A Happy Grandpa

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

Support Your Candidates

When we heard that there was to be a rally for Senator Patty Murray just a few hundred yards from our house, we knew we had to attend.

The rally took place at the new Northwest Career and Technical Academy building on Laventure Road on the campus of Skagit Valley College.



SVC was recently ranked #19 in the "America’s 50 Best Community Colleges" edition of Washington Monthly magazine.

I didn't know that either, but Lydia tipped me off.

As the rally began, we were surprised by two additional participants.


Our other U.S. Senator, Maria Cantwell and our congressman Rick Larsen.


And finally, Senator Murray herself.



It's not often that all three federal representatives are down the street. It was cool to meet them all and shake their hands.

Outtakes from an East Coast trip

Better late than never........

Waiting for luggage at the Philadelphia airport.

While walking in Media, I spotted this street sign.

It's always fun to play in the driveway.






At Lucy's riding lesson, Jasper found something to do even before we got to the barn.




But he was busy inside the barn, as well.


While Lucy was busy grooming Maggie.



And it was a gorgeous fall day.







When on earth did she get this big??






It's fun watching her ride.





She works hard.



and even gets to ride bareback.




After all that hard work, one needs a treat with their Mama and brother and Grandpa.



Back home, Jasper stands in the Lincoln Logs box.



and uses the sofa for gymnastics.



It's time to go back to PA for the flight home. But first, a cookout on a spectacular day.





The Phillies could clinch the NLDS that night, so I needed to get to Tim and Hallie's for the game.

Someone was ready when I got there.



And I learned all about Caillou.


Last order of business.

Guys!!

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Hallie got everyone up to date on our venture to the Delaware Museum of Natural History.

Oly was ready to go before anyone else.



You cannot imagine the excitement that the din-o-SAURS (accent on third syllable) created in the back seat of the car on the way down.

There were even little dinosaurs that kids could sit on.


They, along with just about everything else in the museum, needed a hug as we left.


When we got home it was nap time. And after the nap -- it was time for "Guys".
A few months ago, The Bed Guys delivered a new bed for the guest room and Oly talked about "guys-a-bed" all day.

Today, the MacDonald/Readings took delivery of a new couch and more "guys" arrived with the delivery.




Some of us just watched.




While others unwrapped and figured out the configuration for the room.



It didn't take long to get everything put together and ready for testing!






It's a perfect fit and supremely comfy.
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Urban Hipsters

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Since David had an early flight to Philadelphia on Friday, it seemed like a good idea to spend Thursday evening and night in Seattle.
Of course, Lydia had plenty of good deals for us which came in handy since we have no money.

First, she had points with Marriott that got us a free night at the SpringHill Suites downtown. We had a nice view from our room.



Happy Hour began shortly after our arrival and we were all over it.


Of course, urban hipsters cannot be contained by one locale, so we headed off on foot on a beautiful Seattle night to find the other spots that would become hot spots by our presence.

An old favorite is Dragonfish, which has great food and outstanding happy hour values. The Caramel ginger chicken (fried crisp, with caramel ginger sauce, peppers, scallions and peanuts, with Chinese mustard) is a must-have on every visit. We tried (and loved) the Pike Place Roll (ahi tuna, mango, kaiware, cashews, cucumber). A couple more drinks and we were off again.

One of Seattle's top chefs is Christine Keff, a James Beard award winner and owner of Flying Fish. We had been to Flying fish and were crazy about it. They moved out of Belltown about five months ago and this was our chance to try them at the new location at South Lake Union.



Some wine, some Big EyeTuna Poke (spicy tobiko marinade) and some exquisite Cold Smoked Albacore and we were a happy couple.

Walking back to the hotel produced another view of the space Needle.


The hotel hot tub beckoned and we finished off the evening with the entire place to ourselves.


Breakfast in the morning gave David a good send-off to Phila.

More posts from Media soon.
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