May 31, 2010 by Naomi.

Correction needed. Upon leaving Everett, clouds hovered but no rain appeared. I repeat: no rain appeared. The freeway was dry and traffic was light so we made good time – stopped at the Fred Meyers in the Bellingham store for salad fixin’ and milk. We can stay in for supper. Of course a little tide-me-over dish of ice cream was in order just to prevent me from expiring in the next two hours or so. My overnight in Everett was very nice, even though by taking over Avery’s bed I felt an imposition, it was favored by him because he likes doing the family room thing which gives him hours of access to television. Whatever. I slept well, gecko notwithstanding. So far as I could tell I was no imposition. He or she or it roamed the terrarium much at ease although I did not venture into the glass enclosure so who knows what finger I might be lacking if I had. However, back to the rain and lack thereof. The deck is dry. Looks like it has been for twenty four hours. Not a rainy day in Bellingham. Therefore, humbly, I stand corrected.

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May 31, 2010 by Naomi.

Rain all night and probably all day. That is the order of things in this part of the Pacific Northwest from Everett to Bellingham, the trip I expect to undertake in a matter of hours. Chickadees are not hindered by raindrops in their frequent trips to the feeder in this delightful backyard in Everett that I toured before dark yesterday. So far Chickadee is the only species that came to visit. In seasons past raccoons came to dip into the pool, relishing the Goy they found for breakfast. But then, when supply is not replenished why revisit empty waters? Maybe guppies would have managed to reproduce but that species was not included. Even if they had been, I doubt there was enough plant cover in which to hide a second generation. I will see Stellar jays frequent the Bellingham deck delighted in the daily peanuts they can steal from the squirrels, rain or shine. Bird feathers do a much better job of sluffing off rain than squirrel pelts but a bit of wet is challenged when peanuts are the reward. Rain or shine, Bellingham, here I come.

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May 30, 2010 by Naomi.

A great folk festival took place in Seattle. Folk music, folk art and folk costumes made appearances at the annual gathering to celebrate another three-day memorial weekend. In the carnival atmosphere booths displayed jewelry, clothing, and handcrafts. Many made locally. Some from far away. All beautifully done. For sale in a wide range of prices depending on source of materials. A gentle rain fell to dampen the booths and visitors but did not dampen the spirits nor attitudes. The delicious aroma of a variety of foods lured us to sample cuisine not in our everyday diet. Not surprisingly, the festival required a lot of walking, but then that is what folks always did. Well folks used to walk to get where they wanted to go. And at the festival that was the only option. Around the fountain, beyond the green, we walked with the famous space needle looming over all. Too cloudy for a shadow but a tall looming presence just the same.

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May 30, 2010 by Naomi.

A great folk festival took place in Seattle. Folk music, folk art and folk costumes made appearances at the annual gathering to celebrate another three-day memorial weekend. In the carnival atmosphere booths displayed jewelry, clothing, and handcrafts. Many made locally. Some from far away. All beautifully done. For sale in a wide range of prices depending on source of materials. A gentle rain fell to dampen the booths and visitors but did not dampen the spirits nor attitudes. The delicious aroma of a variety of foods lured us to sample cuisine not in our everyday diet. Not surprisingly, the festival required a lot of walking, but then that is what folks always did. Well folks used to walk to get where they wanted to go. And at the festival that was the only option. Around the fountain, beyond the green, we walked with the famous space needle looming over all. Too cloudy for a shadow but a tall looming presence just the same.

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May 29, 2010 by Naomi.

Here alone, feeling unwell – rich cake, sparkling cider, light conversation, long hours – one big day. Nickolas wired and woolly slipping past Brian, Naomi, Kyle and Kate like an oiled seal. Laurel’s sisters and several friends I never met before conversed well. Laurel and Tim will be off to the San Juans tomorrow. We all left their place by 5 pm. Back in my room I slept for hours and still tired. Mike, June, Tom, Susie, Morgan, Avery out to eat, Indian food, way out of my choices so hoped to sleep out of it. Didn’t happen. Deb and Amy in an orbit of their own but soon all will return here and the air will sizzle. Stomach upset. Feeling stuffed but in reality not possible. I did not eat that much. Or so I thought. Maybe some relief from the orange sizzler they left me. Well, why not? Somehow tomorrow I am to get to Tom’s and Nancy will get me from there. I will remain in Bellingham until June 3 when I fly to San Jose for the AHA conference and a few days stay with Meg Bowman. Back to Bellingham on June 9 and quickly drive back to Richland. Phew!! I am pleased I have my computer. Keeps me amused and my blogging current.

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May 29, 2010 by Naomi.

