5 1/2 Months–Week 17

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IMG_3930Last week was so busy that I haven’t been back to writing since last Thursday. So, I will begin week seventeen by wrapping up week sixteen. Friday night was Seba’s class play, “The Golden Goose.” Sebastian played an important part. He was the tree that was hiding the “golden goose” beneath it. So, Seba was a central character providing  comic relief when “the tree” was finally felled….what a crashing fall!

 

Saturday Teo and Rumi enjoyed the bunji swing and Fisher enjoyed checking out the Vets. He picked out the one he wants for his 16 birthday. He just turned 14. But, hey, might as well let Mom and Dad know what he wants ahead of time. Sandy and I wrapped up our weekend by working at Big Mama’s farm.

IMG_3963See Sandy and Kerry spreading a plant appetizer. I mowed an acre on the riding mower and weed-wacked the driveway and walkways. Friday night Rumi and Fisher had a sleep over with us. Saturday night Teo and Fisher had a sleep over. Sunday we moved from the West Shore property back to the Guemes Resort. This time we are in Cabin 2. And, Fisher is staying with us all week until he returns to Portland. We have been playing a card game every night where Fisher wins and we loose. Although I did come back to win last night before Fisher returned to Portland.

IMG_3965Monday, we ran an errand for Mark by driving to Arlington, Washington to drop off a broken video arcade game that was located for guests at the Guemes Resort. Sandy and I enjoy little trips like this because we choose the back roads and get to see the “roads less traveled.” Sandy thought she was really funny taking this photo of me and sending it to all of the kids. I’m just catching a few winks after a tough day of doing next to nothing.

Wednesday we drove Fisher to the Bellingham International Airport for his flight home. Then, we met Brian for lunch at the Aslan Brewery in Bellingham where, nearby, he was supervising a major landscape project.

Friday, our friends Gerry and Sue are coming in for a week visit. We will be in Seattle until we return to Guemes Resort Sunday afternoon. So, this may be the end of my writing until I can get back to it.

 

5 1/2 Months- Week 16

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Teo’s 7th Birthday

,What a great birthday party. There must have been a dozen kids running in and out of the house, the hot tub and throwing water balloons at each other.  Meanwhile, Mark was making homemade wood fired pizza in his outdoor pizza oven. Kelly and Sandy were entertaining the adults with far-fetched stories from yesteryear. Good time had by all.

Our friends, Scott and Emily brought their children, Colson and Teddy to the party to enjoy pizza, cake and ice cream. Then, they headed for the Guemes Ferry while we stayed on in Anacortes for the night to continue partying until late, late at night…. I think it was 8:30pm before I got to bed.

Saturday Teo, Rumi, Seba, Kelly, Mark and Kris drove to Seattle to continue the birthday celebration. They visited the Aviation Museum and enjoyed the Marriott pool.

FullSizeRenderSienna, Colson, and Teddy created a hoola-hoop art masterpiece while we waited for food at the Guemes store.  Sienna spent the day with us enjoying the day at the beach, flying kites, building forts, walking on logs and finding special rocks.

Sandy made an awesome pulled-pork diner for the Haight’s and ourselves before we headed back to Anacortes for the night.

Here I am working on my blog today with help from Rumi. She is so much fun to be with and she knows more about technology than I do for sure.

Tuesday was a memorable day fro two reasons. I shot a two over par 36 at the Overlook Golf course with seven pars and two bogeys for the nine holes played AND the Ravens game was awesome—Teo and Seba got back-to-back hits for the first time all season. There were BIG SMILES and cheers all over the field. FINALLY.

 

Wednesday Sandy and stayed on Guemes Island for only the third time since April 1st when we arrived. After watching the Cardinals loose to Milwaukee 3-2 we had to pick up my disappointment by traveling to parts of the Island we had never explored before. We found a deeply forested area called Square Harbor located 2200 feet above sea level with a spectacular view over the ocean of Mount Baker.

