Pig Through the Python

Been reading all the online "The Best of 2010" articles.  Hmmmm.  A pretty unimpressive bunch of stories...and the only significant ones were not good to my way of thinking.

Of course I do believe that shuffling into 2011 is better than not shuffling into 2011.  But I can also say that for the most part I will not miss the year gone by...

On a more positive note I decided moments ago to head to PDX late next week...which certainly cheers me up.  Good company and good food. A good way to start a new year.

I need to go check-out Leah's employment conditions at the Sokol-Blosser winery.  Strictly parental concern, of course.  There's a lot of exploitation in the agricultural sector of the economy and I need to make certain that she's not being fed bad cheese in the tasting room.  It's the least I can do....

Today I went to town to collect my friend, Brent Long, and hauled him out to visit mom.  Brent is visiting his elderly dad.   We grew up in the same neighborhood - we were good pals as youngsters - though we grew apart in our teenage years -  and his folks were contemporaries of my own although they were not close friends.  Both mom and Brent seemed to enjoy the conversation.  I know I enjoyed it.

Brent's dad is 92 and lives in Fireweed Place.  He's doing well...for his age...but at 92 is suffering all the familiar maladies.  Still, 92 is certainly nothing to sneeze-at.  Brent heads back to Seattle tomorrow.

So...back to the dissection of 2010.  Actually, the best article I read today was not about the past year; but about what 2011 means in terms of my favourite hobby horse - the demographics of this country.   The article in today's New York Times is entitled "Boomers Hit New Self-Absorption Milestone:  Age 65".

In keeping with a generation’s fascination with itself, the time has come to note the passing of another milestone: On New Year’s Day, the oldest members of the Baby Boom Generation will turn 65, the age once linked to retirement, early bird specials and gray Velcro shoes that go with everything.
...

Previous generations were raised to speak only when spoken to, and to endure in self-denying silence. But baby boomers were raised on the more nurturing, child-as-individual teachings of Dr. Benjamin Spock, and then placed under the spell of television, whose advertisers marketed their wares directly to children. Parents were cut out of the sale — except, of course, for the actual purchase of that coonskin cap or Barbie doll.
...

“It created a sense of entitlement that had not existed before,” Mr. Gillon said. “We became more concerned with our own emotional well-being, whereas to older generations that was considered soft and fluffy.”

“But the pig has moved through the python, and is moving to the final stage,” Mr. Gillon said. “And we won’t describe what that stage is.”

Here is an attempt: retirement, old age, then a release to a place where the celestial Muzak plays a never-ending loop of the Doobie Brothers.

I don't believe this article was written by a Baby Boomer.  But it has a note of resentment that us boomers better get used to...

Happy New Year everyone! 

Another Christmas...

Another Christmas done.  Quite fun.  I did lots of cooking this season...learned how to make candy.  I think once a year for candy is about right...

Christmas Eve was the traditional get-together at Alison's and Doug's for supper - a great big prime rib.  Alison is the Christmas Queen on the decoration front.  A good time was had by all.  Alison and Doug gave me a really good kitchen knife.  Can't beat that fine German steel. 

Christmas dinner at mom's place featured turkey with all the trimmings.  I was Side Dish Elmo with a fruit salad, green bean casserole, and potato and carrot puree.  Gifts were exchanged. 

I spoke to both Leah and Amanda on Christmas day.  Leah was just getting ready to pack-up in Olympia and return to Portland.  She had to be back at the wine cellar on the 26th.  She was in good spirits although she is still fighting a bad cold.

Amanda checked-in from Boston where she was having Christmas supper with her boyfriend Daniel's extended family.  Sounds like the east coasters were intrigued by the Alaskan in their midst.  Amanda was amused.  They were going to hit the road back to New Hampshire late Christmas day.  Hope they beat the blizzard.  

Indeed, I just checked the weather for Hanover, NH and it looks like it has finally cleared up after a big snowfall.  Sounds like things are still a real mess at all the major Northeast airports.  I believe she is scheduled to fly back to PDX on December 30th.  One would hope that the insanity will have abated by then...

Sorry I haven't posted much...but my heart just hasn't been in it lately.  I assume that is because I really don't have much to report.  Hopefully the New Year will usher in a little more excitement - like a trip out of this burg.  Flights to Hawaii and hotels in Maui are pretty tight through most of January...so I'm thinking maybe a week in PDX and environs in early January and then a Hawaii trip in early February.  Haven't pulled the trigger on anything yet though.

This morning I got a call from Dougie who informed me that a very good ol' pal is in town for a week.  Jerry Schilz worked with Doug and me at Legislative Finance back in the 80's.  He's a great guy.  I can't join them for drinks this afternoon due to an auntie medical appointment and supper at mom's - but I will track him down later in the week.

And I just spoke to Brent Long who is in town visiting his dad and brother.  We'll have lunch on Thursday.

So there you have it gang!

Three Shopping Days 'Til Christmas

I think I set a new record for Christmas power shopping today.  And I have historically been quite good at this maneuver.  Two-and-a-half hours to complete my remaining shopping.  And it was a considerable list.  Damn I'm good.  But I was well prepared.  I KNEW what I wanted - it was just a matter of finding it.

I do believe that many of my fellow shoppers were not so well prepared.  Indeed, with three days to go the complexion of the shopping population has decidedly shifted...from the female to the male of the species.  And many of these shoppers have that glassy-eyed and slack-jawed countenance associated with those who believe they are already doomed - the jig will soon be up with the girlfriend, wife, or other beloved individuals they are once again destined to disappoint on Christmas morn. Don't give-up hope, boys.  It gets easier as the week wears on...the selection, and thus the decision making, become more manageable.  And I've done some of my best work on Christmas Eve.  Persevere!  Hah!

On a MUCH more positive note, Amanda called this morning to inform me that he is about to become a staff member of the Portland Children's Museum.  She starts on December 31st.  She is quite excited and the Museum is excited to have her.  It will be part-time work to start with but the powers-that-be are already talking about cross-training in various capacities - so hopefully it will soon morph into more hours and full-time status.  An EXCELLENT way to start 2011.  Bravo!

Last night Joan and I finished the 2010 Christmas Candy Extravaganza.  We made a big pile of candy.  And it's all pretty tasty if I do say so myself.  Very fun - so long as I only have to do it once a year.  Making candy is hard work...  I will play Cavity Faerie to the elders...

Untimely

Well, that was a disappointment.  The clouds rolled-in last night just in time to make the total eclipse of the moon less than spectacular.  You could still see it; but it was all fuzzy and not the spectacle for which I had been hoping.  My landlord says we won't have another one in Juneau for a hundred years or so (don't know if that's true or not) but guess I'll have to hit the road if I want to see another. I tried to take a couple of pics; but it was SOOOOO cold that I couldn't hold the camera steady even with my monopod.

On the other hand, it's clear as a bell this morning.

I had a busy weekend.  Helped assemble the plum pudd on Friday for Thelma's big Xmas party on Sunday - the party was a roaring success as always.  Alison is very well organized.  Saturday was candy making day with Joan - also quite fun but not yet completed.  We will do another shift tonight.

Today I need to do some power Christmas shopping.  Have a pretty good idea about everything I need, I just need to go out and get it. 

So there you have it!

The Christmas Pudding

Christmas pudd day.  I'm off to Alison's mom's place at 11 AM to assist in the creation of the traditional plum pudding.  Big Xmas party on Sunday at Thelma's.  And tonight I'm going over to Joan's to make candy - there's a box with four pounds of quality chocolate under my tree. 

Last evening was the annual cocktail event at the Prospector with Shelly, Laura, Dougie and Alison.  The restaurant and bar are tarted-up real nice...actually it's completely over-the-top with many, many many lights and ornaments hanging from the ceiling.  Ho!  Ho!  Ho!  I just LOVE the holidays.

I still have lots of local shopping to do...but otherwise I'm in pretty good shape.  I did quite a bit of baking this week and will bake some real Christmas cookies next week.

I took auntie to a couple of medical appointments early in the week.  Relatively uneventful as such things go.  Her physical therapist is Denise McPherson (Blefgen) an old schoolmate.  Going back to about second grade as I recall...  She's a great gal and seemed to get a kick out of auntie's antics.  Don't think Emilie stopped talking for two seconds the whole time...  We had another appointment scheduled for today; but auntie has canceled due to discomfort associated with Tuesday's tooth extraction.  I will check-in on her after the pudding exercise.

