Life In The Pacific Northwest
The city of Lynnwood is hosting these free, family friendly movies at Lynndale Park. The movies start at dusk.
Bring your own blankets and chairs. Oh, and the “Snack Shack” will be open for dinner and snacks.
More details are available on the city’s Facebook page.
Riding the ferry
From shore to shore for hours
Talking to strangers
I’ve been thinking a lot of my grandfather lately. He spent years driving trucks throughout the region. His gift for connecting with people his deep. He had friends all over Edmonds. I emulate him… in my own way.
Earlier I posted this: “Christmas Starts In Edmonds This Evening“. Below are a few photos from the tree lighting. Sadly, I took far more shots, but my camera’s night settings weren’t working well and most of them turned out blurry. I might need to upgrade my old Olympus PEN.
Anyway, head over to the Facebook page and give these one’s a like, if you’d be so good.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2274815762740422&type=1&l=5cbc5baf9b
The Saturday after Thanksgiving has held a family tradition for us over nearly 2 decades: The Christmas Tree lighting. The tree in question, which is a live tree that lives in the spot year round, is located near a spot we often park. Whenever we’re describing the spot, we don’t call it “the Veteran’s Park”, not “by City Hall”, nor “next to the police station”, nor “where the farmer’s market is”. No, my friends, we’re “parked by the Christmas Tree”. A landmark for the whole year. And we’ll be there, yet again, in a little over an hour.
Maybe I’ll see you there?
One of my favorite things to do: walk along the Edmonds waterfront. It’s picturesque and just delightful, especially when the weather is nice (like tonight). Yet there’s far more to this for me. For most of my memory, Edmonds was the home of my grandparents.
I walked along the same space with my grandpa, though it’s worlds different now. So many differences: no longer able to fish off the ferry dock and pretty much all the businesses they knew are gone (I don’t miss the old cat-food/meat processing facility that was over by Anthony’s, though…blech!), yet there are things that trigger memories. Some of the old buildings, the older restaurants (hi Pancake Haus!), but the biggest thing was walking by the place my grandparents lived. In the dusk, looking at the building, I have expected to see grandpa walking out.
These memories drive home how much this little city by the bay has changed. Yet there’s so much the same. He’d know where he was were he to materialize in front of me, familiar and alien. I do love my dichotomies.
The photos here are, simply, snapshots of this evening’s walk. I think I’ll bring my camera down there, soon, and explore the city in terms of my memory.
While running errands today, this came across my radio (thanks for great radio KNKX!):
“How ‘War Of The Worlds’ Caused Double The Panic For One Small Washington Town“
Here are the basics of the story: during the infamous ‘War Of The Worlds’ broadcast in 1938, a transformer blows and a town loses power. Panic and pandemonium set in.
The ‘small town’ in question is Concrete, just north and a smidge east of Mt. Vernon. A town I have connection with. My grandfather, and his sisters, were born there. By 1938, though, he was living in Seattle. Yet, it’s quite rare to hear Concrete mentioned in any kind of public forum. It’s a small, rural town rather far from everywhere. But a wonderful place, nonetheless.
Give the article a listen; it’s not too long (under 9 minutes). A fun tidbit of Washington history.
It’s been a lovely weekend here in South Snohomish county. Yesterday I made my way down to the Edmonds Barbershop. For me, that’s John’s barbershop. When I lived down there, I’d walk there once a month or so. He always did a fantastic job. Then we moved to north Lynnwood, nearly Mukilteo. Slowly, the drive started to become too much, too convoluted. And for the sake of time, I’d end up at the discount hair place with the shortest line. After moving a few years ago, it finally sank in that I can make the journey now without too much trouble. So, even with my maniacal calendar, I was able to carve out the time. It was great to catch up. He knows so very much about the details of Edmonds life.
It’s amazing to reflect on all the changes I’ve seen the city come through. My grandparents lived there for decades. My grandfather died in this town. He’d hardly recognize it. I can’t imagine him trying a pain au’chocolat (he’d definitely try a crescent roll with chocolate bits, though). There are elements of that old Edmonds left. The first things that comes to mind is the Edmonds Bakery and the venerable Pankcake Haus. But we have many lovely but fru-fru restaurants now; ones that I love but he’d scratch his head over. These changes excite, but I feel a tinge of nostalgia. Me, though, I focus on the positive and let the negative drift away. Especially as I have little control over either.
With that, it’s time for me to step outside and enjoy this lovely breezy spring-esque day. May you day be filled with delight and fun, rejuvenating you for the week to come.
Are your kids in need of a bigger bike? Need to get a  bike out of your garage? You may be able to find one at the GayLynne Ullerich Bicycle Extravaganza at Seaview Elementary on Saturday June 6th from 10:00 – 1:00PM. GayLynne was a friend who loved the outdoors, especially cycling. Besides teaching, she taught all kinds of classes at REI. This is a perfect way to honor her. So, bring in a ‘too small’ bike to exchange for a bigger bike, if available. This fun event includes a bicycle rodeo, bike tune ups and helmets for sale. Please see below
for details.
Am I terrible for being thankful my son didn’t get into soccer? I look at those families that have kids playing the game and am just flummoxed by the time commitment.
Now, I get the importance of learning to function on a team. Along with the value of personal growth in support of the team. Both are quite important. Soccer teaches great things.
However, when I see so many of the week’s hours absorbed by practices, then two or more games over a weekend, I think that maybe it’s too all consuming.
Perhaps it’s simply the hubris of league managers who demand full focus on THEM. Maybe these folks can’t plan; challenged by the time management piece. Or they just love the sport so much that they can’t conceive of life existing off the field. Perhaps my view from the outside is skewed by the frustrations of the parents, without seeing the larger picture. I’m unsure.
I value a rich and balanced life. That seems to be what we have. I guess that should be enough for me.
Activities will take place in The Great Room on the Lower Level from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, and is covered by the regular $9.50 admission.
Part of the I-Engineers program, which is presented quarterly through generous sponsorship by our local Fluke Corporation.
Imagine Children’s Museum (ICM)
1502 Wall Street
Everett, WA 98201 Â
425-258-1006Â x1015
http://www.imaginecm.org/
