Hey man, take a look out the window ‘n’ see what’s happenin’
Hey man, it’s rainin’
It’s rainin’ outside man
Aw, don’t worry ’bout that
Everything’s gonna be everything
We’ll get into somethin’ real nice you know
Sit back and groove on a rainy day
– Jimi Hendrix, “Rainy Day, Dream Away”
The above picture was taken by me during a recent day in the rain, in Downtown Seattle. It was a good day.
– Orion T
Happy Halloween from here in Seattle…
Sadly, I did not dress up for this year’s spooky season. Sadly, I was not feeling heavy in the spirit. But, I saw many out there who were definitely in the Halloween spirit. Here in Seattle, this time was good for going outside in costume. Especially, being that we had no rain on this day, the first in 11 years since the Emerald City streets were wet for Trick or Treaters.
I took a few pictures of some dressed for the day…
An undead cop, with excellent makeup done by Brian Flynn (@aglasscannon on Instagram).
Morpheus, at the Goodwill store in Cap Hill. Ask him, and he will offer a choice of the red or blue pill. Choose wisely.
A group of jellyfish passing me by.
..
That’s all for now. I enjoyed the spirit of Halloween silliness passing by, and that is enough. Cheers and Happy Halloween!
– Orion T
For those dwelling around in the Pacific Northwest, there is a medium-sized park, open to the public in Seattle, to view the best seasonal colors in nature. You should go there now, while the scenery is very Fall-tastic.
This place is the Kubota Garden, a 20-acre Japanese garden in the Rainier Beach neighborhood. The park is named after Fujitaro Kubota, a Japanese emigrant and horticultural pioneer who blended his Japanese design techniques with North American materials here, starting off in 1927. Fujitaro died in 1973 at age 94, hoping the land would eventually become public. In 1981, the land became a historic landmark. In 1987, the land became public, and since became an attraction for visitors. In late 2017, it was my turn.
Kubota Garden is beautiful with every step inside. The walkways are crooked and intertwined, leading to little sights worth a long gaze. Such are small ponds, little structures of wood and rock, bridges, waterfalls, with a variety of uncommon trees and shrubbery. All quiet and peaceful, leaving the noise of the world to the distance.
I came here on the advice of a friend, who suggested this as a place to relax, and avoid the troubles of the world for at least an hour. By public transport, this was an easy destination (about an hour if taking the rail from downtown, then a short bus transfer). I arrived, not considering the grandness of the place, or a map.
This brought me much joy in the heart, to explore, and not finding any particular pattern or sense to the pathways of the place. I felt lost and didn’t want to be found for a while. I found many little partially mossed benches, shadowy coverings by spidery trees, and open grassy spots perfect for a picnic. I would stop here and there, sitting down and watching birds and dogs being walked by. And perfect for this day, was the amazing colors of the Fall season, with an awesome variety in every view.
The only regret here is my arrival so very late in the day. The evening was close, and I had to leave for a meeting. I did take some pictures, showing the amazing Fall-ness of it all. Click on each for a full look:
I shall come back here again, for a longer visit and for every season.
-Orion T
Dropped by the friendly neighborhood thrift shops in search of some cords and things today. I see the Halloween decorations and costumes are early up, and ready for the shopping. I enjoy the sights of things most at thrift stores, especially those in Capitol Hill, Seattle.
Above are some masks fitting better for those in spirit for the Mexican holiday, Día de Muertos or Day of the Dead. Its history is traced back further than the popular All Saint’s Eve or Halloween, with its roots reaching back 3,000 years ago in Aztec culture. It’s modern take is the result of many twists and turns through intersecting cultures and religions. Reading up on this, I felt a bit fascinated and curious towards anything locally going on for this coming Day of the Dead, which coincides with Halloween.
Until then, it’s nice to see local shops are prepping early for these interesting spooky days ahead.
Today is the last day of Summer 2017 for the Northern Hemisphere. I hope you took some great looks at the grown green, especially if you’re in the Pacific Northwest, for it’s all coming down soon. Along with it, the warm weather and brighter days.
Yet, I think there will be as much to appreciate in the coming Fall. Wait and see…
Here comes the night, a little earlier than usual.
– Orion T
The picture was taken from my phone, in the International District of Seattle. The weather is a little cold for June day, and breezy; a fitting end for a day mixed with rain and sunshine.
Today was a calm May Day, for nothing too troubling happened here in the Emerald City of Seattle (or so I heard). There were many small marches throughout the day, and no riots.
