Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
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I lean into the aisle seeing the cockpit door from my seat 8D as the 737 enters the runway. The engines get loud, and I'm pushed back in my seat as we pick up speed. The nose comes up and then we are off the ground. I have done it too many times to even count. This time I keep looking at the cockpit door. I have an idea of what is going on in there but don't know all the details. I can't see the pilots, but I have faith in them. It grows into belief, and it becomes success as we leave the...
In aisle 1 at Safeway, there are nearly 40 different types of toothpaste and at least two life lessons to be found. When I was in my early 20's, living in Alaska over 2,000 miles away from my parents, I called them. I was in love, again, and said to my dad, "This could be the one." He stated, "Don't get caught up on toothpaste issues." "What are toothpaste issues ?" I asked. First, there are several ways to discharge toothpaste from the tube. Just grab and squeeze, push from the bottom and...
It's 6 a.m. and I'm on the road. Approximately 30 minutes from home I was preparing to visit one of the five restaurants I oversaw when I got the call. "I think my water broke." Shifting into race car driver mode, flashers on, 68-mph in a 45-mph zone, no problem. Barely getting my work van into park, I am running into the house. Expecting to find Kelly, in a chair in the kitchen doing those breathing techniques. Nope, she's in the bedroom ironing her clothes to wear when she comes home from the...
"Distinguished or different from what is ordinary or usual" is the Random House Dictionary definition of special. My mom, Jean Lester, is special and has the gift of making those around her feel special. My first memory of how special she made me feel was while I was in second grade in Mrs. Whipple's class at Chief Kamiakin Elementary in Sunnyside. In the office, rings were for sale prior to Mother's Day. I gathered my pennies, nickels and perhaps a dime and bought the pink sparkly one at the...
The national anthem was playing and on my right, the silver medal had just been awarded. I bowed my head to receive my gold medal ... Well, if there had been an Olympic competition for door slamming, I would have won gold as a 15-year-old. I recall hearing my parents tell me, "Don't slam the door! How you shut the door to your home makes a difference." ■ ■ ■ I was 16 years old doing 40 mph down a gravel road. I had been with my dad before when he had made his 1966 Ford pickup fishtail down...
Standing alone in front of the mirror, seeing my brown eyes looking back at me, I replay what I've just said to my dad. I grip the bathroom counter and bite my lower lip. I've heard those words as a son countless times and have said them as a dad just as many, but this was a first. Dad said he wanted to take care of himself and Mom. I told my dad, "No, you can't do that." ■ ■ ■ I got to my parents' house in Sequim in February 2023, following a two-hour drive, and asked Dad what stores we need...
