walk?

We went down to the beach about 5:30 last night and walked for about an hour. "Walked" is a euphemism for taking a few steps and then watching the lone seal through binoculars. Or taking a few steps and then trying to get field marks on the grebes. Or taking a few steps and scanning the still waters for cormorants or loons. Or taking a few steps and watching the salmon jump. I hesitate to even call it a stroll.

Inti didn't even bother to swim. We were alone for the most part.

We agreed to take Mexican coffees to the beach this morning, along with our camp chairs and both sets of binoculars. Alas, it is windy and a bit damp. And there are a whole bunch of clocks that need to be reset.

We'll get to it. Eventually.

my blog sucks

My blog is worth $5,645.40.
How much is your blog worth?

radio snippets

"...it might serve the purpose of enriching our lives, and then of course we can get them out of the house while we're still young enough to enjoy the rest of our lives..."

Whack! (That's the sound of hobbitt's hand hitting the clock.)

hobbitt has the clock radio set to some Seattle station that's all talk in the mornings. The volume, when used as an alarm, used to rise slowly, but now the station just blasts into our slumbers rudely. This is a near approximation of what I heard this morning when his alarm came to life.

I knew I wouldn't be waking up for another hour or so (and I'm glad I went back to sleep for that wonderful nightmare of first marriage/haunted rental house), so I spent a few moments committing this to memory, as best I could. I figure it's either about eating lots of raw garlic when we have family as company, or rearing children in our twenties. Opinions?

it once was lost but now...

I noticed that the frog's impatiens was drooping. No wonder. I hadn't watered it in weeks, and it's one step in from the front overhang. So out the front door I stepped and on my way back, lo! and behold! the 2-6 domino was on the foot of the blue heron sculpture.

So I called Fava and Binky (aka, the pandammys). Seems that when Binky razed La Tour Eiffel, the 2-6 jumped into Fava's pouch pocket in her shirt. A likely story, although it did negate Binky's slaughter of the rest of us.

Clever girl!

We should have patted down Fava instead of Binky. It would have been more fun all around. While Binky is rather dashing, his lovely wife Fava is, well, lovely.

Dammit. I was coming up with some brilliant ideas on how to sift puppy poop.

the evil power of dominoes muggins

hobbitt said it best.

I was Twinky, for the record. And hobbitt and I searched high and low for that freaking domino tile (the 2-6), going so far as to fish around in the heat vents. Alas. It simply disappeared. And we did shake down Binky and Fava before we walked them home, in the night, in the dark.

I guess I'll be sifting puppy poop for a while, though it would be immeasurably easier to simply purchase another set of tiles.

toto! toto!

It was a wee bit windy here today. I took the mutt for a long (2.5 hour) walk mid-day. We went down to the beach. There were white caps in the lagoon. Waves were breaking against the large logs at the southern side of the spit, and spray was cascading into the dunes. It was breathtaking. And almost literally: sometimes the wind was so strong in my face that it was difficult to take a breath.

So it was windy here at Kala Point but it was positively howling up in Pete proper. I needed to pick up a few items for dinner at the co-op, and pushing the cart to the car was challenging.

By the time hobbitt finished up with work and we were taking our evening walk, the wind had died down to about 12-15 mph and it was raining. The tide was not as high, but the winds were still from the south, and though there were no more long, perpendicular swells along the beachfront, it was still rather exciting, and we had the beach to ourselves.

There was nothing left to do when we got home but for me to make a big pot of American sauce (tomato sauce: excellent, easy and tasty recipe) and a big pot of squash and corn chowder. We're having pasta tonight but the chowder tomorrow, when its flavors will have blended perfectly. With a tart salad and some home made bread, it'll be a fine but light meal when the pandammys come over for their initiation into the black arts of dominoes Muggins.

a single thought

Never mind how much spam I get, or what it's trying to sell me. I have only one thing to say right now.

Glass dildos seem like a very, very bad idea.

serenity levels up

Photo by Danny Shaw

thank you for your patience

I finally updated the list of blogs that I try to read daily, even though many of those bloggers don't actually post daily. It doesn't deter me. I keep showing up, day after day, ever hopeful. And then I wonder why it's 2 in the afternoon before I get underway, and finally push back from the time suck that is my gorgeous new Dell notebook and the internet as a whole. Addictive personality? Understimulation? Agoraphobia?

