Greening Seattle

I finally stumbled on the answer to my question,  "who is behind this Greening of Seattle?" I've seen the volunteers and piles of ivy ripped out of urban forests, especially along Admiral Way SW, in West Seattle.

Here is a link to a video on how to make a compost pile in the forest...

Bags

Dandelion Greens Again

I see them and I want to take them out! Then I recall this great recipe from Mark Bittman I read a year or so ago, and want to keep them, harvest them (need only scissors), and eat great mashed potatoes, with dandelion greens. I add gluten free bread crumbs to mine....

Is Life worth It?

This was the question of the day.  She, talking about her dead grandfather and her mother pondering...

Here is a quote from Kate Braestrup, the  tail end of a blessing she wrote:

"Let the shadows flee, let that miraculous moment breathe, let the joy rise up you like the flowers of flame from the sacred earth on which you stand"

and here is Willie Nelson, singing: "Gravedigger" Sorry about the annoying ad that plays, but the video and song are worth a listen.

Anastasia Faiella

This woman used to be a painter, now an interior designer. I see how that can work for a visual artist.

her website:  http://faiella-design.com

My favorite version today of Paul Simon's "American Tune", by Darrel Scotthttp://ping.fm/czee4

Remodeling or Moving, what to do

I was reading AARP magazine recently and there is an article about the option to remodel rather than move. Universal Design is the concept of (not gimpy)...a home for kids, and also for older people who may have a hard time getting around. In general, a home that works for all abled and not so able bodies, and looks...not sterile.

I am keenly aware of this as today I'm going to get my mom who has been in a nursing home for 100 days following emergency surgery prompted by cancer treatment. She would stay, but medicare won't pay after today. She had a bit of trouble getting around her house when we took her there a couple of weeks ago for a 3 hour visit.

Today she goes home to stay with her stepmom, a woman in her mid eighties. Her house has grab bars and the things one needs to get around if your body isn't so agile anymore.

By the way, my favorite Seattle Contractor is Jeff Reddan and my favorite Seattle Architect/designer is Barry Senter .

I would trust these guys to remodel my own house, or my grandmother's...