A myriad of memories, and a fun day to boot!

rain/drizzle
blackberries ripe for picking all along the streets
moss growing on the curbs and jersey barriers
Kamiakin Jr. High track
60 feet tall trees

I'm in Kirkland for a couple of days, visiting my parents. Then I'm off to Victoria BC for a few days with my book club to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. More on that later! With pictures hopefully.

This morning I woke up early and headed out on a walk up to Kamiakin Jr. High so I could walk on the track. It was raining when I began, but slowed to a drizzle, then actually stopped! I just love walking the track at KJH. It is surrounded by beautiful trees. Some of the leaves are already starting to change color. I have always felt like I'm on a little island, away from the hustle and bustle of life when I walk there.

I've walked that track off and on for over 20 years. I remember when Beth was in kindergarten, and I'd walk with Martha Colt. We'd bring the girls (Beth, Martha and Marilyn), and they would play on the football field or in the sand of the long jump pits while we walked our three miles. I'll tell you right now we can walk and talk! We solved all of our individual and family problems, and quickly moved to the world's problems during those walks. Too bad no one else heard about those solutions, or the world might be a better place right now!

After the Colts moved (for which I am still not talking to Mike), I walked alone. Most of the time that I taught early morning seminary I walked that track almost every day. I would come home from seminary and change into my walking uniform. In the winter it consisted of top and bottom thermal underwear, then top and bottom of some REI product that was warm, but "breathed", then my REI jacket that I still wear to this day (including today), a good pair of gloves, and a hat. For those five years I didn't miss many days. Rain or shine, warm or cold I went walking. I just love watching the seasons change while walking that track. I used to listen to my walkman - either conference talks, or Billy Joel, depending on the day. I would watch the kids filter across that field to the school. Some chatting in groups, other ones coming alone, looking like school was the last place they wanted to be.

Today it was early, so I was alone. Then I saw a couple that I have seen almost every time I've been there for several years. They come with trash bags, and pick up trash the whole time they are on the school grounds and track. It is an honorable service they perform. I noticed that the track is mossy and overgrown - it's only really well groomed in the spring, during track season. There are a few muddy areas to avoid, but other than that it's not bad, even in pretty bad rain.

I came back to my mom's and had a quiet morning. My sister Cheryl came over and we pinned a couple of quilts for her. Then she and I ran a couple of errands. The best part came at lunch - Cheryl and I and Mom and Dad went to Pizza Bank, and I had a beef gyro. I swear they put some drug in their meat seasoning that makes you addicted to it. I start to salivate just thinking of it. It was nice to quench that craving.