West Seattle High School Class of '73
50th High School Reunion, August 26th

Nobody was more anxious than I was that our reunion, over a year in the planning, would go well.  I was the reunion committee chair until I nominated Debra Westwood as our co-chair half way through the planning process.  I was the point person for all the snail mail and emails to my classmates from last summer until this month.  Laurie did an excellent job as event registrar and treasurer.

My worry and stress was unwarranted as the 11:00 AM to
3:00 PM luncheon event at Salty's on Alki was a huge success.

Our initial goal was to have at least 125 classmates and their guests.  We reached 137 registrations, with 135 attending.

Someone called for a group photo.  So, even with a lens that could zoom down to 18mm, I needed to manage the big crowd in order to shoot three groups, including this one featuring Laurie (in front in pink) and Nancy in her cheer sweater.  She put the sweater on for the photos after lunch.

I got classmate Tom Hewitt (right) to serve as our emcee so that I could wander around with both my good Nikon D750 and one of my D300's hanging around my neck, working the reunion as the event photographer.  I was the only one there with a DSLR while nearly everyone had their cell phones out. Tom was a school teacher, but also a sports broadcaster for 28 years, including 20 years for the Portland State Vikings.  He did an excellent job.

After the event, I began to prepare the online recap.  First up was the photo page.  This was followed by a "thank you" page.  I also updated the In Memoriam page I'd prepared earlier. 

More on the reunion at WSHS73.org.

Team Captain Dick and Cross Country teammate Gary Coy.	Nancy and good high school friend (and Classical KING FM radio personality) Lisa Bergman.
Four of the five seniors on the 1972 Cross Country team that took 2nd place in the Metro League Southern Division varsity championships. Rick Rose, Dick Sleight, Gary Coy, and Andy Wesseler (not attending, Chuck Albany)	Winter trimester in 9th grade at Madison Junior High was the first of two times I was chosen as a team captain in gym class.  My first two selections were Ray Wittmier and Rich Wissner. Our volleyball team went undefeated.
On a warm, hazy, yet otherwise beautiful day on the west shore of Elliott Bay, Salty's on Alki provided an elegant venue for our 50th reunion.	This may be the last time I'll see my high school girlfriend Kathy. Here she is with her 20-year partner (and new husband) Bruce Anderson.
I married the valedictorian cheerleader voted Most Accomplished by our senior class. Seeking her was the second best decision I ever made.  A true Proverbs 31 wife.  10 A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:10-11 NIV	Yell leader Dick with "his" cheerleaders, Sandy Sparks, Sue Blackler, Nancy Rutherford, Roberta Fasso, and Linda Boyd.

Big (and Pricy) Upgrades Scheduled
 
After a month of negotiations with two roofing companies, Nancy selected Valentine Roofing to replace our 30-year old moss covered roofs on the house and garage with new metal roofs.  The cost, about $79,000, is a lot, but still competitive for a good metal roof.  Nancy had to make sure the chosen vendor could install a custom cap over our unique ridge at the top of the house.  David Glidden (right and above) won the bid.

Greg (left) from Ever-Green Tree Care consults with Nancy.

Charis Starts Kindergarten

On Monday the 28th, the Disher family and both sets of grandparents, enjoyed the annual start-of-school orientation and picnic, and two days later Annie took Charis to her first day of Kindergarten at Seattle Christian School in SeaTac.

We arrived early, giving Charis and Valerie a chance to play on the big climbing structure with slides.  Next, we visited the kindergarten classroom and Charis met her teacher Mrs. Alvarez.

Following the kindergarten orientation, we joined many in the courtyard for hot dogs, chips, ice cream, and a variety of activities.

Face painting was a highlight.  Valerie decided she wanted her face painted like Charis once she saw the princess that Charis had become.  Valerie did manage to accidentally fall into the wading pool filled with bubble-making soapy water.  Fortunately, Annie had packed a spare t-shirt.  A visit to Annie's classroom concluded the visit.

Got a big job?  Hire some muscle.
 
I marvel how fit Nathanael continues to be.  He still wears my jean jacket from my slimmer days.  In early August, Nancy hired him to help us with an overdue project.

The foundations of the canopy over our stage prop bridge that perfectly spans our yard's swale had begun to break down.  One corner, in fact,  was hanging on a Plum tree branch.  After our neighbor gifted us with 45 large wall-building cement blocks, we had the resources to repair the supports.  After Nathanael's three days of work, while Cynthia took the boys to VBS, I only have three unused blocks left.

Goodbye to "Millie"

Annie purchased a well-used Ford Taurus in 2009 and drove it as her commuter car for many years.  With the arrival of the girls, she and Thomas needed a bigger vehicle.  Susan passed down Grandma Ginger's Chrysler Town & Country SUV named "Goldie." 

In time, "Millie" (short for Millennium Falcon) became less and less functional.  In the end, it would not hold a charge and it was time to part with it. 

This month, Annie donated it to Habitat for Humanity. 

I love driving this type of car and my usual vehicle is "Sillie" (a silver Millennium Falcon), a similarly styled Mercury Sable. 

With Annie's new "Bluey" Ford Escape plug-in hybrid being able to park in the garage, we have newly manageable parking for our combined four vehicles; Bluey, Sillie, Goldie, and the Big Blue Van.

