Welcome to the July 2005 BLOG. Didn't see the end of last month?
Click here: June 05 BLOG

July 31, 2005 Sun

Yesterday was the Anacortes Community Youth Arts show and display. Barbara was a hostess and helped all around, and Gram helped out with the food. The theme was nautical, in case you're wondering. . .

We saw Richard there! He always has the neatest stuff.

Richard has posted some pictures from a
recent trip to China. 
Click above to check them out.

Richard also plays the UKE, and has some songs posted
HERE.

Ann showing off one of the fancy SeaFoam drinks! Jello, whipcream and candy!

Wow! Ken has sent along his interpretation of how our house will look with an upstairs. Many thanks!

ONE of the (many) cats next door has produced kittens. Surprise! That's Momma cat in the background.

July 30, 2005 Sat

Mike passes through on his way back to Seattle. He has family on Lopez Island. The ferry to Lopez leaves from Anacortes, you see.

We grabbed a bite to eat and strolled by the water.

Mike and I worked out of Chicago together.

July 29, 2005 Fri

Must we say it again?
It's the end of another month.
Well, close.
Trying to find some pix to go with this observation.
Rode the scooter to Burlington, yesterday. Big fun. Forgot to take any pix.

July 27, 2005 Wed

Fooling with the macro - kind of up close zooming.
A back yard lily

July 26, 2005 Tue

Big smoke in the sky this afternoon. I had to put the top up on the Saab, it was getting filled with ash. After dinner we went walking to see what was burning. About ten blocks away we found this: the burnt house is on the right, in the trees.

The folks are out of town. What a thing to come home to; no house. It was gutted.

Ann and I looking appropriately somber.

Speaking of houses, here's our house now, and the tentative 'new look', with an upstairs.

Who do you suppose popped through town this day? An old Chicago friend and co-worker, Mike Dwyer. He was on his way to catch the ferry. We had a chance to catch up a bit, and we'll hopefully see him again, on his way back. Mike is working for Amtrak on the 'Seattle to points north' runs. He goes to Vancouver, BC a couple times a week. Mike was mentioned in the
RailroadDave story about
Fishing off the Bridge.

July 25, 2005 Mon

Niomi and Ann tackle a swell warm weather project - assemble a back yard hammock!

The reward -

More of the Tall Ship

Jack's wife April is an amazing photographer - She caught the following in their backyard over the weekend.

July 24, 2005 Sun

How Ann's beans and peas have grown over the last few weeks. (There is an earlier picture  on this page, taken on the fourth of this month)

It's been ideal weather for yard work.

We hadn't seen any activity in the bird house for a couple weeks. Closer inspection reveals that the birds have bugged. All but two, that didn't hatch.

I was for removing the old nest, and I was outvoted by Niomi and Ann. The nest stays.

We walked the new trail along the Bay again, hoping to see these Native canoes - which we did, but from a great distance. They came along after we had already started back.

We did see the Lady Washington  (The Interceptor, in Johnny Depp's pirate movie), and in town for a few days. (The 'charter' sign is for a whale watching boat.)

Boats preparing for the
race to Mackinac, Mi.  Thanks to Ken.

July 22, 2005 Fri

From Ken, out there on the big water around Michigan. Something about the Mackinaw Race. . .

July 21, 2005 Thu

Whoa! Perfect temperatures prevail in Anacortes, for yet another week. When it's this nice, I hate to take off my flip flops and shorts, and dress for the scooter. Which was a positive decision; i.e. no more riding in shorts and flip flops. (Note: we always wear the helmet.)
So, one gets out of bed, and it's a matter of clothing. Shorts? Or long pants? If one is decided against wearing shorts and flip flops to ride the scooter, then it's jeans and boots. Which includes of course, socks. It is difficult to determine, so early in the morning, how one might feel about riding, several hours later in the day?

I've learned to be flexible about putting on sock and boot.

That way, one might merely throw on a pair of shorts first thing, and try to sort out the day as it comes.

If it develops that it isn't too hot for the scooter, one need only spend a few moments pulling on the boots, to be off.

This might explain why as yet there is still no 'for sale' sign on the scooter?
It looks so good all polished up!

