As the last month of summer is rapidly coming to a close I realize that my vacation time this year was not very relaxing. Or rather, it was relaxing but it went by so quick I can not remember if I did relax.
Towards the end of July I started to have allergy attacks. After several rounds of medication to combat the problem I was finally relieved of my elements. Only to be shipped off for training at McNeil Island Corrections Center (MICC) (Pictured above) in lovely Stellicom Washington.

The Island

MICC started off as a federal prison in the early 1920's. It is the only existing prison to located on an island left in the united states. One other interesting fact about MICC, when it was still a federal prison, housed Charles Manson, and Machine Gun Kelly. The state took over the prison in the eighties. Now it the island has a medium security prison, the special offenders unit, and is a national game refuge. The island also supports approximately 30 DOC staff, referred to as "islander", who live on the island. The island also has a K-4Th grade school, a recreation building which houses a 3 lane bowling alley, and a fire station.
I was involved in a work study group developing the curriculum for DOC's Crisis Negotiations Academy. We stayed in what was referred to as "The Mansion". The mansion is the old superintendents house that was built in the 20's. It is a four level house with bats occupying the fourth floor. Other then the hour plus barge ride out to the island it is a beautiful place.

Workshop

I was home for a short weekend then was off to the Washington Old-Time Fiddle workshop in Kittitas Washington. This year Kat and Kylee were not able to spend the week so I was solo. I had a lot of fun playing music with my friend and listening to other fiddlers. I was especially impressed with a fiddler by the name of Jeff Anderson. Jeff is a Minnesotan and plays Scandinavian music. He is an interesting guy with a lot of great tunes. I also enjoyed my class. I had the wonderful opportunity of studying with Kimber Ludiker from Spokane Washington, most recently from Boston Mass. She has won many fiddle competitions and is currently making a run at being a professional old-time musician. She currently is playing with a Celtic group who is touring the country. Be sure to check out her band any chance you get. They are going to be in Spokane on New years eve. She will be performing this Monday at Stateline with her brothers band the South Austin Jug Band. Definitely have to go see them.
About mid-way through workshop week I found myself at Boogie Man Music in Ellensburg buying a box full of kazoo's for a mini-workshop. On Thursday I was surprised by a visit from Kat and Kylee. The Kazoo mini-workshop which ironically was a good lesson in improvising was great. Kylee loved it and has not put her kazoo down. My world in now flooded with kazoo music. If only I had stayed at the workshop rather then buy kazoo's. What was I thinking.

The first of my problems

I was finally home had to do some wrenching on the truck. The seal in the rear differential was out and needed to be fixed. I could not justify taking it to a mechanic because the seal was only $11. So I decided to fix it myself. A couple of days later one of our washer hose broke flooding out laundry room. With a lot of work from our steam vacuum and a run to home depot that problem was resolved.

Ensign

We left for the Gunter family camp out at Ensign Ranch in Roslyn Washington, We had a great time catching up with our brothers and sisters. Kylee loved the water slide and painting her bird house. We missed Jenny and Ty's family but were glad to see Dylan and Steven. We were sad to leave, but anxious to get home and get cleaned up!

Finally home...

Monday night I came home to yet another leak in the house. Apparently, our refrigerator has a filter for the drinking water system. I thought it did, but Kat kept insisting that it did. So like any good husband I kept my mouth shut and never thought about it again. Surprisingly the frig does have a filter (surprise, surprise). Stunningly they get clogged and you have to replace them every six months or they will leak. More mop up efforts and yet another run to home depot. Lesson learned: Even though I was right about the frig having a filter. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Working from home

As the expansion project at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center lingers on accidents are bound to happen. For example, yesterday an electrician tested the amphage on a panel box. The panel box shorted out and a 2000 amph arc destroyed the panel box leaving the expansion site without power for a couple days. This has been a blessing in disguise because I am now working on my Crisis Negotiations scenario from home.

Once again...Don't sweat the small stuff!

Parting shot...Throughout our lives will will often miss our childhood home. We eventually realize that it is not our childhome home we miss...It is our childhood.

Forever young, but with a touch of grey!

Joe Gunter