SENIOR GAMES

The lavender is in bloom and our drought-tolerant garden is a riot of color. We laugh that it only took 15 years for this to happen. We were probably too conservative in our planting, but on the other hand, a mature landscape is a treasure. 

Mike and I came back to town Friday so that he could participate in the senior games this week. He enrolled in a number of events: pistol shooting, skeet, cycling, and swimming. He has been busy practicing for this event and the other, but somehow for me, there just hasn’t been a lot to write about. The muse is absent. I did manage to set up my embroidery machine and make a lace “heart pocket,” but then I forgot to take a picture of it before mailing it off.

From the Peola area looking north

The games officially began yesterday (Wednesday, June 19). Mike shot at the pistol range yesterday morning and officially logged his score. Participants are categorized by age, so we don’t know yet how he ranked.

Cycling was last night at 5:30. Seven cyclists showed up for the 5K race and six of them stayed on to ride the 10K -- a woefully poor showing. Mike is a strong rider, so it was amusing that the organizer, in setting up the 5K race, assigned two male riders out front and put Mike behind with the four women. Mike was first on the first lap and second as the race finished. “I’m sorry,” said the organizer; “I vastly underestimated you!” Discussion ensued over the prowess of the old guy. (He was the oldest rider there and lost only to the guy in the category just younger than his own.)

Mike finishing the 10K

The 10K was run as a time trial with staggered starts based on the 5K times. Mike again placed second, but the good news is that he won his age group and was awarded two medals. (You don’t get much more than bragging rights here.) His times were 11.43 for the 5K and 22.58 for the 10K. Oh! And I should mention that the wind was gusting at 20 mph, making the ride much more challenging.

This year's free t-shirt & 2 medals

Today (Thursday) he has no events. Tomorrow he swims. And Saturday he shoots skeet. Meanwhile, our crates are gradually filling with the supplies we need for the farm.

I thought it was summer for sure the beginning of the week, but yesterday it turned cooler with a lot of wind, and today it’s cooler yet. It’s just a reminder that this really is the Great Northwest. Don’t forget your sweater. I did take the heavy blanket off the bed, and I think we’ve been fine with a lighter one. KW