're the first nonworkers to cross but we'd all like to think so :o)   Once I made it to Anthony's restaurant, I decided to hop on the trolly and ride it home. If only it ran all year.  Of course while riding I managed to have a nice visit with a woman from Snoqualmie and her friend who was visiting from Florida. I gave them the scoop on riding the trolley and once back on my side of the harbor, rang the bell and hopped off. I looooooooooooove the trolley.

Fuzzy friends

It's not your eyes it's the picture....very very fuzzy....and that is how my brain feels this morning after partying with old classmates at our annual reunion. There were 12 from our class and I think we won again for attendance. Len's class definately is the winner for the most who have passed away. We always have a great time and plan on doing it again next year...at least those of us who are still among the living.
I think the highlight of the evening was talking to a 1953 graduate I had never met, but had played flute next to his brother in the high school band when I was still in middle school.  I was somewhat petrified being with all the older kids, but the brother managed to put me at ease and I never forgot him or his name. When I  noticed a name tag with the same name last night, I struck up a conversation and was I ever glad I did. I caught up on his brother, and gave him a message to deliver from me. But, the best part of our conversation lead us to Alaska and how I remembered that there had been a Morford working on one of the ships that came into Valdez. How I knew that, I don't know, but I asked  if it had been his brother or him...as it turns out...it was him. He was absolutely delighted to hear that story. Oh..and he was a steward on the Tonsina. 

Bean's home

My sis found this picture of the apartment that my friend Bean lived in when the San Francisco quake struck.  She lived on the top floor and rode the building down...stepping out onto the sidewalk once it was over and she realized she was still alive. I think it was a 4 story building and she lived on the top floor which no doubt is the reason she is still alive and able to attend our annual reunion each year at Benson Lake.  She taught school in San Francisco, but took a year off to  decide if she ever wanted to return to that city. She did and retired from teaching and lives happily in Sausalito.

School days

Yesterday was the first day of school in our area, at least for the public school kids. The little gal on the right in the picture lives across the street from me and I enjoyed watching her visit with her friends after they came home. She was a little girl when she moved in and I have enjoyed watching her grow into a very pretty young woman.  And it all seems to be happening so fast :o)

Cora Marie

Son took the picture of this old fantail yacht  when he had his boat in Port Townsend,  doing the annual cleaning and painting of the hull. The guys had heard this boat was going to be shipped to Miami once her bottom was restored and that there was a Housewives of Miami connection. I did a google search and finally found more info on her.

Daddy's helper

Daddy's home and Ing is helping run the hydraulics.  Woman's work is never done.

August ends

This is what it looked like yesterday, looking back toward the house Len used to own, on the last day of August, from the middle of the Raft Island bridge. Once in a while I feel the need for a Rosedale fix. Len and I had such a grand time floating on those beautiful waters in his Tiderunner,  his brothers old aluminum canoe, assorted blowup floating devices and finally our last outing in the kayak his neighbors gave us. We met at such a carefree time in our lives...families were  raised, we were still young...heh..in our 50's...and loved being together....for what more could you ask  :o)