Tag Archives: Washington State

Go Seahawks! Also – TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS!

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Go Seahawks! Also yay to TRUTH JUSTICE and KINDNESS.

When I drove by the courthouse just before noon, there was only one sign-holder there. I honked in support, then I parked my car and pulled out my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign to join him on the corner. Dylan had started back to his bike by the time I got out of my car, but when he saw me, he turned around and came back to join me on the corner.

Dylan was so fun! I think what had brought him to the courthouse with his sign was the same thing that had brought me today – the murders in Minnesota. But, in spite of the fact that we were drawn there by tragedy, Dylan was one of those people it’s easy to laugh with, too.

I’d worn my Seahawks shirt today, and I found that when people looked grumpy at seeing my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign, all I had to do was reveal my Seahawks shirt and yell “Go Seahawks!” and they’d start laughing and give me the thumbs up. Dylan said I should have had “Go Seahawks!” on the other side of my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign and then I could just flip it back and forth, depending on our audience. 😃

Not long after Dylan and I joined forces on the corner, another sign-bearer joined us: my FB friend, Tele. Now we were three! I introduced Dylan and Tele to each other and we got a group photo. Dylan had to leave to get to work then, but just about the time Dylan left, we were joined by Teri. And then Kelsey joined us. I introduced myself as the Karen in the group – because every group needs one – and we had fun putting our names together: Tele, Teri, Kelsey, and Karen. I love alliteration.

I’d been parked for an hour by then, in a spot that was limited to an hour, and it was time for me to go. But I so enjoyed connecting with Dylan and the two Ts and the other K.

I drove to Fred’s with the idea of getting a mocha and maybe a pastry. Sitting outside the store was a man, holding a sign for help. I asked him if I could get him a coffee and he said that would be nice. I asked him what kind he’d like and he said a mocha would be good.

The store was full of Seahawks fans – blue and green everywhere. I’m glad I’d worn my Seahawks shirt today.

Just inside the store was a rack of little pies on sale for 50 cents each. I got two of those – one for the man outside, and one for myself – and then ordered two mochas from the baristas.

I brought the man his mocha and asked him if he liked pies – which he did. He thanked me for the pie and mocha, and said, “God bless.” And I wished him well.

And now I’m home, watching the Broncos and Patriots do battle in the snow. Pretty soon the Seahawks will take to the field in Seattle.

Go Seahawks! Also TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS!

Rallying for Kindness

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I had such fun today!

I started my to-do list with a trip to the bank. There was a man with a Latino accent next to me at the counter, and we made small talk for a while while the bankers took care of us. We both finished our business at the same time, and exited the bank, smiled and wished each other a good day. And then he put out his arms for a hug! I was so touched by this. We hugged and then I unzipped my fleece jacket and showed him I was wearing my “EVERYONE IS WELCOME HERE” shirt. His face lit up in a big smile and he thanked me.

After the bank, I drove into Mount Vernon and parked near the Red Apple market. I brought out my “TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS” sign and brought it with me as I walked, first, to the courthouse – to put my school levy ballot in the courthouse ballot box – and then down to the Co-Op for a breve.

As I walked to the Co-Op with my sign, a couple of people honked and gave me a thumbs up, and one person yelled out her window, “I love your sign!” That made me smile.

I passed a shop window with wedding dresses topped with Seahawks t-shirts, and that made my smile even bigger. 😃

When I got to the Co-Op, I gave my breve order to a cheery cashier named Annabelle. When Annabelle asked for a name to put on my breve, I cringed and said, “Karen. It’s so embarrassing.”

Annabelle started laughing and said, “So you know about that?” And then she said, “But you’re one of the nice Karens.” And then, of course, I had to take her picture because she was so cool.

Annabelle told me my drink was going to take about ten minutes – they were very busy at the Co-Op today – and I let her know that wasn’t a problem.

As I’d been walking to the Co-Op, I’d gotten it into my noggin that I wanted a picture of me holding my sign underneath the painting of my friend, the late great John “Peace Wizard” Bromet, that was hanging in the Co-Op. I trusted I would find the right person to take the picture for me when the time came. And I did! As soon as I started up the stairs to the loft, I spied a man sitting at a table facing me, and I just knew he was the man I needed for this job! I approached him and asked him (I learned his name was Andy) if he could take the photo for me. Andy smiled and said of course he could do that for me.

