Colleen had an interview today at Regents College on the campus of the University of British Columbia, so we were on the road at 6 a.m. this morning because we just didn't know what to expect at the border. We zipped right through and had time for a mid morning breakfast before her interview at noon.
I have driven through the city several times, and today reminded me again what a large and beautiful city it is. I am determined to make it a destination point sometime in the near future. Its myriad of small neighborhoods give a European feel, and it appears that walking and biking are both very popular there. We drove through Stanley Park this afternoon which afforded us some beautiful views of the water and surrounding mountains. We stopped in the park at the Sequoia Grill for a glass of wine and a snack. Again, we had a gorgeous view.
According to Gary's blog, they are going to take us up on our invitation and come visit for a few days. Now we are waiting to find out when. I had made the assumption that they were settled in out at Maryhill campground with the RV for the holiday week end, but apparantly they are home. So we will stand by!
We will take in some of the activities here in Steilacoom on Monday, the Fourth. We usually wander downtown for a while to watch the parade and check out the food and craft booths. I have never been able to muster the energy to go back down for the dance, but we do watch the fireworks. We have had the fun of having either the grandsons or the grandaughters here to share the day with us in previous years, but alas, not this year.
To our Canadian friends: enjoy Canada Day and the long week end; and to our fellow Americans: have a happy and safe Fourth of July.
Ciao
Thursday, June 30, 2005
Friday, June 24, 2005
A new lawn mower?
Yep, that is as exciting as it gets around here. Our last one simply died and would have required a new motor which didn't seem to be cost-effective since the mower is several years old and past its prime. So Ken is outside at the moment giving the new one a test drive. It is definitely quieter than the last one.
We have been staying pretty close to home, and have no plans for the next few days. Colleen gets in about 11 pm on Sunday evening so that means a late night trip to the airport.
I have sent an email to an RV resort in Ehrenburg, Arizona, on the advice of the Ouseys, to see if we can garner a spot for the month of February so we can be their neighbors. However, I am finding that a lot of these RV places either don't or can't read and respond to email, so I suppose I'll have to do it the old fashioned way and use the telephone.
Next week end the tall ships will be docked in Tacoma and there is quite a lot of stuff going on in conjunction with. Perhaps we will have to take a peek while they are here. This week end is Taste of Tacoma where about 50 restaurants gather in the park to sell tastes of their wares for $5 apiece. I can think of more enjoyable ways to eat restaurant food.
The news this week has not been to my liking on two fronts: the expansion of the rights of a city with regard to eminent domain. I always thought a man's home was his castle, and was his to keep except in the case of eminent domain whereby the property is needed for public use such as a street. Now it seems a city or town can take the property (and pay fair market price......big deal) in the interest of improving the economy by making it available for development. And developers are some of my favorite people.....Not!!!! Aaargh. Then there is the ongoing diatribe by Bush and Rumsfeld and the like with regard to the war in Iraq. They have sanitized this war and reduced it to such non-human terms, that I can hardly stand to see or listen to them.
Okay, I feel better now. Have a great week end. Ciao
We have been staying pretty close to home, and have no plans for the next few days. Colleen gets in about 11 pm on Sunday evening so that means a late night trip to the airport.
I have sent an email to an RV resort in Ehrenburg, Arizona, on the advice of the Ouseys, to see if we can garner a spot for the month of February so we can be their neighbors. However, I am finding that a lot of these RV places either don't or can't read and respond to email, so I suppose I'll have to do it the old fashioned way and use the telephone.
Next week end the tall ships will be docked in Tacoma and there is quite a lot of stuff going on in conjunction with. Perhaps we will have to take a peek while they are here. This week end is Taste of Tacoma where about 50 restaurants gather in the park to sell tastes of their wares for $5 apiece. I can think of more enjoyable ways to eat restaurant food.
