Nasty Rumor - ExMayor Hession and family to move to Campbell House...

My family and I paid a visit to the Campbell House at the MAC today. Always a treat. We did so, this year, because Dennis Hession, now CEO of MAC, announced that, because of budget constraints, MAC would soon be closing Campbell House to the public.

During this time of year, "they" like to involve the public in a "living history" motif throughout the mansion. It's fun (except for the witchcraft trial thing, I never understood this connection) and you learn a lot.

We "overheard" this sotto voce exchange between the hunchback butler (nice job by the way) and the Pakistani maid/burlesque dancer as they were fluffing Mr. Campbell's (RIP) pillow.

Butler: 'Tis a shame that the olde mansion will be closing soon.

Maid: Aye. I only hope that Mr and Mrs Hession will be as benevolent as our current employer who died 100 years or so ago.

Butler: All I know is that the shag carpeting that is waiting to be installed is surely most foul.

And on and on. I don't think this is funny. It is legendary how much time that Mayor Hession devoted to his duties at city hall. If it is true that he and the missus are moving to the exhibit, it only makes sense because he is probably working there 24/7, anyway.

I would certainly can the hunchback. The maid made very good hot chocolate however. Yum.

Turkey Trot!

A perfect day for running! The Turkey Trot is the funnest thing about Thanksgiving since Squanto convinced the Puritans that popping kernels of corn were actually demons which would possess their children if they did not worship satan.

It's a mighty melange of walkers and runners of all stripes. Strollers abound and so do dogs on leashes. Money and food is hauled in for Second Harvest. Everybody is in a festive mood. No registration. No official times. For some, no official course.

It's another great Spokane tradition!

Remembering the Sock Monkey...

We were doing some remembering of a fire we had on the east side of town, years ago. It was mostly in the attic above a garage. I got up into the scuttle hole and was crawling around, putting it out. Someone above me was cutting a hole inches above my head to ventilate. It was really hot, but became much hotter as burning pieces of freshly chainsawed roof were falling on the back of my turnout coat. Ouch.

But, I was the lucky one. This little fellow didn't have a chance. Imagine if there were feet in those socks.

For the rest of that summer, it seems like sock monkeys, as well as stuffed animals of the plush variety were turning up at almost every house fire.

Sock Monkey R.I.P. We'll always remember you with a smile on your face.

Cork & Keg

Went to the Cork and Keg Festival last night. We hadn't done that in five years or so. Last time, Sarah and I walked to it, but this year's was in the valley, so we had to drive. Our friend was in from D.C., and he is a Washington wine fan. In fact, I don't know anyone who is a bigger cheerleader for WA wines than him. It borders upon obsession, me thinks. It worked out well that he was here for Cork and Keg... kind of.

Spokane has great wineries. We usually visit them all at least a couple of times a year. We always drink WA wines at our home and many are from Spokane wineries.

This was a short midweek visit from my friend, so we were only able to hit a few wineries before the festival. We had to drive up to Green Bluff and visit Townshend yesterday because we knew they weren't going to be at the Cork and Keg. As always, this winery visit was great. Jill is consistently a great host. The atmosphere is relaxed but not sleepy. It's a fun place. Townshend has a nice selection of gizmos and trinkets, but it isn't a gift shop that moonlights as a winery. Some places are. Townshend has a great variety of wines too. All are very good to excellent (in my opinion). You will buy at least one bottle there. The wine is that good. Most walk out with a case.

The majority of Spokane wineries are like Townshend - great places to visit - comfortable, friendly, relaxed and educational.

The Cork and Keg is what it is. It is almost the opposite of visiting a Spokane winery.

It's not really the festival's fault. It's just that there's a loud multitude of people - all scrambling to get their $40 worth of wine, beer and food. The vendors are friendly, but it's a frenzy - a packed frenzy.

I think it takes me five years to forget what bugs me about this wine (and beer) fest. I'll be back in 2013.

No Obama Equals Socialism!

Ah, Spokane Valley, you truly are not in the control group. This was by the Lowes on Sprague. Or maybe Obama isn't a socialist in the a.m. That must be it. Don't forget to send in your Haiku (see post below).

Evolution?

Spotted this at the McDonalds on Third. There is something about the restaurants on Third. They all have a dirty, desperate feel to them. Yet, the Taco Bell has tolled for me, many a time. I don't know if this "Easy Cheese" container is some sort of smear against the mayor of McDonalds. There is some cheese remaining in an ejaculated state right at the tip of the actuator/nozzle.

