Perfect Afternoon

Dear Liza,

It was another lovely sunny day today! Auntie Bridgett had to work at the SideStreet Arts Gallery, so Grandpa Nelson and I walked her there, then got snacks at Whole Foods up on Burnside, and walked back through Laurelhurst Park. We found a lovely piece of grass close enough to the lake to hear the ducks, and stretched out on your striped blanket with our books.

The theater of life that is the park played out around us. Since we were lying on the ground, our perspective was a bit odd.

We heard the osprey dive into the lake and hit the water, causing ducks to fly in all directions, and seconds later flew we saw him overhead with a good sized fish in his beak.

A trio of girls played cards and chatted on the grass, visiting with all the dogs that passed by.

The sun had a halo, which means that somewhere in the atmosphere there were ice crystals. The barking of dogs and encouragement of their owners echoed from the dog park area. “Don’t go in the lake, no, please don’t….” Seconds later, “Oh, good girl!”

A couple practiced their circus/yoga/ acrobatic moves, much to everyone’s enjoyment, while another young lady played on her bongo set.

The grass was so soft, Grandpa Nelson fell asleep, and I sat up on a picnic bench to look around. Kids negotiated with moms about when it was time to leave.

It was a lovely day, and we were sad when we had to head for home, but we can go back again tomorrow, when a different cast of characters will act in their own plays.

As we got home, I got good news on the patio! The maple and birch seeds I stuck into flower pots last fall have opened up, and I now have the beginnings of of fine bonsai trees! I will keep an eye out at thrift shops for some traditional pots for them.