But, I did happen to observe heavily some evening happenings in the Westlake Center Park of Downtown Seattle. Some pro-Trump supporters arrived and verbally clashed with anti-Trump supporters. Also among them, the usual anti-capitalists, religious promoters, climate-change activists, self-made superheroes, anti-war groups (some were war vets, I was told), anarchists, and curious tourists. From a close distance and ready, were many armored police officers standing around with batons in hand.
But, most of the local attention circulated around the various tense confrontations between the pro- and anti- Trump groups. Though I heard much childish banter and expletives being thrown about, there was some intelligent talking and debate that occurred. Such civility was strangely refreshing. If we all can’t along, then lets at least talk.
– Orion T
A little leftover from the holidays, of which I have missed much.
The reasons, never mind. I was occupied with much else. Such is only that one begans to feel such things over the latent appreciation of them. Perhaps, to be preoccupied with other non-seasonal matters, the surroundings of things can distract. Yet, there are beautiful lights and things demanding of attention. That’s a lot of the holiday deco of which I was quite used to in this otherwise usual holiday season.
Yet, here I was on the way home in the Westlake Center of Downtown Seattle. The rain was heavy, and my shopping bag of groceries soaked. I stopped and looked about, considering the best direction to buy a new umberella. The, I noticed much of the decorated lights along the streets and buildings, gone. The giant Christmas tree with adorned bulbs and sparkly lights, gone. The decorated cart selling hot cocoa and chewy holiday bits, gone. Yet, there was that Seasonal carousel, still there…slowly spinning in the dense rain and darkness.
It will be gone, likely after the New Year’s time has ended. And that will be, no more holidays. In 11 months, perhaps again. But until then, just the memory we take for granted. At least I have the moment for now.
– Orion T
Last Thursday night, much of the Seattle lowlands got about one inch of snow. Such is a rare occurrence for this grand city. For myself, the new sights are very exciting, as I have never lived or ventured out in areas with normal snowfall. Yet, there is much beauty to appreciate in the first hours of the mass landscape transformation. Though I was not feeling well from a recent slip, I did go for a stroll in the wall and take some pictures of the Downtown area.
I was not disappointed. I hope you like the following, for these sights made me smile. To share for this festive holiday season is an added joy…
Sorry, I did not get a pic of the great Seattle Space Needle in that time. I underestimated the cold, and my body needed a return to my warm apartment. Perhaps, next time.
– Orion T
This year’s (24th) Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Seattle, is a very magical one. This new theme is all into the world of Harry Potter.
Last year’s Gingerbread Village theme was all about the Star Wars. Now, it’s gone full Hogwarts with displayed exteriors made mostly out of reinforced gingerbread, frosting, candy bits, lots of jellybeans and other sugary snacks best used for such displays. Each display developed from the work of an architecture firm and lead “chef.” Also involved were children (aka “Elves”) dealing with Type 1 Diabetes, promoting the cause of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for treatments and research.
For those who wish to visit, the Sheraton is located near the Washington State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle, in their lobby. The Gingerbread Village is now free to the public until January 1, 2017. You are encouraged to also give a monetary amount to the JDRF Northwest Chapter. For more site and event information including bios on the designers and builders (and to donate directly), click here.
Below some pics of each display, based on the first six books by J.K Rowling, and the movies based upon such. Click on each below for more detail. Also, click here to visit strangerworlds.com, for my nearly same write-up, and a many more detailed pics.
– Orion T
Just a moment among many, where the holiday spirit was shared among the locals. Here, being Friday as some streets in the downtown area were shared for some happening at the nearby Westlake Center. Not quite feeling like a crowd, I enjoyed this jolly group of youngsters jamming with their brass, in a little march of their own. No names, cause, or message. Just a brief spirited jam playing some familiar Xmas tunes in the middle of the holiday lights and shopping madness. That’s enough for me.
– Orion T
Late night walk through the mist on this Sunday night by Seattle’s Space Needle. All is quiet now, after a very busy weekend. I must go home and rest. Good night Seattle!
– Orion T
So, another celebrated day of independence has nearly passed again in the good ol U.S of A…
Starting off, as many slept in late from the busy weekend and waking up to put a an American flag out. Eventually, some of you Facebook scrolled through endless 4th of July posts informing us of this most festive day, 277 years since the original 13 Colonies signed that most epic letter, asserting their united breakup from British rule.
And since, we move the day on for picnics, parades, punch, hot dogs and BBQ, apple pie, patriotic jingles, days off , and the fireworks. Flags will be raised and the Star Sprangled Banner will be played, over and over as the day goes. Those in true spirits will put aside their differences of political opinion, to enjoy the moment of how far the country has come; to perhaps drink beer and sink their teeth into some cooked animal meat while discussing that favorite baseball team roster with others. It’s all independence, in our favorite celebratory customs for rememberance to how this country started.
