EXTRA!!! EXTRA!!! READ ALL ABOUT IT

S A D D I

This was SADDI first adventure with snow (1996) and instantly she was happy.  It was late at night when it started to snow and it was difficult to get SADDI back into the house once she went outside.  SADDI didn't really roll around in the snow, she basically just wanted to chase the falling flakes and run around our large yard.  i'd toss snowballs at SADDI and she tried to catch them.  She was happy when i would kick snow in her face. When SADDI was younger, she never allowed me to dry her with white towels, she would always run from me.  i only had one dark colored towel, so i had to keep that towel just for her.  These silly simple memories make me so happy and thankfully they enter my thoughts often.

Teach the Children the Truth

 
Teach the children
the truth about the past
so they don't betray it
in the future

Alki Winter Sunset ... part one








Anne Frank

Holocaust Remembrance Day

my silly squirrel friends


Elliott Bay Trail (part two)








S A D D I

SADDI was the most gentle and beautiful soul i have ever, or will ever, know.  But every now and then we let her think she was tough and aggressive.  Letting her chase us around the house/yard (though we always turn it around and chase her ... SADDI would be smiling the entire time).  Or that certain place, where SADDI would start jumping on me and growling (but only when we were going home ... never on the way).  i remember one time she was feeling especially bold.  Barking at me and putting me in a corner.  When i stepped out the corner, SADDI would bark even more.  It was truly too cute.  After awhile, i leaped out of the corner and chased her into the bedroom.  SADDI jumped onto the bed, turned around and did a pounce stance, her head low and her butt high.  i jumped onto the bed with her and started to tickle her.  Or tossing the blanket completely over her and she fought to get out.  When she did, there was that smile waiting for me.

E A R T H


B R E A T H E


Elliott Bay Trail (Part one)

Lately i've been really trying to push myself.  Getting in daily exercises while still taking advantage of the beauty of life around us.  So i decided to go downtown, carefully going down the steep hills to get to the waterfront.  i began my journey at the amazing Olympic Sculpture Park, thinking i would go a short distance, but i just kept pushing myself along the uneven paved trail.  Bikes, walkers, joggers and doggies passing by.  In my previous life (when i was walking), i had done this trail a few times, so i knew it and realized the further i got from downtown, i had to push myself to reach a sky bridge to be able to get over the train tracks and return downtown.  It was a very comfortable cool temperature for a workout, little did i know how much of a workout it would be.  By the time i reached the sky bridge, about 2 miles since i was downtown, my arms were like jello ... but did i ever feel good about it.  i crossed the sky bridge, despite my nasty fear of heights.  Focusing on my breathing the entire time.  As i came to the end,  the next elevator to go down to the street and catch my bus ... only to find the elevator out of service.  i had two choices, go back the way i came or forward to the unknown.  i decided to the adventure to the unknown.  So, back across the sky bridge, back tracking a little to reach the path to move me forward.  It wasn't easy because my arms were seriously reluctant, but my mind was encouraged.  About a half mile more, i finally reached an overpass to get over the train tracks.  As i approached it, i kept telling myself i could do it.  It was all uphill in a circle to reach the ramp to the other side on a narrow sidewalk along a busy roadway.  Because my arms were ready to quit on me and really the only way i was able to get up and around the incline, was to go backwards.  I do this often because of the hills in Seattle, so my full left leg has gotten fairly strong.  My heart pounding, not from the intense exercise, but from my fear of heights.  Finally i reached the top, turned around and coasted downhill to reach the street.  Got my bus and started to make my journey home.  My day with my best friend (my camera) in my stupid wheelchair, was about 3.5 miles. ... Moral of the story ... don't be afraid to push yourself beyond the limits you have given yourself.  You never know what you're capable of until you push yourself to get there.  Something i truly wish i had learned a very long time ago.
Celebrate Life!!!
seizeEVERYmoment