Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Jumper Cables, Surfboards, and Army Men
We wake up in the middle of the woods with a surfboard, jumper cables, & little toy army guys, what did we do the night before?] A very boring story but its what "happened"
Our first adventure to the ocean wasn't long lived. We had rented a car from some no name company. The man who gave us the vehicle smelled of Bratwurst and cigars, and let me remind you that it was not good sausage. The car looked like a hybrid, oh no not gas/electric or flexifuel, but a hybrid between a toy VW bus and a real car. It's quite difficult to describe. I liken it to how the Russians would make cars modeled after others and give them big Russian names. These cars would often have similar looks, but be far cheaper in construction.
Carbon copy and on our way.
The trip was to only take us about 2 hours. The road between Seattle and Ocean Shores is full of straight shots, long winding roads, slow zones, fast zones, and everything in between. "Why does the car sound like a lawn mower?" you asked. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking in the back of my head "I hope its not a two stroke." It took us about 5 hours to get there. We drove right up onto the beach, the fog was just rolling in. I had hoped that the trip wouldn't have taken so long so that we would have had some more daylight. We took it for what it was. A beautiful ride, amazing scenery, and great company.
We parked the "bucket", as we started to call it, up by a siren post and started to beach comb. The waves were crashing about, a brilliant deafness they caused. I had been playing in the sand a bit, you approached me and held out your hand. There were 5 little army men, covered in seaweed and muck. You seemed gleeful that you liberated them on the shores of Washington. They must have had a night incursion planned, but you foiled their plans. The objective was way to far up the beach head. We laughed a bit and started to walk towards a fire. 7 people sat around the fire, laughing and carrying on. Surfer types, sans the southern cali "dude" accent. They offered to share their fire with us. We just sat there chatting with everyone. It was getting late and we excused ourselves from the fire. Walked back to the bucket and drove to a local pub. It seemed to be full of the old locals. Crikey hours we spent in there. We should have found a place to stay, but we let adventure take us. One of our surfer friends entered the pub with his Board. He asked around if anyone had a ride, as his had just ditched him. The locals knew him but were all too tipsy to drive anywhere. I agreed to give the guy a lift. You seemed apprehensive, but I assured you that everyone knew him and he wasn't going to murder us. Besides, he's taking a huge risk riding in the bucket. We drove and drove, and finally ended up out in the woods, a surfboard sticking out the window. It seemed this man lived in the woods with his other friends, which were already drinking when we arrived. I asked them why they didn't give their friend a ride. One told me that they switch off monthly leaving someone on the beach. We had a beer with the guys, chatted a bit, and then decided to leave. We got about a mile down the dirt road when our car stalled. I hopped out, looked for some cables but all I found was a stripped, taped, set that looked like it was used to jump sherman tanks.
Instead of fretting, you told me not to worry about it. We hopped in the back, looked up at the filtered night sky, and passed the night away. We woke to find the surfboard leaned against the car, the toy soldiers had created a bunker in the side of my leg, and the half eaten jumper cables, hung upon the head rests of our seats.
yawwwwn.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Deborah Mary Gilmore-Hightower Obituary
Deborah Mary Gilmore-Hightower
November 11, 1958 – June 3, 2010
Debbie Mary Gilmore-Hightower passed away June 3 at Harrison Hospital after a three year battle with cancer.
Debbie was born and raised in Port Orchard and graduated from South Kitsap H.S. She spent most of her adult life in the Reno-Tahoe area and Port Orchard. She will be fondly remembered for her candies, cookies, chili, crafts, infamous garage sales and her smiling face at numerous craft festivals throughout both areas. She was loved by everyone with whom she came in contact.
Debbie was preceded in death by her daughter Sabrina. She is survived by her parents Leonard and Maryann Gilmore, Port Orchard; son Kristopher, Port Orchard; daughter Michelle Curtis (Hawkins), grandchildren Emma and Ian, Reno, NV. Brothers Robert Gilmore (Cathi), CO.; Johnny Gilmore (Barbara), England; Jerry Gilmore (Vickie), TX. and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also survived by her long-time companion Charles “Red” Thomas and her beloved dog Pudgie.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Grey and her staff at SCCA and Dr. Trans at Harrison Radiology for all of their efforts on behalf of Debbie.
