Raincharm’s Weblog

Too tired to write much now.
I will try to add more tomorrow.

Suffice it to say the Fan of the Year was well received.
We had a blast, and more than one person asked to have their picture taken with our star.

I have been trying to focus on a few bigger projects at work.
But then I get distracted by trees falling hither and yon.

Yes, we are decimating a part of the lovely woods next to our office.
Growing area needs more bits and pieces than our current site can hold.
We are putting in a fueling station for emergencies, and will use it regularly, and an area to dump soupy dirt where the soup will be treated before flowing into the storm system.

My office has a somewhat front and center view to the trees coming down, except for the small stand that will remain – that is right outside my window. We actually still retain about 3-4 acres of trees.

And there was the first set of loggers that dropped a tree in the wrong direction, landing on the fence, missing the one car left and hitting no people. (This may be a repeat of a story.) The replacement loggers are a much more efficient bunch. I know because the building shakes several times a day as the big pines come down.

There have been a lot of sports going on across the nation.
Of course football seems to be garnering the most press. Unless you’re Jeter.

But we have our own minor celebrity moment coming up.
Fan of the Year.
Which apparently comes with a big screen story (they wanted to know how to spell your name, Ashlan). We did try to supply them with a few pictures,

10 years old – Kingdome

and they got the dates of all of the home runs Carl has gathered over the years.
And today we found out that we have 8 seats in the Commissioner’s Box and they are making a uniform (Jersey) for Carl. He is leaning towards 14 for the number. It is 2014, he wears 14 on his Silver Foxes team, and it was his favorite player’s number growing  up (Pete Rose).

Our only worry now is that Carl will still be under the weather on Friday.
He came down with a nasty cold, and spent most of today resting at home.
He has been trying to breathe the steam from boiling water with tree tea oil, and it seems to be helping.

Today there are a lot of sports going on, and yet we are not going to a game.

The day started with a little bit of bursting. Those 15 minute workouts that are all the rage.
If I can get myself oriented in the correct direction in the morning – I will try to fit one in.

Try.

This morning I did manage by getting up to watch soccer (Premiere League) and then taking advantage of the half-time break.

Coffee followed, along with the second half. (Of the game)

Eventually we managed some broccoli and juice and decided it was too nice not to walk.
While mobilizing the phone rang – it was the Seattle Mariners calling for Carl.
Apparently he has been elected the Mariner Fan of the Year for 2014.

A 3-Fez Day

We do not know who the nominating party was, but he has made it to many, many games (including 4 Mariner games on the road). And his distinctive headwear has provided fodder for Mariner announcers and cameramen. (Or is it camera-people, or just cameras. The one nearest us is unmanned, unpersoned, remotely operated.)

So on that note we headed out.
Earlier that morning Rey (in Tennessee) told us that there was a Husky Football game in Seattle. Both Carl & I were sure there was not because neither of us had noticed the orange traffic warning signs. But as usual, Rey was correct.

We decided to walk into the football storm just to see the throngs. (That is a storm of people, buses, bicycles and a few cars. Not to be confused with a real storm, like the one that delayed the Michigan game.)

It was an amazing spectacle. Purple as far as the eye could see. Rows of buses, and most on foot.
And of course those that come by boat.

The line of boats in the background are moored for the game.

We finally left campus and struck out into northeast Seattle neighborhoods.
A goal had materialized in the form of a grocery store where a friend works.
Plus, we needed a little nourishment.

As we were approaching the grocery store, we found another location for a little rest.

Our friend Ronnie

This was not a stop for fries, but at a house that supports families who’s kids are undergoing medical treatment at the nearby Children’s hospital. Finally the last half block to the Metropolitan Market.
Two bananas and a drink later, we set out in search of an establishment serving breakfast.
The first (up a hill that was higher than we wanted to walk up) was on to lunch and dinner, but I made the decision to keep going because they were vacuuming, and I hate the sound of a vacuum.
Next was a place that only served breakfast, but only until 3 PM, and it was now after 4.
Another restaurant materialized, only to have closed at 3 PM as well.

Carl then determined he would make us breakfast, and all we needed was cheese and bacon.
Whole Foods beckoned as it was on the way. Bacon and cheddar were soon in hand, or rather in bag. (This is Seattle, and if you don’t bring your own bag, you have to pay a nickel. We did – in part because we have run out of paper bags. A few years ago that would have been unthinkable, but now we try to use less paper and more cloth. And I really don’t miss those piles of plastic bags!

