Stranger in a Strange Land

The thoughtful compliments on my new coiffure were much appreciated; it was a shock to look in the mirror at the unexpectedly short cut, but I'll adjust. Time is usually kind to layers and they grow out well, so I just need to bide my time. As I've mentioned to several commenters, there are times when I feel like someone dropped onto an alien planet. These days I'm trying to give 100% as a mother, daughter, girlfriend and friend. I'm lucky to hit passing on any of them. I took today (mostly) for myself after helping out with Sweet but early rising Grandson, allowing his parents to sleep in a few extra hours. The big plus is that I adore having him to myself, feeding him breakfast, changing his diaper and sharing our special jokes and routines. 

As I was playing with him, I was struck by his resemblance to his mother in this photo with my late husband. His smile is definitely hers! 

John picked me up at 10:30 for a trip to the Washington State History Museum where there was a model train exhibition. Although I'm not that interested in railroads, I became more engaged when I saw the incredible precision of their tracks and scenery. They were works of art! The train club members were almost all elderly, white haired and often bearded men, stereotypical nerds, yet full of passion and information about their trains. John and I enjoyed learning, not only about their displays, but also about how they got into their expensive hobby. As usual, John asked the technical and intelligent questions while I was full of admiring compliments about their effort and creativity. And the sky was BLUE!

Do you recognize this locomotive from the exhibit? :) It's just like my Christmas one. The model trains we saw were much smaller; the tiniest was an N scale. One of the experts told us that there is actually a Z scale which I can't even fathom. 

Being that it's Washington, there were many logging camps. These sawyers actually moved!

Go, Seahawks! They have their last game tomorrow, the end to a miserable season. John and I enjoy hanging out, eating yummy snacks and drinking a couple beers, so honestly, we don't care that much about the score. :)

Some of the guys have good senses of humor!

The old cars, teeny people and buildings were incredible. Such detail!

The permanent train exhibit in the museum is a marvel; I was especially flabbergasted by this replica of Union Station in Tacoma with miniature people inside. The craftsmanship was beyond anything I could have imagined. 

John and I intend to return on another day to see the rest of the museum which also seemed intriguing. This particular poster caught my eye since my memories of my family's visit to the Fair are hazy. I was only five and remember that it seemed futuristic and overwhelming to a quiet and shy child like me. 

After gorging ourselves at our favorite waterfront restaurant (Marionberry pie for dessert!), we ended up at the Point Ruston Market where we spotted this McLaren. My question to John: WTH IS THAT? 

I haven't been going into stores much, but John wanted to buy a couple games for his granddaughters. This home store in my town had some huge and hideous decorations (vases?); even if I liked them, where in the world would I put them? As you can see, I'm double masked with a surgical mask under a KN95. I’m not messing around. My brother texted me this morning that he wasn't comfortable going into mom's since so many of his friends have COVID. If I get sick with it, who will take care of mom? It's overwhelming.

There were many, many tall cat statues(?) too; I had a much-needed laugh over what Mari would think if I brought one home. No chance of that! I enjoyed this semi-normal day and my date with John. On the other hand, I didn't get down to my mother's or spend much time with Grandson or his parents today, thus my grade for that is certainly an F. Doing the best you can doesn't feel good enough sometimes. 

 

 

Comments

[Luftmentsch]

I think it's OK to take some 'me time' sometimes. I would like to see the railway exhibition. I still have my train set, waiting/hoping for my own children to come along...

[Donna W]

In Iowa, the Dumont Museum, which now is no more, had two rooms full of trains, with little police cars with blinking lights and a merry-go-round with happy children riding it. I could almost lose myself just walking along looking at the moving people, animals, and vehicles of all kinds! The place was also a tractor museum, but I hovered around the trains while Cliff looked at the tractors. The couple simply got too old to keep up with the place. We went there three times, and I wish we could have gone once more before the place was auctioned off.

[DrumMajor]

You should give yourself an "A" all around. You can't be everywhere 24/7. Sounds like a fun time. It's okay to take time to do what YOU want to do and take a break from caregiving in all of it's forms. I'm having trouble with your description of yourself as a "quiet and shy child." Linda in Kansas

[AC]

You folks down there are certainly getting out and about while we are being being pretty tight. But you are well masked as those go about it. t must be good for the spirit, especially if you realize that you can’t be all things ot all people at all times, and that is okay. 👌

[Steve]

Seeing those big vases, or whatever they are, and those hideous cats makes me feel much better about buying my zebra with a crown!

[Susan]

I think you get an A+ for striking a good life balance. You've accomplished a great deal sorting the medical needs for your Mom and then being there for your family. A trip to the salon and spending time with John enjoying the museum, shops and a meal sounds perfect to me. Trains can be a very serious hobby. A relative of mine built an entire community in his basement.

[Ed]

I subscribe to a YouTube channel of a guy making a huge train display in a huge room with all the accoutrements. The effort he puts into the smallest of details just amazes me.

[Pam Donaldson]

Ross would love those layouts!

I sympathise about dividing yourself into many portions. It's an inevitable part of being that age... unless we lose our parents early, which would be worse - but that doesn't make it easy. Sigh.

[Joanne Noagon]

My dad was a train aficionado, HO gauge, I believe. Regular Lionel trains. He and my brothers built an enormous display in the basement. After he passed, mom donated the whole thing to a local group like this.

[Mary]

We've seen that exhibit in previous years, isn't it awesome? I'm a big believer that you have to take care of yourself so you have something to give to others. I think you're doing just fine. (and I went to the World's Fair in a stroller, so at least you remember it!) :D

[Catalyst]

Quite a day out, and in! We went to a restaurant with a visiting granddaughter and her new husband on Saturday. It was fun though I was appalled at all the people on the streets maskless. I keep forgetting it is Arizona, where there is no Covid. (He said, sarcastically.)

[Ally Bean]

The trains are cute, but those vases look like monstrosities. I know how you feel about staying well for other people. If one of us gets sick the other one is going to have to tend to the sick one. No one else to call on for help, so we are living very cautious lives... still.

[Musings]

Looks like you had a fabulous time. We all need a day like that. You spoke of board games and it reminded me of a board game that my granddaughter loved playing with my son (her uncle). It was called Pandemic! Little did we know it would one day become our lives.

[Wendy]

Uhhh, you need to take care of yourself and enjoy some time away from home and with John.
Those trains are so cool, My brother in law has his attic area made into a huge train track and city. Its really cool to see.

[Tonya Watkins]

What a great outing! (But those VASES (?) (!) and CATS!) I'm glad you got some time to hang with John. You hadn't been able to do much of that for a while.