HALF-BAKED REUNION (The Siblings)

Well, Folks, you gotta agree, five is better than two, or even zero, when one is planning a reunion. Everyone didn’t show up, so the beauty of sharing, listening, watching, learning from one to another did not fully happen. Tuesday, June 22, 2010 to June 26 was half-baked so to speak. No one’s going to cry over that; moan a little maybe, but finally rejoicing in the realization of all the money we saved. After all, we few did take turns in taking the rest of us out to dinner; sometimes with coupons even! Yep, the rest of you kids who did not come can feel hungry, a little sad, and wistful for next time. Anyway, just know that you were missed!

Working backwards, I must say that the last adventure was just about the best with the Woods taking us all to the Long Beach Yacht Club where we watched with delight as glorious ships sailed by while beautiful people strolled the board walk. Then a trumpet blew, the flag was lowered on deck and all stood at attention, hand over heart, in what turned out to be a very emotional event.

The next amazing happening was the many white jacketed waiters seeming to out-number us few guests! Not bad. Good. More food to eat! And we took full advantage! Pete, having come from D.C., smiled and ate and ate the whole time, looking slim and trim. Must be some wicked diet!

The Blides (below, on left), as well as host, Fred, ate scrumptious prime rib surrounded by veggies and special potatoes, carefully saving room for desserts.

Nicholas, (two below) burgeoning administrator working on grad school plans, entertained us with his student stories while Penelope, as hostess, made sure that each had his/her time to shine. This is a Talking, Eating family.

Of course, much more than just eating kept us full of joy at the fun of sharing sibling time, here at Woods home.

Almost every day began with Bungee-walking to Peets’ Coffee House with outdoor patio, where Patti guzzled down beloved Coffee Lattes as others ordered their favorites. Then off for more adventures for all but Pete who spent much of his time at his work-out place, feeling the need to “pump iron,” tighten already flat abs, and bathe in the joy of sweat.

One especially enjoyed outing was the Nature Walk where the beauty of a California sunny day of turtles, birds of all kinds, lizards and gorgeous plantings made us happy to be alive!

Even log-sitting in the bright, but cool weather was special for the twins and camera man, Fred.

Perhaps the most enjoyable time for us five was from 5:00 pm on, when the group was all together for talking, reminiscing and dining.

The most amazing event for most, was Pete’s causing each of us to gawk and gasp in awe at the “Pete diet menu” brought by him, prepared by him, and eaten by him for what seemed hours at a time. The man never stopped eating, all the while exhibiting a most long, lean but muscular body. Which is to say Peter Blackledge has the secret to success in dieting in a way to out-do the evil cholesterol death knell and should write a book about it with photos of him working out and eating!

Cute, isn’t he? Guess he can just eat them veggies, drink that water and out live us all.

Life is good,

patricia of kalama

HAWAIIAN ESCAPE

With the promise of being ‘greeted’ by closely hugged coconuts above, froth-led beach waves splashing below, and the lure of new and luscious foods, Patti and Dick escaped the WA wind and rain for a February two weeks at Maui, Hawaii.

Following a 5 ½ hr. flight, Dick and Patti, per friend Betty’s suggestion, took a quick trip to Costco (yes, Costco is every where) to fill the rented car with veggies for sauté, steaks to grill, and fruits for breakfast smoothies, leaving of course, plenty of plans for surprises as to the Hawaiian fare.

We were happy to find that our ocean view bedroom condo actually had two full bathrooms with all amenities including washer/dryer, as well as a well-appointed kitchen.

Bright sunshine greeted us daily with only a couple of light rain hours; it was the unexpected that we still talk about.

We knew that February was the best time for whale breaching, but seeing so many so often was pure delight. We had opted not to go out in the boats this year, but watched from beaches where many other watchers gasped and pointed with us. It was interesting on conversing with others how many of them had selected visiting Hawaii at this time of year just for the whales.

Another unexpected experience was Patti’s initial snorkel adventure. Worrying somewhat on her first foray in some time, she carefully lowered her snorkel-hugged head. . .and then laughed out loud. . . under water. . .as three six-inch round but flat lavender-edged, purple fish rushed straight toward her goggles to check her out! From then on Patti joyfully remained face down several hours at three different beaches counting the differently shaped and brightly colored big and little fish. The huge brown lumpy fish (some with eye brows!) were hard to see among the rocks and corals as they were almost invisible via Nature’s disguise. Ain’t nature grand?

And then there was the Red Flag experience. Patti soon realized that there was a good reason for those red flags, some stuck in the beach sand three at a time. One very cool and windy day, Patti just couldn’t wait any longer and decided to give the flag warning a test, thinking that a strong swimmer need not worry. NOT! Those red flags mean what they indicate: UNDER TOW, UNDER TOW. Patti is now a swimmer with bowed head for more reasons than one.

