From the Market to Green Lake to St. Mark's

I had not been to Pike Place Market in a very long time. About 35 years, actually.

Today was one of those quintessential Seattle days (the ones that you rarely hear about because the p.r. department is paid to focus on the rain. Yes, it rains, a lot. But it cleans the air and makes green the most beautiful colors.

We bought food at the market: mango and red pears and Asian pears and peach chutney and cheeses and met a wonderful lady who posed with her wares. And smoked salmon and sandwiches for lunch. We walked up and down and to the car and back again hauling our treasures. The weather was glorious.

 

So we drove back to Volunteer Park to take photos of the water tower and our old apartment at 14th and Republican.

St. Mark's Cathedral is just around the corner so we stopped to take photos of it during the day (we'll be back here for Compline at 9:30).

Turns out the bishop was here this morning getting ready for a big funeral this afternoon.

We met Bill, who talked to us for awhile about how much Seattle has changed in the last 35 years and about his old aunt who lived near 14th and Republican. He was such a nice man.

But Green Lake was calling and so we drove north a bit and found it jammed with people out walking the 2.8 mile loop around the beautiful lake. We really lucked out to get a parking place and so close to The Bathhouse Theater.

I worked there years ago. I didn't expect it to be in operation, but there it was. The door opened as we walked up and the House Manager asked if we were coming to the theater. I said no, I used to work here 35 years ago. How great it is still a theater. She handed me a brochure and said, "Arne Zaslov ran it into the ground and Seattle Public Theater took it over and saved it." Now it is called SPT at the Bathhouse. She seemed a little put out to have to talk with me. She was busy. Doing her very important theater work.

So Sarah and I walked on around the building to the lake and we began walking the loop. I suddenly felt a little old and tired. So we sat on a bench and watched the steady stream of people on foot, on bicycle and rollerblades, running and walking and talking their way around the lake. The dogs were definitely the best part. Seattle is a great dog town. Watching them and being with Sarah made me remember Michael and Jack and Mao Ping and Dede and Mab and just how blessed I am and how much I have to be thankful for.

So we returned to the hotel to put the cheese in the fridge and nosh a little on fruit and crackers. Tonight is Compline. It's bound to be wonderful. It is my favorite service. I plan to pray for everybody (especially Valerie and Judy). I have to admit, I miss you all and wish you could be here to see all this.

I am sure it will be too late to post Compline pictures. They will be in tomorrow's post. Love is all around.

Tomorrow: Canada!!!

 

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