Monthly Archives: March 2020

Pajamas

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I seriously considered providing my personal thoughts about the ongoing pandemic, but common sense cause me to put those thoughts aside. The reason, or course, is because I generally do not take things seriously, and this is a serious matter. Not something to make light of. So, I won’t.

Instead, I’ll share my newfound understanding about when it’s OK to wear pajamas beyond the perimeter of our yard.

Yes, I’ve been wearing my pajamas for a number of days – not the same ones all the time, but various “clean” ones. Until yesterday I was unaware that there was a dress version of pajamas that can be worn anywhere one wishes to go. Prior to this startling information I was perfectly comfortable going pretty much anywhere I had to go. Typically, that means I went to the mail box, an occasional trip to the drive through of a local fast food joint, or just a walk around the perimeter of our yard. You may have already surmised that those examples do not involve close contact with anyone. They were just isolated trips.

Yesterday, however, we went to Jennie’s and Daniel’s home to deliver some items we thought the girls of the house might find useful. As we went out the door Diane asked if I knew I was still in my jammies. I responded in the affirmative and continued to the car. Then she asked me if I was also wearing underwear. I said “no” because I didn’t think underwear were necessary when wearing pajamas. I mean, I thought we were going to Walmart* on the way home.

At this point I received a very specific message that when visiting people one must wear underwear, especially when visiting your adult children. To this point in my life I had been blissfully unaware that wardrobe restrictions of this kind also pertained to old people.

So, I went all the way back to our bedroom, put on clean underwear, went back to the car and was sent right back to the bedroom to put the underwear on under my jammy bottoms as the name implies. It was worth a shot.

Bottom line, it’s really hard to have fun with all this serious stuff going on. I’ll be very glad when it’s over and everything gets back to normal. Diane will be especially glad because as a form of protest against COVID-19, I’ve stopped shaving until it’s gone. Kinda dumb to protest against a virus, I know, but I really don’t like shaving any more and it’s the only thing I could think of at the time.

I seriously hope and pray that all of you are staying safe and healthy.

Lydia

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I’ve transgressed by failing to mention, on the proper day, that our dear Lydia has become a legal member of society by attaining the lofty age of 21. That happened yesterday. Yes, our little cutie …

… is now a big cutie.

The big bottle was a gift from her grandmother on her mother’s side.

She got this shirt, too.

In my defense for being late, there’s been a lot of distracting things going on and I think it’s acceptable that I only missed by a day. We did celebrate with some of the family earlier in the week, before the governor mandated sequestering in our homes. We had cake, fried chicken, potatoes, spinach salad, and carrots. I was told the carrots were for me because I like them. I thought that was very thoughtful of Lydia’s lovely mother.

For a moment, Lydia contemplated eating directly from the cake but she regained her sanity after a stern warning from he Mother.

No one blamed here because the cake was pretty awesome.

Daniel, Lydia’s Father, found one of his middle school year books to share a photo that included both of Lydia’s parents. Jennie is front row, 5th from the left; Daniel is next to last on the right side of the back row. This coming July 1st they will have been married 25 years. Pretty amazing.

One of Lydia’s gifts was a Himalayan Salt lamp that she requested. That thing weighed a ton, at least. After learning that it was a salt lamp, Jeran, Daniel, and I licked our fingers, wiped it on the lamp and tasted it. This wasn’t planned. It was very spontaneous. It was just an example of how alike we are. It was something we needed to know for sure. And it is salty. How about that.

Lydia was a little ticked that we licked her lamp, but quickly got over it.

None of us got sick.

Now for some breaking news. I found this tool on my dresser and it took a while to figure out what it is. It’s a golf divot repair tool used primarily to fix the dents on a green when one hits a ball well enough to land on the green on the fly. I’ve never used this tool because I never hit the ball high enough so it lands hard enough to dent the green.

I’ve apparently had this thing for a lot of years and decided I should put it on eBay. It’s an antique, I’m sure.

I guess that’s all I have for now. We’re defrosting our freezer and I’m supposed to be helping so I better get back to it.

