Game On, Cancer!

This morning, I took part in the Livestrong Challenge, a run-walk-bike-a-thon to raise money for cancer research.  

A team of about 20 of us from Fisher joined the group, but we arrived kinda late, so we pretty much made up the back of the pack for the 5K walk.

Here's my walking buddy:

Kathi Goertzen, Manda Factor and Jill Taylor were all co-team captains.  Thanks, guys, for all your work to organize everyone.

Especially, thanks to Jill Taylor for all the e-mails organizing things at the last minute.

5K is about 3 miles....and it was pretty easy, except for a couple of hills.

Many of the participants were cancer survivors, or were walking, running or biking in memory of someone.

These two young women had a lot to think about as they made the journey:
And a lot of new people were making the journey too.

I love that this little girl had a Livestrong bracelet on her ankle!

We walked around the outside of Seattle, Center, down Mercer St., came up the Broad St. hill, and circled Seattle Center again,  before returning to the Start/Finish line.

The bikers rode 50 miles, runners did a 10K, and walkers went 5K. 

We all returned close to the same time.
The event was very well-organized.  Lots of volunteers, and lots and lots of smiles.

Game on, Cancer!

An Unexpected work by Mary Cassatt

Mary Cassatt was a lifelong student, painting in realism, Impressionism, and even dabbling in the style of the great Japanese printmakers.

This painting of "The Bath" (she created several works with the same title) is lovely in its' simplicity.  And true to Cassatt's subjects, it depicts a mother and child in an intimate, quiet moment.

Other than that, the work is a complete departure for her.

Getting Ideas for Plants

I've been paying a little more attention to plants these days, because I need to fill in some holes in my yard.

Here are a few of my favorites, and I must say, I have NO IDEA what any of these are called, the conditions they need, or if they even are a good fit for my yard.

I love how this grass looks like a waterfall, soft, and interesting:

This one is kind of blue, and scruffy, but in a good way.   I think it's cute and interesting.

And I encounter this bush all over.  It seems to attract bees.  But I love the blue color of the flowers, and have no idea what it's called.:

Mr. Ho removed the 4 dead trees, so he got paid.  He also talked me into coming back this  Saturday and building a new gate.  I've bought a locking mailbox in anticipation of the event.

 We've agreed on the style of gate, the construction method and the fact I want a real handle this time, not just a cheezy latching mechanism. 

Wish me luck!!!

 

Unexpected Fun

OK, not my dog and not my sprinkler, but you get the picture.

Since we've had more than 3 weeks without measurable rain in Seattle, I need to do a little watering.  So, this morning, I took a trip to my neighborhood hardwood store to buy a sprinkler.

You know how your eyes are sometimes too big for your stomach?  Well, the sprinkler I bought is WAY too powerful for my little lawn.   It's one of those kinds with the ratchet head that you can point in one direction or make it turn a full circle.

Not only does it completely soak my lawn, the trees, and the front window, but it also waters the neighbors' trees on either side.  

Added bonus!  And while I was trying to find the perfect spot to set the sprinkler, it got me square in the back with a powerful jet of water.  I am SOAKED.  But it made me giggle.

When I was a little girl, living in Decatur, Illinois, there was nothing more fun on a hot summer day, then putting on my bathing suit and jumping and playing in the sprinkler.  We'd scream, hoot and laugh.  It was the best! 

One burst in the back brought all of that back.    It was also funny to watch to dogs as they adapted to this new addition to their yard.  Abbey ran inside really fast.

Dudley, scientist that he is, was completely fascinated.  He stared at it as it was turned on, and very quickly understood the circular pattern of the sprinkler.  He proceeded to march around, watching the sprinkler head, just behind the spray of water.   Never got wet.  Just his little tongue when he investigated the strength of the spray.

The other fun came later today, when I experimented with the puff pastry that's been in my freezer for months.

I created THIS!

Full disclosure, I took the image from the Internet, but it looks pretty close.  

Yum!  Here's the recipe:

Quick & Easy Apple Tart

1 sheet puffed pastry, cut into half OR thirds
3 to 4 apples, cored, halved, and sliced (but not peeled)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 415 degrees.

Place puffed pastry rectangles onto a baking pan that’s been sprayed with nonstick spray.

Add sugar and salt to apples. Stir to combine. Allow to sit for a few minutes.

Arrange apple slices on the pastry rectangles in a straight line, overlapping as you go.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Remove from pan immediately and place on a serving platter. Serve plain, with caramel topping, whipped cream, or a sprinkling of powdered sugar. 

