Ned Luce

It was a great weekend for Independence Day! Fabulous weather, food and family. The fireworks on Whidbey Island and beyond exceeded expectations as they were aided by the clear weather. 

Yes, there were very public statements and protests highlighting the flaws and shortcomings of this idea we call the United States of America, but I joined with most folks celebrating this country’s continued pursuit of liberty and equality. I am optimistic you too found the time to enjoy your time at home this past weekend, as if you could enjoy it anywhere else! 

Our daughter and her family have been visiting here with us for about 10 days. At this writing they have biked, hiked and kayaked. They have played tennis, pickleball and basketball. They have cooked meals and updated computers/phones. They kayaked on the Fourth of July in Ludlow Bay and noted the high number of people also kayaking or paddle boarding or on their boats. It was nice to hear that people are getting out AND using masks while distancing.

The only failing of this dog they “rescued,” Winnie, is she has yet to trust me. She does not accept that I may be a decent human being. Yes, she will take a treat but who wouldn’t? 

Our neighbors Harold and Sheila Brunstad have a golden retriever named Lucky who seems to have become Winnie’s best buddy, well next to their 6-year-old grandson Zachary who carries the dog treats. Winnie and Lucky have great fun chasing each other around the yard burning up their limitless energy. On the subject of energy burning, we brought out the fire pit for s’mores, generating energy in the grandsons. 

Again, whilst on the subject of burning, did you notice the 200-yard-long tire spinning mark as evidence of rubber and money burning going up Swansonville Road? Impressive indeed as it takes one back to the misguided days of youthful exuberance.  

We have had a deck replacement project going on for the past month and it is almost done. We removed wood that had been painted and thus required bi-annual maintenance involving excessive sanding and painting. That meant unreasonable expense and work. We installed one of those composite products that is guaranteed for 50 years. The 12-year-old grandson remarked that he wanted to retire out here and I told him that he would probably be able to use the deck we are installing! As a part of the project we had the deck table and chairs sand blasted and powder coated losing a couple parts in the process. Some very competent help at Henery Hardware assisted me as I “jury-rigged” a solution. It was nice to have the chairs available as we watched the fireworks. 

As I mentioned last week the virus has given us an opportunity to do some book reading. I would like to say “catch up” on some reading but it seems there are between 600,000 and 1 million books published each year so the task might be beyond my reading skills. Even so, I think of the wisdom of Franz Kafka when he is purported to have said, “A book must be an axe for the frozen sea inside of us.”

Will Rogers provides the very appropriate observation for you to consider in these turbulent times. “Last year we said, ‘Things can’t go on like this,’ and they didn’t. They got worse.” 

Love a curmudgeon, wear a mask and have a great week!

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive whose fast-paced life in Port Ludlow is the delight of thousands of weekly readers)