At an fundraiser for Tacoma Opera our friend, Rita Morkrid bought a luncheon at another friend's condominium in the Stadium District of Tacoma. The luncheon was timed with the arrival of the Tall Ships as they sailed into Commencement Bay and the Thea Foss Waterway. While most people lined up along the shores of commencement Bay and the linear park on Ruston Way, the condominium gave us a bird's eye view of the event.

About two months earlier I was reminded by phone that at the same fundraiser I had won an evening of viewing South American art at the home of Antonio and Theresa Gutierrez in Lakewood. It turned out that I was double booked that evening. Peg and I were supposed to join friends Jan Runbeck and Mike Mowat for dinner along with friends Donn and Debbie Irwin. I called to appologize for not being able to attend the art function. Antonio was so nice on the phone, that within minutes all six of us had an invitation to the event and dinner was just a little bit delayed.

While Antonio plied us with Sangria and glasses of wine, we sampled some of Theresa's cooking at enjoyed a tour of their home and her art collection. We had such a nice time, imagine how delighted I was to find out that Theresa and Sue Stibbe, who was also at the art event, were serving the wine and the luncheon. Jan and Mike were also invited to the luncheon.

Also joining us at the luncheon were real-life sisters from Ireland: Sister Mary Pat Murphy and Sister Peggy Murphy.

The Irish sisters are part of The Tacoma Dominican Community and the Sisters of Saint Dominic. They are always fun to talk to. For years they have worked tirelessly for our community through many different boards and organizations. They have a great sense of humor and always have something to add to a conversation. Everytime I see them I smile. I went to a rock and roll dance a while back and would have danced with Sister Mary Pat, but her arm was giving her pain . . . she had to be telling the truth didn't she? I'm sure that was the problem.

When Tall Ships came to Tacoma in 2005, no one knew what to expect. This time, three years later, it seemed like everyone in Pierce County came out to see them and welcome them. The ships were interesting to read about and view. The Lady Washington is a replica of the 90-ton merchant sloop that sailed around Cape Horn and participated in the fur and pelt trade with coastal Native Americans. The replica was built in 1989 and has been used in movies like Star Trek Generations and Priates of the Caribbean: the Curse of the Black Pearl. The H.M.S. Bounty was built for the 1960 feature film Mutiny on the Bounty starring Marlon Brando, but she also was part of the Pirates of the Caribbean collection with Dead Man's Chest.

The food was excellent, the wine was great, and the conversations never stopped moving . . . and every once in a while, we would take a look at the Tall Ships as they sailed by.