Life in Ludlow: The holidays are here

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It is time to decorate, even in the rain, wind and fog. At least that is what we have been trying to do. I finally bought some LED lights to replace the conglomeration I have collected and inherited over the years. So far they seem to be more reliable and certainly are more consistent in their appearance. The job also allowed me to take at least one advantage of the “Black Friday” discounts since I picked up a stapler at Hadlock Building Supply at 50 percent off. After we finished the first round of installation we were standing in the driveway in the drizzle admiring the fruits of our labor when Susan Pillion came by on her walk. She claimed to be unaffected by the weather as she trod on in her unmatched shoes. I love the Pacific NorthWET.

A Sunday with nothing scheduled except watching the Seahawks lose pitifully to Tampa Bay gave us an opportunity to go out to breakfast. BJ has been intrigued by the prospect of eating breakfast at the weekly Lions Club Breakfast in Joyce, out west of Port Angeles, almost 90 minutes away. If we get there late for breakfast, we can call the pancakes lunch. What’s not to like about that plan? It is open from 8:30 to 11 a.m. and we arrived about 10:45 so we were almost last to order, sit down, be served (about 11:30 a.m.) and then leave. By the time we left, all of the other tables had been cleaned and rearranged because the local garden club came in to spend the afternoon making wreaths. It was an adventure, the fun of it only to be exceeded by some exploring around the area. We ended up on the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe lands near the mouth of the Elwha River. We wanted to check out the river but instead settled for a restroom stop at the casino.

Now that we have gained the first 3 pounds of the season on Thanksgiving, we can finally put the focus on parties for the Yacht Club, the Beach Club, the Rotary Club, the book club, etc., all followed by the Weight Watchers club. At least we have that additional layer of fat and be ready for the insanity scheduled again by Brian Belmont on Dec. 30, the second annual Port Ludlow Polar Plunge!

Our 8-year-old grandson was with us for a few days before Thanksgiving. BJ was looking for something fun to do with him that was in step with the holidays so they picked up a few of the tags on the giving tree at the Beach Club. The tags described gifts needed or desired by kids as a part of the Tri-Area Christmas for Children program. So, BJ and Alden went shopping in Port Townsend and enjoyed selecting the items on the cards. (You can pick up a tag or two at the Beach Club and many other places around Eastern Jefferson County.) I offered to buy lunch and Alden selected the Spruce Goose at the airport. Best french fries in town. He warmed our hearts when he asked if he could stay another day with us instead of heading home. It was further testimony to how badly we spoil him, his brother and their cousins!

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week.

(Contact Ned Luce at NedLuce@sbcglobal.net.)