Darrell is getting "Old" -- He Says

7th of May 2011; Grumpy's Castle --

Grand Mother and Darrell Leaving Hong's Garden

This day dawned with the realization that our "baby" son, Darrell, was (in his words!) "over the hill"; Darrell was 42 today! At his insistence, we had a quiet celebration -- with no "drama", that is, like surprise guests or any kind of big gathering. Instead, we met at Hong's Garden, a favorite eating place of our budding senior citizen.

Darrell opening card & presents

After filling our stomachs with the delicious dishes chosen by Darrell and his Nephew Ramiro, we retired to the Castle to open birthday cards and presents. Darrell was pleased to get a couple of fancy shirts and some holders for his numerous CD's and DVD's. Now if only he will use them!

Darrell poses with is glove

Finally, we opened the cake made especially for this day; no candles (too much drama) and no number to give away how ancient Darrell has become -- according to him! Later he confided to me that he realized that he was just half Grumpy's age! (Actually that occurred just about three months ago.)

As his Dad, I tease him about not being "in shape" while he maintains that he is slowing down because he is "getting old". Admittedly, Darrell has begun to show one of the signs of aging -- his beard has a dozen of so white strands in the center of his chin.

Last Day Together

3 May 2011; On the Road Again --

The last day before Uncle Bob and Aunt Adelaide had to board their flight to China, we took them on a day trip up to see the tulip fields on the Skagit Flats.

But first we had to have breakfast -- with lots and lots of coffee.

Coffee is the key ingredient to any breakfast food group

Cedar Stump remnant from logging heyday

Then, as we sped North to where the tulips hopefully would still be in bloom, we had to stop -- to look at an historic artifact of the early days of logging in this rain-soaked side of the Cascades, of course!

The tulip fields were not as impressive as in earlier years that Grumpy can recall. But a couple of places were worth driving by and we even stopped in to walk around the Roozengaarde gardens. Most disappointing for me was the fact that the sweet-smelling hyacinths were completely gone.

Ruth & Paul

Aunt Adelaide & Uncle Bob

Uncle Bob and Elynor

The highlight of the day was meeting Ruth and Paul at Ivar's-at-the-Landing in Mukilteo for an early seafood dinner. Due to Grumpy's poor communication ability, Susan and Steven didn't know they were also invited so they didn't join us.

A Gathering of the Local Zimmerman's

30 April 2011; South King County --

Uncle Bob and Aunt Adelaide honored us with a surprise visit this week. The occasion called for a quick gathering of those who were within minutes of a local venue where we could meet, eat and greet each other. 

(Clockwise) Theresa, Jim, Amelia, Ward, Elynor, Uncle Bob, Phyllis and Don

Chinese food seemed to agree with those who came and part of the attendees are shown in this photo, taken before most of the food had arrived.

(Clockwise) Grand Mother, Uncle Bob, Phyllis (hidden), Don, Lief, Angela, Theresa, Jim, Abigail, Amelia

Later, two more arrived and this photo showed the rest of the people after most of the food had been "disposed of".  Aunt Adelaide was not feeling "up to par" and so opted to rest while the rest of us ate and visited. We hope she gets to feeling better while they are here and we get to enjoy her company some more.

Paul Celebrates his 58th Birthday!

26 April 2011; Black Angus Restaurant --

The occasion of our Son-in-law reaching his 58th birthday called for a celebratory dinner, complete with red meat to satisfy the long-delayed reward for having endured surgically-rearranging some of his innermost parts. The Black Angus seemed most appropriate for this ostentatious event as it justifies as one of the best places in the Northwest to get real, honest-to-goodness fresh-tasting beef cooked to perfection. [Apologies to Canliss's -- the price for their view and name put them out of this "commoner's" budget.]

An Affectionate Moment

Paul, ever smiling and healthy-looking, defied his surgeon's advice against undertaking the digestion of this very solid food, afterwards demonstrated his survival by accepting a kiss from Ruth, his wife of several years. 

Later*, after finishing our dinners, including sharing some decadent deserts, we all sat in the Red Rocket to visit rather than endure the ever-chilling air outside.

Many happy returns of the day, Paul! Why don't we plan a repeat next year, maybe at Ivar's Fish House in Mukilteo?

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* The reason for lingering after we had left the restaurant was to await the coming of a "jump start", necessitated because of Grumpy's forgetfulness in turning off his headlights when we arrived at the appointed meeting place!