So, there is a presidential campaign running for “joy.” It can’t be as important as the oily ducks promoting “dawn.” If you don’t understand it, you need to watch more dishwashing soap commercials. The commercials for “Joy” soap seem to be more straightforward; it washes pots and pans, period.

Back to the topic of joy:  Mitch and Karen Brennan hosted a school year kickoff party for the Chimacum teachers at their home on Marrowstone. They included the Rotary Club in the invitation, so BJ and I motored out to the hinterlands of Northern Marrowstone for a little pot luck food. Mitch is a horn playing member of the “Unexpected Brass Band” which showed up, as expected, and entertained the crowd of folks almost as joyful as all the local students about school starting.

BJ and I went to the Ajax restaurant in Port Hadlock for a delightful meal with Linda and Bob Shaw. We had not been there in quite some time, and I really enjoyed the Lamb Boulonnaise, one of the specials. It was incredibly tasty and I joyfully enjoyed it for dinner and then whilst I tried to sleep. I should have ingested only half, saving the other half to enjoy the next day. 

Whilst on vacation recently I sat down on the side of a kayak and seemed to have bruised my piriformis muscle, hence precipitating the retrieval of my cane from the closet for a few days. In addition, I am back down at Active Life for some physical therapy. One of my regular helpers at Active Life is Dr. Rayanne Garcia. She has decided to move to Norway to follow her boyfriend so there could  be some additional joy in her life. I suggested she talk to BJ because BJ pulled a similar move in 1967 when she moved from St. Louis to Cleveland to follow me. Just ask her how much joy that brought her.

If anybody cares, there ain’t much joy in my lower back and upper leg.

My last column described my time in the Navy while the US joyously landed on the moon in 1969. A friend of mine tells me that they are not sure we actually did it. Doesn’t it seem like a long time to hide that secret?

I went to the Jefferson Community Foundation open house in their new digs on Rhody Drive/Route 20 heading into Port Townsend. I have been involved in one way or another with the foundation since Carla Caldwell and Herb Cook plied me with coffee to join the board over 10 years ago. I am no longer on the board but both the current executive director and I are joyous about their new location!

A couple of grandsons, and their parents, were in town last weekend on their way to hook up with friends to camp out in the national park. They joyously left the dog with us. Actually, given that my athletic skills have been hindered by the aforementioned piriformis problem, the grandsons helped put up flags and did a couple of chores around the house, both electronic and physical. And, how about all those U.S. flags flying free in the beautiful weather? That has got to bring you some joy.

Regular readers know I do take joy in music and there has been plenty to be joyous about this summer. There was the free concert put on by the Port Ludlow Performing Arts. There were two concerts this summer on the lawn behind the Beach Club. There were plenty of concerts in Port Townsend, Marrowstone Island, Sequim and Port Angeles.

Finally, back to the beginning. The “Dawn” does bring on much “Joy,” as long as you are awake! That would be weird.

ned@ptleader.com