CALL ME GRACE

I alluded to a mishap I had here on the lake a couple of days ago, but wanted to wait to get the photos off Louise's camera before I told the story.  Well, it's not much of a story actually....Remember that little kayak Norm got me when we first arrived?  I call it "Little Turtle" and Little Turtle 'bucked me off 'and into the lake when I tried to climb into her the other night.  It was NOT my finest hour, however the water was refreshingly cold and everybody got a laugh. (Thank goodness Lou only got me climbing out of the water and not actually falling in !) Everyone except Norm , that is, he was up in the bathroom doing the dishes and missed all the action.  Joe had to pull me aboard Proud Mary. but don't worry, nothing was hurt....except my pride....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

It is not the easy or convenient life for which I search. It is life lived to the edge of all my possibilities.” ~ Maryanne Radmacher Hershey-Prepared

AMERICA's LAND-LOCKED NAVY

We visited "The Brig Museum" at Farragut State Park yesterday and Norm took a walk down memory lane to his old Navy days. For those who haven't heard of it before Farragut was a huge Naval Training Center in world War II.  With the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor America was hurled into WWII. Hundreds of thousands of young men and women heeded the call to enlist. For those in the Navy , many were surprised to find themselves being sent inland to northern Idaho.

In 1941 the US government selected a remote stretch of land on the shores of the Pend Oreille Lake to build a naval base. Construction crews poured their hearts, patriotism and sweat into building the Training Station. This HUGE endeavour was completed in only 9 months! 

Today all that remains of  Farragut, however, are cracked foundations, the brig, and two giant water towers.  The Brigg now serves as a museum. It was really interesting and Norm particularly enjoyed all the Navy relics and good memories it brought back of his four years in service on an AGC12 the USS Estes.

  We finished the day by returning to Lou & Joe's campsite to roast brauts and share dinner. Then a few cards games and we all were ready for bed.  It was another great day at the lake....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

A SAILORS DAY

We took the granddaughters, Melissa and Alison out sailing today. Perfect wind for novices! Not too much. Not too little. Mel and her guy, Casey played "Titanic" on the boat's bow.

Later everyone took a turn around the lake in Little Turtle (even Ollie got a ride!)  As well as the canoe they brought with them. Then it was lots of good food, a walk up the hill for ice cream and getting our butts' beat by Ali in a few games of UNO. We had a bit of excitement early in the evening. I'll wait for the next blog post to tell you as I need the photo that's on Louise's camera. 

The sun is making the water dance and it looks to be another great day....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

FRIENDS & FAMILY

Two friends from way "back in the day' were out to visit today. Denise and Lisette used to baby-sit for me when my girls were little and it was just the three of us living in Lincoln Heights.  But they were more than simply "baby-sitters." They both hung out at our house most of the time -- Denise even lived with us for a while when her mom was going through a rough patch.  Now both she and Lisette are all grown up and not only have kids of their own, but grand kids as well!

What a great time we had visiting with them and their guys ! Lots of conversation crowded together on our wee boat -- a few libation's -- a little lunch. Denise and Lisette both tried out Little Turtle. They both were waaaaay more graceful than I am getting into and out of it. (I do the something like a beached whale approach to both getting in and getting out. That's why I try to do it when no one is around) Then they left to go back home with us all promising not to wait 30 years to get together again.

Then, later in the afternoon, Joe, Lou,Ollie,  Mel and Casey showed up.  They had gotten a late start but were finally all set up at their campground at Farragut State Park (only 3 -4 miles from us)  So it was more conversation, "hydrating," dinner  and attempts a the kayak. ( Mel & Casey tried to both fit on the single person kayak. It didn't work, but our neighbor generously offered his canoe (one of those beautiful wooden ones) to them, so they had a good paddle while the rest of us were out walking.  Then it was 'home' to settle in for them.

Norm and I were tired but we'd heard there was going to be live music at the cafe just around the corner, so we went to check it out.  It was a local band - not too bad and, admittedly they did sound even better after a Bloody Mary.  But our wagons were beginning to drag so it was back to Proud Mary for us and we called it a day -- another great day on the lake....and the beat goes on.

