Ned Luce

It’s time to do some landscaping, right? 

It’s almost time to wash the car, right? (Might be a little cool for that yet.) 

It’s time get in shape with the new exercise machine, right? I will, right after I get the hip fixed! 

Yep, the spirit of spring is taking hold of us. Heck, NCAA basketball’s “March Madness” starts in a week. 

Many folks are also “chomping at the bit” to shed the COVID masks. However, as somebody told me, we actually need to get more prepared for the next variant so keep those masks handy. 

I think I will just err on the side of caution and wear the mask when I feel the least bit vulnerable no matter the mandate or CDC guidelines. Heck, some insensitive folks say the mask is an upgrade to my appearance.

Like maybe one or two of you, I am a fan of Duke University basketball and looked forward to the celebration at the last home game coached by Mike Krzyzewski. It was Saturday afternoon and was played against fierce rival University of North Carolina. Sadly, UNC won the game, thereby spoiling a storybook ending to the coach’s career in Cameron Stadium. He will continue to coach Duke in the Atlantic Coast Conference playoffs and the NCAA playoffs this year so the season is not over, just the home games. 

I told BJ the only event sadder than the outcome of the Duke game would be if DePauw beat Wabash in the Monon Bell Game. (Look it up if you are not a regular reader of this column.)

A friend told me that Friday afternoons featured some mellow music and good wine at the Port Townsend Winery tasing room in downtown PT. We went and enjoyed some good folk music and some nice wine as well as encountering Port Ludlow local Gil Skinner and our friend Yvonne Starkey. 

We were inside but it was also a pleasant afternoon outside and some folks were enjoying the view of the bay with a glass of wine on the adjacent plaza. When the weather turns somewhat warmer that location will be the neatest place to be within 100 miles of here.  

On the subject of live music(?), my friend Isaiah Mason is part of a hip hop collective of six called “3sixx0.” 

They are some young folks trying to get their name out into the ether doing something they love. They claim to make all kinds of music as they are still exploring their creative sides. 

The show is on Saturday at the Anchor in downtown Port Townsend at 9 p.m. (Isn’t that almost bedtime?) 

BJ and I would never be convicted of searching for hip hop music and, in fact, we are otherwise committed for this Saturday evening at the Port Ludlow Players’ performance of “The Outsiders.” However, if we were available, we would make an effort to head over the Anchor and support young local talent! Probably. 

We had another fine breakfast at Dusty Green on Sunday joining friends Fran and Steve Gross for eggs, pancakes, coffee, and good conversation. 

There were not as many folks in the restaurant as there should be, but there were more folks on the golf course than we have seen for quite some time. I suppose the cool but sunny weather got them out there. The nice weather recently found us buying a few new bushes for the front yard. With some luck they will be planted this week and achieve the “mature landscaping” look noted by the real estate folks. 

It is impossible for me to imagine what the people of Ukraine are experiencing. However, their surprisingly successful struggle has reminded me of a quote attributed to legendary football coach Lou Holtz: “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” 

Reports lead me to conclude the Ukrainians are winning many more of the days than expected due to their motivation and attitude. 

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week! 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident who likes his hip hop old school-style, fo shizzle. Contact Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)