Sometimes, there just isn't much to say!

We have spent most of the week at home with Ken working on the upstairs bathroom and/or talking to and waiting for contractors to give their 2 cents' worth. But there is progress!! We have such a large shower area that it requires tile or custom acrylic. We are going with the latter since we have never had good luck with the integrity of tile and grout in a shower. It will probably be a gray granite look that should be neutral enough to work with most any colors. And while Ken is in the process, he will install a new vent fan since the old one was vented into the chimney........somehow that just doesn't seem right. And since the bathroom is already torn up, we might as well replace the fixtures and install a big cabinet on the wall, and replace the vinyl, and...........! Perhaps by Thanksgiving?

It is has been dark and cold for days, and right now it is so dark outside that I am sure the rain will come at any moment.

Colleen has called a time or two from Australia. She did see 3 kangaroos from afar and has seen 10 dead ones on the highways. She loved New Zealand and is already talking about going back, maybe even to teach. She has visited Bassim's family and met his parents whom she says are very nice. She saw his sister, Gigi, whom she had met when Gigi was here in the states last July. Colleen gets home midday next Monday.

Maybe next week we can get out in the motor home for a few days since our dog sitter will return on Monday. Speaking of dogs, read this: http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/10/29/canine.caller.ap/index.html
Pretty amazing!!

Have a good week end, and keep on blogging!!

Ciao

My birthday, yesterday, was uneventful and enjoyable. I was gifted with flowers from Ken and the Baltimore Kirkwoods and the Idaho Kirkwoods tell me there is a gift on the way. I love it when the celebration goes on for days. Craig came by with 2 bottles of very nice red wine, so of course we had to try one. Woodward Canyon 2000 Old Vines Cabernet - a HUGE wine and outstanding! Ken and I went to Ft. Lewis to renew my ID card and then we made a stop at the commissary. That was the uneventful part. Ken cooked dinner for me, so all 'round, it was very nice.

I am meeting my friend Elisabeth for lunch. She and I met each other when entering the real estate game about 10 years ago and we have remained fast friends. She is a lovely, thoughtful person, and I enjoy seeing her. She lives in Gig Harbor so I must admit I don't go over to see her as often as I should. She is German, but has lived in the US (and is a US citizen) for at least half her life. My ideal trip would be to go to Germany with her!

Rainy, rainy, rainy, with a bit of sun tomorrow accompanied by: RAIN. Winter must be here.

We still have made no plans for the MH outing I mentioned in my last blog. We like to be spontaneous!!

I'm off for lunch.

Ciao

I'm back in Steilacoom after an uneventful drive across the state. I stopped in Ritzville for a cup of coffee and meandered off the Interstate to 'downtown'. I went into the Whispering Palms which was named the Whistlin' Pig many years ago. It turned out to be worse than a pig sty. One or two straggly men and the "waitress" were all at the counter puffing on cigarettes. Before anyone could get to me, I turned tail and ran. Continuing on my quest for something folksy in this farming community, I stopped at Jakes, which has also been there forever. Not much better. Not quite as many people smoking, but there didn't seem to be any separation of smokers from non-smokers. This place is frequented by truck drivers so you can imagine how bad the coffee was!! Enough!! Next time it is McDonalds.

On Thursday night, I met Mike, Mary, Joel and Pat for dinner at a new restaurant on the north side of Spokane. It is a rustic log style and very well laid out. And the meals were all good. For the uninformed, Pat is my brother, Mike is my brother and is married to Mary, and Joel is their son.Joel at 6'3" and almost 300 pounds (he is big, not fat (and still cute) was almost slowed down by the one-pound buffalo burger, but he mastered it. Pat is thin and does not look like he feels well. Unfortunately there is nothing we can do for him. A weakened heart valve leaves no alternatives at his age.

I arrived home about 4:30 yesterday, and Ken had proof that he worked on the bathroom and took care of the dog. The bathroom shower has a relocated drain, and the dog is still alive!!

We are planning to head out the middle of next week for a few days in the MH. The excuse is that we just had the shocks replaced and we need to see how it handles on the road. Besides, I want to get out and about before all the fall color disappears. I'm thinking north to the Skagit River area or Port Townsend and Fort Worden and Ken is thinking the ocean. We'll see.

I have sealed my absentee ballot so the deed is done. Enough said.

Speaking of politics, I find it absurd that this great country of ours doesn't see fit to import drugs from Canada, but now is ready and willing to accept flu vaccine from Canada. Of course, having lived in Canada for 2 years and having an affinity for our friends to the north, I am all the more embarrassed.

