Dusk

It was 7:20pm on Sunday and the evening air was still warm from the day's heat. As I drove I kept all my windows down and turned up the radio. It was my favorite time of the day, where the sun had almost left the sky completely for the day and the street lights were slowly compensating for the departing sun. Continuing in my new lighting, I slowly turned my vehicle into the parking lot of the movie theater. As I got out of my car, I looked over to see another woman getting out of her SUV at the same time, we both glanced at one another for a brief moment. I continued my walk to the ticket window. Glancing at the board before me, times and movie titles lit in red lettering, grabbed my wallet and said, "One for Love Happens."



One of the main reasons I ventured to the theater to see this chick flick was that it took place in Seattle. Being a native of Washington and feeling homesick was one of my main reasons to see this movie. As I sat in my green cushioned theater seat, I watched the Seattle skyline appear before me. Safeco, Qwest Field, the viaduct busy with cars going northbound. I watched the characters walk around in my city, placing their gum on the gum wall in Post Alley. Walking through Pike Place at night, something I miss doing, and of course the rain.



As closing credits rolled through and the lights came up, I felt I had visited home for 1 hour and 49 minutes. Walking to my car I saw the same lady as I had arrived, we both looked at one another. It was a look of contentment.

During the drive "home" I ran through some of the scenes in my head. My sense of community had grown, meaning I missed my family, friends, church, the arts, the music and of course the amazing donuts at Pike Place so much.



As I continue my journey in California I can't help, but feel my strong roots in Washington leading me back one day. Hopefully soon.

Heartbeat

I absolutely love music and I am so appreciative of people you are musicians and can write songs. Lyrics, music, harmony, and melody this is something I want to learn.

As I was eating my sandwich at a local restaurant I was telling my friend about a new movie coming out with Jack White, The Edge and Jimmy Page. It’s titled “It Might Get Loud.” I told her all about the movie trailer and how awesome the film is going to be. She looked at me and said, “Your husband is so lucky to have you as a wife.” I smiled. She continued, “Most wives would not want to watch a movie like that or even care.” My husband is a musician and I merely a music lover with no music ability. And I am not going to count my 5 years of piano lessons as a child as anything close to musical. I hated practicing and was tired of playing hymns. My poor teacher Mrs. Meyer struggled with me every Friday afternoon. I was more concerned about what we were going to have for dinner after practice than scales, chords and new songs. Maybe if there were musicians that I admired at that age I would have tired harder. But always the things later in life that we realized we shouldn’t have given up on.

My brother a drummer, tired to teach me how to play the drums one time. He said okay you are a tap dancer; now just take those tap moves to a drum kit. It didn’t work out so well. He was completely boggled that I couldn’t keep a rhythm with my hands, but could keep rhythm and timing with my feet. To each their own.

Never promised

“A table outside would be wonderful, thank you,” I said sitting down in a green chair and placing my camera bag on the ground. Grabbing a menu, I looked up to a young face, slightly tanned face and bleach blonde hair. “Here is your water and your server will be right with you,” he said placing ice water with lemon on the table. This guy was wearing board shorts and a backwards hat. His job was not a career for him, but simply way to pay the bills. Sitting on the sidewalk in San Diego, I looked around and realized there were a lot of non-career people, but rather people who were enjoying life. A life that is full of days of waiting tables and evenings of surfing, hanging out on the beach or just plain relaxing. I get envious of this culture, this way of life. Being someone who goes through life with check lists and a list of accomplishments in my pocket that I have achieved or must achieve at a certain age. This sort of life, I believe causes weight gain, wrinkles and a serve case of the grumpys. Sometimes we have to take a step back look at our surroundings and enjoy life. Take a deep breath and live it up. We all know life is short and we are not promised tomorrow.

How to remember a trip

When I went to San Francisco last year I had numerous little things/adventures happen to me. I didn't want to forget the details of my trip. So I grabbed a napkin and started to write little notes to myself to trigger my memory when telling my story. Here is my story.

Sometimes

You just have to take a moment and look at your surroundings. I am so thankful.

Sometimes...

it's all we need

The Dynamic Duo

Do I need to say more?