 

 

Thursday, Sandy and Kelly had a “spa” day while I enjoyed 18 holes at Swinomish. I played the course quickly, shot an 85, allowing for more than two mulligans. The Ravens wrapped up the season followed by ice cream cones for all players and family. Even though few of our players were as interested in baseball as their coaches it was a FUN season. I’m happy to have been able to do it. It was a family adventure. The picture is me, acting as a bear trap…..I had three little bears to catch that day.

5 1/2 Months–Week 15

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At 2:30pm, May 20, Miss Sienna Breckenridge, our granddaughter,
preformed before a crowd of friends and family two of her favorite
selections. Her piano performance was magnificent. Bravo, Sienna, Bravo!

Early that morning Sandy and I began preparations for the drive back to civilization. We were leaving Mazama by 9:30am to make certain we would be back to Mount Vernon in time for the piano concert. We drove highway 20 westward through the Cascade Mountains, witnessing, once again, the splendid beauty God created for mankind to enjoy. This winding drive took us out of the valley to snow covered heights at 7000 feet. The roads were cleared of snow but their was plenty of snow to see at driving elevations and mountain tops far above. Along the way I continued to think, we should stop to take some pictures. But, unfortunately, we didn’t stop at all of these higher elevations.

IMG_3862 We finally pulled over at the Diablo Lake overlook to take one quick picture before jumping back in the car to continue traveling on time.  It’s a beautiful place but I believe we passed far more beautiful picture opportunities at less staged places earlier in the trip.

Monday afternoon we picked up Rumi and Teo from school at 3:30pm to go shopping for Teo’s birthday present and to use the gift certificate that Rumi received from Aunt Judy. This is why Sandy wanted to come to the Northwest for a few months. This is what real grandma’s do. Buying present’s for Teo’s birthday and watching his enthusiasm is far better than ordering via Amazon and getting a Skype thank you call.

In fact, this whole week is filled with such opportunities. Sunday was Sienna’s piano concert. Monday was the Rumi and Teo shopping trip. Tuesday and Thursday were Ravens games with our favorite players, i.e.; Teo and Sebastian. Wednesday was a school play where Sienna had a major role. Friday night was Teo’s birthday party with Pizza, cake and ice cream. And, we have been with Amaya several days this week.

IMG_4302Sienna is the lead actor in a school play called the “The Golden Apple Thief.” She delivered her multiple lines loudly and distinctly. She showed poise and confidence and lots of animation in her performance. She was terrific! Awesome job Sienna, you deserved the standing “O.”

When we returned to Guemes Island tonight I had time to weed-wack around the house and yard at the cabin where we are staying. It looks much better if I do say so myself. Then we had dinner and still enough time for an outdoor hot-tub, The hot-tub sets on a deck facing west looking across the sound to Cypress Island. The view is spectacular. The sun is setting. Far to the south I can see a large car/passenger Ferry headed through the San Juan Islands presumably headed for Canada. Once again, this quiet time provides moments of reflection. We are counting are blessings and thinking about our friends who live in all parts of the country and our loved ones back home.  We miss you all. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I’m glad to report that while we miss you, we are still having FUN in La La Land.

Thursday was golf day at Avalon followed by another Ravens game. I joined three great guys–Tim, Jerry, and Michael for an enjoyable 18-hole round on a tough course. Despite hitting sand traps, two balls out of bounds with penalty strokes, lousy drives most of the day, shooting a nine on one hole and an eight on another, my over all score was 97. Which means I had some very good holes as well as the bad. The highlight of the day was my third shot on a par five from 160 yards out. It ended up 12 inches from the cup. I tapped in for a birdie. Best shot of my golf year! And, I won some money on that shot too.

The Ravens played one of our best games of the year. We had more hits and made more good plays in the field than our opponent. We scored three while they scored zero. But, who’s keeping score? This is a non-score training league.

Friday night is Teo’s birthday party and pizza party. Its also Fisher’s 14th birthday. He is celebrating with his mom in Portland, Oregon.

Our friends, Scott and Emily with their children, Colson and Teddy, are coming up from Seattle for the Memorial Day weekend. We are looking forward to spending time with them. So, I will save all of those pictures and stories from the birthday party’s and their visit for next week’s blog. Week #15 was full of great activities….that’s a rap for now.