Exercise, Oil Change And Cards

Today I went to the Y and then got an oil change & inspection at Miencke on Roxbury (previously I went to West Seattle Jiffylube but it closed.)
During the car work I treated myself to the BRUNCH OF CHAMPIONS courtesy of West Seattle's Fresh Flours. It's mostly healthy!

London Fog + Pastry with Apple+Cranberry

Sally Rogers Playlist

We used to go to Sally Rogers performances whenever she was in town. I don't think she's touring anymore but it's still sweet stuff

These Still Shine

In the dark morning, I walk past the neighbors' and see this. It's dark now, but these still shine.

Near Work

By my other bus stop: not a style that people build in now, but interesting in its way.

Unexpected In Seattle

I saw this on the way to work. It was pretty and out of place, clearly calling for a photo. I checked on the way back, at it was silk. This is not surprising since Hibiscus doesn't grow outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. Still, it's nice.

How Many Lives Have You Saved?

Yesterday I had dinner with a dear friend who is a discouraged nurse. She has the material things she needs but life feels empty.
"You just turned 40," I said. "This is normal."
She said, "People feel free to criticize me because I'm not married and I don't have children and I'm not going to. I'm ok with that but ... what am I missing?"
Without thinking, I blurted out, "How many lives have you saved this week?"
"What?"
"You're a charge nurse. You supervise an ER. It's busy. How many lives have you saved this week?"
"Don't know. Don't keep track."
"So some every week? Every week of the year when you're not on vacation. How many years?"
"15 or 18."
"These are your children. They owe their lives to you. And you didn't even have to wipe their bottoms!"
"I wipe a lot of bottoms, actually."
--
Most of us don't have a job that saves lives.
BUT: we all do things that improves the lives of others.
Donate blood, food, money or whatever. Teach the young, provide a good example, clean up the environment.
We don't know and we don't keep track, but we do know that it adds up.
Raising children directly is special and we must respect that totally.
But in other ways: how many lives have YOU saved?