Long and sad

 

I activated a free trial subscription to Apple TV that came with my laptop, mostly to see the Joel Cohen movie "The Tragedy of Macbeth" starring Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand. It got quite the buzz when it came out in 2021.

What can you say, except "MacBeth" is a grim and horrible tale. In Shakespeare's time, all the plays were performed on a bare stage, which in a way, made the tragedies even more grim and horrible, without any distractions.  

Like John said, this production tried a little too hard with the dark, crazy sets. It made you dizzy. "The Bard" really doesn't need that much help embellishing his stories. But the acting was good, especially the horrifying witch contortionist. Weird sister, indeed. 

Then the other night we noticed "Killers of the Flower Moon" was also free on Apple streaming. Like "Oppenheimer," another must see 2023 movie, both for the important subject matter and the awards won. It is well-done, but 3 1/2 sad hours long. We broke it up into 3 segments, and finish the last one tonight. No happy ending there.

It was already getting light at 4 am. After a pretty gloomy week in Seattle, we'll finally have a bright sunny morning. The garden is a beautiful jungle, the roses and peonies blooming, the grass ankle high. I look forward to finally working outdoors and giving my eyes a break from indoor screens. 

Yesterday I had that comprehensive annual eye exam, where they flash lasers to the back of your brain. Or at least it feels that way. The good news is I got the best possible news at my age: Come back in a year. 

Farewell to the merry month of May.

Cake

 

 

I'm pretty jaded when it comes to high food prices, especially at Metropolitan Market, but this one caught my eye yesterday: $100 for a 10 inch cake. Not a typo.

Hummingbird cake isn't made from the gilded tongues of birds, it's actually a pretty simple old recipe with mashed bananas, crushed pineapple and nuts. Sort of like a fancy banana bread. 

 

The Metropolitan Market cakes are good, in fact we buy the small ones sometimes for special occasions, like this Mother's Day special. Those are about $30, so guess it makes sense that a cake 3 times as big would cost 3 times more. Still, our mothers would have been shocked to death at the sight! There was a time when they fed the family for $100 a month.

Other than the price of cake, not much to talk about here. The Seattle weather has been a real damper on spirits, continuing unseasonably wet and cool.

New boy in town

 

Little Buddha arrived to his new home in an Amazon envelope. He's so tiny I don't think anyone can even find him to steal. 

Today is Tuesday, feels like Monday. Our world is very green from days and days of rain.

The dawn was apple-green,
The sky was green wine held up in the sun,
The moon was a golden petal between …

D.H. Lawrence 

(Not sure what Lawrence was on when he saw that green wine.)

Memorial Day thoughts

 

Raindrops on roses-- it's been cool and dreary here all weekend, typical Seattle spring weather. The flowers are ready to burst into bloom and just waiting for some warmth. But this weather is nothing to complain about, compared to the parade of tornadoes hitting the southeast.

We stayed home all weekend and it's been rather dull around here. We finally got around to streaming "Oppenheimer" on Amazon. I have to hand it to people who can sit for 3+ hours straight in a theater. In the old days, long movies like that had intermissions. Go to the bathroom and get some popcorn. Very civilized. Anyway, we used the pause button to break it up into a few viewing chunks.

It was an absorbing story with good acting, although maybe too much time was taken up with Oppenheimer's hearing (kangaroo trial) to revoke his security clearance. It did a good job portraying the horror of the bombings and the start of the arms race. 

There were only a few hints about the misery and sickness left behind in New Mexico after Trinity. The areas downwind were blanketed with radioactive fallout that fell like warm snow. Children went out and played in it. It was astonishing how casual everyone was about radiation, knowing what we know now. 

The debate will ever continue as to whether the U.S. was justified in dropping the bombs on Japan. Our own dad was in the Army and about to be shipped to the Pacific for the ground invasion when the war abruptly ended. It made for thoughtful Memorial Day viewing.