Finally ready to head home, we stopped at Starbucks.
Carl took this opportunity to get a coffee. I started checking scores for all of those sporting events we were not attending this weekend. Mariners losing 4-0. Huskies losing 14-0. Sounders losing 1-0. University of Michigan losing 26-10 and “delayed”. Almost all of these scores changed, but it was a much better day to take a walk than be a spectator.

But come Friday – we will be in the middle of the action with the Mariners.
I doubt they show the “first pitch” on broadcasts, but imagine it in your mind. With a fez.

So I was going to write a story about my summer vacation. But it got late, and there are some more interesting items to mention.

1. We are now the proud parents of a college student.
Rey had his first class today. His second class is not for another 5 days.
I guess this is what you call a slow start.

College boy (note he is reading a book)

2. Tomorrow my mother is getting the cast off of her arm.
Broken elbow be gone. Healed elbow – show yourself.
You can see the green monster in the picture below.

My father has been a real trouper through this ordeal.
While Mom had to deal with the pain and suffering, Dad has to pick up the slack – and then some.
He was chief cook and bottle-washer, and now took on more because a one-armed person just can’t do as much when they are used to having two arms.

Beer on the beach – pre Thud Club

Now a funny story about the picture.
[This is a third party story, as I was busy getting beer and was not present for the show.]
Mom and Dad are each enjoying a beer.
[There was a lot of beer available due to a wedding a few cabins down.]
You may note that the chair has a slight tilt.

What you can’t see are the 4-6 people sitting on the beach several yards from the parent’s shady perch.
Apparently Dad was reaching down to either put down or pick up Mom’s beer.
As he shifted his weight, the chair started to list further.

Jane (daughter #3) exclaimed, “Look, Harry is going to fall!”
And it was a very slow list to the point of no return, so almost everybody present had the time to turn and watch the fall to its horizontal state.

And lots of laughing ensued.
And the tale was told and retold through the evening and subsequent days.
It will probably become lore.

I do know that nobody was hurt.
I don’t know if any beer was spilled.

Happy Birthday to Doris!
I won’t say how old she is, unless you are into math problems.

She is the same age as the last two digits of the year Rey was born.
Rey is now 27 years old.

Carl & Rey arrived fairly recently on a trip that the two of them started in Colorado.
I am not sure exactly how they managed to get this group picture – but it is a nice one.

Carl, Doris, Rey & Bob

So – Happy Birthday Doris.
And in your honor, we are having a beach day. Really the second in a row.
Tomorrow I may blog about the first – which turned into one of those days where just a lot happened.

What every 86 year old should be doing a few days before their birthday

Leak & Squirrel Repairs

Finally, almost time for fruit in the front yard

Blueberries in the Making

After 11 games in 10 days – the boys are here (and the girl, but she was not on the beach at this time)

Beached Baseball Boys

Finally, a calm, almost warm end to a day (and we almost reach 70 degrees inside the cabin)

Obligatory Sunset Shot

Big day today – we went into town for lunch.
Ate at the Freighters (in the Ojibway). Quite good.

What this really provided was a chance to turn on my phone.
I did not have any messages, and forgot to check messages on the home landline, but did get to speak to the man and the boy. Good to hear their voices, and that after several days on the road together, they are still talking (to each other).

Their 10-games in 10-days trip has morphed into 11-games in 10-days because they got a double-header yesterday. They are currently watching the Mariners at Cleveland. (Ms 5 – Indians 2 last time I checked)

Tomorrow is the Tigers, pick up the girl and then head north the next day.

Life in the north is good, generally slow-paced, and colder than we would hope for a summer vacation.
The lack of beach is making for some good speculations with respect to a beach wedding planned for Friday. I am sure it will work out, but it will be special because of the rather extreme water conditions this year. Lots of relatives are around and arriving. It is good to have the sounds of all generations filling the woods.

Grandma (or Mom)

We did get out for a beach walk today – in the sun and wind, before the fog and rain.
There is a real reason for wearing high-water pants. Or get them wet – whatever suits your fancy.

After dinner we settled back to read, write a bit, and watch the fire.

Mighty Mac

It is wonderful to see family and it is wonderful to be in the north woods.
Water has been a dominant part of the weather scene.
But that is not all bad.

It is lush and green, and the blueberries are starting to turn purple.
I am hopeful that they will be available by the handful before we leave.

So much of the water has been coming down from the sky.
There were torrents for a bit, but more frequently drips and light rain.

Bars of water on the window

Of course the bigger source of water is the lake.
It is high – or the beach is small, and ever-changing.
And it does seem to be colder than normal, although my ankles have been in for more than just a moment.

The amethyst rock is more exposed than I ever remember.
And at the water’s edge, rather than up by the grass. (It is really not too far from the grass, but it is definitely also near the water.)

