Delridge Day community fair

On the way back to my car from the Delridge Day fair, I spotted these remaining blooms on a much larger plant. I started the day helping set up the fair, as my contribution through the West Seattle Timebank. It was fun setting up rain flys - the technology has greatly improved since I was in Boy Scouts! An assortment of community people were in the work party, such as a teacher at a local school who had grown up in the area and told about using the skate park every day as a child, and my friend Julie from the Time bank.
Later, I took Arthur to the doctor for his monthly eyedrain. He's doing quite well with his thyroid now that I have the dosing better, and he's gaining weight too - perhaps because I'm feeding him when he wakes me at 4pm - Shadow does not compete for his food then - and I'm also distributing the food during regular feedings in different rooms so the cats eat undisturbed by each other - mostly!
I returned to the fair in the afternoon to check out every booth as a simple fairgoer, and to take my daily photo. Now I am back and determined to make progress on clearing the basement by eliminating one box of stuff. Wish me luck!

Honeycrisp!

HONEYCRISP: even the name of my apple tree has natural beauty. In some sense, this fruit embodies the rains of November, held in a cistern and dribbled out over our dry season. I have yet to use City water on my small garden this year!

Buswalk Loveliness

More loveliness on my morning walk to the bus.

Souvenir 1991

I got this t-shirt from a Moscow street vendor shortly after what major event?

Rose-A-Dendrons

Tuesday I had to take off to get stuff done for the Neighborhood Night Out, but the morning was free so I was able to do a quick help through the Timebank. A little old lady needed some boxes in the basement hauled upstairs, which took me little time at all. I took the chance to see her garden, where I most enjoyed the common combination of a rose and a rhododendron growing around each other - the Rhoseadendron is more common than you may think!

No Man Can Be His Own Prosecutor

The idea that a President can stop his own prosecution is as absurd as the idea that he should be his own judge.
Time Out!

 "No Man May Be His Own Judge" is an elementary maxim of the Common Law, and the foundation of the idea that no president can pardon himself. It logically follows that "No Man May Be His Own Prosecutor". This is a concept so basic that no maxim has ever been thought necessary. But we live in unusual times.
 The servants of a sitting president are now floating the idea that He is immune to prosecution because the "Executive Power" includes the power to fire prosecutors.
This is nonsense.
The "Executive Power" includes a great many things that are ok in the abstract but forbidden in particular. For example, the President may order the FBI to investigate many things, but he cannot order the FBI to arrest his political enemies. Likewise, the President may fire a prosecutor but he may not fire a prosecutor to stop a prosecution of himself.
Some people may prefer that a president not be prosecuted because some people are naturally servile. The dog is a noble creature, but no model for human behavior. The Founders did not write a Constitution to restore the Monarchy.

Potluck Potato Salad

• Loosely fill your serving bowl 2/3 with potatoes - that's how many you need. 
• Cut the spuds in half so they cook more evenly. Boil them, then drain and let cool overnight in the fridge. 
• Boil half as many eggs as potatoes. Peel them AFTER they've cooled, or suffer the consequences.
• Cut up your spuds and eggs. Kitchen shears are a lot faster than a knife and cutting board, and less clean-up.
• Mix eggs, spuds and mayo in the bowl until everything is lightly coated. Add mustard for super tanginess!
• Search your fridge and pantry for extras: celery? green onions? olives? radishes? peppers? capers? just about anything you can chop small can be mixed in and add character.
• THE RELISH QUESTION: Some people love sweet pickle relish in their potato salad; others think it's of the Devil. Make your choice and live with it.
• THE BACON QUESTION: Yes, a little well-cooked and finely-chopped bacon will make your potato salad more intense. But is it worth alienating the vegetarians? 
• Season to taste. (It's ok to taste as you go along - just be sure to always use a fresh spoon so we're not sharing your spit!) Almost any green or red spice will go in nicely. Try to balance hot (red, such as paprika or pepper) with cool (green, such as dill or cilantro). 
• By now, your bowl should be about full. It's time to top off! Put in the effort to decorate the top with leftover sliced veggies (e.g. spell out something appropriate, like "HAPPY BIRTHDAY") or sprinkle a festive pattern of paprika and dried parsley. You're a grown-up - it's ok to play with your food! 
• Cover and keep cold until serving. I'll be first in line to try your creation!

The Fern Of Swords

What can be said about sword fern? It's a simple, elegant design that is nice to look at and comfortable in the shade. Like me!

Voted by mail. Washington State leads the way!

I vote in every election and I vote by mail. How about you?

Carless Weekend

I intended to go without using my car one day this weekend but it turned out I got by both days using other means. This morning I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish - basically, prepare for the workweek, prepare for Neighborhood Night Out Tuesday, and make one improvement in the basement. It worked even though it was frankly too hot today. I had a bag of apples to process from the two trees, so I had Alexa play "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" while I sorted and sliced, freezing some and making a pie. It all worked! I tested the grill by picking up some top-quality stuff from Meat The Butcher and was pleased with the results. I also got my usual salad and fruit from Lee's Market. For my project, I cleared out a box which turned out to be clothing I'd set aside for years. Most of the t-shirts still fit; the plain ones went into stock and I took pictures of those with sentimental value - such as the souvenir of Kevin's ukkemi class. I am resolved to get to bed on time so I start the week refreshed. Doing that may be the hardest part of the weekend for, just like a child, I don't really want to go to bed haha!

Hot Out Of The Oven.....

...maybe that's why it's melting away!