Powered by TagBoard Message Board Name URL or Email Messages(smilies)

local picks Very weird accidents - see more - click here

July 31, 2007 Tue

More advanced Boeing stuff -
Click to visit the website and see more. . .

This graphic gives an idea what parts of New Orleans are below the water levels of surrounding Lakes, Gulfs and rivers - water held back - on occasion - by levees~~

Another shot in the Smokehouse, during the Paddle to Lummi ceremonies. Very rare to get pictures on the inside. It was allowed this time, for the first time, because the Native News channel was filming, for the local Northwest Indians Show.

Paddle to Lummi 2007 - a Native Event

July 29, 2007 Sun

An estimated three thousand folks from several local and not so local tribes were in town, continuing a long tradition. They stayed overnight on the Swinomish Reservation, and the Tribe fed everyone, including us. Seen here, some of the campers in the baseball field. Tents were seen stretching on and on. . . This was a drug and alcohol free event.

Here are the drums~~

footnote - I was starting to think I preferred Revver to Utube - until I noticed the big ad they stuck at the end of our video. . .

So, here's the Utube version - a tad smaller window - but no ad! I'll probably dump the revver one - what do YOU think?

It was too dark to video the drummers - but we did get the time exposure seen below. . .

Ann and I sat in this smokehouse where all the tribes eventually gathered (that would fit in the building) and watched the ceremonies. We got there early to get seats, and stayed late. Ann is sorting through some four hundred photos. . .

Earlier in the day ~

Ann's Maui shorts -

I tease her that it stands for: My Ass You Idiot

Not done by aliens. . .

July 27, 2007 Fri

>

Classic British understatement. . .

July 26, 2007 Thu

Go ahead, make my day. . .

Armed teenagers in Israel~

On a lighter note; from this instructional note. . .

This worm box was built. Ann helped, of course.

A woman with worms is a happy woman! It's a garbage composting thing, you see. . .

This is worth a look. . .  It's not what you think. . .

What are the chances?

July 25, 2007 Wed

An old friend of Ann's is in the music business, and in this band. click here for their music

Missing bees have been all in the news lately. Well, they've been located~~

As I was complaining about my terrible prescription coverage, here in retirement, Medicare part D - it was pointed out to me that until I could afford to lobby my congressmen and senators like the drug companies do, I would continue to suffer without the prescriptions I need to control my arthritis and COPD. This is a real sore spot with me, no pun intended.

Shades of Ann's rainbow, posted a few days ago. . .

July 23, 2007 Mon

I'll bet it was a surprise to someone. . .

Putting the new meat grinder to work~~

There was a learning curve - how big to make the chunks, how much fat to leave, and the most surprising - how much grinding to do. I wasn't turning the handle enough, at first.

The finished product from the first ground beef - Pasticio! So good, even Evelyn liked it. . . which is saying something.

Another of those mystifying instructional roadside signs. . .

Here's the World's Largest Container Ship paying a visit to Cap Sante - right here in Fidalgo Bay!

July 22, 2007 Sun

We've been letting pictures get wider and wider, while still keeping the file size down for the quick page loads - and nobody has complained, yet? Strange. . . maybe everyone out there has finally gone to a decent screen resolution~~

Another show in town - the 'Old/Classic' cars - we entered a drawing for this Jeep - we are confident that we will win. Think positive!

While we think of it - here's the view downtown of Shipwreck days, courtesy of the local rag. . .

The weather cooperated and the turnout was heavy. They say the good stuff goes in the first hour, or less. That's OK, we went more towards noon and still got what we went for, and maybe it's for the best, anyway - we might have seen something in the 'good stuff' - and that costs money.

Niomi and Richard stopped by to play a few tunes. . .

Getting into it~~ ! Do you love our wall treatment?

Thanks to Bill ~~ World's largest container ship. . .

July 21, 2007 Sat

Photo by Ann - taken off Cap Sante in the rain, well, I guess that's obvious. . .

The grlz in line at the bookstore. Evelyn was the first one in at midnight, and secured her copy of the 'final' Harry Potter book.

