Just Real Enough to be Scary

Today Just Got Much Better

It's the little things in life, you know?

Today started out as a typical rainy Monday. The financial crisis is looming large and dominating the headlines.

But I'm not feeling anxious or concerned.

No, not me. And it's because they're stocking FRESCA once again in the soft-drink vending machine!!!

There's something about those tangy, citrussy bubbles tickling my throat that makes me just smile.

I've always loved Fresca, even when it wasn't cool to love Fresca. It was the first diet soda I remember drinking. My mother bought some when she joined Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time sometime in the early 1970's.

It was the first time we had soda in the house. And she even let us drink some of it. YUM!!!

Viva la Fresca!!!

I'm a Fan

There are a couple of men who regularly wear kilts when they dance at the venues I frequent.  And I like the kilts.

I find the number of times I am asked to dance goes up if I wear a skirt.  I wonder what THEIR odds are when they wear the kilts?

Although I've never danced with a man in a camouflage  kilt like the one pictured above, there is a man who wears a khaki one who looks and moves quite nicely.

What do you think?  Do you like kilts?  If you're a man, have you or would you wear one?  I've seen them on construction sites, on the street, at social events, and all over the place in Seattle.  

Where have you seen them?

Walk FOR the Animals

Well at first, that's what I thought I'd be doing....walking FOR the animals.   But fortunately, I didn't have to do that.

They did just fine on their own.    
Especially when they were sniffing others just like them.

Dudley, myself and some 600 other people with pooches did a 10K walk benefitting the Seattle-King County Humane Society.  

It was  a huge success.  Even in the rain, we managed to raise 50-thousand dollars to benefit programs for homeless animals.   It makes you feel pretty good, doesn't it?

My good friend Helena Cohen joined us for the soggy stroll and kept us smiling.  

And other fabulous folk like ace reporter Travis Mayfield and Super Sweet Sadie joined us for the walk.

What a great event!!!!   We're a little wet but otherwise happy and tired.

A Sure Sign of Fall

Every year about this time, I get a craving. Nothing says fall better than a caramel apple. One with lots of nuts. The sweetness and crunchiness of the apple, mixed with the chewy caramel and salty peanuts should be a taste of heaven.

But every year, I have just one. Then I remember why I don't eat more than one.

It's because of the year I was in 5th grade. My mother decided to melt down a bunch of Kraft caramel candies and coat apples with them. My sisters and I put sticks in them and we sold them around the neighborhood.

Trouble was that we didn't sell that many. We ended up eating most of them.

I was so sick of caramel apples that I couldn't look at one for more than 10 years.

Now, I have one a year.

Just one.

"Sigh"

More than you know.

Douglas Adams, Where are You Now?

We're all losing money. We're all concerned about losing our job, or at the very least, losing our present financial status.

But concern does not have to be acted on in panic.

Douglas Adams, the late, great science fiction writer and, in my mind, great philosopher saw total global collapse through the eyes of his anti-hero Arthur Dent, in the "Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" series. And while there was a lot of nonsense in the prose, there was also a lot of wisdom. Paramount was Dent's penchant for looking on potentially devastating circumstances with a droll detachment.

Believe it or not, this corresponds with ancient Buddhist tenants of detachment. And the good thing about this is that it allows you to take a step back from the situation and breathe. It is in that breath that wiser decisions are made.

And in the words of my good friend Anurag Asthana..."Do Nothing". Those words, while seemingly simple, go through my mind often, in times of distress. Things do resolve. And no, it does not mean ignoring the situation. It means, at the moment of panic, stop, take a step back and regroup. From this place, a wiser choice will emerge.

That's why I'm not worried that Congress will come up with a better way. A better plan not built out of panic, but more grounded in wisdom. It's not too late.

Why Today Wasn't So Bad After All:

A nice refreshing change.  Thanks, Jeremy and Cheryl.

Good to remember there are other things besides work.

Perfect Dog Day Afternoon

I spent the entire afternoon playing with the pooches.  What fun!  First, it was off to Magnolia, where I needed to go to the drug store.  But first....

We headed to Discovery Park.  Abbey and I used to walk to the Bluff all the time when I lived a few blocks away.  She started to stamp her little feet in excitement the closer we got to the park.