Then I went back downstairs to see if my breve was ready, and this is when I heard someone calling my name. I looked over to see my old friend, Pat, sitting at a table with a buddy. Pat introduced me to his friend, Nils, as the daughter of Dee Molenaar – Nils is a mountaineer and had heard of Dad. He asked my name and I said, “Karen. Because every place needs a Karen, right?” Nils and Pat laughed and we chatted for a while, then my breve was ready, and I brought it with me back down the street to the courthouse for the noon rally.

I saw the regular noon rally crew there – Marilyn and John and Ginny – but there was a whole host of new people I hadn’t met before, too. Across the street there was a young man dancing to music and holding his rally sign, and I just had to join the “dancing man.” I learned the dancing man’s name is Isaac, and that he’s involved with the Community-to-Community organization. Isaac had picked out the music that was playing over the loudspeakers and it was great! One of my favorites was “A Change is Gonna Come.” How perfect!

I’d Been Waiting for Years to Capture This Moment

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I love Cy of Village Books. She never fails to make me smile. Today she was bopping all over the store – cashiering, manning the information desk, fetching books, giving people (me) the key to the restroom – AND she took the time to spend a few minutes chatting with me about how to prepare the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving (it involves putting an orange inside it). She brings me joy.

Regarding the cormorant photo – I belong to a group called “Crap Bird Photography” – and I’ve been waiting for maybe years to capture this moment. I don’t think any further explanation is necessary. 🙂

I was standing behind a young man at Wood’s who had a cap that said “annoyed” on the back of it and – maybe because I’m a former middle school teacher? – this just totally tickled me. I debated tapping him on the shoulder to find out more about his cap – but… would that be annoying? 😃 Finally, I could not help myself and I tapped. He turned around (he looked very much like my eldest son!) and I told him I liked his hat and asked him about it. He smiled and explained that “annoyed” was a brand name, and then he graciously agreed to let me get a photo.

At the top of the ramp to Taylor Dock I looked over and saw a sweet little family of deer – a doe and two youngsters – grazing just behind the fence. They didn’t seem at all perturbed by my snapping camera, and calmly moved underneath the ramp to munch on the apples under the tree, and get out of the drizzle.

The lights in Fairhaven were beautiful last night – reflected on the wet sidewalks and Village Green.

My NEXUS Interview and Other Fun Stuff in the Border Town

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I had an appointment at the Blaine Trusted Traveler Enrollment Center this morning, to interview for my NEXUS pass. I’ve known about this appointment for four months, and for four months I’ve stressed about it. Would I remember to bring all the right papers with me? When I was filling out the application, I’d accidentally answered the question about countries I’ve been to in the last five years by clicking on the “Austria” bubble instead of the “Australia” one – would that get me in trouble? Would there be anyone to laugh with me at the office – or would it be a very serious and solemn place?

I’d asked Scott to come with me – I told him I’d buy him breakfast afterwards. I really didn’t want to go there alone.

As soon as we stepped through the door into the office, I was greeted by a friendly man behind the counter named James. I told him I’d gotten there early, and he smiled and said he’d go ahead and take my birth certificate and passport and see if he could get me in sooner than scheduled.

Scott and I took a seat in the waiting area. There was a big-screen tv showing children’s cartoons set up to one side, and that made me smile. How thoughtful!

Soon I was called to be interviewed by an American agent who, I learned, was originally from Puerto Rico. She did a great job talking me through the interview and I told her that she would make a good teacher. She told me she actually had been a teacher in a previous career. I told her about answering the question with “Austria” instead of “Australia” – and told her I’d been a social studies teacher, and I was embarrassed that I’d clicked the wrong country. She smiled and said not to worry, she wouldn’t tell anyone – and she changed the answer for me in her computer.

I took two or three steps to the right, to talk to the Canadian agent now. He was smiling, and told me he’d been terrible at social studies. I told him that later in my career I’d had the opportunity to teach every subject – including trigonometry and geometry. He laughed and said that, because he was Asian, people often assumed he should be good at math – but he’d been terrible at math until he’d gotten the right math teacher in high school, and then math had become his favorite subject. I agreed with him that the right teacher can make all the difference.

