Steve Meets a New Friend

It really poured this morning. Helena and I had an appointment to make so we didn't really mind the rain. Ian and Arvin stayed home and enjoyed their time together while we were out. When we got home Marleni, our brand new house cleaner, had arrived and was busy at work. How great is that!?

We called Steve and he joined Ian, Helena, Arvin and me in lunch and then a game of Mexican train. Part way through the game the skies began to clear and soon the sun was shining. We all agreed to let the game sit while we all took a walk into Whatcom Falls Park.

Ian is the person who got me interested in birds. He is a super spotter and found several as we walked that I couldn't see until he pointed them out. We did the shorter loop and as we came back along Scudder Pond, I noticed movement in the grass near the edge. We all also spotted something hopping. The hopper was a large bullfrog who was nestled under some bushes up on the bank. He was fun to look at but too closely surrounded by greenery to get a good picture.

The movement I'd seen was a small snake. Steve loves reptiles and quickly caught the snake. Very soon it became quite docile and Steve showed it off for our cameras. I liked this view best. You can see more detail in the snake if you look at the large version. I considered using this photo and calling it "Steve Eats a New Friend" but decided not to.

We walked back home and Steve and I played Carcassonne while Arvin and Helena rested and Ian rode his bike down to the shop to buy a rack for the panniers he'd brought with him from home. You might wonder how somebody who lives in the Netherlands happens to have a bike at our house.

It all began about ten years ago when I was working at Whatcom Community College. Ian came to WCC as leader of a group of Dutch students who were studying to become English teachers. Whatcom had a special three week program for them. We agreed to be Ian's host family and we immediately hit it off famously. While there he went to Goodwill and for $9 bought an very old "new" bike. It had hardly been used but showed its age. He did what was needed to make it run well and used it as transportation. We added a bike hanger to our garage ceiling and he kept it hanging there every year until he returned the following year with students. When that ended we kept the bike and now he visits on holidays and always has transportation and a place to stay when he comes. He is now really one of the family.

About my brother Dave's surgery: today he was feeling very achy and his voice sounded rough. He told me that he hurts but is optimistic about the result of his surgery. He is glad that he had it and expects to be much improved once he heals a bit. He'll stay at least another day in the hospital and then most likely go home. That was good to know and I enjoyed speaking to him and my sister-in-law Nora on the phone.

Now it is quite late and I must head off to bed. It's been a very busy and satisfying day. Hope yours was too.