The weather has been pretty darn nice all week...although it was blowing Taku downtown last night.  Brrrrrrr.  Still, I'm not complaining.  Here is yet another pic from my deck taken earlier this week.  I never tire of this view although it's fairly mundane for these here parts...

Not a bad view to wake-up to...

Have a great weekend everybody.

Geez...it's been a week!

Sorry about the lack of posts - but haven't had a lot to share.  Quality personal time for Elmo.  I did drive around a bit though...here's a couple of pretty pics from North Douglas mid-week. 

A beautiful winter's day out North Douglas.  The Chilkat Mountains were lovely.

Gotta Love that Soft Winter Sunshine.  A Rare Commodity!

Been chugging-away on Christmas stuff.  Ordered a mess of stuff online.  Very convenient and a necessity in a town that seems to be losing local retailers right and left.  The Nugget Mall was like a ghost town this week - two weeks before Christmas.  Not good.  The box stores seem to be a little busier - but it still looks pretty feeble. 

I did some baking yesterday and had a great supper and visit with Dougie and Alison.  Alison had just trimmed their trees - yep, that's plural.  One in the living room and one in the family room.  Beauteous.  Alison's got cool Xmas stuff...

Tomorrow and Tuesday are Auntie medical days - which can be both trying and amusing for all concerned.  She's going to a physical therapist tomorrow.  Don't know that she's ever seen one before.  I am filled with trepidation.  Her posture is very poor and thus her balance is not good.  Probably from sleeping in a chair for years.  Don't know what kinda manipulations are called for in this instance - but I guess I will find out tomorrow.  Physical therapy will be followed by a chicken dinner at mom's - assuming Auntie is not too sore to attend. Tuesday is dentist day.  Wish me luck.

I am contemplating a week or ten days in the Great Northwest in January.  And maybe Hawaii or someplace else warm in late February.  It's possible I may decide to go to the Juneau Golf Club tournament in March - but am reluctant to spend my money in Arizona these days - the politics of the place are just too disgusting.

YIKES!  A winter storm warning just popped-up for Juneau.  Maybe a foot in the next couple of days.  And cooler temps later in the week.  Guess it's winter.  I just acquired a new super duper big shovel for driveway work.  Bring it on...

It was just perfect today.  Mostly clear, temperature around 30 degrees, no wind and a blanket of fresh snow.  Wish it would stay just like this for a couple of months...but obviously that's not going to happen. 

Will try to be more diligent posting this next week.

Cheerio.

Christmas Stuff

Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Got my tree up yesterday.  The poor ol' thing is beginning to look a little ragged.  It's about 15 or so years old...it was initially purchased after several unfortunate incidents involving the family cats, Missy and Crazy, who were prone to climbing into the branches of natural Christmas trees resulting in serious mayhem.  I think it will be headed for the landfill after the current season.  Hate to do it...lots of kiddo memories associated with my current tree...  Fortunately, fond memories last longer than artificial Christmas trees.

I've also got a majority of my cards written.  Will try to get them all finished in the next day or two.  And I am resolved to getting my Christmas shopping done this week as well.  Yesterday I ordered some high quality chocolate online in anticipation of some serious candy making.  Joan is going to be the candy master.  I will be the candy helper elf.  I do love the holidays.

Otherwise it has been a pretty quiet week.  Went to the Moose Family Center on Friday for cocktails with Dougie and Eric.  Good fun. Saturday was one of the ugliest days I've seen in many a moon.  We had a about five inches of snow last week and it all vanished in about 12 hours under a deluge of rain and serious wind.  Ugh!  The forecast for the remainder of this week is quite unremarkable.  A little sun, a little snow and temps bouncing just above and below freezing.  Such it is...

In other news, I have been watching with disgust the U.S. Senate's "deliberations" over the Bush tax cuts.  It looks like it will be a big Christmas pudding for the wealthy and a lump of coal for the rest of us.  Although this morning the news suggests the deal will likely include some sort of extension of unemployment benefits.

But before I get too wound-up - time to remember that a couple of pictures (or cartoons) are worth a thousand words....

The Vegans are Coming!

Well, well, well.  Winter.  About three inches of snow on the deck this morning.  Will have to do some shoveling here and at mom's.  Supposed to be up to six inches before the day is out.  The trees are lovely dressed in white.

I attended a wonderful supper party at Laura Beason's on Saturday.  Good food and good company.  Laura's condo is a fine place for a supper party.  Huge picture windows with a perfect view of the Juneau harbor.  For a few moments I thought I ought to buy a condo with a harbor view.  Fortunately the moment passed...

Otherwise it was a very quiet weekend.  Not much to report, I'm afraid.

Yesterday I took mom to the doc.  Her hands are seriously impaired with arthritis and it has begun to affect her ability to crochet.  This is a major quality of life issue...she loves to crochet.  The doc jabbed her hand with a shot of steroids.  Hopefully it will relieve the symptoms for a couple of months.  Her back bothers her too...

And today is doc day for auntie.  Last week she called and asked me to take her to the doctor that day.  No problem.  I picked her up and we zoomed to the clinic.  When we walked in the door the receptionist looked puzzled since the doctor was not "in" and no appointments had been scheduled.

Auntie pondered the situation.  Then the light came on.  "Dentist!  I have a dentist appointment today!"  exclaimed auntie.  OK.  No problem.  We motored out to the dentist.  All's well that ends well...

In other news, I see that the U.S. Senate passed sweeping food safety legislation today.  Not surprisingly it's less stringent than the House version but it sounds like it's still worthwhile.  Of course, there are detractors including everyone's favourite FOX News commentator as noted in today's Washington Post:

It drew fire from some tea party activists, who see it as government overreach. On his television program this month, talkshow host Glenn Beck suggested that the measure was a government ruse to raise the price of meat and convert more consumers to vegetarianism. 

Are vegans more or less dangerous than socialists in the FOX pantheon?  I would guess less dangerous...unless of course a vegan is gay.

And speaking of tea party activists, an amusing piece in Politico this morning on my ex-Governor.  It seems that she has been making fun of some iconic conservatives which is not sitting well in some quarters.

In the past month alone, she has mocked Ronald Reagan’s credentials, dismissed George H.W. and Barbara Bush as arrogant “blue bloods” and blamed George W. Bush for wrecking the economy.

When Sean Hannity asked Palin whether being in a reality show diminished her standing to be president, the former half-term governor mocked Reagan’s biography, dismissing him as “an actor.”

Sounding like every left-wing politician and media elitist who ridiculed Reagan for decades, Palin sneered that she could be president if the actor from “Bedtime for Bonzo” managed to do so. 

Which I guess just goes to prove the old adage that even a blind pig finds a truffle every now and then...

Black Friday

Just went down to Fred Meyers for a grande latte.  The place was jammed.  Holiday shoppers doing the Holiday Shopping thing.  Juneau's Walmart was open all night with the super duper electronics sale due to kick-off at 5 AM.  The only thing I want to be doing at 5 AM is sleeping.

Turkey day was busy.  Cooked most of the day.  Made chicken stock for future use.  Made cauliflower au gratin and carrot and sweet potato puree for supper at mom's.  Supper was the traditional turkey with all the trimmings and mom's famous chocolate sundae pie for dessert.  Yummy.

Amanda and Leah called yesterday morning and I had a very pleasant chat.  They both seem on top of the world at the moment.  Leah LOVES her new job at the winery - with the exception of the one hour commute each way.  The folks working at Sokol-Blosser are young and fun.  The winery just released their new pinots and it sounds like Leah is rapidly acquiring a substantial personal wine cellar.  This weekend is the biggest of the season at the tasting room so she will be very busy.

Amanda and her beau, Daniel, are now living in their new apartment in the Hawthorne District.  Sounds like they like the place.  Amanda went to a job interview at Portland State University last week and is extremely hopeful that she is about to be offered a job at the student health center.  They were checking her references within a half-hour of the conclusion of the interview.   Decent salary and great benefits including the employee discount on tuition and use of university facilities including the gym.  I've got my fingers crossed!