Yes. Yes. And yes.

on the water

The pandammys stopped by early this afternoon with a petition to save the vegetation down at the beach. Apparenly some residents have asked that the vegetation at the parking area be removed, so they can sit in their cars and enjoy the waterfront.

This beach area is between the open water of Pete Townsend Bay and a beautiful lagoon. We have bald eagles, great blue herons, kingfishers, otters and the occasional seal pup. We have wild roses and Oregon grape and goldfinches and mice and wild grasses, and blue, yellow, and orange flowers. The vegetation stabilizes the "point" or spit. I walk this beach every day and every day the topography of the sandy shoreline is altered from the currents. And I don't mean it simply moves around - there are little lagoons somedays, and in places the sand is undercut by the tide one day and smooth as silk on other days. The rocks, the stones and even the largest of the trees get moved.

This photo was taken at extreme low tide. The darkish area at the center of the image is the lagoon. At high tide, it's probably 5 acres of water.

Removing the vegetation from that area could have disastrous consequences. And I've seen such consequences, though the water I'm talking about is the Atlantic Ocean and the land is the barrier island that runs 3/4 of the way down the New Joy Sea coast. Trim the vegetation down a bit, okay. Remove it? Folly. And so, we are working on a petition.

Then we decided to walk the dogs a bit, and while out near the bluffs, we noticed that the water was like glass all the way over to Pete proper. Danny got fired up to go kayaking, and I was invited to have my first kayaking lesson. I didn't need to be asked twice.

I'm no stranger to boats, but the smallest I've ever been in is a rowboat. Danny is a good teacher and in no time I was in the larger of their two kayaks and with a quick shove from Pam, I was afloat.

It was heaven. The water was crystal clear. I had no idea there were such vast sea grass beds just off shore. The bottom was teeming with Dungeness crabs. I'm familiar with the old shipwreck just past the dock but seeing it from above, through water, while the anemones were extended...well, it was as though I had never seen it before. We paddled past the heron on the dock, past the cormorants and two smaller diving birds, out to the point and all the way to the mouth of the lagoon and past. The silence, the calm, and the stillness of the water made me want to stretch out and simply feel the blessing of buoyancy.

In truth, I'd have loved to simply lie on my stomach, chin on my hands, and gaze into the water all day. It's not all that easy to do in a kayak, unless getting a soaking is the goal. But I'm not interested in a boat that will require a lot of maintenance, or that I can't handle myself. So this is how it will have to be. When I finally get my own kayak, I can walk down to the beach and drag it off the racks myself. I can decide on a whim to go paddling. It won't be an obligation, won't require elaborate planning, and won't need a companion.

In other words, it is totally devoid of suckage. The local rental outfitters will be selling off their used boats beginning next month. I can probably get a good deal. And I'm going to do just that. It is good enough to be near the water, but it will be amazing to be on it again.

self care

Regarding the title of this entry: to that end, I had a 70-minute visit with a new physician today.

That's one hour and ten minutes. Uninterrupted. All to myself.

No other patients waiting. She schedules appropriately, I would say.

Okay, so she doesn't deal with insurance companies at all. I'll have to file a claim and will likely be paying more out-of-pocket than I would be otherwise.

But I'm worth it.

hard things

We all have hard things in life that we have to do, or maybe that's just my way of telling myself that I'm not more abused than the rest of the world. Whatever. Sometimes it sucks to be human, to have feelings, and to have to walk the various portals and milestones of living.

I'm no stranger to funerals. Heck, I have even planned one or two. And I knew this one was going to be hard - after all, from here in Pete, we could, if we wanted to, pretend that this never happened to Lisa. Anyway, we arrived at the hotel pretty late. The bar was closed already. tyhc (the younger hippie chick for you unfaithful readers) and I made the run to the liquor store and when we returned, Fletch was there. We stepped outside with him for a smoke, and he mentioned that he wanted to talk with me alone.