This snapshot reminds me of something you might see as a prompt for a creative writing exercise. So how about this. Let's keep it simple. Haiku. 5, 7, 5. Submit your Haiku as a comment and I will post it to the body of this text, as well. Or you can email me directly. Either way, I'll put it here:

Extreme Haiku Poetry Corner Place

Compressed curds and whey
Squirts puddles of pleasure and
Makes my smile orange.
Hank

Cold crusty ending
A dying breath calls out for
Its quarter-pound love
Nick

Mayor McCheese weeps
A Fillet O Fish was his
Was burgled, instead
Newsdredge

arches of gold lure me in
canned cheese seduces
but would you like fries with that?
Steve G.

Great weekend!

I can't remember a nicer weekend. Lots of visits from family and friends. Watched the cyclocross races at Liberty Lake. Walked up to The Scoop for ice cream and coffee. Nice runs and rides. Homebrew after the ride. All the while, the fall foliage provided an unbelievable backdrop!

Kendall Yards' First Residents!

Years ago when the Kendall Yard project was announced, and the city couldn't move fast enough to remove tax impediments for the struggling developer, so this great thing could rise out of the superfund site, I told friends, "I'll believe it when I see it." Well, last week I was proved wrong.

Carnies have moved into Kendall Yards. Unfortunately, they only stayed a couple of days, and now it looks like they are moving out.

Actually, the carnival was set up for a movie they are making in Spokane, Give 'em Abalone, Mahoney! They needed a bleak backdrop for a haunted carnival set.

Spoiler alert - Mr. Withers, final act.

Strange copy on a billboard.

"Todd is a single parent and proud father of his daughter, Ciara."

I don't know what this has to do with his work as a county commissioner. Maybe the wheat ties it all together in some subliminal message. I don't know.

The strangest thing about the line is that it mentions three times in one sentence that Mr. Mielke has fathered a child - single parent, proud father, his daughter. They really want to drive the point home - in a very over-the-top fashion. Why?

Is there some doubt that Todd could not procreate? Ciara looks like she is related to her dad.

The intent of this sign always leaves me flummoxed. Am I missing something here?

Very Sad...

Woke up this rainy, dreary morning to a heart-breaking sight on our kitchen window.

People, remember it's time to bring those yellow jackets (and their nests) inside for the winter. And let's not forget the black widow spiders and, their larger cousins, the venerable seagulls. Pest ownership has its responsibilities.

South Ben Burr Trail is all paved up... How about you?

They've built a lake next to it. It looks like they have put some sweet jet ski jumps in, as well.

A candidate with intestinal fortitude?

Saw this when out for a walk today. You could pile on the puns all day, I suppose.

Turmoil in their political home, I would imagine...

Observers of this yard have seen an escalation. A flag and garland for Obama. McCain got a bigger sign and a bigger pole (He probably needed it).

What's more telling is the back side of this sign. There's nothing behind McCain. Well, there you have it.

The music will be loud, out of necessity.

Back when mullets were first sprouting, I would cruise Riverside in my Chevy Vega, singing along with Foreigner on the radio. Back then, I never would have imagined that 1. we would have a casino in Spokane. 2. That FOREIGNER would be coming to it. 3. That the concert would be presented by the American Association of Retired Persons.

I suppose songs like: Urgent, Head Games, Cold as Ice, Double Vision and Died in Your Arms Tonight have taken on a whole new meaning with this concert. Rumor is that they have rewritten Blue Morning, Blue Day into Blue Morning, Blue Hair. I look forward to hearing their GILF take on that.

I might go. Although, I really don't like to drive at night, especially after the Dulcolax kicks in. PARTY ON!!

Spokefest - a huge success! And a side of rant...

Congratulations to the organizers and volunteers of Spokefest. Yesterday was a great day. The ride was beautiful. I couldn't believe how many people turned out. The newspaper said there were over 1200. Bikes ran the gamut - from tricked out Stingrays to some beautiful racing machines. It was fun running into old friends and meeting some new ones. A lot of folks had questions about the Xtracycle.

Anytime we can get a lot of bikes on the road, it's good for us cyclists. Also, it's good for Spokane's drivers. They get used to having to share the road, and the sight of a bicycle not on a sidewalk doesn't freak them out.

Which leads me to my rant. I've been seeing more and more nice bikes riding on sidewalks. We've all become long accustomed to the indigent, transient population wobbling around on sidewalks, but lately there have been well-dressed, obviously well-off bicyclists on their fancy cruisers blasting down the sidewalks downtown.