Otherwise life continues at a very sedate pace.  We got a couple of inches of snow early in the week which resulted in the typical first snow demolition derby on Egan Drive.  I believe there were eleven fender benders with four hospitalized - fortunately no life-threatening injuries.  Then it turned to rain for a couple of days before clearing-off somewhat last night when the roads turned to ice.  It was a mite treacherous when I took auntie and nephew home after supper last night.  The forecast is for real winter to start after the first of next week.  Snow followed by clearing and plummeting temperatures.

Well, gonna de-fat my chicken stock and then mosey over to mom's for coffee. I leave you with a link to an amusing tale from the wilds of Virginia featuring an Australian, his dog, and an officious bureaucrat.  Very amusing.  Thanks to Dougie for the link.

Garbage Bears

Coitus Interruptus

Morning coffee with mom and sister is a constant in my life at present.  I have a cup or two, catch-up on the events of the past 24-hours, pack wood from the woodshed to the porch, receive instructions on any errands that need to be run and then hit the road for town and my daily workout. 

Not surprisingly, conversation at the morning Koffee Klatch also frequently includes reminiscences of events, places or personages from Juneau's past. 

Yesterday, we were wandering down memory lane and stumbled across the Spruce Delicatessen which in my youth was located on Glacier Avenue where Goldbelt Plaza currently resides.

The Spruce Delicatessen was a totem of my early years.  From the day I received my first allowance until my teenage years Spruce was the source of much entertainment and malnourishment for myself and my childhood pals.  Spruce was where we obtained our balsa gliders, squirt guns, balloons (to be weaponized with water from a garden hose), Super Balls, and kites as well as our Shasta Soda (It hasta to be Shasta), ice cream bars, Hostess Cupcakes and candy in countless varieties.

The proprietors of this venerable establishment were a couple of long-time Juneauites who regarded us kids with a mixture of affection (or at least an appreciation of our coin) and suspicion (our potential for neighborhood hooliganism).  Us kids were similarly of two minds regarding Al and Cora.  While they were the source of lots of fun and yummy stuff, they could also be serious nags - "You'll put your eyes out with those darts!"

In any event, yesterday, just as I was savoring these sweet childhood memories mom threw a serious curve ball into the conversation.

"Cora used to live at Ma's (Grandma Newman's) boardinghouse" mom announced.  "And Ma caught her having sex in the hallway - on that trunk."  Mom pointed to grandma's old trunk which now sits in mom's living room.

OOFTA! 

In other news, another beautiful morning.  Chilly but clear.  It's been quite nice for almost a week now.  It is supposed to cloud-up today, however, with a chance of snow late tonight.  Sadly it is supposed to warm-up later in the week...rain on Thanksgiving.  I am beginning to hear rumbles of discontent from the skier and snowboarder crowd at the club.

The past week has been hugely uninteresting.  The high point was mom's birthday on Wednesday and I believe she enjoyed her birthday dinner. I enjoyed cooking it. 

Otherwise I have been keeping my nose to the grindstone working on my 2011 photo calendar.  I think I have made about 50 months worth of pictures; but I have not been happy with the results in most cases and am still a couple months shy, picture wise, of an acceptable calendar.  Tick-tock.  Need to get this show on the road.

To sum-up, I am in winter hibernation mode.  Wake-up, check the news online, blog, Coffee at mom's, a long workout with a steam or sauna, run errands, read a book, work on photo projects, cook supper, watch Family Guy, the Simpsons and Southpark, go to bed, wake-up and do it all over again.

By late January or early February I will need to get out of town before I go stir crazy .  Still, I cannot say that I am truly bored.  The days whizz-by.

Later gang.

Beginnin' to Look a Lot like Winter

Clear and cold last night.  Mostly clear today with some snow blowin' around the tops of the mountains.  SERIOUS wind tonight and tomorrow - gusts to 75 mph downtown.  And getting colder the next few days - down to the teens in sheltered areas.  A rumor of snow early next week.  I'm actually looking forward to the winter wonderland gig...although in moderation, of course.

I have been devoting many waking hours to my 2011 calendar...and I am frustrated.  I've done a number of fairly elaborate cut-and-paste collages and whatnot and am in most instances not pleased with the results.  Back to the drawing board - I think I will go to Plan B - the simple and straightforward approach.  Stay tuned.

I've also been doing a fair amount of cooking - mostly baking.  And tomorrow is mom's 84th birthday when I will be the guest chef.  I have already made her the promised Peanut Butter Pie which she really likes.  The rest of the tribe aren't crazy about it, however, so there is a Chunky Apple Cake in the oven right now.  The meal will be of the meat and potatoes variety.  Fillets as the protein, a potato and leek puree for the starch, and candied carrots with apricots for the veggie.  And there may or may not be a fruit salad.  I can't seem to find the recipe that I thought I had saved...  Busy day tomorrow.

In other news, I spoke to a very excited and happy Leah on Saturday evening.  She had just finished her first day at Sokol-Blosser Vineyards.  Tough duty.  Spent half the day tasting wine and learning the pitch they use in the tasting room.  Sounds like she'll be helping with lots of tastings at hotels and restaurants.  Way cool.

The weekend was quite sedate.  Cocktails on Friday followed by supper with Joan at the Island Pub and a delicious braised short-ribs supper at Alison's and Doug's on Sunday.  Dougie and I enjoyed a fire under alternating moonlight and rain.  The last pit o' the year, I expect....

Finally, I note that the Murkowski/Miller vote count appears to be nearing the end (or at least the end of the beginning).  I was hugely amused by the story in the Juneau Empire today where the local press folks interviewed the national and international press folks who were in town for the show including the English language channel of Al-Jazeera.  I was much taken with the cogent and succinct summation the Al-Jazeera correspondent gave of our current national political situation.

"What is going on in Alaska is reflective of the national mood and the national conversation, in so far as you have the tea party and the anti-government movement, and the exasperation on the right with government spending that doesn't really correspond with the people's requests in terms of entitlements, Medicare and government services," said Nick Spicer, a correspondent for the network's English language channel.

Spicer said the trip to Juneau by the team was prompted by a column Washington Post's Anne Applebaum about the Alaska Senate race.

"There's a hypocrisy in the tea party that she sees reflected in the Alaska debate, and in this particular race," Spicer said.

The Al-Jazeera team, which includes an American correspondent, a Canadian producer and a Danish photographer, is based in Washington, D.C. It's on the lookout for stories that will be of interest all over the world, and found it especially compelling in Sarah Palin's home state.

"Every country has that kind of hypocrisy, but because Sarah has become the leader of the tea-party movement it adds a little extra spice to the story," he said.

Or putting it even more succinctly, to misquote good ol' P J O'Rourke, "...the conflict between what the American people want in terms of government services - which is everything; and what the American people want to pay for those services - which is nothing."

Later gang! 

Like Watching Paint Dry

Friday already.  My how time flies...  I've been preoccupied this week with working on my 2011 photo calendar.  I enjoy the job...although it has it's frustrating moments.  Making good progress.

Otherwise it has not been a particularly blogworthy week.  Lots of rain.  Rain PLUS wind this morning and more of the same scheduled for the next few days.  Looks like there is a chance it may cool down after the middle of next week.  Mid-twenties by this time next week.  A chance for a few snow showers.  Bring it on...

I did take time out from my Photoshop duties to tune-in the Alaska U.S. Senate recount on local access cable channel 18.  You can actually watch the Division of Elections count all the write-in ballots.  This is just as exciting as one would think - like watching paint dry. 

The lack of drama involved in the actual ballot counting notwithstanding, the tussle between Lease A. Murkowski and her Palinista rival is quite amusing.  And it's beginning to look like Mr. Miller is going to end up holding the proverbial short-end of the stick.  Over 98% of the write-ins are breaking for Ms. Murkowski.

So...the teabag candidate is plotting an extended legal campaign the first phase of which is to challenge ballots for which there is no plausible basis to challenge. And to assist him in his legal maneuvers some of the best and the brightest of the Republican/Conservative apparatchiks are entering the fray as described in today's Anchorage Daily News.

"You have to feel great about Joe Miller's chances to win this election," declared Floyd Brown, a longtime conservative activist who came to Juneau Thursday as an adviser to Miller on the count.

Brown is well known as the man responsible for the "Willie Horton" television ad that helped derail the Michael Dukakis presidential campaign in 1988.