If I hadn't been so tired, I'd have felt deep dread. I thought I was in for some kind of rage-spewing, and I wasn't really up for it. But what the heck. His life is changed forever and mine will go on pretty much as it has been, so I was willing to take the bullet. We walked around outside and sat at the employee smoking lounge area. And he proceeded to tell me about Lisa's last days and hours and minutes. He needed to unburden himself, and didn't want such details to be known by Lisa's sister and brother.

Let me just say this about that (and I've said it before): people don't die the way you see in the movies. Sometimes it's peaceful. Sometimes it's very hard. This was Fletch's first such experience, and it's unlikely he'll ever experience anything so difficult ever again. I think he could benefit from some serious counseling, and I think I could, too.

The difference between me and Fletch is that I can share the burden with many, many people, and without the details that are personal and terrible and unnecessary. He couldn't do that. So I'm honored to pick that up with him. I'll hold it and cry with it and try to process it without nightmares.

Lisa is in a better place. Several hundred people impressed upon me just how much she was respected, admired and loved. Her employer is flying its corporate flag at half-staff for her. Employees from elsewhere were allowed to work in Michigan this week, in order to attend her memorial, at the company's expense. I hope Fletch can cling to that, just like I am trying to do. I know from personal experience that the trauma isn't the memory we take away from such things. But golly I want that transition to happen quickly for him, and for me.

I got nothin'

I would like to thank Jason for this meme, but that doesn't mean I actually will thank him. In any case, there's a lot I want to forget about the past few days, so I'm glad to have something inane to write about. And if there's anyone that's all about inane, that's Jason.

1. When you look at yourself in the mirror, what's the first thing you look at?

Right now, my left boob. The right one is getting jealous.

2. How much money do you have on you?

Not a single cent. Why should I carry money when I usually have hobbitt's wallet within grasp?

3. What is the first word that comes to mind that rhymes with 'test'?

Infest. It's because of all the itching lately.

4. Favorite plant?

The one in the closet. You don't want to know.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?

My nephew. He called my number by accident. Which is the same reason I missed his 14th birthday yesterday.

6. What is your main ring tone on your phone?

Ring. Like a phone. Get it? It IS a phone, and not a freaking orchestra!

7. What shirt are you wearing?

The blue Sky Lake long-sleeved t. Yesterday I wore the gray one. I also have red and green. My entire wardrobe consists of kite t-shirts, Methodist church-camp t-shirts, and shaman-camp t-shirts.

8. How do you "label" yourself?

I used to say I was a monogamous drug-free heterosexual between the ages of 35 and 40, but the age demographic changed so I said to hell with the rest of it, too.

9. The brand of shoes you're currently wearing?

Birkenstocks. Shut up.

10. Bright or Dark Room?

Walls or ambiance? I love deep colors on walls, and I love lots of windows and skylights. But it's hell on developing film, I tell ya.

11. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?

Jason? I think he's certifiable. I hope he understands about the restraining order.

12. Ever "spilled the beans?

I don't know. Is it anything like cutting the cheese?

13. What were you doing at midnight last night?

I don't truly remember, so it might have involved #19.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell phone say?

"Where r u." hobbitt and I lost each other in the crowd at the Kinetic Sculpture break and float test. I was appalled at the stupid spelling, so I shot him. Lucky for me, the JeffCo jail has wi-fi.

15. Do you ever click on "Pop Ups?"

Is that a euphemism for something else?

16. What's a saying that you say a lot?

Hard saying, not knowing.

17. Who told you they loved you last?

My recently widowed brother-in-law. About two hours ago.

18. Last person you hooked up with?

To the nitrous tank? Surely you can't expect me to answer that.

19. Last furry thing you touched?

Oh, we are not going there, kiddo. That's sick.

20. How many drugs have you done in the past 3 days?

All of them. Some were prescription, and some of them were lovingly prescribed and shared.

21. How many rolls of film do you need to get developed?

I think I'm pretty well-developed already, thank you very much.

22. Favorite age you have been so far?

Hmmm. Aquarius or Enlightenment? Golly. Hard to choose.

23. Your worst enemy?

It's a toss-up between Deadshot and Maxie Zeus.

24. What is your current desktop picture?

Me and hobbitt, circa 1991, in Jacksonville, Florida.

25. What was the last thing you said to someone?

"What year was Jacksonville?"

26. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to change a major regret?

Okay, the form of this question is faulty. I believe it's missing an entire clause, the point of the question. Please try again.

