The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Over the weekend, siblings and I celebrated our father's 90th birthday. When I walked into Papa's home he was napping with an "Architectural Digest" sprawled over his chest, eyeglasses still on.

"Papa," I whispered, he awoke and smiled and the weekend began.

After everyone was accounted for, we caravanned into San Francisco where one sister owns a home across the street from the harbor. This is where we'd all stay for the weekend birthday festivities.

In 1941, my father joined the Merchant Marines out of San Francisco and almost got blown out of the water during the attack of Pearl Harbor. After those tumultuous years, my father decided no kid of his would go through life not understanding the principals of navigating a water vessel, no matter how small. Our dear mother, while alive, stood behind my father's vision and made water sports the no. 1 family activity.

Growing up, all six kids learned to water ski behind a Chris-Craft, how to dive off the houseboat's bridge into the Sacramento Delta, how to paddle canoes on Clear Lake and how to rig, tack and sail the family dingy, "Geronimo," back and forth across Santa Cruz Harbor. When Papa came home with a Hobi Cat Trimaran, we quickly learned to sail her out the harbor mouth to mile buoy and back again.

The adventure of sailing will never end in this family and proof came over the weekend when our 90-year-old Papa and all of his children boarded the family sailboat and took a quick spin around Alcatraz Island before dinner.

Readers, until next week, "Eat Art, Drink Imagination!"

Papa's BBQ Sauce

½ packet dry onion soup mix

½ cup brown sugar

2 cups ketchup

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

In a pot add all and bring to a simmer and cook whisking until all is soft and glossy. Mop chicken, ribs or steak in sauce after grilling. Serve with steamed fresh corn, garlic buttered French bread and very cold beer!

Hear Judith's food and wine commentary, recipe and photo at www.chefjudithhenderson.com