Raincharm’s Weblog

Or is it, I see deer butt?

Ahh yes, Seattle snow. And evidence of a backyard visitor. Apparently it was easier to traverse the area on the brick border. Apologies for the dark pictures, it was not quite sunrise.

We had the great pleasure of spending an evening with cousin Janet, in town for a conference. We tried a neighborhood vegan restaurant. I was distracted while perusing the menu, and finally selected the Big Burger.

It was very tasty, but not what I expected.

Burger (mushroom or bean based) topped with macaroni and cheese and frizzled onions. But the fries. I just didn’t expect a Red Robin portion at a vegan place. That shows that you should not make assumptions.

Having survived the first day of the snow on the roads, the forecast now calls for 4 more days of possible snow and continued cold. My goal for the weekend is to leave the car at home and rely on our feet and public transit to get around. It’s the last weekend of the Jim Henson exhibit at Mopop. [Think Muppets] I must see it, so the weekend will include a Seattle Center visit.

And the flurries fly.

We did see some today, but none survived on the ground. So far.

We saw cars driving by with accumulation, so this is the type of event that varies widely around the area.

The temperature is going low enough that any precipitation is likely to be snow, and will likely be slippery. I do have to work tomorrow so am hoping that the snow is minimal where I must drive.

Most of the weekend has been not rainy and even sunny. We launched yesterday after the golden orb appeared and got in 4 miles. Then it stayed out long enough to trim the raspberry bushes. Today we walked about 4 miles, including a snow shower. The taxes are all but done (waiting for the final piece of paper to arrive) and am almost done with the full re-write of chapter 1. A pretty good weekend.

Maple Leaf reservoir, about the second highest spot in Seattle. (Well maybe the 3rd) The elevated reservoir in the background is dwarfed by the covered reservoir we are standing on. (The highest point in Seattle is called High Point.)

Chapter 1 of my big project has been in process for several months. I reviewed the first draft in November, sitting in various hospital rooms with Carl. When I finished that effort I had a list of 18 items I could not check from the bedside. Other priorities and projects intervened and I just finally found the right time to finish my November update. Truth be told there is still one paragraph and one figure to complete before I send it off.

I am currently imitating a cat by curling up in the sunny spot on our bed. It was an early morning call at 3:45 to take some friends to the airport.

The title is from a 1917 silent movie by Max Sennet staring Gloria Swanson. That’s Teddy accompanying Ms. Swanson in the picture.

We saw this movie as part of an organ music show this afternoon. Donna was the musician. A delightful afternoon.

The program followed a 4+ mile walk, in cool sunshine. My weather app has been less than accurate in predicting precipitation lately. At least today it was wrong in our favor.

We walked a few roads not on our usual routes, including an alley or two. These two characters were on the way. I think we were somewhere between the tortoise and hare pace. [If we had walked home as well it would have likely been more tortoise, but friend Doug provided a ride.]

This is partly because we did a 5-mile walk yesterday. If two sunny days on a weekend persist we will run the risk of getting back into walking shape. I did rather ignore the yardwork that needs to be addressed. How long could it be until the next clear day at home?

I was sure today was supposed to be dry. But, no. At least it’s a drizzle plus.

Carl called earlier and suggested we walk after work. I did a short walk at lunchtime and still hope to add some steps. It will be dark. And now wet, so we shall see.

This week has been fairly busy. On Monday work lasted until 7, if I recall correctly. Tuesday night included a show – Mamma Mia. What a fun show.

I was still humming tunes the next morning. Wednesday was just intense – trying to complete a write-up due on Monday by mid-wednesday. This was followed by a non-work meeting, and home by 7:30.

So today, if we don’t walk, I will have an evening at home.

Not for the entire day, but for long enough that we took a walk for fun after the shopping walk.

The garden is coming to life. I guess it appreciates incessant rain.

Seattlites were all drawn to the sunshine. Walking without a raincoat, what a dream.

One of many new projects in the area. Two small houses turning into 40 units. And the same few street spaces will have to cover all the units.

Seattle is not quite New York City where it’s more common to not own a vehicle. This is relatively close to a park and ride and not too far from the future light rail, but still, 0 parking spaces?

And the better guys won the Super Bowl. Of the commercials I saw, my favorite was the Vikings heading for the game, and then turning around when they found out the Vikings weren’t playing.

