The Many Faces of Jack

Here's a slideshow of mostly cellphone pix showing Jack in all sorts of expressions. He truly is a ham!

April Snows

Who would have thought that Winter wasn't over? Snow has been predicted for this weekend, just in time for a Biker Rally & Chili Cookoff in Kirkland this Sunday. Looks like I'll be wearing the chaps to church! Our snowpack is in fine shape in the Cascades - thank you very much - and the precip hasn't been letting up lately. So why not a little variety? Snow in April? Well...okay.

David loves the snow. He can be soaked head to toe and still not feel anything outside the elation of being in the white specks, even if they are hard! When we got home tonight from the Y he asked if me and him could ride in the snow for a bit. Since it was still light out, I thought "why not? It is Snow In April after all...

The Kart looked like a hoot in the snow. I pulled out the $45 chopper bike I got on close out last year and pedaled around in the slush, chasing David as he went full bore down the hill on the Kart. Eventually we met up with his friends Rachel and Andrew at the bottom of the street, who were doing the same thing in the snow/slush/rain/hale.

Actually it was a nice departure from just going in and turning on the tube!

David's New Wheels - Then & Now

Back in 2003 a neighbor gave us this beautiful little Flintstone-mobile. The steering wheel was not connected to any mechanism and served only as a device on which to place your hands. There was no floor and the little driver could just push the car around with his feet, which he did for what seemed like full afternoons. He would even push it up the hill and - much to our fear - would roll down to the cul de sac using his feet as steering and brakes. David pushed it, rolled it, and rammed it into curbs for over a year before one of the front wheels gave out. He's always had a thing for two and four wheeled vehicles (300+ Hot Wheels spread around the family room...and counting); I don't blame him, because I've owned thirty-plus cars in thirty years. They just get in your blood.

On Sunday David and I met up with a buddy of mine at a bicycle swap meet in Kent; on the way to his truck David eyed a pedal kart, and for the princely sum of $35 we added another hot rod to our driveway:

This was quite a find. These things are usually expensive, and this one is in great shape. The braking system is pretty basic - pull up on a handle and it applies friction to the back wheels with a rod. Pedaling can by bypassed by flipping a lever to coast. I oiled up the steering mechanism and David hit the cul de sac. For an entire afternoon. In the rain. Towing wagons and all sorts of contraptions.

I sure wish they made these in XXL size!