Even November is beautiful here in Pierce County. We took a nice drive from Tacoma’s to the Puyallup Valley with our cousin Jim. We drove along Pioneer and enjoyed the views of wetlands, farmland, sheep, and fall colors. We stopped at Watson’s Nursery to see their plants and holiday decorations and dine at Anton’s Café. […]
Blog
Letter: The State wants access to your newborn child
“Congratulations! You just had a baby. What’s that knock on the door? It’s a state inspector to make sure your home is suitable.” So begins the February 18, 2019 Podcast with Senator Shelly Short, Republican Floor Leader, 7th Washington Legislative District. The subject is the seemingly innocuous, ostensibly altruistic, so-called “Welcome to Washington Baby Act” […]
Across the Fence: Us and Them
Do you remember November 9, 1989? If you have a German background or were traveling there at the time, you will. Thirty years ago, the Wall in Berlin fell, the Iron Curtain was lifted, and apparently Communism as known in the Western world was defeated. This is what Germans will be celebrating this Saturday. But […]
Brisket Tacos and Ordering Out – Restaurant Reviews
Personally, cooking one dish for hours and hours like a good brisket is beyond my patience. Ordering out is a great way to supplement a dinner, whether it’s a family gathering or not. Recently for a Friday night dinner gathering I picked up brisket to go. My son Patrick does a great rub and his […]
Two for Two Shows and The Sizzler Restaurant Review
On preview night for “Shakespeare in Love” at Tacoma ARTS Live, my wife Peggy, was unable to see the play, so my cousin Lindy joined me for the excellent production. I wrote the review. For the Lakewood Playhouse production of “Pippi Longstocking,” Peg and I were both unable to attend the first weekend, so cousin […]
Steamer's Seafood Café Restaurant Review
I was sitting with Pumpkin Boy, our three foot tall Halloween decoration reading when my buddy Jim drove up and honked his horn. I hopped in his car and we took off for lunch. I gave him four choices. He chose Steamer’s Seafood Café by Titlow Beach. It was a gorgeous fall day. A collection […]
Across the Fence: Off the Grid
The other day, at a book stall at a fair, a fellow author was appalled that I didn’t have a Square to my phone to have potential customers pay with a debit or credit card. Her face fell even more when I told her that I didn’t even have a smart phone. “But you have […]
Letter: The Death of a Star, and a Child
One year ago today I visited the Planetarium at the invitation of my grandson with his sixth-grade advanced math class. What an awesome spectacle, an incredible adventure, to lean back, gaze at the curved ceiling and be transported to the very edge of the universe. Thanks to the astronomical – literally – capabilities of the […]
Down Home Cooking at Tim's Kitchen – Restaurant Review
In August I wrote an article asking for local suggestions on family style, down home cooking restaurants. The recommendations I received have been a great resource. Some I knew, some I had forgotten, and some were brand new to me. One of these was Tim’s Kitchen (Orting and Puyallup). Our three couple Sunday morning breakfast […]