Monday would be a good day for gardening. The weather man convinced me of that. I bought plants at Costco Sunday evening and surprisingly it was a breeze shopping despite the COVID stock-up frenzy the past two weeks. Driving by earlier in the morning, a line went around the building with no end in sight. No one would believe what COVID has done.
I was staring at it and twisting and turning my head this way and that. I was not seeing it wrong, however, the visual was secretive. A large part of a tree had broken off and was suspended in midair. It was protected by growth from another tree so the illusion was deceptive to my senses. It reminded me of the quote from Henry David Thoreau, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. ”
It gets old driving up to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, but at least the sunset was beautiful on the water. Wishing I could turn toward the ocean and cast my gaze on the sea sounded so much better than standing in line at the pharmacy.
The leaves had turned and within six weeks Christmas would have come and gone. Rolling my suitcase off the bus toward the slippery Seattle street in good spirits, my eyes glistening with excitement, I focused on the ocean within my view. After all it was Thanksgiving and my friend promised a wonderful meal for the holidays. What she would do for me is what I had done for her over the years, as my memories conjured up my kitchen with savory smells that my taste buds couldn’t wait for again.
Manhandling my heavy luggage, staring at the lights dancing off the buildings near the Puget Sound’s emerald waters, I could see the Bremerton Ferry awaiting for me. I arrived a couple of hours early bought my fare and rested on a construction site zone bench, where waiting for my friend to arrive was my goal.
Time went by rapidly, but it had been some time before I heard from her and all to knowing work at the hospital was the culprit. Not a surprise and it did not bother me in the least.
The ferry dock information lady stared at me as I asked her a question.
“Where is the best clam chowder?”
Undeniably she said pointing to Ivars, “right there!”
Yes. Of course.
Suitcase in tow, I decided best to get a bite. It was a good thing as my two hour wait turned to four. What was so interesting besides being physically tired, I enjoyed every minute of that beautiful scenery as dark got darker and the afternoon turned to evening.
It was late, but she arrived and off we went from the ferry to her car parked on the other side of the sound. Driving those dark roads, we reminisced of days gone by and how we both loved the tall pine and fir trees in our view as we weaved the curved asphalt road. I was mesmerized by this part of earth I call home. Yet a part of me was lonely. It was my first Thanksgiving without my sons in 25 years.
When we arrived at my girlfriend’s home, she announced,
“Would you be OK if we have our Thanksgiving meal on Friday?”
Studying her tired face and all to knowing that feeling I made sure to remind her the most important part of hanging out was that we weren’t alone. She smiled and agreed.
Long before she and I would find ourselves together this night, I could not help to think long before in the heavenly it was decided how we would be a help to each other in the present. No Thanksgiving meal on the actual holiday, but my day would not be spent alone and the ferry made sure of that.
I am in love with this crazy, wonderful son of mine. Today was a good day.
I got a great treat today when I had some bird couples drop by. I wish you could have heard the arguments going on between the woodpecker couple and the Blue Jay couple. I was wonder why they were so mad at each other? But then again they could have just been flirting!!! It makes my heart sing to hear and see all the fuss going on in my yard!
I am so fortunate to live in a bird paradise. If you are patience, they will come. I have been waiting for this fella to be in just the right place for me to take his photo! Look at all them all ! He is adorable !
I so enjoy birds in my backyard. If you are on Instagram, you may enjoy my nature feed. Here is the link: My instagram or https://www.instagram.com/alesiablogs/
I was born on Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. We left when I was six months old. My parents weren’t from Alabama. When dad retired from the army, we moved back from Hawaii in the 70’s. Last week, I celebrated my 54th birthday here for the first time in 25 years. I wonder what has changed in all those years.
alesiablogs 