It really gets your attention when they use the crosswalk at about 15 MPH. Hey NumbNuts, no driver (or cyclist) is expecting a speeding bicyclist in a crosswalk. They expect a slow moving pedestrian. As a driver/rider checks to his left, you are not there. When he finishes his left hand turn, your bike is on his front bumper or wheel. And, it's your fault.

Stay on the street. There are times in the winter, or maybe during some road construction where you may be forced to to briefly get up on a sidewalk. Don't ride any faster than you can walk. It's your responsibility to not hit a pedestrian and to make sure cars see you. Get back on the street ASAP. Your best bet (and the legal thing to do) is to walk your bike, if you are forced onto a sidewalk.

If you are too frightened to ride your bike on the streets downtown, don't ride downtown. Better yet, conquer your fear and ride on some of the less busier routes and work your way up. Remember to claim the lane as your own. Watch for people pulling out of parking spots or those in zombie-mode looking for parking. Stay clear of opening car doors that will clothesline you. Generally, drivers are very courteous and will give you a wide berth. But, don't let down your guard.

Seeing all the cyclists yesterday leads me to believe that we are really on the verge of a cycling revolution in our town. Thanks to all who are making it happen!

I-Home 2Go - a sound system for your bike!

I've been using this for the past 3 or 4 months. Rechargeable batteries seem to last a very long time.



The remote attached to the stem is simple - volume, pause/play, F, R, but it works very well.


The whole thing comes with a charger, a carrying bag and the cage-esque device in which the device sits.

I try to keep it turned fairly low. It's far too easy to become obnoxious with it. And you can turn it up pretty loud. My youngest son and I went out late at night, this summer, and played old French songs softly while slowly pedaling about. I wonder what dreams were spurned as Charles Trenet drifted into the open windows of those who slumbered.

Here is the link to the manufacturer

A much nicer ride to Deep Creek!

Last year Sarah and I rode out to Deep Creek and the weather was inclement. 45 MPH winds and freezing rain.

This is the first time we we've ridden together there since then. Last year, I took the XtraCycle. This year, Sarah and I have faster rides. I am savoring these last hot days. It could stay like this for a very long time, as far as I'm concerned.

As seen Downtown...

Trying do THAT with a bicycle!

The bees are back!! Swarm now to protect Mayor Verner from nincompoops!!

For the past seven or eight years, we've had a vegetable garden in our front yard. It's a practicality issue - the backyard is far too shady. In the last few years, I've made a truce with the many flowers that sprout up and intermingle with the eggplant, beets and beans. Flowers are now very welcome. They also attract bees of all varieties that seem to enjoy pollinating my vegetables as much as they do the flowers.

Besides attracting honeybees, the conversations that you have while weeding, with walkers and cyclists who stop to chat, are great. Also, many of them don't mind taking a zucchini or some beets home with them. Fantastic!

Lately, there seems to be a new push for an "urban homestead" mentality. I like it. The rising price of fuel, scarcity of water and disconnect from where we get our food has driven much of this. It would be cool to have some bee hives in our yard, and more fruit trees.

Mayor Verner has been taking a lot of heat for her water conservation platform. I don't think the Spokesman-Review did her any favors in the way they framed her stance. But hey, they have never really liked Mary and that's how they do business. The letters to the editor have been especially angry. Cha ching!

Rumor is Mary has received some telephone threats against her person regarding her desire to move Spokane toward common sense in its water usage. I am sure the threats have been anonymous. Oh well, I am sure these irrational bullies are a miserable lot - no matter what.

All to say, putting in a vegetable/flower garden in your front yard is a great way to meet neighbors, save water, enjoy good food and do something "commonsensical" in a society that has, for a long time, favored the detrimental "nonsensical." Our dwindling bee population will thank you too.

If some of these anonymous cowards spent more time pulling weeds in their own garden - making it a better place, maybe they would think twice before threatening people who want to make Spokane a better place.

It's Back...

Well, whatever it is, it's back for Hoopfest weekend. I think the cement blocks for the guy wires holding up the mast is a change from last year. I will have to go back and look at old pictures. The whole thing is still unmarked. Definitely cell phone looking antennae.

















A nice juxtaposition with the Vietnam War Memorial.





If it is a Homeland Security thing for Hoopfest, Evildoers may have found its weak link, as it appears to be unplugged.






















I have never seen a receptacle like this at Miller's Hardware. It looks like you would have to special order it from Homeland Depot.