Raincharm’s Weblog

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.

A morning of visitors, expected and not. Jim was first in. We chatted for awhile on this and that. Then I answered some work questions. I did not mind at all. My trained replacement decided he wanted to not work for a few years, so some things are being learned on the fly by others. And I don’t mind providing clarity.

Then John came by to pick up boxes of bobbleheads we were moving out of our house. His son is currently a baseball bobblehead aficionado, and these will be a birthday present. And, I took him into the garage and he left with a container of motor oil. One more bit gone. More chit-chat, and then it was time for us to move out into the city.

We took the 67 to the 32 bus line, that took us up to Lower Queen Anne  (near the Seattle Center). A few blocks walk and we were at the Behnke Center, a 400 – 500 seat performing arts venue.

A 3rd co-worker and her wife were among the performers.

As you may infer from the pictures, the concert was about resistance and protest. Through the years and from different cultures. One of our favorites was Labour, music and words by Paris Paloma, regarding a woman held down by a man.

[CHORUS]
All day, every day, therapist, mother, maid
Nymph, then a virgin, nurse, then a servant
Just an appendage, live to attend him
So that he never lifts a finger
24/7 baby machine
So he can live out his picket-fence dreams
It’s not an act of love if you make her
You make me do too much labour

Our friends were part of a native drum group backing the performance of GIMIKWENDEN INA
Music & Words by Corey Payette
Arr. Elliot Vaugha. Lisa, Tlingit tribe, made most of the five drums used in the performance.

Following the performance we ate out at one of our go-to Greek restaurants. The food was good, gyros plate for Carl and a lamb souvlaki pita with Greek fries for me. And time to get to the bus for the ride home.

Except when the 32 bus arrived the route said “Terminal.” This is what they say before and after they are in service. The bus driver didn’t say anything and a person did get off, matching the end of a route scenario. It was only after a different line came and went that I checked the app and it said the 32 had come and gone 4 minutes earlier. 😡 The next 32 was 30 minutes away, so we punted and walked into the Seattle Center to catch the Monorail. This holdover from the 1962 World’s Fair has just two stops, Seattle Center and Westlake Center.  Luckily Westlake Center is also a Light Rail stop, which takes us within a half mile from home.

The Monorail arrived soon after we got to the station.

And we only had to wait a few minutes for the light rail. The newer 2 line for those keeping score. Going north from downtown the 2 line and 1 line are the same route, except the 2 lines are frequently shorter trains.

All in all an interesting day.

We had a package to mail today, along with some letters. We also had a Met Market coupon for baguettes. Checking the locations we decided to bus close to the post office, and then walk home by way of Met Market. Somewhere between 4 and 5 miles, with a good uphill near the end.

As it happens, a bit before the uphill, there was a brewery. So we decided to share some liquid encouragement.

We took the slightly longer hill, rather than the shorter steep hill. A good decision for me, and we had the time.

Sitting just under 12,000 steps. The afternoon may focus on more sedentary activities.

Not me! Perish the thought. Carl! By virtue of being on both Medicare (for a while now) and now receiving Social Security benefits.

He applied in February, taking advantage of requesting 6 months prior and then moving forward. We should have done this earlier, but were so focused on me waiting to be 70 to maximize my benefits we overlooked his ability to start getting benefits based on his earnings. When I finally start getting benefits, and officially become a senior, we’ll switch him to spousal benefits. Daycare just doesn’t pay as much as engineering. Although perhaps it should.

Other activities today: Pruning the laurel. Managed to get our side finished. Walking to the grocery store for a few essentials like bananas and ice cream. Trying to give blood.

Once again I failed to reach the required 12.5 on the iron test. I’ve been taking iron supplements for a bit over a week and was sure I would pass. 😕 The phlebotomist suggested I wait at least 2 more weeks before trying again.

So I have no excuse for being tired.

As reported yesterday, I did not go to yesterday’s Mariners game. Carl and our seatmates Kevin and Mark did. They did a double-header, Mariners day game and an Everett Aquasox (Ms single-A) night game.

The Mariners beat the As 5-4, including a Cal Raleigh Big Dumper home run. But for the, “You don’t see this everyday,” factor there was a play with Ms pitcher Gilbert in the first inning. The batter hit the ball right back at Gilbert with a velocity of just under 110 mph. Gilbert didn’t catch the ball, exactly. It went between two buttons of his jersey, hitting him in the stomach and going around his torso. He couldn’t find it at first, finally extracting it between the buttons. For those keeping score, it was considered a dead ball once it was in the jersey. The runner on third stayed there (he had not tried to advance to home), the runner on first advanced to second, and the batter got first base. No outs. The video linked above is about 1 minute long and worth a view.

The Aquasox won as well. It was a Silver Slugger night. They have less expensive tickets for seniors (are we really seniors) for several midweek games throughout the season. They gave out a hat to the Silver Sluggers.

This morning’s recap of yesterday’s doubleheader sounded like a fun day.