Dudley had never been there before, so he was just excited that Abbey was excited.

It was such a beautiful day for a walk.  We went all over the bluff, stopping in the tall grass to rest.  (Abbey can't go as far as she used to....and neither can her mommy!)

Then I ran my errands in Magnolia, and stopped at my favorite Greek take-out place for a halibut gyro.  YUM!

When the pooches and I took off again, I thought, maybe a ferryboat ride.  But the dogs had other ideas.

Dudley, the sneaky 'lil cuss, somehow managed to bind my wrists and ankles with the leashes, and Abbey got behind the steering wheel.   After I was shoved to the back seat, Dudley stood on the pedals.  I didn't even know they could drive!

We ended up at Westcrest Park in West Seattle.  I was untied, and we made it to the off-leash area for yet another romp!  This time Abbey made fast friends with an extremely UN-altered male basset hound.  Dudley played with a sheltie, a Westie and a yellow lab.

We made it home shortly before 7.

We're tired!

Mystery Solved

His name is Stephan Tewksberry.   And Stephen is no stranger to the title role in "The Phantom of the Opera".

Tewksberry played the lead in the present Broadway touring company until Richard Todd Adams stepped into the role in mid-June 2008.

Tewksberry was on hand because Adams had just returned from a week's vacation to visit his wife and brand new baby in Chicago.  Adams perhaps got a respiratory infection on the plane, or with his family.  

I agree with Kristin's comment in the previous post.  The second-act understudy was much more appropriate for the role because he appeared not to have matinee idol good looks, and took on the physicality of the role with such gusto.  

Thanks, Julie Furlong, for solving our mystery!!!

My night was filled with music.   And I think my true calling is opera.   At least that's my feeling after "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Paramount Theater last night.

I waited for my soul to stir in the first act.  But something was missing.  Turns out it was the upper register of the Phantom.   When he bowed out after the first half, and was replaced,  the soul awakened.  Who was that masked man?  The Phantom was a Phantom to us all.

The regular understudy was already employed in the role of Raoul. And they couldn't risk changing 2 roles in one night.  So, the 3rd string understudy was brought in.

Or was he the third string?  I never quite caught the name.  It sounded like a single syllable for the first name.  I found no such name in the program.    Who was that masked man?  My God, he had the role down as if he had lived and breathed it for years.  The pathos.  The heartbreak.  The yearning.  The agony.  It was all so real.  It was as if his inner core had been longing to release itself for ages.   Was he a Phantom of years past, brought in to fill a void at the last moment?  Was he an attendee in the audience who knew the role?  Stay tuned.  This question needs to be answered.

Who was that sweet, tortured soul?  I must know!!! 

American Politics

I realize I've been writing about food, or fun, or happy experiences to keep my blog devoid of politics.

This is difficult. American Politics is in crisis.

And even though I am not as stupid as the political campaigns assume I am, I wish I were. It would be easier.

But for now, I will continue my pledge to blog about "other" things. Vacations, life, pretty food, pretty flowers and paintings I enjoy.

Maybe when my head comes out of the blogger-sand, it will all be happy.


(nobody I know)

The Salmon Salad

Well, it's another food post, but please don't get worried about me. This one is really HEALTHY!

I had some salmon left over from dinner the other night, so I decided to use it in my salad for dinner. It turned out so durned pretty, that I took a photograph of it.

Gee, digital cameras are kind of fun, aren't they?

Anyway, if you would like to make this and share it with your beloved, here are the ingredients:

Fresh mixed spring greens
3 oz. of Flaked Salmon (I baked mine with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice for about 20 minutes)
Crumbled Feta Cheese
2 Roma Tomatoes
Handful of Walnuts

I dressed it with some Raspberry-Balsamic dressing.

Very yummy.

I Can't Decide

This is Josh Groban singing a medley of TV theme songs at Sunday night's Emmy Awards.

I was so embarrassed for him, but I'm not sure if it was as bad as all that. He's so talented, and he was clearly having fun with it. But when he burst into the theme from South Park, I just was so uncomfortable.

