DOWN MEMORY LANE

 

          Today, Sunday, was a very good day even though I didn’t get in line and get a Northlake Pizza. When I got there about 11:15, there were already more than fifty people waiting. So, memories will have to suffice.

          Kuma and I left there and drove around Lake Union to Stoneway. I couldn’t believe the traffic or the number of apartment/condo buildings. I thought about stopping at Ivar’s Salmon House and getting fish and chips at the outdoor fish bar, but decided I wasn’t that hungry.

          I went to Lincoln High School and nothing on Stoneway looked anything like it did back when I walked to school…yes, uphill both ways in pouring down rain. Now there are so many new apartment/condo buildings that hardly a single family home remains. We turned left on 45^th and headed east, stopping at Dick’s Drive-In.

          Back when I was in school, the cool kids parked their cars on the rise to the west…you can look down on all the activity below. Today, I was a cool kid because I pulled in and backed myself into the only space available. I didn’t even have to try or correct myself or anything. Nailed it on the first try. Whoa, was that a proud moment. Too bad some of those folks from sixty years ago weren’t on hand to applaud.

          Kuma and I shared two cheeseburgers and fries and when I slurped the last of my diet coke, Kuma knew what was coming and we’d only done it once before. He could hardly wait for me to take off the lid and offer up the ice. Once he’d gotten most of the ice, I added water from my water bottle and had to fill it up a second time.

          I thought it might be difficult to turn left out of Dick’s, but both directions were clear. I followed 45^th all the way through Wallingford and up under Highway 99 and then down the hill into Ballard. Again, nothing looked as it had when I was a kid or even a bit over a decade when I worked at the zoo. So many single family homes replaced by huge apartment/condo buildings with businesses on the bottom level. Where are all these people coming from?

          Kuma and I ended up at Golden Gardens, and again, I hadn’t been there in forever. It’s become this huge park with enough parking for I don’t know how many cars. As a kid, me and the boy next door would ride our bikes to Golden Gardens which wasn't the least bit developed. Yes, the breakwater was there for the marina, but really not much else. I almost always brought home a little crab I found in the sand. Of course, they always died and I'm very sorry now that I know just how good crab tastes. These days, you can access the sandy beach or park in an area that has a walkway on top of the breakwater. I drove through the whole thing and decided Kuma and I would practice his walking on a leash on the pathway…WRONG!!!

          We no more than got out of the car than Kuma began to bark and not in a nice way. He lunged on the leash while barking at the crows, other dogs and people as if he’d give them a new asshole if only I’d let go. I was embarrassed as well as annoyed with him. I don’t understand why he acted that way. When we go to the dog park and he’s off leash, he doesn’t dash about barking and threatening anyone. I’m going to talk to his trainer when we go to class on Wednesday and see if I can get some pointers.

          It was a beautiful Seattle day although a bit cold. I’ve included a couple photos I took at Golden Gardens. I just wish we could have walked for a bit since it was so gorgeous.

          From the park, I headed to my friend’s house. She said Kuma could come inside and like a good boy, he peed on command before we crossed the street and went inside. He was very well behaved although he really wanted to jump on my friend’s husband a lot. He was also very good with my friend’s dog, respectful and kind to the old guy.

          When I talked about Kuma’s behavior at the park, the suggestion was made to get a shock collar. Their daughter got one for her dog and it worked very well. I’m not sure I want to do that. I’m not sure it is humane. I’m sure there’s a way to educate Kuma to be a better doggie than he was today.

          Back home, I walked Kuma around the neighborhood on his leash and he did well…no distractions. Then we played ball until his tongue was hanging out. Now he’s sound asleep, curled up in his chair as I type this.

Since I didn’t get a pizza, I figured I’d order something delivered for my dinner. Instead, I took some barbequed ribs out of the freezer and put them in my convection oven for an hour. Then I added some small potatoes, removed the aluminum foil from the ribs and put it back in the oven for another thirty minutes. What I’m now smelling smells extremely good…hope it tastes that good as well.  The oven just beeped, so I think I'm about to find out.