The news this week has not been to my liking on two fronts: the expansion of the rights of a city with regard to eminent domain. I always thought a man's home was his castle, and was his to keep except in the case of eminent domain whereby the property is needed for public use such as a street. Now it seems a city or town can take the property (and pay fair market price......big deal) in the interest of improving the economy by making it available for development. And developers are some of my favorite people.....Not!!!! Aaargh. Then there is the ongoing diatribe by Bush and Rumsfeld and the like with regard to the war in Iraq. They have sanitized this war and reduced it to such non-human terms, that I can hardly stand to see or listen to them.
Okay, I feel better now. Have a great week end. Ciao
Monday, June 20, 2005
Lazy Days of Summer
Today it is about 80 degrees, and one just wants to sit and soak up the sunshine. It is supposed to be the same tomorrow, and reasonable for the rest of the week.
We were home about four days when I decided to drive to Spokane to spend a few days with sister-in-law Lois. We spent 2 nights at the cabin on Lake Sacheen. She and Jerry have decided they are going to sell it, and I am going to miss it. We would consider buying it, except they have never been able to get approval for a septic system, and a sewer system is probably in the distant future. They use an electric toilet which is an interesting contraption, and very ecologically sound, but it has its limitations. Their property is in a little bay, and Lake Sacheen is very quiet since it is small, and there are no resorts or camps located on it.
I had dinner on Friday night with Mike, Mary, and Joel. Mike and Mary are going to Iowa on Wednesday to visit with a newly-found half-sister of Mike's, and her family. I'm sure it will be a great trip, and I am anxious to hear about it.
I took the long way home on Saturday so I drove about 450 miles instead of 300. I chose to drive from Spokane to Colfax to visit Pat's grave, and the graves of my ancestors. It was a lovely sunny day, and the rolling green wheat fields of the Palouse were at their finest. In leaving Colfax, I headed west toward the towns of Washtucna and Kahlotus, both of which are way past their prime, and just about qualify for ghost towns. My route took me through the Tri-cities, so a stop at Barnard Griffin tasting room was in order. It took me a total of ten hours to get back to Steilacoom.
Craig came for dinner yesterday for Father's Day, and Brian, Keith, and Colleen called. Colleen had attended an international teaching hiring fair in Philadelphia over the week end. Now she is in Colorado, and will be home next Sunday. Keith and Janet have been luxurating in the glory of having their home to themselves again after the departure of all the relatives. Brian has been doing some scuba diving on Guam, and toured the island last week end. The prior week, he was flown out to a carrier to meet and greet the folks who run that show.
We have no plans for the next week or two besides trying to keep up with the weeds outside. I have some projects that could use my attention, but I'm not moving very fast in that direction.
Speaking of the Father's Day dinner......here is the best-ever recipe for beef shish kabobs on the grill. The general idea is from Cooks Illlustrated and Brian and Sheila served this after his change of command last April.
Beef blade roast, cubed (don't be tempted to buy anything expensive)
minced cloves of garlic - about 2 or 3 cloves
olive oil - about 1/2 cup
fresh lemon juice - 1 lemon's worth
Salt and Pepper
Combine all in a Zip-lock bag for anywhere from one hour to one day. Thread on skewers with various vegetables such as mushroom, bell pepper, and onion. I also used fresh cubed pineapple.
The fat in the meat plus the marinade combine to make it very tender and flavorful.
Ciao
We were home about four days when I decided to drive to Spokane to spend a few days with sister-in-law Lois. We spent 2 nights at the cabin on Lake Sacheen. She and Jerry have decided they are going to sell it, and I am going to miss it. We would consider buying it, except they have never been able to get approval for a septic system, and a sewer system is probably in the distant future. They use an electric toilet which is an interesting contraption, and very ecologically sound, but it has its limitations. Their property is in a little bay, and Lake Sacheen is very quiet since it is small, and there are no resorts or camps located on it.
I had dinner on Friday night with Mike, Mary, and Joel. Mike and Mary are going to Iowa on Wednesday to visit with a newly-found half-sister of Mike's, and her family. I'm sure it will be a great trip, and I am anxious to hear about it.
