185:365:2012


you cannot predict
what will be around corners
until you take a step

*****

The day started off innocently enough. We decided to pick a restaurant at random... and looked up a list of diners in the area... and went with Beth's Cafe. It is a quirky place... sort of a dive aspect to it... but the food portions are HUGE and everything is delicious. And although we had to wait about half an hour to get in (it's really busy ... all the time)... it was worth it.


From there... we did sort of a driving tour around a little bit of the Queen Anne district; before heading back downtown. We walked through Pioneer Square again (it's really cool)... and then on to the International District. 
We stopped at a couple small shops ... including a traditional Tea Shop... and the Waterfall Garden Park... which was gorgeous... 




... but then we happened to stroll by the Smith Tower... which was offering tours from the Observation Deck on the 35th Floor. Yes, you read that right. Now. I am not horribly fond of heights. I have come a long way from being a petrified kid... but I still don't voluntarily go that high up... usually. I felt; however, that if I didn't go... I would regret it... and so we went.
WOW. I can't say enough. In fact, the words completely elude me. And so I will say... if you get a chance to go... GO. 
I took a bunch of photos while up there... and hope to print them all off and make an "old-school" panoramic view of the city.

From there on.. it was dinner and a movie... and (hopefully) a good night's rest.



((The photo at the top of this post.. is of the Seattle Space Needle... which celebrates it's 50th Anniversary this year
... as seen from the 35th floor of the Smith Tower))

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toes in cool water
releasing life's trials and tears
--- resting by the bay





I think the word for this whole trip... especially today.... has been synchronicity. 
Things have just fallen in to place. 

We (I) slept in late this am... so we decided to do an early lunch. We picked a place at random... and we ended up eating at Seattle Fish Company. Coincidentally, we picked up a local paper at the door... and who was the featured restaurant? You guessed it. I had a cup of chowder, some crab cakes and a salad. It was awesome.
From there... we went to a local coffee shop called The Red Cup... sat down to look at a magazine... and guess what coffee shop was listed as one of Seattle's Best? You guessed right.

So... Then we decided to go to Alki Beach. We were told that it had an awesome view of the city... and it surely did. We didn't even mind that it was raining. On a whim... we decided to take that road all the way around the bay... as we had been told there was a more secluded beach area. Because we took this road... we ended up passing a lighthouse!!! Which, you all know... I have a thing for. We stopped. They only give tours on Saturdays if enough people show (how awesome!) and because we arrived at the same time a couple from Japan did, and a couple from England did... we got a tour.

BAJ had decided he wanted to go on the Underground Tour... so we went to Pioneer Square to get our tickets for the evening tour. We arrived a little early, so we had time to go eat dinner somewhere. We randomly picked The Merchants Cafe... and by strange coincidence, our waitress was also the owner (Hi Darcy!)... so we got to learn alot about the place. *like, it's the oldest restaurant in Seattle* and *it's haunted* and used to be a bank during the Gold Rush... and so on.

From there, we went on the Underground Tour.. which was very fun (thanks Jerry and Miles!) ... and steeped in local history.

And now, time for rest.... whew!

183:365:2012



found my perfect place
found the love of this lifetime
~~ dreams can now commence ~~






Today started with a fabulous coffee at Seattle Coffee Works.
Then it was off to Pike Place Market... where we spent the day wandering about and enjoying EVERYTHING... 
From flying fish... to fresh fruit... to an incredible meal at the Steelhead Diner.... where we had the BEST salmon and Reisling wine. 
We saw the first Starbucks' cafe, tons of gorgeous flowers, talked with a guy from Canada (hi Dennis!). 
Then we went down to the waterfront, where we were just in time to witness the Inaugural "flight" of the new Ferris Wheel... complete with marching band!

Before heading back to our hotel, we made one more stop for some fabulous coffee...  a take-out dinner of Indian food (samosas and more)
 ... and fresh raspberries for dessert.

182:365:2012





from Albuquerque
to the salt lakes of Utah
--- night in Seattle

*****

we left ABQ late this afternoon... and after a layover in Salt Lake City; 
we are now in Seattle. The place I have dreamed about for so long...

181:365:2012




leaving tomorrow
on a needed vacation
I can hardly wait...

*****

I really am a gypsy... (in alot of ways)...
and I find that if I don't go somewhere every couple of months; 
I get really depressed and frustrated with life.
I just have this need to see other places... other people...
new things and new ideas.
And so... tomorrow evening... 
BAJ and I are leaving ABQ for the great Northwest.
--- photos to follow---

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shattered memories
rising from the sawdust floors
as the train moves on

*****

This is another shot from my visit to the abandoned Railyards here in ABQ.
I love this place.