27. Are you in love with someone?

I wouldn't say someone. They know who they are, and I don't think that's something hobbitt needs to find out about, what?

a quick break

We'll be traveling for Lisa's memorial service tomorrow. Evidently so will many dozens of her co-workers from all over the country. The division she worked in at Eaton will be, for all intents and purposes, closed on Monday afternoon. Family will be far outnumbered (as in, 20 to 1) at the service. And as it wasn't possible for her husband to find a banquet hall willing to cater to a few hundred folks for open bar on a Monday afternoon, we'll be back at their home for that part.

Now, I'm not surprised that after 21 years, Lisa knew a lot of folks at Eaton. But I still think I'll be floored by the sheer volume of folks who not only remembered her fondly but cared enough to see her off. Pip, live wire, kick in the pants. That's her.

We heard from the niece who is named after her, the younger hippie chick. She and her husband finally got word (they're in transit, I think) and would like to come to the service, and we had offered months ago to cover that. But next day tickets? My heart almost skipped a beat, but it's only money and we can't, after all, take it with us.

Let me just say this: I love Mobissimo.com. The fare for 2 from Fresno to Detroit via American Airlines? $$$$, coach. (And yes, there are 4 (four) dollar signs for a reason.) Using Mobissimo, and via Cheaptickets on the same American Airlines flights: less than 1/3 of that.

But we'll all be together again, one more time, except for Kevin, who'll miss this time, as his ashes were scattered by Lisa a few years ago. And Emily, Nicky's brand-new baby, who missed that last time for reasons at the other end of the journey of life. We've all partied together for the last decade, and it's fitting we'll be partying together, at Fletch & Lisa's, one more time.

And that, as they say, is priceless.

see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya

I'd love to stick around and write something snappy to really make your day, but I have a massage appointment in a half-hour. So just go about your business while I have the tight muscles in my neck and shoulders treated to some real therapeutic pleasure.

PS: hobbitt found the missing domino tiles under the front passenger seat of the Bjornmobile. I am so relieved! They're like family to me, and hard drinking family at that. But it still doesn't un-negate the results of our last game.

*bhd runs up to the podium, grabs the microphone and declares victory!*

life as usual

hobbitt and I went out last night for our weekly cut-throat dominoes, and to toast Lisa, I suppose. The place was jumping, which seemed a bit odd for a dark and stormy Wednesday night. As it turned out, there was a memorial service at 8 for a long-time customer/fixture James, whom we had seen many times (and didn't know whether he was a customer or employee) but never met. We don't know what happened to him, though evidently he was held in some esteem, judging by not only the crowd but the lovely memorial service. So it was appropriate for us to do some crying there with everyone else.

We're traveling to Kalamazoo for Lisa's memorial service which is to be followed by an open-bar "wake." It's what she wanted, and it couldn't be more appropriate - a serious party. I wish I could express how much I'm not looking forward to any of this, how much I do not want to go. How I didn't even want to get out of bed this morning.

hobbitt kicked my ass up and down the block in dominoes. But that's largely because somewhere along the way, we lost 4 of the tiles. So it doesn't count, right? Right?

Lisa

Lisa
Nov 1957 - Oct 2005

We got the call today at 3 a.m.

She could light up a room with her sparkle, her laughter, and her unbridled enjoyment of life.

I don't even know yet how much I'm going to miss her, but I feel pretty lonesome already.

Love ya, kiddo, and god speed on your next adventure.

consequences

My neighbors the pandammys have invited me to do the morning dog walk with them. This usually begins between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. and takes between one and two hours.

Stop laughing. It is possible for me to get up by that time. And I've proven it for two days in a row. (Can I be done with that now?)

My next-door neighbor Ron is about to undergo triple bypass surgery. The pandammys have been walking Ron's cocker spaniel, Tess, along with their own cocker Mollie. So we've had three dogs down to the beach and back (and yes, that's two days in a row that I not only got up at a reasonable hour but walked down and back up the hill, with the bonus that Inti got two good long walks). I'm beginning to like mornings a bit more.