On the way to Shipwreck Days, we stopped and got the truck washed by Ivey's 'going to Japan' group. Ivey is scratching her head - ? (he he)

Here are our treasures from the world's largest garage sale - Shipwreck Days. You know, like all this junk they are trying to sell got washed ashore last night?! The main item we were on the lookout for was a meat grinder. We found a couple, and got this one for 5 bucks. He was asking more, but one barters, of course. I found a medium T-square, and bartered it down to 7. I'd been watching one like it at the local antique store - where she wouldn't take less than eighteen dollars, so this was a major coup.

A deep copper bottomed sauce pan (to replace the one I scorched) was a buck. And about an hour with the copper polish to get the blackened bottom to shine again. We also picked up several smaller items, as you see. . . Total investment - $12.35 We shopped for four hours, and could have done another two easily - we both love looking through junk.

Boeing, a huge contractor in these parts - lined up all its '7' series jets for this photo - in honor of the roll out of the newest in the series, the 787 Dreamliner. Thanks to Bob P~

Amid all the 787 roll-out hoopla, perhaps the coolest event went unnoticed. On Saturday night, Boeing had all of the 787 airline representatives at an event at the Museum of Flight. At 7:07 PM, an Omega Air Refueling Services 707 landed in front of the crowd (after taking off from Paine Field in Everett ). At 7:17, an AirTran 717 landed. This continued until 8:17 when an Air France 777-300ER landed. In the end, the 717, 727, 737, 747, 757, 767, and 777 were lined up nose-to-tail on the taxiway. It is the first time Boeing has had every 7-series airplane in the same place (not counting the 787, which couldn't make the flight, of course). Also, notice the Dreamlifter off to the left and the 1st 747 across the street to the upper right. There is also one of the first 737's (if not the first) there too.

July 20, 2007 Fri

EDIT: July 21, early
We were reminded that the answer was never given to the question: What is this? That would be the green long thing with 'plates' on it? OK. this:
It's a blade of grass with frost on it. I know, too tough.

We're off to Shipwreck Days! Whoopee! Or, as Ann would say, 'YAHOO'!

Evelyn and Lynzee make the local paper~~

Speaking of Potter mania - the newest book comes out this day (at midnight), and the gang is getting in line for THAT particular excitement plenty early - as in six hours.

A sure sign that you're spending too much time at the computer. . . thanks to Kurt

Mother Nature - cranking it up a notch

July 19, 2007 Thu

And you are waking us up, why?!

Just missed seeing the ferry go out of the floating drydock, and this boat come in. I've yet to see the floating drydock in action. . .

What is this? Yes, it's enlarged a bit - maybe not all that much~~

Speaking of boats - here's the three lined up  at Dakota, from a closer perspective~

This truck (here being towed, somewhat belatedly) caused me an hour delay coming home from Seattle this afternoon. It somehow skidded and blocked two lanes plus an exit - and THEN I hit the stop and go at Everett. Long ride in the pouring rain. . .

July 18, 2007 Wed

Spent this day at the Saab dealer in Seattle. Saab wanted its 100,000 mile check up (14,000 miles overdue) and the top has been a tad snarky, and wouldn't latch up right. This caused a warning 'chime' - "Check Latches" - each and every time one went into first or reverse. Boing! Check latches - BOING, check latches - that got old real quickly. Plus, we'd been jotting down a 'wish list' of small things to have fixed, if and when the car ever made it into the dealership. For example, the dash lights rheostat (dimmer switch) has been getting worse and worse for two years - one must flick it with a finger several times to get them to come on. Sometimes repeated flicking was required for the length of the journey. Going down this morning at 4 AM they didn't come on for the first hour or so, and then went right back out. That was approximately 8000 finger flicks, by the time we pulled into the dealers, I figure.

Also on the list was fixing the gearshift. You'd never know that anything was wrong with it, unless you happened to be shifting from first to second with alacrity and enthusiasm - shifting with vigor, was how the dealer wrote it up. In that particular situation, as the shifter crossed neutral the gear handle would extend itself eight inches straight up into the interior. If one didn't know better (as in, after the first time it happened) one would think the shifter had come aloose from the transmission. When, in fact, it was possible to jiggle and coax it back down into place, mostly, while watching the other car pull out of sight. . .

The emergency flashers had quit working some time ago. Turns out they were unplugged right at the switch. Those dealer tech guys are good! They figured that out in less than an hour at the going rate. Which ain't cheap, I'm here to say.

They also adjusted the emergency brake - no charge, did the inspection, changed the oil, etc.