Along these same lines -

If it was much warmer here, than the usual 70 plus degrees - then it would not be practicable to have the top down, on the Saab.
We've lived in so many places (mostly in the midwest, where it's been in the 90's for the last several weeks) that it was only after sundown that the top could come down - and this includes various off shore California locales. What fun is that? Here, in the Great Pacific Northwest - is the perfect place to own a convertible! Dawn til dusk - Top down weather.

July 19, 2005 Tue

The picture below (and any picture where your cursor changes from a pointer to a wee hand), and anything underlined and written in blue (except that) are 'hyper links', and you must 'click' on them, to go to that page, you see.
Chasing the Specs

July 18, 2005 Mon

What with all we hear and see, about this child being attacked and bitten by that dog, or this other person being ravaged by some other dog - it does my heart good to know that there are neighborhoods (ours, usually) where a cat can still nap on the sidewalk, without fear for its very life. Come on, we all live in a small city, here? I'm not suggesting that you should love cats. . .

Because, that same cat might do cat business on my front lawn. . . it's an idea, I'm talking about, here. A kind of neighborhood feeling.

Also, never mind that Ann and I were out walking Chico the other evening, and the neighbors (at the corner) didn't have their frisky eight month old Lab on a leash - and said Lab charged us, forcing Ann to pick up Chico, and we get our crotches sniffed for no additional charge. "Oh, he's just a puppy - sorry!"

It is sorry.

It's also illegal.

Well, no harm done, I suppose? NOT!

These same neighbors had a Rotweiller last year, that also ran at Chico while we were taking a stroll, and picked him up by the head and was shaking him to death before we could free him, which we did, mainly by dint of yelling and screaming and thrashing about - "Oh, sorry - we didn't see you coming."

What? We should notify the neighborhood that we might be talking a walk with our 8 pound dog, who happens to be on his leash?

The lack of consideration by some folks, is enough to make one wonder about the gene pool. In the city limits - the law is very plain -"No dogs not on a leash".

Well, like my friend RA says, I'm off my soapbox. . .

Here, I am seen barbecueing the remains of the Lab.

What? He came in the yard! UMMMM, yummy!

Evie finished the new Harry Potter. We read that it sold seven million dollars worth, in the first twenty four hours. No wonder J.K. Rowling is the Bill Gates of Europe!

July 17, 2005 Sun

It's 'Shipwreck Days' - the world's largest garage sale. Main street is closed off for the duration - yesterday and today. Anybody can sell anything - just spread your stuff out - even right on the street. Make an offer!

We wandered around a bit yesterday, and will most likely head down again today. It's better than the mall! Cheaper, too. Best of all - there's 'fair food' - cheap hamburgers! Ann points out that Shipwreck Days draws a different crowd, than say, the Art Fair - where things are a tad more expensive.

Turns out that today, the second day of 'Shipwreck Days', was Old Car Day. Several hundred classics, hotrods, restored and unique automobiles. Makes me no never mind, they still had cheap hamburgers.

Getting a bite to eat - for those that wanted 'real' food. In the background: A '62 Plymouth Fury (I drove one to my high school Prom.) And a 53 Olds. I owned a '54 Starfire Convertible. The Big Olds Story

The two Camaros behind Dick are owned by a husband and wife team, His n' Hers cars. They had just fired up the 'his' one as I took this picture. VERY loud. Dick's new digital hearing aid caught it all! In seconds, he had it turned down!

Ann reworked these wrought iron tables, adding her own tiles. This all done with left over stuff we had about. I did help. I knocked the old linoleum over pressed board inserts out of the stands. Smacked my thumb a good one in the process, too. Never try to show off for your woman. "I'll knock that out of there for you, Honey! Watch this!" BANG! OOWWWW!

July 15, 2005 Fri

I started calling this 'Friday', kinda' early - like yesterday. But, it's still Friday, right now. Grey, sprinkles all day. Not one glimmer of sunshine. Ann says it's like fall. I say it's like spring in Michigan - damp and mid sixties.