I don’t know why I chose this picture when I started this post a week or so ago, but it could have been to point out the difference in the length between everybody’s knees and feet on the ground.

Next up, today. Edgar (Martinez) has a chance to get into the Hall of Fame today. A small chance. If not this year, he has one more chance next year.

In between

We found a prehistoric toucan

And checked on the progress of releasing a T-rex skull from rock encasing the skull.

And we found time to hang around with our neighbors. (And a few other folks as well. )

In honor of my parents tree,

we found some of his tree relatives closer to home.

And the wildlife managing to look like a petting zoo outside of our office.

Several have referred to them as our emergency food supply.

Have a great day.

I am writing this sitting comfortably in JFK’s terminal, waiting for our boarding call. Ashlan and Allen walked us halfway to our subway entrance and then turned left to go see a movie. Today’s subway adventure had the added bonus of a train detoured from its normal route.  [Catch the E on the F track.] We managed, and even had strangers offering to assist with directions. (My teal coat was a dead giveaway to not being an inhabitant of Gotham. ) From the subway it was back onto the AirTrain to terminal 5. We almost felt like pros, especially compared with our arrival 5 days ago. Either way, Ashlan did a pretty good job of kicking us out of the nest this trip.

Before the departure we spent some time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The primary goal, for me was the Michelangelo exhibit. I spent time wandering through while the others did a more abbreviated version but also saw the Hockney exhibit. (The Michelangelo exhibit was really crowded.) 

Most of the works were studies, sketches or “cartoons”, which I quite enjoyed. His use and reuse of a sheet of paper reminded me of some papers in my office. After a while I will have to start crossing out items that have been completed until I can finally recycle the sheet.

I chose 3 to memorialize. The first includes a poem about painting the Sistine Chapel. The second had a cat. And the third was a study of column bases that ended with a whimsical man’s face in profile. 

A brief look at some Rodin and we were back out on the street. Carl has always enjoyed his hands.

Photobomb by little one.

Lunch, and a walk back to the apartment to gather luggage and depart. So here we sit, awaiting our return. Back to work tomorrow. 

Carl and I decided to take a walk this morning while waiting for the kids to wake up. [What a switch from the early years]

We  watched the trash swirl as we walked down 10th. (Let it blow, let it blow, let it blow.) We started at 49th, aiming at the High Line, at about 30th. When we tried to cross 39th we both got blown about 5 feet sideways, struggling to stay upright. So we decided it was better to turn around and find coffee. 

Next up was a walk to the Rockefeller Center and environs.

One more night in the big city.
And one more joke from the show the other night.

Merry Christmas to us. Allen’s mother was in town yesterday, so gift giving was moved up a few days. It was fun – 7 sharing their holiday. And lunch. Also walking  (it is NYC after all). 

Later in the evening the group split in two for 2 different shows. Ours was The Play that Goes Wrong. The show actually begins before the lights dim, with cast members going through the crowd looking for a dog (also a cast member). The playbill has the playbill for the show within the show,  complete with cast biographies and ads. A complete production and laugh out loud throughout. 

Carl and I got to experience one of our presents this morning. A spa/baths experience including a massage. Again we managed to get there and back successfully solo, including finding a grocery store.

That set us up for a bacon, eggs and pancake breakfast at Ashlan and Allen’s place. Allen’s sister Danielle and her fiance Sterling, were cooking for their feast later. 

Apparently today’s theme is bacon.

We left Ashlan and Allen playing a virtual reality game where they must communicate – one with directions and one with the controls. 

Ashlan was not on board with me taking the last picture 

After a bit of a late start we rendevoused with Ashlan for breakfast/lunch. But I really need to share the tiny hallway to our room.

 Then off to Harold Square and Macys. We did not see these the other Christmas we spent in NYC, plus we know one of the artists, carpenter, builders of this year’s offerings.

Lots of reflection going on here.

Then much more walking, shopping and dodging cars. 

Empire State Building 

Macy’s wooden escalators 

Macy’s interior decorations 

I am so glad we do not have to deal with a car here. I think Carl was up to about 15,000 steps. Out for dinner later, and I do mean later. At home 8 p.m. dinners happen if that is when we get home form work.  Here that is just what you plan for. 

A random sight I was not expecting.