Today was quite a nice day with a fair amount of sunshine, and that is contrary to the weather report. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Ciao

Here is my one and only blog from Spokane. I drove over on Monday and have been so busy playing and chatting that I haven't had time to blog. Lois and I have been out and about most of the last 2 days with lunch being a major item on our itinerary. Yesterday we ate at Mizuna's downtown and I had the most spectacular appetizer of melted Brie with some sauteed fall mushrooms and slices of crusty bread. That along with a cup of squash and pumpkin soup swept with a wisp of curry. Outstanding. Tonight Jerry and Lois treated me to Thai food at a small restaurant nearby. Wonderful.

The weather has been around 50 during the day with a splash or two of rain but otherwise quite uneventful. There is snow on Mt. Spokane, and I noticed a layer of "powdered sugar" on the higher peaks of the Cascades on my drive over on Monday.

Lois and I stopped at Calla and Sam's new office today and enjoyed a few minutes of visiting. They have downsized their architecural firm and have moved to a very unique and intriguing suite of offices. And the best part is that there is a great little bakery/eatery in the same building and just around the corner. Then we headed out to Liberty Lake to look at Bob and Sharon Jayne's new house that should be completed by the end of November. It is a lovely 2 story with awesome views of the lake. And the guest room and bath on the main floor is referred to as the Kirkwood Suite. I'm afraid it will be spring before we get over to try it out.

I am meeting Mike and Mary and Pat tomorrow night for dinner at a restaurant nearby on the north side. Then I think I will have seen and visited with most everybody before I go home on Friday.

I left Ken to mind the dog and work on the upstairs bathroom, both of which he says he is doing. I think Craig has been by a time or two to see what he is up to.

I'm off to bed to read and rest up for another day of play.

Ciao

It is a drizzly Saturday here in Steilacoom, and I can't understand why Cooper thinks he needs to keep going outside. As for me, inside is the best.

I regret to report that I have nothing to report, but I am committed to 'keep on bloggin'. Ken is off to get new tires on the Jetta. We have had it for one year, doubled the mileage, and have worn out the tires at 40,000 miles. I understand the tires 'role' with regard to safety, but I can't get on a 'roll' when it comes to spending the money. So much money for round, black, smelly objects!

I had a long chat with Sheila last night to get caught up on all the Idaho Kirkwood activities. Brian should return from Las Vegas next week and should be home for a while. Both boys have soccer games today which signals the end of the season. And Sheila remains breathless with her contributions to help out the squadron families whenever she can.

Warren's birthday is next week and he will turn 9; our youngest grandchild!! He informed his parents recently that he intends to be a film producer so would like a video camera for his birthday so he can get started. His first work is going to be about cats (he insists that he was a cat in a former life) and the challenge is to decide if it should be live or animated, which would be much easier than trying to get a live cat to cooperate. He is not very forthcoming with what goes on in his head, but I love it when he does decide to share.

Nolan, age 11, recently completed a school project creating his family tree. I understand it is very well done, and once finished, he made the observation that he has a very strong military background: his maternal great grandfather was a POW during WWII and his paternal great grandfather was aboard the Jacob Jones when it was sunk during WWI. Both survived. Grandpa Rich O'Lear is retired from the Air Force and Grandpa Ken Kirkwood is retired from the Navy. Nolan's Uncle Keith Kirkwood served in the Army after he completed college. Dad Brian is an Air Force aviator and Mom Sheila was an aviator when she was on active duty and is now in the reserves. And off the top of my head, I can think of at least 6 other relatives within those generations who have served or are serving in the military. That is quite a heritage.

My next blog will probably be from Spokane.

Ciao

Well, we woke up Monday with nothing to do, and now it is Thursday and we still aren't finished!

We have spent a quiet week doing the routine: laundry, grocery shopping, and 'putering. We have had glorious weather the past few days, but the forecast says the rain will be here tomorrow.

Colleen left for new Zealand yesterday, and we received an email from her this evening saying the flight was uneventful and she was at her destination. I think she got there tomorrow, or left here day before yesterday?

We had Jerry and Mary Ellen McKain down for dinner tonight. They live just above us on Walnut Lane. Jerry was Ken's boss when he first started at Western State Hospital and Mary Ellen and I have played together in a bridge group. And I use the term 'played' very loosely. Since it is that time of year, we had rouladen, red cabbage, spatzle and German white wine. The only thing that would have been better would have been for us to be in Germany to enjoy the food and wine. We made it two times in 2003 and 2004 has been a big zero.

