For many of us, the end of summer also marks the end, or almost the end, of the stream of family, friends and assorted hangers-on coming to visit.

Most of the time, it is much fun and a time for overindulgence. Yep, there is food and spirits of all kinds, all while surviving on less than adequate sleep. We even had an eclipse that provided unique perspectives.

One set of guests provided yet another chance to enjoy the familiar cuisine at Port Ludlow’s Snug Harbor Cafe. I wonder if I frequent the place too often, since Dee, the waitress, doesn’t need to ask me what I want anymore. Heck, she even knows what our grandsons will order.

A short visit from my sister and her family gave us an opportunity to try out Quench, in the former location of Fins, in Port Townsend. There were seven of us, and we hung out in the restaurant for a couple of hours, talking and enjoying the view.

So, now that the out-of-town visitor line is diminishing, the opportunity for us to enjoy some music is lengthening.

Last week, the Badd Dog Blues Society entertained the faithful at The Beach Club concert sponsored by the North Bay Lot Owners Association. I can listen to those guys for hours.

Unfortunately, I had to leave early for my biweekly poker game. It was important to me because I saw an opportunity to end my seemingly endless losing streak. Yes, I did walk away with $5 more than I had upon arrival. A huge night. That being said, I never win or lose as much as BJ spends on dinner at Cucina Pizza or The Valley Tavern with her “book club” friends. (The book club reads wine bottle labels. It is great exposure to European, South American, Californian, Australian and Washington geography as well as several foreign languages.)

The pertinent question is “If you had to choose between drinking wine every day or being skinny, which would you choose.” The next question, of course, is “Red or white?”

I had planned to take a grandson and son-in-law to see the Kansas City Chiefs play the Seahawks in last Friday’s meaningless preseason football game in Seattle. Then, BJ and I were presented with the chance to see Paolo Alderighi and Stephanie Trick play double pianos in a special Port Ludlow Performing Arts concert at the Bay Club.

Jazz, boogie-woogie and pop tunes were played with incredible skill and humor. I chose the concert instead of the football game and did not look back. These two folks are married and appear to have immense loads of fun while performing. I looked up their schedule, and this year they will be in Switzerland, Sweden, Japan and exotic Innsbrook, Missouri.

They were hawking CDs, as do most of the performers coming to Port Ludlow, and I never buy them. Oh wait, I bought all four of the ones available this time, which is testimony to their talent. Don’t tell my former piano teacher Kathy Sharp, but I may even start playing our piano again.

Labor Day is this weekend, and I am optimistic you will enjoy all the American flags put up by the East Jefferson Rotary Club to celebrate the holiday. We appreciate all the subscribers in East Jefferson County who support this community enrichment program.

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week.

Columnist Ned Luce lives in Port Ludlow and writes this column weekly. Contact him at NedLuce@sbcglobal.net.