Today at the radio station (KUOW)  Hanna met, and took phone calls for, and chatted with, and had her picture taken beside ………   GLORIA FREAKING STEINEM!

  Under the heading “Food For All” I have news.  There ARE dessert choices at Cafe Ari Rang.  One of them I was not allowed to order, so I can’t say if it is any good (the Mrs. made a face at me, and told me it was too small, and then the Mr. began arguing with her in their native language, end result, we didn’t get that one).  The other option is some kind of fried ice cream balls, and they are delightful.  Served with little sprinkles and a chocolate drizzle.

   About The Hurricane being in Seattle- she has a job!  The checklist is now complete.  Whew!  Google this place and see where you can find her on assorted evenings:

Navya Lounge.

   Harley, Ancient Hospice Foster Dog, and wonderful friend, left us this morning at 9:15.  “If that dog was music he would be the Delta Blues” said my father when they first met.  So, with that music in our hearts, and many fond memories, we let him go.  He had a difficult start, but a loved and cherished finish.  Thank you Empress for giving him the most treasured gift of all – life that was surrounded by love – a final year that was his very best.  Good bye Sweet Harlington, you made a difference, you were amazing, you were a walking miracle, and we are all grateful for our time together.  Sylvia says that our dogs are waiting for us in the Summerland, so we will see you there. 

Okay, it is technically Saturday morning, but only by thirty something minutes.  Yes, I am in the hotel lobby, in Bellingham.  This will probably be the very last time we ever venture this far north.  As of tomorrow The Hurricane will be a Seattle resident, and Bellingham will be in our past.

Turn the page, on to the next chapter in this life journey.  She still needs to find a paying job, but having a place to live, and an internship that she loves, is quite the accomplishment.

Thank you J.D. for monitoring the house, mail, and paper while we are away; and big huge thank yous to Empress for allowing Scooter to stay over.

   Located at 485 East Broadway, in what used to be a donut shop, is a restaurant called Cafe Ari Rang.   I don’t know what the name means, and I don’t care.  You all must go there though.  (But not on Saturdays, that’s when they are closed.)  If you do not live in Eugene, then what the hell are you waiting for?  Hurry up and get here.  Go eat there, immediately.  The children and I have buried Daniel in enough debt as it is, we cannot single-handedly also support this business (but we do seem to go there kind of a lot).  Tell them I sent you- describe me and my car, I promise they will know who you’re talking about.

    It is run by an absolutely adorable couple (Em is particularly enamored with the mister’s fondness for sweater vests, and everyone seems to find it endlessly entertaining that he can’t ever seem to understand that I always need a fork)- they are awesomely sweet, and super accommodating.  Although, speaking English is not their strong suit.  (Who cares?!)  Everyone can always find something they like on the menu (my faves are the salmon and shrimp, as per usual).  All the meals have extremly generous portions, their prices are quite reasonable, and they have specials too.  So far, the only not-perfect issue is that they don’t serve any type of dessert.  (Don’t let this stop you!)  I will probably discuss this with them the next time we are in.  (Although, ”discussing” may not be the appropriate word here, more like, I will tell them some things, in English, and then hope that they understood any part of what I said.)  For now, if you are not a sweets kind of person, this isn’t even a problem for you.  But if you are like me, and don’t feel that your dinner (or lunch, or snack, or whatever) is complete until you have something treat-like at the end (in my case, a big bowl of frosting would be about perfect, but that’s maybe just me), then you might want to consider how we solve this.  As most of you know, we generally take a stroll after dining out, an evening constitutional, if you will.  When we are done at Ari Rang, we like to wander the historically interesting neighborhood behind this block, but not before heading across the street to 7-11 for some goodies to go.  Not only does this habit or ours aid in digestion, it’s usually pretty fascinating and educational.

    Alrighty then, let’s review.  Where will you all go the next time you are in need of food?  That’s right, Cafe Ari Rang.   Thanks, you may now be excused.