I took the long way home on Saturday so I drove about 450 miles instead of 300. I chose to drive from Spokane to Colfax to visit Pat's grave, and the graves of my ancestors. It was a lovely sunny day, and the rolling green wheat fields of the Palouse were at their finest. In leaving Colfax, I headed west toward the towns of Washtucna and Kahlotus, both of which are way past their prime, and just about qualify for ghost towns. My route took me through the Tri-cities, so a stop at Barnard Griffin tasting room was in order. It took me a total of ten hours to get back to Steilacoom.
Craig came for dinner yesterday for Father's Day, and Brian, Keith, and Colleen called. Colleen had attended an international teaching hiring fair in Philadelphia over the week end. Now she is in Colorado, and will be home next Sunday. Keith and Janet have been luxurating in the glory of having their home to themselves again after the departure of all the relatives. Brian has been doing some scuba diving on Guam, and toured the island last week end. The prior week, he was flown out to a carrier to meet and greet the folks who run that show.
We have no plans for the next week or two besides trying to keep up with the weeds outside. I have some projects that could use my attention, but I'm not moving very fast in that direction.
Speaking of the Father's Day dinner......here is the best-ever recipe for beef shish kabobs on the grill. The general idea is from Cooks Illlustrated and Brian and Sheila served this after his change of command last April.
Beef blade roast, cubed (don't be tempted to buy anything expensive)
minced cloves of garlic - about 2 or 3 cloves
olive oil - about 1/2 cup
fresh lemon juice - 1 lemon's worth
Salt and Pepper
Combine all in a Zip-lock bag for anywhere from one hour to one day. Thread on skewers with various vegetables such as mushroom, bell pepper, and onion. I also used fresh cubed pineapple.
The fat in the meat plus the marinade combine to make it very tender and flavorful.
Ciao
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Homecoming
We arrived home this afternoon after a very easy trip. Keith drove us to Andrews this morning for a C-17 that was going to McChord. While waiting for our flight, we stood at a window about 100 yards from the runway and watched Air Force One pull up to await President Bush who went to Ohio today. The Marine helicopter landed, military personnel saluted and stood at attention and the president was escorted the few hundred feet from the helicopter to Air Force One. I am not a Bush fan, but I am an American and appreciate the office.
We observed something that few Americans have the opportunity to do anymore. There were lots of military and security personnel plus two German Shephereds inside the terminal where we were waiting for our flight. So shortly after George left, we were on our way to McChord.
We had a great time with Keith and his family, but it does feel good to be home. I'm sure Keith and Janet will be glad to have their lives get back to normal. her sister and family leave tomorrow and her parents go back to Montana a week from today.
Colleen kept the garden and flowers alive, but she has been working long hours so Cooper will be glad to have us home with him. She will be going to Pennsylvania next week for an overseas teaching job fair. She is looking at several possibilities to include Qutar and Beijing, but nothing is for sure.
We have few commitments over the next few weeks, so I'm hoping we can get out in the motor home in the near future. It is still my favorite way to travel.
Ciao
We observed something that few Americans have the opportunity to do anymore. There were lots of military and security personnel plus two German Shephereds inside the terminal where we were waiting for our flight. So shortly after George left, we were on our way to McChord.
We had a great time with Keith and his family, but it does feel good to be home. I'm sure Keith and Janet will be glad to have their lives get back to normal. her sister and family leave tomorrow and her parents go back to Montana a week from today.
Colleen kept the garden and flowers alive, but she has been working long hours so Cooper will be glad to have us home with him. She will be going to Pennsylvania next week for an overseas teaching job fair. She is looking at several possibilities to include Qutar and Beijing, but nothing is for sure.
We have few commitments over the next few weeks, so I'm hoping we can get out in the motor home in the near future. It is still my favorite way to travel.
Ciao
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
How Time Flies When..................
You are having a good time.
Since returning from New England we have seen the arrival of Janet's parents and her sister and husband and two children. Tuesday afternoon was Sarah's graduation, and last Saturday was the graduation party. Oh yes, and Keith's birthday was on Friday.
Sarah's graduation was held in an outside venue that is used for functions such as concerts. Fortunately, the weather was most pleasant, but unfortuantely, we were sitting on the wrong side to see Sarah process in and out. Fortunately, friends were able to take a photograph of her. There were two large-screen monitors so we were able to see her as she received her diploma. Afterwards we were treated to dinner at a Japanese restaurant which is Sarah's favorite, and then came home for a toast and gift opening. A very nice day all in all. I hope to have a picture or two one of these days.
