"Fostering", and other things

Seattle/Bellevue/Renton Areas, Washington, USA - Dolores and I have been “Fostering” lately, together and independently. Yes, you read correctly, “Fostering.” If you asked, is that a pseudonym, a junkword, or a MUW? The answer in all cases is yes…let me explain. During my many years of working at and with the local “kite” factory (ok…Boeing) I spent many lunch hours at the Renton Foster Golf course clubhouse restaurant with business associates and acquaintances. This evolved into a natural free flowing format that developed many long term friendships. Even though I no longer work in that environment, I still like to maintain contact with those and other friends by meeting over lunch at various locations. To me these wonderful socializing moments are “Fostering.” To answer your next question, yes Dolores is familiar with Foster and joined me there for luncheon on special occasions, and I just recently met with a good friend at Fosters for lunch and reminiscing.

These are great times! Being retired has allowed us to reestablish contact with many long time friends, strengthen close relationships, and make new friends. Dolores and I have been invited to many wonderful dinners with old and new friends, by family, and have held our share of formal and informal dinners at our Lynnwood home. Of course at home Dolores does all the creative work and preparation plus directs my efforts; however, the resultant “Fostering” couldn’t be more wonderful. A couple of nights ago we attended a birthday party given for a friend that owns a cooking school in Edmonds. The hosts owns a few toys that are fun to touch and feel. Dolores and others got to tweak the throttle on the Harley a few times. Think she’s having fun?





Someone commented the other day, “I think the world just tilted on its axis…we’ve had a complete change of seasons overnight.” And its true - the outside temperatures are peaking in the low 60’s and nighttime is reaching into the high 40’s. It continues to be cloudy, grey and rainy with only occasional sun breaks – or that’s what it appears to this observer. Dolores sent me out to the Edmonds Museum Garden Market to purchase some squash blossoms for dinner the other evening. This is open from 9 A.M. – 2 P.M. every Saturday in July to early October and offers fresh produce, flowers, plants, processed foods, personally created crafts and original art. After breakfast, and without much thought, I grabbed a jacket and left on my errand. Now picture this in your mind – it’s overcast and raining. The temperature on the car temperature display says 55 degrees, and I adjust the heater and defroster setting to 73 (and I don’t mean Celsius). I arrived in Edmonds, parked, and embarked for the one vendor whom I know will have a supply of the blossoms - typically, this item sells out within the first hour after the market opens. I look about at the many people shopping – all dressed in slacks, winter jackets, boots, hats of every sort, and some with scarves and gloves, all bent over against the wet drizzle and breeze. Contrast this with a figure dressed in a t-shirt, shorts, sandals without socks, baseball cap (emblazoned with Pto. Vallarta) strolling along with a unzipped light jacket. You’ve got it - Roberto! I began to feel somewhat out of place until I saw another figure approaching me in a similar outfit with one exception. He had donned a fleece lined jacket and had on a hat with earmuffs. Knowing there was at least one more person distracting the quizzical onlookers immediately warmed me. I quickly made my purchase, went back to the car and headed home – mission successful!

Enjoying the Social Happenings

Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington, USA – A telephone conversation from a Puerto Vallarta friend also summering in Seattle started with “Would you like to come to our houseboat Tuesday night and watch the Duck (Dodge) Races? Duck Races?...I was quickly reminded that it was a gathering of local sailboat enthusiasts that hold informal races on Lake Union each Tuesday evening during the summer months prior to the more serious part of the fun – eating/drinking/bragging. Part sail and part party, it started more than three decades ago. The starting horn sounds at 7 p.m. for the fast boats and five minutes later for remainder boats. Two hours later, all of the boats raft up in the middle of the lake for socializing. Duck Dodge on Lake Union is one of the premier "beer can" regattas in the world and attracts a full spectrum of new and old sailors. We had been asked before; however, for one reason or the other had not attended. Our host said there would be several other attendees (most whom we knew from Puerto Vallarta) and all that was required was to bring whatever refreshments we desired and be there. We had already made plans to meet over a crab dinner at one of our good friends, but on receiving the OK to bring her with us, coupled with her immediate and enthusiastic response, we gathered up some salads, bottles of refreshment and headed for Lake Union and the “Ducks”. It was a great time visiting with friends and consuming good food, beer, and wine.

Along the same vein, Dolores and the “kids” invited this ‘ol guy to celebrate his birthday at Volterra in Ballard. This is one of my favorite dining places in all the known universe. The menu centers on traditional Tuscan dishes - the house, and mine, specialty is wild boar tenderloin with gorgonzola sauce that is wonderfully tender and accompanied by fingerlings. It was an outstanding highlight to the birthday event.

Even though summer is not officially over until the 21st of this month, the coolness during the day and evenings already feels like the onslaught of fall/winter. Today the sun is out, there is a condo sponsored “Cheeseburger” happening around the pool in a couple hours; however, I was just startled by a loud scream from a local who just jumped into the swimming pool. I think she’s practicing the art of “walking on water.” Must be my signal to get ready for more social happenings!