SHE CRIED OUT TO ME: HEY, WHY NOT ASK FOR MORE?

Now that Jackson is four years old, it seemed time for him to get some preschool portraits. We are only letting him get the smallest package, so if you want a wallet photo, you better sign up soon!






















Happy Halloween!

HE SAID TO ME, YOU MUST NOT ASK FOR SO MUCH.

I've been assigning my students readings about this topic. I admit, they aren't particularly interested... I've found a way out of this cycle. It goes Work, Work, Work, Work. But it's been so beautiful lately. I'm able to sneak off for some eating and bicycling once in a while.


I am not a big apple eater, but during fall I can't resist.


TS is off in the wilds of Canada for work. Ross, Jerritt and I had to go for a bike ride without her. Jerritt and TS got new bikes! Jerritt's is rather tall.


We ferried to Vashon Island.



And did a lot less biking than planned because we had to stop for lunch at this amazing restaurant. I think it's my new favorite.











When we arrived, the whole dining room was full, so we had to eat out on the patio, which was fine because it was such a nice afternoon. There were blue cheese toasts, walnut-feta-white bean pasta, tomato-Parmesan risotto cakes, and carrots with onions in a balsamic reduction. It is probably a good thing that I must take a ferry to get to the Monkey Tree.










We were the last people there; by the time we paid up, the dining room was empty.


Once upon a time, someone left a little bike leaning against a tree--or in its branches, perhaps--and the bike and the tree fell in love and decided to spend the rest of their lives irrevocably bound. We stopped to visit them.


For some reason I was really impressed that the Islanders haven't made a bigger deal of this little attraction. There's no sign, no cotton candy stand--just an overgrown trail with a bit of cardboard for a bridge, and there it is: The Bike in a Tree.









We were the last ones off the ferry, too.

Ellie was waiting when we got back to Jerritt and TS's house. We did not bring TS with us--poor Ellie.



Every time I see the spinning ampersand, I think of Myles and Carey. Word on the street is that Myles is opening a shop on Alberta Street, in Portland! I can't wait to see it. (Congratulations!)






Despite all the pretty leaves, the ships in and out of the Sound, the apples ripe for picking, this is what's usually in my field of vision. Even here, I'm avoiding looking at that folder off to the left, which is full of papers that are awaiting my ink.

YIPPITY AND HAPPENSTANCE

We've been enjoying our weekly debate nights at the Twilight Exit. We had to get there early to get a seat.





Even the Hugo House couldn't resist a political joke. At a reading last week, the Pitbull With Lipstick was a big hit--Ross and I got the last two before the whiskey bottle ran dry.



And then I ran into Ol' Bill at Walgreens. Seriously, those politician are ubiquitous. Ubiquitous, by the way, was one of my vocabulary words in junior high. There was some story that went along with it...A story about a hardworking little guy that had to do everything and be everywhere at once. Finally, he finally threw up his hands and quit. His name was U.B., or Yooby. And when he quit, his boss said "UB quit us," or something like that. Very memorable.


Way back in July, Ross bought four tickets to the Giant Sand show. Back then, October seemed like ages away, but now the night has come and gone.


On our way down to the venue, the light was gorgeous, but lately it seems that everyone's always on the move. No one stands still long enough for my slow trigger finger to capture them.


I managed to get one shot of TS in her fabulous woolen dress with little, round buttons at the wrists.



The venue was kinda fancy--complete with mango daiquiris and truffle cheese and all the people leaning back in their booths, nodding along. Howe's piano sounded lovely.


Ross and I even talked to Howe after the show. I don't think I've ever done that before, and we felt pretty silly, but he was just standing there. He gave us a travel tip: next time we go to Portland we know where to find a good slice of pie.


Goodnight, weird little fish.