The recipe was from The Pioneer Woman website.  Love that site.

Yard Assist -Thank you Watson's Dad!

A few weeks ago, I posted THIS photo of my little, overgrown yard:

I love the green sanctuary feeling, but clearly, it's overgrown.  

"Watson's Dad" gave a few pertinent comments about cutting back the hedge, which was empowering to me.

 I tried to hack back the lilac bush myself, and proved almost completely incompetent.  

So, yesterday, I hired "Mr Ho"---his biz. name-- to do the labor.   Here's what greeted me when I got home:

Clearly, I need to plant some color, water the lawn so it greens up again, probably do something with seed and fertilizer (looking for more ideas, Watson's Dad!) etc.

But I think it's a LOT better!

One problem; I asked "Mr Ho" to remove 4 of the arborvitae trees that have died. They're still there. But, I haven't paid him yet, so we'll obviously clear that up before I write that check.

Hope for Little Houses

Yesterday I spent four hours working as a volunteer at the Phinney Neighborhood Association Home and Garden Tour.

It's the second year I have volunteered for this, and it was really crowded this time!

Here's where I was stationed: 

I spent the first 90 minutes sitting in the hot sun, outside the house, taking tickets.  Hundreds showed up!  The 4 house volunteers rotated, so I also was in the kitchen and in the upstairs dormer.

  

What I love about this remodel is the fact it wasn't a teeny place, torn down to make a McMansion.  This is a nice family of four who live near their little daughters' elementary school.  

They didn't want to move, just make some changes.   And, they say it all started with a desire to re-do the porch and a couple of stairways.   They ended up completely gutting and rebuilding the place, in almost the exact same footprint.

BIG changes as you can see!  The kitchen remodel is unbelievable.  Here's the architect's photo:

I took a photo from a similar angle:

The entire house has these bright, inviting colors.  Everyone commented on the bright colors, and I'd say at least 90% were favorable.

They also loved the stove!   More people talked about that GE stove than anything.  Yeah, I'd love to have it too!

The upstairs dormers were the most significant difference to the outside of the house.  They added one at the front with a little deck, which you see here:

I think this combination door/window is very neat!  In the position in the photo, you can see how it can be propped open from the top for ventilation.  It's a great idea because it really let a nice breeze flow in, and kept the upstairs cool.

The identical dormer at the back of the house is now an upstairs bathroom, painted hot pink.  The little girls love it, I'm sure.  And it really makes the place "pop".

Other colors in the house are more neutral, but still very pretty.  

At the very end of the day, one of the remodel workmen took a tour with his wife.  He was talking to her about how he did all the work on the upstairs staircase and dormers.  After a while, we got to talking, and he told me his construction company specializes in repairing the mis-designed upstairs decks on skinny homes, exactly like mine!

I asked if they do small jobs, without entire remodels, and he said "yes".  I got the card of the company's owner, so maybe I FINALLY may have found someone to repair my deck.  

Keep your fingers crossed.

It was a fun afternoon of volunteering.   

Inching Toward Recovery

I got up the nerve to take the pulse of my 401(k) statement for the first time since last December.

I was both shocked and relieved at the same time.

Before December, I had not looked at it since last Summer.  That's when things started to tumble south, and I thought, "why bother? I'm not retiring this year anyway, and it will only stress me out."  

Because I was hoping to re-finance my home, I had to get documents together, including that statement, which meant I had to look at it.  OUCH!  In December, it had plummeted nearly 50%.

That day I reacted by cutting my own hair for the first time.  I actually did a pretty good job, which gave me hope that my financial situation would also recover.

Today, when I looked at the statement, I saw it had recovered by nearly 20%.

WHEW.  

I don't know if I'll look at it again for awhile though.

Don't want to jinx it.

Just for the Fun of it.

A Facebook friend posted this video today and I thought, "How Random!".

Did you ever think you'd see Deborah Harry singing with Kermit The Frog?

Enjoy!

Monet, the Realist

I came across this painting, Claude Monet's "Rue De La Bavolle Honfleur".  He painted it in 1864, and it was, as you can see, well before his significant works in Impressionism came to be.

It reminds me of some of the earlier works of Pablo Picasso.  Very real, very orderly.  

I guess reality can sometimes inspire the mind discover the abstract.

Random Stuff in No Particular Order

I've been looking at these photos I downloaded a while ago, thinking each one would be its' own blog post.

Maybe I'm lazy, but just wanted to share some random things.

These first two are the cool chandeliers at the Gene Juarez at Northgate.  I was playing around with the lighting settings and got these two neat images:

I think they look like bubbles, kind of suspended in the air.

