MEANINGFUL MONDAY ~ MCCORMICK PARK & Cornelius Pass

The sun made an appearance … and I pulled a slip of paper out of my ambitions jar.

Today's ‘happening’ ...

Exploring St. Helen's, OR.

McCormick Park, St. Helens, OR from Heron Pointe, WA - 39 mins.

Local advice was a little concerning - 12:21 noon.

Off I go ...

So far, everything is A-okay.

I'm liking this Park, straight off.

“It’s A Beautiful Morning”: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64uikGn-q3k)

The Park was well laid out.

It was a clean Park.

The hiking trail was a graveled 2-mile loop trail – it was fairly flat, and wider than a goat trail: very enjoyable.

There was a Frisbee Golf Course that intersected with the hiking trail, but everyone was courteous.

And friendly.

There were wildflowers in bloom everywhere.

But I did not need my inhaler.

And there were artistically painted garbage cans placed at intervals along the trail.

Tiny purple wildflowers.

Fringe cup saxifrage wildflower.

Tiny white daisies.

Blackberry brambles (large white blossoms) & wild strawberries (small white blossoms).

Thimbleberry blossoms.

Thimbleberry blossoms, closeup; & thimbleberry fruit; tart and velvety. Yummy!

Wild roses blossoms.

One of many artistic themed garbage cans. This could be a salamander - or a newt.

There were several more ... but these 4 are the best 'art work'.

Wild Bleeding Heart – I thought of Bob when I saw this flower.

A little forest hidey-hole.

An enjoyable way to walk my kardashian ass off. LOL.

This Park is a clean Park - very nice. I will be coming back here.

Scotch Broom - here there was quite a large patch of it.

Larkspur.

NW Trumpet honeysuckle vine.

Blue wild Iris; when I saw this Iris, my thoughts immediately went to my sister: who died in the Fall of 2019.

After I left the Park, the day was still young; so I thought I’d drive over Cornelius Pass and get something to eat at the Greek deli Bob and I enjoyed.

Heading towards Cornelius Pass.

Cornelius Pass from St. Helens - 24 minutes.

I was hoping the Mad Greek Deli was still operating.

At the top of Cornelius Pass, there was county landscaping going on; the wait was lengthy.

The backup was pretty long before me.

And pretty long behind me.

And the air was pungent with fir scent as overhanging trees were pruned, and the pruning’s were shredded: it smelled good.

Tears did not threaten; even though the smell of fresh cut fir trees will always remind me of Bob bringing that lingering scent home with him after work: in his hair, on his clothes, and dusting his skin … and laughingly dusting me with it, too; with a teasing shake of his head as he bent to kiss me while dropping his lunch pail on the counter and catching Stacey up for a group hug before the door was closed.

Today, the memories did not choke me, or squeeze my heart painfully.

What did threaten to choke me was what greeted my eyes as I turned off NW Germantown Road and drove down NW 185^th to NW Union.

I thought I had taken a wrong road!

There were HUGE housing developments on both sides of the roadway – and the 2-lane road was a 4-lane road with turnouts going every which-way.

I was feeling a little apprehensive and uncomfortable … when I suddenly spotted Albertson’s and started breathing easy again.

Albertson's from Cornelius Pass - 7 minutes.

I knew the Mad Greek Deli was at the junction of NW 185^th and NW Union.

When I made the corner, the deli wasn’t there: all there was, was a large gravel lot: there would be no delicious sandwich for me today – or any day, anymore.

Apparently, the deli had been torn down while Bob was in the hospital November of 2018.

https://pamplinmedia.com/bvt/15-news/411773-312256-iconic-mad-greek-deli-in-rock-creek-comes-down-friday-afternoon

And when I drove to the Albertson’s entrance … I really was beginning to feel lost: the entire Albertson’s parking lot had morphed into a Mall that spanned 4 blocks!

Everything was changed! And not for the better in MHO.

Albertson's parking lot has morphed into a citified Mall!

There must be 150 businesses here now.

It was too much to take in all at once.

Too much has changed since I was last there with Bob; and that wasn’t that long ago.

Since I was there, I decided to grab some things from Albertson’s that isn’t available in Longview. There used to be an Albertson’s store in Longview when Bob and I were first married, but I think it was gone shortly after Stacey was born. I always like Albertson’s baked goods, so I got some today before I left.

And then I sat in the car for a few minutes, regrouping my nerves.

I don’t like big cities – and big city sprawl unnerves me.

I kept telling myself, “Well, Val, you got here okay … you can get out of here okay, too.”

And I wanted Bob.

It is a want that will never again be satisfied.

I learned how to use the self-check; I don't like it.

The road crew was still at it, so I had plenty of time to sit and unwind.

I'm a country girl; this citified experience was overwhelming.

The backroad looks like downtown Portland, now.

I am upset that that relaxing country drive has been turned into a citified jungle nightmare, now.

When I got back to St. Helen’s, it was Suppertime; so, I started looking for somewhere to eat. Every restaurant I tried had closed doors – their signs said they were open for business from 10 AM to 8 PM … but the doors were locked.

I finally found a Mexican place that was open, so they got my business; and I got a good meal with friendly chit-chat 😉

This was the ONLY restaurant open for business, in St. Helen's; just up the street from the Park – where I started this morning.

DELISH! I will be eating here, again.

Today was full of meaningful explorations.

