Angels 13 Mariners 6

Good seats or not, their presence and that of 15,000 others couldn't help the Mariners tonight.  They actually won last night. But tonight, a different story. We think she will stick with the Storm. She is a fair weather fan.

An Evening Out

We had a lovely day.  The keeper ran errands and then we all sat out in the yard while she read.  Suddenly we were rushed inside and she got ready to meet Victoria and Sam and Ron for a night at Safeco Field as the guests of Victoria and Sam.  We understand that we could have seen the keeper, her friends and the Mariners on tv tonight.  She got a text from friends in Portland who noticed them on tv.  They sat in row  9 over the visitors' dugout.  It's a whole new world in those seats.

Thank You, Fr. Phil

We thought we had the afternoon and evening wired.  Cecil and I planned our outdoor activities as we waited for her to finish her morning meetings and work.
We went out and had the nice afternoon.  But, then she lured us inside and gave us an early dinner.  Then she left us inside and headed to Bellevue for a parish celebration of a remarkable, lovely man. Fr. Phil Wallace was a gracious, quick witted, truly pastoral priest and pastor, she said. The parish prayer service included prayers in seven languages and had closed circuit tv in the parish hall to handle the crowds who didn't  fit in the church. It was an inspiring night, she said. Her young adults served as ushers and she helped them.

Radio Coteau and Great Friends

So, she said the Radio Coteau Pinot which Steve's brother produces in Santa Rosa was superb, and paired nicely with hamburgers. The company was best of all. Phil and Martha both leave this week. And the godson heads to school on Wednesday.
We are all gearing up for trips to Puebla, the Holy Land, and Worcester soon.

Yet Another Party

She left us early today.  As usual, we stayed inside and watched life happen without us.  We got a lecture last night because while the keeper was out on Friday night, a cat was run over on the road in front of our house. We listened politely, trying to appreciate the keeper's concern.  The truth is we don't go in the road.  But today we didn't have a chance to even try, and she came home too late to let us out.

Tonight after a lot of church the keeper headed over to her friend Steve's for another dinner with the usual suspects.  They got a chance to eat hamburgers and potato salad with very good wine.  The keeper's godson provided the bubbly environment.

A Lovely Reunion

The Vargas sisters are all in town from Mexico with their husbands. Martha is also here, and  so is the keeper's friend, Phil.  Paulina was leaving for a year abroad in Korea.  Lots of reasons to party. The keeper  left us on Friday eve to attend a great dinner on the deck over Lake Washington.  They also drank tequila which tasted like satin...with a name something like 1800. 

Back to St. Mary on the Lake

Yes, she got up early and tore out of the house, after making sure we had enough food.  The keeper gave an all day retreat for 50 staff members from a local parish. It was a good day and she was astounded by the docility of the group, given the beautiful weather and the shimmering lake in front of them.  They closed with a Mass and a lovely catered dinner.  We were stuck inside through all of this, and can only imagine what a beautiful day other cats were having out there.

God Speed, Dear Vilem

Several days ago, the keeper told us about the death of a man she had come to admire greatly as she came to know him in the last years of his life.  he was a giant of mind and spirit and heart.  She was sad because she will miss him, she said.  But she also remarked that he had poured out every last drop of life over his  90-some years.  He brought so much beauty and enthusiasm, and encouragement into the world.  It is only right now that he be enfolded into the realms of heavenly music.  She was not able to attend his services and the events following because she was giving a retreat from morning to night.  But at the retreat she played beautiful music in his honor. Rest in peace, dear Vilem.

She's Home Again

She came home this afternoon. We were expecting a longer absence. But she got back just in time because our tan lines were starting to fade.  We rushed out the door past her as she walked in. She found us sunning ourselves, Cecil rolling around on the hot gravel, and I on the lawn which is soft and restful moss. We hear it's a busy week ahead.

Postcard from Islandwood #3

The bathroom tiles are made out of recycled wine bottles. And the bathroom floor is made out of coal ash. Salmon are a big theme here.

Postcard from Islandwood #2

Two of the most enchanting things they found there were the deer --two fawns and a mother who played in the front yard of the dining hall and their lodge, Ichthyology, as well as a tree house which encircles the top portion a tall fir. It was designed by children and created by architects which looks out onto a bog where 500 year old hemlocks live very stunted lives.

