Orange and berries

While on Bainbridge we saw a lot of orange and blackberries.  Chinese lantern flowers are sprouting all over.

But not as all over as the blackberries.  These were quite a distance from the pedestrian dock.  Any branch within arm's reach was picked clean of berries.  Katherine told me before I moved here that blackberry bushes were ubiquitous - that they grow anywhere they can find a spot of land.  And boy was she right.  The other day on my way to work I saw a few guys with buckets along side the road picking blackberries from the wild bushes that line the road.  I imagined they were taking them home to make a pie that they were then taking to their Mom who lives in a retirement community and no longer has a kitchen of her own.  What a couple of nice guys.

More orange flowers.  No clue what kind these are, I just like them.  There's such great variety here.  You really should come visit.

This isn't a zoo...

My sister Debbie came to visit recently.  We did the Bainbridge Island trip - all of my favorite things to do on the island.  We ate brunch at Cafe Nola, walked along the shore then had ice cream at Mora.  

There was a dock we were able to amble down and get a bit closer to the water and the boats.  We lamented that our parents sold the sailboat we were barely ever on.  We discussed House Hunters International where a couple was looking for a houseboat.  We took photos (see above).

As I was taking the above photo.

Debbie was taking this photo.

The woman, who I assume lives on this houseboat, came out on her deck and muttered, just loud enough for me to hear her - but not Debbie who was a few feet away, "This isn't a zoo, you can move on now."


I almost keeled over with laughter at her passive/aggressive comment.  And I imagined how different this story would be if relayed by her:  "So Saturday I was doing some cleaning around the house and these two women came walking down the dock, stopped a few feet from my house and just talked.  And talked.  And they kept talking.  I had hidden in the house for fear that they might say Hello or smile at me - and who has time for those types of pleasantries?  I had to sit in my house for a good 5 minutes.  Finally, just as I couldn't stand it any longer, I decided to give them a piece of my mind and told them to move along, that this wasn't a zoo for you to gawk at the people living in houseboats.  That sure told them...they finally ran off.  Dumb tourists!"


I love people.  The world would be a pretty boring place if it weren't for all of the people (except for the Vatican museum...that place is overwhelming with interesting AND lousy with people).

Mitwa

I saw this quote hanging from the ceiling of the new area of the Boston Public Library.  I took a photo of it because it made me think of you.   While talking to you last night I was reminded of it and that I hadn't shared it with you yet.  So here it is.

 

And here is the TED talk that motivated me to make some changes recently.  There is a lot I want to do and the only thing keeping me from doing those things is me.  I decided to do what I want and to start small so as not to overwhelm.  I can do anything for 30 days.

They don't love you like I love you.

Food Trucks A Go Go

Food trucks have just exploded all over Seattle and are starting to venture over here to the East side.  There's a dessert truck called Street Treats.  I've been trying to get to their truck for a couple of weeks.  I finally caught up with them at the Get Out! Summer at SAM event last Thursday.  I arrived toward the end of the event and was able to walk right up to the truck and ask the food truck lady to give me the ice cream sandwich she'd recommend.  They make homemade ice cream and homemade cookies.  She gave me chocolate ice cream in between two still warm peanut butter cookies.  The ice cream was creamy and the cookies were just as creamy.  They held up very well and did not crumble - which is key feature of any cookie I eat (that isn't a polvorón).  I had planned to eat dinner at the curry truck, but after eating my dessert first, curry just didn't appeal to me.

On Wednesday night I ate dinner with a friend/co-worker visiting from Denver.  He had not heard of the great food truck invasion.  I offered to show him what it was all about, but the food trucks here are open only for lunch and then again at 9:30 for the bar crowd.  I did, however, find a food truck that had decided to open a diner at a permanent location.  AND they had POUTINE!  I love poutine.  I got grilled cheese (with brie and a few other kinds of cheese that I don't recall).  It wasn't real poutine but it was still yummy, and the grilled cheese was good, but I've had better.  Now the Caprese salad with heirloom tomatoes I had for a starter was terrific.  

But the thing that will get me back was the dessert.  Coconut pound cake squares swimming in a passion fruit custard topped with mascarpone and fresh raspberries and blackberries.  

All in a large canning jar.  It was, quite possibly, one of the best things I've eaten in years.  Also:  our waiter was fantastic.  He made great recommendations AND he called Brad: Doll.  LOVE it!

Larger Square

Según tradición tengo un nuevo wallpaper para mi ordenador...como incentivación para el próximo viaje.  Aqui tienes la Plaza Mayor en Madrid.  