He's founder of Citizens United, whose Supreme Court case opened the way to unlimited donations from corporations and unions to some political committees, including Alaskans Standing Together, the Alaska Native organization that was so effective in helping Murkowski's write-in bid. Brown, who currently runs a website dedicated to impeaching President Barack Obama, said he's been on the ground in Alaska "since a few days after the election."

And additional lawsuits are planned...

At the end of the day all of this is much about nothing, of course.  From my perspective it will matter little which one of these two bozos gets on the bus for Washington.  They are like two peas in a pod when it comes to all the significant issues - each would gladly bring the country to a standstill in support of the Republican leadership's jihad against Mr. Obama.  They both disgust me.

Have a nice weekend everybody.

Happy Birthday to Me

Well, double nickels times two.  Fifty five and born in fifty five.  Can't say that I feel any different this morning...although the day is young.  My sister is cooking my birthday supper - the usual list of familial suspects on the guest list.

November 8th is a pretty boring day in history.  Highlights, such as they are, include:

• In the year 392 Roman Emperor Theodosius declared Christianity the State Religion
• In 1731 Benjamin Franklin opened the first public library in the Colonies
• In 1789 Bourbon Whiskey was first distilled from corn by Elijah Craig in Bourbon, Kentucky
• In 1923 Adolph Hitler staged the unsuccessful Beer Hall Putsch in Munich
• In 1942 the Allies invaded North Africa in Operation Torch

Yawn.

A pleasant weekend - cocktails on Friday with Dougie, Alison, Shelly, and Laura and an excellent crown roast of pork courtesy of Alison on Saturday.  Eric and Joan joined the party.

Yesterday I changed the cap on the chimney of mom's wood stove and cleaned the gutters which were clogged with leaves, twigs, and spruce needles.  Never seen so much fall debris.  But hopefully the worst is now behind us.  And still no sign of snow.  In fact the weather service has already posted a high wind/heavy rain warning for later this week when the remnants of some tropical storm is due to play through.  I would actually prefer a blizzard - just for a little variety.

In other news, mom gave away her 23 year old Honda Accord last week.  There was something seriously amiss with the steering - I think it was potentially dangerous - and it makes no sense to spend a dime on a car that old.  She gave it to her great granddaughter who has a fiance who is apparently handy with cars.  Mom may or may not get a new car next spring.  She wouldn't have been doing much driving in the winter in any event.

Finally, on Friday I did make it to Hearthside Books for cousin Sandra's book signing.  They had a good turnout.  Sandra said they sold about 85 copies.  Lots of folks standing around.  Pretty cool.  The authors legged-it over to Sitka for another book signing over the weekend.

 A labor of love I'm sure

 The proud parents

Dr. Lindstrom looked mighty pleased with herself!

Well, gonna fold some laundry and then head over to mom's for morning coffee.  Then a birthday workout.  I started lifting again last week after almost a four month hiatus and boy are my muscles sore. I've been diligent about the treadmill and my cardio work all summer but for some reason didn't feel like doing weights when I was in Anchorage.   Doesn't take long to lose muscle tone.  It appears that I lost about 20% of my capacity in many muscle groups.  The question being:  At age 55 can I get it back?  Sure gonna try.  Hah!

Projects

Well, another rainy day in Juneau...imagine that.  And more to come.  No hint of snow in the forecast for the next week.  It's still early...but it has certainly been warmer than normal.  My sources in PDX suggest that the weather has been quite wonderful the past few days.  Sunny and warm. 

I've been busy catching-up on chores and projects since I returned.  Yesterday I finished downloading all my vacation pics...just a couple you haven't previously seen that are worth a post.

 Hecate Head on the Oregon Coast

 Bridge at Florence, Oregon

View from my Hotel in Ashland, Oregon.  Big Storm Brewing...

As always, many regrets about the pictures I did NOT take (particularly of my Portland friends who were famously camera-shy) as well as disappointment with many pics I DID take.  Still, a couple which may be calendar worthy either as stand-alone shots or part of some sort of montage.

Indeed, I need to get busy on my 2011 calendar as well as my 2010 Christmas cards.  Will start today!

In other news, I've been to the airport quite a bit.  Collected Joan last Saturday returning from a conference and visiting her dad in Boise.

Monday I played cabbie for Alison and Doug and Doug's brother, Stu and his wife M'iva.  Didn't know Stu and M'iva were arriving - but there they were.  I managed to cram everyone and everything into the jeep.   I just saw an email from Alison inviting me to supper tomorrow night so I will get the full African Safari report.  Maybe she will have some cool critter pics that I can share with everyone...

On Wednesday evening I picked-up cousin Sandra who has a book signing today at Hearthside Books - I believe it is a reference book on seaweeds of Alaska.  Perhaps I will wander over and take a couple of pics of the event.

Finally, yesterday I reviewed all the voice mails that had accumulated on my home phone.  I rarely answer it these days - the calls are invariably of the nuisance variety.  Not surprisingly the majority of the messages were political in nature.  Always nice to hear from my ol' buddy Bill Clinton.

But my favourite was the robo-call featuring Pat Boone urging me to vote for Mr. Miller for the U.S. Senate.  It seems that Pat is a tea-bagger kinda guy.  He made his pitch and closed with a touchingly insincere "May god bless you."

Pat Boone - founding member of the Beverly Hills Tea Party

 Runner-up in entertainment value was a near tearful plea from Ma and Pa Miller telling me what a swell guy their son was and how he would set this country right - concluding with more blessings.

The most effective plea (and most disingenuous) of the lot was Lease A. Murkowski doing her "I'm really a closet Democrat" schtick.  Pro-choice, hugely concerned about health care - particularly for kids - cares about the environment, and NOT a crypto-fascist like you-know-who.  I actually did laugh out loud.

Ain't life grand?

Good and Hard...

I am not a masochist so I did not watch any election returns last night.  It was clear the news was going to be bad - the only question was how bad?  Well, we now know.  Pretty bad.

It seems that the average Americano, bruised and battered by the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and fearful of the future, has concluded that the political party that threw him under the bus in the first place are just the folks to pick-him up, dust him off and set him on the road to happiness and prosperity. 

Never has H. L. Mencken's famous quote seemed more apt:  "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard." 

This morning some commentators are chirping that we should be proud that the American people have rejected some of the more extreme Republican candidates - the wackiest of the tea baggers.  I am not feeling chirpy however.  Why, for example, should I rejoice that Ms. Murkowski is likely to retain her Senate seat in Alaska?  Although Ms. Murkowski is no doubt a far more decent person than the appalling Mr. Miller, I cannot see that there would be a dime's worth of difference between the two in terms of how they would vote on the issues that are important to me.  The fact that Lisa will kiss me before she fucks me provides little comfort.

Well, I'm up early to take my car in for servicing.  New tires for winter too.

Have a nice day.

Juneau the Hard Way

Woke-up at the Coast Gateway Hotel at Sea-Tac yesterday and immediately went online to check the Juneau weather.  Roh Roh.  High wind warning.  Winds at the airport gusting to near 50 mph.  On Sheep Mountain gusts to almost 80 mph.  Not auspicious for my scheduled departure three hours later.  Still, the forecast called for diminishing winds before my scheduled arrival...

Got packed-up, turned-in the rental car and off to the airport.  Checked-in...no hint of delay or weather problems.  It took quite awhile to wind my way through security.  The process was punctuated by a TSA goon slamming a big stack of empty trays on my thumb just as I was reaching for a tray in which to place my computer.  Ouch!  I am going to have one black-and-blue digit for a awhile.  The goon apologized profusely.  I pondered making a scene and filing a complaint/claim; but the prospect of missing my flight and spending six hours or so filling out federal paperwork deterred me.  And god knows what kind of list you go on if you formally complain about TSA...

So it was with some trepidation and a throbbing thumb that I approached gate C-16 to board my Juneau flight.  Figured the odds were good we would spend an hour or two hanging-out waiting for the winds to die down.  Nope.  No suspense at all.  Just a smiling agent at the gate to inform me that the flight had been canceled due to high winds and I should hustle my buns down to the Alaska Airlines Service Center to be serviced.

