Adventure 454: The Story of George, Emerald City Visit, 50

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Real time found George in good spirits, good health, and in the relaxed mind set of advanced dementia. We checked in last Friday for Tai Chi. George participated in the class. We checked back in today after our weekend in Seattle. George, Vina, and Ed all seemed well. George remembered the home health nurse visit yesterday. Kelly, the nurse, changed his catheter and otherwise gave him the all clear. For his part, George remembered that Kelly is nine months pregnant and that yesterday was her last visit. Maybe his dementia isn't so advanced after all.

As for us, we hit the road a 6 A.M. armed with full cups of coffee, a bag of semel, and great anticipation. We weren't disappointed. Our drive was uneventful. Seattle traffic North was tolerable, and Elizabeth was ready and waiting. We immediately walked over to the University District farmer's market, a four block bustle of booths that held everything from vegetables to tie dye shirts. We ate lunch at a famously busy local spot called Tai Tom's. it was excellent. We ordered Mexican food in for dinner, watched an NBA playoff game, and otherwise enjoyed each other. Around 9 P,M. Judy and I made our way over to our friend's, the Cobles, for the night. Sunday morning, our hosts, Ross and Dinah, treated us to a fabulous meal of breakfast pizza, fresh fruit, bottomless coffee, and pleasant conversation. That was just the beginning. Dinah and Judy walked over to Dinah's garden spot. Ross and I stayed behind. We battered the social issues senseless, solved nothing, and in the end, threw our hands upward in gratitude for our blessings. We enjoyed a n early dinner which was scrumptious  Judy and Elizabeth attended their baking class that evening. It was after all, the main motivation for the trip. The Cobles, their grandson Rex, and myself held down the fort for the evening. Judy and Elizabeth returned a little after nine loaded with examples of their learning. The meringue cookies tasted great. Monday morning, after another fabulous breakfast (This time sour dough waffles and bacon), Judy and I made out way home. It was, as we say, a touch of the good life.

Rachel Botsman, author of one of the books I'm currently reading (Who Can You Trust?) suggests that our social media "face" is somewhat artificial. It caused met wonder what impression people reading this blog have of our adventures. I can say this about our adventures. While they're mostly mundane, they most often involve family, friends, exploration, and gratitude. We're not trying to pretend. We're actually quite happy to live this life: rain or shine, and regardless of what the day brings, we believe that life is good. We're not fooling.

 Elizabeth showing the new tray I built for her. It covers the stove and should provide some more counter space in her tiny kitchen.

 Ross, putting the final touches on the breakfast pizza. Pretty tin gruel.

 The tin gruel continued at dinner. Garden grown artichokes steamed to perfection.

 Along with asparagus, grilled pork, steamed sweet potatoes, and salad.

 Not to mention the raspberry short cake. Seriously, the Coble AirBnB is five star.

 Sour dough waffles fueled our drive home.

 Good bye Emerald City. Back to the provinces for us.

A nice trip, and their was take home rewards, too!