Raincharm’s Weblog

The day started quickly and quickly slowed down. Carl had a game at 9 AM. We were there, the rest of the Silver Foxes were there, the Pilots (opponents) were there, the umpires were there, but the person with the keys to unlock the field was absent. Whenever a car pulled up, everyone was expectant, and trying not to look menacing. Most players arrive about an hour early. At 20 minutes past start time, the umpires called the game. Everyone waited a few more minutes, allowing the umpires time to take off their equipment and actually leave. Then we left.

Next up was the garlic harvest. This was an experiment last fall. Now is time to harvest.

Third in line is Princess Ida. We’re in the front row! We bused down to avoid parking, plus we get a walk in. There was a brief delay waiting for the Fremont Bridge to raise and lower.

Luckily we weren’t on an extremely tight schedule.

And now that Prince Hilarion has won a bride, and all of the Gilbert and Sullivan complexities have been ironed out, it is back into the city.

The Mariners were no-hit last night.

It happens. And the Angels were remembering a teammate who had passed away, so it must have been an emotional night for the players and their fans. We were not at the game, watching it on TV, and barely tracked the score. We learned of the impending no-hitter when friends started texting Carl. But he did not have his phone with him for a while, so we were blissfully ignorant.

Because we were at the Seattle Storm game. I got these tickets for donating blood a while ago. The Storm is playing some of their home games at the UW basketball arena while Key Arena is being rebuilt for the new NHL team, and whatever basketball team is playing in Seattle. So, convenient for us.

Our view during warm-ups

We did the opposite of our frequent travel type by busing to the game, and walking home. Love the northern long summer days, it was just getting dusky when we arrived home.

And the Storm dominated the game, with an easy win. There was a player on the Wings who was fantastic. Carl thinks he remembers Ogunbowale playing a big part in last year’s Final Four run for Notre Dame.

The game was fun, and there was an added highlight when they introduced Megan Rapinoe at the end of the first quarter. Loudest cheer of the night to that point. It was special, and for those who may not know, Rapinoe’s girlfriend, Sue Bird, plays for the Storm.

My blurry shot. Look for the purple hair

Seattle Times professional, in focus shot, by Elaine Thompson of the AP. That’s Sue Bird, Mayor Durkan and Megan Rapinoe

We finished off our evening by watching the conclusion of the Wizard of Oz. From the poppy fields to the end. We watched it over 3 sessions, and it was fun. We reminisced on what an event it was to see it each year. How scary the monkeys were. And for me, watching it in black and white, even though we knew it went to color. I didn’t see it in color until I was in college. That’s when I finally got the, “horse of a different color,” reference, to the puzzlement of the much younger kids I was watching with, who had probably always had color TVs.

The All Star game was not a home run derby, only 2. The American League won, for those who are counting. We watched the game with several friends and several hundred acquaintances at Safeco Field TMobile Park.

They provided food, games, games of chance and general frivolity.

Tonight’s social activity was watching ET accompanied by the Seattle Symphony.

It’s a good movie and a great orchestra. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Carl made a pre-show meal of chicken/avacado/cheese/tomato and lettuce wraps. He wrapped these in aluminum foil and popped them into my backpack. We ate them in the grand lobby, and they were yummy.

Our busy week continues tomorrow with a visit to our friendly financial advisor, who can advise us on how many more decades of work are in our future.

Rey and Becca

One year ago. Such a lovely day!

Pretty tame.Walked to the light rail in the morning. It was really quiet. Almost too quiet.Down to TMobile Park. More people, but still quiet. We spent the pre-game on the 3rd deck patio, eating our lunch and hanging out.Game time at our seats. Not a subdued crowd, but tempered. We stayed until the 8th, and decided we had enough sun for the day.Back home we quietly dismantled the screen. Except for the part where a vertical piece decided to become horizontal earlier than we anticipated. And stowed it in the garage.Evening brought out the noise. Not much at first, but then the basic sort of safe and sanes started exploding. These were soon overtaken by the big city display at Lake Union. The high displays can be seen from our bathroom and closet windows. But the real experience is the concussions that reach our house, a few miles from the show.And then there was the auxiliary experience, mostly booming shells rather than sparkles, at 5:15 AM this morning! After the third, I gave up trying to sleep and got up and went to work.Work was quiet.I am on the bus. I just realized how much building is underway when I wasn’t exactly sure where we were. Thought I had missed my stop for a moment. So it is the 5th.Happy 39th anniversary to Pooh and Mark.And happy 34th with Carl.How could I not stay married to this guy!

