A sure sign

The sure sign you are truly retired is looking at the calendar to check what day of the week it is.  Oh, Friday already?  Where did the week go?

Another word for this is senility, but we won't go there yet. In  all fairness, without our normal routines and activities, the days are all blending together in their sameness.

There isn't much news in this house, which is good news. Just about everything in Seattle is either closed or closing. Stay well, be cheerful. One day at a time.

Lifts the heavy heart

The clematis is ready to burst into bloom-- if it would only warm up a bit.  We're having an unusual March cold spell this week, with a chance of flurries Saturday morning.  But I got outside for a bit of fresh air yesterday afternoon and the yard was filled with birds. Their oblivious happy chattering sure lifts the heart during this grim time in Seattle.

We live near a middle school, and I could hear the kids yelling with excitement as they were suddenly released from school for the next 2 weeks.  Oh, boy, vacation! Poor parents. Along with all the other worries, a mad rush to find child care.  Even in this high tech city, most people don't have the option to work from home. 

Our taken for granted daily routines have changed so fast it makes a person's head spin.  I'm not going out much, because frankly, there's no place to go other than quick grocery store runs. All big events, including things like the Symphony, are cancelled.  Still, we're fortunate to have each other, our comfortable home and plenty of hobbies.  Even some new ones.

Wordless Wednesday

Maxfield Parrish

A fine day yesterday

The peaceful Swinomish Channel on a bright Monday morning. It felt wonderful getting out of the city.

Clam chowder (John) and fried oyster sandwich (me) for lunch at the La Conner Seafood and Prime Rib restaurant. We had the place pretty much to ourselves.

I just realized I've had oysters twice this week. Who cares about calories during the plague?

Next stop Fir Island Farms State Fish and Wildlife Reserve in the Skagit River Basin.

Snow geese flying!

And feeding in a corn field. The flocks spend the winter on the rich farmlands, then return to the Arctic tundra in April to nest. In the 1970s, the Snow Geese were nearly extinct, but have since made a successful comeback largely due to this habitat.

And speaking of birds, I fell in love with this mirror at The Wood Merchant Store in La Conner.  I can usually resist such art temptations, but when birds are involved?  It was so incredibly unique that yes, we brought it home. 

Each bird is intricately crafted from dozens of species of wood. The mirror has 363 pieces of wood plus mother-of-pearl and abalone. 

Made by Husdon River Inlay, the only company that does this type of nature marquetry. A beautiful memory of our nice day to enjoy always.  What the heck.

 

Gloom and doom city

There's no way to sugar coat it, smiles are few and far between in Seattle. Our vibrant, busy city of just a week ago (it seems like much longer now) is gone and normal routines falling by the wayside.

Necessary grocery runs are made quickly, no one wants to go recreational shopping or dine out anymore, and all sorts of social gatherings have been cancelled.  The West Seattle Senior Center is closed, so no cheerful ukuleles today.  And just when we need them most.

Our friends Betsy and Paul return from a South American cruise this week, and the poor things will be shocked finding their hometown of Kirkland so changed so fast.  The fear and uncertainty in that community (ground zero) is keeping everyone inside their houses.

It's not quite so bad here. Life goes on and good things happen, like chats outdoors with level-headed neighbors. We eating plenty of good food (too much, really) and received a big surprise delivery of wine yesterday.  Thank you Dan and Rebecca.

 At least we'll be happily quarantined if that happens!

The Seattle City Gates are still open, so later this morning we're drving north to the Skagit Valley for a change of scene and some fresh air. 

The Skagit farmland is a wintering location for thousands of Arctic Snow geese, and they are lovely sight, especially when they take flight.  It's still too early for the tulip fields, but the daffodils might be starting around La Conner, where we will probably have lunch in (gasp!) a restaurant.

  This too shall pass.

Friday

We made it through the first week of retirement.  We are well and in good spirits.  We are still married.

I'm starting to get into this new routine.  Sit back at the kitchen table at 4 pm with a glass of wine, watch the sous-chef slicing and dicing under my supervision with his personal set of Japanese knives, all off-limits to other staff.  Fine with me.

Yesterday morning we met with our accountant. As a reward for talking about taxes owed, we treated ourselves afterwards to fish and chips at our favorite restaurant Sunfish on Alki.

We typically share the big combination so I can gobble up the fried oysters. Dad, wish I could transport you to the NW for your favorite delicacy!

Anyway, after that fried lunch, we sure didn't need a big dinner. I made lettuce wraps last night with this wonderful Panda brand sauce. It's hard to find in stores so I mail order it from Walmart.

Talk about a perfectly diced Mis en place!

Quite an easy recipe. Cook the ground chicken (or turkey) with the vegetables...

Add the packet of sauce...

So yummy wrapped in crispy ice berg lettuce.
Sorry P.F. Chang, these are ten times better than yours.