The cats know something is up - they smell fresh crab! But they've never had anything to eat except dry cat food. Ever. So, they're not quite sure. . .
Nor is Evie - no crab, or steak for her! Hot dogs and spaghettios - may it always be thus. . .

Hey! It's Evelyn, filming. We hope to see a lot of this, and then the results!

Heidi and Anna came by to take Evie out to lunch. Will this birthday never end?

Whoa! Brother John gets one of his pictures on the front page of the New York Time's website!
Thanks to Caroline, for writing Adam, who kept us in the loop. Far be it from John to blow his own horn.

John has the Associated Press on his resume, these days. You can type John's name into the davesmock.com search engine to see other of John's work. Also, he shows up pretty quick on Goggle.

Jack's garden is producing! The earwigs are licked!

Finally, a 'shed' stitch - I really want another 'stitch' program, but this one is 64 dollars. I don't want it that bad! The last one I used was free. (But doesn't work with win XP) So, I'm out there looking for other alternatives. . . Do you know of one?

July 14, 2005 Thu

These are pretty self explanatory. Evelyn's birthday celebrations.
In the Saab, headed out to eat.

New toys

New games - upside down faces

Laura

Evelyn and Anna


Candles with Gram and Grampa

Earlier, getting a bite to eat - Cassady, Grampa, Ann

July 13, 2005 Wed

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Evelyn!

Thirteen years old this day.

July 12, 2005 Tue

What will this day bring?

Re reading what was written yesterday, I'm happy to report that my mind is still working. Who needs all those cylinders/brain cells?

In other words, I had finally figured it out - and the scooter hasn't tipped over on me since that last momentous occasion, when I realized that it was up to ME to get serious, and keep it upright.
I.E. Wear proper footwear, stay sober, and pay attention to hills. And, perhaps remember that age thirty was some years ago. . .

Hey! It's the Boat!
Painted, and looking pretty sea worthy. We had read Patrick Dillon's, Lost at Sea, a story of boats built at this same ship yard, but in the 80's. Two of them capsized, with loss of life. Why?

The book explains why, and is a good read.

Here is a tree/bush that has to go. I've been hacking away at it, over the last few weeks.

It did. The new shed will go here, and perhaps a driveway?

Here's the latest thinking for the upstairs. This project has grown, somewhat, from two dormers to a whole new second floor. Ripping off the old roof, and going from there. Doesn't Paul do nice work?

July 10, 2005 Sun

We've carried on and on about 'you get what you pay for'. Spend just enough to fail, etc.
Here is a fine example: two mirrors. Over the course of the last couple years, I've had this scooter fall over more than once. In spite of my best intentions, it keeps getting away from me, in various parking lots, by the side of the house, anywhere that my left foot sticks out a few inches too far. This is a 25 year old motorcycle, and the newer ones aren't quite so top heavy - but that is no excuse. Of course, I thought it was OK to ride in flip flops, and shorts, etc.

After picking the dang thing up for the second or third time, I began to get a new point of view. Mostly because everytime it went over, I had to buy a new mirror. I could always roll aside, and then just deal with the aggravation and humiliation of spending every last bit of breath and strength that I had in my body, to pick it up again. And kiss another mirror goodbye.

What you see here, is a mirror that I bought early on, to replace 'factory equipment'. i.e., a more expensive replacement mirror. It's over two years old.

I've been spending some time cleaning up the scooter, in preparation for an eventual sale. I polished this (less expensive) mirror until I gave up, and realized, it will never get totally shiny, again. This was a cheapo (less than half the price of the other) mirror. You get what you pay for!
Of course, at some point, with a twenty five year old beater motorcycle, who gives a healthy ?

Ann took this, earlier this evening. Here's what we can say - this scooter never looked so good. Since I've owned it, I've never really tried to polish it up. I fixed the cracked fairing, that's about it. My feeling was, it's old, just drive it. Have big fun, with a powerful scooter. Well, we have. For over two years. But now, it looks so good, I don't want to let it go! But I will. I bet it will go for 1500 bucks, almost three times what I paid for it. Of course, I have put a few bucks into it, as well. I'll come out OK, I think.

Chico and Evie, taking it easy.

Yesterday, at Tom's birthday bash.

