I. Miss. Thom.

On October 30, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Being married to your best friend is a wonderful thing. The only problem with that is when your partner is gone, your soul feels incomplete. Days are an empty vacuum without your sidekick accompanying you to take on life’s adventures. Damn I’m lonely. I. Miss. Thom.

He’s been in Boise now for several weeks working on much-needed home renovations to a house we own. While we did just hire someone to do the heavy lifting, Thom is doing much of the work himself. It will be awesome when it’s done but, for now, we must live apart. I am just finishing up working a second assignment at work in addition to my day job so my life in Seattle has been super busy no doubt. Yet, when I started feeling sick this week I immediately started to panic. Who will take care of me? James is still living at home and has been a huge help with the daily walking of dogs but he can only do so much. I need my Thom.

Drinking my morning coffee, going to the gym, watching endless political news, eating, shopping, cuddling with the pups-it all seems blah without Thom. Married for 28 years, some couples by now would have formed tight friendships with others of their own gender and not rely on their partner so much but Thom and I are so happy with just being with each other that we haven’t really felt a need for that extended group of friends. Quite frankly, we would really just prefer to be with each other. I appreciate and like other people don’t get me wrong but Thom is just the funniest, smartest, kindest person I’ve ever met and I enjoy his company so much. He’s hilarious and makes me laugh every day of my life. Now, he gets to crack up Mia too!

mia-and-gigi — Mia and her GiGi taking a walk in Boise before getting ice cream.

And it’s not enough that Thom isn’t here and I’m lonely but I’m also terrifically jealous that he gets to be in Boise with our family, babysitting Mia when he’s not working on the house. Yes, my daughter will miss her daddy and Mia will miss her GiGi when he has to leave and come back to me. Oh, if we could just live in Boise full time! Dream. Unfortunately the jobs there just don’t compare to Seattle and supporting my family means that this NaiNai needs to stay the course. I will look forward to the holidays spent with the entire clan in Boise and many wonderful memories to be made.

Gabby & Chelsea-Great day to enjoy Seattle politics!

On October 23, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Seattle, UncategorizedLeave a comment

How lucky I am to live in a progressive city like Seattle where citizens rally to prevent gun violence and support the election of the first woman President. Unlike the small crowd that turned out in Boise to see Gloria Steinem last week, the liberal folks in Seattle were out in force on Saturday as I went from rally to rally. As I remarked to my friend Whitney who joined me at the Clinton rally, it was nice to be with people that share a similar passion to make a difference in our crazy world. Communities united!

First up, I found buried deep in the newspaper an article alerting me that at my local church, First United Methodist, there would be a rally to support the I-1491 initiative restricting guns access to those who threaten violence. Too often teachers, parents, etc. see tragedy coming and don’t have the tools to stop it. The I-1491 initiative is just complete common sense and gives us a chance to prevent tragedy like what happened to the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Speaking at the rally was one of the Sandy Hook moms who founded the Sandy Hook Promise that helps people recognize warning signs and intervene appropriately with potentially violent offenders as they are allowed by law. After she lobbied all the Senators to pass a background check proposal in 2013 and it failed, she didn’t quit. Just like Hillary, she kept right on working for laws that would protect us from those who would harm others and themselves with guns. Ultimately, this is all about saving lives. Common sense, right? Not to the gun lobby who would arm anyone and everyone no matter the cost.

After Governor Inslee voiced his support, he introduced Gabby Giffords who walked right up to the stage in the narthex and strongly urged us all to come together and make a difference with I-1491. “Be bold, be courageous.” Gabby is a true inspiration to us all to put aside our petty daily distractions and take on a bolder, wider purpose to help others. wp_20161022_11_46_20_rich-2

Walking to the Clinton rally afterwards, I saw Gabby, who was sitting in the front of a black Suburban SUV at a stop sign. After I gave her two thumbs up, she blew kisses to me and clapped in response. Wow, what a strong and wonderful woman she is to never give up and keep bringing her energy and positive attitude to this important fight to help so many people. I hope this initiative passes in Washington State and spreads to other states. We must give everyone the tools and power to prevent violence wherever they live.

