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All calm in a packed plane. Can't remember how I found the taxi, probably English subtitle on all the signs. As a women, I could only be driven by a women. Arrived at my condo (Airbnb) had trouble at check in but at last I reach my room. I collapsed in bed and out huge windows with a balcony I  saw the bright light show from Burj Khalifa. As I looked at the ceiling I saw an arrow on the ceiling, pointing to Mecca, there was also a  prayer mat in the drawer 

MAY. 2001

It was so long ago when I drove up to “The Rock” after getting a call saying Terry had died in a fire. 

We all knew the danger of the old propane lights and heaters. The slapped together hot tub was heated by a crab pot heater, the shower was a rain barrel. 

Rain Barrel had tiny fish?? Things swimming in it. How it was heated was inventive and dangerous. 

Terry was an “old man” (1948) telling stories. So many stories true and made up. 

It’s  funny, when I was with Terry all the artist/patrons were interested in me too! Everybody likes a character.

I can remember Chris Elliott asking me about our sex life….I told her “he was hung like an elephant “ (lots of alcohol being consumed 

So much excitement and laughter in the beginning. 

We took trails in Issaquah with him in his scooter. His wheels would get stuck (because he never stayed on the damn trail)  and other hikers had to helps us. After our adventure we would end up in a dark bar with beautiful carved dark asian wood, situated in Issaquah

The last straw in a many year relationship was “Italy” 2000

I arranged all the details, reserved a car, hotels etc I would take apart the scooter and put in the trunk.  

Exhausted

Exhausting

Dangerous, me driving all over Italy

Milan, Imola, Venice, Florence and Rome.

Exhausted. 

To Be Continued 

India was a hard country for me to visit. We spent a few days in New Delhi and then headed to Jaipur, Agra, and places in the Rajasthan area

Pushkar Fair: The primary location for buying and selling camels in India is the state of Rajasthan. (The world renowned Pushkar Mela) It was hard to look at the camels with chains and rings attached to nose and legs.

Its been hot and humid and thick layers of smog, brick manufacturing dirty smoke. We each got sick, our lungs hurt, our eyes were swollen and we are so far from home. Medicines were purchased without English translation. 

I survived

In Delhi we visited an organization that helped homeless kids at the railroad station. We were advised never to give money to beggars, even if they are mothers with babies. Often the babies are not theirs and in the older times kids would have their hands, legs chopped off to get sympathy from the tourist. Gangs controlled the women and kids.

 I never felt the rhythm of the streets, never ventured on my own. City was full of men, everything was foreign, scary.

 We were part of Road Scholars and we were to stay in a small village and teach the children English. I was very unprepared, this isn’t my usual travel gig.

Kids were not to walk alone in the country side because of men who would rape them. 

There were 5 of us in the group plus different tour guides. My roommate was a very opinionated women and I felt she was always correcting me. I hated her. 

At one point on our bus tour from one spot to another our bus scratched the bottom of an old bridge. Everyone got off the bus to figure out our next move….I guess the driver decided to continue on with a dented roof.

In 2023 I stayed 2 weeks in London at Christine’s Airbnb in the heart of Soho. 18th century property with a history. Christine talked about her love of Trump and her brother in New York who knew all the political secrets. She told me tent cities were being created in the desert for thousands of people, jails to hold criminals. Now, 2 years later we have “Alligator Alcatraz”. 

I thought she was bat shit crazy. Today, her stories are unfolding in real time.

I have been working on you today. Back and forth I think…remove my farm workers images. But then, Debbie spent a year traveling the states and supporting Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta’s farmworkers movement. Today I saw a message on FB giving street names and saying “it's freezing here” We are witnessing the mass deportation of our illegal Mexican farm etc workers.  We are helpless, I turn on tv and smoke some pot outside and think about all the bugs living and flying around my plants

X

BREAKING: 5 Republican states are planning to copy Florida’s new illegal immigration facility-“Alligator Alcatraz.”

White Swan 

Everyone Beware off mission rd.Who has animals.About a week ago there were three dogs in my neighbors pasture chasing a heifer biting her. I yelled and they ran. Well today they killed nine of my sheep and 5 severely injured not sure if they are gonna make it. I caught the one in with sheep still brown skinny one. Well just 5 minutes ago caught all three up in sheep ad calves again. It’s a black with white chest Shepard type dog, the brown skinny one, and didn’t see the other. They are killers everyone with livestock BEWARE!

