Fourth is Over and Now It Is the Tenth

We are home from the July 4 and reunion festivities, and a good time was had by all. We managed time with the Spragues, the Jaynes, and lots of family.

I love to park at Rod and Karen's since it is still quite country although there must be about 100 houses added since I lived in the area as a youngster. Their property is surrounded by alfalfa that her brother farms so the view is lovely and we frequently see deer munching in the fields. One evening we heard the distinct conversation of a great horned owl. Cooper is a happy dog as he bounds through the field looking for critters.

July 4 found the Kirkwood family (Keith's family, Colleen, Craig, Cassie, Greta, and Ken and I) at the Jaynes for the afternoon for some fun in the sun. Greta paddled around in the water for about 1 1/2 hours entertaining herself. It was warm and sunny and most enjoyable. Late in the afternoon we adjourned to Jerry and Lois' to be joined by their family for dinner. As is her wont, Lois had everything prepared and ready to go including a table to seat 20 that ran the entire length of the room.

Calla and Sam hosted the reunion on July 5. Calla does all the gardening, and it was beautiful with a parklike view in every direction. The pond on the lower level was too much of a temptation for Greta and she went from wading to "Oops" now I am wet to my waist."

There were about 45 of us and we ate and drank well. Two of our nephews, Barry and Don (sons of Bud & Clara) we had not seen for 14 years so it was fun to catch up and get to know their families. They were introduced to the Kirkwood/Scandinavian tradition of toasting with aquavit which made for some fun. Bud and Clara were not there, but we did stop and see them on our way through Moses Lake. Bud has had some health issues due to hepatitis C, but he looked quite good. We visited for about two hours before heading home.

Sunday morning our family plus Barry, Valerie, and Lowell met at the Davenport Hotel for brunch. Since we were 13, the manager grouped some tables for us in the lobby where we had it to ourselves and held court for a couple of hours. The restoration of the Davenport was beautifully done and it was very enjoyable to sit and visit and enjoy the surroundings.

On Monday, before going on to Montana, Keith and Janet and the girls took a look at EWU and Gonzaga campuses since Rachel is looking at colleges for next year. I think both had their appeal, but they are a long way from Maryland!

We drove north of Spokane on Monday to look at the specialty concrete business that Rod and Karen's son, Jeff, operates. He has several employees and has manufactured various machines and equipment to be able to create the forms and make small specialty items such as those needed to match older existing building exteriors. It is definitely a niche market and he is quite well known throughout the northwest.

On the way back on Highway 2, we stopped at the Ram Drive-In in Riverside to have lunch, and who should walk in the door but Keith and Janet and the girls. We had already said our good byes the day before, so it was pure coincidence that they stopped for ice cream at the same time and place that we did.

We left the motor home parked in the alfalfa at the Spragues and drove home on Tuesday. Ken will be off to Alaska on the 21st to return on the 26th and then we will be looking for flights to the east coast. I haven't decided what I will do with almost a week by myself, but I have lots of choices. I really should spend the time doing some of the sorting and packing in anticipation of a lifestyle change, but I suspect quilting is going to create some interference.

Ciao