The stroll gave me time to ponder what I should do...hang-out at Sea-Tac and try to get on the 3PM milk-run via Ketchikan and Sitka?  Go into town for the day and come back for the evening direct flight?  Would I have to collect my checked-bags including the bloody golf clubs?

One of the advantages to having a smart phone (a device I do NOT possess)  is that in situations such as this one can leap online and change one's reservations before the huddled masses can be serviced one-by-one by an agent.  I suspect half of my fellow would-be flight mates exercised this option.  And most of those who had not were ahead of me in line at the Customer Service Center.  An hour or so later when I am finally serviced by an agent the options for getting home on Friday had dwindled to exactly one:  Take a flight from Seattle to Anchorage and then the Cordova-Yakutat,-Juneau milk run.  And of course if I elected to remain in Seattle for another day - it would be on my own dime.

Alrighty then!  I took the offered deal which did not, by the way, include any guarantee that I would be seeing my checked-baggage anytime soon.  My bags, not requiring a seat, would most likely travel to Juneau directly from Seattle on the next available flight.  What were the odds of both me and my bags arriving in Juneau before the day was out?  Not high, I thought; but what the hell, it's an adventure.

The flight to Anchorage was quite pleasant even though I was in a middle seat.  I got engrossed in a book I had purchased a few days earlier "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson.  Best novel I've read in some time...

Got off the plane in Anchorage just in time to hear the "boarding all rows" announcement for my flight to Juneau.  Flight 66 operated as a combi yesterday - the first time I have flown on Alaska's new 737-400 passenger/freight aircraft.  Departed on time and off to Cordova where the sun was shining brightly.  A bumpy approach into Yakutat; but still on time.  Dropped into Juneau a few minutes early.  And miracle of miracles...my checked-bags joined me only a half-hour later on the flight from Seattle.  A long day but all's well that ends well.

My bed felt real comfy last night.  And I am resolved to take a break from super rich food and wine binging - at least until the official kick-off of the holidays at Thanksgiving.  Is it possible to have a food hangover?  I think maybe so...

But it was one mighty fine vacation! 

Congratulations Leah!

Just got a call from Leah.  She had just got off the phone with the folks from Sokol Blosser winery.  They are making her a job offer.  She was ecstatic.  Adios mind-numbing insurance stuff.  Hola a fun new job.  She will be working with their wine club program - I see a link on their website to something called the Cellar Club.  She met most of the staff at her second interview on Monday - including the co-presidents who are the son and daughter of the founder.  Lots of young people there.  Way cool.

In other news the wining and dining Portland experience continues.  Went to Bamboo Sushi with Jim, Jane, John, and Amanda Monday night.  We ordered a mess of yummy sushi - mowed right through it and then ordered more which also vanished without a trace.  Good and good for you...but it was the company that stole the show.  Dining in the city with friends is about as good as it gets in my book.

Tuesday was another serious carb-loading experience at Cafe Mingo with Amanda and Leah.  I had beef braised in coffee and wine over penne pasta.  It's about the best pasta dish I've ever had.  And again, the company was extraordinary.

Last night was a huge steak at El Gaucho here at the hotel.  I'm still feeling stuffed this morning.  I think I will need to double my workouts when I get home...all this rich food and wine must be taking it's toll.  Time to give it a rest methinks.

And indeed the party is coming to a close as I will motor up I-5 to Seattle today in preparation for catching the late morning flight home tomorrow.  It's been a wonderful trip.

Back to Portland

Well, back in the City of Roses after a wonderful trip down the coast.  It couldn't have been a more pleasant road trip. 

On Friday I drove from Arcata, California up to Ashland, Oregon.  A beautiful drive through the coastal mountains.  A fair amount of fall color in the hills. 

In Ashland I checked-into an all suites hotel that was very nice.  A room damn near as big as my apartment in Juneau.  I wandered around downtown Ashland which is very quaint.  The two major industries are the Southern Oregon University and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.  A very congenial atmosphere with lots of good food and beverages.  Had supper and went back to my room where I booked a ticket to see Hamlet on Saturday afternoon.

My last encounter with the Prince of Denmark was back in the 9th grade - Mrs. Green's English class.  I spent some time Saturday morning online brushing-up on my Shakespeare studies.  A plethora of crib notes are now available online - a huge boon to modern day 9th grade students, I'm sure.  Then I was off to the theater for a wonderful experience.  A fun pub supper with lots of amusing company at the bar.  A very good day. 

The festival offers a range of theater - not just the classics of the Bard of Avon.  The 2010 program included "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", a stage adaptation of "Pride and Prejudice" as well as a number of offerings by contemporary playwrights.  And there are several productions I'd love to see scheduled for the 2011 season.

So...just one  more attraction to add to the Oregon desirability list which grows longer by the day...

Yesterday was a travel day.  Drove from Ashland back up to PDX.  There were HUGE thunderheads - I drove through three distinct storms that included lightning displays and serious downpours.  There was a winter storm watch for the Cascade passes and I guess the Columbia River bar was shut-down as well.  I checked-in to the Benson around 4 PM, had an early supper and was sawing logs by 8 PM.

Tonight it's off to Bamboo Sushi with Jim Larson, Jane, John and Amanda.  Leah has a conflict but I will be joining her for lunch in an hour or so.

Life is good!

Big Trees

I went hiking in the Redwoods yesterday.  A six mile loop (I took the Clintonia Trail bypass instead of the 11 mile route) through the old growth - Miner's Ridge Loop.  Quite amazing...these trees are BIG.   Unfortunately the weather was just so-so...not very good lighting and I am disappointed in my pics.  It's also hard to get perspective.  They are, after all, just TREES.  And without something to measure them against...it's hard to appreciate their size.  There were not a lot of folks on the trails; but finally I came across two gals who got to be my tree foils.  Here you go!

Big tree...click on image for a larger pic.  See the gals at the lower left.

Today I'm going to motor up to Ashland, Oregon to spend the night.  Then probably Corvallis tomorrow and on into PDX on Sunday.  It's partly cloudy this morning but it's supposed to rain most of the weekend.  Sure can't complain though.  The weather has been nearly perfect my whole trip.

Otherwise not much to report travel wise.  Been having fun...although Arcata is certainly not as visitor friendly as the Oregon Coast communities.  It is a college town however.  Humboldt University is just a mile up the road and there is a cool square downtown with all the collegiate eateries and drinkeries around the perimeter.  I had a decent meal there last evening.

Last, and certainly not least HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMANDA AND LEAH - 27 years young today.  I spoke to both of them yesterday and they were having good days.  Amanda has secured an apartment in the Hawthorne District with which she is very enamored and Leah is scheduled for her SECOND employment interview with the Sokol Blosser winery on Monday.  They were both quite pleased with themselves.  BRAVO!

Well, gonna pack-up and hit the road. 

Road Day

Well, another beautiful morning.  Watched the sun come up.  Have now had my morning coffee and need to pack-up and hit the road.  About 5 1/2 hours to Arcata, California today.  Will be hiking in the Redwoods tomorrow.

Another golf day yesterday.  Didn't play worth a damn.  Imagine that!  Still, it was sure nice to be outdoors in the middle of October in the sunshine.  Must have been near 70 yesterday.  After golf I motored to "Old Town" Florence and had a burger at a sports bar.  "Old Town" is pretty quaint...but only a couple of blocks long.  The rest of Florence is a five mile long strip mall bordering Highway 101.

I watched the end of the Giants/Philly game last night and back at the hotel enjoyed seeing Texas demolish the Yankees.  Dad would have really enjoyed the game.

Beautiful sunsets here on the Oregon Coast.  Of course, it's not nice all the time as the locals have been honest enough to tell me.  But after 55 years in Juneau - I know that drill - and they have a lot more nice days here than there.

Sunset from my balcony in Florence, Oregon

There is a flock of seagulls that have made the Driftwood Shores Resort their home.  They cadge a living by snatching food tossed-off the guest room balconies.  Indeed I see a half dozen of the big fat buggers circling outside even as I type.  Since it's a little after 8 AM, I assume this is the toast and English muffin course.  The seagulls aren't as smart as mom's ravens; but they know a gravy train when they see it...

Dougie just posted some African Safari pics on Facebook.  Sounds like he and Alison are having a wonderful time.  Cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, and icy cold Kilimanjaro Beer.

