Ok - one last post for this month, and then we move on...

Out riding at dusk ~

Thanks to Tim Vana -
Guy buys bull in Kansas...headed to Tulsa, Oklahoma - right...

Signage:

Sep 29, 2008 Mon

Adding some descriptions to yesterday's pictures, along with this picture -- thanks to Richard

Sep 28, 2008 Sun

Oyster Run 2008  pix - 27th year

Ann and I decided to participate this year by actually riding downtown amongst these thousands and thousands of motorcycles~

We jumped on Commercial from 22nd St, which would be about in the middle of things if you figure the highway into town as about 44th St and the beginning of downtown, First Street. photos by Ann

Pretty much single file through downtown proper, from 12th St to the water.

Most innovative bike cover~

Having made the obligatory circle through downtown, we continued to mingle on foot -- here running into Dave and his daughter, Christina - with whom we have gone riding on occasion, you may recall~

Dick and Laura were out and about -- Dick tried on Dave's hat of hair -

A lot of animals were out with their owners, but this was the only gas tank riding dog~~

All types and sizes of motorcycles participate -- these were amongst the smallest -

Of course, cheeseburgers are a must -- the Oyster Run features an excellent selection!

Ann is getting very good at self portraits - it was a beautiful sunny clear day with temperatures nearing 70

thanks to Niomi for this one -

And, Herownself!

The city's old manhole covers, before the name was changed from Anacortes Sewage and Sludge (or whatever). It was the order of the pictures that provoked thought...

most unusual hood ornament -

More to follow - late and etc. Additional oyster run photos are now on Flickr

Signage - We wonder, How does one prepay any other way? Pre pay last?

Ann's workbench taking shape -- a top piece and the bottom layer~~

Sep 25, 2008 Thu

Now, there's just the desk to go, for Ann's shed work area to be complete. It will have to look something like this:

What's been fun about this 'back room in the shed' project is that it has been mostly done with leftover materials from other projects. All the scraps we'd been hanging onto finally got used. Out of pocket was kept to a minimum. There is even a left over half sheet of 3/4 inch plywood for the desk/workbench.

At any rate, here is the trimmed out room, before any junk is put back. It will never be this uncluttered again, we suspect... Finished corners, upper and lower - another 'stitch', which came out sorta' funny - and the window.

Ambie sends along some of Malcom's fine artwork!

Linda's other travel shot -

Richard teaching the uke class, this afternoon.

Sep 24, 2008 Wed

Whoa! The week is getting away from us.

Having successfully avoided any serious/major projects this summer, and remained more or less dedicated to loafing, makes tackling Ann's shed workspace an enjoyable task -- at least now that we're done with the part about crawling under the floor.

In fact, with the addition of some quarter round today or tomorrow, we'll be about finished except for the construction of her workbench.

Here's some paint on the walls. Trying for a different facial expression -- T. J. thinks I might be photo shopping the same picture of myself over and over again.

After replacing the part of the floor that was rotted, we couldn't decide what to do next? Finally settled on vinyl flooring after finding a remnant that would fit. This meant evening out some rough spots with filler, which is what's going on here...

We used leftover firring strips from the old dining room ceiling as floor molding -- also around the top of the drywall.

This is really what it's all about~

For comparison purposes, the room a few weeks ago -- and yesterday.

Thanks to the Ambie for these recent pictures of my grandchildren -- her two, and his two. Which is really a tad confusing, in that her man, Derek, is everyone's father except Maxell's. She says,
Here's my youngins. Malcom Kane-6yrs. old-1st grade, Jacob Maxwell Alan (Max)-10yrs old-5th grade, Danielle Faye-13 yrs old-8th grade, Damon Allen-12yrs old-6th grade.

Matt and Tara stopped by -- our former next-door neighbors. Here's Ann, holding their six-month-old Lucas~

Linda and John have returned to the greater Chicago area. She sends this picture from their road trip into Canada, just before they headed home~

Additional pictures from Heidi's wedding may be viewed on Flickr.

Sep 20, 2008 Sat

The idea was: see if it's possible to travel overnight with 3 Toy Fox Terriers?