Luckily I got to the Clinton rally early as the line was already forming, full of passionate supporters. I grabbed a spot for myself and two friends, which allowed us to sit right behind the girl scouts near the front as Chelsea spoke from the heart about her mom. An excellent speaker (she comes by it honest from both parents), she told stories of what it was like to be the daughter of the President and her mom, the soon-to-be President. She was low key, authentic and full of love for her topic of the day-electing her mom to be the first woman President. Not dwelling on the antics of Trump, she focused on the good her mom has done in her career and what she would bring to the White House. Taking many questions from the audience, primarily from the youth there, she didn’t deflect like they do in the debates and thoroughly answered the questions asked. When asked how her mom has coached her to take all the negative criticism about her family, she responded with sound advice for anyone: “When serious people give serious feedback, take it seriously. When not serious people give not serious feedback, do not take it seriously.” Well said Clintons! wp_20161022_15_29_47_rich-2

Today, I voted for Chelsea’s mom. For me, this is the most important vote for President that I have ever made. Never before did I think that the “other” candidate I did not vote for would be a disaster and ruin our country. I do feel that way about Trump. He just CANNOT be our leader. He doesn’t represent the kind and good people who live in America. He has brought out the racist, divisive and disgruntled demographic that Hillary will need to work with to improve their economic situation, to understand their anger and to ultimately move them forward to prosper in this great nation. I believe in her and know that she will represent ALL the people, even the Trump supporters. She is a better person than me and smarter than me and that’s what I look for in a President. That’s why #IMWITHHER

An Afternoon with Gloria Steinem

On October 18, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Boise, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Gloria Steinem showed up in Boise, Idaho on Monday afternoon. Amazing. Sadly, there aren’t a lot of Dems who are courageous enough to live a Blue life in a Red state so the crowd to see her was small. It’s hard and it’s discouraging to fight the tidal wave of Red. We did it for 14 years in Coeur d’Alene and while there are more Dems in Boise, especially in the North End where we have a house, Dems are still a major minority. For the few who showed up yesterday, they were treated to an intimate hour with an awesome woman who has and always will make a difference. wp_20161017_15_49_19_rich-2

As Mayor Dave Bieter, a Dem, announced to the audience when introducing Gloria, we were all in a “safe place” for the next hour spent together surrounded by Hillary election signs. Let’s enjoy it. “How many of you have been in a room where you were the only Democrat?” Hands up EVERYWHERE. Just as I have often been the only women in meetings at work, you learn how to snap to the norm of being the outsider and understanding no one will listen to your ideas. Just the way it is. You never give up and you keep working hard. That’s what Hillary does and I respect her for it.

Gloria spoke of the election and how Hillary is the most qualified candidate there ever was or probably will be but, since she is a woman, she has always had to justify her desire to do good work and aspire to be a First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State and now President. A man with ambition like that would be regaled as a strong leader, the woman a pushy bitch. Not fair but true. As far as her views on Trump, he is “a con man and not a successful business man” as he would like to boast and have everyone believe. Gloria comes from NYC and has seen his shenanigans up close and personal. She knows. wp_20161017_15_54_45_rich

When I asked her how we would need to heal as a country after Trump has brought out the violent, racist rhetoric that has frightened us all, she gave an interesting reply. The people supporting Trump are revealing their truth about themselves so we can have the opportunity to address the real underlying problems–their feeling of white entitlement and living in the past waiting for jobs vs. proactively preparing for the jobs of the future. Gloria quoted Gandhi, “The truth is revealing itself.” Those well-paying but hazardous coal mining and logging jobs aren’t coming back to Ohio and Pennsylvania and Idaho. We need to train those workers to take on new roles and spur the economy. Let’s not lie to them that once Trump makes America great again that he can restore those jobs. He can’t and he won’t. Period.

Gloria reminded us that Trump doesn’t represent the majority of the people and has always had a hard time polling above 40%. We can’t give him power to speak for the people of this country. We can’t let hate trump love and kindness and real conversation about what we need to do to further our America that is already pretty damn awesome. Thom and I often reflect that if more people had passports and travelled widely that there would be a deeper appreciation for how great America already is. Once you have seen the pollution in China or seen how hard the citizens of Hanoi work to just eat and have a roof over their heads, you can thank God that we have laws and regulations here that keeps Americans safe to breathe the air, eat the food and work in a healthy environment. We are blessed and our government system, while not perfect, protects it’s citizens.