Yes – Rain

We managed to dodge drops throughout the weekend, so I am not complaining. Really.

On the other hand, something hosed traffic coming home today. Maybe it’s because I left a little earlier than usual, or maybe it was the rain, or maybe all of those vacationers that avoided the commute for the first few days – after school finally let out – returned. Whatever it was, it is potentially making me late for the ballgame. I have ditched the car, repacked the backpack, walked, bused (1 s or 2?), and am now on the train. I may yet make the first pitch.

Go Mariners!

We shall see. I don’t expect a win, but would appreciate a game with some good, or at least interesting, plays.

Last year there were two big wishes. 1) to go home, and 2) to be able to climb the stairs to the bedroom. Actually there were a few more, make the Mariners game (where 20 friends were gathered in a suite), and make the backyard film festival (we actually did make it for a few moments, but I wouldn’t say we really saw anything).

This year the wishes were a lot more mundane. Figuring out where to take him to dinner.

We went to a neighborhood restaurant, new to us. Kittitas. A Thai restaurant.

Number 38. I can’t remember what it was called

Fresh rolls with fried tofu and vermicelli noodles

Chicken sauted in a black bean sauce.

It was good food, and I think we’ll be back.

A beautiful night for a walk, and now to hang at home for the rest of the evening.

Happy day.

The weekend was way too short.

I need another day or two. On the other hand, I probably did more than on a usual weekend.

Saturday was the annual Backyard Baseball Film Festival. This meant folks for the weekend, four at our house this year. Food preparation, although nothing intricate. In the end, the most intricate part of the food was fitting it all onto the patio table. Sheeting the screen using the ever helpful binder clips. Chair setup and ice for the cold drinks.

The show was great. Although the screen location was changed from south to west at the last moment. The setting sun needed to be behind the screen. Luckily it was sturdy enough to pick up and move.

We left it in the east until we got home on Sunday and it had tipped back against a neighbor’s ornamental tree.

Dennis Nyback, film curator and archivist

Sunday we were treated to a pancake breakfast by a few of our guests. This fueled the clean up, sorting of the trash/recycling/compost, and returning chairs to their respective homes.

What remains is to dismantle the screen into a size that will fit into the garage.

Carl also had a game on Sunday evening. The field looked like a kid’s sandlot field. The umpire had to call a dead ball for a ball lost in the clover at the backstop.

The field was in the flight path for Sea-Tac airport

We got home after 8, had dinner and generally collapsed.

And, should I forget- it’s been one year since we were let out of the hospital and got to celebrate what was left of Carl’s birthday at home. One more trip around the sun!

We got out of Seattle today, and onto the island. Whidbey Island.

Our destination was Ebey’s Landing prairie ridge. Aimee lead our party of five. The hike started across a field, transitioning to a path along a high bluff overlooking the Sound. We followed this path for more than a mile, and then down some switchbacks to the beach. Back along the beach until we reached the Landing area and then back up to the field and back to the car.

The vistas were beautiful. The jets from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station were numerous and noisy.

An eagle was spotted in a snag. I know the limits of my phone, but snapped a pic anyway.

Here is the real deal, taken by Mark with a real camera.

Nobody was voted off, but we did part company after the hike, heading to our respective ferries.

What is missing?

The viaduct!

It is still in the process of being torn down. But boy has it changed the view from the waterfront.

We came down for a walk when they started the demolition, but that was just a small taste of what they have accomplished now. And it was quieter, even with the continuing tear down activity.

The occasion was touristing with a sister and brother-in-law. The Pike Street Market, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Aquarium and several other sites along the way. We took transit all day to avoid traffic and most of all, parking.

I am stealing a picture from said brother-in-law for a family photo.

This is actually yesterday, with Aimee and Mary Beth after dinner out at the Magnuson Brewery. The food was good, the beer better, the weather was grand, although Mary Beth and I got doused by some glasses of water that didn’t quite make the table. This was followed by some desserts at Aimee and MB’s place, including home made sesame balls. I had to hold myself back from clearing the plate.

Tomorrow we’re off on another adventure.