Wednesday brought blue skies, warm temps, and a calling from my smoker. I have not turned it on since moving here two years ago. The bottom is rusted out and the lava rocks are missing but it still holds heat and a foil pack of wood chips generate ample smoke.

I placed 11 pounds of chicken on the unit and held the temperature very low for six hours. The birds took on a mahogany color and light smokey flavor. Carl helped me pick the meat off after they cooled. I plan to build a smoked chicken salad with celery, nuts, and either apple or grapes.

My favorite rose bloomed today just outside my kitchen window. Between the mountains I view surounding Seattle and this rose, how can I not have a great day!

Today we celebrate Memorial Day with a family ride to the local zoo.

I set up all the bikes last night. When can all of my family run the same clipless pedals? I set up for Time, SPD, and rat traps. Between pumping up tires, adjusting seats, and changing pedals, I got a workout just getting ready. It is not a long ride but taking a family of five across several busy streets kept mom and dad on our toes.

Here is my proof we made it. It is difficult to ride the bikes past Red Mill Burger without complete chaos. I planned to stop on the way home.

Our theme at the zoo today was "Birds". You can click on each one for a larger picture. This was mom's first visit so we made the big loop and saw a little of everything. The crowds were light and the sun even came out for us.

Penguin swimming!

After the zoo we hit the hardware store for tomato fertilizer. I noticed that Ace Hardware was offering 9.5% off everything, and 20% off for veterans today. I don't think I want to be 20% off, I am unpaid as it is!

We rode by Red Mill but to my disappointment, they were closed this holiday. Sorry Veronica, you will have to wait for that promised burger. Perhaps I will grill burgers tonight. Judy's comment at the end of the ride was how wonderful it was! We all kept a tight group, nobody crashed, and no parking problems at the zoo. I call that a fantastic ride. For ride details, look me up on Strava. Thank you family.

Post written by Veronica:
The reason that this post must be written by me is because while there were two shows my father failed to show up at either. He didn't come to the first because he said he would come to the second and he didn't come to the second because his Haul Ash bike ride went longer then expected.
Anyway both performances went well and because it was a ROCK musical the songs in the musical consisted of; Stay'in Alive by the Bee Gees, True Blue by Madonna, Demons by Imagine Dragons and many others. I was mainly a back up singer/dancer (aka Doo-wop girl) but I also had a small speaking role as the captain of a ship the crashes before reaching land. The musical was Dracula but not being a main speaker I didn't really have a good idea of the plot line. I just know it had great music!

This photo was taken by my mother who went to the first show with my brothers. I am in the front row second to the right. My best friend Alicia is in the front row as well in the blue shirt. She got one of the lead roles but is a dude.
Dad has promised me he will take me out to lunch at Red mill burgers to make up for missing the show. I still love my father, maybe a little less.

On May 15th, Veronica ran in the All City Track Meet. She ran two events, the 400, and 1600 (mile). The 400 was tough with a time of 1:08. She came in about 5th and felt OK about it. Later she ran the 8th grade girls 1600!

This sequence shows the start, exit of first turn, and exit of second turn.

After the start she immediately got caught in traffic and fell to the back of the pack. In the second shot she is the far girl in the yellow jersey passing her teammate for 3rd. In the far right shot she takes the lead before the end of the first lap.

In this photo the starter is firing the gun signifying to the rest of the runners that the leader has started the final lap.
On this third lap (4 laps total) she opened up quite the lead. Veronica tells me she ran her own pace and felt worried her team mate would pass her, Veronica is not a strong sprinter at the finish... Well, nobody came close and guess what.

That is my girl. Veronica is the fastest 8th grade girl in Seattle running the mile! Great Job Veronica.

Today was the Whitman Middle School science fair. The top six projects in each grade will go on to the District Science Fair at the Museum of Flight next month. Guess who is going?

May is Bike to School month. We got a start today and put Étienne on the big red bike. Finally he can shift to a climbing gear for the hill! Notice how happy he is.

About two years ago Carl started wearing a watch. My only stipulation was that he wear an analog style. I think the first one lasted about a year and got lost. Last Christmas, grandma Nancy gave him a new one.

After five months it gave up the ghost. The crystal fogged after two months and last week it fractured. I am so proud of him wearing the watch regularly and knowing the accurate time, we replaced it today.

This time we selected one without a plastic crystal. New on this one is a stylish band. It is much more difficult to get on and off but comfortable. I wish it was about half an inch shorter. Once on and using the shortest clasp hole it does fit great. Carl, you are being vary responsible, enjoy the watch. Dad.

This Easter I rode the bike down to Golden Gardens for an informal sunrise service. I spent the Saturday before riding through the rain on a Ramrod Training Ride in Maple Valley.

Here is my proof that I actually made the short trek down to the beach. You can see the flame from our fire in the lower right hand corner. I rode a classic Bianchi with down-tube friction shifters and sew-up tires. Sweet ride.

Enough about my bike ride, this was an informal gathering about a firepit starting our Easter day.

Ten gathered reading the two traditional ELCA passages and sharing our thoughts. Of the ten, three participants were walk-ons that learned about our gathering just yesterday. Matt joined us for pancakes at BFL later in the day. What a great start to a beautiful day.

Today was the Easter Egg Hunt at Loyal Heights Community Center. We attended last year and had a great time! The hunt is for up to 10-year-olds, but because Carl has a February birthday he is already 11. His friend Dylan spent the night, and Steve did a 55-mile training ride with Dylan's parents this morning, so I took Étienne to the hunt while Veronica stayed home with Dylan and Carl (playing Minecraft), and everyone was happy.

Étienne lined up at the start...

The view of the field...

Grabbing Easter eggs!!

The rain held off until after we had walked home. It rained all morning and early afternoon (Steve had a very wet training ride), but now at 5:30 it's dry and windy while we are off to kindle the Easter fire at the Easter Vigil at Ballard First Lutheran at 7!

I really did settle in for a tall glass of beer to savor and reflect on Wednesday's outing so far. I enjoy these day trips with the family, especially taking a ferry to get out. With my National Park pass I am already planning to drive up Rainier. When will Veronica start driving so I can ride the bike up and meet them?

The beer selections at Village Pizza tended to pilsner and IPAs. The Possession Porter caught my eye as something to enjoy while taking in the views from our window table. The dark brown American Porter was full of flavor and left a mild nutty aftertaste. I think I will hit Chuck's Hop Shop and get a few bottles.

This is a separate entry because it took two days of research to find the beer. There are pictures of the restaurant menu but not the back side with the beer selections. Note to self, when I find something I really enjoy, take a picture and write it down.