Hope everyone is staying safe, wherever you may be. Just remember … if you wind up in a crowd, hold your breath. Better yet, stay in your jammies and don’t leave the house.

Paradise Lost

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The title for this entry is a nod to my last post “Another Day in Paradise”. That was just 6 days ago. How quickly things change.

The way we live must change, has changed, since the outbreak of COVID-19. In our house we have 3 children ages 12, 10, and 8 and we’ve almost trained them to wash their hands every time they touch a doorknob. This is imperative because they are constantly moving around the house and there are lots of doors. Additionally, they periodically, throughout their busy days, are compelled to wipe down door knobs, cabinet and drawer pulls, sinks and faucets, with antibacterial wipes which are handy throughout the house.

We do all of that even though none of us travel away from the house except to get necessities. But, it only takes one bug to upset the balance we have attained. That’s the message.

Doing all that, then watching the news showing all the party-people playing on Florida beaches, doesn’t make much sense. Won’t be surprised if the government invokes Martial Law to encourage cooperation.

Now, on to more fun stuff.

Today I was reinstated as a card-carrying member of the St. Helens Elks Lodge #1999. That means I can, any time I want, visit the Keizer Elks Lodge and park my RV in their lot and they won’t kick me out, as long as there is space available and the lodge is open. This is a reference, or course, to our last trip to Keizer when we were asked to removed ourselves from their nearly empty RV park because we were not Elk members. I believe that was in a previous post.

Oddly, considering my inability to remember important things, I actually recalled my lodge member number which I last saw about 20 years ago. Amazing. It doesn’t mean anything special except that, well, I remembered it. That’s significant.

Yesterday I fiddled with our RV, putting up our portable satellite antenna in case Diane decided to take up residence, which she’s threatened to do. Not only because she wants to get away from me, but also because she’s more comfortable in the RV bed. I also managed to get broadcast TV on the bedroom TV, something I’ve half-heartedly tried a couple of times with no success, in case she wants to lounge around in bed, just because she can. On those days I go into support mode and get her whatever she wants. Really. I do that for her. I figure it’s the least I can do since she’s allowed live (with her) for the past 52 years or so.

While searching my photos, I found the one I took of the sunset that welcomed us to Lookout State Park on March 6th. I’m pretty sure I haven’t share it with you yet, and it’s worth a look.

The photo is deceptive because it looks like the sun is still above the clouds a little, but it’s actually already below the horizon. Quite stunning.

Now, I’ll end with some random beach pictures.

One day we headed South toward Pacific City. We came around a corner and encountered what I initially thought was a plane crash (really) but it was just a bunch of hang gliders getting ready to launch off the hill toward Lookout State Park. The above photo is the view they have as they run down the hill to get enough air to lift off.

I took videos of a few launches but I’m not able to upload them here without learning something new. So, this is all I’ve got of this event.

For folks who are a little familiar with the Oregon Coast, you may find the interesting. It’s group of three rocks at the southern end of Lincoln City that are normally (when I’ve seen them) surrounded by water. The locals have a name for them, but I can’t remember what it is.

That’s it for today.

Another Day in Paradise

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Today was another sunny one here at the beach. It got to 65 at one point as we navigated back to camp from Tillamook. We braved the crowds because Diane needed paper towels. Fred Meyer didn’t have any, but Safeway did. She did, however, score some chocolate covered Peeps at Freddies. She also got a small knife sharpener at my request because all the big knives are dull like rocks.

Once we got home I immediately sharpened all those knives and also the one I carry in my pocket. I’ve been whittling a little and found it a bit dull. They all sharpened right up.

Then we took a walk to the beach because the tide’s out and there’s actually one we can walk on. The last few times we’ve been there the tide was in and splashing right up against the rocks with no place to walk.

Crafty people were there ahead of us.

While Diane soaked up the vitamin D, I wandered around looking at likely sticks to whittle, found a few then went back to her log and whittled til I cut my thumb. That signaled the end to whittling because I was getting blood all over my whittling stick. Little cuts are easily remedied because I carry bandaids in my cell phone case just for that reason. I have a stunning variety of them available at all times. But, it was time to return to shelter anyway, so, we went back to the RV.

