The month began on a high note.  Kirby took me to lunch at the Green Lake Spuds, where we feasted on their fish and chips and sat and visited so long the manager came and cleaned off our table while we were still there. I wonder how many of our big family felt their ears burning? Never fear, we love them all.

    Paul’s youngest daughter, Zoe, has a June birthday.  This year marks her 18th, and also her graduation from high school.

    She plans to go to Community College next fall and take classes in American Sign Language and Caregiving to continue to develop her skills in working with the severely disabled.

    Also, this June marks the 18th Wedding Anniversary for son John and his much loved (by all of us) Nancy. 

    I have a new middle-aged lady kitty named Skibby.  I adopted her from the local animal shelter.  I would guess she is about 6 - 7 years old and a little barrel shaped... like her new owner.  She has been here about a week and we have already formed a good friendship.  She does a lot to take the "lonesome" feeling out of the house.  My last cat was 19 and I missed her so much.  She went to kitty heaven just before Christmas.  Skibby won't replace her, but there is certainly room within my heart for another elderly pet.

June 2

    Not too long after I came in from watering the back/front yard (you pick what you like), the phone rang.  When I answered, an unfamiliar voice said she was Cathy, so I jumped to the conclusion it was Cathy Oberg from Bellingham, but soon found it was Kathy Nordstrand (Ken) from International Falls, Minnesota.  Ken is Vern’s cousin, son of his Uncle John.
    I had a great conversation with both of them and we really cemented our friendship.  Ken and his nephew Bradley Bruce, Lorraine's son, sound so much alike! I wonder if there is a dialect for International Falls?
    Kat asked about my lettuce, which I haven't planted yet.  She said she wished she hadn't, it's been so cold she has to bring all her containers inside every night. They were expecting it to go to the 20s again, tonight.  I felt as cozy with them as if we had been friends for years.  God bless e-mail! Oh, yes, I asked and yes, they did make the Tweetie Bird they sent me.

(This email on 6/8 follows up on the garden….)

    The lettuce looks good peas and green onions also, I covered the tomatoes the other night, 27 degrees, they got nipped but I think they'll snap out of it. We need some sun with heat. Lots of both. Every one is real disgusted this year. I had planted about 8 kernels of corn beside the back steps , I didn't care if I got corn, but wanted stalks for Halloween decor. Nothing came up, so I dug around in there, couldn't find a thing, must have rotted.
    Our oldest son, Wade planted pumpkins yesterday. His patch is 100 foot by 100 foot. He has been giving pumpkins away for a few years, but this year he says he'll sell them. People are soooo greedy he got upset. I don't blame him, it's a lot of work.
    I baked whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread and buns today, wish you were here to partake.

Love and hugs

Kat

(After reading the above, I went out into my kitchen and indulged in hot chocolate and cinnamon toast)

    Dave and the rowing group did a 48 mile bicycle trip on Sunday the 7th, up around Mount Vernon and out to the Sound.

    The 11th was a  Red Letter Day for me... Woke up and John was here, Dave showed up before John left., Then Dave and I drove  over to Little Coney for fish burgers in the Chrysler, which ran like a charm.  After he left, Paul came by so I had a nice visit with him, too. Seeing all my sons in one day makes any day a Red Letter Day.

    Jeff Ross, a friend Dave has known since they both were very young members of the Stevens Pass Ski Patrol came down from Kamloops, B. C., and Dave brought him and Ryan over to visit.  He also brought steaks and grilled them on his portable barbecue for the four of us.  We chose to eat on my old picnic table in the side yard.
    Ryan did most of the “leg” work… setting table, ferrying food from kitchen to outdoors, etc., while Dave grilled,  Jeff produced a lovely salad and steamed broccoli.  Ryan and I put together a side dish of rice and sauce to go along.
    We sat out ‘way into the dark, talking old times and adventures.  A memorable evening.
    Jeff brought me a British Columbia anniversary magazine, with articles and pictures from that “next door” Canadian province.  Vern and I made many trips into that beautiful area.  I will take my time going through it.

(From Kirby -)

Hello --

Well, it isn't even slightly like a birth announcement because not only is this not MY child - I'm only babysitting him for a few months.

However, I am very pleased to have one of the Woodland Park Zoo Penguin sculptures in residence on my front porch.  I haven't named the little guy, yet, although I call him 'Mishu' on the photo because that is the name of the shop in the front of my building.  I convinced the Zoo folk to let me take him in until they auction him off later this summer by claiming to display him at Mishu - but I'm actually responsible to put him out every morning and bring him in every night (thank you Kelly for the dolly!!)

My Mom swears I need to see the one at Cold Stone Creamery because it is so cute - but she hasn't seen mine yet!  I think he's the cutest of all!!  If you are in the neighborhood, you can come visit...

Kirby

P.S.  In case you are wondering, I haven't entirely lost my mind, yet.

    History House also has one of the penguins in their care.  Theirs is named Steam Punk-guin Professor Herringbone, by Peggy Foy.
    These little guys are just two of 63 sculptures that have been decorated by artists and will be auctioned off. See the following link for pictures of them all, and more info.

Penguins on the March – Join the Fun!
After migrating through Seattle, the penguins will be auctioned off to benefit Woodland Park Zoo’s field conservation program...

    We are having a spell of the most unusual weather I have ever experienced in my long years here in Seattle.  Very hot for us… high 80s. My own personal thermostat likes it to be in low-to-mid 70s, so I am staying inside my house with my ac turned up and fans busily stirring up the air. A-a-a-a-h!!

Thought for the day:

    “Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”

            -Buddha

Dixie/Dorothea, Senior Editor

ps - see the new story "Chester" under the Dorothea Writes link...

Home Page: Dixie-Press.com

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