There will be a wake at her house in Port Orchard around her beloved fire pit on July 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please feel free to contact the family at
In lieu of flowers the family requests you send donations to your favorite charity.
November 11, 1958 – June 3, 2010
Debbie Mary Gilmore-Hightower passed away June 3 at Harrison Hospital after a three year battle with cancer.
Debbie was born and raised in Port Orchard and graduated from South Kitsap H.S. She spent most of her adult life in the Reno-Tahoe area and Port Orchard. She will be fondly remembered for her candies, cookies, chili, crafts, infamous garage sales and her smiling face at numerous craft festivals throughout both areas. She was loved by everyone with whom she came in contact.
Debbie was preceded in death by her daughter Sabrina. She is survived by her parents Leonard and Maryann Gilmore, Port Orchard; son Kristopher, Port Orchard; daughter Michelle Curtis (Hawkins), grandchildren Emma and Ian, Reno, NV. Brothers Robert Gilmore (Cathi), CO.; Johnny Gilmore (Barbara), England; Jerry Gilmore (Vickie), TX. and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also survived by her long-time companion Charles “Red” Thomas and her beloved dog Pudgie.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Grey and her staff at SCCA and Dr. Trans at Harrison Radiology for all of their efforts on behalf of Debbie.
There will be a wake at her house in Port Orchard around her beloved fire pit on July 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Please feel free to contact the family at
In lieu of flowers the family requests you send donations to your favorite charity.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Just some things on my mind. sorry for the absense
Whilst I usually prefer pen to paper, ink to flow I thought this a proper opportunity to use some of the new programmes on my laptop. Will had taken my Beta off of the bloody thing and now it'll stay on much longer than two hours. I am still alarmed at the heat sink problems it experiences but I'm sure the new one I get will be much better.
I've not written in these pages for some time. I haven't really felt the motivation to pour words to the page. Certain events change the way I feel about noting down my feelings and experiences.
My mum died a couple days ago, quite sudden for me and rather unexpected. My sis had called me the night before and complained about mum for a long while, I tried to explain to her that most of what is going on in her own life is her fault and that she has control over what happens. We are in control of ourselves and our choices are our own. I know this is a hard thing to believe as we often find ourselves dwelling upon past events. She had done a load of things wrong in our books. He was a queen of manipulation , a liar to no end, but she was our mother. She begged, borrowed, and stole for us. Took the brunt of beatings, worked the extra hours, and fell victim to addictions. She never stopped loving us though. I can see this by all of the pictures she kept by her side. My sister was her best friend, and it killed her that she didn't see it.
The night it happened I wasn't feeling well, as I haven't been for the past few months. My colitis is really hurting me and I don't know what to do about it. Its embarrassing to always have to run to the washroom and plan my day around where I can easily have access. Sorry for the distraction I am far too prone to it. I called mum to tell her that her daughter is just having a tough time and to not let it bother her she asked me if I was going to come over and I had told her that I was planning on doing it later or the next day. She expressed her excitement to see me
Red called me and told me that mum was gone, I left for the hospital to take care of whatever had to be taken care of. I donated her eyes but the body place wouldn't take her as she was a bit over weight. Evidently med students can't work on chubby people for anatomy class. Grandma, Grandpa, Red, Uncle Jerry and I sat around her body for awhile just chatting about things. Red and I went back to the house and started to tear it apart looking for mum's wishes, her files and forms.
It must have been a huge joke of hers to have told us that these things existed because as we tore the house up we found nothing but old forms, coupons, magazines, and all sorts of garbage. The woman was a packrat indeed. I have a meeting tomorrow with the crematorium so I can pay for everything. Fill out the death certificates and start all the processes of telling everyone that she's gone. I'm not quite sure what to do about everything but I'm sure I'll figure it out.
I've found myself starting to send random text messages to her as I used to do, I'm here or I'm doing this or that. But then I remember and stop myself. Red told me that he stayed out of the bathroom the other day because the door was closed and the light was on. I'm glad that she isn't in any pain, I wish I had said goodbye and that she gave better instructions.
