What I do when I’m not a tourist.

We expect Seattle WA to be a somewhat damp and overcast place. It is the pacific northwest and actually has places described as rain forests. But, this is the first visit in my memory where there has not been a dry and sunny day for over a week. I have not wanted to go into Schmitz Park where I’m sure it is muddy and slippery. I have not wanted to visit the staircases up the bluff. I have wanted to stay inside and be warm, for the most part. I do many things inside that keep me from being bored or disappointed. 

I am writing on my new computer, a sleek, small Mac Neo. It’s like a little treasure chest of buttons and icons to explore. I am glad to be learning to deal with it here where I have easy access to my family computer genius, Ryan.  Both Ryan and Esther are working from home these days and have flexible schedules. We are often all sitting at our work stations doing something on the computer. I like to write, think, write some more. Although there is always other work to do here, it is not as distracting to me as my work at home. 

Some of the other work here is kitchen cleaning, going on errands with Esther, yard cleanup and cooking. We sit with our first cup of coffee in the morning and I get to hear what is on Esther’s schedule. Ryan usually keeps track of the menu for the next meal since he is often cooking it. 

What are mealtimes like? It’s the evening meal that is most structured here. It is interesting to me that both of my daughters and I have men that cook on a regular basis. They do a good job of it, and enjoy it most of the time. One of the first endearing times with my fiancee, Kevin, was when he grilled steaks (perfectly) and made all the trimmings for nine of my family members. He cleared the table and washed the dishes afterwards. I had role reversal shock for several days. He does this a lot and I am delighted.

Ryan offered Kevin a podcast opportunity – a collaborative cooking show. He thought Kevin’s Kitchen would be a catchy name for it. AI suggested another name last night when Ryan told it that he liked to really mess up the kitchen. It said to call the podcast Ryan’s Rage. Esther also suggested Fryin’ Ryan, which I think is the most memorable of them all. Between the two men, I have been eating all too well for this whole month-long vacation. 

These rainy days also give me time to excel at Duolingo. I have somewhat of an addiction to the app, (more on that later) but it is harder to study my Spanish lessons when I am traveling. I have been introduced to far more Spanish words than I can remember. I am not fluent by any means, but I am trying to work towards having conversations. My Kevin has been helping me for months now by sending his good morning and good night texts (yes, I get them every day) in Spanish. His phone does the translating into Spanish for him. Most of the time I understand what he’s saying without trouble. But, I had to ask him today why he called me his half orange. Turns out it is a saying that means something like soul mate. I get it, together we are a whole orange. Those romantic Spaniards! That romantic Kevin!

Today we are going to a very nice garden store. Esther is going to spend some birthday money on her gardening hobby. She has a backyard full of flowers during the growing season and loves sending bouquets to friends and neighbors. A couple of days ago we went to a consignment shop where I bought a cute suit to wear this spring. Finding used clothing surprises and gardening are things liked by three generations of my family (at least three). I am always glad to go along on these kinds of errands.

Also, another rainy day joy is doing jigsaw puzzles. We did this one the last two days. I feel like starting another one right away, but I won’t. Tomorrow is the start of an adventure that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. We are going to Victoria BC. 

Rain or shine, my next story will again be a travelogue. I’m looking forward to the experience. Hope you will join and read.