Walker Tennessee Duck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a small sample of the duck caravan. 

Duck Stop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I was coming back home down Saunders Ferry Road when I came upon a line of cars. I didn't know if there was maybe construction or a wreck and then I spied a line of ducks young and old crossing the street. They just kept coming, and coming, and coming. There must have been fifty of them. And we all sat and patiently waited for them to cross. Sometimes people are good and kind. Even in BFT.

It's Rainiering Cherries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After being introduced to the culinary delight that is rainier cherries on our recent trip to Washington, we found some at Kroger today! We don't know if it's a karmic coincidence or they have them often and we just never noticed, but here they are! 

The Big 6-9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mari turns 69 today!*

 

*Actual age my vary, no ages above 69 will be accepted at this time. 

The Cake Isn't A Lie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's time for a very special birthday! 

Pup Cup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledging this isn't something he should have on a regular basis, it was still fun to get Bear his first Starbucks pup cup. Which he devoured with gusto. 

Night Terror

 

 

 

We are not fans of fireworks, especially personal ones. They should be banned outside of professional displays. But controversial opinion aside one of the biggest reasons is it scares the animals. Case in point we discovered Bear is absolutely terrified of fireworks. He ran all over, shivered, panted, was manic, tried to climb into a cabinet, then tried to climb over the three suitcases in the back of the closet. So well pulled the two soft-sides out, laid the hard shell over and made him a hidey hole, complete with a laptop playing Bluey to drown out the noise as best we could. That did seem to calm him down and we got through the night. TLDR: People stupid fireworks bad.

The Grillmaster

 

 

 

Another nice spread put out by Dad, whose steaks continue to be second to none. Although I have to admit, that key lime pie in the corner might have been a scene stealer.

Upper Fort

 

 

Up at Dad's for a 4th BBQ. The neighborhood girls built this little fort in his driveway from found bits and pieces. Just thought it was cute, he has a nice group up here.

WOTM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday bashes and the end of an era at work. 

Better Bear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before we left for Seattle Bear got pretty sick. He was just not himself, no energy, afraid of everything. At first we, and the vet, thought it was kennel cough but that never fully materialized. We are pretty sure he does not do well on doxycycline and have since heard from Casie, Bridger had serious issues with it too. We took him off it the day we left and Dad has been watching him. He seems to be much better now, almost his old self again. Thank goodness, we thought we broke our puppy!

Home Almost Alone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got to Nashville a little after midnight. Just a little difference in the number of people around. 

Welcome In Reverse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Sea-Tac waiting for our flight. We got there super early in anticipation of the FIFA crowd madness and it was extremely busy, especially trying to get into one of the bathrooms, but not too bad with our extra time. Planning pays off! 

Seattle Set

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the whole crew, minus Mari who was taking the picture. It was a great visit. We were worried Jenni would do too much but she kept up and pushed us to do more which was nice to see. She has another round of chemo tomorrow so we won't be able to see her again before we leave. We said our goodbyes here, and went back to rest up for the long trip tomorrow. 

Lean Three

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The food was really good, especially the chowder. But the best part was getting to see the rest of the fam as well, Rowan, Megan and Rowan's girlfriend Fiora. The kids posing with Steve to show how much they love having their picture taken.

Duking It Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duke's Seafood. 

A More Perfect Union

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We took Jenni back to rest with plans to meet up for the grand finale at one of her favorite restaurants. A place called Duke's right on the shore of Lake Union. 

Yep, More Coffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the farmer's market we walked down to the Dancing Goat roastery - or where it used to be. Jenni wanted to get Dad something since she knew he liked their coffee, but it turned out they had sold the building to the Port Authority and moved elsewhere since last she'd visited. The statue was still there though. 

Keeping It Fresh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today's excursion was to the Farmer's Market in Olympia. Lots of good things to choose from, I wish we had something like this in our area. The Nashville Farmer's Market hasn't been very good for quite some time now. The best part was being introduced to Rainer cherries, which were excellent.

Point Pic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mari and I at Cutters Point, courtesy of Jenni. 

Coffee Of Course

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started off the second full day of spending time with Jenni... with coffee! Shocking. I know. This we went to Cutters Point, which I have to admit I think may be my favorite. 

Seattle Trio

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenni, Steve and Tuppence after a nice dinner and a some good conversation.

Mike On Deck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We let Jenni rest for a while, then brought over some Jersey Mike's to eat for dinner on their deck under all the beautiful trees.  

