“Unusual” Weather

We have a chance for snow tonight, even at sea level, for the 15th time during the past year, says the TV news. What you see above is pretty much how it looks outside today.

Most “unusual,” to say the least.

We’ve only lived in the Puget Sound area for five years, but we’ve not experienced a “normal” weather year yet.

Our son, Doug, and his wife, Jamie, will be at the Sounders game tonight at Qwest Field. If the white stuff does come, I wonder how you follow the soccer ball in it?

We Were There As Seattle Began Major League Soccer With A Win

I was fortunate enough to be a part of a major sports event last night, thanks to my son, Doug. He invited me to attend the inaugural game of the Seattle Sounders, who shut out last year’s runner-up MLS Champs, the New York Red Bulls, 3-0.

The pic above is a composite super wide-angle shot of Qwest field, taken by a friend of Doug’s, just as the second half was about to begin. It was an incredible game, and our seats were very near where this shot was taken. Doug and his wife, Jamie, have season tickets, but Jamie was unable to attend last night.

I’m no expert in soccer, but by any standard, it was an outstanding game. Seattle’s rapidly-rising, 21-year-old star striker, Colombian Fredy Montero, scored early and scored late, with a third goal sandwiched in between, as the Emerald City team showed no fear nor intimidation.

The Sounders came out aggressively and controlled the ball for most of the first half. Possession was more even in the second half, but the Red Bulls could not muster a score against the popular veteran Seattle goalie, Kasey Keller, a native of the Puget Sound area.

The Sounders are the most successful franchise ever to enter the MLS with (a capped at) 22,000 season tickets sold. Last night’s attendance was 32,523, filling to capacity the entire lower bowl of Qwest Field. Soccer (football) is said to be the "world game," and it looks like Seattle has become a key part of it here in our country.

Thanks, Doug, for a great experience and a plain old good time!

Great Start For Talli’s Track Season

Our high school Frosh granddaughter, Talli, opened her track season yesterday on the varsity team by winning the 3,000 meter event and placing third in the 1,500. All against sophomores, juniors, seniors and a few other freshman.

Way to go, Talli!

Pic above shows her nearing the finish line in winning the 3,000 fairly easily. “I probably could have done better,” she said, “but I was just trying to get a feel for the pace in a longer race.” She had never run a 3,000 meter race before on a track, though she had run 5,000 meters in cross-country last Fall.

The meet was a dual 6A school meet against Reynolds, a large school in the eastern burbs of Portland. Sure looks like it’s going to be a great spring running season for her.

Today, she’s on her way to Mexico for a Spring break missions trip where almost 90 kids and adults will build three homes in a needy border town. We’ll keep her especially in our prayers for the next 10 days.

Happy 12th Birthday, Hayley!

We had fun over this past weekend visiting Gregg, Elaine and our three granddaughters in Oregon and celebrating the 12th birthday of granddaughter, Hayley (above). Click on the photo for the full benefit. Her actual birthday was a week before, but she was at a Bible Quiz event in Idaho at that time.

Hayley is an amazing young lady. She is sweet, smart, very athletic, and as tech-savvy as they come. Her outer beauty is simply a reflection of what is inside, and we are all very proud of her.

To celebrate her birthday, she had three of her close friends at her house for a sleepover in the RV on Friday night, followed by a big pancake breakfast served up by Dad on Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, we got there a bit too late to enjoy Gregg’s tempting flapjacks, but we did have a nice time seeing Hayley and her buds having fun before her guests went home early Saturday afternoon.

Then in the evening, Dad and mom treated us all to a birthday dinner at a nearby baseball-themed restaurant called Li’l Cooperstown. The eatery is filled with baseball photos and memorabilia sort of like the real Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. It was great fun.

We capped the weekend by attending church yesterday, and Gregg delivered another very incisive sermon. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do a post on it sometime in the next few days. Here’s an advance peek at the headline: “Go… and be the Church.”

ADDENDUM - 3/17/09 ---

Pic below of beautiful baby Hayley was taken on the day of her birth in 1997. This is really frightful a) to see how much Kay Lynne and I have aged in 12 years (me, mostly), and b) to note that neither of us wore glasses then (now we both wear tri-focals) and both of our hair colors have changed since then (naturally, of course). That's cute little Natalie (Talli now), almost three then, in the lower right.

