The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Daniel has completed the deck. The Trex is laid, the trim is finished, the furniture is back, and we are enjoying outdoor dining again. The old wood planks (some still with nails jutting out) are...

Each spring, I learn a bit more about what and where to plant and what and where not to. This year was no different, a continuation of lessons. This April, before he left for Europe, Daniel built a...

The deck that extends from our back door is in dire need of repair. Initially, I had a contractor build it out of pine and leave the finishing to us. Daniel was sure it didn’t need to be sanded, as...

I returned from Europe earlier than Daniel, and I couldn’t wait to see the garden’s progress (or lack thereof). I was greeted with a few ripe tomatoes, two lemon cucumbers, onions, a few tiny...

Daniel woke from his Amsterdam sick day feeling human, barely. Off to the train station, on to Paris, our next and last stop! Traveling on the train has become my new favorite way to go; with...

Insanity always rules at the California DMV, and this time was no different. I wisely scheduled an appointment, only to find it didn't show on the DMV system. After a tortuous three-and-a-half hours,...

I recently returned to L.A. for the sole purpose of renewing my California driver’s license. I hope this will be my final foray into the famous (or infamous) California Department of Motor Vehicles...

It’s a rare day when I admit I am so tired I feel fried. I hit the wall on Monday, made evident as I was too tired to drive to Walla Walla for my morning tennis game. My mind and body just went on...

We're off; the time is now. Daniel is heading to Portugal. Our first stop is Seattle. As always, traveling with Daniel presents the stress and challenges I've come to accept as just something that I...

Time has flown by, and Daniel’s trip to Portugal is rapidly approaching. As we did last time, we will drive to Seattle the night before his flight for a nice dinner and an easy trip to the airport....

I recently saw a New York Times headline: "The Finnish Secret to Happiness? Knowing When You Have Enough." For the past six years, Finland has had the distinction of achieving the top ranking by the...

My garden awaits Spring, and I am back from my trip to Los Angeles. Daniel worked diligently to assemble the new patio furniture and did a great job. So, what should I write about now? Daniel...

Will the weather cooperate? That is the million-dollar question. If my trip to Los Angeles today is any indication, it’s not great. I will leave Walla Walla in the rain, only to arrive in Los Angele...

Do you think there’s any chance that Bob Dylan was singing about Daylight Savings Time? I doubt it, but it’s always a welcome change to have longer days and know that sunnier ones are on their way...

Last year, we barely had any birds eat from the feeders we strategically placed around our backyard. A local birder told us that it wasn't our choice of seed, the locations of the feeders, or even the...

Although I know it’s short-lived, I’ve been enjoying the glimmer of Spring to come. These past few weeks have even provided some sun and warmer temperatures. Warm enough to defrost the frozen...

We just returned from a weekend jaunt to Seattle for the sole purpose, to quote Daniel, “to eat properly.” To start our culinary weekend, we raced into our hotel and hungrily snatched up a bottle...

To quote my late aunt, “The Golden Years aren’t really golden; in fact, they suck!” She had become a little forgetful when playing her weekly bridge game and had hearing loss, but she refused...

Just when Mugsy and I were adapting to the pitfalls of winter, it’s spring (only temporary, I’m sure). Finally, after four years here, I am much improved and more confident at walking and driving...

To quote the late Yogi Berra: It's like déjà vu all over again. We were diligent this winter, determined not to repeat last winter's frozen kitchen and bathroom pipes. We were aggressive with...

I am not one of those who loves to travel but appreciates being back home to sleep in my own bed and use my own bathroom. I can sleep or have insomnia anywhere and in any bed. When I must use a bathro...

Amazingly, we arrived in Bilbao, Spain, with all our luggage. Considering the insanity of the Lisbon airport, the short layover, and the flight change in Frankfort, we were shocked it all worked out....

As a rule, I don’t believe in signs, and yet there’s a little superstition niggling in me. The day I left to start my European adventure, I noticed the bracelet I was wearing was missing. Though n...

Daniel is still working in Portugal, and although I miss him, there is a calm in the house that Mugsy and I appreciate. The kitchen is available whenever I want, and I can have dinner guests when...

This extended summer has been great for selected veggies in my garden. I continue to find ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, and a copious bounty of green peppers for some unknown reason. But I just received...