We 3 (had a nice time)

       Not long ago my sister, brother and I gathered to meet the Estate attorneys. It's been (what seems like) a long process even though our parents prepared well for the day when they would no longer be with us. Certainly much of what we feel is their absence, and missing their wisdom.  When faced with our new collective, we are uncertain, unsteady.  Arranging meeting times with Sis having to drive the longest distance, keeping my brother awake (seems to be the fallback rather than dealing with the pain of it all- "I need to sleep")  though most of the meetings only required him to walk down his stairs, made getting to this point a journey.

        On this day after a drive to Marin and a good appointment (after a shaky start), instead of immediately heading back home, we adjourned to my  suggestion to drive a short distance to Mill Valley.  We went to Punjabi's Burritos.  A little bit from the norm, certainly for Mike- more of a place that Hingee might enjoy but Mike was willing.  The sun was out, with a cool breeze especially in the shade.  We ordered, I grabbed a couple of jackets, and a cup of coffee back to the table as had the best time together- emphasis on together in years.  After a walk through downtown to the bookstore, and only then a drive back home.

cool cat with the axe (Fender Bugs model) is me

        Funny thing- advice from within my cab ride that morning- my driver emphasized the importance of his family, no matter what.  No matter the differences, obstacles, seemingly unreasonable behavior.  On this night our parents would have smiled, content that their children were family.

MIchael Sachar

   Friday  I attended the memorial service for Michael Sachar.  Michael  along with his childhood friend Steven Fink started Double Rainbow Ice Cream in 1976.  If YouTube existed then, these guys probably would have been the first "Awed By A Double Rainbow" guys.  When the big bad wolf,  Haagen Daz monopolized the gourmet ice cream market, Double Rainbow sued them.   Most importantly to me, Michael was the first employer who provided health insurance for me and years later when I left, he provided- on his own- three more months of fully paid insurance. I appreciated the gesture then but only years later do I comprehend how unusual of a gift this was, nor has any employer offered anything close to Michael's generosity.

Michael and Steven

   Michael was the first employer who entrusted me with a grown up job as manager of one of his stores.  I had been working at the Polk Street store for 3 years for Sharone (2 years) who hired me and Tracey (1 year) when the opportunity came up.  In those five years this was the job where I had the most fun  (although I've been very lucky to work with great folks at Peet's,  Just Desserts and met great individuals at my other jobs) and there developing  lasting friendships, and most importantly this was time of my life where I found who I am.

   We would have regular lunches together where he mentored my professional development while also entertaining me with stories about his life, childhood and family.  Sometimes our discussions might venture to the abstract: the proper way to use a baseball bat if I ever needed to use it as a weapon or how in Brooklyn, the correct way to pronounce "cock-a-roaches".  Once Michael told me of how excited he was to be invited to his child's first week in preschool.  In a room behind one way glass, he sat proudly with other parents observing their children.  To Michael's dismay the entire time his son was touching himself.  Twenty five years later when I reminded Michael of this story he laughed and with great delight told me that Max had just won an Oscar for his work with Pixar.

     I had not seen him in 15-20 years when in the side area of the Banjo stage at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in 2011, I saw a distinctive looking man having a great time with his friends.  He recognized me first and was very happy to see me.  We caught up with stories of our families and between hand shakes and laughter, made plans to stay in contact.  I was happy that an event that provides me with the ultimate in joy was also a place where Michael experienced the same feelings.  And all was good in my Double Rainbow world, past and present.

    Michael Sachar died on July 23, 2013.  May he rest in peace. 
    

We Got Crabs!

    It's been awhile but at last the time was right to go crabbing again.  Although the weather promised to be a cold summer day, it wasn't unbearably cold.  The other folks crabbing on the dock were friendly and having fun.  Other people were curious  to see what critters were pulled up from the bay.  It isn't allowed to keep Dungeness crabs for they breed in this area, and any Red or Rock Crabs need to have a shell width size of at least 4 inches.  We have no interest in taking any with us anyway- just the joy of discovery, some temporary (and unwilling) pals, and then back to the water.   Hopefully they can lead the good life of an A-1 scavenger.

