My Stargazer lily is beginning to flower, although it's been struggling the past few years, a little like me. I blame this mostly on the many tulip bulbs I planted in the same bed, which took energy away from my gorgeous lily. Like me though, Stargazer is very much alive, perhaps not as robust as she once was, but finding smaller ways to be beautiful. :)
Yesterday, John and I took the light rail up to the Seattle Aquarium because he had a free pass from the King County Library. What we didn't realize was that tourists flock to Seattle during our glorious summers (heard many languages), children are out of school, and many day camps take their kids to the aquarium...en masse. So, there were crowds, but also excitement when little ones spotted a huge octopus, playful river otters, and NEMO. In so many ways, we got a beautiful day.
There was even an anemone. It's hard to say that word, isn't it?
I love seahorses, which seem like fantasy creatures. And the world "under the sea" is so varied, colorful and unique.
Harbor seals look like water dogs to me. They are extremely graceful in the water!
We spent a long time watching the sea otters, which were adorable sleeping on their backs. This guy was definitely awake though!
They were so sweet! I didn't take pictures (or video) of the smaller river otters; they were playing ferociously, and it was hilarious and reminded me of water kitties. I also enjoyed the delight on the faces of the young aquarium visitors. What a great experience for them!
Then it was on to the waterfront for lunch. Since we'd seen live salmon and halibut at the aquarium, we ended up here, where John chose halibut fish and chips and I had Copper River salmon tacos. Sorry, fish! ;) We sat on the sunny deck and looked over the water, as we watched the ferries leave, and the Seattle Wheel turn. It was idyllic!
I wish it had been clear enough to see the Olympic mountains, but this was good enough. Carpe diem, eh?
Yesterday Ashley sent me a WhatsApp about her experiences in a Senegalese village, where she interviewed people about their experiences with a phosphate mine nearby. They told her how their kids all get sick, their animals and crops die, and that nothing survives there because of the mine. Yet they're compensated for none of this because the state and company don't admit that their village even exists. I felt impotent rage, as I always do when innocent people suffer injustice. What can we do to rectify this though? In my country, there appears to be "money" or more debt for military and other priorities(golf trips?), while 9-11 first responders are denied the benefits and care they desperately need for their medical issues. I've found myself angry and frustrated about so much lately. Thus, it was helpful that Ashley shared these goat pants with me today; she was probably joking about me wearing them for the Iowa goat yoga, but they're already on their way from amazon. They're quirky and fun, and exactly what will make me smile while doing goat yoga in Des Moines in 90+ degree weather. Well, maybe grimace?
Does this chair make my butt look big? :) I'm very glad that John and I had such a special time in Seattle; it's sort of distracting me from the reality of my younger daughter's move to Ohio in the next week. Writing out my feelings and worries has always helped me. Thanks for listening, Blogland. xoxo