Postcard from Islandwood

The keeper left us with another cat nanny and headed to Bainbridge Island with her group of Lemmings. They are a peer support group, whatever that is.  But they headed for an overnight at Islandwood, the fanciest and most green outdoor education conference center on the planet on several hundred acres of sanctuary land. Everything was perfectly designed and totally green. They slept in beds which were made from wood from the land. Everything is organic, even the towels. There was no detail left un-thought.  She slept in the Coho Room.  She had a salmon light over her sink and a solar powered shower.

Cecil Visits Dr. Smalley

Cough. Cough.  Cough Cough Cough.  Is it a hairball? Is it not?  Is it a bronchial infection?  Is it not? Is it because Cecil eats decorative grass? Is it because he drinks bad water?  Whatever it is, Cecil has been coughing up a storm.  So, the keeper came home from work, surprised him with his pet carrier and hauled him off to Northgate Veterinary Clinic.  No temp.  No bad sounds in the stethoscope.  No coughing, of course. And no heart problems. So, they decided to treat him for a secondary infection that could be caused by viral bronchitis.  He gets an antibiotic shot and subcutaneous fluids.  He came home looking plumped up, like those chickens on tv.  Is he  getting better? Maybe.  We will see. He was happy to get home. I didn't even know he was gone because I got to stay outside while they were at the vet.

A Hint of Autumn

The keeper has a friend who in late June would always point to the wind or a stray leaf and comment, " There's a hint of autumn in the air."  She would groan, since summer is her favorite season and she would skip fall if she could. But yesterday on her walk she found herself saying, "There's a hint of autumn in the air." perhaps she is becoming more realistic in her advanced years.

Simply Stunning

We know that morning glories are considered noxious plants, but nestled along the creek they are alluring beauties.

A Beautiful Funeral Reception

The keeper left early am Tuesday to help with a funeral at her old parish.  A large crowd for a man who seized every minute of his life before his heart gave out too soon.  The reception was quite a large elegant party at Shilshole.  The keeper learned that airline chicken is not the same as what they used to serve in coach before they gave pretzels.

A New Gate

We have a new gate and a new planter, thanks to Jose's hard work. He is now rebuilding our deck railing and a ramp.  He is also installing new steps.  He is a  good worker and takes a lot of pride in his work.  The new gate is presenting a bit of a problem for Cecil.  He can't crawl through the broken slats anymore and now has to climb over it.

Back to St. T's

Before the keeper headed to Bellevue on Sunday, she made a stop at her former parish, St. T, to celebrate one of the great "godmothers" of the parish.  Anne, the prophet and voice of compassion, was not only celebrating her 90th birthday, but was moving to Portland to a retirement community to be closer to her children. She is ready to start a social justice committee at her new home.  Lots of parishioners and former parishioners attended the Mass and reception for Anne.

The keeper came home very nostalgic. She has not been back there for a Sunday Mass since her last Sunday  there 13 years ago.  The Gospel Choir was on vacation. The parish has changed a great deal in those 13 years, and the neighborhood has gentrified even more. But she was happy to see some of her favorite parishioners still there.

At Porgy and Bess

The keeper and her dear friend W headed off to one of her favorite operas, Porgy and Bess last eve.  She actually knew some of the choristers and was deeply moved by the quality of the performance.  But even better, Charles,the usher who has been in charge of her section all these years, whom she has come to know and appreciate, handed out an envelope to all the regular subscriber patrons.  Inside was a poem which he had written, a poem of thanks and praise for the opera and all of the arts aficionados he has come to know over all of his years of service.  He isn't even retiring, he just wanted to do it. We thought it was very cool.

Getting Back to the Garden

We were eager for her to discover what the garden had been up to in her absence.
her zucchini plant actually may have zucchini, and if so, it will be the first time she has ever been able to make one produce. Lots of water helps.

She Came Back

She came home. Of course, we were thrilled, but didn't let her know that for a while.  It's our belief that keepers should feel some remorse for abandoning their pets when they leave for vacation. Yes, we know she provided us with an excellent nanny. But it's also good to get the extra treats.

