Boars at Dinner

Page from Fred Gwynne's book:

I spent the morning working on my book. I was at the part of my story where I began life as a Navy wife in San Diego.  After moving there in January of 1964, I moved back to Port Townsend for six months while John was overseas. Then we drove back to California in January of 1965. One story I remembered about our second neighborhood down there was this....

John found a little one-bedroom house about two miles from our old Cherokee apartment, at 2611 Wightman. It was a cozy little house with two or three similar homes on either side. I was timid about driving in the city so when it was time to do the laundry (I used cloth diapers), I would put the diaper pail in the basket of the baby stroller and push Susan and her diapers down the street to a coin-operated laundry.

Dad and my brothers came to visit that summer and we all went to the San Diego Zoo. Dad always remembered that day because I had put Susan on a bench to change her and she rolled off onto the grass. As she was hollering to beat the band, a whole bus load of tourists drove by and watched us. I also recall there was a serial murderer loose in the city and everyone was on edge and cautioned to keep their doors locked. I got a scare one night when I heard a knock at my backdoor (which had a glass window) and I was home alone. I peeked out and saw it was the neighbor lady. She whispered for me to let her in and I nervously unlocked the door. She had a huge butcher knife in her hand and said she had heard someone trying to break into her house. I didn’t have a phone and didn’t know what we could do to save ourselves.

This memory got my curiosity up as I sat here writing about it and I decided to call the San Diego library to see if they had any information. The researcher there told me that Clyde Carl Wilkerson was convicted in 2004 in Oklahoma for murders in El Cajon, a suburb of San Diego in 1965. He was a truck driver and suspected of other murders as well. It took DNA to bring him to justice 40 years later.  Interesting what you can find online these days. I even found his picture.

I left the house around 11:30 to stop at Walgreens and then head over to Susan's place to pick her up. Her house sits in the woods and I do mean sits in the woods.  You'd never know it was there unless you drove down this narrow alley. I parked on the road nearby and took this shot of the path leading to her front door.

She took a picture of me coming through the trees and I took one of her when we were in the parking lot at the casino.

We met my sister for lunch at the buffet and I treated her for her birthday. A big tour bus pulled in to unload 4 or 5 dozen seniors who had traveled from  Chehalis. That meant line ups at the restroom and to buy dinner tickets but we eventually got seated.  They were serving liver and onions as one of the entrees. I passed on that and had some eggplant parmesan.  I didn't get rich playing the slots but I probably was $10 ahead.  Sue and I left after an hour or so as I needed to stop at Costco and Walmart in Sequim.

Janie had told me this story about a friend of hers (Carol Plaster)  ..... Carol was having some kind of sinus procedure done but Janie misunderstood exactly what they were doing and she was telling people that Carol was having her face peeled down so they could clean out the sinuses.  When she saw a picture of me and Carol on my blog, she mentioned to her that she looked awfully good for having the drastic face surgery she had had. Carol asked her what she was talking about and then laughed her head off when Janie told her she thought her face skin was being completely peeled down. 

They went to lunch at Hadlock House yesterday and inside Carol's card to Janie, she included this picture that she "doctored up"...

Now, that's funny!

 

 

Holding up the Train

Page from Fred Gwynne's book:

I told myself when I went to bed last night that this week I was going to ride my bike every single day.  I went out about 8 a.m. this morning and put in 25 minutes.  Was aiming for 40 but my knees hurt so much, I decided I'll try for 40 tomorrow.

The doctor's office called to give me the numbers on my recent blood work.  I prepared myself for the worst and couldn't believe my ears when she said everything looked good. Glucose, cholesterol, even tricglycerides which are always off the chart with me.  I asked her if she was sure she had my file in front of her.  I wonder how that happened.  I've been trying to eat better and exercise more but I didn't think I was doing that great of a job.  Certainly made my day, that's for sure. Now if I can just get some idea come Thursday of what this foot and leg cramping is all about.