It was. Actually, things went better than we had anticipated. The dogs traveled well -- Tizzy usually riding with Ann, and the puppies in their crates. We could crate all three dogs for periods when we needed to leave them in the car.

Sometimes, all three dogs rode in the front seat. The problem was Tizzy -- wanting to ride in my lap rather than share Ann's lap with the puppies. I say puppies -- they'll be a year old in November.

We wished to get east of the mountains where temperatures are still in the 80s. Ann mapped out a route that followed the Lewis and Clark Trail along the Columbia River. There we visited the Columbia Gorge interpretive Center Museum near Stevenson, Washington, before heading further east and then north following the river. We continued to Chelan Falls, where Ann lived when Fae and Cassady were small. We bought fresh peaches and apples to bring back. We took the scenic route along Highway 20 West through the mountains, emerging east of Burlington and avoiding Interstate 5.

Through it all the dogs behaved surprisingly well. They didn't whine or fuss, but traveled quietly. We stopped frequently to exercise them. They overnighted with no barking and no accidents. Of course, it was somewhat more of a hassle than traveling alone -- but not so much as to rule it out again in the future.

please, mom, something is out there, we know it!

Tizzy watching for the Law

Making new friends in Winthrop

Tizzy gladly helped share the driving...

The balance of the trip pix may be found on Flickr

Sep 18, 2008 Thu

The day started out 58 and drizzle. We thought we might see those numbers flip. And they did. A few hours later it was 88, sunny, and the top was down. This engine and caboose were displayed at the Interpretive Center Museum, mentioned above.

Phone cam - oops - blurry

Sep 14, 2008 Sun

The great weather continues. Cars get washed, things get painted, dogs get bathed. Shed work continues - the finishing of the drywall, before paint and trim. We finally made a run to the dump, yesterday - ridding ourselves of the shed scraps and old floor.

Ann does some touch up inside the cat's wirehouse~

Then bathes all the dogs, and trims their nails.

The picnic table doubles as an outdoor shop bench ~ seen near sunset...

The walls are taped.

Some serious clutter to deal with in the near future~

We expect major research from this tool -

Sep 13, 2008 Sat

Ann is employed by the Northwest Indian college and the Swinomish tribe. Formerly, her office was located in one of the tribal buildings. However, the college has opened a branch on the reservation. This building was dedicated yesterday and we attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, along with many members of both the college and the tribe.

The dedication featured many speakers and thanks was given to all who made the new building possible. Ann was recognized for her contributions~~

This gentleman is Chester, seen here with Ann, Dick and Laura. He is the oldest tribal member and senior senator.

Here is Richard, and his ukulele class. I have been tagging along...

Ann and I relaxed a bit today. Well, part of the day -- Ann is moving flower boxes as we speak - by moonlight. Earlier we visited the old-time engine show. Delicious all beef half pound hot dogs are featured courtesy of the Kiwanis folks.

Our travels took us to Burlington and beyond in search of a motorcycle leather jacket. We finally settled on this one, which Ann purchased for me! This was necessitated by the fact that each of my sons claims the other one is in possession of my old jacket...

Sep 11, 2008 Thu

We are finally getting our summer weather. Including some beautiful sunsets -- this was at Dick's, known for a great view~

Pictures tell a story (Thanks to Jack): this locomotive -

ran into this truck, which was trying to beat the train at the crossing-

and was hauling this tank of propane-

which exploded, leaving this crater-

and incinerating both engine and truck.

No one lived. Two died on the engine, and the truck driver perished in the fireball.

On a lighter note, the hole in the shed floor is repaired and the application of drywall has commenced~

The wiring is complete~

Somehow the cat has squeezed between the blinds and window~

Thanks to Linda, one of the little-known and seldom seen necessities of the great Pacific Northwest - Where do boaters put their garbage and recyclables when traveling to Alaska?

Sep 08, 2008 Mon

A busy weekend. A lot of extended family is in town for Heidi's wedding, which was yesterday, Sunday. This allowed for some visiting at Barb and Paul's on Saturday~
Where, amongst other things, we admired Barbara's handiwork - pictures she had painted of family pets. Needless to say, these are highly treasured. Barbara was kind enough to paint Tizzy's likeness a year or so ago, you may recall. Here are Suzanne and Steve~

John, holding the painting of their Cody.

