Thanks

Quiet time of year for Masonic endeavors.  Well at least for a week or two.  The last post came while I was in our Nation's capital for work.  I am reminded how fortunate I am to live in this country and the opportunities that have been provided to me in my life.  Yes, politically, things seem to be a mess and the gap is getting wider, but we still have so many more freedoms and conveniences than many others in the world.  It reminds me that I want to tell all of our elected officials "we have a good thing, don't f* it up!".   I won't get all political on you, but you can blame whoever you want, republicans, democrats, independents, we ALL share part of the blame and the responsibility to figure out how to fix it.  There are many good people out there talking about civility and the art of compromise and working together, only to turn around and completely dismiss what someone with a differing opinion has to say, how is that helping?  Yes we need to be able to discuss things with civility, but also have to be willing to listen and compromise and relocate that middle ground.

Well onto the travel for the last week...
I returned home from Washington, DC on Friday and spent some time with my sister and family.  On Saturday we attended the remembrance service for MW Chuck McQuery.  It was a very well done service and was well attended.  MW Chuck was the epitome of "Live Respected, and Die Regretted".  He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Lake Washington District of Rainbow official visit of the Grand Worthy Advisor was next on Saturday evening.  It was a great time with a Dr. Suess theme and a couple of new announcements for the year, including the new Grand Confidential Observer!  Congratulations Destiny!

Sunday was Southside Revolution Derby Scrimmage day and taking photos there in the morning.  Then heading back to Monroe and meeting up with John and May to do some "Save the Date" photos.

Another photo shoot on Monday and Tuesday.  Monday was Frank and LaNita who hadn't done photos in many years and just wanted to get some done.  Tuesday was ballet audition photos for Hailey.  I love doing ballet photos, the strength and beauty amazes me.

Thursday was Thanksgiving hosted at Casa Martin and my sister and niece joined Robin, Logan, and I at our house for a great meal and nice to just relax and spend time with family!

Are you all in?

Steve Martin
Grand Lecturer 2019-2020

November Rain

It is November already! 

November started with my home district #8 meeting with the Grand Master.  I enjoy this meeting so much every year.  I love my district and the fact that we can all have fun together and show that Masonry can be fun!  There were presentations of a couple of 50 year pins to some amazing brethren.  WB Dean Bonar was awarded the Grand Master Achievement award.  I then spent the rest of the evening with family.

Sunday, November 3rd was the start of the Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby scrimmages and photographing some amazing skaters and supporters.  Later in the afternoon we went and did some family portraits for an amazing family that purchased the photoshoot at a charity auction.

It was election day on Tuesday at Sultan-Monroe Lodge #160.  Congratulations to WM Elect Fred Grannan. 

Thursday was a day spent with my sister.  First stop was radiation treatment then back to the house where she took a well needed nap.  Then Lunch out and headed home.  She seemed to have a pretty good day and things were going well for that day.  Ups and downs for sure when dealing with cancer and radiation treatments.

Friday was the Bothell Rainbow Girls Elf Auction dinner hosted at Monroe Lodge.  It was a great dinner and the auction was very successful.  So happy to have the Rainbow Girls at our Lodge.

Saturday, November 9th was the Installation of officers at Damascus Lodge #199.  I was honored to install the WM Bob Carden and all of his officers that were able to attend.  Before the installation we had lunch with MW Warren Schoeben and his lovely lady Mary Joe.

Sunday was another busy day for us, we started the day shooting Roller Derby at Southside Revolution scrimmage, then lunch with the Lorrie and Danielle Brunson where Lorrie presented us with our State Mom and Dad jackets.  They are AMAZING!  Thank you is not enough!  After lunch in Tacoma, we headed over to Bremerton to celebrate a housewarming for Hassib and Eva and also to get the news that they are expecting a Baby!  Congratulations to them both and what an amazing young family that will be.  Finished off the evening at dinner at our very good Friends house, Matt and Cindy Powell.

Monday was our scheduled day off and Veteran's day so of course it was a quiet day....NOT!  We took some time for us and went to the Woodland Park Zoo.  Most of the animals were out and we had a great time taking photos of the animals in the fall colors.  Later that day we met Jake at Bothell Landing and took his senior photos.

Tuesday more senior photos with James at the museum of flight.  This senior has an amazing amount of knowledge in regards to WWII fighter jets.

Wednesday was a visit to Alpha Lodge and another lodge electing officers.  Congratulations WB Pat Marlett on being elected Master again!

Friday I traveled with the Grand Marshal to Verity Lodge in Kent for a Tiled Table Lodge.  This was a great evening and full of good company and fraternalism.  I got to sit and spend the evening with MW Jim Mendoza.  He is a wealth of knowledge and someone I respect greatly.

Saturday the 16th was another busy day.  We got up early and Robin took off to Lacey to spend time with her Mom and Sister, while I took off over the mountain to Quincy for a corner stone ceremony.  We both returned to Monroe to relax for a minute then head out to Everett to install the officers of Peninsular Lodge.  I installed the Master and gave the charge to the Master and the Lodge.  It was a rough night for me as I was more tired than I expected from driving all day and although I knew the parts, I kept doing them out of order.  It was a still a great evening and I am very honored that WB Mike Dulaney asked me to install him.

Sunday was another scimmage at SSR and then another day spent with my sister and niece.  Unexpectedly to me, my mom showed up as well so that was a nice surprise.

Monday I took off and headed to Washington, DC for work.  My flight landed at about 4:15pm and I headed to my hotel, changed, then got an Uber to the House of the Temple so I could attend the Lodge meeting of the Justice-Columbia Lodge #3 and the Official Visit of MW Charbel T Fahed, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia.  It was a fun evening and I was asked to march in with the Grand Lodge team.  I was also given the opportunity to speak about the Grand Lodge of Washington and bring fraternal greetings from our Grand Master, Charles Woods.  At the end of the meeting, I was honored to deliver the closing charge from the Grand Lodge of Washington.

I don't have a ton of wisdom to share this week because it is late in Washington DC and I have to go to work tomorrow :D

Fraternally,
VWB Steve Martin
Grand Lecturer