The Library Card

I romanticize.... just about everything.

But here I was, "AT THE LIBRARY!" about to get my library card for the first time since elementary school.

It was magical.

I was in the moment.

I had my proof of local residency and my application all filled out.

I was positive once the lady looked over my application and handed me my new card I would get lost in the rows of books.

I would spend hours reading only to stop because a dashing young suitor was so captivated by my love for books that he couldn't spend another minute without getting to know me over coffee.

We would soon fall in love.

It was the only way.

As I waited for the library issuer to assist me, I stood hopeful in front of a man down on his luck. He smelled of yesterday's fast food and talked loudly to a visitor to "Stand in the line correctly!" He clearly was just as excited for me as I was. It was nice to have a cheerleader there for support.

It was finally my turn.

I handed over my application.

Smiled politely at the lady.

She was about to become a part of my destiny.

As she ran her fingers over my application, checking every line, she left a trail of orange powder behind. Her hand stopped and rested for a minute than continued down the paper. Where it had rested there was a permanent Cheetos thumbprint.

She clearly was in a rush to help find my one true love that she stopped her lunch to assist.

Her eyes caught sight of her fingers and she slowly moved her hand to her mouth and licked the powder cheese. Off. Every. Finger.

With her newly glistened fingers, she moved back to my paper, dampening the application as she finished looking it over and then handed me my library card.

"Good luck, my dear. There is well dressed man browsing literary fiction who needs a silly girl to brighten his day" was what she said with her eyes as her mouth told me "Don't lose this card or you will be in big trouble! You hear me?"

Oh, I heard you all right. I heard you.

Book Hoarder

Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I always have a few books that I have my nose in at the same time. I have been told countless times that the Seattle Public Library will be my Mecca but I have often avoided it because 1) I don't love modern architecture and 2) I even less love borrowed books.

I am a book hoarder.

I like new books. I like old books. I like ebooks. I especially love free books.

But I don't love borrowing a book to never have again. This could be why I seldom let other people borrow books as well. I have a fear I will never see them again. In fact, I have a tendency to start hovering the borrowed book after a friend has had it longer than week. (I wouldn't borrow a book from me if I were you.)

But my roommate told me that you can check out kindle ebooks. WHAT?!

In order to check out ebooks, I first needed a library card and to visit the Seattle Public Library.

Against my better wishes, I really loved it there; design and all.

More than it was their modern design or rows of books (not as many as I had thought), they provided ample community space. It is lovely to add another spot to my roster of places to spend hours reading with like minded people. (or homeless people)

An Ode to Vik

Dearest Vik,

11 months ago you married my beautiful sister.

At the time, I knew she was excited to spend the rest of her life with someone that makes her abundantly happy.

However, I didn't know that you were an amazing cook and would also be making me abundantly happy.

Sincerely,

Your biggest fan / will be over in 8 mins if you are cooking

Dog Park

 

My parents came in to town and brought the love of my life, Jake, with them so we could spend a few days together.

There is a beautiful dog park near University Village that has a special area just for small or old dogs.

Rudy, Ashley and Vik's pooch, is determined to be everyones best friend while there. He runs like crazy and plays with anyone that will get close to him.

Jake, my handsome fellow, will not walk farther than 5 feet from me and growls at any dog that tries to get close.

Even though their dog park strategy is completely opposite both come home exhausted and for a few hours we have some peace and quiet.

Non-Sharers

I was raised in a family that shares food.

The girls (mom, sister, me) usually split a few meals and my dad has free range over everyone’s plate. And if there are leftovers, they belong to dad regardless if you hide the box or put your name on it.

I find sharing of food to be completely normal and usually makes the eating experience more enjoyable… why limit yourself to one option!

I was talking with a friend about a date she went on and how she had refused to share food. I tried to cover the look of horror but I’ve never had much of a poker face. I did not realize these people existed!

And then I had a date.

With a non-sharer.

It didn’t work out.

Future dates: I eat slow, I don’t want to take home leftovers, and I want to share. Call me.

Pine State Biscuits

This last trip to Portland was a weird one for me.

I will spare the details, but I made a conscience decision to not come down as often.

In the past, I had monthly to bi monthly trips and now I am going to pare that down.

I am not sure what that looks like nor if I will be successful. But I am trying.

It seems fitting that my last meal in Portland was something that can kill you just by looking at it.

Stumptown

 When I went to Portland the other week my agenda included family, old friends, and new friends... and a haircut. It was my quarterly monthly trip to fill in as much as I love as possible.

My friend, Eric, also happened to be in town from San Francisco.

I met Eric a few years ago in San Francisco. At the time, he was getting his MBA at Kellogg with my sister and they were both in the Bay Area for interviews. Fast forward to now, he lives in San Francisco and Ashley and myself are in Seattle.

But Eric and I happened to be in Portland for the same weekend and after an ongoing twitter conversation about best cups of coffee in Portland, we decided to make a morning of it.

I enjoy the taste of coffee and my drink of choice is an iced coffee, usually with extra ice. (Ice chewer)

My favorite place to get a wonderful cup of iced coffee is Barista in the Pearl District. Before I moved to Portland, I had a cup nearly every morning after finishing Bar Method. That routine was a highlight of my day.

But Stumptown coffee is generally what out-of-towners associate with Portland. Their coffee is great and they do serve a mean macchiato but their iced coffee (especially the cold brew stubbies) usually puts me on such a caffeine high I cannot shop shaking.

Eric thought iced coffee claims to be absurd so we put it to the test.

After spending all morning with me and trying both... his decision was...

...drumroll...

"Undecided."

Smart man.

Oh, and then I picked up a guy's puppy. I told him I was going to keep him. Horror struck his face.

Picnic Book Club

 

 

 

 

During the constant pours and grey clouds of June, we had a day of blue sky and warm weather. This day happened to fall upon the day my book club scheduled a picnic during our last get together. As the stars aligned, we met at Kerry Park to discuss The Paris Wife and all that transpired in the month since we were last together.

It is important to me to create something beautiful in the mundane. I don't think you need to live lavishly to live beautiful but instead to think creatively and uniquely you.

I picked up some peonies and fruit still in the crate and paired those colors with a simple cream blanket, silver tray, and candles. For me, it made a simple picnic special and different.

After book club quieted down and only a few friends remained, we were able to watch the sunset by candlelight and get down to the nitty gritty of life that a large group may not allow.