This is kind of a surreal shot of where I work.  The Space Needle in the background with the clear blue sky and stark white buildings and satellite dishes make a neat contrast, I think.

Dood, if you're gonna pose like this, you get what you deserve:

(Actually, that's our editor, Jeremy.  He's a pretty great guy--but don't tell him, he won't believe you!)

And this is Chunlin Gao, my acupuncturist.  She's amazing, and made me really smile a couple months ago, when her health advice to me was "Lisa, I think you need Boyfriend!".  

Don't know where you stick the needles for that one.

Anyway, thanks for letting me share some random stuff.

Gettin' Churched!

see more Fail Blog

Rick-Rolled at Folklife!

The volunteers who spend an entire year organizing this year's Folklife Festival at Seattle Center could not have had a nicer weekend for the event.

And yes, it was PACKED!:

One of my favorite moments came just as some nut job was approaching people with a huge sign about God and the end of the world and the need to be "saved".  Close on his heels was the guy pictured below:
He had, what at first look appeared to be another religious sign. 

Then, upon closer inspection, turns out he was Rick Rolling the crowd!  He'd walk up to you, and show you that Rick Astley was "Never Gonna Give You Up".  At the very bottom of his sign, it says this comment is from "Astley 1:1".  

Nicely done, Rick-Rolling Folklife guy!

MC-ing at Folklife

For the 5th straight year, I was asked to emcee at a stage at the Northwest Folklife Festival.   While that may sound prestigious, trust me, they'll take anyone. 

But, it was pretty cool to be assigned to "The Roadhouse".  That's what they re-name Fisher Pavilion during the festival, and it's home base to partner, contra and square dancing.  People come to Seattle from around the world, just for the contra and square dancing at Folklife!  

I talked to a man from Florida, a woman from Australia, another woman from Germany and a couple from England.  All planned their vacations around the dancing at Folklife.

The video above was taken during my emcee shift.  I had the pleasure of meeting this remarkable young woman named Charmaine Slaven.  Usually when you think about square dance callers, a grizzled old dude comes to mind.  Somebody who's been around since dirt was young.  

This young woman is helping to revitalize the square dance art form in, of all places, Ballard!  Her twice-monthy square dances at the Tractor Tavern are bringing 20-somethings to, of all things, square dancing!  I'm doing a feature story on her, which you'll hear in a couple of weeks.  

She sports a barbed wire tattoo around her upper arm, wears a plastic mesh farmers cap, and clog dances while she's calling the dance.  And she's FANTASTIC!  She was completely confident, and was thrilled to be teaching the steps to hundreds. 

You never know what you'll get at Folklife.  This was a very pleasant surprise.

I Talk Good

No problem with the concept.  

Nothing wrong with being nice to other drivers.

It's the GRAMMAR that's all wrong.

The word.....is NICELY.

Drive Nicely, everyone!

On the Fence

At this time of year, I am reminded how beautiful my little yard is, and how undecided I am about putting in a new fence.

The tall evergreens that block my home from my street are completely overgrown and scraggly.  

But, they provide so much seclusion, and my tiny patch of green becomes like a park.

A new fence would mean I would have to take out the big hedge, because there is no room behind them, and putting the fence in front of them would make no sense. 

 My home would have better "street appeal" with the fence, but the noise and visual pollution would increase.

Plus these guys probably wouldn't like it:
"Please, Mommy-lady", give us our peaceful little dog park yard."

Any thoughts?  

A Sure Sign of Summer

The University District Street Fair is one of my favorite events in Seattle.

I've been going since 1983, my first year in Seattle.  I bought a bowl that year from Warne Pottery.   
 It was to put spaghetti in, when I cooked it for my husband, Michael.  I loved the design so much that every year, I would return to buy another piece or two.  I have all kinds of serving dishes, a lamp, and eventually, I ordered an entire set of dinner plates from Warne Pottery.

They're not in business anymore.  I'm sorry about that because 8 of my 10 salad plates have broken!  I still have almost everything else though.

This year's street fair features a performance art exhibit of students in their "natural habitat".  The students are living in this cage for the duration of the fair, and just doing normal dorm room stuff.

Kinda funny.

Lots of artists are at the fair, as always.  These paintings were some of my favorites.  I love the colors, the moods.  The sculptures are created by the painter's husband.  

They have similar geometric sensibilities but entirely different execution.  I hope you click on the photo below to enlarge the artwork.  I loved it!

