Sunday, 16 September 2018
Sarah of the hilltop cottage had invited us to a party given by friends and former neighbours of hers. We knew it would be pleasant to visit anyone she likes, so despite my usual non-party mode, we decided to go.
I went into our garden to pick some flowers. My Lumix pocketcam is doing the oddest thing and randomly taking photos on its own when it is turned on. So it got this:
It is not set on burst or multiple photos…such a mystery. Click, click, utterly randomly timed click.
We’d had this much rain since yesterday:
I went into the greenhouse to pick some tomatoes on my last plant and had to move a spider to get in. She had started her web again by the time I had the tomatoes picked.
I am always in a rush when going out and I don’t pick a good backdrop for a bouquet photo.
And off we went.
The sign at the party location had a meaning that went right over my head.
As soon as we arrived at the little brown cottage where the party was held, Sarah appeared and also someone I fell in love with immediately: Bismarck, a huge and adorable Newfoundland.
A random camera click caught our host, Marty, in a welcoming pose.
There was also a kitty.
And another sweet dog, Lefty, so named because that is the paw she lifts to shake.
I was smitten with the little pond by the garage. It is made from a swoopy shaped plastic pond just like the one I gave away because I could not figure out how to make it look natural.
I clearly did not try hard enough.
Our hosts Marty and Bob had provided delicious burgers and sides for party food. Because the weather had been predicted to be rainy, we dined at two tables in the tropically decorated garage with the big door open.
I learned that Bismarck is ten and has been part of the household since a few months old.
During after-lunch chatter, I learned that several guests were Sherlock Holmesians and had been attending a Holmes convention in Astoria, had walked around Astoria in costume and that the Andaman Island Resort sign refers to a Holmes story, The Sign of the Four.
I have to confess that I never managed to read all of Conan Doyle’s Holmes stories. I have loved various incarnation of Holmes on telly, my favourite being Jeremy Brett.
And Tom Baker, my favourite Doctor.
After some literary conversation (with me just listening), I went out to take a turn around the garden.
In the back yard, Bob built an impressive walkway and stairs going down the steep hill.
My nutty camera caught my hesitation.
Bob’s plan is to have a waterfall going down next to the stairs.
I returned to the party and Allan set off to see the boardwalk and stairs. He was impressed with the construction
During the talk about costuming and Sherlock Holmes, we had been shown a whole shelf of boxes labeled “costumes”. I had a feeling that Marty and Bob might enjoy Halloween in Ilwaco so invited them to our second annual party, hosted by Tony and Scott at our house, saying they would not have to dress in costume. Marty’s funny response was something like try to KEEP her from dressing up in a costume. I do hope they come.
On the way home, we drove by the port gardens so I could assess their condition. A new sailboat had appeared in the boatyard, perfect for sailing off to Andaman Island.
For the rest of the day, I journeyed into the past with the third memoir/garden book by Marion Cran, The Story of My Ruin.
Marion on creativity in the garden (written in 1924; she knew plenty of women gardeners):
Tom Baker was a great Dr. Who. I haven’t watched the series in a long time, since Colin Baker was Dr. Who. I should go back and start over from the beginning with that series.
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Somehow this ended up in spam, glad I found and rescued it! The old DW episodes were very long, stretched out over many parts. I stopped watching partway through the Colin Baker years, then took it up again with the new series years later. I am a year behind at the moment.
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The party looks fun! Love the impressive “Marty’s Landing.” Bismarck is a beautiful Newfoundland. Our first dog as a married couple was a Newfoundland. Shana was a sweet, gentle giant, and wonderful with our young boys.
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They are my favourite breed of dog. Yours sounds lovely.
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I prefer the Sherlock books to any film or TV adaptation that I have seen.
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I do mean to return to the book one of these days. I have it in my bookcase. Thanks, Mr T, for the encouragement.
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You do look like the life of the party more so than I would. I would have left immediately to tour the garden. A Halloween party?! That’s one type of party I’d enjoy. If only you were around the corner . . .
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I do so wish you could come to Halloween.
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