Category: Glimpses of Life

Sometimes when I’m sleepless in Seattle, I turn to calming books to help my brain settle down.

The other night, I was reading a book called “The Complete Pocket Positives” and came across this quote:

“Consider the postage stamp; its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.”
Josh Billings, 1818 – 1885, American Writer

I found it a remarkable statement as we live in a multi-tasking culture.

Talking on the phone?  Do laundry at the same time.

Cooking?  Do some cleaning.

Chatting on the computer?  Search for a new restaurant.

I think our brains are so full of stuff that sometimes it just doesn’t know what to do even if there are a gazillion things to do.

So — I think I’ll consider myself a postage stamp for awhile.  Do one thing and follow it through to completion without the worries of what else needs to be done.

I think this will work great for “things” and relationships.

The Complete Pocket Positives, Incorporating Pocket Positives and More Pocket Positives

Pike Place Market

A visit to Seattle’s Pike Place Market is always interesting.

Local farmers man the many vegetable stands.

There are also many flower bouquets that can be bought at a discount.  And the flowers are fresh.

Fresh fish too!  And many stands that sell jewelry, t-shirts, local art, etc.

Whenever we have visitors, this is one of the places we like to take them.

During my visit to Chicago, I had a constant companion.  His name is Pinto.

Although he’s not my dog, he would sit by me and follow me.

Something in his eyes showed loyalty to me even though I was not his master.

Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds

While meandering through the Midwest, we got invited to a barbecue in Elk Grove, Illinois.

The area was  beautiful. 

This is a picture of a weeping willow tree.  I didn’t realize that they have a very short lifespan. 

The leaves and bark of the willow have been used as a remedy for aches and fevers.

Trees are so beautiful.

Bonsai Boy’s Weeping Willow Bonsai Tree
(salix repens ‘boyd’s pendula’)

 Our trip to the Midwest took us many places — one of them Monroe, Wisconsin.

This tower sits in the middle of town.

It’s a quaint town but almost dead.  We walked around and found a small coffee shop.   The people there were very friendly.

 Quite different than Seattle in that you placed your order and sat down.  They came with water and then your order.

Very nice.

We then asked for directions to The Swiss Colony, a well-known cheese place.  We went to 2 places with the name but none that was for tourists.

Eventually, we found the store.  When we walked in I told the woman who was handing out free cheese samples of not being able to find the store.  Perhaps, I suggested, they put up a large sign so that people could find it.

Her response shocked me “There’s not enough money to do that.”

What???!!!  Not enough money to bring customers to your store?

I bit my tongue and kept looking for — cheese.

Ahhh well, everything can’t be perfect.

Street & Road Map of Monroe, Wisconsin WI – Printed poster size wall atlas of your home town

It’s always nice to come “home.”  A place where things are where  you want them to be.

And everybody knows your name — the neighbors, the cashiers, the baristas.  I remember that song “sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name … and they’re always glad you came.”  I think it’s from the sitcom Cheers.

Looking for a new state to move to will mean making new friends, learning new driving routes, finding coffee houses — looking for that perfect cup of cocoa — a new church, and spending time with blood family again.

We have been so fortunate to have friends who are just like family — hmmm, better than family?  Let’s just say equal. 

Will post pictures of our travels when I get settled back to normalcy.

Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America’s Two-Lane Highways

Haven’t blogged much as I’ve been bouncing thru the Midwest looking for a good place to live.

So far, Dubuque Iowa looks promising. Who would have thought a city in Iowa would show promise?

Went to Madison Wisconsin also. Thought for sure that would be nicer than Iowa but the city is not laid out well.

More to tell when I return.

Lake Washington

A peaceful walk along Lake Washington in Seattle helps to clear one’s mind.  In the background is Bellevue, WA.

Hidden Washington: Including Seattle, Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, Olympic Peninsula, Cascades and Columbia River Gorge (Hidden Travel)

Another surgery for my sister.  That will be the second one in one week.

Hopefully this one “takes” and she can go into rehab and become normal again.

So much pain in this world.