THIS AND THAT....

I forgot to post a picture of my latest jigsaw puzzle.  It is a 1000 piece puzzle that seemed to take forever.  I waited for Becky to get here to help me with it because she is a jigsaw puzzle whiz.  We just about finished it before they left but I put in the final section that day after they left and here is the result.  It reminds me of Becky when she was little and now of Courtney and her little ducklings.

I took a picture of an unusual sunset the other night.  We apparently are getting smoke drifting over the ocean from Siberia.  The sun looked like it was divided into horizontal sections.  Always pretty sunsets here even with no clouds or smoke to enhance them.

This was taken with my iPhone so it's hard to see the detail.  Very pretty though!

Every morning, especially during the week, the Bay is filled with small sail boats and wave surfers.  It must be some kind of class because they never leave the area you see in this photo.  Love the scenery!

One morning a month or so ago, I was sitting admiring the view.  It's not uncommon to hear Seagulls squawking their usual "Mine, mine, mine" around here of course, but they seemed to be making a lot of excessive noise this far from the water.  I finally looked to see what the fuss was all about and saw a Bald Eagle with a fish in it's talons circling under the Seagulls.  They weren't happy and were dive-bombing the Eagle.  The Eagle calmly kept circling farther and farther north until the Seagulls got tired and gave up.

This morning I heard the same kind of ruckus going on and, sure enough, another Eagle was being harassed by the Seagulls.  This got me thinking about the crazy Seagulls who certainly know that an Eagle can wipe them off the face of the earth if he wanted too in less time than a blink of the eye.  Nevertheless, they battled on to save whatever it was they thought they were protecting or wanted.  I don't know whether the Eagle was teasing them or not and I don't know why he didn't fight back but those Seagulls sure had guts!  Guts enough to fight when something to them was not right or acceptable even if it meant they would die.  I admire the Eagle to stay strong and I admire the Seagull more now that ever before.  They may look harmless and like just one of the guys when you are walking along the seashore among them but if you or anyone else threaten them, it's will be a battle to the end.  Love them!!!

It has been unseasonably hot here (like every place else, I guess) the past week but is suppose to start cooling down now.  Thank goodness!  Yesterday was supposed to be the hottest day so Dad and I went to dinner at d'Anna's Italian Restaurant downtown and then went to see "Bourne Legacy."  It was very hot in the theater but not as hot as our condo would be.  We enjoyed the show but still are Matt Damon fans and hope they bring him back with this guy for a finale.  I almost started to cry when the theme music started playing at the end!  Bring back Matt!!!!

Background information for you all......I have had some pain in my right shoulder for a number of years but chalked it up to sitting at the computer too long at one time since that is what my doctor in Salt Lake said when I asked her about it about six months ago when I started having a little more pain.  Since then, the pain has been waking me up at night so I decided since we are here in Bellingham, I would go to an Orthopedic surgeon to see what he thought.  I went a couple of weeks ago and he told me he suspected I have Bursitis but since it wakes me up at night, he wanted to do an MRI to just make sure I didn't have more going on.  So, last week I went for the MRI and this morning I met with the doctor again to receive the results.  He said it was good news and bad news.  The bad being I have a rotator cuff tear and other smaller problems starting to show up.  The good news, if there is possibly any good news, is he doesn't want to do surgery until I have had a few months of physical therapy to see if it will get better.  I wasn't quite expecting that.  So, needless to say, I will see a physical therapist to get some exercises I can do at home and will do them until we come back up here the end of January and see him again to see if things have improved.  (Does this sound familiar Janice??)  With Dad's experience with his shoulder, I am a little nervous about having surgery but am very comfortable with this doctor.  He has only been in practice here since 2010, is very young, and seems to be very knowledgeable.  So, for now, I will wait and see.  Seems like there is always something to worry about when you get older!  I love you all!!

We got home from court at 5:00 pm.  They changed the time from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm but we were finished by 2:45 because they started early.  We got home to hear that our former Bishop and good friend, Richard Tate, had passed away.  He had esophageal cancer that seemed under control for the first little while and then a bigger tumor was found and removed surgically a few weeks ago.  He aspirated during the night one night and was in a coma for several days.  I got an email from Lanette (his wife) saying he probably wasn't going to make it last weekend and they were going to get together as a family and give him a blessing of release.  A couple of days later, he was sitting up talking and looking like he would finally get better even though it was going to take some time.  Now, less than a week later, he has passed on.  It's very depressing and I'm sad because I can't be there.  Life has no guarantees and you just never know when you time is going to be up.

