I don’t remember the last time I’ve been downtown Seattle. Maybe my final day of work, back in February 2015? Have I been there since then? I’m not thinking so. For all this time, I’ve been very happy to be far, far away from the craziness that is that city. I mean, from a distance, I do love Seattle, but having to commute to and from there poisoned that well. And I was glad I wasn’t the driver today.
John’s mom had a doctor’s appointment at the University of Washington medical center and we [John] drove her there. Speaking of which: I have AN ISSUE with our medical system. Yes, it was a nice building with lots of natural lighting and unique artwork here and there (including a Chihuly!) But it was a labyrinth of floors and corridors and sucky wayfinding and TOO MUCH WALKING for a senior citizen woman with heart and lung problems who needed to take a seat every several steps to catch her breath (with rarely a chair or bench in sight). Then, of course the doctor was behind schedule. You know how it is: you arrive way early because of the long drive and all the traffic variables and not knowing exactly where you are going, and then you end up waiting on the doctor. It’s just…a sucky system.
Ultimately we were lucky because the day started out with POURING rain, and we suspected it was going to be a horrific drive. But the weather gods cooperated and it was actually sunny and fresh and lovely all day.
After the appointment, we went downtown to where John’s brother owns a very unique Brazilian restaurant that we’ve heard about but had never seen. Plus, he’s opening an Argentine restaurant across the street. We got tours of both. The new one is scheduled to open in about three weeks; the Brazilian one [not open for lunch on week days] is pretty damned fancy. You might have seen Brazilian steak houses featured on NBC during the Rio Olympics, and he mentioned they got a major bump in business resulting from the Olympics. I love the name of it: “The Grill from Ipanema.” (Remember when Gisele Bundchen did her final cat walk in the Opening Ceremonies to “The Girl from Ipanema?” I love that song!) If you’re in downtown Seattle, check it out. It’s on 1st and Bell.
It was a long day of driving (but we were very thankful for the decent weather) and we’d left the dogs home alone. I suspected they were bereft because in their old age they’ve become beyond neurotic with serious separation anxiety. (I mean, I close the bathroom door and I can hear them whining on the other side). We got home at doggy dinner time, and I expected squealing and carrying on when we walked in the door.
Silence.
No dogs.
Anywhere.
It was very strange.
Turns out they’d gone outside through the pet door and down the three or four (shallow) steps off the Wiener Deck and Peanut can no longer get back UP them. They still hear a high pitched whistle, and although I’m not very good at it, I managed one and Peanut appeared at the bottom of the Wiener Deck steps. She didn’t look ragged or drooling or anything, so I really don’t think they were out there all that long. (Bailey had gone around to the other side of the house and John corralled her). Hauled them back inside, fed them, and all was well.
Did I take any pictures today? Of course not. There really wasn’t much to TAKE a picture of, though. I rode in the back seat of the car and it wasn’t conducive to picture-taking. And the lights were off in the restaurants so it was very dim. And who wants a photo of a medical facility?