Tom, Becca and Talyn

Evelyn, Talyn (red hair!) and Amanda

July 09, 2005 Sat

Flying pigs and cows. But no monkeys. . .

July 08, 2005 Fri

Evelyn's birthday party - celebrated a few days early. The weather did not cooperate - cloudy and damp, cool, even. Sixties.
This did not stop the festivities. . . Photo by Ann

July 07, 2005 Thu

This is the wee door in the shed that opens to another wee door behind which we sometimes find actual hens eggs!

This is what we like to see inside the second door -

Evelyn has made the Honor Roll!

We are pretty proud of this girl.

July 05, 2005 Tue

This might be a record, barbecueing for the next day in a row, even tho it started raining after we lit the grill. Thank goodness for the umbrella.

Taken last night during the fireworks display, which we were fortunate enough to enjoy from the back yard. We're working on a slide show of the 'booms'.

Mardi has been kind enough to send along another shot of the way up north goings on. . .

July 04, 2005 Mon

Later in the day. . .

Dick and Laura stopped by. . .

Paul and Barbara, too

Paul and I checked out the view from the roof - where our new addition will be, we hope.


Laura and Barb

Cass

Fireworks scare Chico, so, we're actually happy that there have been very few today. The new law, we suppose. Fireworks are now verbotten, in the City limits.

It's the Fourth of July - We went to the parade:

The Welcome Arch is new, and was dedicated this morning. Some like it, some don't. But it was built without taxpayer funds, so we like it.

Looking North, (towards downtown) waiting for the parade to start.

Post Office, and further North the Majestic Hotel, soon to re-open after a fire several years ago. . .

We keep running into this lady -


Barbara and Bill gave us candy, beads and frisbees! They had great seats!

July 03, 2005 Sun

Late additions to this day. . .
BBQ'd ribs for dinner. Came out very nice. Forgot to hold my tummy in. . .

The high today was in the 70's, despite what the thermometer says. . .

A last look at the area that will become a cement slab - to hold the shed addition, and a carport.

I told Ann, don't smile! So, we didn't. Therefore, nobody blinked or squinted.

Dick's old Dual turntable, that I hope still spins. My old one didn't.

The DVD read/write, working at last!

Also working hooked up to Ann's computer, which was the idea - a 'hot swappable' DVD R/W to use on all three machines.
Ever wonder why the same item can cost 50 dollars or 150 dollars?
This was a 'less expensive' external case than the last one I purchased. No fan. Minimal software. Poor instructions. And what caused me the most trouble - no idiot proof plugs.
In other words, I was able to plug the unit itself into the IDE plug upsidedown.
It took me a very long time to discover that was the reason the thing wasn't working. Hey, dontcha' love the oval desk? Belonged to my Gram.

Chico in one of his favorite places. In the sun, on the back of Ann's chair.

We all know the importance of keeping a neat work space.
I'm not quite there yet.
This is a new device. What? Where? The thing on top of the thing on top of the computer case, on the floor under the desk, just ahead of the rat's nest of wires. This is all soon to change, by the by, as the carpet is coming out of this room, soon. Oh, yeah! Big fun. The new device is a DVD/CD reader writer, in an external case. As usual, with new stuff - it ain't quite working just yet. Patience, my friend.

July 02, 2005 Sat

At the Saturday Farmer's Market - Who did we run into (amongst others, it's a small town)? Here's Laura -

Dick, out and about using only a cane - two weeks after knee surgery. Since it was 'only' a partial knee replacement, he refers to it as his 'knee revision 2.0'.

Chores, today. Ann doing the windows.

I did lawn stuff. Edging, mowing, etc. Tried a new weed control method I saw online - using a torch to burn grass and weeds growing in cracks and other places (besides in the lawn) where you would prefer it wouldn't. This is an alternative to various poisons and weed killers. The heat is supposed to even kill the roots. We'll see. This method is NOT recommended during the dry season, which is almost upon us. The lawn is already starting to go dormant. YAY! No more mowing for a spell. Grass grows all winter, in these parts.

July 01, 2005 Fri

It's time to note the end of a month. Wasn't that fast?

And the beginning of another. Holiday weekend!