And, since it's the U-District street fair, there is also a working graffiti artist creating on the spot.  He's accompanied by hip-hop music and break dancers (who must have been on break when I took the photo!)
The U-District Street Fair started many years ago as a way to connect the merchants of University Avenue with the students and counter culture that had taken over the street.  It was a huge success, so it's continued.  It's held the weekend before Memorial Day every year.

So to me, this fair is a sign that summer is on its' way.

Another Day....Another Celebrity

This is Taylor Hicks, an Alabama boy, and the winner of season 5 of "American Idol". 

He came into the studio today to talk about his appearance in "Grease", playing at the 5th Avenue Theater today, and I have to say, he couldn't have been nicer.

Taylor Hicks had earned a bit of a reputation shortly after taking the "Idol" crown of being a real head case.  But none of that was evident.

He played the harmonica on the air on request, congratulated us on turning on an FM frequency to compliment our AM frequency, posed for endless photos from staff, said he'd do an extra taped interview as he waited to go on TV for his interview about 30 minutes later and said "yes", "yes", and "Yes!" to every request.

At one point, I overheard him talking about gratitude, and how he felt so lucky to be in this position. 

Way to go, Taylor Hicks.   You got it.

Night Club Two Step

Walter Dill, the guy who really taught me to dance, has started to post videos of the dance styles he teaches. This is "Night Club Two Step" danced with his daughter Twyla. I remember this one was a little difficult to learn because of the sweeping side-to-side of the footwork.

But, for the follow, (the role danced primarily by the woman) the lead cues are relatively simple. They echo the kinds of moves in waltz or Foxtrot.

And, while I don't expect anyone (except for, perhaps Kristin) to watch it all the way to the end, I hope you check out Walter's other stuff on YouTube. It's a great way to brush up your skills, or check out a dance you've only heard about.

Seattle Radio- Circa 1984

I stumbled upon the KMPS Alumni site tonight, and I thought I'd share some of it with you.  

Wow!  I was doing news in the afternoon and Ichabod Caine was the DJ from 3 to 7 pm in, I think, 1984 here.  We were taking listeners on the Seattle Underground tour.

It was great fun, and Ichabod was making jokes the whole time.  I was just so flattered to be included.  He always used to try to talk to me before or after the news, and I always told him that "I have no personality".  

I was married to Mr. Brooks at the time, and he was so ANGRY because Ichabod had his arm around me in the photo!!!    I also remember that jacket.  My Grandmother bought it for me at the factory outlet store where she was a clerk.  It was brown and the lining kept ripping, but nobody noticed. 

Wow!  25 years ago.  

I know for sure that this one was taken in 1986, at the McDonald's on Bellevue Way.  I was now working the morning show with Ichabod and Don Riggs.  This was a remote broadcast to commemorate Don's 50th birthday.

We all made fun of him because he was so "old".  Wow.  Ichabod's gotta be near 60 now, and, well, I'm not in Don Riggs country yet, but it's looking awfully close!

No computers....just little pieces of paper with the news copy on it.  The carts with the audio were played back at the studio by a producer.

FFinally, this photo was taken in 1987, I think.  

KMPS used to do a "Listener Appreciation Picnic" at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw.  It was a BIG DEAL.  We had nearly 50-thousand people turn out to see, I think it was Johnny Cash this year.  It may have been Reba, I'm not sure.  It was a free day of music for listeners, and the air personalities kept things moving.

The others on stage were PM drive DJ Dewey Boynton, whom I was working with at the time, Becky Brenner, a DJ then, now program director at KMPS, me (who couldn't look at this photo for years because I thought I was SO FAT!!) and Ichabod.  

We had a lot of fun doing lots of events in those days.  I was also a street reporter and anchor, and did a few commercials.  

Country radio took up my first 5 years in Seattle.  It used to be that every station had to have a news department.  Those FCC regulations changed during my tenure, and I was let go in 1988.  Only Don Riggs remained in the news department.  He stayed until last year.  

20 more years!  Now THAT is longevity. 

BIG News

The t-shirts had already been printed.

The celebratory luncheon was planned.

The Power-Point presentation was already set to go.

A lot of work and thought went into this.

And now......KOMO News Radio on FM.

It's.   About.  Time.

Meeting Stacey Keach

One of the coolest parts of my job is interviewing famous actors, politicians and musicians.  It doesn't happen very often, but I really enjoy it when it does!

Yesterday, Stacey Keach came into the studio.  He's in town playing Richard Nixon in the play "Frost/Nixon".  

Because we're an all-news radio station, the interviews are VERY short.  If we get 5 minutes, it's an extreme luxury.  Usually it's closer to 3.  