Ran the dishwasher and washing machine and decided to sit down and work on my autobiography before I tackle that quilt project on the kitchen table.  I managed to finish up my childhood, teenage, college, and Portland days so tomorrow I can begin on my early days in California. Here's an excerpt from my page about my wedding......

Ruth Stapf acted as my maid of honor and my sister, Janie, and a friend from Standard Insurance, Carolyn Schweitzer, was a second bridesmaid. Her husband, Pete, stood up for John as best man even though they barely knew each other. I stayed overnight at Ruth’s house and dressed for my wedding that sunny but chilly Saturday morning in January. Ironically, I would end up renting this very house from Ruth’s parents twenty-two years later—four years after my 18-year marriage ended.

Friends attending included Mary Pearce, Loraine Bucknell, Carolyn Woodward, Linda Gillett, Barbara Blowers, Barbara Lee Smith, Sharon Lindsey, Sharon Cadero, and Ruth, of course. Absent friends included Sharon Sofie, Doris LaChance, Jean Tyler, Carol Rustad, and several classmates. I think everyone was scattererd at that time and traveling during winter (we did have snow the next day) was difficult. As I think back, I realize the only weddings I attended of my friends were those of Linda Gillett and Sharon Cadero. I’m sorry about that. I would have liked to have been at all of them.

Other people signing my guest book included family members: dad, and the Blankenships: Jim, Lillian, Linda, Jimmy, Les, Janie, Dana, George, Lorraine, Dale, Susan, and Barbara (married to Denny). Other relatives: Lee, Elaine, Lyall, Elva, and Bill & Dorothy Arey; Velna, Claude, and Lorraine Walker. Also, a teacher, Dorothy Meyers, Ruth’s folks, Fred & Violette Stapf, Marsha Hurd, Richard Rowzer, Fred & Louise Staeger, and the church ladies: May Luck, Lucy Christopher, Mrs. Ray Ellis and Mrs. Maxwell Loomis.

I didn’t get many pictures that day but I’m thankful for the ones I do have. My Girl Scout leader, Anita Yantz, made my cake as a gift. We had a short reception in the church basement where I had attended Sunday school years earlier and a second reception at my Uncle Jim’s house so liquor could be served. We led a car caravan through town honking horns and delighting in sharing our day with people on the street. My cousin, Linda, and her boyfriend, Rich Rowzer, drove our car while John and I sat in the backseat. Linda was thrilled because she figured people would think it was her and Rich that had got married. John and I left for our return drive to Portland, stopping at Chimacum Café for dinner. I was in a pink suit and he was in his tux. My wedding gown had been rented from a shop in downtown Portland for $25. It started to snow as we made our way around Hoods Canal and we decided to stop in Shelton at Mill Creek Motel to wait until morning as the roads were dangerous.

Two weeks later I had downsized my possessions to the things I couldn’t live without as we made arrangements for me to travel with three other Navy wives to San Diego.

I intend to go back and add more details later.  Memories come to mind as you're working along but I need to get the basic facts down first.  I'll also insert photos later. That will be the fun part. As I was struggling to remember downtown Portland places we frequented in 1963, I was tickled to find websites where people wrote their memories of favorite spots back in the day.  Places I'd forgot like the Tic Tok and Jolly Joans.

I'll have to ask Susie Bishop or Sharon Sofie if they recall the Corral out on Division. I vaguely think we went there a time or two.

Well, off to the kitchen.....

Kids go to camp

Well, I managed to get my quilt squares cut and sewn together and cut out the batting and the back piece too.  Too tired to go any further today but I'll work on it tomorrow.  Nothing fancy with this quilt; I'm not even putting a border on it.  Just want to get the batting and backing tied on and get on to the next one.

Sitting here half watching Tom Hanks in Cast Away.  Good movie of  a bearded guy talking to a volleyball. Russell Crowe in 'Gladiator' beat him out for best actor in 2000.  Gees, 12 years ago already!
Think I'll go throw together spaghetti so I'll have something to eat on for the next three nights.  Spaghetti has taken on a whole new interest since I switched to wheat pasta.

