Adventure 887: A View from the Perch/19

The glorious fall weather on Saturday found us at the Rockford, WA parade and fair. One benefit of being retired is that we can do things spontaneously. Our friend, Liz Ulmen, plays trombone in the PJAMERS marching band. She texted us, informing us that she would be marching in the parade.. We had our grandson, Falcon, with us,  which was perfect because the whole event is geared to families and kids. I had never been before, so I couldn't give Falcon any pointers on candy gathering. Before the parade started, a person came by and gave out bags to the kids. As the parade of floats, fire trucks, farm implements, campaign cars, queens and princesses rolled by, they threw handful of candy to the kids. On the first pass, Falcon didn't realize what was going on. He gathered no candy. He caught on quickly, and by the end of the parade he had a fair sized bag of candy in his possession. Afterwards, we went to hear our friend Liz's band play a set, and Falcon went on one ride at the carnival. It was quite fun, and it may become a regular date on our calendar. It was a nice way to realize that life is good, especially today.

What's a parade without cool floats?

Small town wholesome. America at its best.

Sure footed horses carrying old guys. 

And old guys riding hogs.

Fire trucks, old and new, came by ringing their bells and tooting their horns.

The best float had a Wizard of Oz theme. The house that fell on the wicked witch moved up and down (hydraulically) under a swirling tornado. Very cool.

It didn't take Falc long to figure out the candy grabbing.

Liz, all decked out in her dress up gear.

This young lady led the parade. She took her job very seriously.

The PJAMERS rocking.

Finally, this year's queen and her court, showing sheer delight. What fun!

Adventure 886: A View from the Perch/18

Yesterday, Judy and I ventured to the lake for our annual fall overnighter. The day was warm, though the wind was absent. We motored to Beauty Bay and tied up to our favorite buoy. Not a minute too soon as two rather large pleasure boats joined us for the night by tying up to the other two buoys. The night was clear. The temperature dropped from a high of 80 to just above 50 by morning. Around midnight we got up and stargazed for a while, which provided extra fun because we happened to hit the moon cycle in full darkness. Still, there was more ambient light than I expected, which did very little to diminish the magnificence of a star filled sky. We enjoyed dinner, played cribbage, but I can't remember  who won. I was too busy babbling philosophical minutia to Judy. I think I was thinking ( I could have been dreaming) that if I don't know what I don't know, how much effect can that have on my current reality? And how do I even know that I don't know what I don't know? I was doing my best to make it a romantic cruise. Judy was mesmerized, her eyes fluttering like a debutante. She looked at me in that way she does when she's happy for me, but doesn't really understand WTF I'm talking about. She would never be so vulgar, but suffice to say, my philosophical musings must have felt like music and candle light to her ears. Needless to say, we enjoyed our Davy Boy experience, and I'm here, once again, to say, "Life good, especially today."

Not a lick of wind, but the travails of my motor seem to be in the wake.

It takes fifty-three minutes steaming at 4.6 knots to cruise from the yacht club to Beauty Bay.

The water was delightful, although my Bunny decided not to partake.

One of our neighbors settling in for the night. He kept his anchor light on all night, which is correct by the book. Its brightness negated a little bit of the starry sky.

Judging by this grin, maybe it was Judy who came out on top.

It got a little chilly towards evening, but the stillness of the bay is always something to enter into with joy.

I hope we didn't wake our other neighbor as we motored out this morning.

 

Adventure 885: A View from the Perch/17

As it's my favorite time of year, I watched the rosy fingers of dawn rise out of the cool shadows this morning. I'm always pleasantly amazed this time of year. It seems Mother Nature simply turns the page from blazing hot summer to crisp fall, which she allows us to enjoy what we call around here, "Indian Summer". I don't know the origin of the phrase, but hopefully I'm not going where "woke" goes to die. Rather, life moves apace here at the Perch. We enjoyed Judy's birthday, which we celebrated with Kevin Glover who shares the day. I took fellow residents, Craig and Karen Barsuhn, sailing. We enjoyed a near perfect day: good wind, good weather, good company, and good beer. What more could a poor boy want? I also started school at Whitworth for the fall semester. I'm taking a philosophy class called Knowledge, Power, and Propaganda. I graduated from Whitworth 43 years ago, so it's kind of surreal to be back in class, and Oh, My, the young instructor has us reading some heavy thoughts, most of which are eclectic gobbledegook. Right now we're contemplating two issues: One is Descartes question of whether we're dreaming or not, and the other is how to determine the most effective way to build a world view that can stand up to challenges to our belief system. Quite fun, and scrubbing the rust off my gray matter makes life good, especially today.

Birthday kids with their traditional carrot cake.

Craig and Karen Barsuhn.

I took my Bunny out for birthday dinner at the local Sushi joint.

These soft shelled crabs we're delightful.

Craig, waxing eloquently on something or another.

Selfie of the day: Me, the luckiest guy on the planet with my birthday Bunny.

First day of school photo, and as I say, "I may not be good looking, but I'm looking good."

Adventure 884: A View from the Perch/16

We're coming up on our fourth month at the Perch. We've begun turning new acquaintances into fast friends, and we're happy to be settled. Judy has maintained a constant schedule of workout activities. I've joined a men's kibitz on Wednesdays as well as a standing cribbage game with the guys  every Wednesday afternoon. We've stopped chasing our food allowance, and have even cooked our own dinner a few times, although I must say, it's pretty easy to get used to being served. The food itself is very good, and the service continues to improve. We're still a little disappointed in the Whitworth connection, mostly that auditing a class costs $300/credit. We had hoped it would be free. Otherwise, Whitworth is giving us free access to games, their pool, and other large group events on campus, so there is an attempt at collaboration. I'm hoping things improve as time moves along. Meanwhile, Judy and I went to our first Whitworth football game, which buzzed with college energy that was fun to envelop ourselves in. On the home front, we've organized a hallway party for next week with the goal of introducing neighbors on the fourth floor north. We're hoping to open some doors, hear new stories, and generally provide a sense of propinquity, which will increase life's goodness, especially today.

Our good friends, the Drouin's, hosted an early birthday dinner for Judy.

Here's Deb and Ed now.

The Whitworth Pirates about ready to take the field.

The Wiley Cager, grinning graciously in defeat. Notice the scone she paid for.

Happy birthday feast, Bunny.

Judy's new stressless chair arrived. The Perch is now completely furnished.