Artists' Point opened today so we decided to go up to the mountain. Dave was visiting us and really liked the idea so the three of us set out. The weather was quite good but seemed to be getting a bit more iffy the closer we got. When we got up to the parking lot the mountains hid in the fog. On the way down they came out for a photo session before it began to rain in earnest. We stopped at Milano's for a yummy late afternoon dinner on the way home. It was a good day.
Yesterday we went to my painting and book group friend Donna's house for a pig roast. Everybody brought food to accompany the roasting pig that had been cooking for a day. The meat was totally amazing, very moist and sweet. Arvin fired his canon (with blanks of course) to celebrate the day.
Yesterday we attended the completion ceremony for the river canoe that Felix Solomon created from a 400 year old cedar for the Stillaguamish Tribe. The ceremony began with music, a native flute song and a sung invocation. There were gifts to the many who helped Felix with the project. The canoe was unveiled and presented to the leader of the Stillaguamish council. He was the one who came up with the idea of creating a new canoe after 100 years without one. He commissioned Felix Solomon, renowned Lummi carver, to carve the canoe. The tree used was an ancient cedar that was 300 years old when it was felled and used as part of a logging road. It stayed there for 100 years before its discovery and acquisition by the tribe. So a tree that stood while the ancestors of both the Lummi and the Stillaguamish were living near it gained new life as a river canoe. This was a celebration of that new life.
Steve and I played Carcassonne this afternoon. Later Dave joined us for a siblings' game.
Tonight the Bellingham Festival of Music presented another wonderful concert. Heidi Grant Murphy sang some of Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne. Joe Robinson played a piece by Francaix. And the Festival Chorus joined the orchestra and Heidi for a performance of Poulenc's Gloria. Michael Palmer did his usual masterful job of conducting it all. I did a quick grab of a photo during the final movement of the Gloria. The picture above is the orchestra getting ready to start the concert. Larry Knopp, the trumpet player who is staying with us is in the back to the right.
The Snake Lily flowers are drooping and fading fast. The flies did their work and seeds will appear in fall. Interestingly the plant stopped smelling bad after the first day. Seems that when the job is done it does not care to attract flies any longer. Good for us. I find it quite beautiful even though it is way past its prime.
We went to the Bellingham Farmers' Market today for the first time this year. It was a perfect day, warm but not too hot. We walked around, bought some fruit and a great planter made of an old oak chair, and made and drank a juice drink using a bicycle. We stopped and talked with new friends and old including Pat's daughter Cindy. With her was her sleeping grandson in his Mr. Amazing shirt. We had a wonderful time. We've got to remember to go as often as we can.
Scooter is Dave and Nora's cat. We stopped at their house after Rick and Judy's party to talk and play games. Scooter was settled in his favorite spot on the couch. He is one of the most affectionate cats I know. He was sitting comfortably holding his tail with his paws. Just had to take his picture.
Yesterday Arvin and I went to a great barbecue party at Rick and Judy's house. Rick was celebrating his retirement and everybody was having a great time. The weather was perfect. The barbecued kabobs were delicious. And the salads everybody brought were yummy. Congratulations Rick! And thanks for a great party.