Here's the pictures Jenni took of the kids arriving at camp.

Lambs on the Lawn

Another page from Fred Gwynne's book (but I don't get this one)

It's been a nice relaxing Sunday so far.  I sat down to work on my book but as usual, I got distracted.   I was researching Portland "stuff" and one thing led to another as I surfed the Net. I did find a super website called Lost Oregon. Its a .org not .com.  The main page shows this restaurant where John and I hung out all the time in downtown Portland during 1963.  It was called The Cupboard.

I also found a picture of the Greyhound Bus Depot where Sharon and I arrived -- scared half to death that everyone was a pickpocket.  Ha!

I spent so much time looking around that I decided I'd put the writing project aside and try to move on to other projects.  Just boiled a pan of eggs but haven't decided it they're gonna be egg salad for sandwiches or chopped eggs for potato salad.

Jenni and Wayne and the kids came by to borrow my car.  The kids are heading off to camp for the week. I'm so glad Jenni borrowed it. I want my car to get lots of use and I don't go that many places.
I lent her my camera to take pictures of the kids so maybe I'll post them later or tomorrow.

I've had Pandora Music playing all morning and am tuned in to the Lacy J Dalton channel.  It's one of my favorites as several singers I've never heard of (BUT LOVE!) are featured.  Like Ginny Hawker who sang "A heart that will never break again."  I couldn't find her singing that particular song on YouTube but I did find the guys who first had a hit with it.  The Easter Brothers.  They're terrific!

Coat of Arms

Page from Fred Gwynne book:

Relaxing day around the house. Yvonne and I made a quick library run but that was about it.  She gave me two sacks of paperbacks so I cleared out another shelf. Glad to get them.

Took a few pictures of birds that I watched as I sat here surfing the Net.  Glad they like the bird bath.

I did a little sewing, a little writing, a little reading.  Gonna watch some television in a few minutes. Am hoping the Olympics get a little better. The interviews they insist on showing are boring me.  Too many commericals too!

The kids go to camp tomorrow.  My goal is to get back into riding my bike. So easy to let it go by the wayside if you skip a few days.  Here's a guy I enjoy listening to...

Big Bills

Page from Fred Gwynne's book:

My sister came up and spent the night. She had an early morning dentist appt here in town.

I sat in the car reading my book while she was in there. (The Murderer's Daughters by Randy Susan Meyers)

Stopped at Safeway to buy Jenni some Sunny D juice and took it over so Janie could visit with Sammy.  He was happy to see her.  She planned to stop at Goodwill on the way home.

Hunter came over and we went to get a burger at Jack in the Box after browsing through Swain's. Stopped by Yvonne's to dig up some yellow flowers she was giving me to transplant. Sure glad I had Hunter along as the roots were difficult to dig.  Got them in my front yard now.

Yvonne says the deer don't eat hers and that they multiply each year.  Hunter also helped me move some pots in the back yard and plant a few bulbs there.  The corner area is looking kind of pretty now with the red flowers and I'm looking forward to the hummingbirds finding them so I can get some pictures.

I kept thinking it was Saturday all day.  It's after 4 already and the errands and gardening have worn me out.  I did manage to get some large quilt squares cut this morning so tomorrow I'll work on that as well as my book.  Wayne and Hunter brought me some strawberries from Wayne's sister's yard so perhaps I'll look for an easy recipe for shortcake.

Got a new debit card in the mail today but everytime I call the 800 number to activate the card, it rejects me.  And that about winds it up for Friday.  Looking forward to relaxing in front of the TV tonight with knitting needles in hand.  I'm such a granny.

Blue Prints

Page from Fred Gwynne  book:

Got a picture in an email today from Mary and Andy who are touring Washington DC on their way home from visiting Andy's family at the Delaware shore.

She said her tour group included Michael Gross (seen above). He was Michael J. Fox's dad on 'Family Ties.'