Some fun, some nerve-wracking: ALL important.

**Meaningful Mondays ~ 2021:

#4 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/05/meaningful-monday-mccormick-park.html

==Traveling Thursdays ~ 2021:

#3 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/traveling-thursday-sulkum-huff-and-puff.html

#2 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/traveling-thursday-3-county-hopscotch.html

==Sunday~Funday’s ~ 2021:

#1/2021 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/04/sundayfunday-21soul-food-clandestine.html

#20 – The last of the 2020 Sunday~Funday’s – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/09/sundayfunday-20-deep-river-eden-valley.html (plus 10^th thru 19^th SUNDAY~FUNDAY links)

#9 – https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020_04_27_archive.html (plus 1st thru 8th 2019 SUNDAY~FUNDAY links)**

MOTHER’S DAY 2021

This Mother’s Day afternoon I received several texts, wishing me a ‘Happy Mother’s Day!’ Each text came at just the right time (and saved me from a tear-soaked day).

The last 2 Mother's Day days, I've been able to escape the house and lose myself in a looooong drive, and a hike ... bypassing a tear-soaked day. But today it rained most of the day, and my wings were clipped by intermediate rainfall.

Memories threatened to undo me all day long: they're good memories, but the emotional overture they bring with them, drains the energy out of me while I'm sidestepping the loneliness. The loneliness isn't a feeling of having an empty life ... my life is actually pretty busy with activities and friends; the loneliness is feeling the loss of my special someone.

Particularly when that special someone is directly responsible for what today represents.

So, all day long I've been doing a quick sidestep shuffle around memories.

Potted seedlings started; baggie sprouted seedlings & tomatoes will be transplanted sometimes this week.

The texts were welcome bright spots in an otherwise dreary day. In all honesty, it would not have been easier if I'd been with friends (I begged off - I know me; I would not have been good company).

Tonight, while setting the racoon trap in place a.g.a.i.n. (I wish that racoon would get his furry butt into that thing!), I noticed the darkening sky was highlighted with a beautiful reddish-pink undertone - my vid does not do it justice! The sky actually looked like it was backlit by a slow-burn under the heavy gray cloud cover.

The sky is burning ... 8:32 PM.

The song, "The Sky Is Burning" popped into my thoughts.

The Sky is Burning: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3CfvXnawOo)

And I did almost cry with that one thought ... but managed not to.

Bob and I were dancing to that song at a dance club just off Commerce, in May of 1974.

By May of 1975 I was a Mother.

My daughter, and grandchildren were raised listening to Bad Company songs 😉

Visions of seeing my pretty newborn red-headed baby girl with black eyes (her hair and eyes lightened up eventually) being held by her proud Daddy; danced before my eyes. My bio-father had strawberry-red hair: I have red tint to my hair, Bob had red tint to his hair ... Stacey has red tint to her hair; and Alyna has beautiful dark auburn hair when it is not dyed. Even Azariah has red tint in his hair.

Visions of Bob carrying Stacey draped over his long right arm, with her tiny head nestled in his large hand (cradled so gently), as we walked through stores on paydays; we had a stroller, but he liked holding her. Him so handsome - her so tiny and delicate ... instinctively trusting in that strong arm and tender, work-calloused hand (just like her Mama). Me proud of them both; and feeling lucky to have them blessing my life.

My heart ached with missingness. 

By the time I got back inside the house, dusk was moving in.

The pretty started disappearing around 8:36 PM.

Dusk was arriving very quickly; 8:38 PM.

In a matter of minutes, the sky was dark enough the overhead plane was using wing lights; 8:40 PM.

Tomorrow, if the predicted weather forecast is correct, I am going for a drive: putting distance between thoughts - sliding the sun roof open - cranking the music up ... and making fun & laughter the goal of the day.

Looks like the day will be okay to be out and about, tomorrow ...

SKAMOKAWA FLEA MARKET

This afternoon I went to a flea market in a neighboring county.

I used to spend a lot of time at the Skamokawa Grange: there are happy memories connected to that place.

Skamokawa from Heron Pointe - 29 minutes.

But I wasn’t happy this afternoon – the place has been allowed to fall into disrepair. It was surrounded by tall grass that hadn’t seen a lawn mower in years … and it stunk with forlorn abandonment. By the smell that assailed me as I cleared the threshold, it had not been used in a very long time. I had a raging migraine (even my teeth hurt) from the damp odor by the time I paid for my small purchase, and left.

After I gave my “donation” and escaped into rain driven fresh air, I hopped over to the Duck Inn to have a sandwich lunch.

Skamokawa flea market purchases.

I knew, before leaving home that I would eat at the Duck Inn.

I also knew that I am getting tired of staring at an empty seat across from me in restaurants … and watching couples eating/chatting together – it’s not a jealousy thing: I just miss my ‘someone special’. I’m glad for the couples that have each other, but I do miss my man.

So, before I left home, I grabbed the paperback I have been reading.

It would be a good distraction while waiting for my sandwich.

And it is a good story 😉

I've officially become one of the 'Lonely Hearts' ... reading while restaurant eating.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl_DiHJpLzM)

I ordered a Reuben sandwich; I haven’t had one in a while, and it {fit} the rainy atmosphere 😊.

A Rueben sandwich for lunch.

Tomorrow is Mother’s Day.

Tomorrow it will be rainy, also.

I’ll probably stay home and vegetate.