Hello and goodbye

A fine old turkey was strutting his stuff by the house yesterday, looking like a Thanksgiving card, although they taste nothing like Butterballs.

I drove back to Seattle over the North Cascades Highway-- the first 50 miles, one of the most scenic drives in the country. The last 50 miles usually a misery of traffic, getting into downtown from the north. It's better to do that route in route in reverse order, because I'm tired toward the end of the trip.

Anyway, I left early and made good time, only stopping for a few minutes to eat a sandwich. A steady stream of trailers and RV's were already headed east for the holiday weekend. Twisp and Winthrop will fill up with cowboys and visitors for the annual Memorial Day weekend rodeo.

 

Speaking of a trip down memory lane, the last time we went to the rodeo, Nova looked like this. 

Flash forward. Here she is with her best friend yesterday, camping at Banks Lake with a big group of families.

 

It's still a bit chilly, but the garden looks good from all the rain. We're happy to stay off the roads and stick close to home this weekend.

More congrats in order

 

Our great-nephew in Utah graduated from high school this week. Here he is with my sister, proud Grandma. William has a college scholarship, but will start after he finishes his church mission in Vanuatu. Yes, the South Pacific! We wish him and the family all the best.

Well, I woke up late to the unusual sound of pouring rain, always so welcome on the dry side of the state. The deer were back, frolicking in the yard and the river rising, although not alarmingly so. Yet. This storm looks like a one day event.

 

Yesterday Amanda and I had a wonderful time in Omak, just the two of us which was a rare treat. She took me to lunch at a sweet place called "The Bread Line" and I had a delicious lettuce wrap plate while she hit the salad bar. I look forward to going back there this summer with the girls, all huge salad eaters.

After that, we went on a mini shopping spree at Marshall's and found all sorts of little indulgences like soap and housewares. The Marshall's store in Omak is much better than West Seattle, spacious and clean. In fact, many things are nicer here, in particular the people.  

 

And I found a wicker laundry basket worthy of my new washer.

On the way home, we stopped at Walmart to pick up Amanda's huge grocery order, in preparation for their weekend camping trip to Banks Lake. 

I'll hit the road back to Seattle in the morning, and if the weather clears out, might take the scenic route over the North Cascades Highway. Of course that means no stop in Cle Elum for fast food. Oh, waaa.

No wonder

 

That's about twice the steps I do on a typical day in Seattle. No wonder I was asleep at 9 last night. My watch was flashing with "new activity awards." Now the exercise bar is raised and the darn thing sets higher goals for me automatically. Not going to happen. A person has limits. 

Today is another busy one. I'm taking an early walk around town with Karen, then driving to Omak with Amanda this afternoon to pick up a huge (and I mean huge) grocery order. Growing kids eat an astonishing amount of food. Nova and Maya polished off an entire can of parmesan cheese last night on their spaghetti. Fast food doesn't exist in the valley, so they never acquired a taste for it. Their eating habits are good-- one reason they are so healthy and beautiful.

A big group of Methow Valley families is camping out this holiday weekend at Banks Lake, which sounds like fun but lots of work, especially planning all those meals. This is primitive camping and all the drinking water needs to be hauled in. We had carefully rationed hot dogs, canned beans, dried soup and oatmeal. Mom ran a tight ship when we camped. And no snitching between meals. 

I'm making dinner for everyone here at the house tonight-- barbecue pork and German potato salad, Tom's favorite. Wednesday is a day of rest before I head back to Seattle.

On the trail

I took a beautiful hike this morning with Amanda at "Golden Doe", a 110 acre unit of the Methow Wildlife Area. The trailhead is just a few miles outside of Twisp, but it feels remote and we didn't see another person. 

Our daughter is very athletic, and she described this trail as "an easy, mostly on the level 3-mile loop." I always take her hike descriptions with a grain of salt and was huffing and puffing a bit on the "not so level" part. It was a stroll in the park for her (in fact she jogs it sometimes) and when we got close to the car, she asked if I wanted to "go around again."

