Installation Art..........

Well, I have been walking, although I haven't been posting much.

I've been trying to walk a few more hills for aerobic exercise. And since there aren't a lot of hills at the beach, I have had to go "inland" a bit. One morning this week I was slogging through a downpour in some nondescript residentical area and came face to face with this. Yes, it is a phone pole decorated with wads of chewed up gum. And it looks as if at one time the pieces of gum were arranged in the shape of a heart.

Oh, the speculations that came up with this one. It does seem as if there are so many pieces of gum, of so many different types, that this project must be ongoing, rather than a one shot deal. Who could chew all this gum at one time? I'm wondering if there is a group of neighborhood kids who are collaborating on this. Or if there is one person who "drops their gum off" daily as they walk home from work. Or maybe two different people are carrying on a romantic conversation from a distance - each one making an equal contribution.

Don't I have a quirky mind. I'm probably the only one in West Seattle who is at all intrigued by this.

Sorry, this probably doesn't qualify as "beach walk" material. But I did get to Alki Beach later in my route, if that counts. Anyway, I'm getting too many blogs and don't need another category...........

Sitting by Magnolia's Water

In all this heat I've been trying to stay close to the water. Of course I've spent a lot of time down at Alki sitting in the comfotable breeze. But while running errands yesterday I found myself near one of my favorite fish & chips spots: Little Chinook's at Fishermen's Terminal. It was fun to sit by THEIR water (Magnolia's) for a change of pace.

A Breath of Fresh Air

It really surprised me this morning when I got down to the beach and discovered that we had a stiff North wind blowing in off the water. For some reason the water always turns navy blue when the wind is from the North. It's a Monday and the energy of summer weekend activities has dissipated.

Tai Chi at "Anchor Park"


Buddhist Monks

Small World Syndrome

So, I was out of state visiting my good friend Carol who I have known for more than 35 years (more about that trip later when I have time). We got to talking about her cousin who is also an artist. Who is a sculptor in Seattle. Who was fascinated by Cowboys and Indians when he was a kid. Who makes outdoor re-creations of famous Western cowboy and indian battle scenes. And is making one to install on the beach near San Francisco.

Got it yet? That's right. Her cousin is none other than Thom Ross, the artist whose work was seen briefly on Alki Beach this spring. More info about him can be seen in the May 27th post below.

The moral to the story is to always mind your P's and Q's because you never know who knows who.

Beach Glitter, etc.

Beach Glitter


Pirate Flag at Blue Bottle Park


Checkerboard Shell on the Bulkhead


Grayscale Evening


Dancing on the Beach. This was the first time I had seen this. Someone had taped together a large number of cardboard sheets and laid them on the sand as a dance floor. These dancers were really good and seemed to be having fabulous fun as well.

JOHNSTONS' FLAG

Happy Fourth of July. It's good to be back in town. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I've really missed walking the beach.

Jack Kornfield

I attended a workshop with Jack Kornfield in June. I was hoping to get some information about the relationship between creativity and meditation. He didn't say too much about that. But toward the end of the afternoon he advised, "Walk By Water." Well, I could have told him that. I walk by water every day - almost. But it was nice to hear someone like him validate what I do. Too bad this is such a bad photo. It's a phone photo. I didn't want to start taking photos of him like I was some kind of a groupie.