What do you think? Was it career suicide?

.....The other terrible moment for me was that Gawdawful opening when the male reality hosts had nothing to say, and their "highlight" was having William Shatner help to yank the tuxedo off Heidi Klum.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot?????

Market happiness

This is Seattle-area artist Lois Silver's painting entitled "Market" for the Pike Place Market Foundation.   

She has a wonderful eye for color.    In fact I have my eye on another one of her paintings, entitled "Red Purse".  It's at the Lisa Harris Gallery in the Market for about $1800.  "sigh".

But the Market painting is a perfect way to tell you about my trip to the Pike Place Market on Saturday.

Anne and I decided to play Seattle Tourist.   We spent a few hours, in the rain, at the market on Saturday.   It's been years since I've done that.

There are a few changes.  First of all, on the East side of the market, there are several shops I'd never visited before.  One lets you taste 12 year old balsamic vinegar.  Wow.  I want some.  Of course, it's $45 a bottle.  So, maybe for my birthday.  It was so incredible, I could drink it by the glass.

Another shop sold more fancy spreads and olive oils.  

Of course, The Confectionary makes individual cheesecakes 

Kind of funny to walk by the first Starbucks store too.  When I worked at KMPS from 1983-1988, it was the ONLY Starbucks.  I just remember the coffee-making process was noisy.  I never bought coffee there.  Didn't drink it at the time.  But once I bought some loose tea.  Now there's a long line to get inside.  To many, it's coffee Mecca.

Another real highlight was a trip to one of my favorite galleries, the Lisa Harris Gallery.  I frequently visit her website, and Lois Silver is one of the painters she represents.  I get emotional when I connect with wonderful art.  Call me silly, but it's true.

Anyway, we stopped at my favorite fish monger, in the middle of the market, near the craft booths.  I like it because they're not in it for the show business, like the fish-tossers are at Pike Place Fish.  Bought a couple of halibut cheeks.

I had them for dinner tonight.  Pan-seared them in olive oil and butter with garlic.  It was so easy to make.  First you dust the cheeks with flour, salt and pepper.  Then put them in the hot oil-butter-garlic mix in the hot pan.  Flip them a couple of times until the flesh of the fish feels a bit less than firm.  Then I put in a dash of white wine, a little more butter, and finished it with 2 sliced Roma tomatoes.    I served it over some brown rice.   YUM!!!

Anne and I perused the craft stalls and when we stopped at a fruit stand to taste their peaches and nectarines, I exclaimed "Oh My God!".  THAT was how good they were.  The fruit man directed me to the pile of nectarines named, I kid you not, "Oh My God Nectarines".  I bought 3 of them.   Paid 6 dollars for them.  Finished them today.

We also went into the gem shop, and wandered through the Post Alley Market.  We stopped for dinner at the Pike Place Brewery.  Anne had the crabmeat chowder.  I had the appetizer dish of steamed clams.  They were TEENY.  The insides were the size of my little finger nail.  But good.

It's fun to play tourist in your hometown.  

Next Saturday, The Tacoma Museum of Glass.  Never been there.  Have you?  Did you like it?

My Sentiments Exactly!!!!

It was 3:26 in the morning.  BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!  

The music from next door was deafening, and I was in the back upstairs bedroom.  They were in the house to my left, and the music was coming from the front porch.

The loud voices started around 10:00 and were still going strong.

Dudley needed to go outside.  So, out of the bed we hopped and went downstairs and outside for Dudley and Abbey's potty break.  

The male voices were loudly debating the merits of nothing in particular.  And Abbey and Dudley let them know they were not appreciated.   Loud barking at the neighbors ensued.

I did not try to silence them this time, as I ordinarily would.  

Finally, one of them screamed, at the top of his lungs...."SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"

Out of my mouth came a loud and forceful;  "MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY".

......silence.   footsteps down the front stairs.  car doors shutting.  car pulled away.

victory.

Managing Change

I remember what a big deal it was when the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi made the cover of Time Magazine. We had arrived.

And when I say "we", I mean people who practice Transcendental Meditation.