Anyway, it was the perfect amount of exercise for someone who has just been sitting and eating for the past few days. 

The river is at the peak of beauty right now, running fresh and fast, and nothing like the scary brown flood last May, with entire trees going by the window. The Methow will continue to rise in June, although the snow pack is relatively low this year. Everyone is concerned about fire season. We got off easy the past two summers.

Here's an interesting thing-- this is the first time we've been at the house without seeing a single deer in the yard. I hope they bring their fawns into town and hang out along the river as usual.

John went back to Seattle this morning but I'm staying on until Thursday. The new washer is getting a workout as I tackle the spring cleaning. I pulled off the winter bedding this morning in a cloud of dust.

 

Back and forth we go

 

 

We've done plenty of driving in the past two weeks. I'm getting too familiar with the fast food outlets of Cle Elum. I know, that's pretty lame, but it's still the easiest pit stop on the trip to Twisp. We're going over again tomorrow. John is just staying 2 nights, but I plan to come home on Thursday before the Memorial Day traffic heats up. We will take both cars and burn up some expensive gas. Almost $5 a gallon in Washington lucky us.

I was busy yesterday morning on the computer and didn't have time to blog. Plus I didn't have much to say, although that's never stopped me from posting in the past. Ha. The problem is, my eyes can only take so much early morning screen time and I have to ration myself.

We are working on the final preparations for Dad's June memorial service in Colorado, and are honored that so many relatives and friends are coming from all over the country. This is a big deal because Cripple Creek is not an easy place to get to. Some are driving, but many (like us) are flying to Denver then taking rental cars up to the mountain town, about 100 miles each way.

The service will be held at the historic Elks Lodge in Cripple Creek, where our parents were active members for many years. Following the memorial, we will lay his ashes to rest next to our mom at their family plot, and the local VFW will do a flag salute graveside. We only had a simple graveside gathering when Mom passed away. It was beautiful, but this large memorial is very much for both of them.

Have a good weekend.

 

 

Talk about bad karma

 

Who would steal a little glass Buddha from a dish garden? Especially from a table on someone's front porch. We suddenly noticed he just went missing. 

That takes us back to the White Elephant Mystery of 2013. Maybe Buddha is on a Quest and will someday return?

Speaking of dangerous quests, yesterday Amanda saw this large Bull Snake in front of the dentist's office in downtown Twisp. Maybe he went in for a cleaning, or just stopped to have a smoke on Glover Street. 

Spit and polish

 

We had the front porch and steps painted yesterday, also the weather-beaten side of the house and the peeling wall of the ancient garage. We still call it a garage, but it's just a falling down shed. At some point, it will collapse in the alley, if the garbage truck doesn't knock it down first. 

A "non conforming structure" it can't be rebuilt on the same footprint. But we could build a big, honking ADU in the backyard, smack up against the alley.

A big improvement, but like putting lipstick and powder on a very old lady. There's always something peeling, cracking, rotting or falling apart. This wood and plaster house was built in about 1918, so amazing it's still standing, albeit with constant maintenance. 

These old Seattle bungalows (aka Vintage Craftsman) have become very desirable, that is, until they're torn down to build big box houses or condos. 

Our guests think the house is just perfect, although sitting in the pretty living room drinking wine doesn't give the real picture of actually living here. Then I sound like a sourpuss, trying tell them otherwise. 

The idea of an old house is more charming than the reality-- tiny kitchen and bedrooms, no counter space, useless closets, lugging things to the laundry room and pantry down steep basement stairs. All of this falls on deaf ears.

 

Enough complaining. 

Repeat: We are lucky. We are lucky. We are lucky.

It was already getting light at 5:30 am, with the chickadees and finches singing their hearts out. A lovely morning and the familiar parade of flowers is just getting started with the big iris. Once again the garden (which I have also been known to gripe about) becomes the best thing about living here.