A veces me pierdo en la foto.  Me imagino que esté allí sentada en el café o caminando por la plaza o mirando al papel higiénico...¿Cómo es que esté allí? 

Scanda Scotia

Peggy's Cove...what an amazing place...almost as if it's from another planet.  First of all...there's the pristine lighthouse that looks as if a giant plucked it from it's proper home and plunked it down on the stark, barren granite that juts into the Atlantic ocean.  Staring out at the ocean you feel as if you're at the end of the world.  But in a happy way, because the combination of the water and the granite gives off a sense of power, beauty and peace. 

Then there's the village/town of Peggy's Cove.  It is from another era.  There hasn't been a lot of development in the town.  While driving through the town I wanted to pull over after every turn in the road to take photos of the old houses or the boats moored in the bay.  When I return to Peggy's Cove I would like it to by scooter...to facilitate the frequent stopping.

On Canada Day we visited the Citadel in Halifax.  I LOVED seeing the Canadian outfits and that the men aren't afraid to wear skirts - even in the military.

Bob Ross & Happy Little Trees

Being in Millet Lake in Chester Basin Nova Scotia is like being in a Bob Ross painting.  (Sunrise, above.)

Happy Little Trees EVERYWHERE.

The sunsets were amazing.

And being on the lake was just refreshing.  I've never been a lay by the pool or lay by the beach and do nothing kind of person.  First of all, I burn easily and second of all, why lay by the beach when I can go play in the ocean?  Lazing about on or near a lake is an entirely different story though.  I could sit by a mountain lake forever.  The air is crisp, the view is gorgeous and the water just has a calming effect.  Not that I would spend the ENTIRE time lazing about...My nephew and I canoed across and around the lake.  Great fun.

Library!

The Boston Public Library in Copley Square is gorgeous.  

It reminds me of Italy.

This ceiling, in fact, is modeled from a ceiling in Venice.

I really enjoyed walking around and sitting and staring.


They offer free tours.  If I ever do return to Boston, I will return to both Copley Square and the McKim area of the library for another tour or two.  They say the tours are different based on the librarian that offers the tour.  Best tour in town.

What I liked

What I liked most about Boston was the sun and the green and the openness.    There were tall buildings and roads leading every which way but with all the parks Boston didn't feel like a concrete jungle.  

Four Point Channel Park is part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway.  I absolutely loved these red lawn chairs.

North End Park is also part of the Rose Kennedy Greenway.  There's an area with public fountains.  This little girl kept her Mom busy.  She toddled all over the fountain area, insisting on being in the water.  So adorable.  The park was a nice place to take a break from walking around and eat my yummy sandwich from Mulligans.

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park Pergola.  The Waterfront area is much different than that of Seattle.  With the Viaduct taking such prominence in Seattle, the Waterfront area gives off a very seedy vibe.  The Boston Waterfront that I visited was very much the opposite.  Warm and welcoming.  

Boston Skyline with the Custom House Tower.  I never really thought much of the Boston Skyline.  New York's is much more impressive.  But after having been there I appreciate it much more.

Weather Vanes

One piece of architecture I noticed more than anything else in Boston was the instance of weather vanes on the buildings.  I don't think I've ever noticed a city that had so many before.  

Trinity Church reflected by Hancock Place in Copley Square.

Somewhere in Boston.

More buildings I can't remember in which neighborhood.

I believe this is the Old State House, where they read the Declaration of Independence from the balcony every 4th of July.  

Aesop

The Boston Marathon ends near Copley Square in Boston.  

A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race."  The Hare, believing her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal.

On the day appointed for the race the two started together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep.

At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

Slow but steady wins the race.


Re-reading this fable makes me think that Joe & Bill from TAR Season 1 should have paid more attention to this fable in elementary school.  

One if by Land

Sight-seeing in Boston is  infinitely simple.  Not only does that big red line they've painted on the ground and called The Freedom Trail make everything easy to locate, but it is all so close together.  One of the benefits of being one of our founding cities...the majority of it was built before cars - you can walk to almost everything.


Some of what I saw:

Paul Revere with the Old North Church in the Background.  Turns out Paul Revere had 16 kids.  Who knew?

The Old North Church.

North Square.

I'm not sure that North Square is used for anything these days.   What with the cobble stones and the smallness.  I did, however, see 2 young men taking a smoke break from their restaurant job.  So perhaps it does still have a use.  Besides the super cool chains and cobble stones.  I know it's historical and all, but I would probably have stayed a bit longer there if there were some benches there.  Just a suggestion.