When I was 15 years old, my Mother, always a seeker, decided that if our family of 4 (3 daughters and herself) learned to meditate, we would lose weight. There was no contemplation of peace, harmony, unity, clear thought, relaxation, elimination of stress, nothing like that. No, we would "finally" be thin if we just would meditate.

So off we went to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania TM center. We attended a couple of introductory classes, then it was off to individual instruction with certified teachers, to learn the technique. I remember we had to bring a clean white handkerchief and fresh flowers. I think we also had to bring fruit or something. These were used in the initial individual meditation session.

I was 15. I didn't get most of it. But then, the teachers started to chant a mantra. He kept on doing it, and indicated I was supposed to do it too. So I did. I felt weird, but I did. I remember having the profoundest sense of "GetthehelloutofthisplaceNOW!"

But I didn't. I kept on chanting the mantra, and eventually, repeating it silently.

And something happened. I "transcended". Even that first time. I remember opening my eyes after some unknown period of time, with a sense of calm and peace that I had never experienced before.

I don't know if my sisters or Mother felt the same way, but we kept on coming back for weekly "check-ins" for a time.

After that, I continued to meditate. I would get away from it for weeks or months sometimes, but I have always returned.

The mantra, the calming brain waves, the deep rest have always been my solace. I frequently meditate just before going on the air. It rejuvinates me.

I also practice my morning meditation with my dogs. I say "OK, it's time to meditate", and they follow me to my meditation spot and sit down quietly for 20 minutes. I don't even have to prompt them with promises of cookies or w-a-l-ks. (yes, I even have to spell it in the blog, 'cause they know it's coming if I write the whole word or, God forbid, speak it aloud!)

I love my daily Meditation.

......but I never did get THIN.

The Calm Before the Storm

A buncha stuff is about to get swirled up.  Jetties may be formed, rocks may be tossed, houses may break, and new beaches will be made.

You get through the swirly stuff then it gets quiet again.

Then it starts again.

This much I have learned.

The Dog Beach

This is the dog beach at Seattle's Magnuson Park.  I must admit I copped somebody else's photo because I didn't take a picture, but you get the idea.

Dudley and I went there on Sunday night, as did almost every other dog in Seattle.  I counted.  There were more than FIFTY (yes, 5-OH) dogs with their masters playing fetch in Lake Washington, running up and down the beach, tussling with each other, lounging and just being goofy.

And then....there was Dudley.  He took great joy in running just to the edge of the water, gingerly stepping in, up to his tiny ankles, turning around and smiling at me.  "Look at ME, Mommy.....Look at ME!!!"  Seriously.  If he could talk, I'm sure that's what he would have said.

He played this game over and over for a good 30 minutes or so, before he got tired of it.  He also made a new friend with a little soggy pug named Oscar.  Sniff sniff sniff.  Woof woof woof.  Play stance.  Shake butt.  Shake head.  Shake entire body. Get Mommy wet with water from the lake.  

Very cute.  And then we walked back, in the super-bright evening sunshine, to the car.  Attempts to dry off his little lamb-y legs were futile.  So my passenger seat has little soggy footprints.  

God Bless Scotch Guard.

OMG! Save our Economy!

Pick Another Site!!!

This is the beautiful view from Kerry Park on Seattle's Queen Anne Hill. It's beautiful. Probably the best-known view of Seattle there is. And one of the reason's it's so well-known is that when the network TV anchors come to town, they always stand here when they read their tele-prompters.

Charles Gibson anchored from there today. And that's why I'm frustrated.

There are so MANY beautiful views in Seattle. Alki Beach. West Seattle. Magnolia. Beacon Hill. First Hll. Madison Park. Leschi. Greenlake. Gasworks Park.

You get the idea. How lazy are those network types.

Pick Another Site!!!

More Than Love

Clogged Sinuses

Well, I was looking around Google images for some sort of medical photo that would explain my clogged sinuses, and this was at the top of the page.

It's a hell of a lot more fun than the actual medical prognosis.

But,  a little Seagram's Gin would probably help my sinuses at this point.  

I walked into work yesterday and immediately got stuffed up.  My sinuses continued to run and I continued to sneeze all day yesterday.  And I woke up this morning with the same congestion.

