Home

I’m so happy to finally be home. Eric and I had a week off work with NO airline tickets and we spent the whole thing running away from home. I want to stay here forever and sit in my lazy boy, eat food from my pantry, watch my TV, sew on buttons,  read my books. If I’m seized with a torrent of ambition, I’ll play the piano.  But what did we do all week? Snow shoed at Mt. Rainier, biked to Redmond Town Center, (discovered the Three Lion Pub where I should take Rafi!)  Kayaked the Sammamish River, skied at Crystal Mountain with Lauren and Carlos, and endured a deafening announcer at the Mat Classic State Wrestling championship in Tacoma. Andy and Summer were both state level contenders!  We did stay at Hotel Murano in Tacoma…

Oh, one more excursion- as soon as Summer lost her second match at State, I drove her to Portland for Junior Statesmen of America in the Doubletree.I’d like to chaperone that if I ever leave home again- the kids debate issues like marijuana legalization, secession of the NW states to form Cascadia, banning of factory farming for animal rights, widespread government promotion of hybrid cars, and one proposed bill wanted to end all subsidzed housing. Oh, another proposed to end all governement sactionned marriage so that gays and straights alike could enter civil unions instead. The kids at JSA wore  dresses and suits and milled around the fancy hotel lobby carrying laptops.

Big contrast from the Mat Classic where Carol, Eric, and I experienced  2000 wrestlers in one room…  wrestlers with bulky deltoids and biceps  would whip off their caps to reveal the  long hair of a girl. Muscular boys would toss each other around the mat like rag dolls. Mental and physical energy  was focused on  keeping opponents shoulder blades flat on the mat long enough for the ref to slap the mat and blow his whistle. Summer was calm and looked formidable with strong,  wide shoulders and muscular legs, and her chin held high. Coach Andy Wong texted her  that all the coaches were proud of the excellent work she did this season. It is unusual for a first year wrestler to make it to state competition.   I slept in Portland before turning around to pick up Eric in Tacoma. Carol  and I passed on I5 as she drove south and I drove north.

Tonight, we brought Summer home from the Portland to Issaquah bus. Before I took my coat off, my neighbor asked me to look at her one week old son, Hunter Benjamin. He was nice and pink but had nasal flaring, subcostal retractions and a little grunting when flat on his back. I had to advise her to take him in to the hospital for additional observation.  Oh I feel for my neighbors. They have to leave this cozy cul de sac that I’m going to cling to for a long time. I’m so glad my parents are coming here soon. One more reason I don’t need to go anywhere.  I’ll be glad when Hunter’s back for a long restful stay too.