Looking good in the Other Washington...

The Farmer is in the other Washington this week; his 10^th annual trip as part of a delegation representing the Northwest Small Fruit Research Center.  The Center is funded with grants from the government and is under USDA oversight, so each year the delegation goes to visit PNW Senators and Congressmen to report on how last year’s money was used, and their plans for this year. The Center is appreciated by most of the Congressmen and Senators as an efficient and productive user of the funds granted. Randy, though not usually a fan of government funding, also appreciates the opportunity the Center provides for smaller industries to combine their efforts for an enhanced result. It’s a pretty good set-up for a government operation.

Over the years, each one of us in the family has had the opportunity to accompany him on a trip, and enjoy the history and excitement of Washington DC. The boys went with Randy while they were students, and had the privilege of joining him in his meetings with the Senators and Congressmen. We can give this experience credit for Jess’ continuing interest and pursuit of politics.

Or maybe we can blame it on that trip…

This all sounds rather heady, and wonderful – and though it has been an experience we feel blessed to have enjoyed, there is a dark side…

What is The Farmer going to wear?!

At the outset, we were made aware that the usual uniform of Levi’s with Carhartt jacket would not suffice. We had to buy dress clothes, more specifically, a SUIT!

Considering that at that time, we had in our possession one sport coat that was shared between The Farmer, and my brother-in-law – and heaven forbid that they had to attend the same wedding or funeral – it was a steep learning curve.

On that first attempt, I recall going to JC Penney’s, certain that I could pull something together for him that would cost less than the Bon Marche’s $300 suits. After all, The Farmer was going to wear this stuff for 3 days out of the year…3 measly days! Why spend the money? I found pants, a shirt, tie & sport coat and sent The Farmer into the dressing room…

…and out came Forrest Gump, wearing The Farmer’s face.

Houston, we have a problem.

I hurriedly made adjustments that did not improve the situation. After a couple more attempts, we headed to the Bon Marche and bought a $300 suit…and some shirts, and some ties, and belt and shoes, etc…And were glad to pay it because The Farmer looked good, really good. {sigh of relief} And he felt good too. Maybe we can do this dress-up stuff…

Since then we have had to do some updates, and this being year 10, an update was needed again. So last weekend, (don’t want to rush things) we decided we had better go on the hunt. A new sport coat was needed, and the accompanying accoutrements…

Oh boy…

Once again, I was reluctant to spend the money…clothes for 3 days out of the year, and the rare 4^th day for some infrequent occasion…So I tried, again, to make the selections, focusing on the sale items…

And tried again…and again…Forrest hadn’t shown up yet, but I feared he might be in the building.

So we headed over to Men’s Wearhouse and made the acquaintance of Mr. Keith, God bless him! He brought order to our confusion, and created 3 distinctly handsome looks with one jacket, three shirts, three pants, and three ties…and all of them would also coordinate with a sport coat (and just so you know we don’t share anymore) we already had at home…Amazing!

I bought all of it – even an extra tie. Not sure what I was thinking on that as there really are only 3 dress-up days so he will have to wait a year to wear one of them…A little delirious with relief, I guess. The ka-ching was long and loud, but I didn’t care. The deed was done. The Farmer would look respectable, and even dapper, I might add.

In fact, I just might like to be seen on his arm…

Someone want to invite us to a wedding this year?