3 x 10 + 1

Thirty-one years -- that's how long Alexis and Bruce have been friends. Phil and I have known him for far less time, but are always glad to see him when he travels across the United States to visit his friends in the Pacific Northwest.

Like many Americans, including Alexis and me, Bruce didn't stay put where he was born (Illinois), and has lived in a number of places, including Seattle. He's made his home in Georgia for several decades (the state I was born in, so there's another connection between us) but is looking into moving to the Seattle/Bellingham area in the next few years.

Wanting to encourage Bruce to make that a reality, we suggested a stroll along Lake Padden, where we enjoyed the spring sunshine, puzzled over a fellow reading what looked like a long letter in a rather unusual setting, chatted with one of the many dog walkers, and spotted what might have been the Easter bunny in some of the undergrowth.

It was a wonderfully relaxing afternoon, just as yesterday's was -- there's really no substitute for good conversation with friends!