With our unwelcome viruses finally dismissed, we got back to doing the things we enjoy – food, friends, and getting out. Friday afternoon I took my Guerrilla Pochad box to The Fields Park, sat at a table and painted, even got a bit of sun on my arms, it was great. Tricia met up with me afterwards at our local spot, The Fields, which of course is quite close.

Saturday, we went to Alexis and Joe’s for brunch. It was so good to see them after being gone for two months. They made both sweet and savory crepes – a very French meal.

We discovered that The Pearl now has its own market on Sunday mornings, so we checked it out.

For our Sunday lunch main we had pistachio crusted cod, with a grilled artichoke. Our entrée was a long time favorite, polenta fries with truffle mayo.

On Tuesday, since we had a couple of coupons, we went to Jake’s for lunch. Tricia had cod, I had crawfish étouffée. When we saw the crawfish perched like this we both, instantly, thought of a scene in a movie. The only clue is Whoopee, Kevin, Sally, and 1980s. Can you guess?

That afternoon I did a sketch of the floral shop that is just in the next block.

Tuesday, Tim invited us over. We sat on the patio and ate, laughed, talked, and played a bit of music.

While we were hanging out and chatting, Tim said something that both Tricia and I wrote down as a quote for future use.

“It is nice to grow old and fade with friends.” Tim McLaughlin

Wonderful sentiments. We are blessed to have so many friends, both here and in France.

Yesterday we drove up to Frenchman’s Bar Park, on the Columbia River west of Vancouver, WA. It was Adam’s (my son) birthday party. He talks about and anticipates this annual event all year. We ate way too much, and watched ships on the Columbia. Adam bowled while I did the job of pin-setter. He had a lot of fun, we were so glad we could be there.

Today I think we will start a puzzle that Shirley & Jim sent home with us. Tricia is cooking, shrimp and mashed cauliflower. I just downloaded Balzac’s Pere Goriot so will find some time to read, and hopefully do a bit of sketching. A day hanging out in The Pearl sounds perfect.

How has your week been? I hope you are enjoying summer, me, I am already looking forward to autumn, which, according to the agricultural calendar I use, starts in August. Summer has always been my least favorite season, well except as a kid when it meant no school.

Thank you as always for being a part of this blog. I hope you find some good food, and do a sketch to capture a moment this week.