Up at 0630 and down the stairs for breakfast. Couldn’t bring myself to peel a hardboiled egg so I opted for cheerios and raisin bran with 2% milk. Pretty tame but then away from home is just plain away from home. Rain is still falling. From the puddles on Aurora I think rain has fallen all night. So that’s ok. It’s not like I have to walk a mile in gale force rain like I did once in England at the white cliffs of Dover. Somewhere on the fourth floor are my kids several of which have cars in which I will go, both to Tim and Laurel’s wedding and then back to Bellingham, I guess. If I sound iffy it is because I am. Sleepy and unsure of events for the next hours. From my motel window I see street signs and ads lit up like energy is not a problem let alone global warming or climate change. Best I shower and at least appear bright eyed and bushy tailed to meet the day.

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May 29, 2010 by Naomi.

Up at 0630 and down the stairs for breakfast. Couldn’t bring myself to peel a hardboiled egg so I opted for cheerios and raisin bran with 2% milk. Pretty tame but then away from home is just plain away from home. Rain is still falling. From the puddles on Aurora I think rain has fallen all night. So that’s ok. It’s not like I have to walk a mile in gale force rain like I did once in England at the white cliffs of Dover. Somewhere on the fourth floor are my kids several of which have cars in which I will go, both to Tim and Laurel’s wedding and then back to Bellingham, I guess. If I sound iffy it is because I am. Sleepy and unsure of events for the next hours. From my motel window I see street signs and ads lit up like energy is not a problem let alone global warming or climate change. Best I shower and at least appear bright eyed and bushy tailed to meet the day.

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May 28, 2010 by Naomi.

At a Comfort Inn in Seattle I am settled into a nice suite – king bed, bathroom, easy chairs, kitchenette, dinette, ironing board, just everything I need for a two-night stay while youngest son gets married to Laurel. Tim and all his siblings are here for the event. I rode down with Dan and Deb from Bellingham this morning, rain trickling with us all the way. We stopped for fish and chips at Skippers well after breakfast of oatmeal at Nancy’s. Michael and June with their wine, Jerry and Nancy with their TV, and I with my computer, are all here on the fourth floor. We had a lovely pizza dinner with the engaged couple and a table full of relatives that was rife with new acquaintances together for the first time each having background stories of who, where and when. Dan, Deb and I had visited with Tim and Laurel for an hour or so at their house until 7pm when we all went to dinner at Roma’s Pizza. Not being burdened with driving, I was able to indulge in a beer or two besides way more pizza than any overweight eighty-two year old woman should eat. Then having a unique opportunity, I scarfed down a heavenly wedge of mud pie before being chauffeured to this Inn. Until the book falls into my face I will look into a western romance novel then be beddy bye for a great night’s sleep.

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May 28, 2010 by Naomi.

A walk in the rain at 0630 in Whatcom Park is expected – a pleasant rain. I chose an elegant purple jacket that rattled so I knew it would be waterproof. Hooded so it would prevent raindrops from getting on the back of my neck and chilling me. I happily zipped it up, smug that it did indeed enclose my soft puffy girth. So I do not have a hope of thinning down, but somebody once said that fat people were jolly. I know that to be a silly euphemism because laughing was the only alternative. To be honest I would rather cry but what’s the use. Large raindrops plopped on my head, as if in glee to be free of the overhead leaves. Thrushes teetered like Fred Astaire on the bushes, even humming birds flitted, then hovered at the feeders, savoring the sweetness more easily sipped than the rain washed blossoms near the ground. On my return a white-tail deer, stood at attention, alert but unwilling to dash away. A little farther another stood, small moss covered antlers barely protruding from its skull like young plants awakening in springtime. Shuck the jacket, slip into a warm smock and set back with a hot cup of powerful Starbucks coffee, creamed and sugared. No finer way to start the day.

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May 25, 2010 by Naomi.

That’s what I am telling my plants while I soak their roots with water, enough to sustain them for ten days. I want the plants to hold water like camels to use sparingly over the coming days when there will be no sprinklers sprinkling, unless of course it rains which it very well might and that will seal our bargain because every little helps. I cut off the tops of my back yard plants and that means no leaves and very little stems will be demanding water. I am counting on the roots to do just fine. No doubt the cute prickly thistles will prosper. They come up in all sorts of odd places, in cracks in the sidewalk, you know, opportunities like that. Well that’s OK. My across-the-street neighbors have their beautiful lawn to see and they can keep their eyes downcast. They will see that my car is gone so that means me too and since they are pleased to see my pretty flowers they will persevere, knowing things will improve when I return. Buena, next door promised me the crap piled by her front steps will be removed soon. That was several months ago when Loraine moved out that Buena told me that. Time is relative, even climate change proceeds slowly. Ice bergs are melting and polar bears are cuddling together to make do. Although I know they do not mind sharing, they prefer icy water and I am afraid it is slowly warming, too.

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