November 1st 2009

Today has been a great day. It started with the fog rolling in over the Puget Sound, shrouding Vashon Island in a suitably mysterious veil for the day after Halloween.

We had a party last night with some of our best friends here in Tacoma. It was a wonderful opportunity to share fun with them and let them know how grateful we are to know them and benefit from their kindness. We love you guys, you know who you are! Trick or Treating on North Yakima is something akin to taking a stroll through a movie set. Shoals of eager faces caked in face paint and fake blood move up and down the street visiting neighbours and gathering candy. The eager participants decorate their front yards with all manner of ghoulish acessories and allow the passing spry to wander on their property and take their goods. The grown ups join in too, ofcourse. Now as you all know, the Corkes are never ones to turn down the chance of a fancy dress (this turn of phrase caused much confusion. Fancy dress here = black tie. Costume is the correct word). So in we dove. As did the Burkes. Thankfully, little to no photographic evidence exists of the evening and I feel that this is best to preserve the dignity of all concerned. Lets just say the words flannel onesie and speedskating lycra and leave it at that.

Sunday brought the joys of tidying up, de-spidering the living room, discovering drinking glasses in unusual places and general homeliness. Then we talked with Rachel on Skype and got ready to experience a more well-rounded cultural event relating to those passed - Dia de los Muertos. This is the Mexican tradition of the 'Day of the Dead' where friends and relatives and remembered and celebrated. The event was at the local art museum. It is fascinating to have what is as close to an authentic experience of this culture as we're going to get here in Tacoma. The art, music and dance was mesmorizing, as was the people watching. We stood for a good 30 minutes simply observing the crowds unfold below us. All this set to the backdrop of a glorious autumn day with Mt. Rainier clear as it ever has been, proud and majestic with its fresh snow fall.

Next on the agenda was a visit to the local second hand shop Urban Exchange in search of cowboy boots for me. My feet are wide. Very wide. I searched two and a half years for my last pair of boots. The chances of ever finding a pair of pinch-toed cowboy boots that I could tolerate were slim. And then....Bam. There they were! I am now the proud owner of a pair of dark brown boots that will grace the floor of Heathrow airport.

Finally to top it all off I have just been for a walk to the water for my daily commune with nature. I was standing on the pier soaking up the purples, pinks, oranges, browns...the whole gamut of fall colours, silently discussing life, the universe and everything with a seagull and hearing the full moon sending its beam of light across the water to me. And then up popped a harbor seal. Perfect.

I returned home to find Tony engrossed in a whole nother level of hummus making. He has found the zen of chickpeas. Diners, prepare thyselves.