“WE THE PEOPLE” Lake Event

The People are fed up with governing oppression and tyranny.

Yesterday there was a “We the People” protest 4^th of July Event at Lake Sacajawea; it was smaller than what is usually expected for the 4^th at the lake … but with power-hungry, egomaniac demoncrat governors and mayors dancing to their insane senator’s tune, normal is not something we are likely to see anytime in the near future.

So, “The People” took matters into their own hands and decided to claim their American FREEDOMS to celebrate America’s Day of Liberation – The People did that in 1776 …

 … and they did it again, July 4^th, 2020.

Even though the local governing leaders did all they could to stop the event from happening.

The event went forward anyway – people came, food trucks came; the event went on, and people enjoyed themselves: adults schmoozed, kids had fun, and our Independence Day was celebrated.

Like it used to be.

Like it should always be.

City placed cement barricades to block equipment trucks and hamper set-up: the event took place anyway.

No relief: city council orders to stop the event - no permit allowed and no peeing allowed at the Park ... but I am SURE that if a blm terrorist/anarchist march had been planned - the restrooms would have been flung open with a red carpet laid before the doors. NO ONE WOULD BE WORRIED about THAT.

Uncle Sam leads the ‘Stars & Stripes’ Kid’s Parade.

Kid's Bike Brigade.

Nothing more needs to be said ...

State Representative, Jim Walsh.

Joshua Freed - running for Washington Governor; hopes to unseat inslee.

I had a Supper appointment with friends out Coal Creek Road, so I drove to their place around 2 PM, with tomatoes for the hamburgers, and Frosted Brownie Bites for dessert. The hamburgers were fat and juicy, the potato salad was awesome (Pam makes the BEST potato salad!) – the conversation was celebratory, and the friendliness was a soothing balm.

When I left there and came home, I watered my garden.

I spotted a volunteer geranium plant starting amongst broccoli and marigolds.

And decided to go back to the Lake to enjoy an evening walk.

Bob liked walking around the Lake; and Bob was in my thoughts.

So, I went :-D

There were a few people still walking and biking around the Lake, but the activity was generally low key and laid back. I think I passed about 2 dozen people and only 3 were masked.

People are fed up with the political nonsense, and really pissed about the latest masked mandates that only apply to white people.

There is a revolt taking place – and I’m okay with that.

Finding a parking spot was pretty easy ;-) Finding an empty spot here is nearly impossible - so I was really thankful!

I liked the music and thought the guy was doing good … until his phone rang; then the gig was up ;-)

The taco truck was still in place, doing a little late business.

The geese were very prevalent.

And skittish. They have fledglings and are a little nervous when they feel people are getting too close.

I saw a little deflating water balloon sitting on water lily pads.

Circular flower garden.

Funky looking tree.

Halfway around the lake, people started to set off fireworks at homes along Nichols Boulevard – the stench of sulfer and gunpowder was strong; but I didn’t have to use my inhaler.

((((THANK YOU, YESHUA!))))

I hate using the inhaler: I don’t like the way it makes me feel – like I am popping speed tablets.

So, anytime I do not have to put that thing in my mouth and inhale the steroid mist … I’m singing hallelujahs and praising Yeshua :-D

Halfway mark on the trail …

Squirrely squirrel ;-)

I must remember to stick some peanuts in my pockets when I go walking.

Japanese Garden Closed.

Female Mallard Duck.

Leaving the Park, and driving down Kessler Boulevard, triggered flashbacks of driving that road every day for months while Bob was in Peace Health Hospital the fall of 2018 – I almost hated that road. Driving it isn’t usually so emotional, but I guess I felt the emotions so strong on the 4^th, because of the emotional upheaval Wednesday morning when I was kicked to the curb by the kids; and then having Bob on my mind all day – every day since then.

Widowhood sucks – and that is why I am eliminating as much stress as I can from my personal space. When possible. Sometimes stressful situations can’t be avoided … but when it is within my power to avoid stress: I DO. I always have, but it is crucial now, at this point of my life.

We couldn’t avoid Bob’s appointment to graduate to Heaven; but I can avoid Stacey’s irrational hatred aimed at me, and I can avoid putting myself in situations that lead to a bad outcome.

I don’t need someone else’s lopsided and overweight baggage placed on my overburdened shoulders, anymore.

I want peace in my life.

I want balance.

I want to be appreciated and loved (amicably).

Just before I turned onto 15^th that would take me to Industrial Way (the 'less stressful' way I chose to drive home), a couple geese were hogging the roadway and strutting their stuff.

Kessler Boulevard, where it ties into 15th, Ave.

It really was a good day.

It really was a day of relaxation.

It really was a nice quiet walk in the evening to end the Shabbat Rest on; and usher in the new week.

God is good all the time … and all the time, God is good :-D

Shabbat Shalom :-D

JULY 4th REMEMBRANCES

These July 4^th pictures were on the picture disks I had found while organizing a drawer, a few weeks ago.

