#37 - Participate in a Scrabble Tournament

Last night I had an opportunity to check off another item from my life list (participate in a Scrabble tournament). Bob's parents were also in town, so the four of us made the short drive up the coast to attend.

The event was held at the library in Point Arena and included 14 tables/28 players. Each participant played three games/rounds and the overall winners were based upon who had the highest combined score from the three games. I wasn't sure what to expect, or how I would do. Bob and I like to play Scrabble and I play an on-line game called Literati (a Scrabble knockoff).

The game play was a little stressful. Each game was 25 minutes, so you needed to play pretty quickly. That had to be balanced with not playing reckless, so as to miss opportunities or set your opponent up with valuable squares. Some players were serious, others were there to have fun. I tried to blend the two.

Ready for the Scrabble fun. Can't quite contain my excitement.



Opening play. I guess Scrabble "action shots" are not very exciting, hah!



Bob waiting for his opponent. That's his unassuming "I will trounce you with a triple word score before you know it" look.

I ended up in the neighborhood of 800 points between the three games, which put me in 4th place (!!!) at the finish! Local merchants donated prizes for the top four finishers.

Folks, guess what my prize was ... it was a truck full of z'nure. Z'nure, you might ask? It's zebra manure. There is an animal preserve up here and they donated poop! Apparently it is fantastic for gardens. Unfortunately we don't have a garden. So, I'll be looking for someone to gift the poo to, so  it won't be wasted. Seriously, winning a couple rounds of golf or dinner for two sounds pretty mundane compared to a truck load full of zebra manure!

I'd be remiss if I didn't share some photos of the adorable sweet treats that the little local bakery, Franny's Cup and Saucer made. Cute shortbread cookies that looked like Scrabble tiles and cupcakes with edible tile toppers. Adorable AND delicious!



Overall a fun and well-organized evening!

Seal Docent Training

Yesterday we attended a four-hour seal docent training about the two harbor seal rookeries at The Sea Ranch. There is a very robust all-volunteer docent program that works the two rookeries during pupping season. Since we will be up here during the pupping time, we decided to volunteer.  

As docents our role is to educate visitors and divers on the issue and to try to keep disruptions to the seal mamas and pups to as much of a minimum as possible. There will also be some observing/documenting on our shifts.Shifts will start in a few weeks and run through June. That covers the period of birth and weaning for the majority of the seals that haul out in this area. Until that time, we have a binder of all sorts of information to learn. We've already been warned that 10 percent of the pups born on the beach will not make it (some years the mortality is higher), and that about 50 percent don't make it to the age of one ... so there is surely going to be some sad time mixed in with the all the fun seal pup viewing. As appropriate, I'll try to take photos and share on this blog.





39

Yesterday was my 39th birthday. Bob took me to lunch at the lodge and we went to a talk at the local art center in the evening. A simple, quiet birthday ... which reflects how we are living our life up here right now. Oh, there were presents too ... a cheese making kit, a "Quilting for Dummies" book and a new pair of warm woolly slippers. I am looking forward to eating cheese while I make my first quilt while wearing my new slippers. I sound like an old lady.

I feel thankful for all the good things that seem to find their way into my life: my partner in adventure and life ( Bob!), my supportive family (both the Habl and the Mitchell clans) and my inspiring and eclectic group of friends. You are the best and I appreciate you, even if I don't tell you it often enough. Thanks for making my first 39 years pretty freakin' awesome.