Interrupted

My Life Thus Far
2017-01-06 23:39:34 (UTC)

In Our Lives, And In My Mind

With everything going on - in our lives, and in my mind - it was really, REALLY cathartic having a good day. It's become such a rarity in my world, I'm almost expecting something terrible to happen in the 20 minutes left of this day. I won't allow myself to entertain that level of negative self-though, even if it is just for 20 minutes.


Snookums was in such a good mood today! I wasn't expecting that since he worked graveyard, went to school, and did a 4.5 mile hike with me. He was attentive, held conversation, and was just all around fun to be with. I think that in and of itself helped me have such a great day. He was just as interested in exploring Fort Worden as I was. It was new to both of us.

After hearing about everything I "discovered" yesterday, Snookums was excited to see everything, too. We went the opposite direction from where I started yesterday. Most of the trails are the old military roads now only traversed by foot, bikes, and the occasional ranger vehicle. They're easy to walk, clearly marked, so it's not complicated hiking the various loops and turns. We visited the new bunkers and batteries, then walked the Chinese Garden trails (actual trails, not roads).

I'm still unsure why they call the area around the lagoon Chinese Gardens. There are no gardens. Just the lagoon, tall grass, marshland, and the trails. The best I could find, back in the mid to late 1800's there was a significant Chinese population. Immigrants both passing through (since Port Townsend was a principal seaport destination from Asian countries) and settled. They had a thriving community (in the area of Chinese Garden, I think, but I'm not 100% sure on that) and a prosperous Chinatown located downtown with the other shops on Water St. There was a fire and only the white owned businesses were saved from the flames. That and the increased hostility towards Chinese immigrants, the population dwindled from over 500 to almost none. Even today, there are only 100 or so people of Asian ancestry in the town. Crazy. You'd think there'd be more, but no. So Chinese Gardens is either an homage to their existence in the area, or the area where they settled for a time. It's the only thing in Fort Worden not given a detailed sign with a clear history. Yet another slight to the Chinese people.

Instead of a pricey dinner (we really can't afford) we went to Better Living Through Coffee (the little hole in the wall coffee shop I love so much) and had lattes and lentil soup. A humble meal, but so warm and filling after an afternoon in the cold (and it is still SO cold). I just love the ambiance of BLTC. It's very hipster, but I'm into that scene. It's one of the reasons I wish I lived in Port Townsend. One of several reasons, actually. Snookums is warming up to the idea.

I ran myself a nice hot bath and started reading The Vegetarian. The book I got from Phoenix Rising yesterday. One of the reviews say it's hypnotically strange, sad, beautiful and compelling. So far I've stumbled upon a bit of strange, a teeny bit of violence, and definitely some profound sadness. I can't even explain fully what's going on. The only thing I have a good grasp on is that she's gone strict vegetarian (vegan by western standards. No meat, milk, dairy and she's given up her leather shoes so far) and it's affecting the relationship dynamics with her oppressive family (husband, mother, father, brother, brother-in-law, and sister). The page I just finished was her getting beaten by her father for defying him when he told her to eat a piece of sweet and sour pork. The book is translated from Korean and you'd never now it, it flows beautifully.




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