  My neighbor Jeff came into the garage the other night (at our house “garage” is the word for: an unheated place where I sit at my outside desk with too many colored pencils and an ashtray, squeezed in  behind boxes of everything the children have ever owned, and stacks of stuff I can’t bear to part with; it has nothing to do with where cars are parked).  Here’s the conversation we had, and keep in mind, as Emma said about this man when he came over to share the tale of his plantar warts and how he used a small hand drill to “treat” them (and how it all went horribly wrong, not when the bit got stuck in his foot, but when his foot got infected and he had to see an actual health practitioner), “you can’t BUY entertainment like this.”

  “Julie!!!  What are you workin’ on?  A new design?”  (I have created special order cross stitch and needlepoint charts, in this very garage, over the years.)

  “No,” I tell him, as he takes a seat on the cement step in front of the door that leads to the laundry room, it is really the only other place to sit besides the ratty metal chair my ass is currently occupying.  “I’m highlighting this one I bought.  I can’t stitch it yet because some of the symbols confuse me.”

  “Oh hell,” he says as he sparks up a Marlboro Light.  “Getting up in the morning confuses me.”

   “I have dyslexia,” I try to explain.

  “I have ADT,” is his reply.  (ADT?  Like the home security company?)

   We chat briefly about cross stitch (seriously, we do) before he starts telling me about a nature show he watched recently.  He is most concerned about why these frightening fish (who apparently have a habit of lodging themselves up men’s “equipment”) aren’t being presented as front page news, with huge warnings for anyone who ventures into the water ways of South American forests.  I didn’t really have much to add on this topic, as A) my girl parts don’t seem to interest these creatures, and 2) the guy makes me laugh just looking at him.

    He’s a wonderful neighbor, but I have yet to be prepared for what he is going to share when he marches across the street.

Good bye Caesar. 

May there always be alfalfa from above and treats from rattly bags, where ever guinea pigs go to rest.

Beloved Pet

Rest In Peace

August 2002 – June 2009 

“She was a good pig.”

 

   Yippee for Hanny, she has found a new home.  Sort of (see her post on the unwelcoming nature of Seattle).  A residence is in the making though.  She discovered an adorable (albeit small, that’s okay, we are too) studio apartment, historic building and all.  She is well on her way to being delightfully famous.  Now all we have to do is figure out how to pay for the damn thing.  No worries, I am sure we must have a credit card around here that isn’t completely maxed out.  We probably won’t even have to involve anything having to do with a busy intersection and a cardboard sign (Will Make You a Delicious Latte for Cash).

    What an action-packed, fun-filled weekend we had.  Back home now, after the world’s longest drive north.  Scooter survived, the guinea pig came home, and Axel was retrieved from Scio.

  The wedding was amazing.  Jannel and Tony are the most prompt newlyweds on the planet.  Sitting at  the “kids” table with my cousins was more fun than can possibly be described.  Yevonne, I miss you tons, it was like we were 15 and “borrowing” your mother’s station wagon again.  Taylor, you are lovely and your mom should be very proud.  Dianne, you have grown in to the most amazing adult.  Lauren, keep watching out for her, you both are a credit to each other.  David and Pauletta (my apologies if I have the spelling wrong), it was more than wonderful to spend time with you both, I want to do it all again tomorrow.  Dan and Rita, I don’t have the words to express how much I adore both of you and wish you lived closer so we could go out (or stay in) and just visit.

Aunts and Uncles (and anyone else I may have missed) – it was a joy, an absolute joy.

    Barb, Mike, Erin – it seems like we just got together last week and having breakfast was a continuation of that.  Please help us make another Brookings adventure work out.  (Brad?)

    Mick, Bruce, Sara – next time it’s your turn.  We have to make a summer event for every year.  No more big gaps!  Thank you all again for your hospitality and sharing the dogs with us (okay, him, whatever).

    Mom and Dad O – most grateful for Em’s gift.  Wonderful to see you both and know first hand that you are there and doing well.

 

    I am writing from California.  Arrived at the beautiful accommodations eventually.  Michelle and Bruce and Sara and Tess and Rocko all greeted us warmly.  Yipee we made it!  Tomorrow is all Olsen day and Saturday will be the Hanavan’s turn.