Amethyst Rock in the Water

Let’s start with yesterday, because they lend a backdrop under which today was operating.

OK – so two days ago.

I left work a little after 8 PM!!!
That is GOOD. I have stayed much later on the days before I leave for a few days.

I packed, cleaned a bit and got to bed before midnight!
That is also GOOD. I have been known to stay up until two packing.
Granted, much of that was when I was packing for the entire family, not just myself.
Caveat – I did not fall right to sleep…

Yesterday I had two champions on either side of my travel that went out of their way to make my life easier.
My carpooler picked me up 1/2-hour before our usual rendezvous so he could drop me at the airport.
Let’s just say my carpooler is not a morning person, so this is perhaps a bigger favor than it sounds.
And on the other end my sister younger stayed up way past her bedtime to pick me up at the other end.
She may have slept a bit while waiting for our slightly late flight to land, and baggage to be acquired.

The trip itself was fairly uneventful. Just long.
From a 7:00 AM arrival at airport 1 (PDT) to a 1 AM arrival at airport 4 (EDT), it was just a long day.

I got to spend a few hours at SeaTac (~65 degrees), did see the San Jose airport from the tarmac (~75 degrees), and then got to spend several hours in Phoenix (~115 degrees), before the final and longest leg to Detroit (~70 degrees). Reading and people watching. And a long walk through all of the concourses in Phoenix, just to stretch my legs. All of the planes were essentially full, but I had nice enough seatmates each time.

The only snag, or almost snag for me, was on the last flight. Not too long after we had reached cruising altitude, so people could cruise the aisles, the voice in the tube first asked for, “The woman traveling with the older man who is visiting the rear galley,” then, “Ms. ABC please report to the rear galley area,” then, “Is there any passenger on board with medical experience.” The tenor and actions that I could see of the flight attendants seemed to indicate something more than a scratch. I was sure we were going to be making an unscheduled landing. In the end, apparently the gentleman had a seizure, fell and hit his head. Perhaps the seizure was not his first, and it really was a scratch or bump, plus a general check-up, because we just kept flying. The only difference was that everybody was visiting the loo up front. (The paramedics and ambulance were waiting at the gate, but they did not stop everybody else from getting off first, so it must have been under control.)

So – with that backdrop, Jane dropped me at home at about 2 AM. I was probably asleep by 3.
Needless to say, I did not set an alarm and when I first woke up was trying to determine whether the first digit on the clock was a 6, 8 or 9. That was apparently too much effort, because when I woke next my phone range. After about a 30 minute conversation, I noted it was after 11 AM.

Time for a shower and to figure out what to do for breakfast. (Really coffee, because Jane had been kind enough to leave a yogurt and banana for me.)

Now post shower I was not too concerned about my appearance in the house. It is not directly adjacent to the road, Jane was at work, and nobody was expected. So I am “starkers” and opening up the window to let the breeze clear the mirror. And less than a minute later, there are voices in the back. I pulled the curtain back to peek out, and there are two men walking on the path around the deck, pointing at the plants and talking. My immediate thoughts were, “I am not clothed, Who are they? and What are they doing here?” In great keystone cop fashion I was trying to gather clothes, find my phone, and find Jane’s number at work (because I figured she would know of any planned visitors). These items were scattered in different rooms, and there are either sheer curtains or no curtains on the windows, and I was still trying to get myself into decent enough shape for an interaction. Jane did not know who they were, so I headed out the front door – after spending interminable seconds trying to figure out how to make it not lock behind me – and yelled after their car that was starting to move away.

They were, a young man and a man of about my age with a wheelbarrow and a car. The wheelbarrow was full of flat stones.
The father explained that they lived just down the drive, and dad (Harry) had given them permission to use some of the excess stones piled around our path. This seemed reasonable and plausible, so I let Jane get back to work, and proceeded to chat with them for several minutes more.

A nice family it seems, and I may try to touch base with them on our way back through A2.

And the vacation is now officially on. I can tell because I allowed myself to stop at Panera’s for coffee (and a sandwich) instead of walking all the way to Starbucks. (Carl – if you see this, I had your birthday treat from Panera.)

This week the Seattle Metro area decided to see how the population would react to a round-the-clock, round the week major restriction of a major highway.

The population responded admirably. They suggest that schedule changes and telecommuting are making a difference, but I think a lot of people just went on vacation. To be truthful, the traffic has been extremely light most of the time – and I have not seen or experienced any major delays.

So today they decided to push this one step further.
And Obama came to town.

This is what a presidential highway looks like.

Emptiness

And this is the other side of the coin.

Not empty, and completely stopped

We missed seeing the actual motorcade by about 2 minutes.