Well, the open road beckons kids...

Good News, Bad News in Florence, Oregon

The good news first.  My golf game has not deteriorated from a year of inactivity on the links.  The bad news:  My golf game is substantially the same as a year ago.  Still, had a very fine time playing 18 holes at the Ocean Dunes course.  Very few people playing and beautiful weather.  I have therefore elected to spend another night in Florence so that I might hit the little ball again tomorrow.

My drive down from Lincoln City was delightful.  I pulled-off the road a dozen times or so to sight see.  Saw a pod of gray whales from a great distance and lots of sea lions.  Took a walk to the Hecate Head lighthouse which was very scenic.

Pelicans Chillin' south of Depoe Bay

Cool Rocks at Hecate Head just north of Florence

Hecate Head Lighthouse

The Oregon Coast is chock-a-block full of interesting place names.  Among my favourites are Cape Foulweather, Cook's Chasm, the Devil's Punchbowl (I think this is where "he who must not be named" invented our collegiate party drink of choice, Purple Jesus), Cape Disappointment, and the Devil's Churn (this must be where you-know-who makes his creme fraiche).  These names also give one a good sense of what the weather in this neck-of-the-woods must look like in January...

But I digress again. So to make a long story short I'm gonna hang at Florence 'til Wednesday morning.  Then drive down to Northern California for a couple of days.  At least one day of hiking in the Redwoods.  The weather is supposed to hold through Thursday.

I will then work my way back up to Portland - probably via I-5.  Maybe spend a night in Ashland and/or Corvallis.  Then Sunday through Wednesday back in the City of Roses for more visiting and dining.  My pal Arthur should be back in town and there are other folks I would like to see as well.

So, there you have it!

Hiking Fool

God I love the coast.  Particularly in excellent weather...

The classic northern coast pic

A great day yesterday.  Took TWO hikes - the first to the summit of Cascade Head just north of Lincoln City.  About 2.5 miles one-way and a rise of almost 1500 feet.  This was an aerobic event...was huffing and puffing and sweating like a little piggy (to mix my faerie tale metaphors) before I reached the summit. 

It was worth it though.  Spectacular view looking south along the coast as well as east up the Salmon River.  Lots of happy people hiking.  No doggies though!  The Nature Conservancy is restoring vegetation on the trail and four-legged friends are banned. 

Lincoln City from Cascade Head

YIKES!

Elmo at the Summit

Got back to the car and decided I could use some more punishment so motored inland on Highway 18 a few miles and then up a very narrow and winding Forrest Service Road 10 miles or so to the Drift Creek Falls trail head.  This trail was all through the woods down into a ravine with a small but beautiful waterfall and a 200 foot long suspension bridge.  Truly a "bridge to nowhere" but a very pleasant hike.

A "bridge to  nowhere"

  Actually it's a bridge to give you this view

After this second workout it was time to return to the hotel for a glass of wine and supper.  Reckon I hiked about 10 miles during the course of the day.  Was in bed by 10 PM and slept like the proverbial log.

Today I'll drive down the coast for about 2 hours to Florence, Oregon.  Have a room for two nights on the beach.  There are lots of State Parks along the coast on the way and will take my time for sightseeing.  A couple from Corvallis I met last evening spent time watching some gray whales just south of here yesterday.  Said they were pretty close to the beach.

Upon my arrival in Florence I will probably get the golf clubs out of the trunk and confirm that a year of abstinence from the game has NOT improved my swing.

Finally, a pic from Portland - lunch with Amanda and Maria...

Lunch in the City

Well, it's another spectacular day...gonna get this show on the road...

Portland Adieu

Dateline Lincoln City.  A beautiful morning on the Oregon Coast.  Yesterday I took U.S. 30 out of Portland along the Columbia River to Astoria.  I thought maybe it would be pretty along the river...and it may well have been...except that visibility was down to about a quarter mile most of the way with fog.  Oh well...

I stopped in Astoria for lunch and then continued down U.S. 101 to Lincoln City.  Checked-in at a beach side joint called the Surftides.  Not bad digs.  Even a little gas fireplace.  Decent seafood fettuccine supper last night (not up to PDX standards, of course) and a beautiful sunset over the Pacific.

Today I'm going to take a hike...got lots of suggestions from folks at the bar last night.  I'm feeling a serious need to get some exercise and fresh air.  I am pondering the "Lower Cascade Head" or "Drift Creek Falls" trails.  Or maybe both.  Gonna let it warm-up just a tad more however.  Was in the low 40's this morning and there has been a decent north breeze.  Brrrrrrrr.  Supposed to be in the lower 60's this afternoon however; and the wind is supposed to die down.

In other news, my last couple of days in Portland were way fun.  I had lunch with Maria Keitahn on Thursday in the Hawthorne District.  She looks great and says she's happy as can be in Portland.  Didn't have enough time to cover all the territory that needed to be covered; but that means there's a good reason to get together again soon!

I underwent serious retail therapy with Amanda and Leah.  They both seemed pleased with their acquisitions.  And I was very pleased that they were pleased. We went to Nostrana for supper on Thursday.  It's been highly rated in all the restaurant surveys...and the desserts were VERY good - but I can't say that it made my top 10 PDX list.  The company was extraordinary however - spending time with the gals always puts me in a good mood for days. 

Indeed both Amanda and Leah seem to be in pretty good spirits.  Today Leah is interviewing with a local vineyard for a job as wine club manager...and she is positively giddy at the prospect.  And 'Manda is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new beau who is relocating to Portland from the East Coast and at last report she had a couple of job and apartment prospects.  Next week the gals turn 27 years young!

Well, think I'll drive downtown for breakfast.  And then hit the trails.  And I need to decide where I'm going tomorrow and arrange lodgings.  I am torn between hanging on the Oregon Coast for a whole week - and then maybe a reprise of Portland - or rocketing down the coast to the Redwoods and the Bay Area.  I will contemplate the matter on my hike...

Road Trip

Well, a quiet day yesterday.  Had a stomach bug of some sort for about 12 hours...felt like the classic Norwalk-like virus and I'm suspicious that I may have picked it up at the hotel gym which was notably deficient in the sanitizer/hygiene department.  Fever, chills, and serious lower tract discomfort.  Felt fine by last evening.

But I did take the opportunity to use my down time to do a little mapping of the next couple of weeks.  Here's the concept:

• Day one - Drive from Portland to Florence, Oregon.  Overnight.
• Day two - Drive from Florence, Oregon to Brookings, Oregon.  Overnight.
• Days three and four - Drive from Brookings, Oregon to Garberville, California.  Benbow Inn for two nights with some exploring of the Redwoods.
• Day five - Drive to Bodega Bay, California.  Overnight.
• Days six and seven - Drive from Bodega Bay to Monterey, Carlifornia.  Two nights with sightseeing around Monterey.
• Day eight - Drive to Reno, Nevada.  Overnight.
• Days nine through eleven - Drive to Boise, Idaho and visit friends.
• Day twelve - Drive from Boise to Pendleton, Oregon.  Overnight.
• Day thirteen - Drive from Pendleton, Oregon to Sea-Tac.  Overnight.
• Day fourteen - AS 75 to Juneau.

This would be a fair amount of driving; but I'm feeling the need for a road trip fix.  Longest days would be from Monterey to Reno and from Reno to Boise; but they're still manageable.  Most days are around 4 hours of driving.  I will not make hotel reservations more than a couple of days in advance...so will have the ability to modify the itinerary as the spirit moves me.

In other news, going to undergo some retail therapy with Amanda today.  Rumor has it that she needs a new wardrobe.  Me too for that matter...  And tomorrow I'm going to have lunch with an old high school friend, Maria Keitahn.  And maybe Amanda will let me borrow a washer and dryer for a couple of hours.  Hopefully I will be able to do some shopping with Leah after work tomorrow too.  And at least one more supper with the gals.

Vacations are good!

Now Where Was I?...

Ah yes, last Thursday.  Spent the day in Ballard and the night at T's mom's place.  We had a very nice visit - she hasn't aged a day since I last saw her.  Friday morning breakfast at Vera's, the local diner, and then collected T. for the drive to Portland.  The drive from Seattle to Portland is unremarkable - having company sure made the miles zip-by at a seemingly faster than normal clip.