When It's Nice Here, It's Simply Spectacular

The Pacific Northwest has a singular, incredible quality.

When it's nice, it's also spectacular.

I took the above photo around noon today from a front window. It's pretty much self-explanatory. Click on the photo for a larger, full-effect image, if you'd like. But how long it'll last is always the big question.

Nevertheless, it's a wonderful place to live, if only for the days that look like this.

MLB Spring Training Is In Full Swing, and Nathan’s Ready To Go!

Our grandson Nathan will be six months old a week from Sunday, but he’s already set for baseball season. He’s looking very happy, dapper and “into it” in his Mariners outfit and socks.

The pic was taken earlier today by either Doug or Jamie. Mom and Dad sure know what the little guy likes to wear. Think Nathan’s gonna be a sports nut like everyone else in his family? You bet!

Looks to me like Nathan is totally ready to watch the very first M’s exhibition game on TV, which is coming up soon.

There’s a good chance Grandpa could be right there with him.

The Local Orcas Are Dying Off – And This Is Thought To Be Why

Last summer, when friends were here from California, we had what we thought was a fabulous day out on the Straits of Juan de Fuca, watching local pods of Orca (killer) whales frolic in their domain. I snapped the above photo from the boat we were on.

Apparently, according to an opine in Sunday’s Seattle Times, we did a bad.

Mark Anderson, chairman of an organization called Orca Relief, says that when Orcas are already faced with a dwindling food supply (salmon migration numbers in the Sound are down), they suffer significant additional metabolic stresses when boats like the one above (and the one we were on) venture in and out of their immediate habitat.

The result is that normal stresses in these beautiful creatures are exacerbated to the point where the pods are losing key family members at an alarming rate, including breeding females. Anderson would like to see excursions like the one we took totally banned on the Sound, but that may be a bit too strong. A better way might be to increase awareness.

The emerging dilemma, he points out, is that new science has shown that the stresses specifically caused by whale sight-seeing boats is accelerating Orca starvation. The whales have to swim faster, dive deeper, and travel longer routes to get food, all while trying to avoid the daily boat harassments. These excursion boats, even now, operate on “the edge” of current federal law.

The solution, he says, should be obvious.

Of course the elimination of these trips would likely cause some economic hardships in the short term, due to the potential loss of tourist dollars. But the greater danger, he worries, could be a tourist catastrophe when the Orca whales are no longer here.

You Don’t Train Them; They Train You

We’re the humans and he’s the animal, right? So, who is in charge?

If you have a pet – especially a dog or cat – and you think you’re the one who controls things, you may want to give that some additional thought. Here’s what I mean…

This morning Kay Lynne was at a ladies’ function at church. I was reading (dozing, actually) in my recliner when Buddy, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, nudged my leg. He’s a great dog in that he doesn’t bark or tug at your pants when he wants to tell you something. He just nudges your knee.

I looked at the clock, and, sure enough, it was exactly the time we usually start to prepare lunch. But grandma wasn’t home, and I wasn’t paying attention to him. I explained to him that we’d eat in a short time as soon as she got home, and he finally accepted it and laid down.

I then remembered some similar behavior this past week. Our daily routine following lunch, if we’re home, is that I go down to my office to continue whatever I was doing, and Kay Lynne retreats to her work area in our bedroom. One day this week I happened to change the routine.

Buddy immediately came over and nudged me and whined a bit. At first I didn’t put together what was going on. But a little later when I finally went to the office, he plopped himself down beside me with a sigh. I suddenly got it.

Now that I think about it some more, he often even likes to anticipate what we’re going to do and beat us to it. After lunch, he’ll pick either where Kay Lynne will be or where I’ll be, and he’ll go sit by the appropriate door and wait. He's an "equal opportunity" dog, alternating his time with his “persons.”

Our little Bud knows exactly what should happen and when it should happen.. And if it doesn’t, he kindly lets us know.

So, who runs the show? I think we all know.

It’s Over! (Till Next Time)

Well, the snow is over. But only, I suppose, until it decides to return.

The photo above is basically the same view from my office window as the one in the previous post. Of course the difference is obvious. Today we are enjoying beautiful sunshine and the temp could get up to just about 50 degrees. Woohoo!