This afternoon Amanda is going to Daves to help with his upcoming surgery. Temperature today will hit 86, Not sure what projects I can do in sunroom or outside. 

Constant Trump talking on tv and radio. Republicans always referring to our great President Trump in all their statements. Demorcates are always in defense mode. Lets figure this out. Yes, our boarders should be closed to illegals and drugs. Yes, there should be no illegals in the country. Business owners should be responsible for hiring undocumented people. Its always good to review government jobs and waste in government. 

BUT: Not this way……Lets get BUSINESS OWNERS TO signed up legally for temporary jobs in restaurants, farms, hotels etc etc.using people outside the US. 

The dinner party Friday May 22 7pm Joyale Seafood Seattle WA

I drove from Mt Vernon to Li’s house in Sandpoint. We hopped in her Mustang and drove to the international district. I knew Jane, Ranalto, Curtis, Li, Matthew and was introduced to a new addition, Richard Spaulding.

I wore my new $7 dress from Bellingham, Whatcom Humane Socierty Thrift store. “One must have a little uniqueness”

This is a picture of Matthew Kangas

From the Internet: “Kangas has reviewed work by the best know artists of the Northwest as well as national and international artists.”

Li Turner: “Often my paintings are my protest and my voice. I have spent decades painting the struggles and resilience I witness. Misogyny, greed and environmental destruction are not new, but they are urgent and art must bear witness,”

Curtis Erpelding: “My design interests and inspirations have always been ellectic. Scandinavian modern design and traditional Japanese wood joinery as well as the classic styles of 18th century England and France are important influences.”

Jane Cater: under construction

Renato Oliva: under construction

Richard Spaulding: The Mid Manhattan Library stained glass panels

Ok, now lets talk about my evening. 

At last, stimulating conversation, loud and soft

This evening was created by Matthew and I am so happy I was included. The end of the dinner we were all to read our fortune cookies. “Sue, why don’t you go first”

I didn’t read the instructions so I started making shit up, NO, read the other side and add IN BED (huh?)

Example: You find good fortune in the coming days IN BED

   HAHAHA

We were the only ones in the restaurant, there was one waitress and I don’t know who cooked. The meal was delicious, but why just us?

The waitress had to substitute one of the food items AND served the red wine chilled….OH GOD NOT RED CHILLED. The great curmudgeon was very upset. Tactic is not the curmudgeons strong point. Asian waitress acted like she did not understand and much complaining still didn’t help her understand. (Or did she?)

You got to love women, “so sorry, its ok,” sympathy nods.

    I’m thinking, yep, you do not chill RED, but I drank it

We started with 2 whites, maybe one is prosecco

Renato was wearing a traditional Chinese jacket and hat and asked if we got the message to dress in costume. Hahaha (see me in his hat)

We talked about courtesans, mistresses, and Picasso and Hemingway and their women abuse.

I have read in the past about foot binding,  ladies in late imperial China, and I am reading again adding to my information on “lotus feet” (chanzu) 

“Foot binding was a status symbol of wealth, a mark of supreme feminine beauty, and a way to control women”

I may have brought up the topic of masturbation, but that usually happens after two glasses of

wine:(

Matthew is off to Romania and Jane may join him

Jane is off to California first.

We talked about where to meet next, we like the Sorrento Hotel and of course Li will have her

summer outside party in July.

Richard seemed SO EXCITED to get together with us soon.

What do you call human....I can look around the world and see so much of the past in their present. At what point will the nations of the world come together and use 3/4 of the earth surface  water for all life. 

What is the role of the artist....I am screaming to have you see inside my mind....and I am screaming in my mind to create what I see. 

Talk to me, see me, hear me, acknowledge me. Humans are craving for this...I am craving this. 

People are now able to create worlds that are not real,...., creative worlds done so brilliantly by computer intervention. 

I follow artist in Skagit valley and the world. You do amaze me....and you are underwhelming. 

Artist....we/I have the need to create and expose....

All creative people...and I am talking about all types of art. Writer, poets, dancers, actors, sculpture....and now video is enveloping all. 

Pandemic....will this be the beginning of future life.We knew of such sickness in poor areas of the world but no here in the richer countries. At what time do we realize the world is here...landing at every airport. 

Thank you for reading my rant