I went to pick Jenni up at the hospital this morning after her gall bladder surgery. Poor thing. She was so sore.  I guess I didn't realize exactly was laprascopic surgery amounted to as she had four incisions on her tummy.  And they looked mighty uncomfortable.

I drove across town to Walmart to pick up her pain meds.  Traffic was thick no matter which way I tried to avoid it.  All the fast food drive-in places were backed up too so I picked up a Subway sandwich as I left Walmart.  Stopped at IGS Grocery to buy a couple lottery tickets from my other daughter, Sue.  She's going to try and get off next Tuesday so I can take her to lunch at the casino when I meet my sis for her birthday.

I watched the Clio awards last night. (for best commercials)  Some didn't amuse me all that much but a few made me cackle out loud.  Like this one....




Well, guess I'll go check on that banana bread I got cookin' in the kitchen.  Nothing much planned the next few days.  I'll get some writing done, some sewing, some reading...the usual.  Way overdue for bike riding too.  But it's not like I haven't been exercising.  You'd think the yard work I've been throwing myself into would have shown up on the scale as a pound or two down but nooooooooo.....not at my house!

Playing Bridge

Latest page from Fred Gwynne book:

I went out in the backyard at 7:45 am to transplant flowers before it got too hot.  My 9:30  the sweat was rolling off me and I had to quit.  Look at these for me...

I assume these are NOT bulbs that can be stuck in the ground. Right?  It was difficult getting the plant pulled and the bulbs dug.  I'm thinking I screwed up with this batch since the bulb is missing. The bulbs I did managed to get out of the ground were growing together and after I took them apart, I wasn't sure which side was up or down.  Hate it when that happens!  I got a few planted but decided I may leave the ones I have in pots alone because it was just too difficult getting them out.

I planted a few other flowers I had and then came in to clean the fish bowls. Figured as long as I was doing dirty work, might as well do it all.  Decided to move the fish jars so now I have a FISH BAR.

Yvonne and I went thru Frugals for a burger and drove down to the waterfront to eat.  Then we headed back to a fruit and vegetable stand.  I was pleased with the prices.  I got a cantalope, cherries, 2 plums, 2 bananas, a bag of apples, and a handful of tomatoes--all for under $10.

Was Googling various subjects and addresses looking for some scenes from 1963 Portland.  One a fun surfing trip that was.  Found a place called Vintage Portland wordpress.com.  Posted on my Leader blog and that's about all I got done today. 

The outfit I bought my car from just delivered a thermal cup with/lid and it was full of Hershey's kisses. Also had a red balloon.  Always fun to get candy. Cheered me up right away!

Had two more night episodes of foot cramps. They seem to be getting worse. My sister said to try bonemeal so that's next on my list. I've been drinking vinegar but it hasn't seemed to help much. I wonder (since these little cramps are all over in my feets and legs) if I'm dealing with a pinched nerve.  Hopefully, the doctor can figure out something next week.

Well, I guess I'll head into the kitchen and iron a couple pair of shorts before I start dinner. (salad and salmon)  Got a couple bananas getting dark so perhaps I'll whip up a quick banana bread too.  Tomorrow I pick Jenni up at the hospital after her gall bladder surgery. Then I'm hoping Hunter can help me transplant some more flowers.  Yvonne has some pretty yellow ones that multiply fast and the deer don't eat them.  My kind of flower!

Forks in the Road

Another page from Fred Gwynne's book....

Drove into Sequim and picked up Mary Norton for our lunch date with the girls at the casino.

Had I walked away from the machines when I should have, I would have had $55 profit but nooooooo...I had to continue.  I still came home with $22 more than I left with so that will have to do. I'm going back next Monday for my sister's birthday.  She'll be 66.  Pictured above is me, Mary Norton, Linda Pedersen, Joanne Gilles, and Ruth Kvinsland.

Carol Plaster came in with her friend, Nick D'Andrea, so I had Mary take our picture.