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grungy glass windows
with dirty views of the world
 --- reflections are clear --

***

Today I have a horrible headache... and I really wish it would rain.
But I have a lot to do over the next couple of days.... and feel like I need to  press on.
And so... I am trying to keep it all in perspective... as if seeing the world through grungy glasses...

178:365:2012


bumblebee in flight
belly laden with nectar
intoxicated

***

today was an "off" day.
Nothin' going right... everything seems too personal...
tears at the surface
too freakin hot out
house seems a mess

I need more sleep.

((on the plus side... I was up very early this am and had an opportunity 
to take some photos of the garden as the sun was coming up... it was lovely. 
There were birds... and bees... and even a quail or two))

177:365:2012



the lights are all gone.
hey... can I buy a vowel?
all we have is "t"...

*****

A few years ago... I was traveling *ALOT* back and forth to PA.
Family was sick... and I was trying to help out as much as I could.
Along the way, I was able to take some interesting photos...
... like this one in Indiana.
We had stopped for gas and a drink... and in the field behind the truck stop
was this huge pile of old marquee signs. 
Not sure what they were for... but they sure were cool.

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heads bent towards the sun
in thoughtful prayer and homage
--- happiness answers.

***

Sunflowers follow the sun during the day is a great reminder for all of us to seek the higher Light in all we do. The Sunflower shares its healing properties with the Sun, offering optimism and light! It is an uplifting remedy that boosts self-value. Sunflower possesses warming and compassionate healing properties.
You can read alot more about the properties of Sunflowers... HERE

174:365:2012



ain't no sunshine
can match the heat of this day
... officially summer

*****

I had planned on having a small bonfire in our firepit for the summer solstice today...
but there have been so many wildfires and smoke in the air as of late... and it just doesn't feel right.
And so... I will content myself with some candles, some incense... and some well intentions.

Am still awaiting a call-back from a local oncologist for an appointment on my skin stuff...
but in other news... the kids seem to be doing OK...
my friends are all finding new (and wonderful) homes to move in to...
and BAJ and I are are fine.
Life is good.

173:365:2012



It's Summer Solstice
celebrate the season change
as the sun grows short

*****

Well... the first day of summer is basically upon us... (it's tomorrow)...
In honor of the Summer Solstice, I changed out the items on my alter... and did a little cleaning and clearing out.
It is; in general... a time for thanks and celebration. 
And so... today... and all this week.... I will be celebrating the richness of this time.
 I will harvest some herbs for drying... perhaps start a new project... perhaps have a small bonfire in the back yard.

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lovely, little one
too much to see and explore
naptime is for wimps

***

a photo of our wonderful granddaughter...
she is such a TIGER girl; 
always on the prowl to see new things
climb where she probably shouldn't
and roar at the world

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some maple frosting
smeared on big cakes of fried dough
--- better with bacon

*****

((Just for Father's Day))

170:365:2012


sharp, spiky leaves
in shades of cornflower blue
not an ounce of regret

*****

sometimes you just can't/ shouldn't/ don't need to... apologize for anything
((just my random thought for today))




169:365:2012



happy boots... kicking
dancing, jumping, hopping up
little shining stars

***

Today was BAJ's birthday...
and so we celebrated with dinner at the Outback,
and coffee at Barnes and Noble.
The photo is of a little girl who was too excited to stand still at the treats counter :)

168:365:2012


summer enfolded
in petals of glowing white
beauty in a jar

***

so. It's hot. 
It's been 88 degrees or higher all month... and next week hints at even higher.
I've been watering my garden twice a day... and it still looks a bit sad at times.
On the plus side... I think the only thing that may not survive are the soybeans, 
and the sunflower stalks are almost as tall as I am in spots!

Today I got the results of my skin biopsy... and it's positive.
Which means I am now waiting on the doctor to give me recommendations on a skin care specialist/ oncologist for a follow-up and probably more slice and dice.
And life goes on.
People ask me if I'm worried... and I'm not. 
Perhaps I should be... but I don't want to put that energy out there.
I've had too many health problems (and cancer many times before)... and I think this is just an opportunity for me to rest, concentrate on eating healthy... and do more art... which is what I love to do.

The photo for today's post is of some peony flowers. 
Growing up; we had several bushes of the pink/ scarlet variety around our house.
I find that I am partial to the very pale pink... and the white ones though... and so... 
here they are :)

167:365:2012


oh lonely, dear one
won't you come to the station
save me from my fears

*****

ok. 
I have been feeling quite sad and lonesome this week... for no particular reason...
and this just felt like it suited the photo
(which I took in Tuscon last February... but edited tonight)