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Our travels took us visiting, yesterday. Picnicking with Laura's sister Alene's daughters
and families at Darcie and Ron's. Haidee, Sundee and Darcie are the daughters.
Thanks to Ann for taking these pictures~
August 29, 2009 Sat
We stayed up (well, one of us) watching old movies on TV until the wee hours (Contact, and Liar Liar) resulting in a bit later start to the Saturday Market - but we did make it. Grabbed a coffee and a scone, said Hello to a lot of family and friends, and headed north again - this time in two vehicles. Dropped off Ann's truck for the makeover.
That accomplished, we resisted spending any more time in that fine town - having done it yesterday - and headed to Mt. Vernon for Thai lunch. See? Isn't this better than Twitter?
We looked out over the mighty Skagit River, trying to remember what it looks like in full flood
stage, when the water rises to the bottom of the bridge in the background.
August 28, 2009 Fri
Our travels took us (as they frequently do) to Bellingham - about a half hour jaunt north on the big road, I5. Takes about 25 minutes to reach I5 - so, you give up nearly half a day to run up there, hang around awhile, and drive back.
This rather reminds me of what my daughter goes through, living in a small town in Kentucky - nearly an hours ride to the nearest large town to shop, etc.
Our reason for going today? Get an estimate to have Ann's truck painted. It was repainted (poorly)
just before she bought it (a '97) way back in 2001 and has continued to fade since then. No amount of
'buffing out' has helped - so - paint it is.
These will be the before pictures, then~~ I can't believe it looks as shiny as it does? Because, it
ain't.
August 26, 2009 Wed
Well, let's see - what'd we do today for excitement?
Changed a tail light on the Toyota. Added solvent to the windshield washer in the Saturn. Finally got Blackberry Messenger re installed on my phone. Ann and I (and my sister, Mardi) use this 'chat' feature a lot. Quite a day - huh?
Did run across this 'signage'
Starwars influence still prevalent after thirty years...
Also ran across these...
August 25, 2009 Tue
It's time to vent --
Evelyn is in the process of changing phones, so she is sure to understand this particular rant.
As I'm sure you are aware,
it's hard to change phones and keep all your information intact, even if you keep the same brand.
It's even more difficult if you change to another type of phone altogether. Ann and I went through this
when we switched from Motorola to Blackberry.
One must reenter all the contacts that were collected so diligently over the last couple years. And smart phones, with their address books and calendars, contain even more information.
However, once it's all been entered in the new phone you should be good for a couple years if not longer.
Enter the Blackberry Software update service. Since January the good folks at Blackberry have come up with two new software versions for their smartphone. Each time the software was an improvement. And each time the new software erased every single thing that was in the phone. Every contact, every appointment, every birthday, every downloaded application, every change you'd ever made to the basic set up -- it's a brand-new phone.
Why, you may ask, did I download the second update after losing everything the first time? Good point. The first time I simply clicked 'download all' from the selection menu. I thought that's what caused me the grief and this time I was very selective and thought I was only downloading the core system update -- to no avail. Needless to say I am not happy about this, and will be in touch with the good folks at RIM.
There, I feel ever so much better, as I stare at my handy smartphone that doesn't have one single phone number in it.
Postscript: my darling wife reminded me that I had backed up my phone on the computer. Duh.
I had, only four months ago. I was able to restore all the information up to that point -- and only lost
things I had added in the last four months. If, I had had the good sense to back up the phone before
installing the update, I would have lost nothing... Hello, helloooo?
Ann has been adding some plants and shrubs around the new college building~~
August 23, 2009 Sun
Always good to visit the extended family.
And always good to return home.
Frances continues to amaze me-- a blind woman in her mid-80s with less than 50% heart function living alone on all three floors of her home. She sleeps upstairs and does her laundry in the basement. Her body may be failing, but that brilliant mind of hers just keeps going.
I know that she felt bad having to ask me to upgrade her computer system while I was there, but of course I was glad to do it. She had been using an older machine that belonged to dad. Even in its day it didn't really have enough memory, and by today's standards it was totally slow.
This computer is primarily for her grandsons, who live within walking distance and do their homework
at grandma's house. A refurbished machine purchased locally with a fast chip and two gig of memory.
Frances and I spent quite a bit of time sitting on the front porch and just catching up. We wave
at the neighbors and gossip. I tell her what changes I notice since the last time we sat on the porch.
I mentioned a spider I noticed making lunch in its web by the flower box - Oh, that's Charlotte,
replied Frances. For a blind lady, she doesn't miss much...
I like this picture of my nephew, Aiden, even though it's a little bit blurry...
Guess who's back in town? Ms. Ev, returned from her summer in Finland. She will kindly give me access to
her photos...
August 20, 2009 Thu
Travels yesterday took us to Pontiac, MI, looking for the Amtrak Station. Dang - the entire
building (Pontiac Transportation Center) that used to house offices and waiting rooms, is no
more. It is now a vacant lot. The double wide trailer that now goes by the same name, houses
Greyhound. Amtrak does drop off passengers at the platform, without so much as even a bus stop
type shelter. This was saddening.
More pictures of this house may be found by typing 'plymouth house' into the site search engine found at the top of this page...