A few minutes earlier I had taken a photo of the bingo room (they discontinued bingo) and then I took one of Mary playing a machine.

I knew we were on camera and that security would have something to do reprimanding me for taking pictures.  Sure enough.  As Carol and I (and the rest of the gang) were standing around all talking at once, a guard came by and asked Mary if "we were going to be taking anymore photos" and then he repeated their no cameras policy.  I don't think anyone else even knew he was talking to her but I was listening with one ear and trying not to laugh.  Mary had already forgotten the two pictures I'd taken in the other room and she thought he was referring to her taking one of me and Carol.  hee hee

Mary and I only gambled 20 minutes and then I dropped her off and continued on home. Picked up the twins and the dog and drove over to Airport Nursery to buy a big sack of dirt.  Hunter was going to help me transplant my crocosomia (the red flowers shown here). I've got some in pots and some in

in the front yard but I want to put them all in this little area at the bottom of the lawn where the deer can't get to them.  We worked for about 20 minutes and it got too hot so we called it quits. I put the flowers in a bucket of water and will try to work out there in early morning before the sun breaks through.

While at the Airport Nursery, I took this picture of some cute little ducks by the front door.

I just made some really tasty chocolate cake cookies (one sheet only as I used half the box).  To use the whole box, try this:
Remove about 1/4 c. dry cake mix and put aside. Mix the rest of the cake mix with 2 eggs and 1/3 C. oil. Stir well and put on ungreased sheet. Bake 7 minutes at 350.  (I ended up cooking mine for about 10 minutes as I thought they needed more time)  Very easy recipe and the kids like them too.
If the dough is too thick for you to drop onto a cookie sheet, stir in a little oil until you get the consistency you like. 

I found this recipe online and you can add other stuff to it too depending on what flavor cake mix you use. (google cake mix cookies)

Well, off to the kitchen to sew a few quilt squares together. Gonna work on my next Town Kid blog tomorrow. Thought of a fun subject to write on.

Broke down and made a doctor appt yesterday. Will go in next week and see if I can't get some solution to these terrible foot and leg cramps that have been plaguing me DAILY.  I should say nightly. Had a couple early this morning at 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. in each foot. Real buggers too! Am determined to up my water intake for the next few days and see if it improves. I thought I was drinking enough but perhaps not. Also going to take two calcium tablets a day and drink vinegar water each morning.  Gees!  The things we go through to try and feel better.





Busy around the house

Had to fast last night so I could go get blood drawn this morning. Figured I probably had a long wait so I took a book and prepared to sit for up to an hour.  Much to my delight, no one was there but me and I got right in.  Came home and started in on household chores--dishes, laundry, and yard work. Even managed to get a little writing on my book done. 

Kids came over with the dog so we pretty much just hung out all day. I got a little sewing done and they were content to play on their smart phones.  I did some surfing on the net and scanned in a few pages of one of Fred Gwynne's childrens book.  Yep! This is one of my more boring blog posts...but some days are just like that!

Did get a picture from Mary of an injury she sustained on her vacation back east with Andy's family.
They're at a condo on the Atlantic and a large wave came in and banged up her leg pretty bad. Reminds me of the leg injury she got when we vacationed in NY back in 2003.  She suffered from that injury for months afterwards.

Well, I think I'll retire to my recliner. I've got an episode of Breaking Bad to watch and another chapter of the 'Bramwell' series I'm hooked on.  Mary lent me four seasons of 'Weeds' too so I've got lots to keep me occupied.  Am lovin' Weeds.

Also need to sit down and study the owners manual on my car. I haven't really learned all the gadgets yet.  If I can remember, I'm going to share a page from Fred Gwynne's book the next few days.  I've got a second book coming too but it hasn't arrived yet.

Here's the first... Daddy says we should live in the present

Sunday activities

I'm posting a short video I took at Jenni's house this afternoon when we sang happy birthday to the twins.  Most of my videos are pretty dumb. This one's no different. It's only about 49 seconds long.