The apparent consequence of this is that I get really sleepy after the evening walk (which usually happens between 5:30 and 6:30 for an hour). Last night I sat down to a crossword puzzle and soon my head was rolling around like a bobblehead toy. The cushy leather sofa called to me. So I napped in front of the fire for a few minutes before getting up to prepare dinner.

I want to continue to start my day at an earlier hour. Looks like there will be some regular napping in my future. When did I get this old?

flaming butter incident

Perhaps I should explain. I'll make it short.

The pan, containing the aforementioned flaming butter, sat in the yard at the edge of the north woods for about six weeks before anyone dared approach it.

There was no lasting damage.

Alcohol was involved.

what the?

hobbitt and I just got back from a concert by Tyva Kyzy, female Tuvan throat singers, at Centrum in Fort Worden. It was extraordinary for several reasons. 1) In that part of the world, there have been strong cultural taboos against women singing at all, 2) it's the first live music we've experienced since moving up here, other than open mic night at Sirens, and the ubiquitous Pete Townsend weekend street musicians, 3) we recognized 4 people in the crowd and 4) two of them were our elderly neighbors.

kinetic sculpture race pictures

Flickr slideshow here.

the beach tonight

I didn't get the pooch down to the beach until almost 6:30 tonight, as I was on the phone with a dear friend for much of the late afternoon. There wasn't all that much daylight when I got there. The vague waves made the softest of lapping sounds. The water was absolutely and perfectly clear, and when I looked I could see the remnants of what once was: oyster shells and seaweeds and clamshells and various crab parts, all being slowly ground down to their component parts. I felt as though the past was being revealed to me, but that's not much of a trick, is it?

And I don't even want to know the future.

The clouds were heavy and I could see the rain beyond Indian Island, or maybe on Whidbey. The lights of Pete Townsend twinkled across the bay. A beautiful twisty driftwood tree root presented itself to me just past the wave line. If I hadn't turned around, I wouldn't have seen the heron on the beach beyond the dock. Out toward the point, the waves became a bit more aggressive - splashing even, though their form as they swept past was readily apparent. I know that waves aren't actually moving water but a wave of energy moving through the water, but the tide was coming in and to this day a breaching wave startles me.

The light was fading very quickly. The figure of the black pooch, swimming unconcerned in the still and silvery water was stunning. It doesn't matter to her if there's sand between her toes, or even if her fur mats down from all the salt water. I long to be as present as she is every moment of her day. (Yeah, you heard me. I want to be as smart as my dog. But I'll keep the thumbs, thank you very much.)

The heron was on the dock when I made my way back. I picked up a lovely dose of peace tonight on that wordless gloaming walk.

blatant meme theft

I am ruthlessly burgling Jason's blog because I haven't had an original idea in a decade.


1. Name someone with the same birthday as you.
Victor Hugo, which explains my hunch back, and Buffalo Bill Cody, which explains my insatiable hunger for red meat.

2. Where was your first kiss?
I'm fairly certain it was on my lips.

3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property?
No, just reputations.

4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex?
Yeah baby! I knocked his glasses right off his smirking asshole face with a flagrantly girlie roundhouse open-palm smack. The feeling was right up there with multiple orgasms.

5. Have you ever sung in front of a large number of people?
Indeed I have. And it's my own song. "When I was a little girl I knew how to talk to the trees..."

6. What's the first thing you notice about the preferred sex?
His eyes. He will score mucho points with me if they're on my face and not on my ample and bodacious tatas.

7. What do you order at the Coffee Bean?
Nothing if it requires a special coded language. I just want a freaking cup of coffee, dammit!

8. What is your biggest mistake?
Ever dating the guy I ended up smacking in the face.

9. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose?
Evidently. See #8.

10. Say something totally random about yourself.
Flaming butter incident.

11. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity?
Actually, I am in possession of a photograph wherein I look pretty much exactly like Kathleen Turner back in the day.

12. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows?
Does Adult Swim count? No?

13. Did you have braces?
Only one of my siblings to never have braces, and I was the one who worked for the freaking dentist. Mom never forgave me.

14. Are you comfortable with your height?
At 4' 20", I'm one of the shorter members of my family, and I'm certain that I'm rather too short for my weight.

15. What is the most romantic thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you?
Golly, that guy had tears of happiness in his eyes during our wedding ceremony.

