Beautiful Weekend

This week had gone by like a whirlwind. Since we returned from Spokane, I've been grateful to pick up donations of blankets for Katie's Comforters Guild from four different sources - three of them are exceptional quilts made of little squares of very old fabric, suitable for auction, not for patients. So I am planning a way to share them with the public, making them available for purchase to benefit the guild.

I made some delicious soup (ham with lentils, split peas, barley, zucchini, onion and carrots in a roasted red pepper & tomato base), cleaned the house and had two friends from high school over for a visit. We sat on our deck to chat, and then drove to town, to Paella Bar for lunch and Mora Ice Cream for dessert. We browsed around town and took photos on Katie's bench.

It's amazing to me, after 30 or so years, and all that has happened to the three of us, that we are each still deeply engaged in our relationship with God. Our faith journeys have taken different turns, and the fact that three women who met through church and youth group decades ago, are still deeply connected to things of the Spirit, and can jump in to discuss them with reverence after such a long time apart, is a great blessing.

My parents took us out to a delicious Japanese dinner on Friday, after which we joined friends at a dinner party (already in progress). Guitar music and "night cap" beverages around the fire pit were a great way to kick off the weekend. On Saturday, we hosted Gregg's parents for brunch, and in the evening, Gregg barbecued wild salmon for dinner. While we were eating, the cats decided to raid what was left over on the grill.

Later, we took a sunset kayak ride. Stunning vistas of color fading behind the mountains, seagulls sitting on pilings and calling out over the calm water, neighbors enjoying beach fires and the moon rising to throw its half-light on the water were the reward for our efforts.

Yes, that's me in my kayak

Whenever we get the boats ready to go, and when we return from kayaking, our cats come down to the bulkhead and walk on the beach. They wander around and into the action as if they want to go with us. However, when we put them in the cockpit of the kayaks, they scramble to get out!

Today, Gregg & I drank coffee on the deck and then set out for Port Townsend. When our children were small, we used to take them to a lovely park, like a secret garden, called Chetzemoka Park. It's named for a native American chief, and it has everything one could want in a park: gorgeous views and beach access, play areas for children with great equipment for climbing, digging, sliding, spinning and swinging, a gorgeous flower arbor and a gazebo. It was so beautiful to return to this happy place.

Looking towards Pt. Wilson lighthouse from the beach between Fort Worden & Chetzemoka Park

We walked on the beach, shared a slice of pizza and a frozen, chocolate-dipped banana in town, and then walked to Fort Worden, another favorite park. Then we walked back to Chetzemoka via the beach.

Seagull with Pt. Wilson in the background

After dinner, we took another kayak ride, longer this time, to Lemolo Point. It is a privilege to live in such a beautiful place, to see fish jumping, a seal coming alongside our kayaks, majestic mountains rising over the trees, light reflected in saltwater.

In my kayak near Keyport

All of these gifts sustain us during the long, gray, dark, rainy winters. We savor every moment of sunshine!

Olympic Mountains with sunset, near Keyport

David tells us he is settling in well, and we are thankful for that. Wishing you a happy week!

"Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
...The Lord is compassionate toward all his works." - Psalm 145