Harbor Selfie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We really enjoyed our time at Gig Harbor, nice, artsy town. I can see why mom liked it. 

Harbor Views II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The view from the lookout point at the harbor. 

Harbor Views

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The statue of Gig Harbor commemorating fisherman lost at sea. 

Gig Economy

 

 

I'll never say no to Mexican food, so we ate lunch at a place called El Pueblito an then did some shopping in the small mall around it, particularly Fox Island Trading Co.

Good Gig

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We wanted to keep things pretty low key and not wear Jenni out, so she suggested a wander around Gig Harbor. A cute little artsy town on the Kitsap Peninsula that mom used to like visiting.

Cabin Collection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started off the day by swinging by Jenni and Steve's tiny house in the woods to pick her up. Here she is with Tuppence. Of course the first stop had to be for coffee (we are in Seattle after all), and we went to her favorite spot Taylor Ray's.

Return To Lacey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're back at the same hotel as before since we enjoyed the first stay. Here's a glimpse of a similar room from that visit. We also got a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross to drive which we don't like nearly as much as the Subaru so I didn't bother to take a picture. We had dinner with Jenni, Steve and Tuppence at the nearby Chipotle but unfortunately I forget to take any pictures. And that was day one of our trip!

Sea-Tacy Horse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A cool art piece at Sea-Tac, which otherwise was insane! We didn't take into account FIFA was in town, and despite how open this picture looks, every terminal was cram packed with people. 

The Spoiled Traveler

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I've gotten too used to flying first class. I don't know if I can go back now. I mean look at this breakfast, and all the leg room? Fuhgeddaboutit.

Seattle Bound

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the sky somewhere between Tennessee and Washington. 

Airport Lounge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're on our way to Seattle to see my sister and bring some good cheer to help her fight Jabba the evil cancer hutt. We got to Nashville airport a bit early so stopped to have a light breakfast (because we'll also get one on the plane) which was surprisingly good.

Deck Tan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This little fella decided to come hang out and soak up some sun today, he lounged for quite a while. Bear seems to have no interest in squirrels so far.

Clerical Duties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Esoteric Ebb is a game primarily made by just one person, who later brought in some help with art and music. It's an RPG in the vein of Disco Elysium and is excellent. A real testament that with some imagination and hard work, small, even single person studios, can still put out content of better quality than most of the chaff big studios are pumping out these days.

Sign Of The Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This statement is true. 

Quick Pass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dad is pup sitting our neighbor Matt's dog Tilly while they go on a quick trip. Dad had his volunteer shift at the hospital so we helped out by watching Tilly for him, for Matt, for a short while. She and Bear got on just fine. 

Undying

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finished Dying Light The Beast, aka Dying Light 3. Like the first two it's just good enough to be entertaining but will never crack the top ten list for great games.  

A Sheriff With A View

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had to head downtown to the Sheriff's HQ for a meeting with their IT folks. I hadn't been to their new building even though they've been in it for a few years now. Really nice, and the view from the parking lot is pretty too. 

Good Clean Fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loved the Book of Mormon, super funny. Not for the faint of heart, but if you aren't easily offended it's a blast. I would see it again. 

Ready To Book It

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waiting for the show to start. 

Fading Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've always enjoyed live theater, so we're off to see the Book of Mormon at TPAC. I like the building and the location, so I'm a little bummed they have announced they are going to be moving to a new development across the river over the next few years. But such is life. 

Snuffle Snoozer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For some reason Bear has taken to sleeping on his snuffle mats. I guess whatever makes him happy! 

WOTM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month was a whirlwind that's going to be hard to top. But there's still plenty to look forward to. Busy year. 

Memorial Meal II

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But of course the real star is always Dad's amazing steak. 

Memorial Meal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We couldn't do the official Memorial Day so we decided to honor it a little late with an Upper Greer BBQ, and what a spread Dad put out for us! 

Looking Good

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He still likes looking out windows. 

Daycare Debutant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've never taken our dogs to daycare before, and we don't know about what Bear was like in the three years before we got him. But we think it's important he keeps flexible and socialized. Especially since he's an only dog and will be for the foreseeable future. So this was a new experience for us all, taking him to the Hound Heelton. He proved as adaptable as ever, and came home exhausted having played his little heart out and gotten on fine with the other pups there. So this'll become a regular thing! 

Explorer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was feeding the birds this evening and came back to the storage box to find it occupied. He's an ever curious, fearless little guy. We put the various types of feed in metal bins because critters were sneaking into the box at night and having themselves a midnight snack.