Barbara, her own self -- at the wedding. Mother of the bride

Cassady and Evelyn - two of Ann's three, Fae couldn't make it.

The bride - Heidi

John and Linda

I give you Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Culver

Dick and Laura

Anna and friend, Nick

Thank you, Robert, for touching all of us. Our condolences.

a couple of Robert's contributions from years past~~

Sep 05, 2008 Fri

Quote from the webpage:
"We've all been wowed by the remarkable photos of the apocalypse-bringing Large Hadron Collider (set to run next Wednesday), but it's not the only piece of insanely-large scientific equipment that's easy on the eyes. Japan’s Large Helical Device was designed to "conduct fusion-plasma confinement research in a steady-state." Also, it looks amazing. Sure, it doesn't have as many far-reaching implications for the physics world, nor are there any idiot protestors complaining that it'll destroy the universe, but wow, what a picture."
Go there

Thanks to Ambie -
more from the Jib Jab duo~~

The cat gets comfy, but keeps a wary eye -

For nearby rests the doggie - known to get very jealous of cats on the bed...

Two pictures from Lenee's wedding show up - of Evelyn and I

Cut the grass. Went to the senior center with Remit. Taxes are finally filed... accountant ver ver busy. Ann moves to new office building.

Sep 03, 2008 Wed

Ev on the first day of school - by Ann

Thanks to Barbie ~ our military, two pix

Burning the old floorboards from the shed - got a fair fire going in the woodstove that sits on the patio.

Ann made me this crystal pendant for the car mirror~~

Rehearse with Richard. Wiring in the shed continues. Grass needs cutting.

Sep 02, 2008 Tue

School starts tomorrow.

Ann is canning beans.

Dick, Laura, John and Linda have returned. Paul's dad, Warren, is visiting, too.

Laura fed the gang last night~~

Hogan, last days of summer, first days of school! Thanks, Amy

Sep 01, 2008 Mon

Hey! Welcome to September, the start of school, the beginning of fall, and Labor Day~~

We believe that son Jacob has popped for a refurbished Sony digital camera - and has sent an early effort, much appreciated - Thanks, buck! Seen with Sylvia~

Vending signage~

From Jack - though recently retired (congratulations, Jack!) - a crossing mishap in the midwest:
Tractor/trailer stalls on the crossing, in front of fast moving unit train. Train gets stopped, a half mile later. Truck somewhat the worse for wear - driver unhurt, a lucky fellow!

Here's some irony, this sign is posted in plain sight by the tracks, for just such occasions...

Ann has 'beauty barked' the entire front, back and side yards - what an improvement. Of course, this required pulling all the weeds from the above-mentioned areas -- which makes spreading the bark (over a yard) by hand, with a shovel -- an easy task, if only by comparison. Pictures to follow.

The shed project. You may recall we reworked the outside of the shed a few years ago. Also one, of the two, inside rooms. That would be the main room, the one that has the workbench. Years ago we noticed the hole in the floor of the back room and merely threw some boards over it, knowing full well a time would come when proper repairs were in order. And of course, here we are.

The shed has always had power. A single 110 line ran to it from the house. When the new/small shed was erected and wired properly, i.e. -- grounded wiring -- another circuit was added for the old shed, it was just never hooked up. Well, that time has come, too.

Without belaboring the point, wiring protocols have changed in the last 20 or 30 years -- as we learned when the upstairs wiring was roughed in professionally. We used to run wire (a circuit) from light fixture to light fixture, dropping a line down to an on and off switch. This meant that even with the switch off there were still hot wires at the fixture. To eliminate this problem we now run wire (hot, neutral and ground) from switch to switch, and then a feed up a light fixture. This way, when the switch is 'off' one may safely work on the fixture without fear of hot wires.

It is a safer way of wiring, and also code these days. What this boils down to, is that to bring the shed up to date means tearing out the old wiring and doing it all over again with grounded wire -- adding switches and outlets where needed.

The back room had only one small light on a chain pull and no plugs. I had added lighting and a switch to the front room, but done it the 'old way'. Now, it's time to do it right.