Tuesday at the park

                    
I had a grin as big as theirs while watching these three little girls gravitate to one another and soon enjoy a spinning swing together.  There was lots of high pitched screaming as the toddler swing became a wild ride of twirling and lurching goodtimes.  I should have sold tickets.

I don't know why but I'm always surprised to see children do things as they were always done.  The ideas of childhood, the imagination and creativity seems to be something that floats in the air.    They catch on to it and make it their own.   Didn't we all look at swings and think of ways to alter and heighten the experience? 

           

          
           

More spinning and I was the one getting dizzy by now.

                                        
                                              Reaching for the heights - Hurrah!


                           At rest for the briefest of moments

                           

Saturday activities

Ready for the Concert

Matthew & Erika

     Last night was the Paul McCartney concert at Safeco field.  The reviews are coming in and I received the first hand account from Matthew & Erika when they returned home.  Sir Paul  is not only supremely talented, he puts on a fantastic show giving his all in a 3 hour performance.   I was one of those who swooned watching the 1964 Ed Sullivan show  introduction to America of  the Fab Four.   They sang one of  their hits that year "I Saw Her Standing There"  with the lyrics of the first line being 'Well she was just seventeen'.   I was seventeen at the time so I was probably imagining they were singing to me.   He was definitely a heartthrob for me.  And he is still pretty cute at age 71.
Who knew at that time that they would develop their talent into a legend and  that this one Beatle can still draw a passionate audience 49 years later.
   
Bianca and I held down the fort.   She sorted through an extensive DVD collection to find a movie in which we could console ourselves for not going to the concert.  She settled on 'Puss in Boots'  which I actually had on my mental list to watch someday.  It is one of those clever animated movies that has something for everyone.  There is just enough innuendo that is over the child's head but very funny for the adult with love interests and sexy flamenco and tango type dancing by two hot cats.   Sword fighting, crashing and falling & leaping to satisfy those who want adventure.   And just the total, utter cuteness of the animated characters and settings that makes adults and children ooh and aah throughout. 


With Antonio Banderas as el gato's voice.  Purr-fect

  There is just something about a pair of nice boots that brings out the best


Pink cowgirl boots for 5th Birthday -

                                                          

Just whose garden is this anyway?

 

I planted a vegetable garden this year and even though I don't get much sun, there has been a rather tremendous growth of beautiful and tasty things to eat.  For some reason, I didn't think about critters being a problem in the city.  I have a friend who lives near the woods and can't grow a single thing that isn't devoured by the beautiful but pesky deer foragers who delicately ramble through her yard munching at fruit and flowers to their hearts content.  But back to the city.  I had been watching and waiting for my strawberries to turn red.  One was almost there but I left it for the next day when it would reach its perfect succulent ripeness.  My mouth watered in anticipation.  Alas, the next day it  was gone and as the days went every single ripe strawberry has disappeared. 

  Finally I found the evidence.  Whoever was eating the strawberries  outdid themselves and couldn't even finish this tasty morsel.  There must be a real fatty out there somewhere. 

I spotted this likely culprit across the
street and I think she might be the one who took the big bite out of my strawberry.
 Has a wee bit of a guilty look
don't you think?





I've heard of Angry Birds but this Robin was a bit of a 'go ahead and make my day bird'.   Boldly making eye contact with me, she  swooped down and then flew off with a juicy blueberry held in her beak.

I dearly love the creatures.   But it is every creature for themselves in the world of nature.  I'm determined to get my share.  I'll  resort to netting for the strawberries.   My plan for blueberries is eating.  Every time a berry turns blue, I plan to pop it in my mouth.  There is nothing as good as a sun warmed berry straight off the bush.   I felt a little guilt of my own while tilling soil for more planting.  I kept digging up peanuts.  No doubt they are winter provisions of that little squirrel.  I felt bad that she would come looking on a hungry day and they would be gone.  Nature is tough business!

This neighbor kitty showed up to watch my doings in the yard and found a sunny spot on the patio.  I wouldn't want to her to eat any creatures but she makes a beautiful deterrent,

A favorite flower








Wilderness in the City

Bianca and I went to Camp Long -  a hidden gem of a wilderness!  It is so hidden that I forgot that it was so close and convenient to me.   Tuesdays with Bianca in the summer means finding great outdoor activities.    I  said we were going to Camp Long.  Yeah!!

Begun as a park in 1937 it is 68 acres which includes forested nature trails, a lovely large expanse of green lawn called the parade ground,  very old and rustic scout cabins, kids science and environment classes and much more.



Polliwog Pond



A 5 year old can only take so much walking in the woods and admiring plants before she must liven it up somehow.  Lets play tag!  Her words not mine.  Much to my chagrin I wasn't pretending not to catch her.   I used to be a runner now my feet seem glued to the ground.  I'm not sure when running got so hard.  It sort of snuck up on me.  She was all pumping arms and flying feet

                                            

                                 Back at the lodge with the day's collection


Displaying a feather and pinecone from the trail

 She is becoming quite the little master with my iphone camera.  Self portraits to remember the day,

Bianca's latest pearl of wisdom.  "Doing stuff alone is boring"  I had to agree today.  I went back to Camp Long to complete the tour,  It wasn't near the fun on my own. 

                               I did see Schurman Rock though and now I'm looking forward to going back for a little rock scramble with my petite climbing partner.

There is a very interesting history of this climbing rock in Camp Long.  /West-Seattle-climbing-structure-


The easy side

Bike ride on a beautiful day

Pee-a-Boo view of Joanna's house in its verdant setting

  I went on a beautiful bike ride with Joanna.   Our big plans of Seward park and riding along Lake Washington didn't pan out as our two bikes refused to mesh nicely together on my bike rack.   No matter the contortions we went through they refused to share the space.  So heading out from her house we had a fun ride to Volunteer park instead.  As riders we meshed nicely taking hills apace and enjoying every little thing along the way.
                                                   

Bruce and Brandon Lee gravesites at Lakeview Cemetery

Just north of Volunteer Park you see the tombstones of the historical Lakeview Cemetery and knowing of its famous grave, Joanna agreed to my request to search it out.   She was familiar with the area otherwise we might not have found the right spot.  Other visitors circled about endlessly seeking the low profile setting of the grave.  Drivers along the way kept asking us for directions.   Once nearby you can recognize you are in the right spot by the endless stream of visitors hovering around the site.  We stood and waited our turn for a picture. 
                                                     


Margaret waiting for a potential drop of  Mango sorbet

A perfect end to a delightful outing was being served treats in Joanna's sweet and cozy garden.   Sitting amid pink dahlias and the other pretty plants and flowers we sipped iced tea and ate her delicious Mango sorbet.  I had the sorbet with lime and now I must invite myself back to try the with lemon variety.   First it was just us two but Margaret's plaintive pleas from the porch won her a spot outside with us.  That left Tobias to send out some mournful meows of reproach at being left out of the group.  I'm sure he got some special treatment to make up for his hurt feelings.  Joanna's post of our fun day is here.