VOTE

November 6, 2018

If you haven’t already, do it now.

Tomorrow will be too late.

I was energized this morning on the drive in when the a progressive, independent radio station I tend to listen to, http://www.kexp.org, played He Got Game, by Public Enemy. Not that I listen to alot of Public Enemy, but it was just right for me this morning. You can stream KEXP on your computer, including listening to past sessions. If you don’t like what you hear, wait for the next show.

Neighbors

November 4, 2018

Despite the less than ideal conditions and looming darkness, we set out on a walk. Organic chicken deal at PCC and a hankering for delicatta squash set the far point for a there and back jaunt.

Carl paid for and I carried our groceries on the trek home. We spotted our neighbor dining out at a second floor restaurant. (We actually spotted her dog first, tethered outside the door.)

The Sunlight Cafe has moved a block west, leaving this picture. Reminiscent of a certain painting.

As we neared home Carl suggested some pesto naan would go well with the chicken. So he headed home to cook while I stopped into Taste of India to get the naan. Busy, busy establishment. And there, at a table next to the cash register were our across the street neighbors! Good thing too, as Carl had all the money. I was able to borrow a ten spot.

These dealings confused the maitre d. Was I eating in or carrying out? Did they need another chair? I was saved some embarrassment, got a complimentary Chai tea as I waited, and they got paid back by Carl, just after our order was up. (I texted him the dilemma. )

I do enjoy our current set of neighbors!

This morning was relatively dry, and a bit sunny, so we set out on an early walk. Up to Maple Leaf

and stopped by Safeway on our way home. Lettuce and fruit to haul for the last mile.

And ran into yet another set of neighbors walking their dog Milo. This reminded me of The Phantom Tollbooth, a favorite book when I was younger. But I think Milo was the boy, and the dog was Tock.

Finally home after ~4 miles, I used the last of my morning energy to pull all of the hoses under the house, and pick the last of the tomatoes. They are not ripe, we’ll have to see how the second crop turns out. Oh, and a zucchini that was hiding. I’m not sure whether it is edible.

Wet Weary Weekend

November 3, 2018

This is Seattle.

See the Space Needle. That’s how you can tell.

Or the low hanging grey skies.

Tis the season for SAD lights and rain coats. Starting tomorrow we will be leaving work in the dark. For the next several months. Still more than a month away from the shortest day of the year, the need for headlights has been in effect for some time. Sunset tonight is at 5:48 PM. Tomorrow it will be at 4:47 PM.

I have been enjoying the colorful cranes. My favorite last week had purple, green and yellow sections. Blue is the most popular color. And many of the buildings with colorful lighting are going all blue this weekend in honor of Paul Allen. He’s had a huge impact on this area, and blue (Seahawk Blue) was his favorite color.

Speaking of colorful, Carl put together this colorful lunch.

I had in mind to take a walk, even in the rain. After a trip to play Costco bumper carts I am nice and snug, and not sure I want to venture out again.

Mr Rainbow

November 1, 2018

Carl was the main man yesterday. He did some decorating on the front porch.

The pumpkin barely made it through the evening without collapsing into itself.

Then he decorated himself.

Mr. Rainbow, including his superhero cape, “rainbow power, infused with tylenol. ”

When picking up Dean from preschool, Carl explained the genesis of the cape to another parent/caregiver, and Pooh’s handiness with a needle. At first they were a bit horrified, but then saw the humor.

Mr. Rainbow is also his attempt to share my last name, or at least get close. Rainbow, rain stripe, something with rain. And thankfully the rain held off until after the neighborhood kids made their rounds.

There were the normal few shy kids, those that fully understood the concept of candy, and at least one who was totally engaged with our 25+ year old ghost who howls when you clap your hands, or close the door hard, or drive a big truck down the street.

And the leftover snickers and reese’s peanut butter cups will be heading to the work candy bowl.

Baseball Hangover

October 29, 2018

The day after.

Carl said he was slug-like until later in the day.

I was alternately focused and scattered. This was my desk at the end of the work day. I had hoped it would all be back in its file, but no. It is now tomorrow’s morning chore.

Game 5 Over and Out

October 28, 2018

Spaghetti and meatballs, salad, french bread and Tillamook ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

I will call this game, the game of the cat.

What happened to the food that was here?

My bag

Boston 5 over Dodgers 1. Boston is the World Series champion in 5 games.

The best part of the final game was the final out. Machado, the villain of the series, struck out swinging, down to one knee.

It has been a long season, but it’s time for the off season. (Otherwise known as the Holiday season.)

Picture from Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Game 4

October 27, 2018

Full house tonight. The game only went half as long as yesterday’s game. At least half the number of innings. The game today was 3 hours 57 minutes, a bit more than half of yesterday’s 7 hours and 20 minutes. The Red Sox won tonight. I think the Dodger relievers were tired. All 6 of them pitched yesterday too.

The food was great tonight. Brisket, cole slaw and roasted vegetables with a pumpkin pie chaser.

Tomorrow could be the last game.

Game 3

October 27, 2018

Between game 2 and 3, there was work. And some movies. Taking advantage of the baseball pause, I watched the end of Dracula with Bela Lugosi, followed by The Mummy with Boris Karloff, and finally Snow White: A Tale of Terror with Sigourney Weaver. I had not seen any of these and they were my style of horror film. Not dependent on over-the-top blood and gore.

Game 3 saw a slightly smaller gathering. Food included a stir fry with sausage and shrimp. In case you don’t know, the game went a bit long.

Jim departed after 13 or 14 innings, so he could work on food for Game 4. Doug texted at some point to find out how the Dodgers scored their second run in the 13th, because he had fallen asleep after returning home from watching the earlier innings in a bar. I went to bed in the 15th. (I was essentially sleeping in a chair, and it was well past 11 PM.) Carl and Kevin lasted all 18 innings. The losing pitcher threw 97 pitches, and won’t be starting today’s game.

The article was on the back page of the sports section. I suppose that was easier for the editors to manage. Looking forward to see how the teams perform tonight.

Game 2

October 24, 2018

The day started early.

And is ending later.

In between there was work, tests, lab reports and the weekly prescription dose tweaks.

Followed by some baseball. Chili and salad for dinner. Good food and a reasonably good game as well.

The house entertainment was provided by Violet. She brings toys to her human to play.

Game 1

October 23, 2018

Back to work.

And then baseball. A house fluctuating between 6 and 8 friends watching slightly tape-delayed.

Carl spent some time decorating the house.

Tools of the baseball trade and the skeletons are playing catch. Okay, so only one is really visible.

Our personal bookstore display.

And of course, food. Deep dish pizza, salad and a few more bits and pieces. Followed by a birthday cream puff to share.

And game 1 goes to Boston.