Last Friday we went to lunch at The Chart House on Terwilliger. This iconic restaurant’s location has some good memories for me. Before it was sold to Chart House in the 1980s it was known as Hillvilla. It was a popular place serving thousands each week. When I was about 10 years old my dad took me to a business function there, he was a sales manger for Metropolitan Life in those days – I wore a jacket and tie. I remember feeling quite proud since being there was an endorsement from dad that I could conduct myself appropriately in such a setting.

Since moving back from France I have wanted to go to The Chart House, so we finally made it. One of dad’s truisms was proven correct – “Anticipation is usually greater than realization.” The Chart House is just a tired old restaurant. They were understaffed, our server was great, but certainly stretched thin. The exhaust fans so loud we asked to be moved, and the food was good but not iconic. Even the chairs looked to be long overdue for a cleaning or reupholstering.

At the end of our lunch we went downstairs to the bar area, it was much quieter, and may entice us back for some oysters, bubbles, and the view of Mt. Hood on a clear day. But, as I have reflected on it I realize it was that space down there where I went with my dad, so deffinitly do want to return for that.

Sunday we went to an open house at Alliance Française, a French language and culture organization. I have been on their international mailing list since our time in France. The open house was nothing too great, but we did make connection and will most likely attend a social function in the future. It would be nice to meet up with some folks who have had similar experiences to ours.

On Monday and Tuesday we tackled box sorting. After we moved in and got all of the important things unpacked we had 21 boxes that we just closed up and shoved in a closet, we are now down to 7. One of the questions that we kept asking was, “why…?”

For me I was reminded why I took up digital art in the first place, I have so many sketchbooks. Someday I will be gone and I am sure, that unlike Van Gogh, my art will not be worth millions, but instead someone, my kids, will have the onerous task of sorting. And they will have to deal with the guilt of what to give away, throw away, or keep. So I give them complet freedom to just dump whatever you want, I will not come back to haunt you.

It is for this reason that I will part with most any of my art for very little compensation these days, do not be afraid to ask, first come first sent.

Tuesday I set up my oils in the window again, it was good to get back to painting – even if it does produce yet another panel for storage.

One of our favorite places in the world, no suprise to followers of our blogs, is the Oyster Bar on Chukanut drive in Washington. The view of the Salish Sea, the islands, and Taylor’s oyster beds is always stunning.

Yesterday Tricia went to lunch with her bookclub at – get this – The Chart House. Life is full of fun is it not. Me, well I stayed home. I made a sort of chili thing – for all you UK influenced readers this chili here is in the South West style, not a Brit chili. Then I settled in to watch a replay of France vs. Scotland in the Six Nations Rugby.

So it was a good week, even the rains didn’t dampen my sprits, and for the most part I was able to keep the rest of the negativity at bay. I hope you are doing so as well and finding some joy in your days.

As always keep on traveling and sketching along the way.