The Way I See It

Kayla in the Governor's Chair

Kayla Shumate, age 10, traveling with grandmother, posting from Honolulu, Hawaii –G mom and I went to the capitol building. It was raining mist. We rode the trolley all the way there. We ran in to stay dry. When we walked in I saw rain falling from a hole in the center. G mom and I both took pictures of the opening from floor 1.It is open so people can see the sky. We went to the nearest elevator and G mom wanted to go to the highest point which was floor 5. We stopped along the way for other people to get on. The people asked where we visited from and we said Seattle. And they always said you brought the rain with you! We finally reached floor 5. I took more pictures of the opening at that floor. G mom and I saw the lieutenant governor’s office. We went in there first. There were some pictures in the lobby. We went to the other side which was the governor’s office. There were artifacts there. But best of all I got to sit in a very special seat. » read more

Welcome to Honolulu

Linda Burton posting from Honolulu, Hawaii – “I see the ocean!” Granddaughter Kayla began the day with this revelation; yes, there was ocean-blue a few blocks away, we could see it between the high-rise hotels that now define Waikiki Beach. Directly below our balcony was an oasis of green; that has to be the International Market, we surmised, looking over a tourist map. “Let’s get unpacked,” I said. “Let’s get outside!” Kayla said. All the weariness from yesterday disappeared during the night; we unzipped our bags and dumped out shirts and shorts and underwear; divvied up the dresser drawers. “Look at this,” I said, finding both the Holy Bible and the Teaching of Buddha in the nightstand drawer. I propped the two between my traveling talismans, an angel-on-watch, the fearless lion, and the cat, a depression-era hobo code-sign meaning a “kind lady” lived there. “That should do it,” I smiled. “I’m ready for Honolulu.” No breakfast offerings at this hotel; we agreed to walk the neighborhood until we found a place we liked. “Even if it’s lunch?” Kayla asked. It turned out to be brunch, and our first Honolulu sticker shock. A glass of chocolate milk, $4.95. “We have to import milk,” our server explained. “It’s a small island.” » read more

The Princess in the Park

Kayla Shumate, age 10, traveling with grandmother, posting from Honolulu, Hawaii — G mom and I went to a park close by our hotel. We saw a statue of a princess in the park. Princess Ka’iulani. She was born in 1875 on October 16. Her full name was Victoria Ka’iulani Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kawekiu i Lunalilo Cleghorn. Her mother was Princess Miriam Likelike, sister to the queen. Princess Ka’iulani was to be the future queen of Hawaii. That is why she is so important to Hawaii. Princess Ka’iulani was sent to England to go to school. Princess Ka’iulani’s favorite flower was the Chinese Jasmine. She owned a few peacocks that loved her so much just like family. One day while riding her horse in the mountains of Hawaii, Princess Ka’iulani was caught in a storm and came down with a fever and pneumonia. She died at age 23. That day the Princesses peacocks screamed and cried for her to come back. She lived 1875-1899.

I got pictures of many pigeons in the park but no peacocks were there.

The Walkabout

Linda Burton posting from Honolulu, Hawaii — “Always take twice as much money and half as many clothes as you think you’ll need” was the sage advice I learned from a world traveler many years ago; I have found it to be true. Granddaughter Kayla is ready as I come driving up; her little pink suitcase-on-wheels filled with seven shirts and seven pants and skirts; seven pair of underwear; pj’s and hairbrush; that’s enough, I’d advised yesterday; we’ll do laundry there. Son Rick has cleared the carport for me to store the Scion in; I park and move my luggage to his car. It’s a long drive to SeaTac Airport; through Seattle and a middle-of-Sunday-afternoon unexplainable traffic jam. Inside to check the biggest bag; goodbyes come quick, a family can no longer stay together till the boarding call; now partings happen at Security. We pose for pictures; it’s Father’s Day; Kayla gives her Dad a really-love-you hug; take care; we’ll see you soon. The walkabout begins. » read more

Going,Going. There!

Kayla Shumate, age 10, traveling with grandmother, posting from Honolulu, Hawaii – First of all we rode on a 757-300. It has 43,000 lb. of thrust. It has two engines, Pratt and Whitney. It can go 4,722 miles without buying gas. When they turned on the engines I couldn’t hear. Half way through the flight, we had dinner. During dinner I kept falling asleep. I finally finished. After that they played a movie. You had to wear headphones to hear the movie. During the movie I didn’t watch it at all really. I did a crossword puzzle with G mom. It was fun but a little confusing. When we were allowed to unbuckle our seat belts we were over fields of clouds. When it was an hour away from landing I saw a beautiful sunset. With pink, orange and a light blue sky. When we started to land G mom’s water bottle started to cave in. That’s because the air pressure changed. When we landed I felt a big bump. We were in Honolulu!

