Raincharm’s Weblog

In our neighborhood it is not uncommon to put items out on the parking strip for others to glean.

A few days ago an across the street neighbor put an add on Craig’s List for a gas powered lawnmower – to give away. And our next door neighbor was mowing her lawn with an electric mower. She must have walked away for a bit, and when she returned, her mower was gone.

She put out a sign requesting its return, at which point the across the street neighbor realizes what might have happened.

So he feels bad and puts another post on Craig’s List requesting whoever picked up the electric mower to please return it to our neighbor.

And the mower is returned.

It has been cleaned, and the gleaner had researched the mower, found there was a recall for an electrical short problem, and that the manufacturer was providing replacements. And even attached the required paperwork.

Now everyone is feeling good about the situation, and people in general.

The primary focus of our day away from home was the Greek Festival at St. Demetrious. On Boyer. This annual festival is just the right distance for an easy walk. You have enough energy to enjoy the festival, and feel like you may have worked off some of the food. Today we had gyros, souvlaki, Greek fries and loukoumades. There was more we did not have, but we weren’t trying to spend the entire afternoon.

The festival was quite crowded. I think this probably reflected a slow Saturday when it rained hard off and on. This contrasted with the roads that were empty. Everyone was watching the Seahawks. It was even on at the festival.

We did see the new pedestrian overpass from the UW stadium and new light rail station to the campus side of a major intersection.

And there was this (for all of my Michigan car buffs)

I could not figure out the make until we found this.

A lovely fall day. I hope yours was too.

I missed game 1, and Carl missed most of the game. Work. What are we on the west coast to do.

We are enjoying game two with the Handleys. At least we are trying. St. Louis just hit a home run. (I am the only one in the room that did not spend part of my youth in the Chicago area.)

And while it is not politically correct to have a favorite child. I guess today it would be Ashlan. Sorry Rey.

It’s a nice afternoon to watch a game inside as it’s pouring here. A very Seattle thing to happen in October.

Hoping for better weather tomorrow so we can walk to the Greek Festival.

We left for Safeco field at about 9:20 this morning. We should leave Century Link field at about 9:00 PM. A long day, but so far so good.

Mariners won their last game 3-2, over the Athletics. We did a fair amount of scoreboard watching during the game.
Before the game we wandered and said so long to seat hosts, alcohol enforcement, coaches and a few players. Carl got four more baseballs, for a season total of 197. Just a few shy of a milestone.
And ichiro pitched an inning for Miami. Makes me wonder whether he is ready to retire.
A few years ago Ashlan went to six Mariner and one Sounder game. All were wins, and one was Felix Hernandez’s perfect game.
This week I have been to six Mariner games and am awaiting the Sounders. My record is 2-4, so far. I guess I don’t have the touch.

Again the weather has been remarkably nice for October. And I have been able to spend time with Carl and friends.

Go Sounders. And don’t let 6 AM come too early tomorrow morning.

We are in the 13th inning of the second to last day of the season for the Mariners. It is not raining, and not too cold, although the marine layer has descended.
The As are winning by two runs, courtesy of a home run.
Now is the Mariners last chance to come back.
Do we want a 14th inning?

Remember when you listened to your grandparents or parents complain about their health and ailments? We should have listened a little closer – it was probably more about their healthcare provider and working the insurance maze/scams etc. I have officially become old this past half year.

Having a kidney stone out of state has made the jumping thru hoops to get payment ten-fold difficult. Doctors tell you they’re going to do something, and just don’t.

Is it the gray hair?

Is it just elder abuse and all the fun they get from that?

Are they just trying to find the worst HOLD music of all time?

Trying to not cover procedures or just making the process so drawn out that you forget must be the motive. Maybe my heart will rupture with stress while on hold and it’ll all be over.

Where’s the fun in that?

[This is a guest post. Or rather a guest rant.]