Sorry, you California friends (who are in the midst of a monster storm off the Pacific). Turnabout is fair play.

Plus, it’s a holiday. However, not everyone is off work. Enjoy it if you are. Hmmm… wonder if it’s time to check the fishing reports.

It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over

This is what it looks like right now from my office window. Click on the pic for full effect.

Just goes to show, “it ain’t over till it’s over”.

Today Was Nathan’s Baby Dedication

Our grandson Nathan was dedicated in the Christian faith today. As it happened, he turned five months old on this day also. As the minister, with a light touch, traced the mark of the cross on Nathan’s forehead, the little guy took it all in with his typically gracious demeanor.

I was not able to get any photos of the actual ceremony because, first, it was a worship service, and secondly, both sets of grandparents were standing up with Nathan and his parents in front of the congregation. This photo we took several days ago at his home where he gave us his “I’ve been really good; can I have a cookie?” look.

He sure is a charmer.

Church bodies observe the dedication rite in a variety of ways. The basic intent is that the child is welcomed into a nurturing community of love within his or her local parish. In this way, parents, grandparents, family and members of the congregation together agree and commit to participate in helping to raise the child in faith.

Today was Nathan’s day to be presented to God. Luke chapter 2 tells of baby Jesus himself at a very young age being taken to the Temple for the same purpose. Our prayer for Nathan, as has been our prayer for our own sons and for all of our grandchildren, is that he, and they, will grow up in the knowledge and wisdom of God, acknowledge the provision of salvation for them, and live their lives in the faith, as God would guide them.

Thanks be to God.

Wonderful “Duty”

Kay Lynne and I are in the big city for much of today. Our “duty”? Taking care of our almost-five-month-old grandson Nathan while mom Jamie and dad Doug have concurrent work demands. Grandma and grandpa just hate it when that happens. :-)

Plus, I needed a good excuse to get this picture of the little guy on the blog. It was taken a couple of weeks ago just before mom took him out for a walk. Is he a cute little guy, or what?

Looks like Nathan is going to be a morning person, joining his cousin Aubrey and his mom as the only ones of 10 in our immediate family who enjoy watching the sun come up. Except on fishing days, of course.

After mom and dad had gone, Nathan very animatedly told us story after funny story, and then laughed at his own humor. He’s an absolute kick, and we’re very much enjoying our “assignment.” Right now he’s sound asleep on grandma’s lap. He’s growing like a weed and is a happy, engaging baby.

Our dog Buddy, on the other hand, is relaxing at home, but he’s a little miffed that he didn’t get to come along this time. He’ll be fine.

Where Did the Week Go?

I can’t believe it’s been a full week since I last posted. There must be something out of whack when you’re retired and time seems to fly faster than when you were working full time. Or do we just “slow down” when we age, and the passing of time is simply relative?

When we lived in California and asked the question “Where’d the time go?” the popular answer was “Aromas” (pictured is a farm there, and, btw, score ten points – other than Californians – if you know where it is). In Oregon, the response was, “Heppner” (anyone know where that is?). Here in Washington I’ve heard both “Humptulips” and “Forks” as west of the Cascades replies; on the east side “Edwall” comes to mind (watch for a comment soon to appear below).

All are real places where, supposedly, due to their remoteness and lack of connection with urban activity, time is not perceived as being a factor in daily life. I suppose we could spend much too much of that precious commodity trying to figure out if it’s us who are slowing down or time which is speeding up.

My father used to often observe that “time waits for no person” (he actually said, “time waits for no man” but I’ve “gender-neutralized” it to be hip and bring it up to date). No matter, though; time is still getting away from me.

It’s Monday. How’re we doing?

Monday morning can be a drudgery for many. Or it can be an opportunity for a full week of productive effort. Our attitude and perspective can often determine our outlook.

“Monday Morning Men” is a group of mostly elderly and retired gentlemen at our Church who meet for coffee, sweet rolls, (most are Scandinavian) and Bible study, followed by several hours of working around the church on various maintenance projects. What a great way to begin the week.

On the other hand, today’s Washington Post contains an article by columnist Robert J. Samuelson which suggests that our new President and elected leaders are facing the economic equivalent of enduring a back-to-back Ironman triathlon and Tour de France if they want to overcome the three financial monsters we face (consumer spending collapse, financial and credit collapse and our trade imbalance crisis). Not a positive beginning for the week.