Annie is Our Community Builder

Annie has organized another block potluck for September 3rd.  I'm enjoying the more friendly waves and brief interactions with neighbors that had been rare in the past.

Berry picking at the north end of our block with next door neighbors Mia and Coco was an example of the growing friendship.  Charis has considered them friends for a few years.

Annie also instructed some of our Chinese neighbors about this month's tent caterpillar infestation.  Annie and I removed two "tents" from our yard.  Then she spotted other tents in nearby yards.

Mrs. Bentley, two doors north, can not eat my tomatoes, but she was happy to accept one of my cucumbers.

On the 15th, Annie took a big cabinet from our family room and drove it to Seattle Christian School for the Spanish teacher.  Our blue van is still a handy tool.  She also delivered a big bag of my just-picked tomatoes.  We can't begin to eat them all.

Nancy's 68^th Birthday Party

Sister Susan and friends Julie and Georgia joined Nathanael, Cynthia, Jonny, and Reuben, plus Annie and the girls for a manageable sized gathering on the 20th.  Isaac and Galen kept the Eby's and Sitte's home.  Thomas was away this weekend with his high school friends group at Ocean Shores.

I took these pictures with a D300 because I'd misplaced my D750.  Of course, I found my best camera in the basement file drawer where I keep all my other cameras.  Who would have thought to look there?!

Meet Glyph and Verin

On the 21st through the 25th, I stayed at Jean and Joel's house for dog and cat sitting, getting caught up on streaming movies, and beginning my studies in the Book of Galatians.  I drove Jean, Joel, and Galen to the airport on the afternoon of the 21st for their Summer vacation back to Massachusetts. 

Glyph is their little boy tabby kitten and Verin is the little black girl kitten.  The names came from characters in the fantasy novels they enjoy.  I managed to briefly pet each one just once.

Rich, a neighbor down the street, took over the cat care while I brought Luna to our house since I had to get home to finish preparing for our high school reunion.

Alas, the front right tire of Sillie was flat so Nathanael drove me and Luna home.  Then, after the reunion, Nate drove Nancy down to
Berrydale and helped her change the tire so she could drive Sillie home.

As I was cleaning up in the yard and next to the house and garage in July and early August, I collected odd pieces of construction lumber and wooden pallets.  With all that scrap material, I was able to build a very sturdy large daytime dog villa in our fenced "bunny yard."  It even has a light and radio, so I could entertain Luna while listening to the Seattle Mariners baseball games.

While at our house, Luna and I sleep in the entry.  I have to get up at night more often than she does.  But each night I take her for a brief walk to wee wee in the wee hours.  She has the route to a spot just outside our driveway gate memorized.

Luna and I will be heading back to Berrydale on Sunday evening, September 3rd.  And I'll pick up the Sitte family at the SeaTac airport on the 8th.

In the Garden in August

The tomatoes began to turn color with the turn of the calendar to August.  The first Early Girl tomato to turn red disappeared.  So, I put out my rat traps baited with peanut butter.  Surprisingly, I caught a bird before catching multiple rats. 

First there's one ripe tomato, then two, then 4, ...8, ...16, 32, 64, etc.  By August 9th, we had more than we could eat each day.  I picked four bags of tomatoes to give away at the reunion on the 26th.

Valerie helped me harvest the two 7-gallon grow bags of Russet potatoes on the 17th.

I have yet to harvest more than a few of the peppers.

The first peppers got made into salsa with my tomatoes and with the garlic I harvested in June.  My cilantro has bolted so I'll save the coriander seeds and grow more.

I've been harvesting the herbs and pick green onions as needed.  The girls get fresh strawberries every few days. 

Grandkids Corner
 
Half of watching over these grandkids when the clan gathers is protecting them from each other, especially the little ones.

I had my next chance to watch the kids when the parents held another lunch and D&D game in Auburn on the 16th.

Isaac is now walking at 11-months, and Irene is cruising at 7-months.

Off to school on her first day! 

Bits and Pieces 

On Friday the 18th, I made my annual August trek to Everett to attend the Snohomish County LSAW night at the Everett AquaSox game.  Everett beat the last place Hillsboro Hops 11-2 in an obviously entertaining game.  I enjoyed watching top prospect catcher Harry Ford play. 
I sat between Randy and his Civil Engineering buddy Paul after we enjoyed the build-your-own burger dinner at the ballpark.  As always, it was great fellowship but awful on the diet.  I dusted off one of my many Nikon D300 cameras to practice with it before I took it and the better D750 to the 50th high school reunion on the 26th.  As expected, it took adequate pictures but struggled in the dusk light with its 18-55mm DX lens.

On the 28th. an email came out from the SPU Provost's office naming Ruby Englund, Emerita Associate Professor of Nursing, as the next President of the SPU Emeriti Faculty.  It also named me as the new editor of the EmeriTimes newsletter.  I will publish editions in January and June.

After months of earth moving and wall construction across our western property line, that was halted by the City, there has been no additional work done there in July or August.

My Quote from August

¹³ You, my brothers, were called to be free.
But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature;
rather, serve one another in love.
¹⁴ The entire law is summed up in a single command:
"Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:13-14 NIV