I'd smacked the passenger side rear view mirror into the dumpster when it was on our curb during upstairs construction. Cracked the case. I priced a replacement - yup - three hundred plus bucks, installed. Love those heated, remote adjustable mirrors. The good news is that they can simply replace the case - at a substantial savings. Done!

They couldn't offer a replacement button for the fader switch on the radio. Oh, well. They could offer a new radio. . .

They could also fix the small air leak in the driver's side window - a minor adjustment requiring only about five hours labor. Thanks, but I've gotten rather fond of that air leak, now that I think about it.

Finally - they made my headlight switch 'normal' - now it can actually operate the headlights and parking lights. Prior to this the headlights were simply always 'ON', regardless of switch position, making parking lot or driveway headlight etiquette impossible.

The convertible top? Oh, they got it to latch, awright. But the parts to actually fix it won't be in for a week or two or three - at which time we'll be making another 4 AM trip to Seattle.

Steam power, 1902, Oak Park, IL - thanks to The Mayor. Probably shoulda' stuck with steam. . .

July 17, 2007 Tue

These from Dennis and Linda - some of the cars they've worked on ~~
34 Chevy Coupe (red w/flames)

'69 Camero (Dennis' current ride) engine

32 Ford Vicky or Victoria (green) + Vicky engine

Always sound advice. . .

Yes! This means what you think - watch yourself when out and about on the local streets!

Your basic solitude. . .

Thanks to Ken the Snake ~ taken near Lewiston, MI

July 16, 2007 Mon

We usually shoot these boats in the Dakota shipyard from a tad closer - the new one is on the left. Then a tug they're refitting, followed by a State Ferry.

Want to by a swell house in MI for a VERY reasonable price? This is the Ferndale house we are trying to unload.

This house - being moved - is the same basically, as our house, but without the additions on the rear, side and top. It's still in the four room configuration, with just a small addition on the rear.

Where did we see all this stuff? Around and about on two wheels this fine afternoon.

love this moon shot -

July 15, 2007 Sun

Mom and daughter headed out the door~~

How on earth...??

Had to do it. . .

pumped up~ trying to think whose face we could put here..??

This is not photo shopped, it's a genetic mutation -- a deficiency in myostatin

Hey - it's Ni and her sibs - from TJ's Wildwood page

A sub species? Thanks to The Mayor - JKZ

kittens that look like Hitler

July 14, 2007 Sat

Evelyn spent her happy day with friends, going to the movies, a restaurant, and just hanging out -

Two nautical OOPS this day ~~

Losing the load

More info on this website - scroll down a bit when you get there - more and better pictures plus explanation.
lost power and steering

Along with this well positioned shot of the moon -

How good to be far along enough wrist wise to be working together again, after a long hiatus...

I keep forgetting to stick this in - I love these things! It gets weirder the longer you watch the + in the middle~~

Evelyn's Happy Day!!

July 13, 2007 Fri

Happy Birthday, Evelyn!!

Photos by Ann~~

Getting the back gate to auto close~
The idea...

The materials

The install

The results -

Why I don't rock climb. . .

July 12, 2007 Thu

Thanks to Aunt Joan ~ a puzzle
See if you can figure out what these words have in common

Banana
Dresser
Grammar
Potato
Revive
Assess
Uneven

Are You Peeking Or Have You Already Given Up? Give It Another Try.... You'll kick yourself when you discover the answer. Go back and look at them again; think hard. OK... Here You Go.. Hope You Didn't Cheat. This Is Cool.

Answer . . .

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.

Did you figure it out? Yeah, me, neither

Cheaper than gas? Jet propelled get up -- Thanks to David R~~ trying to find this guy's website.

The Mayor has finally posted a few new pix

How long can this go on, do ya' think?

Something we never hope to see close up and personal~~ missile launch

Ouch!

July 11, 2007 Wed

Record heat - love it!

Thanks to Jacob - pix of the gang gathered at Brett and Amy's over the fourth. My nephew Tracy and wife Suzie attended all the way from MI. Also you'll note the smiling visage of one of my oldest friends, Jim the Vee - who now sees more of my two sons than I do, being a neighbor. Jake and Sylvia round out the group.

Brett at the grill - I ate Brett and Amy's chow when I visited and they can put on a feast.

