Adventure 934: A View from the Perch/Ferguson Lake House/47

Birthday month continues, and let the thin gruel slide across the plate! We spent the weekend at Priest Lake, arguably the most beautiful place on earth. It certainly was this weekend. The weather was in the high eighties, the skies were clear blue in the day and starry bright at night. The crowds were light as was the wind. We enjoyed time with Judy's sister Karen and our friend Liz Ulmen. We swam in the lake (even Judy got wet up to her knees), warmed ourselves in the sun, played card games until our eyes glazed over, and of course, we ate...and ate...and as is also usual while we were eating we were planning what we would eat next. Every activity was accompanied by loud guffaws, sly giggles, and none too few belly laughs. A good time was had by all proving once again that life is good, especially today.

Sunset in paradise.

Spicy rice bowl with pork meatballs.

Karen made these apple philo dough delicacies from whole cloth.

Selfie with my birthday Bunny.

Beach art. No bites, but much patience.

Miss Liz is a real water bug.

Miss Karen enjoying the clear quite warm water.

It's hard to get tired of the view.

Of course there was some puzzling going on.

And snacks.

And the view from the dock.

I may not be good looking, but I'm definitely looking good.

Some times we just read at the beach.

We woke up to this view every day.

 

Adventure 933: A View from the Perch/Mimi's 78 Birthday/46

Happy 78th birthday to Judy. In attendance was sister Karen, sister Deb, daughter Leticia, grandson, Falc, and hangers on, Ed and Tim. During story time, Karen related that Judy was a lot like Jesus when she was in high school: "She loved everyone." We had a nice salad for dinner, our traditional Angel food birthday cake (which Judy baked herself) sans candles, a little wine, a little after dinner wine, quite a few laughs, some warm hugs, some joyous tears, and an overflow of grateful emotions, which brings us to the bottom line: "Life is good, especially today!"

Sister Karen sharing her present.

Sister Deb sharing her hug.

Selfie of the day: Hanger on, Tim, grinning with good fortune.

The cake decorated by grandson, Falcon.

Laughter and tears followed Deb's present of Judy's mom Dorothy gnawing the chicken to the bone.

Some tears for good old Mutte.

These zinnia's from Judy's garden made the center piece.

Falcon enjoying the cake to the very last lick.

Sisters.

Adventure 932: A View from the Perch/45

Judy and I spent last night on the boat. We do it once a season, which is about all this salty sailor can muster in terms of convincing boat babes to come aboard. I'm sure that's why pirates of old captured cargo, but that's not entirely correct on the blue side of the aisle. Nonetheless, my Bunny (completely willing) and I sailed toward Beauty Bay until the wind died. Our top boat speed was a thrilling 5.5 knts. Unfortunately, there were no available buoys when we arrived at the bay. Fortunately, we have a permanent berth at the yacht club, so we merely turned around and headed home, enjoyed a refreshing bit of tonic along the way. Once secure, we feasted on dogs and beans, coupled with a very nice Pinot Noir, cookies for desert, and as dusk arrived we settled into our berths in the cockpit. We each had a sleeping bag, a soft mat, a pillow, and the night sky as a canopy. We both slept well, despite the waning brightness of this month's super moon. In the morning, we enjoyed coffee, yogurt, nuts, berries, and a game of crib, which Judy won. At this point in the month, I'm a shaky nickel ahead. It was a nice time on Davey Boy. To top it off, we scrubbed the inside ceiling of the boat which had developed a little mold, and we wiped fresh teak oil on the wooden parts. Davey's inside looked as good as an old vessel can. Afterwards, we left for home, grateful that life is good, especially today.

A soft evening view from our slip.

Selfie of the day: Feasting on dogs and beans.

Good to the last slurp, especially with a bit of Miss Karen's mustard added.

Our sunrise view.

Judy enjoying her morning coffee, a devotional reading, and a Wordle challenge.

Adventure 931: Life in Gulps/44

It's been a busy time since our wildly successful family camp. I attended the memorial of my coaching idol, Ron Brown, who passed away a week after his ninetieth birthday at his home in Centralia, Washington. Ron served as the head coach of Centralia Boys Basketball for 56 years amassing 739 wins along the way, two state championships and several placings along the way. His teams also won championships in baseball, girls softball, and tennis during his tenure as a teacher and coach. Besides that, Ron was the best man I ever met. He practiced kindness, humility, and he showed a genuine interest in everyone he met. He was the kind of guy who made those around him want to be better. We'll miss him. His memorial was held in the Centralia gym. The bleachers were pulled and chairs were placed on Ron Brown Court. Six or seven hundred people attended the service. Former players spoke, and to a person, they related the same message that I've always felt: He made us all feel like we were the most important person in the world. We should all aspire to live our lives as well as Ron Brown lived his.

When I got home, I spent some time at the lake on Davey Boy. I'm lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of our Pacific Northwest.

The big news lately was last night. Judy and I celebrated our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. We attended the Van Gogh exhibit and then enjoyed a very nice dinner at a South Spokane restaurant called Luna. Amazingly enough, sitting at the table next to us was Dick Iverson, whose late wife taught with Judy, and who is some relation to Kel Friesen's mother. Judy and I were married in the Iverson's backyard in 1989. Quite serendipitous!

So basically, life is good, especially today.

For those keeping score, the winner is Coach Brown.

Coach Brown holding the first of two state championship trophies.

The game ball from his 700th win. He ended his career with 739, third best in the state.

Coach Brown swag.

More swag.

The next coach has large shoes to fill.

Timmy Boy, one salty sailor.

One morning I was startled awake by the squawking of these gulls.

Davey Boy safely moored in Harrison, Idaho.

Selfie of the day: Still grinning after thirty-five years.

House baked bread  for a start.

Delicious crab cakes for a starter.

Just fabulous beet salad.

A nice bottle of Sauvignon Blanc with dinner.

Strawberry shortcake, courtesy of the house, for dessert.

And a nice glass of port to top the night off. I must be the luckiest guy in the world.

 

Adventure 930: A View from the Perch/Cle Elum Family Camp/43

Last day/night of this year's camp. The wind blew hard so we split our adventures. Steve and his family went on a bike ride. Libby and I toured Roslyn. Angela, Leticia, Falcon, and Zam braved the wind on the beach. Mimi floated among her flock, relishing in her wildly successful family blend. At dinner, prepared by Leticia, we rambled on with vivid family memories. Much pleasant noise ensued. One highlight holding the stage was Emily reliving her solo venture to Seattle to attend the ComiCon conference. Of course she stayed with Aunt Libby. Their retelling, fueled by a bit of white wine led to some ******ing hilarious renditions. All of us laughed until we cried. I must say that this year's family camp qualifies as wildly successful, proving once again that life is good, especially today.

Bonnie fed the crew this morning with her special breakfast burritos.

This public beach, which was mostly empty today, served us well.

Libby and I took a hike through the woods to get out of the wind. We tried to see the dam, but the officer shooed us away.

Emily and Sarah showing the way along the bike trail.

The Williams' family bike ride.

Falcon and Zam.

Falcon and Zam running step for step from the house to the beach.

 

Fried plantains for snacks before dinner.

Aunt Libby and Sarah Bear-a enjoying a giggle.

Aunt Libby showing Mimi how to use her new ear phones.

Emily using her phone reflections to chase Falcon around.

Leticia, in her element, preparing fish tacos for diner.

Emily, recounting her solo trip to Seattle. Good life lesson.

Good night, sweet prince. Sleep well.