16. When do you know it's love?
Usually my gyne tells me while prescribing the salve.

17. Do you speak any other languages?
I speak hobbitt, which has inscrutable words like jimbat and kwaff. We know what they mean, and trust me, you don't want to know.

18. Have you ever been to a tanning salon?
What part of my pasty natural-blond-and-can-prove-it complexion leads you to believe that ever happened?

19. What magazines do you read?
Cook's Illustrated and Games. Scientific American and Discover. God help me, but Popular Mechanics if it's in front of me.

20. Have you ever ridden in a limo?
Yep. With champagne in hand, on the way to O'Hare, first class to LA on the way to Australia. Word of advice: Do not drink excessively before a 14-hour flight in coach, unless you're planning on a complete change of blood once you finally get through customs in Sydney.

21. Has anyone you were really close to passed away?
There isn't enough room in this blog for a list. And it's about to get longer.

22. Do you watch Mtv?
No, but I was addicted to Pop Up Videos on VH-1. Also Duckman. Okay, I lied. We used to watch Aon Flux.

23. What's something that really annoys you?
Ignorance. Or a crunchy kitchen floor. I'm not sure.

24. What's something you really like?
The fresh smell outside on crisp mornings. That and receiving the body part I requested as proof that Guido did the job.

25. Do you like Michael Jackson?
I look forward to liking him posthumously. Him, not me.

26. Can you dance?
Give me a chef's knife and crank up the Earth Wind & Fire, baby!

27. What's the latest you have ever stayed up?
Oh, I'm far too moody for that to be any length of time.

Oh, time! Probably that 48-hour disaster recovery test in Dallas, circa 1995, most notable for the parade of female Texan sysprogs, all big-haired and in full battle makeup at 3 in the morning, while I sat in front of the console in my jammies.

28. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room?
On a backboard, even! Turned my 1987 Chevy Cavalier wagon into an accordion. I don't remember what tune it played.

29. Do you actually read these when other people fill them out?
Ha ha! You're funny. Tag - you're it!

oops

I'm really confused.

I honor the needs of my sister-in-law and her husband, and what they need is their time alone together.

I had thought I was being asked to come. But after a few confusing conversations, I think my presence is being accommodated. And I don't have a problem with that - see paragraph #2 above.

So I'm sad, but I think it's best that I stay home. She knows I love her. There's nothing more I can do, or need to do.

yes islander, it is magic

This evening we headed to the beach in full rain gear to give the pup a break. hobbitt and I have been feathering our nest all day, hanging art and generally trying to make it appear that we're going to live here for a while longer. Inti was bored and antsy. So off we went.

It was raining pretty steadily, though not heavily, as it had been from time to time during the day. To the west the clouds were breaking, and as it was 6:15 when we left, there was abundant golden sunlight illuminating the clouds from below. When we arrived at the beach, we were greeted with a complete double rainbow. The illusion started in the water just to the east of the gantries at Indian Island and terminated at the south-western end of the island. The main rainbow was vivid and strong, and its double got a little hazy at the peak.

We could see that Pete Townsend was getting a nice rain to the north, and to the south-west of us, clouds began roiling off the Olympic range. Yet that clearing to the west kept a nice golden glow going to our backs as we walked to the point. The water was very calm, and the ripples from the raindrops provided most of the movement in the bay. When we turned to complete our walk, the shoreline was as golden as the sky for a brief few moments before the rainclouds obscured the setting sun once again.

It didn't suck, as we like to say here at druid labs. I felt once again that my life is blessed, in spite of what's ahead of me and what's behind me. I have felt deep gaping loss, more often than many, and sometimes I wonder what it is within me that still senses that my life is charmed.

Well, I am rich with the love of friends. And from the very beginning I have known that I am loved and cherished by my family, in spite of the difficult relationships that seem to accompany all families. And luck gave me enough intelligence to recognize a great love when it was in front of me, and the courage to pursue it. Part of me would like to believe that I did something right somewhere along the way to deserve this, but frankly, I don't think that's how it works. It seems like a crap shoot, this life, this dimension, or a matter of perspective. Maybe the world is what we make it. Who knows?

We had a rainbow tonight, my hobbitt and I. How can I ever improve on that?

tuesday

I'm packing.

