Thursday, August 22, 2024

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.



Tuesday, August 13, 2024

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.