Birthdays and Easter

Ada egg hunting, a photo by Southworth Sailor on Flickr.

Saturday's sunshine greeted the birthday celebrations of mom and Ada. Combined, their ages are 90, Ada 2 and mom 88. We celebrated with Mom at the Courtyard. Balloons were definitely a hit with the young and old alike. Mom really enjoyed batting the balloon back and forth. My sister Ellen was up for spring break so all of Mom's children were there as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ada's party was later in the afternoon and featured the color blue and pizza. Both sets of grandparents and various friends joined the Greenwood Gang to help celebrate. The next day was Easter and after a worship service at Oikos and a big dinner, Ada enjoyed her first egg hunt. She had a lot of help both finding the eggs and eating the treats.

Cannon Beach

Cannon Beach, a photo by Southworth Sailor on Flickr.

We couldn't pass our spring break without a little getaway, so Friday morning we headed for the Oregon Coast. We were fortunate to have great weather on Friday and Saturday. We always take the 'backroad' to the Oregon Coast, avoiding I-5. For years we made it a point to make a meal stop in South Bend at the Boondocks Cafe where Esther would get her beloved hang town fry. Unfortunately, the place shut down last year, so we are searching for another spot. On the recommendation of friends, we tried the Rusty Tractor in Elma. It was OK if you're into Yak burgers, but I think we'll keep looking. Friday we spent the afternoon in 'sunny Seaside' (at least one day of sun). We soaked in as much sun as we could, walking the beach, promenade and streets. Since the building of the Trendwest resort, the town has really been transformed in the last ten years. The streets were filled with vacationing Washingtonians. Friday night was the thrifty night - dinner at Mo's and a stiff bed at Motel 6. Saturday was Cannon Beach day with an excursion to the small village of Manzanita. The clouds started rolling in during the afternoon, but the rain held off until dark. We enjoyed our room at the Waves Motel in town, walking to beach, shops and a dinner at the new LumberYard Grille. The patter of rain woke us up Sunday morning with the cold reality of life in the northwest and the end of another spring break.

Paint Party

the paint crew, a photo by Southworth Sailor on Flickr.

This year we are spending our Spring break a little different from our usual travel frenzy. A couple of factors played into this break from tradition. One factor is that our rental home is vacant and in need of a make over. The other is that Calvin is home from Japan for part of the week. With much reluctance, we will put him on the airplane back to Tokyo until late June. His final term of the year starts next week and he does not want to interrupt his course of study. It was a relief to have him home for two weeks. We trust he will be safe. He was able to join the paint party with Markus, Kay and Marti who came down to Southworth to help for a couple of days. We were able to paint the entire inside of the house (all ceilings and walls) in just a few days. A big thanks to Kay and Marti for their help. The rest of the break will see more work at the rental and maybe a couple of days to get away.

Home for now

Calvin home from Japan enjoying family and friends, a photo by Southworth Sailor on Flickr.

After much emotional turmoil and anxiety, we decided to fly Calvin home from Japan while things stabilize after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear radiation. Calvin was not anxious to leave his friends and adopted country, but we pulled the parent trump card. His trip went smoothly even though we insisted that he leave for the Tokyo airport 24 hours early, necessitating a night on the airport's tile floor. Oh for the bones of a 20 year old! He arrived Saturday morning to a rare sunny day. The entire family, as well as friends made his first 24 hours in the US exhausting. This week, Calvin is enjoying time with friends who are on college break, as well as visiting friends at Trinity and family in Lynden. He has a scheduled flight to return to Tokyo on April 6 for his next term, but that is contingent on conditions and his parent's comfort level. We are relieved that he is safe for now, but still very anxious for the people of Japan and Calvin's plans.

Safe Sons

Bitchu Matsuyama castle a photo by Southworth Sailor on Flickr.