Cheers, and stay safe out there.
– Orion T
Note: Picture was taken today by me during at the Seattle Center, during a quiet time as a light rain began to set in. I felt quite tired and decided to skip going to any fireworks event for the night,
Just one of the many things one with a filled wallet can buy from the world-famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. And here is an entry from good ol Wikipedia about this unusual and expensive fungi…
“Morchella, the true morels, is a genus of edible mushrooms closely related to anatomically simpler cup fungi. These distinctive fungi appear honeycomb-like, with their cap composed of a network of ridges with pits. Morels are sought by thousands of enthusiasts every spring for their supreme taste and the joy of the hunt, and are highly prized by gourmet cooks, particularly in French cuisine.
Morels have been called by many local names; some of the more colorful include dryland fish, because when sliced lengthwise then breaded and fried, their outline resembles the shape of a fish; hickory chickens, as they are known in many parts of Kentucky; and merkels or miracles, based on a story of how a mountain family was saved from starvation by eating morels. In parts of West Virginia, they are known as molly moochers or muggins. Due to the partial structural and textural similarity to some species of Poriferans (sponges), a common name for any true morel is sponge mushroom.
The scientific name of the genus Morchella is derived from morchel, an old German word for mushroom (this may be another source for the name “merkel”), while morel itself is derived from the Latin maurus meaning brown.”
There is some ominous warnings about the dangers of eating morels at the bottom of the wiki entry..
“Morels contain small amounts of hydrazine toxins that are removed by thorough cooking; morel mushrooms should never be eaten raw. It has been reported that even cooked morels can sometimes cause mild symptoms of upset stomach when consumed with alcohol.[49]
When eating this mushroom for the first time it is wise to consume a small amount to minimize any allergic reaction. As with all fungi, morels for consumption must be clean and free of decay. Morels growing in old apple orchards that had been treated with the insecticide lead arsenate may accumulate levels of toxic lead and arsenic that are unsuitable for human consumption”
And now you know, and knowing is half the battle!
– Orion T,
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the city
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse..
Perhaps probably because the night twas too cold for stirring, and more like slumping. I noticed much slumping from the few stragglers outs past 7pm tonight, working out the last minute shopping, holiday planning, probably finished with extra work shift hours (including myself)
I passed by the old Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle while admiring the serene calm of this cold night. I finished some last minute errands in the area, with high hopes to see the fullish Moon up high. It was there, I knew. But sadly, too much cloud density to capture such a rare view this Eve. Maybe where you are, the sky is clear. If so, go outside and take a look.
And to all, have a wonderful warm and silent night. Then, have a Merry Christmas Day!
-Orion T
Ah, the first day of Winter!!
Tis a most wonderful time for when the nights are long and the air is cold. For then, we value warmth in tiny cups and small furnaces while celebrating the seasonal traditions with a fresh new year. Outside, we tread through icy landscapes, tote around naked trees, go about daily errands with perhaps a little playtime; all while covered in wooly layers.
Such is the typical life for the people of Centerville, a very small town within the Armory Mall of the Seattle lands (South Queen Anne territory). There is grandness for the local Winterfest of the annual holiday season; where this hidden town is suddenly visible to the outside world. Anyone may peek inside during the right hours; to see the trains arrive on time, admire the nostalgic architecture, or just people watch. For more info, click here.
I snapped some pics of my last visit, capturing that small town life…
– Orion
I recently checked out this year’s huge seasonal Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel. Every year has a theme and this time it’s all to a galaxy far, far away.
It’s all Star Wars!! Also, the Village promotes the cause of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) for treatments and research. Children dealing with Type 1 diabetes helped with each display, working with various architecture and construction firms to make each one impressive.
I am huge sci-fi, nostalgia geek at heart. The kid in me of all ages in me cheered to this display collection of all the movies, which I enjoyed (even The Phantom Menace). I also look forward to the next chapter, The Force Awakens.
The display is open to the public and free, and it’s located near the Washington State Convention Center in Downtown Seattle, at the Sheraton hotel. The Gingerbread Village is here until January 3rd, 2016. You may also be encouraged to donate money to the (JDRF) Northwest Chapter while there. For more site and event information (and donation info), click here.
here are below are a few pics of the display. I posted a lot more with more info about on another site I post for, at strangerworlds.com. Click here for more awesomeness!
– Orion T
TRAVELING ORION 