And then – just like that – I was done!

It was time to take Scott to breakfast now, and I had in mind a little bakery in Blaine I’d visited last spring. Scott drove us into Blaine, and I pointed past the construction going on there, and told him the place I was thinking of was on the other side of that. So he parked the car, and we walked around the construction fences, past the vape shop, and into the L&L Bakery.

I love that place! There were four or five other pairs of friends there, chatting and drinking coffee at small tables; the walls are covered in colorful art; and the display case at the counter is filled with pastries and cookies, and quiches. It’s one of those places that just wraps you up in a welcoming hug when you walk in.

Lili, the owner, and Megan, were cheery and fun, and let me snap their picture behind the counter. Scott and I ate our quiches (jalapeno for him; vegetarian for me) and drank our coffees and chatted with Lili about the restaurant business, and the value of the community meeting place she and her mom (the other owner) are providing for Blaine.

After we left the bakery, Scott and I wandered through town, soaking up the Blaine vibes. There are Christmas decorations up in parts of the town; and cool murals on the walls; several “parklets” scattered along the main road; and a wide range of restaurants – Hawaiian, Mexican, Thai, a steakhouse, and a couple diners. It’s a really cool little town.

So this day that I’ve been anticipating for four months – this day that I was so stressed about – ended up bringing Scott and I new friends and good food, and a nice walk through autumn leaves.

Trust, Karen. Kindness is everywhere.

The Squalicum Pigeon Rescue

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When I left for Bellingham this morning, my intent was to take a walk on the boardwalk. But when I got up there I felt impelled, instead, to head for the Squalicum Pier. I parked in that little parking lot above the pier, and took the trail down. As I came to the pier, I noticed something flapping rhythmically in the water. Was I looking at a seal head? Or…? I snapped some pictures with my camera – and clicked on my camera’s magnifier to make the picture bigger in my viewfinder. I realized I was looking at a bird – and not the kind that normally hangs out in the water – I was looking at a bird that was using its wings to try to swim to shore. Just as I was getting out my cellphone to record a video, I saw a dog on the beach focus in on the bird and start to wade into the water towards it. “Uh oh.”

I heard the pup’s human ask her fur baby, “Did you see a fish?”

I called down, “I think it’s a bird.”

“A bird?”

“Yeah.”

Then I saw the pup’s human wade out into the water and attach the pup to a leash to bring it back to the beach. I called down, “Is the bird alright?” And I think she said yes, but I was having a hard time hearing her, so I told her I’d come down to the beach.

When I got down there, Elizabeth and I introduced ourselves to each other, and Elizabeth introduced me to her furry companion, Phoebe. (Look at that face!) Elizabeth told me the bird was a pigeon – and it looked like a young one – it still had a few little baby feathers coming out of its head. She said if I could hold Phoebe on her leash away from the water, she’d wade back in and retrieve the pigeon.

Elizabeth is a hero!

She waded in and brought the little pigeon back to the beach, tucked under her arm to keep it warm. As the pigeon warmed up, Elizabeth and I chatted, and laughed at the antics of Phoebe, who was having fun shaking Elizabeth’s hoody and investigating all the cool smells that can be found on a beach.

By the time we parted, the pigeon was looking much better (Elizabeth later texted me to tell me it looked like it was going to be just fine), and I’d made two new friends – one human and one canine.

I’m so glad I listened to the voice that told me to go Squalicum Pier today.

Magic Was Waiting for Me!

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July 26:
Magic, my friends! I got out of bed (I was sorely tempted to stay there) and the Cosmos rewarded me with bounteous gifts!

My original thought was to go to Fred’s for some quick grocery-shopping – I wanted eggs to make a quiche – but when I got to the roundabout I found myself taking the exit to I-5, heading south to Mount Vernon. And when I got to Mount Vernon I discovered there was a Farmers Market going on there.

What a happy place! – fresh fruits and veggies, woodcraft and art, honey and baked goods, kind people and smiling babies, and music!