I suppose its time for me to start something new for myself. I have lingered so long trying to help, even though I don't think I did very much. I even slipped on my dog walking duties as of late. I will mow the lawn and clean and donate like bloody crazy tomorrow. I am rather sad right now and can't wait for my travel season. I will start exercising and working hard at whatever it is I do.
I know that there will be people around me that will be disappointed but I don't know how to prevent that. On another note i'd like to start my cider as soon as possible, I think it would be good fun to make something I do so enjoy. I'll start with an apple cider, some good champagne yeast and a load of honey, got to give the yeast something to eat right? I was disappointed to see that there was carbonation added to a cider I had the other day. I figured the byproduct would put off enough CO2 without having to add any. Well my plane is starting its descent into Seattle I will stow my computer and post this later. If anyone feels ignored or insulted by my lack of communication, just know I'm working through everything and I'll be better soon. Its just what I do.
Cheers for now
I've not written in these pages for some time. I haven't really felt the motivation to pour words to the page. Certain events change the way I feel about noting down my feelings and experiences.
My mum died a couple days ago, quite sudden for me and rather unexpected. My sis had called me the night before and complained about mum for a long while, I tried to explain to her that most of what is going on in her own life is her fault and that she has control over what happens. We are in control of ourselves and our choices are our own. I know this is a hard thing to believe as we often find ourselves dwelling upon past events. She had done a load of things wrong in our books. He was a queen of manipulation , a liar to no end, but she was our mother. She begged, borrowed, and stole for us. Took the brunt of beatings, worked the extra hours, and fell victim to addictions. She never stopped loving us though. I can see this by all of the pictures she kept by her side. My sister was her best friend, and it killed her that she didn't see it.
The night it happened I wasn't feeling well, as I haven't been for the past few months. My colitis is really hurting me and I don't know what to do about it. Its embarrassing to always have to run to the washroom and plan my day around where I can easily have access. Sorry for the distraction I am far too prone to it. I called mum to tell her that her daughter is just having a tough time and to not let it bother her she asked me if I was going to come over and I had told her that I was planning on doing it later or the next day. She expressed her excitement to see me
Red called me and told me that mum was gone, I left for the hospital to take care of whatever had to be taken care of. I donated her eyes but the body place wouldn't take her as she was a bit over weight. Evidently med students can't work on chubby people for anatomy class. Grandma, Grandpa, Red, Uncle Jerry and I sat around her body for awhile just chatting about things. Red and I went back to the house and started to tear it apart looking for mum's wishes, her files and forms.
It must have been a huge joke of hers to have told us that these things existed because as we tore the house up we found nothing but old forms, coupons, magazines, and all sorts of garbage. The woman was a packrat indeed. I have a meeting tomorrow with the crematorium so I can pay for everything. Fill out the death certificates and start all the processes of telling everyone that she's gone. I'm not quite sure what to do about everything but I'm sure I'll figure it out.
I've found myself starting to send random text messages to her as I used to do, I'm here or I'm doing this or that. But then I remember and stop myself. Red told me that he stayed out of the bathroom the other day because the door was closed and the light was on. I'm glad that she isn't in any pain, I wish I had said goodbye and that she gave better instructions.
I suppose its time for me to start something new for myself. I have lingered so long trying to help, even though I don't think I did very much. I even slipped on my dog walking duties as of late. I will mow the lawn and clean and donate like bloody crazy tomorrow. I am rather sad right now and can't wait for my travel season. I will start exercising and working hard at whatever it is I do.
I know that there will be people around me that will be disappointed but I don't know how to prevent that. On another note i'd like to start my cider as soon as possible, I think it would be good fun to make something I do so enjoy. I'll start with an apple cider, some good champagne yeast and a load of honey, got to give the yeast something to eat right? I was disappointed to see that there was carbonation added to a cider I had the other day. I figured the byproduct would put off enough CO2 without having to add any. Well my plane is starting its descent into Seattle I will stow my computer and post this later. If anyone feels ignored or insulted by my lack of communication, just know I'm working through everything and I'll be better soon. Its just what I do.
Cheers for now
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