    Joined by our friends Michael and Z, it was bundle up, put some turkey or chicken meat into the pouch inside the net, and as you would a giant frisbee- fling the net into the water.  Have the net tied to a long chord and be sure that all legs and feet are free of the flight of the chord.  Wait 5-10 minutes and slowly pull up the net with hopeful anticipation.  We had a lucky day today with catches of 1, 3, 4, 3, 3 crabs on our five throws.  Plus the excitement of a big seal lion who would suddenly appear with a big whoosh and splash.  He or she may have been interested in the bait or the catches of the fishermen.  It seemed that the sea lion was also just curious and playful. Our last sighting he just floated beneath and watched.  On our last pull of the 4 pieces of chicken that were in the net, we noted there was only 1+ left, with our inner pouch torn open.

    Crabbing is a pretty easy thing to do, and fun.  Plus it was an activity my Dad used to do when he was much younger so I always feel a little bit connected to my past and history.  

pulling up #3

Dexter the brave, although a larger one got a good pinch out of him

hamming yes but note that I really am concerned that he's going to latch onto my nostrils

hey mister! throw me somethin'!

Michael attempting to convince that crabs are good playmates for little children

Z Crab King!

Styling with a Dungeness

         And after all that hard work, time to pack up, return home and drift off to a sweet lazy nap.

The Type Of Place You Wave To Big Boats

Seattle the carousel is a new addition-  good for we had no memory of it from last year

Edgewater Hotel, Seattle

Edgewater: this Priceline reservation worked out well, although overall difficult to get hotels in Seattle.  Also car rentals  variance was crazy in just a two day period (from $78 per night  to $12 the day before we left)

Waving to the big boat leaving dock

that big boat leaving dock

Friend and Ollie, Edgewater

Dozens of Jellies just below our room

may be the same type of jelly (i took this photo yesterday)

Dexter learns well on his own.  He didn't begin riding a bike until he was nine (just got on, and went) and swimming on his own began with confidence the last two years

how many swimming photos can one blog handle?

unfortunate choice of seating (not my fault)

remember how fond you guys were (are!) of each other

Top Pot, a very spacious donut shop lined with encyclopedias. Time also spent at the Elliott Bay bookstore and a record store nearby 

Safeco, Mariners beat the Indians 2-1.  Everything compared to AT&T is cheaper

Jason Giambi and Nick Swisher, teammates on the Indians

Oliver's amazing leaping catch

The stadium has a cool Mariners Hall of Fame exhibit, as well as a nod to the Tacoma Giants once was. Note the photo (T,L) of Juan Marichal and (B,R) of Gaylord Perry as youths in Tacoma.

brings his own lighting set

Seattle Public Sewer Tour

kind of wet this tour

dropped my glasses!

sad sight in Spokane; costumed Carl's Jr. person stumbling about in 95 degrees

   

Johnny and Alicia, Spokane July 21

     We left from Seattle Sunday morning for the 4.5 hour drive to Spokane, excited to attend the wedding of Johnny to Alicia.  Maria had communicated with Alicia via Facebook but we've never met her and were eager to meet the newest part of the family.  Also as Johnny has been away in the Air Force and overseas, we've felt out of touch.  Having this opportunity to go, we seized it.  Spokane is noticeably warmer- 95 degrees but not a painful 95.  A later afternoon wedding made for a beautiful event; the slightest breeze, a short and sweet ceremony and a friendly gathering of Johnny and Alicia's family and friends.  The event was held at a flower mill and was set in a lush field with stairs leading down from the street and above a stream. The water from the stream flowed strong.  I don't recall ever seeing Johnny nervous except for today- which was a good day to be nervous.  Later, Johnny said he really wasn't although his mother said he really was.

      The wedding was additionally great to be with Tim, Josh and Jackie, Mickey and Clark.  Enjoying their company and the experience together.  As the event (dictated by the Flower Mill) was only for 21 and over (Dexter was bummed), the flower girls were the Grandmothers- one who took the opportunity to have fun and ham up her role.  We took note of this as 21 years ago, when Johnny was a flower boy at our wedding (with Kevin)- Johnny fed by the laughter, also stole the show.  There's a photo here of Maria telling this story to Alicia's grandmother who seemed delighted to hear about it.

       Johnny has just accepted a job in the Bahamas and he and Alicia will be going by the end of the month.  We are very happy for them, and they seem very delighted to be together.  As two of those who bore witness to their official union on Sunday, we would definitely agree.  No better union than a good one.  Their subtle smiles run deep.