Category: The DayBook

Still love the street scene out of my hotel room. And did I mention, there is a burlesque theater across the street? Tonight is the opening night for their new show. It is sold out. No burlesque show for me this trip. 

It was either a visit to the Gates Foundation’s “bathroom exhibit” or a ferry ride.

I decided to take a Washington State Ferry to Bainbridge or Bremerton, depending on which one left first. The Bainbridge ferry left 5 minutes after I got to the dock and so I purchased a ticket to Bainbridge.

It’s raining pretty seriously. And, all of my rain gear is back at the Old Bat’s Cave.

Gratitude

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Extremely grateful to the Inn at the Market for loaning me a fine big umbrella

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When I returned to the hotel, I noticed that the tread on my shoes was about gone. Guess I can not 100% blame the leaves for the slippery footing.

It’s time to head back to the ferry.

I gave the $5 bill I had for the fare back to Seattle to a street musician. He was wearing a Kamala For Prez button. 

That would be poached eggs in a red wine sauce. Plus fries. And a glass of cheap red wine. With an excellent espresso for “dessert”. 

Now all that remains is to get ready to fly, get packed, get to the airport, fly to Kona, and get into my rented apartment. Tomorrow sounds busy enough. 

Think I’ll turn in early tonight and worry about tomorrow tomorrow. 

An Amtrak miracle. The Empire Builder arrived in Seattle early. Early as in 5 hours before check-in time at my hotel.

But, I know a Japanese store near the train station. So, what to do but “Go buy origami paper”.

The store sells more than origami paper. Anyone want some squid? I didn’t think so.

It’s a ½ hour walk to the hotel. And. I know that it is all uphill. So, I hop on a bus, and in 15 minutes I am at the hotel and they let me have my room. I usually get an OK room at this hotel. Today, I got a great room.

I have been watching people, boats, and seagulls in the bay window for the last hour. I feel a little guilty about not being outside “doing stuff”, but I am enjoying just watching. Besides, I have already done most of the Seattle stuff.

I have been to the Original Starbucks. It was so long ago that there was no line to get in. It was just like any other Starbucks. Except the mermaid in the logo still had tits. I walked by it today. Just to see if people still waited in line to get into the Original Starbucks. They do.

My favorite nearby dinner places are closed on Monday and Tuesday. I am too cozy and content to go out and discover a new place for dinner. So, a granola bar it will be.

A couple more from this afternoon’s walk.

 

Time to go find breakfast.

The train was actually a early into Minot ND so we had about an hour to wander around town if we so desired. I did. Don’t think many other people did.

Lots of time for a walk. It was about 40°.

Lots of shops. But it’s too early for any to be open.

I have two miles on miles on the watch and the train leaves in 20 minutes. Heading back to the station.

All aboard. Heading towards Montana through the “Naughty Lands” they are not bad enough to be “Bad Lands” which are directly south.

Posting this early today while there is cell service.

There is a lot of America that I know nothing about, but I see it outside my train window.

Gratitude

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I am grateful that I know you nothing about working in a rusty smoking factory of some sort. And, I think that is part of the problem with America in 2024.

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Had a lovely chilly sunny Sunday morning in Chicago.

Breakfast options: Have the microwaved brekkie that came with my train ticket. Nope. Eat a granola bar. Nope. Eat fast food brekkie? Nope. Eat something real. Yes. So I head out on breakfast quest. And, this place looks promising. The line is out the door. At 8:30 on Sunday morning.

Breakfast was outstanding. Coffee. Fried egg sandwich. With bacon and cheese. Some hash browns. And a donut hole for lagnaippe.

Returned to the train station, where they seemed to be filming a movie today, to recharge. Recharge self and electronics. Also grabbed a nice hot shower at the station. I sure didn’t need lunch.

Pretty sure we will be leaving on time at 3 PM for Seattle. 

 

Posting this before we get out of cell range.

I had a fine day in Chicago. I could live in Chicago, if it wasn’t for winter. And besides, my friends are back at the Asylum I don’t think they would move to Chicago.

How committed are we? Much hate and discontent about The Washington Post’s decision to not endorse a candidate for president. Many announced intentions to drop their subscription to The Post.

The real question is: How many will give up Amazon, Whole Foods, and Kindle? I didn’t think so. (Full disclosure. I could give up Amazon—even Alexa. Whole Foods isn’t all that important at this point in my life.  But, give up my Kindle? You will have to pry my Kindle out of my cold dead hands.) And thus we continue to support the Gazillionaire Boys Club.

I think the train will be sort of on time.

First World Problem, I hate doing the blog on my phone.

On the train now. It’s not very full. Yet. 

