Raincharm’s Weblog

1. Mariner Game

Today’s game was a day game. We light-railed to the stadium, arriving about 11:20, for a 1:10 game. This is part of what Carl does. He chatted with some folks while we waited by the Mariner bullpen for the pitchers to arrive. At least one fan told Carl he recognized him from being next to the fan who caught a ground rule double 2 games ago.

Once the pitchers arrived we got to watch Gilbert and Castillo throw bullpen sessions. Carl was waiting to get the attention of Jose A Ferrer, a reliever. Carl had put together a postcard with a picture of Nationals Park on the front, and the box score and other information from Ferrer’s first win as a major league player on the back. Ferrer came over, signed a copy for Carl and took his copy. Ferrer seemed genuinely pleased, showed it to a few, and we could see him looking at it more as he walked back across the field to the clubhouse. And he got to pitch the 9th inning as the closer in today’s win over the Atlanta Braves.

1. Waterfront Walk

The game ended and we had some time to spare so we walked from the stadium down the Seattle waterfront to the aquarium, then up to Pike Place Market and finally down to the Harbor Steps.

1. Dinner Out

Just off the Harbor Steps is the Noi Thai restaurant for dinner with our friends Janet and Lisa. I had crispy garlic chicken and Carl had red curry.  Yummy food and the best part was they had Happy Hour portions so it was just the right amount of food.

1. Jesus Christ

Walked the 4 blocks (uphill) to the 5th Avenue Theatre to see Jesus Christ Superstar.

It was a really good show. I only wish I had played the album some this week so Carl would have known the story/songs. While I listened to it many, many times, he only knew Jesus Christ Superstar. And in true Carl form, largely because it was the first walk up music used on repeat. This was used for Dick Allen with the Chicago White Sox. Nancy Faust, the ballpark organist, played it when he came to the plate in a game in 1972. He liked it so much he asked her to play it every time he came up to bat.

After light-railing home again, it’s time for bed.

A step or two forward today. Mostly I made appointments. Car, blood, enhanced drivers license. And I filled out an application for my mother’s birth certificate.

I did have an actual appointment myself today as well, with my orthodontist. Unlike the braces I had as a teenager I am currently going through the Invisalign process. This was necessary due to the removal of an infected tooth. I was working my way through the aligners, usually changing weekly, but sometimes up to 2 weeks between changes. I was up to 40 of the set of 41 provided.

And then I found out this was just the first set. I now have an additional 28 aligners, and found out there will be a third set as well, and possibly a fourth. Since you really can’t go backwards to earlier aligners I decided to discard the first 40.

Unfortunately, the Mariners took a step back tonight. Not a bad game, but they couldn’t quite pull it off.

My day started slowly. I had plans but kept finding other things to do instead. I was not feeling particularly good about my choices. This is part of my retirement conundrum, if I don’t do something productive I feel guilty.

I finally got myself to the computer to at least check email. That did include some productive acts, just not what I had planned.

And then the mail arrived. Some fun stuff for Carl. Another letter about Carl’s Social Security and what he gets paid and what they deduct, all good, just bookkeeping. And then, a package I had been waiting for from the government of Saskatchewan CA. Certified copies of my Grandfather’s birth records. I am looking into the potential of acquiring Canadian citizenship based on being descendants of Canadians. Just starting, let’s call this step 1. Interesting feelings, today’s was happiness.

And for further humor I saw this.

I am currently carrying a clear bag of a certain size, as allowed by the local stadiums.

I don’t think I’ll be winning any fashion awards.

Went to the Mariners game. Again.

Highlights

And then the game started.

The weather was glorious, sunny with a light breeze.

The game, not so much if you’re a Mariner fan. Fun if you’re a Royals fan. They won the last 3 games in a row. Ugh.

But the game was only part of the day. In the morning a bit of yard/garden maintenance. In the evening, putting together a dinner from what was around. And it turned out well.

The Mariners are retiring Randy Johnson’s No. 51 tonight. This is from a picture day years ago, probably 1991.