The last couple of days have been somewhat anxious for us with the disasters in Japan. We are thankful that our boys are safe, but have sorrow for the many that are suffering. Calvin has an extended Spring Break (six weeks), so Markus decided to take a two week visit to Japan this month. Calvin planned a Bulthuis style tour of southern Japan, complete with youth hostels and internet cafes; little knowing how providential that would become. They visited Kyoto, Hiroshima and Osaka among other things. They were in Hiroshima when the earthquake hit and didn't even find out about it until several hours later. Their train trip back to Tokyo was blocked and they had to take a bullet train to avoid a two day delay. Safe back at the university, they will spend a couple of laid back days before Markus flies back home on Tuesday. For more details of the trip see the link to Markus' blog on the right.

Coeur d'Alene with Dan and Judy Mulder

Coeur d'Alene with Dan and Judy Mulder
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

This weekend we met up with long time friends, Dan and Judy Mulder from Townsend, Montana. We met in Post Falls, ID for a couple of nights. It was great catching up with each other's lives. We were particularly interested in their recent trip to China where they witnessed the wedding of daughter Emily and David. They flew to the northeast corner of the country to be with David's family who are Uyghur, an ethnic minority speaking a Turkish dialect. It was quite an adventure for them as one can well imagine. We were able to watch a video of the wedding which included a Mulder rendition of Uyghur dancing! Our constant conversation took many settings as we soaked up the sun on walks from Coeur d'Alene to Riverside Park in Spokane. It was a great weekend of renewing friendship and anticipating the next phase of our lives.

Ruby Jean Bulthuis

Ruby Jean Bulthuis 2-2-11
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

I think that I have been waiting for this monumental event to post a blog entry. She has arrived: Granddaughter #2, Ruby Jean Bulthuis. Early Wednesday morning (2:00) Jenny awoke to four minute contractions. She and Bjorn rushed to the hospital, leaving Ada under the care of Guncle John. Ruby made her entry at 4:38 am, 7 lbs. 9 ounces, 20 inches of dutch/scandinavian gemstone. Mother and baby are healthy and were home the next day. Ada is quite thrilled with her new sister. She serenades her with as much noise as possible. Jenny picked the name much to Bjorn's pleasure as he now has two daughters with computer language names. She is also endeared to the extended Bulthuis family as my grandmother's name was Ruby Elenbaas. 'Jean' comes from Jenny's father. Esther, Markus and I are spending the weekend get acquainted to the new Bulthuis girl.

Southern Peninsula

Toy Point Fox Island
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

It is our practice to celebrate MLK Day with an excursion to a local destination. It was time for a outing, as the rain and darkness was making us feel claustrophobic. Since we needed to run an errand to Gig Harbor we decided to explore the southern extremities of the Kitsap Peninsula: Point Fosdick, Wollochet and Fox Island. It is my ambition to someday circumnavigate the entire Peninsula in my sailboat. Today it was just our comfy Toyota Sienna on dead end roads. The rain held off, but it was very windy. Esther got motion sick from the winding roads and we needed to stop. We found what seems like the only public property on Fox Island: Toy Point. We walked down to the path to enjoy the pier. My teaching partner, Don lives on the island. I was reminded of the determination and effort he puts forth as he commutes to Port Orchard on his motorcycle everyday, rain or shine or wind, but thankfully not ice or snow.

A Norwegian New Year

Touren, Anna, Fredrik, Lucy and Maia
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Things have finally slowed down enough to post a blog. The first week back to work was a busy one, at least in terms of evening activities. We were able to see Calvin off to Japan for six months and spend an evening with Jenny and Ada. On New Years Day we went to Esther's cousin Anna's house in Tacoma. Her parents were there from Norway as well as Esther's brothers and families. It was great to see niece Bria back from England. Anna and her husband Sovann have a wonderful classic home in North Tacoma overlooking Commencement Bay. They recently raised it up to put a garage underneath and add a huge great room that soaks in the view. We were treated to a Norwegian tradition of lamb and cabbage, along with some scandinavian desserts- a great way to start the New Year.