We got to Jane's and John's digs in Sellwood around 4:30 PM.  Time for a glass of wine and then down to Andina Restaurant a "novo Peruvian" culinary establishment in the Pearl District.  We had an assortment of tasty tapas for appetizers and everyone was quite pleased with their entrees - in my case a very good rack of lamb.  Back to Sellwood for more chit-chat and and called it a night at a reasonable hour.

By Saturday morning the rain had rolled-in and it was drippy for most of the weekend.  Nothing for a Southeast Alaska boy to be concerned about, of course.  Jane has been promising (threatening) to take me neighborhood shopping for over a year.  The goal being to identify that part of Portland that would be most congenial to yours truly as a future home base.  Jane is not one to take a commitment lightly and we cruised various Portland neighborhoods for 5 1/2 hours with only a brief stop for a slab of pizza and a salad.

With Jane as the wheel-person, T. the backseat color commentator, and me as the runner, we gathered real estate fliers from the front of on-the-market homes like a scurry of squirrels gathering nuts for the winter.  The time passed quickly although by the end of the day I felt like I had been engaged in serious work.  Nothing that supper at a Cena, Sellwood's premiere Italian eatery, couldn't set-right however.  I supped on a wonderful bunny ragout served over pasta. 

Sunday morning we went out for brunch and then hit the real estate circuit once again.  Sunday is open house day for many properties and I got a good feel for several more neighborhoods and several styles of homes.

Two days of driving around a city the size of Portland doesn't really provide the basis for reaching any solid decisions on my future home.  However it did allow me to reach some general conclusions - most of which are blindingly obvious but nevertheless required putting boots on the ground to really internalize.  First and foremost, when looking for a house it is very important to know how many people are going to live in it.  Unfortunately, this may well be the most difficult question for me to resolve insofar as it will require my mom (and maybe others) to make a decision about where she/they plan to live.  A two bedroom bungalow is a very different proposition from a four bedroom house or house with an apartment regardless of which neighborhood one is considering.

Second, two very similar houses will fetch very different prices depending on the neighborhood in which they are located.  Not surprisingly homes in more affluent and better maintained neighborhoods with lots of nearby restaurants, watering holes, grocery stores and other services are expensive.  The market seems to be very adept at putting a price on these amenities.

Third, Portland is a lot smaller than it has heretofore seemed.  Indeed the burg shrunk steadily as the weekend wore on.  It is a very manageable and easily navigable city.

Fourth, Portland is a city of well established neighborhoods and mostly older homes.  At least the neighborhoods that Jane would permit me to see...  I think the newest home we looked at was built in 1952.  The good news part of this is that most, but certainly not all, of the homes we looked at had oodles of charm and quaintness and had been remodeled and updated - in a majority of cases quite recently.  The bad news is that updates notwithstanding, older homes are in many cases not handicapped/elderly friendly.  Indeed I suspect that there may well be irreconcilable differences between charm and accessibility when it comes to houses - at least on MY budget.

But I am rambling...the bottom line is that there is no doubt in my mind that with a decent amount of time and perseverance I would not have a difficult time finding an outstanding place to live.  And I identified a number of neighborhoods where I think I would be as snug as the proverbial bug in a rug.

At any rate, on Sunday afternoon it was time to switch gears as I motored into downtown and checked into the Benson Hotel.  Made contact with Leah and Amanda and last night we went to a nice new bistro called Acanto.  A very pleasant supper - I took a break from carb loading and had a very tasty New York steak.  And of course the company was fantastic.

Today, I picked Amanda up around 10:30 AM and we drove to North Portland where she checked-out an apartment.  Then we drove around the Hawthorne District cruising for "For Rent" signs.  It was fun and I got more familiar with the neighborhood for my real estate considerations as well.  We had lunch at Chez Machin on Hawthorne Blvd. and both 'Manda and I had a savory crepe, La Cremeuse, featuring black forest ham, mozzarella, a fried egg, scallions, roma tomatoes and creme fraiche.  It was hands-down, without a doubt and unquestionably the best thing I've ingested so far this trip.

So there you have it.  We're up to date.  I'm gonna head to the hotel gym and burn-off some crepe.  And I think I'll take the night off...

Boys Night Out

Another great day in the Emerald City.  Had a good workout.  Went to the beach at Madison Park and soaked-up some sun.  Then watched Mr. Halladay pitch a no-hitter for the Phillies before heading down to the Sorrento Hotel for supper at the Hunt Club with ol' high school chums Tim Milnes, Brent Long, and Kurt Ahrensfeld.

I hadn't seen Kurt in almost thirty years.  He's a civil engineer for a private firm here in Puget Sound and is thriving.  Kurt has been hosting an annual reunion for JDHS Class of '74(ish) folks for the past six years or so here in Puget Sound.  I missed it this summer; but hope to add it to my calendar for the future.    

The four of us were seated for supper about 5:30 PM and finished our dessert around 9:30 PM.  We jibber-jabbered away the whole time.  Covered the waterfront from childhood memories (both good and bad) to middle-aged angst.  I was hugely amused...and I THINK a good time was had by all.

Supper was good but certainly not great.  We had antipasto and cheese plates for appetizers and they were kinda haphazard. My pumpkin and squash soup was OK but lacked depth...wonder about the stock...  On the other hand, the scallops were sweet and delicious and perfectly done.  And a couple of scoops of homemade sorbet for afters...

Depending on how my travel plans develop, I may have an opportunity to see Tim again shortly.  He lives in Tenino and perhaps I will be able to stop and visit him and Mary Lou on my return from the south.  And I know I will see Brent over the holidays - he'll be in Juneau for the week between Christmas and New Years.

Think I may go do a little shopping downtown today.  And then a workout, of course.  I will be spending the night at T's mom's in Ballard tonight...she is a hoot.  I expect I will be fetching supper from her favourite terriyaki emporium this evening.  And noonish tomorrow T. and I will hit-the-road for Portland.

Later gang!

It's Delightful, It's Delicious, It's Delovely

On Monday I went out to Burien to visit my cousin Anne Marie and her husband Gene.  They were in good spirits and I had a nice time.  Then a nice walk down to Washington Park and Arboretum and a very strenuous walk back UP the hill.  Time out for a pint.  On Monday evening I had great tapas - including a particularly tasty ceviche at a wine bar here in the neighborhood.  I am beginning to feel very comfortable on Capitol Hill.

Terry and I took a day trip to Vashon Island yesterday.  While waiting for T. in front of her condo I spotted an interesting vehicle.  A large van with the following stenciled on the side:  Bone-A-Fied Doggy Ranch  "Free Range"  T. informed me this was the local doggy "school bus" that would transport affluent hounds to the country to romp and play for the day.  Indeed Seattle is a very dog friendly city.  It seems there is a doggy day care, vet clinic, or pet grooming salon on damn near every corner.

But I digress.

T. and I motored over to West Seattle and then hopped the Vashon Island ferry.  T. brought along a CD of Cole Porter tunes by various artists and we had a little sing-along on the drive.  Quite fun.  It was truly delovely day.

Vashon Island is inhabited by between eight and ten thousand souls.  It feels very rural...yet folks can commute to downtown Seattle via passenger-only ferry or by bus and the Fauntleroy ferry in short order.  Needless to say real estate is pricey - particularly near or on the water.

 

The Vashon Island Story

Point Robinson Lighthouse on Vashon Island

My dear friend, Terry

We got back to Ballard mid-afternoon which gave me plenty of time for a good workout at the Ballard Health Club and then back to Capitol Hill.

Sunset from the deck at the back of the Gaslight Inn

It's another beautiful day in Seattle - but a mite foggy and chilly this morning.  Supposed to be in the mid-sixties later, however, so I will do some more urban hiking.  Perhaps I'll walk all the way down Madison to Lake Washington.  I can ride the bus back up the hill...

And tonight it's supper at the Hunt Club with three old high school chums. It don't hardly get better than this...

Charming

Terry and I took-in Nancy Wilson at Jazz Alley last evening.  Ms. Wilson's career spans some five-and-a-half decades - she had her first television show on a local station in Ohio the year after I was born.

This should tell you two things:  1) The lady has boatloads of talent; and 2) The lady is REALLY old for a performer.