I am going to drive to Spokane on Monday for a few days of play with Lois. It has been a long time since she and I have had some 'girl time'. I think she is going to send Jerry on a fishing trip and Ken will stay here to keep Cooper company. Truth be known, we probably won't do anything more exciting than to sit in her lovely studio and drink wine and solve the problems of the world. She is a sister-in-law who has always been as close as a sister to me. She is a cool lady.

I think Keith is in Florida this week, and I think Brian is in Las Vegas. I know where Colleen is, and we saw Craig today at lunch time, so we know where he is. So please don't ask if I know where my kids are.

Ciao

We are having a wonderfully drippy soggy end to the week. The rain started lsst night, and it has been pretty persistent all day. Fortunately, the leaves on the trees are still fairly green and securely fastened so we can still look forward to some fall color. Actually, we are supposed to be back to sunshine by the middle of next week.

Colleen is taking care of last minute details before she leaves for New Zealand and Australia next Wednesday. She and several friends are attending a wedding in New Zealand and then she will travel to Canberra to see Bassim. He is taking her on to Sydney to meet his family. She will be gone for three weeks. Wish it were me!!

We have accumulated a few nice bottles of wine over the past year (it is difficult to accumulate when one continues to consume) so Ken spent some time streamlining the storage and tracking. Our basement stays at a consistent 62-64 degrees so he has hung long slim shoe bags from a crossbar, and each pocket is good to hold one or two bottles of wine. Then we set up an Excell spreadsheet to list what we have. Actually this all sounds rather elaborate for a mere three or four cases of wine, but at least we know what is down there.

We have not watched any of the debates, but my sense is that Bush could be in trouble what with Iraq and job losses here at home. And from what I am seeing and hearing, I think he is being out-maneuvered by Kerry and Edwards in the debates. Actually, I am uneasy with both candidates, but I guess those are my only choices.

We attended the Tacoma RV show yesterday and I am confident the sales staff outnumbered the buyers. I did an informal survey while driving back from California this week by counting Bounders, Winnebagos and "other" class A's. For every Bounder there was a Winnebago (4 each over the course of about 150 miles) and for every one of those there were 5 "other". Since we are Winnebago owners, we decided we wanted to see why the popularity of the Bounder. Two dealers at the show were Bounder dealers - but neither had one to show!! Go figure.


We have our confirmation for the month of January at Cocopah Resort in Arizona. It is an RV park surrounded by golf links - or golf links surrounded by RV parking spaces. Should be fun! Gary, do I need additional comprehensive insurance against flying golf balls?

Have a good week end and keep in touch. Ciao

We spent Wednesday through Saturday with Jeff and Bev visiting botanical gardens near UC Berkeley, driving to Monterey to check out the fam camp (not impressed), stopping in Hollister to visit Jeff and Bev's son David and family, and visiting a 100 year old estate and gardens in Woodside. And through it all we did our fair share of eating and enjoying the fruit of the vine.

Sunday morning we headed north to San Francisco and across the Golden Gate Bridge to drive through some of the wine country and then make our way out to the coast. As was the case during our entire trip, the weather was beautiful. We spent Sunday, Monday, and half of Tuesday driving along Highway One up the coast of California and Oregon. Is there anything more beautiful?

We stayed at Fort Bragg on Sunday night and upon departing on Monday morning, we drove through McKerricher State Park which is where we tent camped with the Schulers and the Mendozas about 23 years ago. I have never been so cold!! After 3 days of camping there, bundled in coats and blankets, we drove inland and were welcomed to the valley by scorching temperatures approaching 100 degrees!! That was a long time ago, but I still remember.

After staying in Brookings, Oregon on Monday night, we continued north to Florence where we cut across to Drain, Oregon to pick up I-5. That was a beautiful drive with the first part of it paralleling the Umpquah River and Mother Nature providing a palette of fall colors on the trees.

As we were traversing this route, we noted a campaign sign for Representative Bruce L Hanna. Now I have relatives in that part of Oregon named Hanna, and upon getting home and checking the internet, sure enough, Bruce is my cousin's son. He was appointed to the House of Representatives to fill a vacancy and now is running on his own. I don't know of any other relative who is/was a politician so I will wish him luck.

We both slept well last night and were glad to be home. That will last about 2 days and we will have itchy feet again. I do want to get out in the motor home for a few days just because this is such a lovely time of year and the campgrounds are virtually empty.

Ciao