Yukon Do It

keeping the pace on Beach Dr.
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

My running the past decade has consisted of fitness runs about twice a week, usually between four and six miles. A couple of weeks ago my teaching/running partner proposed the idea of running a half marathon. We are usually not tempted by such torture activities, but since it was in our own backyard, we decided to go for it – finish the year out in style. (or at least in shape!) The 'Yukon Do It half marathon' course started at Manchester Park and followed Beach Drive into Port Orchard and back. I did one practice long run of eleven miles last week and decided I wouldn’t die at thirteen. This morning’s run was very cold, but there were a couple hundred other crazy people, so it didn’t feel so foolish. Don and I started at the back of the pack, so we could slowly pass runners – a great motivating strategy. The run went well, though I could feel Don’s faster pace drag me the last six miles. We crossed the line together at 1 hour 50 minutes, not enough to win any prizes, but respectable for a couple of 50+ers. We finished the morning off at the pancake house with Esther and Don’s daughter Chelsea, who documented the momentous event with her new camera. I’ll be happy to go back to my fitness running. Maybe the full marathon next year. We’ll have to think about that for a while!

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2010
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

The past week has been filled with family celebrations; meals, gifts and more meals and gifts. Lynden once again was the host to both our extended family gatherings. Since the bulk of both our extended families are in Lynden, we are fortunate to have it all in the same town. My extended family all gathered at my nephew Aaron's house. Everyone was there except Jonathan who had to work in Illinois. A real treat was to meet Kate, Brian's fiance. It was strange not having Mom there and thinking of her alone at the Courtyard. The Eide family moved through the progression of traditional meals in a round robin on the compound. Bria was absent, but enjoying a Christmas in Norway. We all went to Bjorn and Jenny's church for a candlelight service. Back in Southworth, Bjorn, Jenny, Ada and Ellen are spending a few days with us.

An early December climax

Calvin arrives in Seattle amid much fanfare
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

I'm breaking my December blog silence with a report of a grand event. For most, the climax of December is the 25th, and rightly so. But this year it almost feels like yesterday was the climax. For months we have been anticipating the return of our 'a-wayward son' Yesterday afternoon Calvin arrived back in Seattle. A small welcoming committee gathered to greet him at the terminal. However, the one surprised was not Calvin but the welcoming crowd. Unbeknown to the gathering welcomers, Calvin had taken an earlier flight from Vancouver. He patiently waited in the shadows as friends gathered with posters and anticipation. As Esther and I joined the group, Calvin surprised us from behind, fifteen minutes before his plane was to arrive. He helped unroll his welcome home posters for the terminal to enjoy. An hour later, we were able to turn the surprise back to the traveler as Josh deLacy arrived from Michigan. The unusual poster and poem caught the curiosity of all who passed by. Josh and Calvin's friend, Alicia is never short of ideas. Calvin was craving Mexican food so four cars followed one GPS on a goose chase to a nearby Archie's Mexican Food.

A White Thanksgiving in Greenwood

A white Thanksgiving in Greenwood
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

We spent an enjoyable Thanksgiving in Lynden with the Eides. Bjorn and Jenny weren't there as they went down to Oregon, though we were able to connect on the road as they made their way down and we made our way up with Markus. Kay's family from Tonasket came over the Cascades, so it was an Eide/Pridmore event. We awoke Thanksgiving to a thick blanket of snow which kept thickening as the day went on. I could not recall ever having a white Thanksgiving, though Esther vouches for such in her imaginary childhood:) We visited my Mom a couple of times which is always an emotional challenge as she responds less and less each time. We did not participate in the Black Friday frenzy, though we did do something uncharacteristic in that we watched seven hours of football in one day. Ending our weekend back in Southworth, we had the unexpected surprise of connecting and having dinner with Doug and Merri Monkemeier who pastored at Harper when we first came to Southworth. It was good catching up on one another's lives and families.

Southworth Storm

marine casualty of the November storm
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

This week Kitsap County was blasted with ice and wind. For some reason Kitsap got the brunt of the wind Monday night. With over 50,000 customers out of power for over 24 hours, we were one of thousands of households coaxing the room temperature with gas and wood to ward off pipe freeze, let alone occupant freeze. In our midday walk through Southworth on Tuesday, Esther and I came across this unfortunate casualty of the storm. I had a hunch this cabin cruiser wouldn't hold its mooring off Olympiad Drive. This is the second cabin cruiser that 'bit the dust' or rather 'smashed the rocks' in Southworth this fall. While sailboats seem to weather the storms a little better, these tubs are not sleek enough to cut through wind and wave. My marine treasure is safely moored beside the house. Now that the power is back on, we will head to Lynden for Thanksgiving.