I did not know that Bob had burned these disks off for me: they are pictures from my old computers that had crashed and died. I was excited to see Bob’s handwriting on the disks telling me that the disks held pictures I never hoped to see again!

My man was always so thoughtful ;-)

These pictures I am sharing today start with my wolf … and end with our daytrip to Mowich Lake.

My beautiful wolf, Precious was born on the 4^th of July, 2003. We brought her home with us when she was about 6 weeks old - she was the cutest thing! She was ½ Timber Wolf and ½ Gray Wolf; here eyes changed colors depending on the way the sunlight hit them. Sometimes, they were a yellowish brown … sometimes, they were a topaz yellow.

July-04-2004. My beautiful girl was 1 year old. Her markings were exactly what the wolves of the Sawtooth Pack carry.

She was beautiful to look at. She was beauty in action. She was beautiful inside also. She was precious … and I felt privileged to have her as a companion, and loved by my husband for letting me have her.

And that’s why her Name was Precious :-D

July-01-2007. Two precious girls to love.

Precious enjoyed a playful tussle match with our granddaughter, Alyna. Precious may have been a big wolf (6 feet long & 120 pounds), but she's was not bad & we were not afraid of her.

We were all a ‘family pack’.

Bob & Alyna had gone to a family shindig at his oldest sister Merry’s house for a July 4^th family get-together in 2008; I stayed home because I had a migraine. Alyna came home with a kitten.

July 2008. Precious was howling because Bean is holding Seaira.

July 2008. Siesta Time: Precious & Seaira – two furry sisters.

In the wild, Precious would have been the babysitter wolf that looked after all the young wolf pups.

Precious’ character was calm and peaceful. She doted on those she considered her ‘charges.’

Alyna and Seaira were her charges. So were the 5 newborn and toddling nieces and nephews born to Bob’s nieces, Michelle & Tiffany ;-)

2009-07-02. Precious and Seaira. There was never a worry with my wolf around critters or people.

Around July 4^th of 2010, my niece Sara, was coming to WA from NV to visit her mother – we had raised Sara for a while when she was younger; she is like a daughter to us, and her children like grandchildren. And we wanted to see them … so we went to Carla’s home, in Aberdeen.

2010-07-04. Bob (61) & Alexandrea (3 years old); Sara’s oldest daughter.

2010-07-04. Bob & Sophia; Sara’s youngest daughter; wearing the baby sweater I knitted for Alexandrea when she was a baby.

Around July 4^th in 2011, we took a daytrip to Cinnebar. On our way home, Bob pointed out an Osprey nest: I had never seen an Osprey before – it was pretty cool :-D

July 2011. An Osprey 

July 3^rd, 2016, we did a daytrip to Mowich Lake, on the backside of Mt. Rainier. It was a pretty primitive area … the gravel road that led to the lake really dusted out the Tundra getting there/leaving. There were many hiking trails – some were maintained; some were rough and brutal. The glacial lake was gorgeous, and the surrounding mountainous terrain was beautiful to see. The camping near the lake area was pack in-pack out: no restroom facilities. The camping there was very primitive.

At the start of the gravel road, there is also another camping area – a little more upgraded, but not much. We had planned to go back and camp, but life threw us a curve and that never got to happen.

But these pictures bring the memory of that daytrip back; very clear ;-)

3 hr/4 min (139.1 mi) via I-5 N

The 17 mile gravel road was very dusty: a doe and her fawn crossed in front of us.

Backside of Mount Rainier.

More deer along the long and winding road ... "Mowich" derives from the Chinook jargon word for deer. Deer were everywhere - we had to keep our eyes alert. 

Goal is getting closer; we had climbed 4,929 feet in elevation.

Mowich Lake, on the backside of Mount Rainer.

(https://visitrainier.com/mowich-lake-campground/)

Pretty, wild violets.

A pretty, wild lily.

Bob walking one of the lower elevation trails that skirted the Lake.

Tolmie Peak; this looked like fun. So, we walked in that direction ;-)

This trail was very hard to walk. But Bob was game to give it “a go.”

View of Tolmie Peak.

(https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/tolmie-peak-trail--2)

We also tried another trail, called the Ipsut Pass.

VERY STEEP and challenging trail ... sides straight down into glacial water.

After about an hour, we called it quits for this trail here ... just too hard to climb for 2 old fat people – 1 with a bum leg. LOL

BEAUTIFUL glacial lake! A careless footstep here would land us in the Lake – the trail sides went straight down … the water was SO CLEAR, it was like looking through clean glass to the bottom of the Lake.

I love wild places like this - it reminds me of how truly small we are in the grand scheme of things. Kinda puts life into perspective ...

We backtracked, and took a break here; very pretty and peaceful site.

A thin, trickling waterfall.

A wild flowing waterfall.

One last backward glance as we drove away from the mountain I love … and where I would love to live all year round. I love everything about Mount Rainier.

Glacial water river at the end of the gravel roadway: there is a campsite here, and we had planned to come back. That never happened ….

I love you, Babe.

BOB 2016. The love of my life, and my greatest passion ~ OX.

Thanks for the loving memories.

~OX