There I was, an outsider, and female, too, about to invade the boys’ club house. But since I had received a written invitation, I figured I was safe.

RICHARD HARTMAN blurted out, “What the …” as I entered the small meeting room. Several men looked up from their coffee and others continued browsing menus and deciding what they wanted for breakfast.

My host, DON GROVE, jumped to his feet and said I had a perfectly good reason to be there.

They call themselves the NORTH WHIDBEY OLD FOGIES and I wanted to meet them. The informal group of about a dozen retired military men meets for breakfast at 9 a.m. each Monday. Grove e-mails the men to tell them which restaurant to go to next.

As I studied the animated faces around the table, I decided none of them even owns a rocking chair.

TOM LEUHR served 21 years in the Navy followed by four in the Air Force. HARTMAN was in the Navy for 30 years. JIM LOTZGESELL, who served during WWII flying OS2Us from Navy Cruisers, also flew P2V Neptunes at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. DUTCH STREHLE had a 20-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps; GROVE retired as a Navy Master Chief after 30 years; and WALTER PYNE, known as “Computer Guy,” is a 22 year Navy vet.

The weekly breakfasts are filled with endless corny jokes followed by bursts of laughter. They never run out of stories, and they’ll be there for each other when life gets tough. Some have formed bonds like brothers and one man mentioned missing PHIL WENDLING who had an important appointment that morning, and CHET SULLIVAN, a former member who can’t attend anymore because of work requirements.

Three men celebrating birthdays (and being treated to a complimentary breakfast) were BEN CORTES, a 28-year Navy retiree; RICK VAN PELT, retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot; and RUSS TALLEY, U.S. Navy retired.

Grove collects a dollar every month to cover the cost of greeting cards (mostly birthday, but sometimes sympathy), the odd little birthday gifts and cupcakes with candles. The day I visited, pencils, toothpicks and M&Ms were gifts. Like good sports, they all enjoyed the fuss.

Don’t you wish you could join them? Just send an e-mail to oldfogy@cablespeed.com and ask Grove where the next breakfast will be. Don’t worry if they give you the once-over. I survived.

Ever on the go …

Even a talented and prolific artist such as JOAN BROSNAHAN of Penn Cove Park needs a bit of inspiration now and then, and she couldn’t pass up the chance to soak up some sun.

It was a reunion trip she and her late husband JIM had made together for almost 25 years. Now, things are quite different.

“There were only seven people able to make it this time,” Joan said, referring to members of VA-113, Carrier Squadron 5 out of San Diego, “but those who remain are serious about coming back next year.”

Old friendships were rekindled while cruising on the trip to Cozumel on the Royal Caribbean “Splendor of the Sea.”

Speaking of artists …

Artists must heed the June 9 deadline if they wish to apply to be on the Washington State Arts Commission’s public artist roster. With acceptance, they are eligible for public art projects through the Washington State Arts Commission’s Art in Public Places Program.

Every two years, the program holds a regional open competition to select artists for inclusion. Artists from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Alaska and British Columbia are eligible.

Application information is available on the Arts Commission’s website at www.arts.wa.gov or by calling (360) 753-5894.

Hold the clothes …

Let’s drum up support for the big KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS rummage sale coming June 2 and 3. This fund-raiser is the Knights’ major event each year. Proceeds from the sale are used in scholarships for deserving local students.

Why not box up some of that stuff taking up precious cabinet space (when was the last time you made waffles?), books you meant to read and lamps that are no longer your style. If you are in doubt, just call Joe at 675-6149, Al at 678-3576 or the Knights hall at 675-6070 and leave a message.

Go Dutch …

Let’s give the Dutch their due this weekend and enjoy all that Holland Happening has to offer, starting with the big parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. I hope you’ll say hello and introduce yourself.

Until I return May 3, please send your news to lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com or call 675-6611.