Managed to catch Laura holding onto one of her latest pieces - I already forgot the name of the potting technique - but I'll get it ~~ I know you must bury the pot in the earth, in a fire, at some point. . .

The Mayor and I have been comparing grilled rib recipes - well, he's been sharing and I'm learning. Seen here is his preferred equipment - smoke those ribs! Makes my mouth water~

Perhaps there is someone out there unaware of the fact that the newest Harry Potter movie opened at midnight last night?

That was certainly not the case around here, where the girls were in line at 5:30 in the afternoon for the midnight show,

in costume and in character with a bag of treats to sustain them. They are seen here preparing to depart for the theater~~

July 10, 2007 Tue

Thanks to Jerone

constantly updating world clock

July 10, 2007 Tue

Further birthdays - Tom celebrates his 48th!

See the video!click

Talyn thinks it's pretty funny!

Opening the Honey~~

Spectators to the event

How to enjoy the clouds. . .

Do not mess with the Pigeons

Soon to be a year older - See the video here

July 09, 2007 Mon

Since Gram and Gramp are headed out of town yet again, they wanted to fete Evelyn with a birthday dinner at their house, even though it's a few days early.
Gram made her tri batter Pansy Cake - very fancy

Himself

It was good to see Thomas!

Lynzee rounded out the party group~~

Thanks to Kurt -

Thanks to The Mayor~~

July 08, 2007 Sun

New pictures on Flickr - click or - link above

Ann robed (as a Eucharistic Minister) to serve communion this morning - photo by Evelyn

Then off to the Rez for final touches on the health garden, which has really taken shape. Planting Lavender, here.

Perhaps you may recall that our old drop ceiling was held up by these two by sixes, that now form up the raised beds for native and traditional medicinal plants.

I was, as usual, a big help~~

Three weeks after surgery - ahead of schedule.

Another of those interesting yet confusing roadside signs. . .
click for more

Thanks to Keith W ~~
Damp in parts of the southeast. . .

July 07, 2007 Sat

The French travel club, of which Evelyn is a member - had a tent set up at the Saturday market, selling hot fresh Crepes!

What kind of a day are we having? This kind! Very nice temps - and wrist rehab now includes riding and working the clutch.

See? All the drunk Captains aren't in the Seattle area!

Friday, June 15, 2007
Shipwreck
The Jiujiang Bridge collapsed after being hit by a ship in Nanhai, China. Nearly 200 meters of the roadway cracked and the ship sank into the river.

July 06, 2007 Fri

Suddenly, Sally's head shot up to twenty times normal, and she fell over. . .

Thanks to Steve R~~

The gang did the back yard BBQ, a must on the fourth. Then stayed to watch the City fireworks display. We've decided not to burden you with fireworks pictures this year. . .

The weather cooperated, what a perfect day!

Yes, this is one of my pet peeves, and has been for years. I refuse to pay for dirt, air or water. Other than what the City charges to deliver it to my tap, and I know how lucky I am to have THAT. . .
This is another of several recent articles that make me think folks might be catching on to what a scam the whole bottled water industry really is,
and how exceedingly wasteful. See the whole article~~

Happy Independence Day!

July 05, 2007 Thu

We were asked to drive the Saab in the Fourth of July Parade! This for the Anacortes Dance Studio, where the girls perform and study. This was big fun, as you might imagine.
Jeanne, Ann, Niomi - ballerinas in the car~~


Yours truly, wife and dog - wearing my chauffeur's cap that Talyn gave us last xmas, in honor of my driving them to ballet - three times a week.

Dancing up Commercial - Ann took this from the Saab
Here's the funny part - all the family and friends watching the parade saw Evelyn and Ivey doing their thing up Commercial. Commented about how nice they looked, how far up the street they could see them -- and not one of them noticed Ann and I following directly behind in the Saab. Some kind of tunnel vision thing, I guess. . .

dancing down the street took its toll. . .

Neil performing at the Chicago Uke Jam

Why we don't take refuge under those big trees during a storm. . .

July 03, 2007 Tue

As a sidenote - wrist rehab began this day.

Pictures that mean more than they first seem

How good to hear from old friends, Dennis and Linda - traveling the east coast.

Richard was at the Portland Uke Fest!

Rainbow trumps tornado?

Talk about your 'convenience' store - here's one stop shopping fer sure~~

July 01, 2007 Sun

Well, hmmmm....