My brother-in-law said, "Don't wait too long" and "Don't expect too much."

I'll be there late Tuesday night.

I'm taking my new notebook for my own entertainment. There is a computer at the house for me to use, but when I was there last, I set up a wireless network.

And just like before, I don't know when I'll be home again. But I'll be here, at least. I won't be nearly as busy as I was last time, so I'll probably be writing like crazy and blogging about heaven-only-knows-what.

This afternoon I noticed how bare the trees are beginning to look. I missed a fair amount of summer here already; I wonder what it will be like when I come back home.

on the move?

I talked with my brother-in-law last night.

Lisa's medications are increasing. She's not awake much anymore. According to him, she doesn't want me back "until the service" but he wants me, us, to come. He's torn.

Now, I don't know him all that well. Mostly we became acquainted during my last trip to Michigan, since all our other opportunities together were at parties, and large ones, at that. My intuition is that he needs someone there with him, so I'm torn between wanting to wait for his instructions and wanting to take the initiative to go and do what I know needs doing.

I love Lisa and I want to go back and spend more time with her. There isn't a lot of that left. But I recognize that this isn't about my wants or needs.

Argh.

kinetic sculpture race, no pictures yet

With our neighbors, we attended the Pete Townsend Kinetic Sculpture Race parade, brake and float test. What a hoot! The parade is a brief (six blocks?), casual and rowdy affair, complete with cycling Kinetic Kops on crowd control, though if you were to be on bicycle, no one would stop you from entering the middle of the parade. Even better if you were walking your dog. It's all good up here in Pete. Mostly anything goes.

At Monroe Street, the entries turned up the hill - and each craft has to make it up the hill under its own people power - only to come down again for the brake test (officially known as the break test). It's not a particularly steep hill but it is long. At the bottom of the hill is the boat ramp for the float test.

For a while we stood at the intersection of Monroe and Water Streets, milling with the rest of the hippies, townfolk and dazed tourists. I haven't seen such sequins and boas since the last time I attended a drag show, and lo and behold, I found myself standing next to a cross-dressed man. Costume or lifestyle? Up here in Pete, who knows and who cares? This particular fellow wasn't wearing boas or sequins, so I have to think this is a lifestyle thing. Whatever.

The best part of the day was the float test. One by one the entrants pedalled their craft down the gravel ramp and into the icy water, where one of the event's judges floated in a dry suit, complete with top hat. The port's volunteer rescue boat was on hand, as were several inflatables, including one carrying some race officials who handed the "float certification" to each qualifying team. At one point, a ferry heading to Keystone paid homage to the event by laying on its horn as it passed the marina, and in turn received prolonged waving and cheering from everyone on the beach. Everyone. "Wave to the ferry now, dear..."

A late arriving Canuckian team, "Strange Brew" (beer kegs lashed together on huge wheels) had a hard time navigating in the water. From what I could tell, they had no reliable rudder and their wheels were under paddled. The swiftest entries were autocanoes, though their lumbering weight was a bit difficult to get back up the gravel ramp. A local school board's entry was "Honor Roll", essentially a large hot dog-shaped floatable on wheels. My favorite, for names alone, was "Anemone of the State" which I believe was an entry from Oregon.

The local favorite is, of course, the "Magic Bus" (Pete Townsend S'Cool Distract) which is a four-person bus-bike which floats like a charm. For some reason is has Arizona license plates "On D Bus". Wha? No matter. Only one entry had no mechanical power in the water - the sole propeller was a young man in wet suit, pushing his float, upon which the bicycle, which normally carries the float, was floating upon. Or something like that.

It's important to watch out for the Kinetic Kops. I spied one young bystander who had a ticket taped to his ass. It read "Irresponsible Use of Leather Pants." An entrant was cited for "Teddy Bear without Flotation Device." You get the picture.

The weather held, for the most part. The entries held together, for the most part. What was most appealing to me about this entire event (so far) is that if it is organized, the structure is vague, and it's all done on what is known as "Pete Townsend Time" - probably late, or not.

I love this town. I do believe I fit right in here. Well, not really. I don't believe I'm weird enough.


On a sad note: Since our digital camera died, we'll have to wait for the images off the dinosaur film from the Canon Sure Shot Z-115. Sorry.