(Editor’s note: Just so there’s no confusion, I ghost-wrote this for Uma, who was the Renton Reporter’s entry in the River Days Duck Hunt. And, no, I am not retiring. Much too young for that. Dean Radford.)

Well, I have had an eventful week or so. I got moved closer to the window so I could see all the action on South Third. Everyone seems to smile when they walk by.

I actually got away for awhile, too. I went to visit Mary Duncan at World Association for Children and Parents, where she works. That’s a cool place. They help arrange for new homes for orphans here in America from several countries.

I didn’t see any of my brothers and sisters at her place, across from this big beautiful brick building and just a street over from where I’ve spent the last month or so. I need to get out of the pond more.

I enjoyed talking with Mary. I wanted to talk with her about this Duck Hunt. She hopes it becomes a tradition in Renton, like the Clam Lights and Santa downtown. And it got all these folks into local businesses, looking for my mom’s brood.

I am a bit worried. But Mary had some good news about that. She has a couple ducklings of her own, Marley, 9, and Parker, 7. I have to thank them. They had this bingo card with a stamp by the name of every one of my brothers and sisters. That means, I guess, that they found them all!

Last time I wrote, I mentioned something about this Duck Hunt leading up to the IKEA Renton River Days. My family left behind all sorts of clues about where to find them. From what Mary says, her own kids are really good at solving puzzles.

They got some help from Mary and this guy named Geoduck. I am not quite sure what kind of duck he is, with no wings or feathers. And he’s not yellow. But he has this big smile and it’s pretty obvious he was instrumental in helping Marley and Parker find my family.

Marley and Parker sat down with me at Common Ground Coffee and Cupcakes this week, along with Geoduck, to talk about their exploits. I was glad they could come to me. It’s hard to get out when you’re stuck in place.

So where did Marley and Parker’s quest begin? Well, like so many other projects in Renton, at McLendon Hardware. They were there to buy some stuff for a family camping trip. Heck, we just take off and go camping.

Sitting at the entrance to McLendon was my brother Jonas. He piqued their curiosity. Marley and Parker got the impression that all 24 of my brothers and sisters were there. So, they scattered.

“I said, ‘Parker, look to the left.’ I’ll look to the right,” Marley explained.

If only it was that easy. They had to cast a much wider net – all of Renton.

So, Marley and Parker and Mary and Geoduck came up with a plan. They ended their successful day of searching at the Farmers Market. Only Quack kept them from finding everyone on the same day. His was the last clue.

My sister Linda almost stumped Marley with her clue. Linda just left a note “Catch me if you can!” and a photo of a pink bunny wearing a crown and holding a carrot. “It was kind of weird,” Marley said. But they figured it out – King and Bunny’s Appliances in the Renton Highlands.

Widget’s clue was the easiest for Parker to figure out. The clue? “This duckling is hanging out with his friends Freddie, Meyer and Benson. Translation: the Benson Fred Meyer.

Widget was Parker’s favorite duck, all decked out in American flags. “It was all-American.”

In case you didn’t notice, I’ve been giving away all sorts of secrets today. But, it’s Friday, the Duck Hunt is over and River Days has started at Liberty Park.

See you Sunday afternoon at the Rubber Ducky Race. I’ll be the one with water-proof camera hanging around my neck.

I am hanging up my editor’s hat after today. So this is my swan song.