Postcard from the Beach # 11

Like she told us, it's a really wild kingdom down there. The raccoons took their naps in the sun on the deck.  Then an eagle swooped down and caught a fish.
However, she has not yet seen any bears or cougars yet, but has refrained from walking or cycling in the old remote areas. We hear from the nanny that she may be home soon, that is if the wild animals don't eat her.

Postcard from the Beach #10

It was so nice everyone was sunbathing today.

Posrcard from the Beach #9

While the keeper was enjoying her licorice ice cream which turns her tongue and lips black, we were stuck inside.  The cat nanny has a day job and we understand she had orders from the licorice mouthed one not to let us out.  Well, to show what we thought of that, I tipped over the litter box and Cecil started sniffling and coughing. Still, no deal.  This is one tough nanny.

Postcard from the Beach #8

It was such a beautiful afternoon.  She was quite lazy and sat out in the sun reading and sunburned her nose.  Before dinner she tackled servile work and cleaned up the canalside shrub beds, as well as cleaned up the fuchsia at Holyrood South where a cat named Virginia is buried. (We never met her.  We hear she was a bit aloof but very devoted to the keeper. She died in 1995.) While she tore out fuchsia the keeper was buzzed by a delegation of local hummingbirds.  She pointed out to them that she was only removing one little patch. They left, apparently appeased.

Postcard from the Beach #7

She decided she would check out the Eucharist at the local church. Her comments:  the community sang very bad songs very well. The presider introduced the liturgy by saying the theme was about listening to God and then proceeded to preach about how important it is to talk to God.  He suggested 5 minutes a day.  She wrote him a note on the back of the envelope and put it in the collection basket, questioning whether he was asking too little of his congregation.

Postcard from the Beach #6: Wild Kingdom

She says this is like living in a zoo.  She woke up yesterday morning to see a deer family snoozing in the yard, who promptly hid when discovered.  Then she looked out at the canal and the otter was having quite a party. At breakfast the raccoon family tripped across the docks of all the neighbors on the other side of the canal.
The heron took off with a huge splash and the raccoons sped into the reeds.

Postcard #5 from the Beach

This is why everyone stayed out a long time tonight.  It was so beautiful and warm.

Postcard from the Beach #4

She rode down the beach back home at low tide.  There were more cars parked on the beach than there were on the street.  It was madness.  She was relieved to reach the no car zone where it was very quiet.  But she found a minister and several families preparing for a beach wedding.  The minister had a clip board and they were all looking for the bride. We hope she arrived. They could not have chosen a better day.

Postcard #3 from the Beach

She rode her bike down to town and stopped in to visit Chey at the Chica Taqueria. The best tacos north of Mexico.  Today it was two chile verdes with a dash of lime and chipotle salsa.  She had no room for ice cream after. Besides, the whole town was in line for ice cream.

Postcard from the Beach #2

 She said that today was a spectacular day at the beach.  She spent the morning on the dock reading Mary Oliver and listening to the aviary all around her.  She said it was like the San Diego Zoo.  Heron was out, as was hawk, and a raccoon peeked out from under the dock but the crows chased him back underneath.  Fish jumped and the otters swam circles down the center of the canal.  Throngs of swallows flew in formation like the kites down on the sand.  She said we would have enjoyed it. Perhaps. But we would have had to experience it all in harnesses and would have been the laughing stock of the animal kingdom.

Postcard from the Beach: Sun!

We heard that the sun came out today down there and that she took out her bike and rode all over, into town, down the beach through the sand for three miles all the way home.  She said the beach was a little misty, and it was great fun dodging rolling clouds of fog and gulls. She is now finishing her third book.  We understand that Jean Corbon, OP's little tome on liturgy is very inspiring.  We are not sure we would share her enthusiasms.  But she seems happy, what can we say?

We Did Not Go to The Beach

On Wednesday the keeper left us with our favorite cat nanny, Leticia, and left us in the heat and with our own beds.  She headed down to the beach, and all the way down kept saying that if it wasn't warm and sunny she would turn back and come home.  She drove through the gates to a golden sunny afternoon with people running around in shorts.  Within two hours, the mist and clouds swept in and kept them under cover for the next day.

She reports that she hit the gym and the sauna and read a whole book on Thursday.  She says they found a dead man on the beach the other morning near our house.  It was a self inflicted death.  Very sad.  She also tells us that she just missed "Harry Potter" here.