Fishin Buddies

Frequently when I'm fishing on the Cowlitz, there is often a young couple with their three sons enjoying the sun and sand.  The boys always come visit while I'm fishing, watching me cast and hollering "no fish yet!"  Well, the other day was lucky enough to catch a fish so they could enjoy the excitement!  

Braved the sprinkles after work today to fish taking along my little Stubbs so he could experience the river adventure.  He loved running around in the sand, smelling everything, and peeing whether the urge struck or not.  Once we returned home he was sleeping, down for the count.

While at sister Erin's during my last visit, I snapped a pic of the numerous piano rolls stacked together. Ended up ordering the picture as wrapping paper which turned out perfectly.  May also be able to use them as backgrounds or mat board for the piano roll art.

Repurposed Piano Rolls

Last time I was visiting sis Erin she gifted me several piano rolls.  Growing up we had a player piano and it was so much fun playing it and singing with Mom, who was an excellent singer.  Piano is gone but I wanted to figure out a creative use for the rolls.

After scouring Pinterest for inspiration, decided to clip frameable portions from the rolls and add drawings related to the particular song. My first one was "When You Wish Upon A Star" from Pinocchio. Of course Jiminy Cricket had to be up front and center!  Remember - these are piano rolls so you read from the bottom up.

That one turned out so well I made a few more using songs from "Fiddler On The Roof."

I opened up one roll titled "The Sunny Side of the Street"; however, to my surprise it held "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown."  Currently using my thinking cap to come up with appropriate art to decorate this roll snippet.

Fun to add another outlet to my crafting bag!

Summer Life

Summer has been in full force so I've spent the majority of my time swimming and fishing!  Sam introduced me to a new Cowlitz River spot that is secluded so that's become my favorite trolling and swimming place lately.  Enjoyed the Toledo pond but never caught any fish so figured I would try out a new site.

Have been using my dad's trout fishing gear (thanks Erin for gifting me those tackle boxes and poles!)  First trip to the river ended up catching four pike minnow and a squawfish.  Fun to catch but they always go right back into the water because the task to clean and grill fresh fish is not my favorite activity.  Now, if I catch a salmon that's something different.

I've probably hit the new angling hole about four times now and three of those times I've caught fish.  In most cases no one is around so I've enjoyed the solitude as I've casted my line.  Speaking of line, it had been over a year since my reel was restrung so took that into Bob's to get 'er done.  Also picked up a new bright pink and silver rooster tail to try and snag a big one.  Made my way out to the river, strung a new line set-up with my shiny pink lure, and cast it out.  Boom!  Knot slipped and my pink treasure sailed off into the water.  Ugh!!!  But that's fishing for you!

Candy catching babies
at the Toledo pond

New Cowlitz River Spot

Cowlitz River spot

Have done a few acrylic pour paintings. So hard when I have a vision in my mind but it doesn't turn out.  Have to accept it, change it, or trash it!

The deer have been making regular appearances in the neighborhood including one who tried to stare me down in the street.

Looking forward to another road trip to Erin's the end of this month. We will be attending our company's picnic at the Tacoma Rainier's game. Looking forward to catching up with co-workers and relaxing in the sun! 🌞⚾️🍻

Son Sam finally found himself an apartment and moved in on the 1st. Same complex as his buddy Jimmy's. It's been remodeled with new paint and flooring, which is a light driftwood style.  I would have moved right in there with him but alas they don't take pets.  I could never part with my Stubbers!  He's also been scavenging my storage unit so his furnishings look awfully familiar!  I'm happy for him now that he's settled into a place of his own.