And so, what does one do, instead? Ahhhh, sitting in a provided beach chair. . .on the edge of the ocean, high enough to watch without sitting/swimming/snorkeling in rough water is the answer.

And/or reading one of those great books brought for “just in case.”

Or one could simply spend “rough water” time, eating! And eating with beautiful birds visiting at these outdoor/indoor restaurants, such as Napili Bay, were a further treat!

And, oh yes! There’s eating, such as at Longhi’s, or in town meeting ‘solid’ citizens:

But the best of all was wonderful WALKING on the most beautiful of winding trails along roiling ocean waves at Kapalua Bay on the Coastal Trail which, when discovered by us, found us there almost daily, visiting our favorite coffee shop on the way.


Which leaves us with forever memories of the wonders of: Nature’s beauty, Nature’s caring for the living, and for Nature’s gentleness of powers. Which is to say,

LIFE IS GOOD

What Would We Do Without Cousins?

Thanksgiving (2009) was coming with no Siblings, Saplings (married to the Sibs, of course), nor Spores (children of said siblings, of course) nearby to share it. What to do? However, could we celebrate this family-oriented celebration without Family?

Enter the phone call. “We’re having (wife) Marilyn’s family over for Thanksgiving. Can you both come . . . with a dish?” Cousin Neil saved the day for us, and with extended family that we had wanted to get to know better. Relief! We were no longer orphans.

Yea! We found a family to take us in! We’ll just cook our latest Epicurious.com recipe of Key Lime Cake, and add on top of that, Emeril’s famous Cranberry Sauce. This will be fun!

And then the phone rang again.

“Hi, Blackledges. We Blackledges are coming up from Grants Pass to share Thanksgiving with daughter Tomi and family and we would love to stop by the next day to enjoy being with you and seeing your new home in Washington.”

“Wow,” I heard myself say. “Are you kidding? We would LOVE to have you visit the day after Thanksgiving. We’ll just have a light dinner to celebrate family after Thanksgiving.”
And so it was.

Patti with Mary Anne and John Blackledge

What would we do without Cousins?

Dick with Tomi and son Nick

We’re the richer for our two Thanksgivings. Mind you, the word works: Thanks . . . giving. And we are thankful.

Pagosa Revisited . . .in Kalama

Ah, it’s been many a moon since the “Dairy Queen Team” left Pagosa Springs, CO to visit, now in Kalama WA. That is to say two heroes of the Blide book, Heartfelt, reunited to enjoy reminiscing and remaking memories, many of them planned at the Pagosa Dairy Queen. . .which did not exist. But that’s another story. . .

When Ingrid and Doc Jim Knoll found their way following Jim’s “Locum Tenins” stint in California. . .up the coast to Patti and Doc Dick Blide’s “new” WA home of 4 years, they were reminded that it was Hallowe’en night. . .and so, were appropriately “knighted.”

The famous “Pagosa Stew” was served, followed by the charming “Posey Pot” (Oreos crushed to make “dirt” on vanilla ice cream, carefully “potted.”)

The ricochet-like memory talk was finally interrupted by yawns and reminders of tomorrow’s plan to visit the famous Multnomah Falls where we would Look, Climb, Eat, and Photograph:

And where these two photos were taken by Dick’s tiny Blackberry, saving the day due to Patti’s camera having been left at home! That’s we three up on the bridge, also!
If only we had photographed the yummy Sunday Brunch at the adjoining stone church-like-looking edifice. We four, I fear, ate for six.

The next day we went from the roar of cascading Falls to the roar of Mt. St. Helen’s eruption. But first we were gifted with Dick Blide’s famous Crab Cake dinner, seven layer salad and Key Lime Cake at home.
Luckily the Blide’s copy of “the real thing” of Mt. St. Helen’s eruption via DVD allowed us to stay at home that night by a cozy fire to watch the famous 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helen’s in all its beauty and “horror.” This film of before, during, and after, was riveting. We decided further, even though actual mountain visits were closed for the winter, we would visit that part of the mountain always open: The surrounding forestation terribly affected by previous lava flow:

Only Ingrid was brave enough to get down into the “hole” left by rushing lava many years ago, which flowed around trees, that later died, leaving these gaping holes and tunnels under ground.

Thank goodness for the meandering man-made wooden trail for us to use without danger of falling.

Our final day was, by comparison, “A Walk in the Park” at lovely Kalama Park on the Columbia River, recognized by its 4 “tiered” Totem Pole which is at least 150 feet high. The art work on wood reminds viewers that Kalama was “discovered” and built up by John Kalama of Hawaii.

