Snip 'n Stitch

Hello!

Enjoying my new haircut---long overdue. I feel like a sheep that's just been shorn (spelling?) I mean, shaved down to the cowlics (sp again?). No hairgel required! The stylist may've used a "number 2" attachment on her electric trimmer instead of a "number 3." But I do like the convenience of not having to comb it.

My wife cut her finger last Friday:(
We had a (fascinating?) "date" in ER, where she got 10 stitches. She was very brave; the doctor kept asking ME, "Are you OK, sir?" to see if I was going to pass out at any point during our impromptu 3-hour visit. The assortment of hospital staff took great care of us both!

--Tom

Seafair 2007 with The Blue Angels

The Blue Angels.

What a priviledge when one of them happens to fly low right over your head; you wait to hear the thunder a few seconds later--WHAT A RUSH!!!!

What's not to love? I love what they represent. I admire their skill, their discipline, their precision, their style. The Blue Angels just make me feel good. They make me feel proud to be an American.

I wish I'd have worn one of my Blue Angels t-shirts to work today. I'm starting to make a tradition of going to Boeing Field every year during Seafair to see the resting planes up close and pick up one of the souvenier shirts. I'm a fan.

Enjoy your Seafair Weekend!!

--TP

San Juan Island Camping Trip July 2007

(Pictures: Tom at a lavendar farm, Tom disoriented on day 1, day 2 new improved campsite-- proud of my tarp art.)

Howdy!

Finally went camping for the first time on San Juan Island. Being a Seattle native, I'd expect to have gone to these "regional treasures," the San Juans, more than I have but've been intimidated by crowded ferry lines on the weekend. My wife and I budgeted a day each way for travel. Showed up in the morning just as the boat was leaving; got us first in line for next boat a couple hours later. Snacks, naps, and cribbage while we waited. It was fun!

We saw about 12 Orcas between 5-7pm one evening at Lime Kiln State Park. They swam about 25 yards off shore as they hunted for salmon. Orcas are regularly seen there. No surprise I forgot our camera in the car!! Soooo sorry I don't have a picture for you!!

Stayed at Lakedale Resort and Campground. What a great time!! 3 nights--drizzled all weekend. My wife and I DID have a blast, especially after we moved to a new spot between the trees the 2nd night, so we could string a tarp over our picnic table.

I have to say camping was, many times, not relaxing. Lessons are learned while camping. I'm learning to camp with the expectation that I'll need to practice being efficient, resourceful, industrious. Simple things become more difficult, even at a well-equipped campground like this one (It had a brand new bathroom with showers.) I felt so triumphant when I managed to attach a string between 2 trees for a tarp!! I felt the same way when I secured tarps over our tent. The floor leaked, by the way---brand new tent. I must've snagged it on the ground when I was carrying it from our 1st campsite to the one sheltered by trees.

The food was YUMMY---burgers, chicken fajitas, blueberry pancakes, french toast. My wife was deliciously resourceful: leftover burger patties became "meatballs for the next night's spaghetti, and she cooked extra fajitia chicken for lunch salads!!

PS My Spirit1053 Co-host, Sarah Taylor, says she has a magnet on her fridge that says "I enjoy NOT camping."

---TP