The first day there, we nest into our lodging (The Coast Bellevue Hotel - don't stay there!!, I'll elaborate later) and go to, what may seem like a silly yearning for dining out in a big city with alot of variety, a restaurant that resembles "Fresh Choice". It's a Bay Area restaurant chain that serves up a cafeteria-style salad bar, with soup, breads and dessert varieties too. There's nothing like that here in our area for us "salad lovers", so it's a reeeeeeeeeeeeal treat for us to find "Zuppa". They even have a patio, so Cody can join us in the fresh evening air. A nice welcome to Seattle.I found it peculiar that, in the parking lot of our hotel, there were signs posted every 20 feet saying, "Park at your own risk, we are not responsible for . . . blah, blah,
blah" - you get the idea. When we woke the next morning and Roland took Cody out for an early walk, a vehicle just down from our window had had it's driver's side window smashed out! Yikes! Ok, don't focus on fear, focus on "safety and protection surrounding" . . . and that's what I do for the next two days. I have to tell you that even though every night another car was broken into for the duration of our stay, our's remained safe. Untouched. But I can guarantee you, that we will never stay there again :)
blah" - you get the idea. When we woke the next morning and Roland took Cody out for an early walk, a vehicle just down from our window had had it's driver's side window smashed out! Yikes! Ok, don't focus on fear, focus on "safety and protection surrounding" . . . and that's what I do for the next two days. I have to tell you that even though every night another car was broken into for the duration of our stay, our's remained safe. Untouched. But I can guarantee you, that we will never stay there again :)So, we are off for a few relaxed errands and our morning tea/coffee at the lovely Whole Foods Store we discovered just up our street. A beautiful day as we eventually head over towards Safeco Park to fulfill our plan. What we found last year was that we parked very near the attendant's booth and the gentleman working there was so kind as to keep an eye on our vehicle with Cody in it, for the time we were at the game. We found another equally (actually more so) kind gent and parked.
Our afternoon was walking, taking in the old architecture and outdoor sculpture of Seattle. As you can see, Roland has to play the "card" in front of this one. When a thunderstorm danced through the city, we took refuge under the covered walkway of the Quest Fi
eld, then, safely tucked Cody in with water & a treat, and headed off to the game. My thrill was that Derek played that evening (what a beautiful role model for other players AND children!) - for Roland, that the Yankees won.
eld, then, safely tucked Cody in with water & a treat, and headed off to the game. My thrill was that Derek played that evening (what a beautiful role model for other players AND children!) - for Roland, that the Yankees won.Next day was "Art Day" and we drive first to downtown Bellevue. The Bellevue Art Museum (http://www.bellevuearts.org/) is located there and, as always, they have the most exquisite work showing. The large shows are Judy Hill (http://www.bellevuearts.org/exhibitions/current/judy_hill.htm), doing figurative sculptures delving in psychological studies, and Michael Peterson's amazing wood creations (http://www.bellevuearts.org/exhibitions/current/michael_peterson.htm). But I have to say my favorite, hands down was Kate Clark's work (http://www.kateclark.com/index.html). These stuffed animals were so striking with their human-like heads, I couldn't take 
my eyes off them. To keep them from being so completely human she has patterned the faces with stylized patterns. Her mission was to have us feel how even though we fear the wild animals there is within us an essence of just exactly that. I found them beautiful and startling, especially with how much I cherish the deer who wander through our backyard home. I felt I was being drawn into an inner rapport of some unknown kind. Very mesmerizing!
my eyes off them. To keep them from being so completely human she has patterned the faces with stylized patterns. Her mission was to have us feel how even though we fear the wild animals there is within us an essence of just exactly that. I found them beautiful and startling, especially with how much I cherish the deer who wander through our backyard home. I felt I was being drawn into an inner rapport of some unknown kind. Very mesmerizing! We returned to downtown Seattle for our cruise of various galleries. Some just amazing creativity going on, the most inspirational was found at the "artXchange Gallery" featuring Deborah Kapoor (http://www.deborahkapoor.com/index.html). My secret yearning is to do encaustics and this woman's pieces in the show, "breathing in, breathing out" took this medium to a totally new level for me. Not only had she mastered the 2-D painting aspect, but she traveled successfully to sculpture too! She created free floating thin wax cylinders which she transformed into wall pieces and another suspended the same cylinders between small, open frames with text carved into the wax (how can one do that, with a hot needle?!?!). Anyway, I came away fascinated, motivated and happy with the art experience in Seattle.
We had discovered a Bellevue 
park that was like a deep, relaxing breath in the midst of a busy city. It had lush trees circling a waterway, which held hands with its' accompanying walkway. This all encircled a huge breadth of green grass and it was where we'd ended our evenings, walking in the city.
park that was like a deep, relaxing breath in the midst of a busy city. It had lush trees circling a waterway, which held hands with its' accompanying walkway. This all encircled a huge breadth of green grass and it was where we'd ended our evenings, walking in the city. So, I'll close with that deep, restful breath filling me with gratitude for being alive with all the vivid parts of living we are offered. But . . . only if we take part.
No comments:
Post a Comment