Our evening visit was Dick’s favorite down town Portland spot, Portland City Bar and Grill sitting high atop the enchanting vista of busy and beautiful Portland right on the meandering Willamette River.

This photo of our chosen evening courses is as serene and lovely as the entire remembered visit.
Life is Good

WHEN YOU BUY THIS HOME ...

Custom Home For Sale: WA (Call- 800 435 6184 ext. 2045)

Note: We have now taken our home off the market due to: 1. Better health, 2. Poor real estate market.

Front View

Rear View

You will wake up in the morning and wonder what you’ll pick from your garden today.

• You will look out across the expansive Green Mountain vistas and wonder if the deer from yesterday will come to visit today.

• You will love going out on your back deck to see what new flora has blossomed, and then up the rock steps leading to wooded paths.

• You will drive 10 minutes to beautiful Kalama Park on the Columbia River to walk and watch the ships go by, realizing that many have just crossed the Pacific Ocean.

• You will love discovering little “pets” in the pond under your backyard waterfall where a school of goldfish dash out to great you, expecting to be fed!

• You will wonder where the sounds of day have gone. These sounds are not cars rushing, horns honking, voices digressing. They are birds chirping, water trickling over rocks, wind whistling in the trees. And at the end of the day ...

• You will even lie on your back, once in awhile, simply admiring your lovely beams and ceilings. You will see them everywhere throughout your new home.

• You will know that you made the right choice to live “free!” on the “edge” of Vancouver, WA,
devoid of traffic yet full of nature’s beauty, and the knowledge that you are a mere 25 minutes from Legacy Hospital and 40 minutes from flights out of PDX Airport. LIFE IS GOOD!

THE GIFT

This week (late June, ‘09) Dick and Patti received The Gift of adventure, beauty, and solace at Lake Tahoe, second home of Bob and Diana Nehls, including beautiful Molly who offered us her gifts as well.

Our adventure started with (ya gotta love it) food. And lots of it at the famous Harrah’s Casino where we first wowed ‘em with our combined “luck of the coin.” Which is to say we were amazed at how carefully and simply we “ca-chinged” our eight quarters, provided by Diana, to oblivion. We succeeded much better at eating.

Then, the next morning Diana and Patti lept up at an early hour to beat the “run on lanes.” Patti swam back stroke the whole time and was mesmerized by the huge, beautiful trees looking down on her in the perfectly warmed outdoor pool.

The afternoon found us picnicking and enjoying more beauty during our walk down on Lake Tahoe. The pristine water showed it’s three signature colors, starting with emerald green and ending with dark blue, according to the water’s depth.

The afternoon was prime with fascinating information about beautiful Estates built at Lake Tahoe during the eighteen hundreds and well taken care of for visitors to see today.

It was the HoneyMoon Cottage that was most “jaw dropping.”

Wednesday was “Drive Around the Lake” day. . .and boy, what a day it was with sumptuous eating, seeking and sun setting: The Sunny Side Restaurant, Dick seeking out a hoped-for cousin, Mike Blide, and our watching the sun set from the Nehls’ long-known friend at her private home on the beach:







But wait! There’s more, here at “the bottom” so to speak: Yes, it’s the famous Butt Bridge where people are always found bending over to witness the feeding battle between the ducks and the trout.



Perhaps the most interesting was driving through Truckee, California the occupational home for Superintendent of Schools, Bob Nehls and for School Nurse, Diana Nehls with their long-worked, high energy jobs in an area they knew and loved. It was here that Bob had met and told Dick about, Mike Blide, who wasn’t there when we were, but all was not in vain as Mike’s wife was there and cards were exchanged. Truckee turned out to be a lovely homey town with delightful memories for Diana and Bob.

Thursday became “ship day” with Diana’s making reservations for our 2½ hour-long fascinating sail on “The Tahoe Queen.”


The beauty of the area, especially Emerald Bay, along with an on-going “story” being told of the old days with the story-tellers dressed in old-timer’s garb, including fake mustaches and long dresses, made for excellent learning and beauty-loving. This was Dick’s favorite.

The evening took us away to another country! Mexican food at the Nehls’ favorite restaurant was the plan for our last evening at Tahoe. The Margaritas were of many colors and flavors and Patti’s Taco Salad was declared the best yet enjoyed. Could it get any better?

Yes, our last morning before leaving was the Nature Walk with one of the paths leading back to the lake. And yes, it was Patti’s favorite.

Maybe it was because she got to smell a tree, a Jeffery Pine, known for it’s unusual, yet delightful aroma; Butterscotch!


This tree has a history known to most that “Jeff” as I shall call him, was too huge and impossible to cut down when all trees around him were taken out for “progress.” “Jeff,” therefore will never be cut. He lives! Forever! As will our memories. Thanks, to the Nehls. 6/27/09