07.31.08
Wednesday concert in Waterfront Park
This is the first one we’ve made it to this summer, but there are still several left, and they’re always fun.
Here’s A. rocking to Submotive.
07.26.08
On the blue wave of silence
With Neruda on the mind and Seattle on the horizon.
This morning we paddled north of Eagle Harbor, to Yeomalt Point.
07.19.08
Boundy Farm
Beautiful, tons of fun, the annual day at the Boundys was especially fun this year with cousins who came along.
I got to play my cello, which made me so happy!
And K. did the pie-eating contest! (With whipped-cream pies, it went fast.)
07.18.08
Public art at Pike Place
Just today I noticed this five-panel piece on Japanese-American history. Artist Aki Sogabe, a paper cutter, has created a moving and very beautiful work, and I’m surprised it’s escaped my notice until now. Two explanatory panels begin and end the installation:
In 1941 approximately two-thirds of the farmers’ stalls in the Pike Place Market were occupied by Japanese Americans.
Today none.
Song of the Earth
Song of the Farmers
Song of Joy
Song of Sorrow
Song of Memory
The United States executive order 9066 forever changed the Pike Place Market and the lives and families of 120,000 people of the United States of America.
07.15.08
Bells Canyon, Utah
This hike was part of a family reunion this last weekend in Salt Lake City. Near Little Cottonwood Canyon, Bells Canyon is a steep climb up a sand and boulder staircase. The view is fantastic, as is the pristine reservoir.
The hike continues on up beyond where we stopped at the lower reservoir–it looked tempting!
07.07.08
Sand, sun, and strawberries
Fay Bainbridge was on the agenda for today. Here are all three kiddos trying to get their driftwood log launched. “That’s far enough!” I called when they actually did get it afloat. I know, I know, but they didn’t have life jackets on and I didn’t want to go fishing them out of the water.
On our way back, we stopped at Suyematsu Farm on Day Road and bought a flat of raspberries. The farm stand lady told me about U-pick strawberries over at the Manzanita Road farm, so we headed over there and picked a flat in under half an hour–thanks to my three great little pickers! They’re going to keep it open for U-pick throughout this week, and we may be back for more later. There can never be enough strawberries in the freezer in February 
.
07.04.08
Happy 4th at Tacoma’s Freedom Fair
We joined some of B’s cousins and extended family for a prime view of the air show and the Sound:
This is looking from north Tacoma over to Brown’s Point.
After snacking and visiting, we wandered down to the festivities along the waterfront, where I got a henna tattoo:
She had a binder full of designs to choose from, but I asked her to just do whatever she wanted.
Turned out lovely!
It actually smells lovely too, like cloves and cardamom. Even now, hours after and with the dark paint brushed off, it still smells nice.
And overheard on the sidewalk this afternoon: “It’s a fine line between being a street performer and being stinking insane.”
It’s been a day for the senses, full of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes. Now we get to listen to the whistles, pops, bangs, and blasts far into the night.
07.01.08
Around the July garden
I just discovered that a poky stand of purple flowers I’d admired earlier this spring in the backyard has turned into salmonberries! I ate one–kinda tart, but good. I understand that salmonberries were an important part of coastal Native Americans’ diets, and they played a big part in pemmican.
Another of my white plants has just started to blossom: the crimson rock rose. My white garden’s off to a beautiful start!
