Good afternoon!

This pic also illustrates the difference between high and low tide. I took this at low tide standing at the water's edge looking back at the cabin. At high tide the water laps at the bottom of that rockery, or slightly up its face in a very high tide. The distance is probably 30 yards, give or take.

Sorry, no post this morning. Mark & I were on the golf course by 6:30, so the bakery waited until this afternoon. I haven't played since our church outing about 4 months ago and the rust clearly showed. A very nice course through the woods with narrow fairways and a dogleg on almost every hole. By the 15th hole I was starting to get my swing back, but by that time a decent score had disappeared out my rear view mirror. Even with a score so high I dare not speak its name, we had fun and the setting was beautiful.

Scott & Lora left for home (Spokane) right after lunch. He has to be at work tomorrow. Mimi won't return until Saturday and I will start my drive back to the airport at about 4:00 a.m. Saturday, so between now and then it's just my folks, Mark and me at the cabin. I'll try to get more pics for tomorrow morning's post, incl. some of my parents.
It's difficult to see them struggle with the actions and activities we take for granted. Makes me think of the final verses of Ecclesiastes. And I'm old enough to think about the reality that their present is likely my future, should God allow. Do I want to live with those restrictions? Uh, no. But if that's his plan I will do my best to be faithful.

We watched Palin's speech together last night. I was impressed. Of course the Democratic response has been predictable, but she seemed to be comfortable, natural and articulate. Yes, I realize that any politician's speech is carefully scripted and honed to the finest edge, but she's clearly no neophyte chosen as a token. Biden may be a policy wonk but he'd better mind his P's and Q's going into their debate or he could come out looking like a clumsy oaf, or worse, a mean spiritued bully. And I suspect she'll give as good as she gets.

We got two 24' runs of gutter up yesterday. As with most projects there's a learning curve, and the rest of the job would go twice as fast. But Mark needs to paint the fascia boards before putting the rest of it up, so I don't know if we'll do more or if Mark will tackle it with Mimi at some point in the future. The job requires at least four hands and two ladders.
We also got the hardware on the doors in the second cabin and the washer/dryer installed.
That, and we ate too much.
"OK you guys, this has to be finished tonight. So have more than that!"
Thus spoke Zaramother.
I have worked hard the last 6 weeks to lose extra fat and get as lean as possible, with considerable success. I'm afraid to go home and get on the scale. But have YOU ever tried saying "no" to my mother???
Besides, unless you've tasted her Dolly Bars and frosted brownies you don't know the meaning of the word "temptation."

OK, that will have to do for now. I'll be back in the morning with fresh pics and more from the beautiful PNW.