Keach understood this and made the most of his 3 minutes, was kind and gracious, and gave very thoughtful answers to our questions.  Here's a guy who literally detested Richard Nixon and yet, said he found a way to give him humanity and humor as he embodied Nixon's persona for the play.  

And doesn't he look great!  I mean, the guy had a stroke less than two months ago, and here he is, on stage, and doing what he does best.

Me & Mike Hammer.  Who'd of thunk it?

Pomp and Puppy-dog

I know.

I have no life.

Can I Have My T-Shirt Back, Please?

Three things.

1. Dudley needs a haircut.

2. He needs to get out of my t-shirt.

3. Pink is definitely his color!

You Gotta Have a Gimmick

It all started with an e-mail from my friend a couple of weeks ago.

"A Friend of mine will be performing at the Triple Door on April 28th. Want to come?"

How innocuous is that?  Sure, I want to help support her friend.  and The Triple door is a nice venue.  So I said "yes".

About a week later, I asked what kind of performer her friend was.  "I think she's a Dancer",she  replied.

OK.  cool.

Friday night, we had dinner together.  I asked for more information about her friend's dancing.  Was it a troupe?  Was it a solo performance?  Was it part of a dance series?

Then came the reply: "She's a contortionist." 

A WHAT?????  

OK, Let's be open-minded here.  So she's a little bend-y.  How strange could that be?    OK.  I'm there.

So tonight, I was there.   And THIS was not what I expected.  

I was prepared for a pleasant evening's entertainment.  I arrived late, so I missed all the pre-show hoopla, the introductions.  When I was escorted to my seat, I saw a 6-foot drag queen swearing at the crowd and introducing a stripper.

Not what I was expecting on a Tuesday night.  I asked if that was her friend.  She nodded "no".  

Next came a break dancer.  He was followed by a bad magician, an acrobatic team, two more strippers, some decent jugglers, a guy with a big Velcro circle on his face upon which he stuck big felt eyes and lips and hopped around the stage, another stripper, and FINALLY, my friend's contortionist.

Pretty impressive.  She could put her head through her legs, backwards, twist her shoulders and arms in ways I've never seen before, and do it all with the elegance of a dancer.

Then, finally, it was time to close the evening's entertainment.

When the two women appeared in black leather corsets with bits of metal attached, and turned on power grinders to create sparks on themselves and each other, I LOST IT.

I started laughing hysterically.  WHAT SICK FUCK THOUGHT OF DOING THAT TO THEIR BODY?????   I couldn't get the thought out of my mind.  Jesus.  Somebody had to come up with that idea!

The 6-foot drag queen MC gave me a dirty look.  I couldn't help it.  Somebody, please, stop me now. 

I really wasn't ready for this.    

Allegory of Time Governed by Prudence

A painting to contemplate today, even though it was created in 1585 by Titian.  It hangs in the National Gallery in London and the art history books will tell you it's an oil painting on canvas.

But what else does it tell you?  Art of this period is very realistic in nature or focused on religion.

As an "allegory of time", it also shows the passage from one state of life into another.  And perhaps of one state of being into another.

Where is the Prudence in this painting?  Is it in the tempering of moods and emotions to keep from transitioning into the beast?  Or is the transition inevitable and the prudence keeps the transition's fury at bay?

And the use of light and shadows seems to echo the moods of the stages of the man's life and the animal's moods.

I want to see this painting in person some day.  It's very advanced for the period in which it was created, and a groundbreaking depiction of humanity.  

And one....... Perfect Tree.

For just a couple of weeks every year, this tree looks this way.    The pattern of the leaves will remain until the fall.

But it's the color that makes me stir inside.   This shade of green, like no other, which says "It's SPRING, dammit!  Pay attention!".

The color means the leaves are soft and pliant.  It means things have just begun.  

There is hope.

There is hope.

A Day for the Earth

One tulip says it all.  Yesterday was glorious.  

Today, not so pretty, but at least it's SPRING!

Happy Earth Day, everyone.

What a Freaking JOKE

Why did I even bother?  I signed up a month ago, and the minute they read my profile, they close communication.

I tell you, this is getting ridiculous.  

What a waste of money.

A Different Take on the "Teabagger" Protest

Yeah, this kind of put that whole tea-bag protest thing into perspective for me.

It's from a story on the anti-tax rally at Westlake Center yesterday, published on "The Weekly"'s website.

There were signs condemning the President, the tax code, anybody who was not a Republican,...

.....and these two.

I think that about says it all.