I bought a bracelet from Jess, raspberries from Harrison, and honey from Jen. And I found perfect magic when I heard a beautiful voice singing under the busker’s tent. Isabella is a gifted musician – and, as it turns out, she wasn’t even the featured artist! The musician actually scheduled to play had loaned Isabella his guitar, and invited her to sing a song. Isabella has only been playing guitar for a year, and she’s still in high school – but she has the presence and poise of a professional performer. I was blown away by her music.

As I was about to leave, I saw my dear friend, Claudia, sitting on a bench, waiting for a bus. I haven’t seen Claudia for months and I’ve missed her – so to find her, unexpectedly, at the Farmers Market was another gift from the Cosmos. We hugged and greeted each other, and she told me what she’d been able to find at the Farmers Market – this included eggs. “Eggs! I was going to stop at Fred’s and get eggs! Are there eggs here?!” Claudia pointed towards the market and I could clearly see a sign for “EGGS” – how I’d missed this before, I do not know.

I hugged Claudia good bye as she went to get on her bus, and then I went to fetch myself some eggs from John at his stand.

When I turned around, I saw another dear friend – Ann – standing in front of me! Ann and I hugged and sat on the bench and got caught up – talked about family and life. Ann has a calm, gentle presence, and I think the Cosmos must have known that’s what I needed today.

I have now made quiche from the eggs John sold me, and raspberry jam from the raspberries I bought from the Lopez farmstand.

I’m so glad I got out of bed today. Magic was waiting for me!

Pictured in the collage: Clark, Apolonia, Dru, Harrison, Jess, John, Jen, Roberta, and officers from the Mount Vernon Police Dept.

Also pictured: Logan, LDS missionaries Watkins and Hawkins; Isabella singing.

Bellingham Smiles

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Another great walk this morning in Bellingham – I always find the smiles I need there, and the joy.

My first smile came when I was waiting to cross the street from Fairhaven Green to the path to Boulevard Park. A man in a delivery truck was trying to back up across 10th Street and onto Mill Ave. I stood back so he didn’t need to worry about me crossing the street, and could do what he needed to do. I could tell he was working really hard to navigate his truck backwards through the crosswalk, and when he got to the other side of the crosswalk and was finally able to stop and go forward, I saw him let out one of those “Whew!” sighs. I could relate to his human-ness in that moment and started grinning in human camaraderie. He happened to look over at me and saw me smiling. He smiled a big smile back and waved. That wave totally made my day.

I started down the path and saw a squirrel busily gathering his morning meal – nuts probably. He stayed still long enough for me to get some quick pictures, and then scampered off with his loot.

As I neared the ramp to Taylor Dock, I spotted a bunny hopping this way and then that way and then back the first way and, finally, stopping in the middle of the street. There was a youngish man on the other side of the bunny, watching its antics, a grin on his face. When the bunny finally hopped off into the bushes, the man and I made eye contact and smiled at each other. “Talk about a funny bunny,” he said, laughing. And then we both continued on our separate journeys. But I love those quick moments when we share an experience like that with someone else, and connect briefly.

Down at Boulevard Park I saw a crow showing off his morning snack – a crab leg maybe? – and soon three or four other crows showed up to try to snatch it from him. Crows crack me up.

I really needed my morning walk today. I needed the smiles.

(You can find more stories like this in my book, Cosmic Connections: Sharing the Joy.)

Cupcakes, Sunshine, and New Friends

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Here’s a link to the podcast.

What a gift of a day! I drove into Mount Vernon to run some errands and to see how the downtown was preparing for the up-coming tulip festival.

I bought a mocha at the co-op and took it up to the river waterfront to soak up the sunshine while I sipped it.

A man holding hands with a toddler was enjoying the sunshine by the riverfront, too. We smiled at each other, and I smiled at the tot – remembering my own sons at that age. Pretty soon the man approached me and opened conversation. He introduced himself as Serge. He said he was from Ukraine, and that his wife and son had just joined him in America at the end of December. He said his wife and son, Daniel, didn’t speak English, yet – but I could tell as I watched Daniel watching me, that it wouldn’t be long before the little one was fluent. The tot was shy with me at first – and maybe a little scared – but he warmed up to me and, eventually, smiled back at me – and that was magic! Serge said that when Daniel saw planes flying overhead it scared him – because of his experience with the war – but that Daniel was getting more comfortable with planes now. Serge’s wife joined him then and smiled and waved. I welcomed her to America – and Serge translated my words for her. They left then, to wander some more in the sunshine. I was so glad I had a chance to connect with them today.

