Raincharm’s Weblog

Less than 2 weeks until Opening Day (baseball season) and we finally get snow! I don’t recall any snow in town this winter at all.

Just a few days apart

Okay, so it’s less than an inch, but it’s our inch.

I actually briefly got that feeling I had as a child when the first snow would fall. It was always a thrill. Sledding and skiing would follow. I always liked being the first set of footsteps in the snow walking to school. As an older child I loved pushing cars to get them unstuck from drifts or ice. Really, it was a thing I did.

Today the snow is going to transition to a wintry mix, and then rain. The real question is will we get out in it at all. The sidewalks are bare, not cold enough to hold the snow so I can leave footprints.

Got out today before the rain started in earnest. It was not quite lunchtime when we were on The Ave. (University Way) passing the newest location of Raising Cane’s. It’s been open a month or so but a line was forming. A short line at this point but nevertheless  …

Our walk errand was a Post Office drop-off  and then we headed into campus and north through fraternity/sorority row. A fair number of students passed us, headed to class we presumed. Almost all were plugged into their phones.

Our front walk flowers are meh this year. A bunch of daffodils with a few more bunches on the way. My tulips are almost non-existent and you only see the back half of the plot because the front half is just dismal.

Maybe if the sun comes out again things will look brighter. On the other hand, I did see some good movies today. TCM is playing Oscar winners from the past. Today’s viewing included Some Like it Hot, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

So in an effort to move myself forward I made a list today. A list of things I need to get done.

I started into what my father calls Family Arithmetic. Paying bills, balancing accounts, stuff like that. I was caught up until the mail came with a few more bills.

Oddly enough, Family Arithmetic was not on my to-do list. So nothing has been crossed off, but stasis has ended.

I am trying to figure out what my new normal is. I think what I need is deadlines.  These may need to be self created and self imposed.

Tomorrow I will make a  to do list. Today’s accomplishments were somewhat limited; a short walk – including repopulating a book to a little free library, and making dinner.  I did complete some crossword puzzles, but they don’t really count.

I thought spring was upon us, but today the temperature had a distinct bite. We went on a reasonably long walk, in the mostly sun. But I chose to wear my long underwear for comfort against the wind.

Just a few errands but it got me out of the house. Tomorrow I need to find a task to get done. Perhaps back to the basement. After a week gone I need to remind myself what needs to be finished for the garage giveaway, and actually choose a date.

Carl is doing his share of house emptying. We had bought a bunch of grey hats to make into Kingdomes for our group on opening day. It was going to be the 20th anniversary of the Kingdome’s implosion. Perfect alignment of dates. We had made one prototype.

And then Covid happened and there was no Opening Day, at least with fans in the stands.

This year the Mariner’s opening day is again on the implosion anniversary. 50 years after it opened, and 26 years since the implosion. We still have the hats, and are going to try again.

In addition he’s getting rid of some Kingdome Snow Globes.

Hopefully these will make somebody else happy, and will lighten the load in our house.

Today has been a recovery day. Unpacking,  shopping, and not much else.

We’ll see about tomorrow.

Just under 900 miles. (897.6)

425 miles in California, 308 in Oregon, and 165 in Washington  – roughly.

Left Monterey just before 7 AM, arrived home in Seattle at 9:00. Really pretty good for traffic, except through Portland.

Mt. Shasta

It may have seemed like a small delay when we passed it, but I was glad to be home 20 minutes earlier.

After saying that I realize I always thought my mother was very nice looking. I think it’s the set of the jaw or something.

I’m a bit tired, time for a snack (aka dinner).

A few days ago we went to Pacific Grove and walked south along the shore for a while.  Today we started further south and walked north, ending at the same place we stopped a few days ago. Coincidentally there is a restroom at that location.

We saw deer, beachy squirrels, harbor seals, sea otters, oyster catchers, a hawk, cormorants, and sea gulls. None of these are in the pictures, except coincidentally.

We started the day at Katy’s Diner in Carmel by the Sea. It was good food and their eccentricity is that they only accept cash. We knew this ahead of time so no problems. After the walk we retired to our home away from home made lunch and relaxed. Dinner will be from Pizza Factory to round of the day.

Our first excursion today was to Point Lobos for a scenic walk in the wind.

The second sojourn of the day was to the Monterey Aquarium. It is a great aquarium, quite expansive. It is a Thursday and not overly crowded, especially when we were closing out the place. The most impressive section was on jellyfish, a few of the many pictured below.

The large tanks, many of them, had diverse populations, including schools of fish. There were several touch tanks and the docents were very knowledgeable and forthcoming.

Over 12,000 steps and I am ready to be done for the day.

We returned to Carmel by the Sea today, expanding from 2 of us to 4. Carl arrived late last night. Late enough that no one was in bed until this morning.

We launched in time for lunch. Pepperoni Hot Honey pizza and a Greek salad at the Pizza Heaven. The next stop was Calhoun Estate Jewelery to see if they were interested in any watches or jewelery. They took a few pieces for a modest sum.

Finally time to hit the beach. The weather was sunny but considerably windier than our last visit. At about 60 degrees it was only warm when you could get out of the wind.

We have been hosted by my sister and brother-in-law at his parents house that is in the process of being sold as part of their estate. This means going through everything in the house. Not me, I have only participated marginally, but more on that another day. One of the treasures shared today were 2 beach towels, likely from the 60s. They have most recently been used to protect some of the fine art from the sun.