Summerfest

 

 

This is a big weekend in West Seattle, with the annual street fair going on at The Junction. As the population here has swelled, the annual event evolved from a simple merchant's sidewalk sale in the 1980's (which I loved) to a bigger event called Westfest, and now the hugely popular Summerfest. 

It's pretty much like any other street fair across the city, with bad food (sorry) and all the same vendors. Crowds are not John's thing, but I always walk down there to have a look around. The street in front of our house was already parked up last night. 

This is followed by the West Seattle Grand Parade on July 19th. I found out yesterday that our Thursday ukulele group was invited to participate on short notice, but we still need to find a flatbed truck or float to haul us safely down California Avenue while we're strumming away. Stay tuned on that. 

The brief period of cloudiness has passed, and the next week stretches ahead sunny and hot. Amanda, Tom and the girls are going backpacking on the Olympic Coast and should have excellent weather.

See you Monday. 

 

Smile

 

July 10th is "Teddy Bear's Picnic Day." 

Bing Crosby recorded this version the year I was born, but the song goes way back. The melody was composed by John Walter Bratton in 1907, and the lyrics added in 1932 by songwriter Jimmy Kennedy. 

Rain shadow

 

 

The yard is dry as dust and Seattle could really, really use some moisture. But we're in a typical rain shadow pattern today and all we get is grey clouds overhead with rain all around us. The Olympic Mountains sometimes block the rain coming in from the Pacific Coast. 

At least it's cool and comfortable to putter outside this afternoon. I need to deadhead flowers as the garden transitions into the final round of summer. Why does it always go so fast?

Not much else is new except I have two big red mosquito bites on my face! The annoying thing is it happened in our bedroom here, not Twisp, which wasn't buggy at all this past weekend. We had a nice dinner party on the deck without getting pestered, but by August, the aggressive yellow jackets make it impossible to eat outside. 

Having been stung a few times, it is the one creature I cannot stand. 

 

A fine weekend

 

Our granddaughters at the Winthrop clothing store where Nova works on Sundays. We had lunch with Maya in town, then dropped off a snack for her hard-working sister. 

Nova is also a life guard and swim instructor at the Twisp pool this summer. Maya just had her first babysitting gig. Which pays quite well these days and little kids naturally love her! Anyway, we are incredibly proud of these lovely girls. 

 

 

Since there were two of us yesterday to close the house and pack up the trash (we carry it back to Seattle)  the work went fast and we got an early start home. Traffic was relatively light. We made the usual stop at Lone Pine and John (also as usual) succumbed to a handsome apple pie. 

 

The garden looks good and the tomatoes went wild, growing halfway up the side of the house.  Thanks, Wendy, for watering!

 

I cut these fragrant lilies for the house yesterday afternoon-- the flowers so heavy they had bent to the ground. 
 

 

 

 

Butterflies, family and friends

 

 

 

After the spring flood two years ago, the river deposited milkweed seeds that sprouted by the sandy beach. It created a natural butterfly garden, specifically attracting the Western Tiger Swallowtail and Two-Tailed Swallowtail. According to Google ID, there is a slight difference between the two pictured above. 

It's amazing how butterflies zero in on a little patch of their favorite food. They are so intent on the flowers, you can take spectacular up-close photos.

 

I got caught up in the 4th of July parade and didn't take many pictures. The parade started with a mounted color guard on stunning Western horses, followed by lots of small town sweetness, blessedly free of blaring politics. It was also longer than parades in the past. The parade has become a highlight of the summer, with crowds of people enjoying the ArtsFest at Twisp Works. 

 

But we walked home after the parade to rest and get ready for the evening party. There were 9 of us--Amanda, Tom and the girls, my brother Dave and friends Bruce and Karen, who are becoming part of the family. It was a perfect evening to eat bratwurst on the deck with baked beans, salads, and watermelon finished off with a blueberry pie John picked up at Lone Pine.  

We went to the Twisp Saturday Market this morning and just taking it easy on this hot afternoon. 

Summertime...

 

And the livin' is easy.  (Once you get here, that is.)

The house was a toasty 88 degrees when I arrived, but the air conditioner has been doing its magic all afternoon and it already feels comfortable at 80. Heat is relative.

I was tired when I left Seattle, but got my second wind on the road. Traffic was still pretty light. Tomorrow is the big holiday rush, but John and Dave should get an early start and be here by early afternoon.

Lone Pine Fruit and Espresso is wonderful this time of year-- cherries, apricots and blueberries in season. Soon the first apples and pears. I bought a heavy bag of fruit for just a few dollars. 

The daisies made it all the way from Seattle. We're planning a big party here on the 4th.