Huli drill

The Habu Sake dragon boat team had their annual practise/huli drill/BBQ on Sunday. A Huli drill is a safety drill which involves capsizing the boat, righting it, getting the water out, then getting back in. Rough water made the drill difficult and it was necessary to pull the boat towards shore before getting all the water out. While this was all happening, a Seattle police boat and coast guard copter showed up to make sure no one was drowning!

And where was I during all this excitement? Well, teammate Georgine was going to leave her sweet dog Kai in the hot car so I of course insisted on babysitting. Kai and I had a great time watching from shore!

JA Jance book signing at Third Place Books Commons

My favorite author started out her book signing tour for Queen of the Night here in Seattle. New book is the fourth Walker family story, which is the only series of hers which is not exactly a mystery. I think it could be classified more as a thriller.

She said of all her books/characters this series has the most of her and her life in it. She was stalked by a psychopath years ago, just like her character Diana Walker. She was kept out of the creative writing program at Arizona State U, just like her character. Both also had alcoholic first husbands. She actually started writing poetry secretly when this first husband told her there could only be one writer in the family! He got into the creative writing program that she was kept out of.

She was incredibly nice! We talked blogging, book clubs and call center work! I also told her I would give the first three Walker family stories another chance. My first impression years ago was that they were way too dark! Somehow knowing that this darkness was based on reality makes it more palatable. Perhaps, knowing that it wasn't conjured up just for the shock value makes the difference.

Happy Birthday Liam Walter!

Niece Erin in Texas welcomed this new arrival about noon today via C-section. Much love and happiness to the whole family.

Book club

Had the chance to catch up with the book club ladies at Third Place Commons. So wonderful to hear the latest news in everyone's lives. We are are keeping busy with families, jobs, trips etc. We missed our absent bookclub ladies. Had the chance to say hello to Mary's daughter - what a great young lady.

Oh yeah, we talked books and movies too. Jan put the "minutes" on her blog. I will post our future selections on the book club reading list at the bottom of this blog.

Happiness is great books and even better company!

Habu Sake dragon boat team getting ready for practice

Colors of Freedom 4th of July Parade, Everett WA

Beau's drum and bugle corps, the Cascades, brought up the end of the parade yesterday. They sounded and looked great in the new uniforms. First DCI competition tonight in Pasco.

Saturday evening at the kennel

Speed is recovering a major leg injury and being confined to a crate to keep him from moving around too much.

Volt is recovering from his most recent seizures.

And Miss Kitty just looks marvelous with those adorable ears!