Well, court was better than anticipated.  Dad will be on probation for 6 months (no tickets, etc.), do 20 hours of community service which can be done at the church if the Bishop is willing to work with him, take a gun safety and concealed weapons permit class all within the next 90 days.  We had to pay court costs of $160 and apparently the TSA didn't give the court an amount for a fine for Dad to pay nor have they billed us for a fine so the court is throwing that out.  If they request one from us, the court won't be involved.  So, I guess we may or may not have to pay a fine to the TSA.

Happy birthday to our special Grandson, Josh!!  A big 17-years-old today.  I just can't seem to get the grandchildren to stop growing!!!!

JULY 31, 2012 - TUESDAY

The hardest part of having company come is having company leave!  I hate to say goodbyes!!  The kids had a long drive ahead of them so they left a little after 6:00 am to get on the road.  They got home around 9:00 pm after stopping for gas and food.  A little history on Courtney's love of baby ducks:  A farmer ran over a duck nest and killed the mother so they called Becky to see if she wanted to try to hatch the ducklings.  Of course, between her and Courtney, how could they say no?  The first batch hatched and then just before they left to come up here, they were asked to hatch four more eggs.  Courtney had a very hard time leaving her ducks and worried about them the whole time.  Here is a picture she sent me this morning of her older ducks and the three surviving baby ducks.

Boy, they grow fast!!

She was so worried the ducklings would bond with someone else and not know who their real mother is.  Looks to me like she didn't have to worry about that at all.  So cute!!!

JULY 30, 2012 - MONDAY

Today we left around 10:00 am to go to Anacortes to catch the Ferry to Friday Harbor.  This is a very fun place to visit and a very beautiful setting on the San Juan Island.

There were many, many Egrets (I think) nesting in the pilings at the ferry dock in Anacortes.  This was just one mother with her 3 chicks.  I don't know how they stay on some of the ledges or what would happen if one fell off into the ocean. They are young enough they don't have feathers and are very lanky.

We have been seeing this sail boat from a distance since we came back to Bellingham.   It looks like a small pirate ship.  It is very cool looking and here we saw her in full sail.  She is brown and blue in color.

A view from an open cafe just across from the dock where we stopped for a burger.  Walk-on passengers are always let on and off before the vehicles unload.

Another view towards the marina.

All but Dad went to the whale museum before we returned to the ferry.  Here we are waiting to get back on the ferry.  We had to wait for the vehicles all to load because we were shopping for two whales and missed the first loading.

Looking out over the marina.

Becky taking a picture of me taking a picture of her.

We stopped at Panda Express on the way home and got take-out.  We were all tuckered out after a great day!

JULY 29, 2012 - SUNDAY

In the afternoon, we decided to go for another walk.  This time I wanted them to see the Whatcom Creek Falls and nature trail.  I posted pictures in an earlier post of this beautiful place.  The river wasn't running as high and fast this time since most of the snow has melted in the mountains.  You would never know you are in the middle of a city.

Whatcom Creek Falls

No Zombies past this point!

No zombies past this point!

We were told by the gentleman standing in front that a seal had just popped up and would probably reappear if we sat and waited quietly.  He must have decided there were too many humans for his liking because we didn't see him.

However, it was fun watching a mommy duck and her four babies playing in the river.  Courtney was missing her baby ducks at home.

JULY 26, 2012 - THURSDAY


We had our first visitors come to stay while we are here.  Jeff came up to bring the boat in the Spring but we weren't here at the time.  Since Brad had taken his usual time off for their anniversary week, they decided to drive up and see what all the fuss is about.  It was so nice having them here!!  We planned a few outings so they could see the beauty and wonder of this area.  The first morning, we took a walk along the ocean shore on the walking path.  We walked the two miles to Fair Haven and back.   This is the area under the walking bridge that is fun to scour when the tide is out.