Old person. I am no longer willing to run down the escalator with my luggage to catch a metro. I would rather wait for the next metro than wait for an ambulance.  

Exactly 8 years ago, I made this very same trip. Oct 26, 2016.

These days, by the time I am ready to go, I am almost too tired to go. This time tomorrow, I should be on the Capital Limited, just pulling out of Union Station.

The weather in Chicago is supposed to be sunny, and the weather in Seattle is supposed to be drizzly. Spaceweather doesn’t look promising for the Northern Lights. 

Happy Hour followed by a birthday dinner tonight.

The sun will not return until late February. Unfortunately, I will be back here long before the sun returns. Maybe we’ll have snow this winter. Haven’t had real snow in several years.

Gratitude

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Grateful I can still head out to Kona.

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I must pack. Well, maybe just undies, electronics, and meds. Buy everything else at the thrift shop. That’s is always my fantasy. And, I always take clothes.  I don’t need much clothing in Kona. Just something warm to wear back to The Asylum.

While on the subject of life lessons. Nobody is promised tomorrow. To that end, this morning I got a bag and wandered around the apartment picking up stuff that serves no apparent purpose. A vase, a pie server, 4 matching mugs, etc. Things that will, at best, end up at Goodwill when I don’t make it to tomorrow. So, why not get rid of them now?  Don’t leave a mess for others to clean up.

I have also been deleting unused apps from my phone and iPad. Unsubscribing from a lot of newsletters and advertising. Turning off some of my phone notifications. It’s a little bit of withdrawing from the world. Because I am not too sure about the world that I’ll wake up to on November 6.

Another lazy day. Well. Maybe not so lazy. My watch announced this morning that I had been slacking off with the aerobics and I should step it up today. I tried. Honest. I wondered if my watch knows that I am old. It said that it does. I am not sure. It seems to expect a lot out of this old woman.

Found a black squirrel on my walk this morning. In Arlington, we called these “Arlington Black Squirrels” but they are really “DC Black Squirrels”. The National Zoo got batches of black squirrels from Canada in 1902 and 1906. They were released on the zoo grounds and moved out from there.

We had a fashion show today. It’s the second one since I have been here. I wasn’t sure there would be any interest. But, this one, like the first one, had just the right number of participants and a packed audience. A good time was had by all.

Just coasting my way out of town. The weather has been splendid. It seems a pity to leave. Hoping to see some nice autumn colors out my train window. The sun seems to be taking a rest. So, the chances of Northern Lights seems very low. Maybe a trip to Norway in February? Or Fairbanks? Yellowknife? Maybe Ulukhaktok in the Inuvik Territories? I think they had a hotel. Or Churchill? It’s possible to get to Churchill by train. Or I could just stay home and work on my taxes like a civilized old woman.

Another look at N Jackson Street.

Supposed to go out to dinner tonight. Missing a chance to eat with the CEO of The Asylum. But, old friends are more important.

The printer needed some attention this morning. Did I just bend over/squat down like a normal person? NO. I got out my little stool so I could have a seat while tweaking the printer. I have never done that. This was a first. Not a good sign.

Ray the Rosemary and the sage did great. The new stuff – not good at all. I get another chance to do better next spring. Hope Ray and the sage make it through the winter. Hope I make it too! Ray and the sage have outlived one owner already.

Used ONCE in two years.

I was there. The only time the pit was fired up. And we didn’t even have marshmallows. But I do remember cocktails.

 

Gratitude

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Grateful for 3 wonderful moonrises. Specifically the 2024 Hunter’s Supermoon.

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It was time for chores today. I either had to wash or buy more undies. Some of my food stocks were running low. The orchids needed water and fertilizer. And the old bat needed a wee bit of aerobic exercise. 

And this time next week, I should be getting ready to get on the Empire Builder, Amtrak Train 7, in Chicago, heading to Seattle. With Amtrak and especially the Empire Builder, anything can happen. Since I booked the trip back on September 11, the price has dropped by almost half. So, I got a sweet cash refund and a large credit.  (Of course, now I will have to take another train trip.)

What? My tasteful shark-eating-swimmer earrings. I guess repairs are called for. The shark regurgitated the swimmer. The swimmer looks a lot like Donald the Demented. Well not fat enough. 

I know Carlton, I know. The election of 1860 wasn’t so hot shit great either. 

And Carlton, you know what happened after the election of 1860. It wasn’t great.

On his last day, Carlton played tennis and won. His opponent put a sign on the court fence to commemorate Carlton’s final victory. Every year, I return to visit the courts, which we could see from our apartment. I’m always surprised that the sign is still there. 

Then, in Lousianna Second Line fashion, I wander over to check out the N. Jackson Street Halloween decorations.

Last night – moonrise was even better because it was darker.