City of Lilacs and Joy

 

 The Spokane River

Spokane is called "Lilac City." It was bursting this weekend with fragrant flowers and happy families celebrating the graduates.

Amanda received the "Pat Ruzyla Nursing Award" on Friday.

 

 

A great honor, because she was selected from her large class of Advanced Practice Nursing students. In particular, the award  recognizes her "self-reflection, empathy and compassion for others." Wow.

The "spires" of Gonzaga University seen from our room at the Oxford Suites hotel. The exciting day dawned with perfect weather from start to finish.

The commencement program was excellent, with bagpipes (sorry, John) leading the processional and recessional.

So many happy faces at the McCarthey Athletic Center, in the audience and on the graduation floor. The commencement venue is the stadium home of the famous Zags basketball team, so excitement here is nothing new. 

Four long years of work and study comes to a close, and now the professional career begins for our freshly minted Nurse Practitioner.  Amanda takes her Board Exam this summer, and then (no surprise) already has a first job lined up. She will be based at Family Health Center in Twisp. 

This degree would have been an incredible accomplishment anywhere, but especially living in such a remote rural area, requiring countless computer and driving hours.

However, she couldn't have done it without the love and support of her family, in particular Tom, who never complained about all the sacrifices they made along the way. (OK, hardly ever!)

Let the party begin! We had dinner at the Melting Pot restaurant and it was exciting stuff for the Methow Valley kids. When the chocolate pot arrived, better take care not to get speared by a fondue fork. Ha!

Last but not least, we had time to enjoy the beautiful Riverfront Park, ride the historical carousel and reminiscence about the 1974 World's Fair.

We got back to Seattle yesterday afternoon-- tired but still filled with the afterglow of an unforgettable  weekend.

Gonzaga University, then and now

 

About thirty years ago, I gave a presentation at an archives conference at Gonzaga University. We toured Bing Crosby House, where they have a collection of memorabilia on display, including his favorite pipe. Bing was a native of Spokane and a famous alumnus of Gonzaga.

I traveled often for Microsoft, and much of it was not memorable, but for some reason the details of that trip always stayed with me. Maybe it was prophetic. The campus was lovely in the spring, and the Spokane River at flood stage. That awesome sight took my breath away. I've always loved rivers.

In the mid-90's, Amanda had just finished school and was at that tricky age, still so young but starting to make her way out in the risky world. All too soon, Nova and Maya will be doing the same.

Oh, the worry, especially during those adventure travel and Peace Corps years. Eventually, marriage and a beautiful family and life in Methow Valley. What a blessing she has been all our lives.

But how amazed I would have been back then, knowing she would someday earn an advanced degree at that prestigious university. And someday far in the future, I would have a little house by a river. Dreams do come true. With hard work and persistence. And lots of support along the way. It brings tears to my eyes writing this, we are so proud.

I'm leaving the laptop at home to just savor the graduation moments. But we'll take pictures, and I'll post on the blog when we get back to Seattle.

Have a great weekend.

All in the method

 

These are so good if you take the time to do them right: first parboil the peppers, make a rice and sausage filling with onion and garlic, fill and top with mozzarella cheese, then bake for an hour. Homemade marinara sauce on the side. 

Those beautiful sweet peppers were only a dollar each at Safeway. I had some leftover brown saffron rice which made them even better. Life is good.

I could get used to this weather, with the sun coming up in a clear blue sky. We're on final countdown for the Gonzaga University graduation on Saturday. 

It looks like a sunny drive across the state Friday. To put it in perspective, the distance to Spokane is about 40 miles longer than Twisp, but it's freeway driving so the travel time is about the same. 

Way back in February, I made hotel reservations for two nights in downtown Spokane, and a good thing, because the town is sold out for graduation weekend, with visiting family and friends getting gouged on prices. So be it.

The "Melting Pot" was the only restaurant that would reserve our group on Saturday night. Fondue? It sounds kind of hokey and fun. The town will be one big party.