I think it's Montreal withdraw.  My dreams are full of images of Quebec.  And there's a lot to process.  Plus, our carpet at work hasn't been cleaned in the 6 years I've been there.  God knows what's on that floor.  It's just permeating the air.

Sniff sniff sniff.....where's my Gin?  

Somebody GOT a Haircut!!

Is this the same little boy?  I'm just sayin'.....

The Soup

Saturday, as I got back into my routine here at home, I decided to make "The Soup", an ever-changing concoction of vegetables, broth and love. 

 I made a big pot of it yesterday for two reasons. One, to use up the remaining food in my house in advance of grocery shopping.  And two, to help detoxify me from some less-than-organic and pescaterian vacation food.  (can you say "poutine"?)

I've been making this for several years now, and I find it delicious.  This time the soup contained 11 vegetables: celery, garlic, shallots, chick peas, kidney beans, black beans, tomatoes, frozen peas, frozen corn and frozen artichoke hearts.  Plus the one ingredient that "the soup" must contain; fresh rosemary.  

Fortunately we live in the Pacific Northwest, where rosemary grows abundantly in yards.  I just walk 2 houses to the west, pluck a few sprigs, wash them well, and chop up the leaves, stripped from the woody stalk.

I don't know what it is, but I instantly feel nourished after a bowl of "the soup".   A little salt, a little pepper and some grated parmesan cheese on top and voila!  The Soup is ready.  

Of course, I've made enough to serve 12.  So, expect to see little plastic bowls of "the soup" all week, when it's lunchtime.

Unless you want to come over and help me eat it......

Home Again

It's nice to be home.  And, thank-you Eric for touting the benefits of Apple Care!   When I arrived home (thank you Anne for picking me up---and for taking care of the pooches and the house) I turned on my computer to be confronted with the "BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!!"

My iBook G4 has performed flawlessly during the trip, allowing me to download photos from the camera and update my blog.  I turned it off rather than have it in "sleep" mode for the journey home.

After panicking a bit, and considering taking it to Seattle Laptop, I heard a little voice in my head reminding me I had paid for Apple Care Protection.  So, I called, and the nice woman had me up and running in less than 5 minutes.  Hooray Hooray!

Which meant I could begin to tackle the next big project:

Ah, yes, the mail.  Mortgage to be paid, and other bills.  I'll get to that today.  I promise.

Unpacked last night.  Laundry later.  I promise.  Grocery shopping too.  I promise.

But first, the pooches need extra cuddle time.  And then a nap.  Yes, definitely a nap.

Au Revoir, Montreal

Just a few more impressions to share before I depart this morning.

This was the reason we weren't allowed inside the Notre Dame Basilica on Saturday.  The bride and 3 bridesmaids rode up in a horse-drawn crystal carriage.  It was so romantic.  And all the tourists gathered outside the church were like paparazzi awaiting the emergence of a celebrity from a limo.

Here's my hotel, Le Chateau Champlain Marriott.  My room was in the front, on the 4th floor.  I opted for the lower floor after learning my original room on the 23rd floor would not have a view.  The hotel is built over the Underground City.  It's just an elevator ride to get to the Metro station.

This is a view of Vieux Montreal from the St. Lawrence River, during the Amphi Bus tour. No sunshine yesterday.  Just heat and humidity.
And, several topiary artists were awarded plots to create tributes to Quebec at the House of Parliament.  
I hope to return someday.  This was a lot of fun!!

Amphi-Bus Tour

My feet are so tired!  I walked from downtown to Old Montreal today (about 2 miles in heat and humidity), stopped in Chinatown for lunch and ended up at the Amphi Bus tour by the Old Port.

The cute Quebecois tour guide gave most of the tour in French, pausing to make bad jokes in English every now and then.  

It was pretty cool to dip into the St. Lawrence River.  We had a great view of these bizarre apartment buildings created for the 1967 Worlds Fair.  That's the photo at the top of the posting.  A 23 year old Israeli design student came up with the concept for his ph.D dissertation.  They're identical cubes, stacked one atop another to form a pyramid.  Unfortunately, the weight of the cubes was greater than he anticipated, so he didn't get to put a top on the pyramids.  I think they look pretty cool.

