Escaping from Mud Bay

Snowy Hill

This is not the only way out.

Last night’s storm dumped seven inches of snow on my driveway, which, in an S-curve, snakes down a steep hill to reach my house (see photo). I’m snowed in. Trapped—at least as far as motor vehicle access. But I might not be marooned.
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Another Roof Leak

Chimney Flashing

A troubled area

The people at Patriot Roofing in Gig Harbor, Washington, stand behind their work. That’s based on the company’s quick and professional response this week to the latest leak in a troubled area of my roof (see photo). The best part: They did the work at no charge.
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Comfort Food: The Perfect Egg Sandwich

The Mud Bay Blog makes no claims about how healthy this sandwich is.

I have been making the perfect egg sandwich since I was a teenager. A buddy in high school showed me the steps to prepare one, a simple process that I learned on the first take. After more than five decades, it’s time to pass on what my friend called “the perfect recipe.”
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Will 50 Be the New 40?

Note: This post is about temperature not age.

The historical average daily temperature in Bremerton in February is 42 degrees. Many scientists tell us that our planet is gradually warming. Whether Bremerton’s average daily temperature for February will reach 50 degrees in our lifetimes isn’t known. I don’t have the ability to analyze reams of weather data in an effort to predict the future. It’s easier to relate a temperature anecdote instead.
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Demolition Happens

House Demolished

Is the garage next?

As mentioned in the last two posts, I visited Kalaloch on the Washington Coast this week. While I was out of town, a nearby house on Mud Bay was demolished and removed (see photo). Although I used to see it every day, I had to scramble to remember exactly what it looked like.
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Passing on a Float

Staged Fishing Float

Fishing Float at Second Beach, La Push, Washington

I have a modest collection of fishing floats and buoys although none of them came from Mud Bay. The trophy float shown in the photo isn’t part of the collection. There are more details after the jump about this float plus a photo of a world-class collection.
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A Trip a Month?

One trip a month. Twelve trips in a year. Is that doable for a retired person, even if the traveler is a homebody like me? January is almost over and I’m tripless so far. But not to worry, I’m leaving on a road trip to Kalaloch on the Washington Coast tomorrow morning.
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Le Grand Orange

DIY task: Please supply your own color photo of President Trump.

This morning, while watching his Rose Garden speech about the “deal” to end the government shutdown, I wondered, again, if it would be appropriate to recycle former Major League Baseball player Rusty Staub’s nickname when referring to President Trump. With his carrot-top hairdo and tanning-salon-hued skin, the president clearly fits the bill for the third word of the wondrous French phrase Le Grand Orange. He falls short, though, when you consider the true meaning of the second word.
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

Note: There are no recipes in this post.

Of course, any day can be Chocolate Chip Cookie Day. You don’t need to wait for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (August 4th this year) to honor America’s favorite cookie. Instead, celebrate any day you want just by enjoying one or more of these wonderful baked delights. To really get into things, make your own. Yesterday I did both.
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Bumper Blows, Bumper Woes

What damage lies beneath?

What costs $500, looks like a quality item, and provides about as much protection as President Trump’s border wall? The answer, shown in the photo, is the rear bumper on my 1999 Toyota Tacoma. In a previous blog post, I wrote that the bumper came out second best when the truck was rear ended on Wheaton Way a few years ago, but at least it protected the underlying sheet metal. This time it didn’t even do that.
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