Tag Archives: Spokane Lilac Parade

Wine Thursday Rundown

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Hello again friends. I know I always act surprised when a new month is around the corner, but can you believe that next week’s Thursday Rundown will be published in June? But for the time being let’s not worry about next month and instead focus on this month with tonight’s rundown. Here are five topics…

National Wine Day – Happy National Wine Day to all my wine connoisseur friends who enjoy nothing more than curling up on the couch with a glass (or two). However, you won’t find me celebrating. I have been pretty vocal about my distaste for wine, going as far as to include it on my famous The Drinks I Hate list. I find wine too complicated for a simple dude like myself. I like my drinks to be refreshing and wine is definitely not a beverage you drink to satisfy your thirst. I admit it, when it comes to this “holiday” I am a scrooge.

I received a Total Wine gift card for Christmas and I love the store! But I won’t be using it to buy wine 😉

Lilac Parade – Last Saturday, I took the kids to Spokane’s Armed Forces Torchlight Lilac Parade. The day set a city record for hottest May 20 ever which boded well for a night parade. We met my sister and her children for the event that features floats, military personnel/vehicles, and high school bands. After taking Sloan to last year’s parade, Beau got to experience it for the first time this go-around. Everyone had a blast and the kids had no problem returning to the house at 11 p.m.

Beau and Sloan at the 2023 Lilac Parade on Saturday night.

A Man Called Otto – Sidney and I recently watched “A Man Called Otto” on Netflix. Starring Tom Hanks, the film originated in theaters but is now available to stream. The whole time I watched it, I couldn’t help but think this just an updated version of Gran Torino. Not saying that is a bad thing because I thought “Gran Torino” was an awesome movie and I felt the same way about “A Man Called Otto.” Tom Hanks plays a bitter aging man who is eventually able to make peace with the world because of some people who come into his life. Hanks is great in the film and I would 100% recommend it if you are looking for a movie to watch with your spouse this Memorial Day weekend.

Sidney and I enjoyed watching “A Man Called Otto.”

Spirit Week – St. Mary School just wrapped up Spirit Week. It started with Mismatch/Crazy Hair Day on Monday, Career Day on Tuesday, Sports Day on Wednesday, and concluded with Decade Day today. Sloan participated each day and enjoyed the opportunity to take a break from wearing her uniform.

Sloan on Mismatch/Crazy Hair Day of Spirit Week at St. Mary School.

Classic Chinese Restaurant Experience – There is nothing better than an excellent outing at the local Chinese restaurant. Last Friday night we ate at the Dragon Inn on Sprague in Spokane for the first time. It had everything from a marquee with an inspiring message to a fountain with a dragon emerging from it to a yummy sweet and sour sauce. Did it stand out enough for us to go out of our way to visit again soon? No, but if we are ever in the area and hungry we will definitely consider walking through the doors.

We had a decent experience at Dragon Inn in Spokane Valley on Sprague.

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That will wrap things up. If you enjoyed this blog post with a glass of wine, more power to you! Stay safe out there and let’s pray for kindness and civility in our country. Don’t Blink.

Hello May!

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As we mark May 1, I am so excited and optimistic about this month. I think when the previous month ends on such a good note, like April did for us, it makes the ensuing one even more desirable. After a final April weekend filled with sunshine, friends, and relaxation, there is plenty of momentum as we usher in the fifth month of the year.

For me, the month of May is an enigma. It is the second phase of that famous expression (April showers brings May flowers) but it isn’t quite summer. School is still in session but hints are apparent that the end of classes are near. Mornings are cool but daylight extends past 8 p.m. Some days require a jacket, some days don’t.

Sloan and Beau eating Happy Meals at Eastgate Lions Park in Walla Walla in May of 2021.

I think it is safe to say that this month is a tune up for summer. In fact, the first four weeks will actually lead us to May’s epic encore and the official start of summer…Memorial Day weekend. Now if that isn’t something to look forward to I don’t know what is.

But May isn’t simply an opening act or a prelude to the June-July-August trifecta. In my opinion, May is pretty swell as a standalone month. Cinco De Mayo, Kentucky Derby, Bloomsday, WSU graduation, the Spokane Lilac Parade, and the aforementioned Memorial Day all make the next 31 days special.

With all that fun about to take place, it is important to denote that it is merely a backdrop for what May is about—women. On May 14 we celebrate Mother’s Day, a holiday that seems way too significant to confine to one day. Thankfully, we take the entire month of May to pay special devotion to our Blessed Virgin Mary. It might come as no surprise to you that the parish we attend, St. Mary, places special emphasis on this month of dedication to our Lady. On May 9, Sloan’s school will hold a special crowning of Mary.

My mom, Sidney, and my sister pose for a photo during our 2022 Mother’s Day celebration.

My major goal for May is to savor each day. Like I said, this month can be overlooked as merely a tune up for summer. This year, we could almost classify it as just a tune up for June as next month will be a mammoth one for the Resers. But I am doing my best to live in the moment and savor this beautiful month as much as possible. I hope you will too. Don’t Blink.