Indeed, her first two numbers were pretty rocky - almost embarassing.  But the ol' gal rallied and held on for about an hour - with only one potty break. 

I would sum it up by describing the show as charming - a sold out performance - and supper was quite good.  I enjoyed a very serviceable lamb curry and a tasty pannacotta with fresh berries for dessert. 

Nancy Wilson recorded more than 70 albums and garnered 3 Grammy Awards.  And although the pipes ain't what they used to be; she is still one class act...  Nancy Wilson's Website.

In other news, it is a beautiful morning here in the Emerald City.  I am going to motor down to visit my cousin, Anne Marie (daughter of dad's sister, Ingaborg), and her husband Gene.  They live near Sea-Tac.  Then a workout and/or an urban hike of some sort...the inn is not too far from Washington Park which has an arboretum I have never seen.

Tomorrow T. and I are going to do a day trip - maybe over to Vashon Island for lunch and sightseeing.  And on Wednesday I hope to dine with old Juneau pals Brent Long, and Tim Milnes.

Vacations are good!

Seattle!

Got in late yesterday afternoon and legged-it into town.  Got checked-in around 6 PM and immediately headed out for vittles.  Every place was packed!  I finally stopped into a wine bar just a few blocks from the inn and had a good supper and an excellent Pinot Noir.  Quite fun. 

Slept in until almost 8:30 AM this morning, drank a pot or so of coffee and then wheeled over to Ballard for lunch with the Harrigan girls.  A very fine Italian joint called Piccolino's.  Ate a HUGE plate of veal and chicken ragout on wide pasta and a pistachio gellato for afters.  I am now contemplating whether or not I have a workout in me this afternoon.  A nap is another possibility.

I just made reservations at Jazz Alley for T. and I tomorrow night to see Nancy Wilson.  Supper and a show.  Should be fun.  We got the last two tickets - hope our table is OK...but I was assured there are no awful seats in the house.

T. and Marrian are their usual chipper selves. On Tuesday I believe T. and I will do a little sightseeing...maybe take the ferry over to Vashon Island for the day.  Not a whole lot of color here in Seattle yet, it still feels like summer and the sun is shining brightly this afternoon.

Life is good. 

Well, gonna see if I can rally and burn-off a few thousand calories of carbs... 

On Vacation

Wheels up tomorrow at 1:39 PM on Alaska 76 non-stop to Seattle.  Should arrive just in time for the Friday gridlock on I-5.  A small sacrifice.

Met with my attorney in the parking lot at Foodland this afternoon.  I handed him some documents.  We meet again tomorrow for coffee inside at the Foodland coffee bar.  He will file the necessary documents with the Court to get my mom's title problem squared-away.  I will deal with the DMV people upon my return.

A forecast high in Seattle of 76 degrees Fahrenheit tomorrow.  Excellent.  Nice weekend too.

Saturday lunch with Ms. Harrigan and Harrigan the Elder at T's favourite Ballard Italian joint, Piccolino's.  I predict a good time will be had by all.

An excellent supper courtesy of Alison and Dougie this evening.  Perfectly grilled New York Steaks.  And my very favourite cheesy cauliflower.  Serious comfort food and I feel duly comforted.

Next post:  Dateline Seattle at the Gaslight Inn.

I Knew it was Too Good to be True

A busy couple of days.  After a couple of weeks of procrastinating due to wonderful weather, I embarked yesterday on the Dead Dad 2010 Tour of financial institutions and other estate tidying-up matters.  Yesterday was a cake-walk - although not without it's amusing aspects.

My folks had relationships with three banks.  It was interesting to see how each of them dealt with dad's demise.  The first, which we will call "Bank A" was the institution with which my family has had the longest relationship.  I have got to know the staff from numerous visits over the past year or so.  They inspected the certified copy of dad's death certificate, made a copy, and it was done.

Ditto with "Bank B" which although I did not know the staff well, accepted my offerings of ID, death certificate, and power of attorney documents without hesitation.  Done.

"Bank C" was a bit more difficult.  It is an institution with national interests, a serious beneficiary of TARP bail-out funds and a culture and bureaucracy nearly as formidable and impervious to common sense as the State of Alaska.  The poor clerk I dealt with was apparently unable to make any move without consultation with multiple functionaries located God knows where.  She would speak to one on the phone, have a cryptic conversation, ask me a few questions and then furiously enter data into their system.  Then another phone call, another cryptic conversation, more data entry and so forth.  She spoke to her legal department, her "client services" department and others.  Still, I was able to accomplish my mission with no more than modestly elevated blood pressure and only a slight hint of biliousness.

Then things took a turn for the worse.  At mom's in the morning I had reviewed a letter from the City and Borough of Juneau expressing their collective sadness at dad's demise (they are apparently avid readers of the Juneau Empire Obituary column) and respectfully requesting information that would allow them to determine whether or not the grieving widow was entitled to the property tax exemption my father had previously enjoyed.  A simple form to fill out.  I filled out the form and mom signed it.  Then off to the safe deposit box to locate the documents necessary to support her claim for continued exemption.

YIKES!  Contrary to mom's belief, the trailer they owned and occupied free and clear from any debt was registered solely in dad's name.  I made a copy of the title along with a copy of dad's will and legged it over to City Hall.  They were perfectly happy with the documentation provided and mom will continue to enjoy the historical tax break.  But I just KNEW the next stop would not be as easy...and I was right.

This morning I went back to the safe deposit box and gathered all the documents that I thought might be useful.  Then off to the State of Alaska, Division of Motor Vehicles.  After taking my number and waiting a very modest half-hour or so I found myself cheek-to-jowl with the predictably formidable looking functionary.  I explained what I wanted - to get a new title for mom's mobile home with her name on it.  I explained the documentation I had including (but not limited to)  dad's death certificate, dad's will, a power of attorney from mom and the original title.  Response:  "You need a document from the Court."

"What document from the Court?"  I inquired.

"Something that says the will is valid and you're the executor" says the functionary.

"May I see the regulations and statute that require that?" I asked.

"Sure.  (Postal service style walk  to the back room.  Return two minutes later)  My supervisor will get those for you, I'm going to lunch."

I waited ten minutes or so.  Then the supervisor appeared.  She gave me a form (with only a policy and procedure cite) and a copy of regulations that were only partially on point.

"Has anybody ever questioned these requirements?" I asked.

"Go ahead, if you've got the time."  She replied.

I responded, "Thanks for the help."

Off to the Clerk of the Court with a quick conversation with Dougie between times to confirm that I was fucked.  My attorney advised me to hire an attorney.

And I am now attempting to do so.  I hope to meet with him prior to my departure on Friday to get the probate proceedings underway.  What a waste of everybody's time and money...

And then the Rains Came...

Well, looks like a much more traditional September day today.  Rain.  With plenty more on the way...  I see there is a high wind warning for the southern panhandle.  So...before I forget what the past few weeks looked like, I offer one final beautiful Juneau fall picture.

Meanwhile travel preparations continue.  I now have a car and a hotel in Seattle for a week.  Portland hotels have been a tougher nut to crack...there must be something going on downtown the week of October 8th.  Will try another bid on Priceline today...but it doesn't look encouraging in the four-star category.  I'll also peruse the B&B offerings...I've stayed at a couple of neat places in Northwest Portland before.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hatches Battened

It's clouding up.   The forecast is for rain for the next week or so.  That may well remain the forecast 'till it becomes a prediction for snow.  Hah!

Having said that, however, I  can report that all garden hatches are battened for the winter at Auntie's and Mom's digs.  All perennials have been cut back (with the exception of a couple of yarrow at Auntie's that were still pretty enthusiastically blooming).  And mom's roof (just that part that feeds into drainage) and gutters have been thoroughly cleaned.  All wood is in the wood shed.  I even tossed my own deck-based garden.  We're ready for winter....

All my outdoor chores have been completed to the best of my knowledge and ability.  I need to get out of Dodge...

After I complete this post I plan on booking a hotel for a week in Seattle, and a car, and maybe a hotel in Portland for a week.  But I think I will remain flexible for the two remaining weeks...

But here from the "way back" machine...are a couple of pics from earlier this summer:

Dougie and Alison out by Eagle River - Ain't they Cute?

First Dead Salmon of the Year - Old Eagles Explain to Young Eagles How the World Works.  A Crow Observes.