Ned Luce

Well, you would think the pandemic is over. Frankly, here in Jefferson County it is just about over for any citizen who got vaccinated. 

Probably not so much in Southwestern Missouri where the vaccination rate barely exceeds 30 percent.

As I noted in last week’s column the activity level around here is really ramping up. 

It appears the automobile traffic on Highways 19 and 104 is substantially higher than I have seen ever. The tourists and “second home” owners are out in force. Just in time for all their visiting is the dreaded “chip and seal” project on Beaver Valley Road, Highway 19. Yep, you will enjoy all that tar on your new car.

BJ took the Port Townsend ferry with six other women for an art project in Coupeville. All reports are that even the non-artists had a great time. 

There was a follow-up activity at home involving rinsing the scarf they each made. BJ claims that her faded scarf is due to the double rinse she put the scarf through. 

I really suspect that a fashion scarf was not the real objective for her, though. For her it involved more lady fun. She did note that the ferry was full.

Our 13-year-old grandson and his friend took the Edmonds ferry to Kingston where we retrieved them to come here to swim with BJ at the Beach Club. He also reports a full ferry. The 8-year-old grandson arrives next week for sailing camp. 

My friend Mike Kenna and I went to lunch last week and found the first two restaurants closed, the third one with a 90-minute wait, and finally available seats at the Old Whiskey Mill in Port Townsend. 

Friends, it is so obvious to me that if you want a job that opportunities are everywhere. Almost every business needs help. Yep, I know that available housing for workers is an issue and I also know there are lots of folks working on it. 

A recent example is Jean Holtz who publicized her project last weekend to collect shoes and tents(?) for homeless and low-income men. 

I met her down in the parking lot next to the convenience store with my contribution and noted she already had about a dozen pairs of shoes. She told me she tries to provide help in the area for those economically struggling, including veterans. Her main outlet sounds like it is at the Community United Methodist Church in Port Hadlock.  

We went to an anniversary party celebrating the wedding of friends. No, it was not the 75th wedding anniversary of Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter with 300 of their friends and entertainment by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood. It was the third anniversary of Steve and Fran Gross with entertainment by Vic Draper and me. Call if you want to book us. 

Ann Burrell-Smith wore her newly created scarf from Coupeville.

In our life one could also call this the summer of multiple maintenance projects. 

The house is getting painted and the windows are getting washed. BJ got an ablation done on each side of her back as she continues to walk, work out with TJ Plastow’s class down at the Marina, and swim now that the pools are opened up. I seem to have an annual plan down at Active Life Physical Therapy going from back to hip to now shoulder issues.  

So, I have now come to the realization that as you get older you don’t actually figure anything out. You just don’t have the energy to care anymore!

Love a curmudgeon and have a great week. 

(Ned Luce is a retired IBM executive and Port Ludlow resident. And thanks to his frequent visits to Active Life, he’s no longer known as “Mr. Porsche” but “PT Cruiser.” Reach Ned at ned@ptleader.com.)