When asked by a former Bernie supporter how to vote in this election, she encouraged him, as a lifelong socialist herself, to follow Bernie’s lead and support Clinton. Bernie did what he felt he had to do and was successful in raising important issues like college debt. Together, he and Hillary have found a compromise with a real chance of working to reduce debt for those in need. That’s Hillary’s strength and why she will be a good President. She understands mediation and finding a middle ground to get shit done. God love her and let’s get out the vote to make sure that a President Trump never happens in his or our lifetime. I’m. With. Her. wp_20161017_15_27_22_rich

Hangin’ with Bruce…Truly The Boss!

On October 1, 2016October 1, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, books, bookstores, Music, Seattle, Uncategorized, VinylLeave a comment

“This will be the best 4 seconds of my life.” Really??? My husband made this pronouncement this morning in advance of the upcoming meet and greet with Bruce. What about…hmmm…the birth of your children, marrying me, etc.? “Okay, the fourth best 4 seconds of my life.” Better. “What AM I going to wear?” Oh, Thom, settle down. Bruce is just a normal guy. “No. He. Is. Not. He is THE BOSS.” Okay, I get it and so the day began.

I made Bruce laugh!

Social media is powerful and Thom and I are wired almost every hour of the day so we found out quickly that Bruce Springsteen was going to make Seattle one of the few stops on his book tour to promote his new autobiography, Born to Run. WOW. At exactly 10 a.m. several weeks ago, we both were logged in to Elliott Bay Book Company with fingers poised and pounced on tickets (cost of the book) to get a ticket to meet Bruce, get a photo and a pre-signed book. Sold out in several minutes, tickets were later going for up to $600 on StubHub and wannabes were circling the lines today to meet Bruce begging to buy tickets or be the “plus one” for a ticket holder to meet Bruce. No way!

wp_20161001_10_22_19_rich — Thom making friends in line

I have to say that Elliott Bay Book Company had a big challenge and they did an awesome job communicating the rules often and in advance of the big event, as well as being staffed well, organized and friendly on the big day. We arrived at 10 a.m., 2 hours prior to the start time of the event and promptly got into a line with hundreds of others already lined up. We promptly fell into conversation with a lovely couple, Ollie and Fletcher, who had come up from Northern California and Tacoma. Fletcher told us stories of her dad’s love for Bruce and how, though her car had just been stolen and she was busy finishing up her degree, they had made time for this experience. Their dream is for Ollie to retire from her job and stay home to raise the kids they hope to have. They were lovely and I hope their dreams come true.

Finally, as the line moved forward, we got our blue wristbands and hands stamped in the bookstore and moved to another line, the “blue” line. By this time, we were two hours in and nature called. so off I ran to the nearest coffee shop while Thom held our place in line and made new friends, some old rockers who knew every Bruce song. Making it back in time to continue our journey towards Bruce, Thom was still in an altered state, so excited to meet his rock hero. We debated what to say in our 4 seconds with Bruce. Thom settled on thanking him for writing the songs that made up the soundtrack of his life-from the heart and meaningful.

As we gained entry to the bookstore and out of the rain that had started, we saw signs proclaiming “180 more steps to Bruce” and so forth and posters where you could share your favorite song, where you were from, your favorite Seattle sight/restaurant, etc. to keep you engaged while inching closer to The Boss. They even provided a “Spruce for Bruce” mirror to make sure you were still looking good for your photo opp. Great job, Elliott Bay, you pulled off a wonderful experience for everyone.

The bookstore staff quickly checked belongings and took your camera/phone from you so you were unencumbered and they could take the picture. Bruce was warm and friendly just like I thought he would be. Instead of a heartfelt comment, I chose to be honest but made him laugh with a sincere compliment, “You are TOO CUTE!” and then followed with a plea to keep the pressure on Trump. Seriously, HRC needs all the help she can get. He chuckled and hugged me tight and then we were done. It was truly a great 4 seconds. Afterward, we hopped over to EDM to get his new album that is the musical companion to his book that features 5 previously unreleased songs called, Chapter and Verse.

Bruce, it was great meeting you. You are a spectacular talent and inspiration to generations of fans, including me. Thom loves you too. Well done.