Shrieking at Strangers
To the man I shrieked at last April, who was waiting to use the bathroom, I apologize. I was unable to explain at the time, but here’s the whole story: I was sitting on Flutterby,… Shrieking at Strangers
Party-crasher
A month ago, Barry and I started house-sitting in Seattle. The day our friends left was completely chaotic — luggage scattered about the house, last-minute baking, noisy children, and a slightly hyperactive dog. Then they… Party-crasher
Cheerful pariah
I went to Seattle, unsure of how I could be useful to Jacqui during her cancer treatment. The requirement to have a “caregiver” was imposed by her medical team, partly because no one knows how… Cheerful pariah
Cock-a-doodle who?
A decade ago, when we were living in our not-so-upscale house in the upscale Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, we had a neighbor with chickens. Like us, she had a not-so-upscale house and a devil-may-care… Cock-a-doodle who?
Squidley's diesel-dribbling revenge
Whoops, I squeaked too soon. Remember that post about starting each day with “a giant roar and that diesel rumble that sounds like a UPS truck?” I’m sitting in a library in Casper, Wyoming. It’s… Squidley's diesel-dribbling revenge
I was just wondering if you guys were back yet
That’s what everyone says when they call us on the phone or send us an e-mail. Shoot, which trip were they referring to? In May, we took Amtrak from Seattle to Los Angeles for our… I was just wondering if you guys were back yet
Why married men live longer
I’m only three days into the twelve days of Christmas, and it’s almost April. Maybe I should have set a hard-and-fast deadline for myself, rather than waiting for the Muse to simply arrive? The problem… Why married men live longer
Seattle's bicycle freeway
“Psssst, Julie, you awake?” It’s 8 AM, and an indistinct mumbling comes from under the guest bed pillow. “You’re sleeping in the garage, and I need to get the car out!” Normally, I wouldn’t make… Seattle's bicycle freeway
Hello, sailor!
Back in the days of Jack Aubrey’s Navy, officers didn’t go to a traditional school. They learned aboard a ship, starting as midshipmen. Before they’d ever shaved, these children in uniform had to master celestial… Hello, sailor!
Making the best of a 4-hour commute
When I take the commuter bus to Seattle from Stanwood, I literally catch it at the end of the line. It is the longest bus route; anything longer would require Greyhound. And the stop I… Making the best of a 4-hour commute