Courtney showing Grandma her discovery of baby crabs living under the rocks.

It make you afraid to walk for fear you would smash the baby crabs.

Soooo tiny!  So funny to see them scoot sideways.

JULY 28, 2012 - SATURDAY

We didn't tell the kids what we had planned for today so it would be a surprise.  We went on a one-day whale-watching excursion.  You won't believe this at all but I about froze my tush off!  It was windy when the boat was moving and not too bad when it was still but it was moving 98% of the time.  I was shaking and could not stop.  We brought jackets.  I wore a long-sleeved Rugby shirt which was heavy and took along my wind breaker which did little to stop the wind.  Regardless, it was fun and we saw lots of whales.  Since the first time we came up here on our old boat and saw tons of whales up close and personal, I was disappointed in having to see them 300 to 500 yards off.  The law prohibits you from getting closer to them unless they approach you.  It was still spectacular and amazing that they know all the whales names and which pod they belong to and where they live and migrate to.  Animals' natural instincts are totally awesome and inspiring.

Sitting at the marina waiting to depart.

Courtney, Becky and Dad

Brad, camera shy Jaeden and Jace

Such a beautiful bay!

Mom and Dad

A rare opportunity for a picture of Jaeden.

 Some of the many sights we were able to see on the cruise.  We saw a Bald Eagle early on but it was too far away for my camera to get a good shot.  Such a majestic bird!

Just a gorgeous picture!

One of a couple of light houses we were close enough to see.

Sea Lions relaxing in the sea and sun.

Harbor Seals which are dubbed "Rock Sausages"

Two of the many whales we saw playing and cavorting in the water.  I wasn't fast enough on the trigger to catch them as they jumped, rolled over, waved, slapped the water with their tails, etc.  They are simply amazing.

Becky had put on some meatballs to cook in the crockpot for when we got home from the cruise.  It was nice to have something nice and hot ready to eat when we got in.  It was a fun day with such beautiful scenery and company.

JULY 27, 2012 - FRIDAY

Happy Anniversary, Brad and Becky!  22-years!  WoW.

We wanted all the kids and parents to go see Batman but none of them really had any interest until Tifany told them they had to go see it because it was a great movie.  We went to the matinee and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was long but worth it.

We made reservations at the Cliff House for Brad and Becky's Anniversary so we went there to eat.  You have to splurge on your anniversary!

Yummy steak and lobster.

JULY 26, 2012 THURSDAY

We heard of a place about 20 miles north of us in Blaine called Birch Bay where the beaches were supposed to be good for swimming, wading and shell hunting.  We decided to drive up there to check it out and then perhaps hit the local Old County Buffet at the mall on the way back.  We hit the beach at a time when the tide was lower but not low enough to expose the sandy or muddy beach.  However, the rocks were small and you were able to walk out about 5 feet to where the smooth beach was.  The best part of the Bay was how shallow it is.  The kids could walk out hundreds of feet and still only have water up to the waist.  Great fun.

Birch Bay - Blaine, Washington

Jace is actually either sitting or kneeling in the water.  If he stood up, the water would only be perhaps to his knees.

Grandpa

Taking a stroll along the beach.

Perfect photo op!  An old Redwood tree stump.  Great photo guys!

The kids didn't like the feeling of salt all over their bodies so their opted to go home and shower first before going out to eat.  A buffet is perfect for picky eaters and those who love ice cream.

Here are pictures of the blinds lowered a bit so you can see the color and effect.  We are finding that since the sun is starting to make its way back towards the south, we only have to have them closed for 3 hours at the most.  That will decrease as fall approaches.  The weather has stayed nice and cool so the condo doesn't get as hot.  It stays cools until the direct sun hits but with the windows open, it is bearable and cools down very fast when the sun goes down.  The shades were a great and necessary investment.

The shades are Hunter Douglas.

The color is Light Cocoa.

The Saturday after we arrived back in Bellingham (July 21st) I had signed up to take a gardening class to learn how to make miniature conifer gardens.  Here is the result:

The larger dark rock, small stones, bird and mushroom were added for decoration.

It includes 2 miniature Conifers, Thyme and Hens & Chicks.

It was interesting to learn about the species of plants that grow slow and low.  They are also easy care and good for this climate.