~Nancy

We are one big family of people, trying to make our way through the unfolding puzzle of life.”` Sara Paddison

LAUNDRY & LAKE DAY

Today was laundry day s Norm offered to take me out to breakfast while the clothes sloshed around at the Laundromat.  Like so many small towns Bayview businesses seem to supply more than one thing so we ate at the Coffee House-Internet Cafe - Laundromat.  Our sausage scramble was yummy!  And the characters coming in and out (and working there) were quite entertaining.

Next it was time for the lake !  We motored out past the "no wake" zone and tried the sails. After a couple hours of not much wind we decided we were in 'the dull drums' and we'd give up sailing fr the day and motor around a bit.  Of course, no sooner did we get the sail down and situated than the wind picked up 1  So, we started from scratch and re-lifted the sail and actually got some pretty good sailing in for a couple of hours late in the afternoon!

Norm did a bit of fishing off and on throughout the day but no luck. That $100 (what his license cost) mackerel just won't be caught !  LOL.  We had a fantastic day on the lake and returned to our dock hot, tired and happy. Gold beer and salty snacks then soup for supper.  I took a quick paddle around the marina in Little Turtle (my kayak) and we called it a day -- Another great one !....And the beat goes on.

Nancy

He Fishes                                                                                   

with a rod named

for a fluffy white cloud

and a reel after a poet

from the seventeenth century,

first name of William.

He fishes,

pulls back the bale,

threads invisible string

through silver ferrules,

ties on a brutal barbed hook.

He fishes,

spears a shiney lure,

all wiggly and bright colored

imitates a smaller fish

worming through the water.

He fishes,

watches the tiny, transparent line

drops until it disappears, drawn

downstream by our slow

turbid trolling wake.

He fishes,

concentrates on the distal

end of his pole, brow furrowed,

wills a trout take nibble from

the hook, that holds the gigantic lure.

He fishes,

with a rod named

for a fluffy white cloud

and a reel after a poet

from the seventeenth century,

first name of William.

He fishes

Oh MY! STRAWBERRY PIE !

We visited with friends Jan & Joe at their house in Spokane and had a nice visit reminiscing about their many sailing adventures, and the ones we tagged along with them on - PV, Panama and the dreaded night sail around Punta Mala !...Always good for a few laughs.

After a nice lunch we made our way down to Pete & Leigh's bungalow in the Arboretum... What a great place to live!  They both have mixed feelings about selling their little house. It's so adorable and the location couldn't be better, but, it's a teeny-tiny place and the girls are growing. We hope, for their sakes that it sells soon.

Laina and Marin entertained us all afternoon with puzzles, games and their outdoors antics.  They crack me up !  Leigh fixed an awesome bar-b-que !  The best turkey burgers I've ever tasted.  She mixes stuff in the meat like apples, curry, Tabasco, and I don't remember what else she said, but they were sure good. And the very best part of all: She made Norm and strawberry/rhubarb pie that was not only beautiful , but scrumptious as well!  Our kids are sure spoiling  us this trip!  :-)

Our last stop for the day was at Jenny's to drop off the bike helmet be had exchanged for Marcus. We got him a bike and helmet for his 5th birthday last week, but the helmet was too small.  The little guy has a large noodle just like his granny :-)  Jenny and baby are both doing great - tired , of course, but that is part of having a wee one in the house.  Marcus is adjusting well and being quite a good little helper.  What a sweetheart!  He didn't want us to leave, but grandpa and gramma needed to get back to the boat because our tails were dragging. Jenny looked like she was ready for bed too.  Hopefully his dad Rick, will bring him out to sail next week. If not, we'll go in to have a play day with Marcus!

We're both loving our time in the Pacific Northwest. - time with the lake and even more important time with out kids.  Life is great!...And the beat goes on...

~Nancy

ON A BLUSTERY DAY

Another overcast, windy day today and we can only read for so long, so we jumped in the car and drove up to Sandpoint, Idaho  --  a cute little artsy-in-a-rustic-sort-of-way town about 40 miles from the lake.  We walked all over town, nosing around the shops and generally acting like the tourists that we are. then we ended our morning with ice cream. (of course!) and came back to the boat to read and be lazy.

Late afternoon the huge dark cloud that had been hanging over the lake all day, lifted and the sun danced on the lake! Norm tried a little fishing. No luck. He still hasn't caught that $100 fish yet. (that's what his fishing license cost) But life is good.....and the beat goes on. 

~Nancy