We had a concert scheduled for our church service this coming Sunday but Governor Brown has banned gatherings of 25 or more, and President Trump trimmed that to 10. I was going to cancel it tomorrow, but the group, New Legacy Project, beat me to it. Their scheduler cancelled all upcoming concert dates for the foreseeable future for this group of talented young men and recalled them to Nashville. It’s sad to cancel, but better to be safe for all concerned. This would have been their fifth visit to our humble little church. If you ever have an opportunity to attend one of their events, they are free, please do. You won’t be disappointed.

Now it’s time for sustenance and a movie. Tonight it’s going to be “My One and Only”. It’s a Renee Zellweger movie and we like her.

Camping & COVID-19

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Diane and I have weathering the current COVID-19 outbreak in space C51 at Cape Lookout State Park. We didn’t run here to flee civilization because of our concern about the virus, it just kind of worked out. Diane had this trip planned many weeks ago. We’re six days in on a planned ten day stay. So far we’ve had sun every day. At home it snowed last night. We’re in the right place.

We have been surviving without TV with no deleterious effects. Instead of TV we’ve been reading, mostly, and checking the internet once in a while. The park doesn’t have internet but our cell phones have a tiny little signal that allows us to use the “hot spot” feature, so Diane gets her daily fix of Trump snippets. Her day isn’t complete without at least a couple of those.

We have been watching one movie a day. Yes, that’s on our TV, but doesn’t count because there’s no news, or commercials.

Last night we watched two movies because the first one was so horrendously boring. It was almost 3 hours long and was about the beginning of the CIA. The name is “The Good Shepard”. We don’t recommend it for anyone who doesn’t need a nap.

Yesterday we mosied around the backroads of Pacific City and came upon an entire hill full of Holy Cow Houses. Those houses that, when you first see them, causes one to blurt out “Holy Cow, look at that house!”

Seriously major homes, the vast majority of which appeared vacant. We postulated about that and determined they were all owned by California lottery winners who have other homes all over the place and only use the ones in Pacific Beach when the sun shines and gets the temp above 70 degrees. Whatever the reason, they are quite magnificent. Considering that the development name is Nantucket Shores, it’s possible all those houses are owned by a Rhode Island lottery winner who wishes to spend time, with his enormous family, in another beautiful part of God’s world, while pretending he’s still on that little island in the Atlantic.

Lunch at The Schooner on Netarts Bay – best fish and chips ever. Really. I had a cup of some really good clam chowder and a piece of Diane’s fish.

After lunch we drove to Alderbrook Golf Course, north of Tillamook. It’s a beautiful course with awesome fairways. Diane was excited because there wasn’t anyone playing. But, the guy in the pro shop pointed out that the wind was blowing pretty hard, keeping players away. I told the guy in the pro shop that wind doesn’t bother people who can’t hit the ball straight. Also, if they’re concerned about wind they’d never be happy playing with me and the Peal Boy’s because wind just isn’t a factor for us. Neither is snow or rain.

All the restrictions for COVID-19 are concerning. I’m sure pretty much everyone is getting the message about how important it is to wash one’s hands. At least we hope they are. We’ve enforced that simple heigenic routine with the Littles, and each other, for years. Some of us still don’t get it but they aren’t the ones likely to contract the virus. We older folks are. So, we keep them honest by making them wash their hands pretty much every time they touch anything. We do our best to ensure they understand the possible consequences of not washing their hands before opening the refrigerator, any drawer or cupboard to get eating utensils, or when they cough. All the news about this virus gives us ample opportunities to get their attention and say, “See what happens when you don’t wash!?”

I have photos of houses and “stuff” that I’ll have to add later. The weak signal we have won’t allow me to upload them with this. So, I’ll just send it off without them and work on the A/V aspect later.

Hope everyone is getting through this scary time OK. We’re praying for everyone.

Now I must stop. Diane is prettying up to go shopping at Safeway in Tillamook. Alone. I’m staying home to work on the furnace. It won’t light and Diane doesn’t want to be here when it blows up while I’m working on it.