Grandparents Ed and Kathy were there along with Aunt Lisa and Uncle Denzil and their kids.
Pictures below:

It's been raining pretty steadily for the last couple of hours. I went out to the side yard at 9 a.m. to do some weeding. Quit after an hour and tomorrow I'll tackle another area.  I don't imagine the slugs are all that thrilled with my tidying up.  Gees but those creatures are gross!

Whenever I get a little bored I read some of the  stories running in the Leader to see if there's any controversy worth jumping into.  Always kind of fun to stir up the pot.  It's interesting how people will comment on a public forum and then when they get comments back, they're offended and feel their right to an opinion is being challenged. There are times, though, that people get caught up in the heat of the argument and type away with abandon.  I've probably been guilty of that myself. More than once I've put something on Facebook and then thought "what in the hell did I post that for?!" I'm glad they have a delete option.  ha ha

And on that note, I think I'll surf on over to FB and see what new pictures have been posted. Saw one of Dick & Shari Sooy that looked interesting.  Also.....I'm trying to find the catalog I ordered this CD case out of.  If anybody sees it in the junk mail arriving at your house, could you tell me what catalog it is so I can keep an eye out?  I tried looking for it online but couldn't find it, and I'd like to get another one.  It's just a cheapie see-thru plastic thing. 

Well! That's off my list!

I've been playing with the idea for some time now that I wanted a newer car.  Not a thing wrong with my '99 Avalon except I wanted something a little higher and easier to get in and out of.  Plus I wanted to be sitting more upright because my legs hurt so frequently in the lower bucket seats.  I ended up with the same color but I think there's more room in the back and the seats go down for larger storage. Decided to just pay cash so I'm not having to adjust my monthly budget.

Then again, everyone is going to be adjusting their budget, I'm afraid.  With the weather being so dreadful all summer, our food prices and several other things are going to cost more.  I had a bit of  nervous stomach leaving the house this morning as I kind of knew I would probably switch cars before the day was over.  I'm glad it's over with.  I'm not going to do any more research on whether or not I paid too much.  One way or another, people are going to take money from my wallet.  If not at a car lot, then at a gas station or grocery store, or doctors office.  I keep telling myself "it's just money."

Looks like the sun has decided to come out after all.  I may go out in the back and do some weeding. I've decided I know just where I want to put those red flowers that the deer have been eating.  I got up at 1 a.m. to try and walk off a cramp I felt coming on, and as I came in here (the curtains are wide open), I saw a deer just outside the window looking for the old bird seed feeder that I had moved. I opened the window fast and yelled at him (or her) and he took off across the street.

All week I've been hunting for these three long skinny magnetic strips that I used to hold my cross stitch pattern on the metal board I use.  I took books off the shelves to shake them and hunted in every nook of the house and boxes in closets.  Yesterday, I lost a needle while sitting in the recliner and while trying to see if it had fallen in the crack, out comes my magnetic strips.  Never did find my needle.  I often lose a needle while sewing in my chair and I'm never sure how.  Eventually it will show up and I'm always surprised when that happens too.  Kind of like the missing sock in the dryer.

Watched a terrific movie last night.  I guess you'd call it a chick flick.  Great music. Starred Hugh Grant (who I think is delightful), Liam Neeson, Colin Firth (who I also love), Emma Thompson, and several others.  The title was "Love Actually."

I got a surprising email this morning.  The wife of a cousin (in Bend, OR I think) is into genealogy and sent me  birth certificate copies she got when she went to the archives in Salem. These are my dad's side of the family...
great grandfather Lewis Marion Blankenship (father of Lew Gene, my dad's dad)
and Lew Gene's sister, Elizabeth Thomason
I was thrilled to get them. I'm not sure if they'll show up here or not. Maybe if you click on them.

Well, I guess I'll go change into scrubby clothes and see about getting my hands dirty in the back yard. Going over to Jenni's tomorrow for birthday cake for the twins.