I found my way to the Underground city, Montreal's 18 miles of shops, restaurants, theaters and passageways below ground.  I wandered through the train station, several Metro stations, and eventually, I found my way back to the Marriott.  

Feet HURT!  So, I'm just relaxing, waiting for McCain's speech on TV, eating a sandwich I brought back from the Underground City, and realizing that my vacation is just about over.

A couple of impressions I haven't shared with you yet.  This city feels so SAFE.  I've been traveling alone most of the time, walking on the city's streets day and night,  wandering the Underground City, and I have never, ever felt vulnerable.

The people here are very kind.  Even though I don't speak their native language, they have all been patient with my halting French.  

And it's a very clean city.  I was startled when I saw a discarded fast food meal today.  I realized it was the first trash I have seen since I arrived.

It's been a great week.  I'm so lucky to have been able to realize this dream of mine, and it's been fun to be able to write this blog and take you along.

Thanks for reading it.  And thanks for commenting.  

A Greek in Montreal

A couple of my guidebooks recommended the excellent Greek food in Montreal.  But they didn't mention a moderately priced Greek restaurant.

So, I asked my Greek Bellboy.  He told me about Mythos, on Avenue Parc, near McGill University.  

Mythos did not disappoint.  It's in a big old house, where it's been for the last 50 years.  The waiters are all middle-aged or old men who have been there for years.

I ate outside on the sidewalk, and ordered the squid stuffed with cheese and capers.  It was served with rice and vegetables.  That's the photo below.  What I didn't get a photo of was the wonderful Horiatiki salad of wonderfully fresh tomatoes (the kind you can only get on the East Coast), cucumber, olives and fresh feta cheese.    

Dinner was wonderful.  I had a Greek custard with honey for dessert.  I forget the name.  But it was also outstanding.   And the bill came to $33.00 with coffee and tax.  

Musee des Beaux Arts

Today, I was able to spend about 4 hours at Montreal's Musee de Beaux Arts, the fine arts museum in the city.

I have posted previously about my love of impressionism. Imagine my surprise when the first painting in the first room I see is one of Monet's paintings at his garden at Giverney! Unfortunately, you're not allowed to take photos of the paintings, and the photos on-line aren't download-able. So, you'll just have to take my word for it. The colors popped. It was lovely.

Then I see an entire room of paintings by Monet, Degas, Renoir and another room full of Picasso paintings. The famous "The Embrace" is at the Musee de Beaux Arts.

On the floor below is the contemporary art wing, with modern paintings from 1945 and later.

I squealed with joy when I saw two paintings by Jean Michel Basquiat. I urge you to rent the movie "Basquiat. It tells the story of this painter's troubled life, but the best part of it is David Bowie's BRILLIANT portrayal of Andy Warhol. Warhol turned Basquiat into his protegee'.

The painting below is a classic example of his work:

I know, if you've never seen his work before, you're probably wondering what the heck is THIS?

(and if you paid attention at the beginning of this post, you're wondering how I got a photo....I took it when the guard was out of the room!)

This is the first one I've ever seen in person. It did not disappoint. It's pure perspective. This guy, who died of a drug overdose wasn't trying to impress anyone. He just had ideas he wanted to share. Love it, hate it or accept it as it is.

The featured exhibit at the Musee des Beaux Arts right now is an Yves St. Laurent retrospective. Yes, the late fashion designer who defined the house of Dior.

I'm a big "Project Runway" fan, and used to read Vogue Magazine at my grandmother's house. But I'm no fashion hound. But wow.

Here's the coolest thing about this exhibit. It was PACKED with wannabe fashionistas. Almost every woman there was dressed to the 9's. Incredible fashion to see the exhibit about fashion. I doubt many of them ever stepped foot in the museum before, and this had them rivited.

I have to admit that the clothing was spectacular. And even with my limited knowledge of fashion, I could understand why the creative artistry of this man led to influences in fashion for many years to come. I even was able to draw a connection between his 1976 Russian-influenced collection, and a cocktail dress I bought in 1984.

Think about that next time I'm wearing yet ANOTHER pair of black pants and a turtleneck.