A new house for the Carlsons

helping Frank and Sheri move in their new house
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

This weekend I helped Frank and Sheri Carlson move into their new home. Frank and Sheri are in our small group and are long time Harperites, though recently married. The new house is built on Frank's family property overlooking Sinclair Inlet. HIs parents lived on the property in a small post war cottage. The new house has some unique 'small man' features including some short counters in the kitchen and a short commode. There are great views from the living, dining, kitchen and bedroom. This couple deserves to enjoy this great new house.

Blog site facelift

Blog site facelift
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Having very little blogworthy news to share this week, I decided to give my blog site a long overdue facelift. Using blogger's new template designer, it was easy to add a little more pizzaz to the site. Esther has been enjoying the new MacBook Air while I have been dealing with some issues with my 'faithful' MacBook. One highlight of the past week was having missionaries Dan and Carrie Ritzman at our small group. They are missionaries in Belgium serving Iranian refugees. It was interesting to learn more about the Ritzman's ministry and this unique ethnic group with it's rich history and culture, as well as the people's great hunger for the gospel.

Mom's MacBook Air

Esther models the 11" MacBook Air
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

For months we have been debating about getting an iPad. I was excited about playing with the new hands-on device, but Esther wasn't sure about the lack of a keyboard and inconvenient lap use. Since the justification for a new technology device was a replacement for the ten year old iBook that Esther has been nursing along, I decided I should defer to her wishes. Well, the release of the new MacBook Air was just what I needed to get spousal consent. This weekend we took the plunge and purchased an 11" MacBook Air. It is amazingly light, compact and super fast. My MacBook suddenly feels like a clunker. On another note, it was conference week at school and for the first time since I have been teaching, all of the parents showed up! I always get a no show or two. This afternoon, we took an Halloween Day drive to enjoy the Fall colors and a little bit of sunshine. We drove out the Northshore Dr. on Hood Canal and kept going on the dirt road all the way to Dewatto. It is some pretty remote country but the woods were beautiful with the yellow alder leaves shouting out from among the deep green evergreen. Tonight we will have our traditional pigs-in-a-blanket and we will reminisce of Halloweens gone by. Such is the plight of the empty nester!

mission accomplished

skipper Tim at the helm
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Every fall I have the nagging ambivalent feeling that I need to get my boat out of the water before winter storms come. 'Ambivalent' because I don't want my sailing to come to an end for the year. In former years, I recruited one of my sons to help me with the tasks of hauling up a 150 lb mushroom anchor from the sea floor and getting a sailboat on a trailer at the launch. Having no sons at home anymore, my friend Tim deLacy came to the rescue. He was rewarded for his kind labors with a mild breeze which allowed us a relaxing sail to the Manchester dock rather than the drone of the outboard. I can sleep a little sounder tonight with the boat safe in her dry dock for the winter.

Connecting on Columbus Day

Stonyridge
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

A three day weekend afforded us the opportunity to visit Greenwood (a.k.a. Lynden) Saturday we went for lunch at the Everson Auction Sale Barn. Yes, it was hard to choke down the chiliburger with the aroma of manure wafting up from the floor; but it was a childhood memory that Esther needed to relive. Then it was across the street to the Stonyridge Pumpkin Patch with sights and sounds to delight Ada. The drizzly weather finally got to us and we headed back home down the Van Dyk Rd. Sunday was church at Oikos (Bjorn and Jenny's church) and lunch at Little Cheerful's in Bellingham and a visit with Mom. Monday the Greenwood clan took a hike at Lake Tenant in some welcome sunny weather before enjoying lunch at Boundary Bay Brewery.

September sunset sail on the sound

September sunset sail on the sound
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

It is evenings like today that justify leaving my boat at its mooring until late October. If I hurry home from work, I can be on the water by 5:00, which gives me a glorious hour or two soaking up the wind, sun and view from the middle of the sound. City, forest, mountain and sea all beam brightly in the setting sun. To top it off, I came home to some wonderful salmon chowder that Esther made from fresh salmon caught by a friend from school. A couple more of these and I'll be ready to put the boat away for another winter.