Echo the TV Star

Our friend, Ginny, asked if our Sheltie, Echo, would like to appear on Channel 6. Channel 6 does a little pet blurb with Sarah from the SPCA on Pet Tips. Would Echo like to be on TV? Would a hyena eat a ham sandwich? So off we went with Ginny's Sheltie, Tim, to watch our dogs become canine stars. Echo and Tim were joined by four other dogs and each of them did a short sketch with Sarah involving lots of treats. Echo got to do two, showing off his obedience skills and his intense desire for cheese balls. The program will air this Sept. on Saturday mornings and then I plan to sit back as the offers roll in the door from producers wanting to be in the "Echo business."

Nigel and Tim

Papa Visits Tery and Sheri

Mema had to return to Wyoming to work and wrestle with wireless mice so Papa drove over to Hoodsport, WA near the Hood Canal on the Olympic peninsula to visit long-time friends Tery and Sheri. What a beautiful spot they have! Why, one can look out the back door (clouds permitting) and see majestic snow-capped mountains and, when the power company consents, a full and lovely lake.




It wasn't until I was about to drive away that the clouds parted enough to glimpse the mountains. Tery and Sheri pointed out that if one squinted just so and teared-up the right amount, the outlines of George Washington and Abe Lincoln could be discerned. And it was true! It was a regular Mt. Rushmore in their back yard.



But it was a fun couple of days. I was treated to four-wheel ATV riding in the forest and regaled at night by their son-in-law, Clark; daughter Lani, Brandon, and Alexia. I had a great time and the stay was all too short.

Mema and Papa go to Seattle

We visited a dear friend in Seattle (actually Redmond) WA named Janet. We consider her one of the family and call her "Aunt Janet." She lives in a very nice retirement facility with lovely flower gardens and equally lovely neighbors. One of the highlights for Papa was watching the garden gauge railroad in operation.

We also took Aunt Janet for a drive up to Snoqualmie Falls. We hoped to see a torrent of water like this.

But what we actually saw was this:

Papa Tries Agriculture

So I purchased one small tomato plant at Lowes in late March to see if I could actually grow something. Not since Dad made me hoe the back forty had I tried to grow anything except grass.



I planted the sprig in a pot on the deck, bought some tomato fertilizer and settled back to reap the bounty later that summer.



Little did I know that the plant would turn out to be something out of The Little Shop of Horrors! It demanded water and when temperatures increased to summer digits, it demanded water at least two times a day or it would flop over in despair with its little leaves cringling up in protest.




Finally, in July, we were able to pick a few of the fruit. Judy did the honors as I was afraid of the Illegal Tomato Pickers Union and their enforcers. Like this guy. I mean, what did we know about harvesting tomatos? We were trying to do the work Americans don't or won't normally do.

All went well until the beach vacation. The heat was just too much for the plant and, as of this writing is just sort of hanging on by a stem.





On the bright side, look at that corn plant! It just sprang up out of nowhere. It wasn't planted by us but it is near the bird feeder so you can draw your own conclusion as to how it got there. No ears yet, not even a tassle but boy does it ever grow.


Next year I'm trying two tomato plants.

The BEACH

August is our beach vacation month where Mema gathers her chicks and grand chicks together at the beach town of Corrola, NC (pronounced kuh-rah-lah). We had Eddie, Melissa and their three, Jason, Ashley and Rylan and Uncle Scott.

The weather was really, really hot hovering near 100 most of the time -- too hot for Papa who spent most of the time with his nose in a book.

But the kids had fun in the surf and sand and that's what counts.

A wet blanket was sort of thrown on the whole affair when Jason came down with pneumonia. Ashley and Rylan drove him home early for medical treatment. The primitave doctors in Corolla didn't accomplish much by leaching and bleeding.

For the record, Jason is much better now after getting some REAL medicine.

When not on the beach or in the pool, Tanner had time to practice his photography skills (Mema is the model).

Uncle Scott Comes to Town

Scott flew in from St. Paul last night but not without a few moments of anxiety. We heard on the news, like everyone else, that a bridge had collapsed in Minneapolis and had done so about the time Scott would have been driving to the Minneapolis airport to catch his plane. We didn't hear the news until after the time the plane's departure time. Papa checked the maps on the internet and determined that I-35W would not have been on Scott's route either from his work or home but we still weren't sure until we saw him strolling down the concourse at the Richmond airport. Mema was a mess until then. He had heard the news while waiting for his plane at the Minneapolis airport on CNN.














Clay, Tanner and Cammie seemed shy at first but warmed up rapidly to Uncle Scott. Now they sort of just abuse him as a carnivore would a hunk of fresh meat.