King George!

I could tell you stories about being aboard the Verite in April, but it would include statistics about the RAIN, wind and level of saturation of garments or the depth of the tide (not!). I would much rather tell the tale of King George. 

King George is not who you think he is, but more like what.

King George is a incredible rhododendron with powerful fragrance shrub of incredible beauty. The pink buds (the length of your hand) gradually turn white as they open.  They are literally the size of a lily flower and just as gorgeous. 

The WOWers and friends had the pleasure of being invited to a King George Party yesteday. We wined and dined under the blossoms of King George and his princess - Kwansan Cherry. There were only a few rules  - wear pink and bring pink. 

The variety of pinks was quite the treat - like real strawberry flavored popcorn. Of course there were beet treats and rhubarb cake, raspberry delights, tabouli (imagine that!), wild sparkly cupcakes and dainty pink cream puffs, buckets of shrimp with pink sauces, lemonade with pink champagne just to name a few things. It was a delightful pink feast for eye and gullet, but better than that... the attire... well... see for yourself. 

But then "she arrived"!

All in pink and sporting these wild things around her neck. 

Some even went as far as firing up their hair but

 the topic for the whole afternoon was what are they? 

Some said fox. 

They didn't appear to be mink. What about ermine in it's dark phase? 

Of course there was discussion about how to wear the kissing furred festoon. 

I think you'd be shocked how many ways you can wear it. 

You only need imagination!

Hear hear, a salute to King George,

 Queen of quite a lot, 

Princess Kwansan Cherry 

and to the best hostess ever 

WOWer Sally.

Singing in the Rain

What a beautiful feeling with rain in my face, my white-ees are wet, and seals slithering by give all a big high... just singing, singing in the rain.

Splish, splash - like taking a bath.
Seven certifiably crazy women went out into the bay.
Yes, yes we did.
And you know what? It was fun!

Verite was a bit full.

The birthday girl!

Hot Lifeboat tea, birthday cake, and some other wonderful treats... 

it just doesn't get better - rain or shine. 

 

Wonder women

I am sure there were those who looked out their windows last Monday, March 6th, wondered...
What the heck are those women doing now? After all it was, in a polite word,  inclement. 

Well, when wowers decide to row - we go - come wind or waves or winter weather. Five brave souls went out that day... and five revitalized souls came back. We slept really good that night. After all we survived!

What's a little rain, right?  

Fashion alert - there's bright yellow gear to wear!

It started off all fun and games.

Till we saw the spout like cloud come down with the shower clouds,

but it was sunny on our patch of water so why go home?

 

We only got a few feet past the bridge - thanks to the wind.

The wind brought us to an unlikely port in the storm which 

under normal circumstances would have not been attempted.

Yet, there's nothing quite like having a hot cup of Lifeboat tea 

to give the needed boost for the row home 

while you review your options. 

 

It all ended quietly... 

little yellow ducks waddled up the plank quacking...

just another marvelous day

aboard our beloved Vérité.

Winter Sunshine

It was like a summer day they said...
The WOWers and several guest from Gig Harbor's boat the Porpoise had a great row on Monday.

Pussy Hat Power

Freezing temperatures kept us home in the early part of January, but on Martin Luther King Day things started to hot, hot hot up! Hot pink that is. The WOWer's got together in preparation for a civic lesson in Seattle - The Women's March on January 21. Pussy hats were flying off knitting needles left and right.

Several WOWer's were able to attend the march.

They came home inspired and uplifted. Those of us who were able to watch the televised march in Washington, DC were equally full of hope. It seems like it was the first positive thing in ever so long.

Some attended the Olympia March were just as juiced up  

Inspired by all this the WOWer's went rowing on Monday. The temperatures were brisk, but the sun was out. The tide was high and the north wind was blowing. Most wouldn't have done it, but you know the WOWer's.... they were so pumped up they didn't even mind taking off the canvas cover!

It was a full boat too! Imagine that in the middle of winter. It was a first to be on the water in January.

Well, we weren't going to be outdone by the Sunday Sailors - they went out the day before

(and the boat was all pumped out so it would have been a shame not to go).

See them out there...

Not a clear shot, but you get the impression.

Super Moon Day

The clouds part - we go out! 

The bathtub is full. 

It's time to play and leave our troubles behind. 

We bob and splash in our little green and yellow row boat.

 Dwarfed next to the shiny big boy toy.

 

The season is passing, we are wistful under the November sky.

Then we see her - sitting tall and proud.

Blessings of nature still abound. 

It is good luck sign to come under the watchful gaze of the heron. 

As we walk the plank and take that last look back....

we say a prayer for all those who are not so lucky.