However, this, in a sense, is the ongoing challenge for those of us who are followers of Christ and who also must live, work and raise families in this culture and in this world. Every day we are immersed in the often conflicting compellings of practicing our faith while we live our lives.

I’m learning to really appreciate the Lutheran perspective on faith and living. In fact, I’ve already alluded to it in a previous post. Lutherans believe that there are, at the basic level, two factors involved in faith living (or living the faith, if you will): justification and vocation.

In other words, we are justified (“restored” in God’s eyes) by God’s grace alone, and then our vocation is to live out our faith as God calls us to do. This oversimplifies, of course, but the model holds for me.

So, how does our Monday look? Let’s be busy in our vocation and trust God for the possibilities.

Mark’s Gospel Provides A Contrast In Approach To The Record of Christ’s Life and Ministry

The account by the apostle Mark of the life and works of Jesus is somewhat in contrast to those in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Matthew and Luke begin with accounts of Christ’s birth, while Mark (and John, sort of) begin their storytelling with the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

The reason I call attention to Mark is that our current church Lectionary readings and related Bible studies are sifting through the second Gospel. In any Bible reading or study, Lutherans generally begin by asking two basic questions about the text:

The first query is, what is God up to in this lesson? And then we can ask, what is God telling me in this text?

Of course there are other questions to ask as well. But by beginning with these, we can get a sense of perspective and direction from the message, rather than just randomly reading and drawing “off-the-top-of-the-head” conclusions.

So, in this particular instance, what might God be up to with the way that Mark begins his story? I got my inkling as I read, and you can begin your consideration by carefully reading chapters one and two, which was our assignment this week.

Most interesting to me was that Christ’s public ministry began with a baptism (a “commissioning” of sorts—his uniquely with heavenly approval) but then our Lord was immediately driven into the wilderness, apparently by the same Spirit that had descended on him in the form of a dove .

While in the wilderness for 40 days, he was confronted by Satan himself and tempted to the "nth" degree. After the temptation and subsequent strengthening, Jesus then “hit the road”, so to speak, with all cylinders firing.

He began his ministry by performing miracle after miracle that got immediate, regional attention. But his complementing message was early and often misunderstood. Check out Mark for yourself for a most interesting narrative of the initial events in Christ’s public life.

Emulating a “Servant God”

In this month’s issue of our church newsletter, the PFLC Visitor, our associate Pastor, the Rev. Alison Shane, right, made a wonderful – but perhaps a bit intimidating – Epiphany observation in her remarks:

“Nothing makes God-with-us more tangible for people than when we serve them. In our actions of service, people catch a glimpse of God’s work on earth.”

Stop. And let the implications of that thought sink in for a moment.

Pastor Alison continues in her comments, “A servant God is a very different image than many people are used to. Popular religion holds up a God who is ‘in control,’ whose ‘will is done’ in everything that happens to us, even in death. But a servant God comes in the midst of the brokenness of life and comforts, washes feet, and carries the load. God comes and says, ‘Sin has caused a broken world, and many things in life are therefore senseless. But I am here with you, and I have redeemed you and this world. Together now we walk through life.’”

She then gives us our core impetus for Christian service (living out our vocation, in Lutheran terminology): “When we serve, when we walk with others in service to them, they can catch a glimpse of our servant God. As we walk with them, they see God walking with them, and we are bearing Christ’s light to the nations.”

Thanks, once again, Pastor Alison, for cutting right to the quick and shedding important light on our mission as followers of Christ. Thanks be to God.

The Snow Is Finally Gone – For Good, We Hope

Photo at left is what it's looked like around here for most of the past three weeks. Note how the weight of the snow made the tree branches droop. At right is what it looks like today. Woohoo, the snow has melted. For now. You can click on each photo for larger, more detailed images.

I had forgotten what it was like to be able to drive down our driveway and back up again in a normal manner. Controlled, accelerating, fish-tailing skids have been the routine lately.

The weather forecast is for “warmer than normal” temps for the next week or so. We’ll see.