Keith's birthday was rather quiet this year in light of all the graduation activities, but we did go out for happy hour and then came home for apple crisp which was his request. We are still awaiting word on his request for exemption from active duty which would be the best birthday gift of all.
Saturday's party was a great success with about 40 people in attendance. There was food aplenty and the deck looked very festive with white lights and copper torches. Sheila and the boys and her mother, Betty, came up from Virginia for the day so it was grand to have all four of grandchildren together. I don't know if the kids were impressed, but we were.
On Monday, Ken and I took MARC in to DC to meet up with the Virginians again to tour some of the monuments and ride the tram around the DC area. I am always moved by the Lincoln memorial, and this time was no exception. It has been about ten years since we have been in Washington so there are several new memorials. We saw the WWII memorial from the tram, but we walked from the Jefferson to the Lincoln to the FDR memorials. The Roosevelt memorial is very well done with several sheer rock walls, waterfalls, and pools, and it covers quite a large area. We will soon run out of space if other memorials occupy the same amount of space.
Ken and I arrived early on Monday so we spent about one hour inside the National Gallery of Art. I am always drawn to Cezanne and Cassatt, and there is a lovely painting of a lady, whose name escapes me, by John Sargent Singer that always intrigues me. I learned that the single Leonardo de Vinci at the National Gallery is his only work to be found in North America.
There is a C-17 schedued from Andrews to McChord tomorrow morning, so we will be there in the hopes that seats are available. We have had a wonderful time with Keith and Janet and the girls, but there comes a time when one is ready to be home. My next blog should be from Steilacoom. Ciao
Since returning from New England we have seen the arrival of Janet's parents and her sister and husband and two children. Tuesday afternoon was Sarah's graduation, and last Saturday was the graduation party. Oh yes, and Keith's birthday was on Friday.
Sarah's graduation was held in an outside venue that is used for functions such as concerts. Fortunately, the weather was most pleasant, but unfortuantely, we were sitting on the wrong side to see Sarah process in and out. Fortunately, friends were able to take a photograph of her. There were two large-screen monitors so we were able to see her as she received her diploma. Afterwards we were treated to dinner at a Japanese restaurant which is Sarah's favorite, and then came home for a toast and gift opening. A very nice day all in all. I hope to have a picture or two one of these days.
Keith's birthday was rather quiet this year in light of all the graduation activities, but we did go out for happy hour and then came home for apple crisp which was his request. We are still awaiting word on his request for exemption from active duty which would be the best birthday gift of all.
Saturday's party was a great success with about 40 people in attendance. There was food aplenty and the deck looked very festive with white lights and copper torches. Sheila and the boys and her mother, Betty, came up from Virginia for the day so it was grand to have all four of grandchildren together. I don't know if the kids were impressed, but we were.
On Monday, Ken and I took MARC in to DC to meet up with the Virginians again to tour some of the monuments and ride the tram around the DC area. I am always moved by the Lincoln memorial, and this time was no exception. It has been about ten years since we have been in Washington so there are several new memorials. We saw the WWII memorial from the tram, but we walked from the Jefferson to the Lincoln to the FDR memorials. The Roosevelt memorial is very well done with several sheer rock walls, waterfalls, and pools, and it covers quite a large area. We will soon run out of space if other memorials occupy the same amount of space.
Ken and I arrived early on Monday so we spent about one hour inside the National Gallery of Art. I am always drawn to Cezanne and Cassatt, and there is a lovely painting of a lady, whose name escapes me, by John Sargent Singer that always intrigues me. I learned that the single Leonardo de Vinci at the National Gallery is his only work to be found in North America.
There is a C-17 schedued from Andrews to McChord tomorrow morning, so we will be there in the hopes that seats are available. We have had a wonderful time with Keith and Janet and the girls, but there comes a time when one is ready to be home. My next blog should be from Steilacoom. Ciao
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)