Scallop

Oh the winter sick, sleepless nights, doing child's pose in the shower till the water runs cold. Finishing to the last liquid drop of liquid suck. Good friends saying, "Be careful." Post the half, took a turn for the wear; a forced week off. The universe decided. I've had to cancel long runs & workouts & wine tastings, but was not about to cancel a weekend in Seattle.

After toast, avocado, eggs & coffee on the deck beneath the sun, watching the people set up the farmer's market, we loaded the car with wine & bubbles, fresh clothes & lattes. Went shoe-shopping. Checked into the hotel. Walked in the sun beneath the buildings, sipping beer at an irish pub, the sun in full exposure, buying pussywillow branches from the market and leaning over the freeway overpass for a rush of air.

The boutique hotel box, top floor, corner, a treat from the host who chose the room she'd most want, for us. Champagne and dressing. Free beer hour in the lobby, watching the people mingle below the pop art. Grabbing cocktails before dinner, then meeting friends at wild ginger for apps & the first breath of a good red. Shared entrees of something like lobster pad thai & scallops & all the meats in all the sauces in which blends a savory experience where I can't remember eating, but I remember the feeling of eating & that feeling was holy. Two bottles of wine, and did I put my coat on, and why did we leave, and where were we going, and what were we evening talking about? to zig zag for a night cap when the night surely ended in the holy experience of buttery scalloped inhales...but onward! Walking the night in the city, the hills on our calves. Sleeping, but not, because, because, the cough came in fully angered from the sweet sauces and tannic sips. Slept till late morning - a rarity. The benefits of good wine - no hang over. We need grease. We need five point. A gritty, ironic, but lovable place, made more lovable for the storm trooper 3 year old in booth seat behind. Not for the the septum piercings and tattoos and dreads and constant flirtation over too-quick-to-be-made irish coffees. But Jaws was on & the breakfast was indeed greasy.

Podcasts on the way home. Then back to back viewings of the Star Trek films, which were spocking awesome. And then it was monday, and we had fully lived & were full & the sick is still here, but I'm done with it. You had your week.