In Spokane we keep an eye on Mt. Spokane and it looks like there is a lot of snow still up there! Pat is thinking about planting his potato crop. This year he bought five seed potatoes and wonders if that is possibly overdoing it. He favors overdoing.

 

Last year he dumped a whole bag of fertilizer on his potato patch of ten and grew plants a foot taller than he is. Still, the plants produced enough for our Fourth of July serving of new-peas-and-potatoes. Several of the potatoes were even larger than the peas!

 

Spring also means Easter will soon be here: coloring eggs, egg hunts, ham and potato salad, deviled eggs and family get-togethers. It means spring flowers and new dresses for the little girls and new shorts and shirts for the little boys. And it might mean new, white tennis shoes for me. The Easter egg hunt will give Pat the opportunity to once again relate the story of how, several years ago, he buried in our little wooded area, a plastic egg with a $5 bill inside. He then set up a telescope focused on the spot, so the only way to spot the location of the egg was to peer through the telescope. Much to Pat’s disappointment, one of our son-in-laws peered through the scope, found the egg and retrieved the $5. Pat says he’s not trying that trick again.

 

Here in Spokane, spring means getting ready for the annual Bloomsday Run, which is for elite runners, wheelchair users, joggers, walkers, and everyone in between. After the elite runners are long gone, the young and old get their chance and many come in costumes, crazy hats, and pushing baby strollers. There is music along the route and lots of people cheering the participants on. Spokanites line the course encouraging the Bloomies to make it up Doomsday Hill. It is a huge affair and many people come to town and have a great time.

 

No, we will not participate, but our daughter, Kelly, usually does. She says it is like one big party to share with your family and friends and finishers of the race are rewarded with a specially designed t-shirt. According to Kelly, it is also an excuse to load up on carbs! The 12 kilometer (7.46 mile) run takes place in early May. If you are interested. You can find more information online.

 

Pat says he thinks about running in Bloomsday every year and also loses several pounds by reading about it in the newspaper and watching it on TV. He thinks watching it on the television is more strenuous than reading about it in newspapers and, therefore, TV is largely responsible for his weight loss.