P.S. 2:30 pm UPDATE: Well, yes, the snow is gone, but with the warmer temps, the ferocious winds associated with dramatically changing weather fronts came right up Agate Passage out in front of us. Trees are going down in the area like matchsticks, many weakened from heavy snow loads, I assume. We just got our power back after said winds knocked down a big conifer nearby. This resulted in our SIXTH power outage since December 14. Fortunately, this one lasted only a bit more than an hour. I think we've had "our share" for a time.

Nathan Meets Curious George – Just Like Dad

Curious George was one of our son Doug’s favorite “friends” when he was a young lad. Curious George is aptly named, and so it becomes a natural way, through stories, for very young boys to learn about their world via this loving, inquisitive monkey.

Of course Grandma and Grandpa had to introduce new grandson Nathan to Curious George on this, Nathan’s first Christmas. I love the photo above, in which Nathan appears to be interacting (“curiously”?) with his new friend. I wish I knew what he’s saying; any ideas?

We remember, back when Doug was little, how Curious George had to always come along whenever we went out anywhere. In fact, I believe we lost the monkey one time on a long trip and it was very traumatic for Doug until we got another Curious – er, “found” him one day. Have fun with George, Nathan; your daddy sure did!

All this serves to remind us how wonderful it was to be all together as family during the Christmas season. Hayley, your gift finally was delivered to us, and it’s on the way to you.

Celebrating Doug’s Birthday at P.F. Chang’s

Our immediate family last night enjoyed a wonderful dining experience together at P.F. Chang’s in Lynnwood. We were anticipatorily celebrating Doug’s birthday, which is just ahead, while we were all still together for the Christmas holidays.


The photo above, taken by Jamie while we were waiting to be seated, shows our three wonderful granddaughters doting on our wonderful new grandson, their cousin. From left are Hayley, Talli and dapperly-dressed Nathan (Mariners outfit and trendy blue jeans), and Aubrey. By-the-way, Nathan was in perfect form while he was awake and then, as if on cue, slept soundly all through the dinner.

After dinner, the wait person was kind enough to take the second photo as we scrunched around to get everyone in the picture. From left, moi, the birthday guy, Elaine (peeking over us), Kay Lynne, Aubrey (peeking around Grandma), Gregg, Hayley, Talli and Jamie (Nathan was still asleep under cover in his comfy, transportable car seat/carrier).

The background music during the evening was from the 80’s when Gregg and Doug were in high school and junior high respectively, so of course, being the competitive young men they’ve always been, they contested to see who could identify the artist and song title first. I’m not positively sure who won, but if Gregg didn’t, he certainly knew a lot of them.

Doug, your choice of restaurant and your tailored selection of entres were impeccable, and the enjoyable time all together was irreplaceable. We all had a fabulous evening!

Happy thirty-mmphth birthday, son!

Much of Our Extended Family Assembles For Rare Get-together

Two of my first cousins, Jim and Joel Narva, and I grew up more as brothers than cousins. Our moms were sisters who were very close, and our families lived either above, below, or adjacent to each other until we were all in or through high school.

Our families assembled as possible yesterday at Joel and Sandra’s beautiful home near Point-No-Point in north Kitsap for a holiday get-together. Of course we had to take a photo (below).

Left to right are Gregg, Jim, Elaine, Kay, Hayley, Aubrey, Kay Lynne, Talli, Joel, Sandra, Lindsey, Andy, Kelli, this old man, Jamie, baby Nathan and Doug. Who’s who in the photo are as follows: Kay is Jim’s wife, Sandra is Joel’s wife, Kelli and Lindsey are Joel and Sandra’s daughters, Andy is Kelli’s husband, Gregg and Doug are Kay Lynne’s and my sons, Elaine is Gregg’s wife and Jamie is Doug’s wife, and Talli, Hayley and Aubrey are Gregg and Elaine’s daughters, and baby Nathan is Doug and Jamie’s son. Jim and Kay’s sons Mike and Andrew and Mike’s significant other, Ginny, were not able to be with us this time.

Btw, any cousins or relatives out there that might want to see the photo larger, just drop me an email and I'll send the entire file to you for enlarging (full file wouldn't upload to the blog for some reason).

Jim, Joel and I have at least seven other first cousins, all on our moms’ side, who are spread out across the country. Linda, who lives here in Washington and is nearest to us, wanted to be with us yesterday, but was unable to make it. What a gathering it would be to have all the cousins and their families get together some day. Our moms used to call a gathering like that a “hullabaloo”.