I walked back down to First Street – cupcakes from Shambala Bakery on my mind. As I shambled towards Shambala I saw a woman put a blanket over a man who was sleeping on the sidewalk. That really touched me. I asked her if the man was alright, and she said yes, but that she feels the need to care for people – and she felt he needed a blanket. I found myself tearing up at her kindness. I felt a kinship with this woman – who I learned was named Jody – and we gave each other a parting hug before I continued on my cupcake mission.

I opened the door to the bakery and hopped to the the case full of cupcakes. So many cupcakes! How to choose?! I decided I’d get the one with banana frosting for my husband, and get myself an orange cupcake. Then I asked the sales person what her favorite was – and she pointed to the chocolate ones with raspberry frosting – so I decided to get one of those instead of the cupcake with banana frosting.

I left with my cupcake loot, and hadn’t gotten very far when I came upon a young man standing on the sidewalk, surrounded by baggage. I asked him if he was hungry, and he said yes. I asked him if he’d like an orange cupcake – and he said that sounded great, thank you. So I gave him the orange cupcake – I’m so glad I had something to give him! – and then went back to the bakery to fetch myself another one.

When I got home from my trip to Mount Vernon, I wasn’t ready to go inside, yet. I pulled a weed. Then another. Then I grabbed the garden claw and settled in for some major buttercup pulling. It felt good to feel the soft earth around my hands. When I was done with that little patch of garden, I pulled out our electric lawn mower and mowed the front yard. The grass was all shiny and green. I breathed in the spring smells and felt the warmth of the sunshine on my face.

It has been a lovely day.
-Karen Molenaar Terrell

I Collected Smiles Today

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Bellingham, Washington:
Walked my walk on the boardwalk. Before I drove home, I thought I’d check with the youngest son and his wife and see if there was anything I could bring them. The answer: A fruit smoothie.

I drove to the juicer place (Refresh Juice) on Cornwall, but it wasn’t open, yet, so I walked to the vegan bakery (Wild Oat Bakery and Cafe) down the street to see what I might find there. And I found all kinds of fun there. I ended up buying a slice of banana nut bread for the son and a cupcake for myself and had a cheery conversation with Nolan who was manning the counter.

I left with my loot and saw a young man with a sleeping bag. I thought he probably needed the cupcake more than me and offered it to him. He happily accepted it.

Then a young woman in a sleeping bag called out a hello to me. I asked her if there was something I could get her and she said a bag of chips. “Just chips?” I asked. “Could I get you something from the bakery?” She said that would be great.

So I went back to Nolan and explained my situation. Nolan started grinning when I told him I’d given away my cupcake. “Spreading the love!” he said. I told him it had started with his kind smile. I bought a scone for the woman and a cookie for myself and told Nolan he might be seeing me again in a few minutes. He started cracking up.

I brought the scone to the woman and went to the juice store. It wasn’t open, yet, but I thought I’d just work on my word puzzles while I waited. The juice shop ended up opening five minutes early and I was the first customer. Teagan and Kristen were fun and efficient and quickly presented me with the smoothie for my son and friendly smiles to take with me. They let me take their photo.

Now I went back to Nolan and asked him if I could take his picture, too. He graciously agreed. I announced to all my fellow patrons that Bellingham is full of the nicest people and, on that note, made my exit.

I stopped by the sock shop (Crazy Socks) on my way back to my car – I wanted to get some socks for my daughter-in-law. Reed was working the counter there and quickly helped me find some cat socks and a pair of otter socks, too. And, of course, I had to take a picture of Reed.

Socks, banana bread, and smoothie were successfully delivered to the son and daughter-in-law, and I brought home all the smiles I’d collected for myself.
-Karen Molenaar Terrell
(Originally publised on bellinghambayblog.wordpress.com.)

Last Sunset of 2022

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Bow, Washington. USA.

(Photo by Karen Molenaar Terrell.)