Yes, it’s blurry, but it was in the days of film cameras, lots of jostling people. Randy had reached over to get Ashlan for the picture. And we love it.

Speaking of Ashlan, number 51 has always been special to her, because it’s also her birthday. Yesterday that is. And we did get to do a video call with an impromptu singing of Happy Birthday to her by her 4-year old son. His birthday was a week ago so he was well versed in the song.

From the ceremony

For those who were familiar with Randy Johnson as a pitcher, he was 6′-10″ tall with an intimidating fastball and slider. And he was fierce.

They had special balls for the game. A ground rule double was caught by a fan two seats away from us.

It was a  very nice tribute, they retired his number, and announced they will be erecting a statue of Randy in the near future.

Lots of things need updating.

Today we updated our grass height, as in Carl mowed. Also our sleeping quarters availability, as in I made up the guest bed. And updated the deck to make it a bit safer, as in pounded in several nails that are sticking out. I think it’s a freeze thaw phenomenon.

A more important update will get started next week. We’re meeting with a person who will walk us through some life planning things, like updating our will from the 1990 version.

Had a call from work today, with a work question. I have really not had any of these in the 6 months since I left. However, the person who took over most of what I did has also left now, as of last week. I will admit that I was very disappointed with that development as I had spent significant time with him so the knowledge I had built over decades would have a champion. And he was competent and knowledgeable, but decided he wanted to take a few years off from work. Any work as far as I know. So he didn’t just jump to another engineering job. They have hired a replacement, starting soon, but they won’t have the same inside insights that come with time.

I actually enjoyed sharing what I knew about the specific question they called with today, and I did know the answer, without hesitation.

Sort of an anti-work sentiment, I guess

Nothing on the calendar and the sun is out. What to do? Walk of course! Around 10,000 plus steps and $1.12 in found funds.

Our goal was a post office, and we chose a zig-zag route. This would seem to be straightforward, until we hit Tangletown. We had followed a street with a significant curve. I would have turned right, but Carl said left. I the end I think he was more correct. But I wasn’t completely wrong.

We passed a mosaic tile storefront.

The construction of these artworks was very detailed and precise. I was quite impressed.

This house being lifted for an understory addition was also impressive in its clean lines. A very neat work site.

There were other things accomplished today. Getting to know who are neighbors are, and I mean that literally. And taking a step towards future planning. Mowing the lawn, etc.

I don’t know why, but I had a hard time falling asleep last night. By the time I got up in the morning I think I had between 5-6 hours. That’s not awful, especially as an isolated incidence. But I needed to find energy.

I was completely energized by a visit from a friend I had not seen for almost 10 years.  Situations had kept us apart, but now the only obstacle is schedules.

In many ways it was like we had never been apart. In other ways there was so much to catch up on. Kids, grandkids, health, etc … And definitely energizing.

The plan was to walk and talk and end up at a restaurant for lunch. We ended up talking at home and then heading out for lunch. A new restaurant for me, Kona Kitchen in Maple Leaf.

Pretty yummy and filling. And the servings were huge so lunch and/or dinner again too.

Schedules again mean it will be a few months before we can continue our conversation. I can’t wait.

Our youngest grandson, by 3 weeks, turned 4 a few days ago. I believe they had a  joint birthday party with a few kids. As part of our house clean-out we had sent several beanie-babies to use as party favors. After food they were put on the table and the kids were allowed to choose. One of Elijah’s friends whom we have met chose a Sammy “Sosa” bear, and was seen carrying it the next day. Apparently they were a big hit. That makes me so happy. They get a second life.

When we sent the beanie babies a few larger stuffies were also included. One of those, a Gund Polar bear has been adopted by Elijah, including becoming his first bedtime buddy.

Ashlan says Elijah is being cagey about identifying who is who in this picture. I think the central figure is Ashlan, if the long lines are hair.

On our end it was a quieter day. A relatively short walk and a new recipe for chicken that turned out really well. Marinated in a mixture of honey, olive oil, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper, then broiled on each side for a few minutes followed by baking till done. Relatively easy and very tasty. No pictures were taken.