Mothers' Day 2012

Today is Mothers' Day 2012. For the past 3 years, we've gone to the brunch at Fort Worden State park. Believe it or not, I'm not that tied to traditions. I think every family tries to have their own traditions. I think this one is going to be one of ours. But it doesn't have to be. Usually, we gorge ourselves on breakfast goodies. We smuggle some of our leftover pork products out to the dog and play some hard recall practice for her. Then we walk on the beach no matter what the weather is. Somehow, that routine has become our Mothers' Day tradition. After we leave, I get to shop the thrift stores or nurseries in Port Townsend.

We got a pretty early seating. There was another family that I recognized from the island sitting at a table adjacent to ours. We were lucky that we didn't get seated at that table because they had some pretty bad karma there. First, when they were served their mimosas, the champagne flute broke and spilled all over grandpa. Second, when the chair back fell off of the dad's seat, I couldn't stop laughing. What are the chances?

Even if that other family never comes to brunch at Fort Worden again, we'll probably keep coming for as long as we live on this side of the water.

This morning we learned:

1. The dog responds best to bacon. There wasn't bacon at this morning's buffet and we ended up putting little pieces of roast tenderloin in my purse. Bacon can keep the dog from veering off course to chase birds. Pork tenderloin cannot.

2. There are different sections of the beach. The pier to the aquarium cuts the beach into the toddler section and the bikini clad teenager section. This year we went with my son and his 14 year old friend. While we were hanging out at the toddler beach, the boys wandered to the bikini section under the premise of getting water for the dog. It took a long time to get water for the dog.

3. If you take the scenic route home, you miss all of Port Townsend and their pretty little shops.

But I had a lovely time at the beach tossing the frisbee to my puppy. She made great strides in being able to jump into the water. Initially, she was fearful of jumping in, but when her beloved frisbee went a little too far into the water, she ran into the water to rescue it. So proud of her. I love it when I can tire her out. It isn't easy.

We also found out that there is a grocery mart in Chimacum that sells fresh wabbit (that's how they advertise it -- Elmer Fudd is on staff) and fun sodas. We especially liked the Fentimans dandelion & burdock soda.  I liked that they didn't carry anything from Pepsi or Coca Cola. Good on them for being different.

I'm having a happy sunny Mother's Day. Hope you are doing the same.