August 18, 2009 Tue
Found this in dad's files while switching computers... if you guess the year - tag the chatbox?
Which all got me to thinking - what were we doing five years ago? Mostly because we didn't take any other pictures this day, having been buried in the effort of computer start-up. It ain't ever as simple as one hopes...
First, another of Dad's pix - his five kids~
August 17, 2009 Mon
Good to see the Michigan contingent -
August 11, 2009 Tue
A few things worth noting -- the newest Candie's vessel did not get launched at the prescribed moment. We are not sure what this means.
Now we are wondering what the difference is between proscribed and pre-scribed?
Thanks to Linda for sending along some pictures to go with her narrative about their travels
in far North places. This would be a frog~ Gotta' love Linda's camera~ and
mother nature's talent for camouflage...
August 09, 2009 Sun
One more time - into the fray - Anacortes Arts Fair, day three. Mostly to stroll and eat fair food,
this time. Listen to some music. Sun came out late - hit 70 - no rain - everyone was happy.
August 08, 2009 Sat
Happy Birth Day - Eric and Debra welcomed Judah Paul Schwulst this morning! Thanks to Aunt Mary for
the picture...
We made it downtown for round two of the Anacortes Arts Fair. Having seen most of it yesterday - we could be a tad more relaxed today. The rain held off, temps went to 70 - but the sun never peaked out. Saw my hero - Hillbilly Willie - skilled juggler and humorist. We'd missed his show, yesterday.
Today's more leisurely pace allowed for plenty of fair food, and even a break by the water. Still, we
covered a couple miles on foot, again.
August 07, 2009 Fri
Happy Birthday to Laura! Many happy returns!
If in this life getting one's priorities straight is important - as frequently suggested - then I know where to start -
My darling wife got me something I've been wanting and needing for a long time. A motorcycle cupholder~
Next - the new Candies vessel was moved a bit down the ramp today - in preparation for
tomorrow's christening and launch.
This is the weekend of the Anacortes Arts and Crafts Festival, and assorted goings on... and although
the day started out pretty cloudy - it ended up just fine.
Great food and entertainment, too - we listened to the Dunton Sisters (with Mom on bass) entertain
this afternoon.
August 06, 2009 Thu
Another top down day - I've lost count - months of great weather. Now, if it will just hold out a few more days, for the Anacortes Arts Festival, coming up this weekend.
Evelyn finally posted a few pictures - and we've borrowed them, from Facebook -
August 05, 2009 Wed
Hi Hogan! Happy Birthday!
The sun did shine, yesterday - and it did get hot, yet one more time. We made good on the threat to
go topless~
Dang - forgot my hairpiece... but I remembered all my chins~
Today is starting out a lot cooler - maybe the heat wave is finally over?
We decided to finish the screen door reinforcement project and eliminate the bottom screen in the
front door. Small jumping dogs and screens - not good.
A left over ceiling tile made the center piece, and now the door is a half screen. Before and after~
Signage
August 04, 2009 Tue
Finally, a grey day. At least to start - predicted to burn off and get right back up to 80 - but, for the moment, it's only 68. They are saying that the last two months were the hottest and driest on record, and we believe it. I'll have to put the top down this afternoon on general principles...
Ann thought that we should take a walk, and take Lily. We did. Lily walked about a block before she
wanted to be carried.
August 02, 2009 Sun
Happy Birthday to my darling wife. Many happy returns, Ann Darling Smock~~
EDIT on the third
A new record is being set, locally.
We've had the top down more in the last three months than ever, at least since 1964 - when the
top blew off my
Olds Starfire and was 'down'
permanently. Even duct tape won't hold a convertible top at speeds over twenty five MPH.
This might be the nicest summer that we can remember. Aside from that week or so when it was 90 and above...
August begins the fourth month of absolutely perfect weather - well, unless you are a fan of green lawns.
How long can this last, we are wondering? And what will be the long-term consequences/effects?
Where we live (on a hill), sea levels will have to rise more than 280 cm before we feel the pain.
Long before then, coastal cities will be history.
August 01, 2009 Sat
Hello - Welcome to August Blogging, from yours truly - dave smock, davesmock.com and
kc_oms services.
This Blog started in late 2003 - those past months may be observed through the archive links at the top
of this page. There is also a site search engine up there - that works like any other - type in words
that describe what you want to find - and if it is on davesmock.com, it will be found and displayed on
a separate page. This has come in quite handy when there's been a question about what we did and when
we did it, anytime during those intervening years.
While we're at it, we may as well also mention the 'links' drop down menu, which provides easy access to some of the websites that we find interesting on occasion. The other boxes are also links, that will take you variously to a photo page, a Utube page - you get the idea.
The month starts out very pleasant - none of that 100 degree stuff. Close to 80, though, and just a lovely summer day. We began by hanging out at the Saturday Market with Barb and Paul, and half of Anacortes. Very nice.
Nice enough to ride to Bellingham on the back roads for burgers at a place we like. Alas, it has gone out
of business - Burger Me, is no more. We settled for Wins Burgers - also quite yummy - just not...
Then a bit south to the Plantation Range for target practice. But not before stopping at the Birthday
Rock, since Ann's actual Happy Day is tomorrow.