Highland Terrace Elementary

Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington – Rockets bursting in air. I was sure that’s what I heard as I emerged from the tall fir trees at the 4-way stop. Rockets, and cheers. It was the 6^th graders rocket show taking place on the playing field at Highland Terrace Elementary; I continued to the parking lot by the office door. An Orca whale on a sign directed me to the checkin place. “Look who’s behind you,” the office secretary said, “they can direct you to Kayla’s room.” I turned around to the sight of four smiling girls, my granddaughter Kayla, and her classmates Sam (Samantha L), Mantha (Samantha R) and Sophia, ready to help with set up (once they had explained their names). One of them took my bag of notes; another took the tripod; they were missing recess and the rocket show, but didn’t seem to mind. Desktops were cleared, the postcards and brochures I’d brought about “capitols” were artfully arranged for classmates to see, the US map was pulled down, the projector was on. We were ready.  » read more

Lunch With James

Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington while traveling between Salem, Oregon and Honolulu, Hawaii –“I’ve been interested in politics as long as I can remember,” James recalled. “I used to hand out political flyers for my father when I was five years old.” James and I are sitting in my favorite red-booth spaghetti place in the Wallingford neighborhood, not too far from the University of Washington. I first met James at the University where he taught a class I took several years ago. And now, because James has agreed to serve on the Board of Directors of Capital Cities USA, we’re discussing business. The “historian’s way of looking at things” is the important niche James fills on the Board. You know, that nit-picking three-part method historians insist on using to explain the world – (1) multiple perspectives (2) a variety of sources and (3) critical analysis. It’s much easier to make a surface-level snap judgment about the events of life, and most of us do that, most of the time. But James is a context person. It’s not just what, it’s what led to the what. Go wide, then narrow in. Understand the influences of the time. Look at some of the things James has focused on since developing that interest in politics at his father’s knee; you’ll see what I mean. » read more

An IPPY!

Linda Burton posting from Edmonds, Washington – Fifty State Capitols has an IPPY now! I’m talking about the book, Fifty State Capitols, The Architecture of Representative Government, authored by Jim Stembridge and published by Coho Publishing. Jim stopped by yesterday on his way back to Salem from New York, where he accepted the award, and I got to meet his wife Joan, and the big black dog that helped him research the capitols, Ruth. I was glad to be able to congratulate Jim in person on such an accomplishment, and pleased that he brought me a copy of the newly bronze-stickered book. An IPPY! Jim’s book received the 2012 Bronze Medal in the Architecture category by the Independent Publishers Book Awards. It was an event that involved the best of independent published works internationally; just look at the photo of Jim accepting the award; blue ribbons around his neck and a big smile on his face. Something to be proud of! » read more

Kent Meridian Elementary

Linda Burton posting from Kent, Washington – “Who likes to travel?” I asked. Every hand went up; that means both hands from every kid; double the enthusiasm. I’m visiting Mrs Macey’s 4^th grade class at grandson Sam’s school, Kent Meridian Elementary; he’d help me set up the room before this happy bunch came back from recess. “So, did you know you are traveling right now?” I continued. Summer vacation? Going home after school? “No, I mean, right NOW,” I answered back. “Right now, in this room, while you are sitting at your desks.” A young man to my right caught the idea then, “We’re orbiting the sun!” “Correcto mundo!” I praised. “We’re traveling around the sun. Every time you have a birthday you’ve circled one more time. I’ve been around the sun 73 times already!” Oo’s and ah’s, such a large number to comprehend. We discussed how many trips they’d made so far; how many miles that was; an awesome fact. Then down to earth, my Journey Across America. » read more

Family Roar

Linda Burton posting from Kent, Washington while traveling between Salem, Oregon and Honolulu, Hawaii – We had to stand at the top of the stairs to sing Happy Birthday. The stairs to the family room, that is, so Kramer could see the cake-with-candles and join in. Kramer loves birthdays. One year he gobbled up half the cake before the party; that’s why he’s in the family room today, behind the gate. Tami is taking no chances, though he’ll get a slice, after everyone else is served. Right now, as the candles flicker and the nine of us sing human words, Kramer howls, in his own joyous big-black-dog way. “He’s the best dog there ever was,” Scott affirms. “The best.” We’re gathered here to celebrate; my baby-child is 47 years old today. How great that I arrived in time to party up. Boxes are stacked everywhere for the family’s impending move, but we don’t mind; we use them for table-tops. Finger-licking food; corn on the cob and KFC; the youngest ones are picky eaters still; the oldest gobble up. Tami made Scott’s favorite cake, the German chocolate kind his grandma made when he was ten and went to fish the Gulf of Mexico. And now it’s picture-taking time. Let’s go outside. » read more