Ned Luce

OK, the roses come first.

The Rotary Rose project under the aromatic leadership of TJ Plastow and Frank Trafton came to a pandemically influenced yet beautiful conclusion with the delivery of almost 250 dozen roses.

Rotarian Dr. Stephen Porter of “Port Ludlow Dentistry” purchased 20 dozen for the Dove House in Port Townsend and I am privileged to deliver them since I have other rose delivery stops in Port Townsend.

I say I am privileged to deliver these roses to the Dove House because the staff expresses much appreciation for them and they distribute the roses to folks at the Dove House who are likewise appreciative. The Printery and Mike Kenna purchase five dozen for the staff. The staff at this fine publication also get five dozen.

Brian Kelly was encouraged to take a dozen red roses home to his wife who he thought might wonder for what sin he was atoning. Since she is a fan of the KU Jayhawks I told him to tell her the roses were KU red.

Then it was off to Circle and Square where owner Loy Drinkard still owed me $25 for his dozen and of course he was on the phone and unavailable when I arrived.

Do not fret, he was true to his word and sent me a check for $25 in spite of my pleas for $175.

This activity is always educational for me as I get to explore routes to places like Polly Peters’ home up off Bywater Way and then visit with Bev Rothenborg about the return of the concerts in the barn.

Marie Peterson was not in her office when I delivered the roses but not to worry, the door was unlocked. The walkway up to Peggy Kulms place harbored a friendly(?) snake which was apparently well known to Peggy. Linda Haskin moved to Sequim but she purchased four dozen roses on her way out which I delivered to four of her friends giving me four new friends when I delivered them! Judi Smith did the same but I already knew her four friends.

Steve Gross buys three dozen every year, one for Fran and two friends.

In retrospect I think I have turned into a floral delivery service.

Now for the wine, “rose” wine that is. Recent new residents, Geoff and Cindy Charlton, moved from Tacoma and brought their interest and oenological expertise with them. That is to say they are putting together wine tastings in their home sharing information about various wines. BJ and I went to spend the evening with them along with a few others, one being Peggy Kulm without the snake. (No, she wouldn’t bring a snake.)

The subject wine for the evening was “rose” wines and I found it very interesting as Geoff went over the different regions in France and the different tastes of the “rose” wines from those regions. Cindy then presented several complimenting cheeses with some tasty jellies.

After the wine and cheese, we took some time for socializing. Nancy Peterson and I had a lengthy and interesting conversation about her involvement in music and improvisational theatre or improv.

She has been in Port Ludlow for many years having moved here after a music education career in Southern California. She is now in several woodwind performance groups including “Toot Sweet.” This group includes members from Poulsbo and Sequim as well as Nancy here in Port Ludlow. 

BJ likes the Rotary Club’s rose sale each year and, in spite of the evening at the Charlton’s with “rose” wines she is still more a fan of red wine. In fact, she has adopted a message from a well-known poster as a mantra encompassing both products. “Roses are red. So is my wine. Refill my glass and we will be just fine.”

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week.

(Would a rose delivered by any other name  still smell as sweet as the blooms brought by Ned? We think not. Contact Port Ludlow resident Ned Luce at ned@ptleader.com.)