memorialium

Every memorial day since I can remember
I've visited the cemetary with my dad
in memory of my two grandfathers
who served in the Royal Canadian Air force in WW11
and also became dedicated United States citizens.

This year we added a trip to the Western side of this lovely state as a little nuclear family to see what Seattle and its environs had to offer us.

1. A lot of rain. But lovely all the same.

 little Ethan found a berry.

and proceeded to pose exactly like this

for five successive pictures.

:)

2. A pass through Forks, Washington (but we saw no vampires. nor wolves. nor particularly angsty pre-teen "dark romance" fanatics. thank the heavens.)

3. An authentic shop near Pike Street (Seattle) that eased some Middle Eastern homesickness and major falafel cravings.

I was so excited!

4. Rhodedendrons! Everywhere!! This beauty is the state flower of Washington, and we visited a rhodey park that housed bushels of rare and exotic species (brands? versions? breeds?).

5. A breathtaking skyline,

some quality time with my silly parents and brother,

the greenest, freshest, loveliest city I know,

and a much needed holiday.

Ethan told everyone in the elevator that we were going up

the "Empire Space Needle."

love, clouds, and the best chowder you'll ever consume,

banana

Getting High

So I was walking through the forest yesterday and as I was passing a particularly lofty evergreen tree (Quite common in the "Evergreen State," dontcha know), I thought, I shall climb that tree now.

...And up I went.
The branches became a sappy, majestic ladder and I noticed my limbs were tree limbs. We entwined and folded into a wild structure of piney scent, dirty pants, and exhileration.


About 45 feet up I called my dad to,"Daddy, come look!" as I had countless times in my jungle gym days.

thanks for the photo (I'll fix my camera soon, I promise!)

I'm down now, but I keep climbing, keep aspiring, and keep looking for new breathtaking vistas. Maybe not always serene cows and lazy fields. Maybe not hazy mountain sunsets and distant thunder. But I promised myself, perched precariously up in my sister tree,
That

I'm going to make something of myself, by
George!

(The monkey, not the King)
A bajillion paint thinner baths won't remove these sappy convictions.

-Banana