Wish me luck.

Hey, Howdy!

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It’s been a while since I’ve let you know that I’m still out here causing grief. I’d ask for forgiveness but it really doesn’t matter because you either missed me or you didn’t. Not a problem.

The occasion for this visit is to let folks know that, after a grueling number of months, Adam got the job as Youth Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in St. Helens. Some of you may recall a previous post where I mentioned Adam and Alicia. We’re very happy for them and they are looking forward to making their home in the St. Helens area. We’ve had the privilege to visit with them a couple of times recently and it was enough exposure for me to actually remember the girls’ names: Ivy, Autumn, Cora. I can even call them by the correct name when I see them. It will be fun getting to know the Pinkston family better.

Cedric spent a couple of weeks at home and had to be back aboard the Nimitz for work today so Diane drove him back to Bremerton yesterday. I was allowed to ride along to keep her company as long as I didn’t ask a lot of questions. We planned to leave home at noon and managed to get gone right on time around 2-2:30. The ultimately goal was to arrive in Bremerton before dark, which we did. After dropping Cedric at his apartment we mossed up to the Trigger Ave. gate in Silverdale to the Naval Station to see if the Navy Lodge had a room available for the night. I called the previous day and was told NO. We’ve discovered that just arriving and asking works well, and they had a room for us. Nifty.

Before checking in we headed back into town to find a place to eat that had decent food, not fast food. After a long trip on the freeway we wound up about a mile away at Fujiama Japanese Steak House. It’s in a little strip mall close to the base and is truly deceptive in appearance. The entry is small but inside is at least 10 Benihana grills surrounded by chairs. Each grill could accommodate about 10 people, so it’s like a family style Benihana. That isn’t part of their advertisement. It’s just a steak house, right? It’s way better than that.

Diane and I split a steak and I inherited all of her broccoli from the vegetable pile. The chef was talented and put on a good show. To start he juggled some raw eggs which he then cooked on the grill. They were destined to be part of the fried rice. Before mixing it all up, however, he went around the table addressing each person in turn, then tossing a small piece of egg which they were supposed to catch in their mouth. Some chose to skip this exercise because they were wearing nice clothes, and others who accepted the challenge saw the egg flying over their heads, or splattering against their cheeks or chins. As it turned out, I was the last one and I caught my piece of egg like a pro. You would have been proud. I’m pretty sure the other diners wanted to applaud, but they didn’t. Diane was one of the decliners which was just fine.

Needless to say, the meal was excellent and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Although the steak was good, I’ve already decided that the next time we go there, and we will, I’m getting the shrimp. I was given a couple to sample and they are awesome. And, there were a lot of them for those who ordered them.

In addition to catching my piece of the flying egg, you will be proud to learn that I was the only person at the table who actually ate everything on the plate. Well, Diane ate her plate clean, too, but she gave me those broccoli’s, right, so it didn’t count. Everyone else had to get boxes to remove the left overs.

After a good rest at the Navy Lodge, we got up and headed home, the long way. Lots of side streets are involved in the long way which make trips lots more fun. The first side trip was to discover where the Bremerton Elks Lodge is for future reference. We’ll be going there in June with our Winnebago friends. We don’t have a Winnebago any more but they let us tag along anyway.

After leaving Bremerton Diane began having thoughts of lunch so I searched for something suitable in Shelton, WA. I chose another steak house just because it had a 4 star rating but when we got there we couldn’t find it on the first drive-by. So, we wound up at Blondie’s Cafe which also has a 4 star rating. That’s 4 out of 5, by the way. Just sayin.

I ordered a Denver omelet and Diane had fish and chips. My omelet was tremendous and undoubtedly the best Denver I’ve ever had. Diane’s fish pieces were huge and she could only eat one of the three provided. Another good place to park your rear and enjoy an exceptional meal.

Now we’re home and gearing down for the night. Only one more hour to bedtime.

I’m sure I forgot a bunch of stuff but that’s OK. Diane will refresh my memory if she reads this.

Hope all is well with everyone.